giving is receiving

"less for self, more for others, enough for all." - Gawad Kalinga

i love Christmas! i love gifts. i love opening the gifts i receive. i love the surprise of knowing what's inside the specially-wrapped package. that's why i love Christmas.

only in the Philippines that we can experience the longest celebration of Christmas. when the "-ber" months starts (september to december) people will start buying gifts, parties are left and right, concerts are here and there. people are everywhere. and Christmas motifs will soon cover the whole archipelago before sundown.

from the smallest tiange in divisoria to the biggest mall in asia, people will try to look for the perfect gift that one can give for their love ones. it's because Christmas season is the season of giving and sharing. not only here in the Philippines, but people around the world will take this opportunity to celebrate this gift giving.

but somehow it's not enough. poverty still lurking around and affects majority of the people. if the spirit of giving and sharing is within us then why is it poverty still exist? there is an imbalance distribution of wealth. the rich are getting wealthier and the poor are being buried under their tons of debts.

the GK approach

Gawad Kalinga (GK) translated in English means to “to give care”, and it is an alternative solution to the blatant problem of poverty not just in the Philippines but in the world. GK’s vision for the Philippines is a slum-free, squatter-free nation through a simple strategy of providing land for the landless, homes for the homeless, food for the hungry and as a result providing dignity and peace for every Filipino.

its main thrust is "less for self, more for others, enough for all". if everyone will follow this and make it as his/her personal mission, i think we will celebrate Christmas everyday.

"no one is so poor who cannot give and no one is so rich who does not need."

one of my friends and kumpare, paolo, even though they are not yet financially blessed, he and his girlfriend, donna, still managed to allot some amount to prepare for their gifts. they went to divisoria. tiniis nila ang pagod, ang sikip at siksikan, ang pawis at gutom just to fit in to their budget. they are blessings for their families and friends.

as for me, i will prepare early next year so that i can also budget my finances.

at sa mga matatanggap ko, ok lang kahit hindi mamahalin. it's the thought that counts. hehe.

the blessing

did you know that in giving you actually receives? yes, that's true! by giving, you actually receive God's grace and make yourself an instrument of God in giving His blessings to other people. God uses His people in distributing His wealth and not through some kind of magic. we, as His children, are the key in opening God's door of abundance to His people.

so keep on giving and be generous in sharing your blessings to others especially those who are in need and receive God's grace!

merry Christmas, everyone and a blessed new year! be rich and bless more people!