My favorite pastime is spending a day in a bookstore.
Intellectually, it invigorates me.
Emotionally, it refreshes me.
Spiritually, it inspires me.
And financially, it saves me money! Because sometimes, I don’t have to buy the books I read. I just read it in the store.
Somewhere in the bookstore is the Bestsellers List.
I like looking at that too because it gives me an idea of the popular trends in society, the thoughts that fuel people’s minds and actions.
But recently, I get embarrassed looking at this list.
Because my name regularly appears on it. (People might catch me looking at that list and say, “Gosh, Bo is really vain. He likes reading his name up there.”)
Now don’t get me wrong. I consider it an achievement that I wrote best-selling books. I’m not ashamed of that. In the same way that I consider having my article published in Reader’s Digest a nice feather in my cap. Or being able to preach God’s Word all over this planet. Or writing for the number one Catholic Inspirational Magazine in Asia for the past 24 years. Or helping start dynamic organizations such as Anawim, and Shepherd’s Voice, and Light of Jesus Family and its Counseling Center.
They’re nice achievements, yes.
But I’m sorry, they’re not my greatest achievements.
Do you want to know what I’m really proud of?
Here they are:
When my Dad was still alive, I would visit him and just sit beside him and hold his hand. Because he had lost most of his language skills, we didn’t talk much. Instead, we smiled, laughed, embraced, and enjoyed each other presence.
That, my friends, is one of my greatest achievements.
And when I’m beating deadlines, very busy writing articles on my computer, and I’d see my sons–I would leave my chair and sit beside them. When they were smaller, I sit on the floor and play with them their little toys.
This too is one of my greatest achievements.
And after a long day, I catch my wife slumped by the couch, tired from a day of teaching the kids (because we homeschool them), and I quietly stand behind her, kiss her, say “thank you” to her, and give her a loving shoulder massage…
That would be high up in “My Greatest Achievements” list.
And when I visit friends, or even just call them by phone, or write them letters.
I consider those times my greatest moments.
They define who I am.
Not my books.
Not my organizations.
Not my preaching.
But my love.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
PS. Do you ever dream of writing your own bestselling book? I can teach you how to do it. For more information, click the link below:
