Life seems to more difficult for some people. There are more challenges to overcome than others. Sometimes, it seems like an uphill struggle all the way. How can one be an overcomer?
Changing and touching peoples lives to make a difference daily with kind words, a helpful nature, and genuine concern is what one of my loving daughters, Sarah, is known for. She is an exemplary example of how Greatness Starts @Home.
As a child, she would do her responsibilities at home and for her school work before going out to play, to spend time with her friends, listen to their problems, and treats them as family. She still does the same until today.
When she was in grade school, she divided a sheet of yellow pad into 4 columns to make a list of people she knew. One column was for family, the other one for friends, and the next two for schoolmates and neighbors. She filled up the pad at the age of 7.
At that time, connectivity was sweeping the globe. Starting of with texting to keep in touch, then going online to use Friendster, MySpace, Yahoo Messenger, then she went on to using Facebook and Twitter.
Sarah has with the use of these tools was able create an enormous database of people that she knows and tries her best to keep closely in touch as many as possible.
Now, the 2 essential must-haves for her, as with most of her teenage friends, is unlimited texting and unlimited Internet connection so she can greet them on their birthdays and during Christmas, know how they are doing even if they live abroad, and be there when they need to talk to her about problems with family, school, and relationships, and more.
Sarah seems to be a typical.teenager.
But, little do people know that behind that ready smile, the witty joke, and while multi-tasking to get things done as soon as possible, there is a determined character who works hard and places all her faith in God that she will succeed. And, she is the living testimony on how God's Grace and Mercy has shined in her life - and making other people's life better along the way.
Yes, there are moments of triumphs that one can keep for the rest of our lives, even if our memory card breaks.
In Sarah's young life, having recently turned 18, she has shown that Greatness Starts @Home with a few of her achievements such as:
First. Having graduated high school from Living Heritage Academy, a home study program.
It takes a lot of discipline to do this kind of school work, with minimal supervision, and to be able to focus to complete the work with high grades despite the numerous activities she has with church and with her friends.
After graduation, she was gifted with a scholarship.
Sarah is currently studying Hotel and Restaurant Management, has recently won 3rd place in a cooking contest, and had passed her TESDA NCII test with only 2 mistakes.
Second. Sarah takes care of her grandfather. When my Dad had his stroke, he got half paralyzed. He could not feed himself nor move from the bed.
Sarah is the strongest in the house, and she would move him to sit him up to be feed and more, and was over-all, like a nurse.
Dad has recovered from his paralysis.
Sarah and Mom take turns in doing his massage therapy, and with the right food and proper medication, today, Dad can walk short distances without his cane, can travel long distances, attends parties, converses, uses the computer for games, and is dictating letters again and managing everyone in our home.
I believe this shows how Greatness Starts @Home but this matter cannot be documented. If you had seen Dad after his stroke, this photo happy and healthy photo of him would warm your heart even more.
Third. Sarah is an editor and is listed as
an author in the archives of the National Library.
With Sarah typing and editing, and the invaluable contribution of her two older sisters, Timi and Maxi, we were able to create "The Beef Lover's Cookbook" at home.
It was approved by National Bookstore for publishing, and passed the rigorous testing of San Miguel Corporation for them to become our primary sponsor.
This was in 2006. We took a year to make the cookbook and get it published. As of today, we are still getting royalties from the bookstore.
How does Greatness Start @ Home?
There is this popular poem about how to rear children. Though you might know it, it is worth sharing again.
A Child Learns What He Lives
If a child lives with criticism, He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame, He learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement, He learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise, He learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness, He learns justice.
If a child lives with security, He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, He learns to find love in the world.
I am not the perfect parent, but I try to bring up my children as well as I can. I firmly believe that I have great children - like Sarah. I believe that every child can be great, no matter what the circumstances are, as long as they have developed the strength of character to overcome the obstacles that life puts in their way with patience, by developing the skills, and having integrity.
The dictionary definition of great includes markedly superior in character or quality, remarkably skilled, and marked by enthusiasm. This definition fits my daughter.
Sarah, like my other children, do have lives that show how Greatness Starts @ Home by first being content with what we have and pooling our resources together to achieve more. Success can be measured in many ways, and some can be documented, but I think that the meter ideally should be how happy the child is with their family and how their goodness is shared with the greater community.
Many people say that if Sarah ever decides to run for a political seat in the Paranaque, Las Pinas, and Muntinlupa area, she would surely win. From the junk collector to the richest villagers, the poor and the noblesse will vote for her. If ever this happens, which she right now has no plans of doing, many more people will greatly benefit from her attitude of never-ending constant improvement.
With her busy schedule because of school, her church work with the youth projects in New Life, teaching a Bible study, and going to numerous events such as concerts and birthday parties - Sarah always makes the time to treat people kindly and makes it a point to ensure she is always connected so she can be there when you need a friend to be with, to text, to tweet, or to IM, and share with the most wonderful moments, the saddest events, the plans for the future, and updates about the ordinary happenings of life.
Here's a few photos of Sarah that I compiled. Thank you for allowing us to share some of the highlights of our lives.
