Live Like A Dying Man
One day, I attended Mass and the priest was in a hurry.
He either was very tired. Or had diarrhea.
Because he was going through the motions and doing it quickly.
So very different from my friend Bishop Honesto Ongtioco.
For years, I’ve admired how the good bishop celebrates Mass. He does it with so much passion. Like he speaks every word with fire. And he acts every gesture with love.
Two weeks ago, I had lunch with this great man.
I asked him why he does his Masses this way.
He said something so profound, I’ll never forget it.
He said, “I always imagine every Mass to be my first Mass and my last Mass.”
For me, the key word is imagine.
He added, “What if I died in my sleep tonight? I really don’t know, do I?”
Today, I invite you to take a very special 30-Day Retreat with me.
No, I’m not asking you to go to a Retreat House with me. You’ll just do it wherever you are. (I’ll talk more about it later.)
Using the power of your imagination, you’ll allow death to be your teacher.
Let me tell you how…
We’re A Dying People
Here’s a fact: According to statistics, if you gathered a thousand 25-year-olds in a room, 241 of them will not reach the age of 65.
That’s scary.
We’re all a dying people.
It’s just a question of when. Some sooner. Some later.
But all of us are dying.
But if people know they are dying, I’ve noticed that these dying people will live more deliberately, laugh more joyously, celebrate more happily, give more generously, serve more freely, love more intensely.
Here’s my realization: If you really want to live a spectacular life, you have to live like a dying man.
This became true with my friend Alvin Barcelona.
Wham!
Once upon a time, Alvin was a incredibly busy man.
Alvin, with his mom Aida, was running a flourishing school, the Cardinal Academy. He was in politics. He was in theatre studying under Laurice Guillien. He was also a rock singer with the likes of Freddie Aguilar. Plus, he and his wife Tess had a four-month-old baby boy they named Aio.
Then it happened. First, he felt sharp stomach pains. Then he began to bleed. He went through medical tests the result of which would drastically change his life. The tests showed there were tumors in his intestines and his doctor told him he must undergo surgery. “Alvin,” the doctor told him, “you may not see the first birthday of your baby.”
Wham! Colon cancer crashed onto his life like a train gone berserk.
His Life Totally Changed
Alvin says, “I was only 30 years old. At that moment, I understood the Pilipino saying, pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa,” Alvin recalls. “For I felt it. I felt heaven and earth enveloped me and crushed me.”
Alvin admits that at the outset, he thought of his family. “My wife and I always thought we’d grow old together,” Alvin says. His son—“He was just a baby. I thought I’d play with him, teach him how to ride a bicycle, fly a kite, play the guitar…”
Those days made Alvin realize what were essential in his life.
And he prayed like never before. He found himself visiting the Divine Mercy church in Marilao. And there he knelt and gazed at the image of Jesus clad in a long robe, His right hand raised up to His shoulders ready to bless anyone who would come to Him, His left hand resting on His chest where rays of hope from His Sacred Heart radiated down to His feet.
Days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months. Alvin found himself in church the entire day. He opened the gates in the morning and closed them late at night. He begged to give him a second chance at life.
But then, on his journey towards death, something happened.
“I’m Ready To Die…”
“One day,” Alvin says, his eyes lighting up in wonder, “I simply felt the presence of God and I just knew I was ready—I was ready to meet up with him, to join him in heaven.” He was ready to die and surrendered his life to God.
Alvin underwent surgery for an hour.
When he woke up, his doctor, flabbergasted, told him the strangest thing. He said he did not see any tumor in Alvin’s colon. What was confirmed through a Barium Enema X-Ray—that Alvin had three tumors and spreading—had completely vanished without a trace!
It was Alvin who found something: A steadfast faith in God.
Today, Alvin’s 4-month-old baby is now 13 years old. And Alvin has done what he thought he wouldn’t be able to do—teach him how to bike, fly a kite, and play the guitar. And bless the world with his preaching and music. (Today, Alvin also leads the Marilao, Bulacan FEAST of my spiritual family, Light of Jesus.)
But here’s my point: During those precious months when he thought he was dying, Alvin changed his life.
Friend, you don’t need cancer to change your life.
You can do it right now by the power of your imagination.
If I Had Only 30 Days To Live,
How Will I Live?
Imagine that when you woke up this morning, the phone rings.
You’re still in your pajamas, drinking your coffee.
You stand up and pick up the phone.
You hear your Doctor’s voice. In a very somber tone, he says, “I have to say this to you because I’m your friend and I’m your doctor. I’m now holding in my hand the results your medical tests. I’m very sorry, but you’re going to die in 30 days.”
The shock is overwhelming.
The room around you starts to spin.
You sit down.
“Thirty days? But that’s so soon…”
And a big question reverberates in your mind… “If I had only 30 days to live, how will I live?”
That’s the question I want you to answer today.
And this is the big question for your 30-Day Retreat with me.
I repeat: I’m not asking you to go somewhere.
Wherever you are, take this 30-Day Retreat.
Just imagine that these next 30 days of your life are your last 30 days.
Believe me, you’ll live a different life in these next 30 days.
Make this your big experiment.
In fact, don’t just decide.
Make it an agreement between you and God… (Print this out and sign this prayer. Or get a piece of paper and copy this prayer.)
Prayer:
Lord, I will live the next 30 days
like they were my last 30 days.
Starting Date: _________
Ending Date: __________
____________________
Signature
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
–Psalms 90:12
What 10 Things Should I Do
In The Next 30 Days—If They Were My Last?
Get a pen. Answer this question: What 10 things should I do in the next 30 days—if they were my last? Write whatever comes to your mind. You’ll be surprised at the stuff that’ll come out. What will come out are the most important things in your heart.
1. _________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________
4. _________________________________________________
5. _________________________________________________
6. _________________________________________________
7. _________________________________________________
8. _________________________________________________
9. _________________________________________________
10. _________________________________________________
Invite Friends To Take the Retreat With You!
Get friends to take this journey of 30 Days with you.
Invite one or more persons to do it with you.
Each week, I’ll be emailing you the questions you need to answer and share together. So each week, even just for 15 to 30 minutes, share your answers. Your experiences. Your realizations.
In our spiritual family, we’ve nicknamed this small group of friends as a Caring Group. Because it’s really all about caring for each other.
In the next weeks, I’ll send you Guide Questions, one for each of the 4 Weeks.
Props For The Retreat
At our Sunday Feast, I gave people a tin can with 30 marbles inside.
Inside the can is a little card that says…
Step 1: Each morning, pick 1 marble and thank God for the gift of a new day.
Step 2: Carry it in your pocket to remind you to live your last days with love.
Step 3: Each night, thank God for the whole day. Set the marble aside.
When the can is empty, thank God for your life of love. Pray for more days…
It doesn’t have to be a can. It doesn’t have to be marbles.
Find your own props.
Something to remind you of your 30-Day Retreat.
Have a great one!
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
PS. Gain more spiritual abundance! Grab a mountain load of nourishment for your soul absolutely FREE. Sign up at www.KerygmaFamily.com now!
Popularity: 25% [?]
Sphere: Related Content
Filed under: Blogs by bosanchez
Hi Brother Bo,
It is the most difficult of all the events that happen to anyone alive - death and thus the most difficult to handle….
I thank you for your story and insights and I hope I have the strength to go on the 30-day retreat….
Putting my life in the perspective of death will indeed reorganize life’s priorities.
Thank you for this wake up call…
God bless & more power!
thank you for this heart-warming eye opener..
i hope to maximize my time and ponder on my life’s most important that most of the time I don’t give some attention..
God bless Us All..
This is really the best! Thanks God for having you in my life and in the whole world! You are my inspiration!
Your articles have always been an inspiration to us… We hope that you’ll be blessed more so that you’ll continue to bless other people thru your articles and the things you do for the common good.
I personally love reading your works.
Please continue writing superb ones!
We saw you and your family in boracay last May 4,you’re wearing an orange shirt and we were inside the car but we were shouting to say hi…=)
this is very timely. i’ve been feeling so depressed the past weeks because of an 11-year old past that has paralyzed me so much…it has hurt me everyday….i do not know how to handle it anymore, it has changed my life drastically…
pagod na pagod na ako but i dont know how to start right anymore….
pagod na pagod na ako that I dont know how to cry out anymore
thank you for this….please pray for me… salamat
sir,
thanks for such an inspiring 30-day retreat. i believe it will benefit me to feel up my emptiness…..
you alwayas inspired me bo with all the letters i recieved from you actually right now i feel like im dying,felt soo useless and so alone,its been a hard a life quite a while but i dont have any regret i know i can do all this and i can survive my faith to Him is still very strong.may God bless and guide me always
Thank you for this very inspiring message..
Hi Bro Bo,
Thanks for inspiring all of us. I’ll use this 30-Day Retreat during our Household meeting. Me and my group will do this together.
May God bless you and your family.
Thank you Brother Bo for making me realize that Life is short, so we must make the most of it..I am longing to have a retreat; i already attended a 5-day and 8-day Silent retreat and my soul is craving for it..but when I started working here in Dubai, it is really very difficult for me to find a quiet time to pray and reflect..now i really signed the agreement that i will do the the 30 day retreat..I want to live my life to the fullest and be the best person that God wants me to be….For the Greater Glory of God
God has a plan for us to finish our mission in life before he will get us…
I always thank God
God bless=]
Hi Bro.Bo….
i wanna thank God for giving us a person like you.You really give us peace of mind everytime we read your letters/blog/books.i am very greatful to have a friend who’s very fun of yours.she’s the one who influenced me to read your books and magazines.everytime i’m in a very deep situation i just go to POWERBOOKS and read one of your books…(because i cant afford to buy one,,,he he he}thanks BO..your such a big help to me…if you only knew…God bless!!!!
Bro.Bo,
Thank you for the very nice stories and messages. You truly changed many lives. May God continue to bless you more!
This had made me teary eyed. What a wonderful story. Thank you very much for sharing.
helo kua bo
after i received this article i automatically join the so called retreat..i really wanted to share it w/ my husband but i think its not appropriate…so i just share it w/ my confidante’ a friend of mine…i think this will help me a lot in my process…pls continue sending me articles like this…as well as about relationship stuff it will be appreciated that much…thank God he made u as His instrument to heal, to give hope and to share the love that God wants us to feel…
God speed kua bo…tc
I had been stricken by cancer 16 years ago and was given a second chance. In this second life I was given another chance but have some big stumbles along the way. Thanks to my loving and patient wife I am still lucky I was able to pick myself up. Reading this article made me realize that I should do better. Thank you for sharing
it will be so hard for me to do this retreat since im a thousand miles from home. but i guess this is a big challenge for me. i will be willing to join this retreat.
hi bo.. what can i say? i got this email at a perfect timing… i’m celebrating my 42nd birthday tomorrow, and your email just reminded me to LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST coz i might not even wake up tomorrow to celebrate my birthday….but each day is a gift from God, and we must always celebrate life, everyday. I am taking the 30-day retreat starting tomorrow when I wake up on my 42nd birthday…it’s just PERFECT!! thanks for inspiring me to be a better person each and everyday with your daily messages….God Bless you!!
Hi Bro. Bo,
Thanks for this very “imaginative” and inspiring article you wrote. I don’t have sickness and I thank God for that, but every now and then I feel low and depressed, just going through the motions of life, without much inspiration, and lots of frustrations. I guess I wanted something new in my life (you know this song?) Anyway, that’s how I feel right now. I want my “second wind”. I need to find motivation to live my life on the edge and live it fully as time is precious.
Please pray for me.
God bless you.
NOTES FROM DUBAI
This article has reinvented and reengineered my priorities in life.
More power to you brother Bo for such an overwhelming and overflowing spirit of wisdom within you.
may you continue to nourish our minds and hearts with this spirit filled food for thought.
all the best
roger
salamat igsoon! i hope my imagination won’t fail me
i got a new phrase…
a steadfast faith in God.
Thank you! with all my heart
Thank you, Bo you inspire us,i always prepare myself anytime is my last day, i will be joining the retreat.thanx and God bless.
i hope i can start writing 10 things i wanna do as if it was my last.
i really don’t know where i am up to.
for those people who happens to read this (or even just take a glance) comment, pls. pray for me.
thank you
rona,
dont loose hope., pray. pray as if it was your last day on earth.
start thanking God for whatever you have right now even if you dont like to.
just start saying THANK YOU GOD for… (give out the details )
Main thing to remember, by focusing on the things that you are grareful for changes your perspective
and if you change your perspective you change circumstance and by changing your curcumstance you change your destiny
so smile and start Thanking GOD for the goodness He has given!
this is so timely coz i’m in a crossroads right now. will be turning 50 a few months from now and it seems everything in my life is not what i envisioned to be….career, financial, family. am definitely joining this retreat. thank you so much.
brother bo, do you have an email where i can send and share things that i need guidance and enlightenment on?
again, my sincerest thanks.
this past few days i was thinking of what to do with my life…i have so many plans but it seems that i dont know where to start and how to start…i wanted to have an inspiration to keep me going.I cannot find reasons to move…thus this article moved me…yes i will take on this 30days retreat and see for myself GODs immesuarable plan for me,this is what i need.and this will be my inspiration….THANKS A LOT>GODBLESS
hello brother bo, i would be honest to accept that you really made me cried the whole time that i read this story plus your suggestions to be done.our situation is not similar to what you had shared, but what struck me the most is the faith from God that if my family and i will continuously believing in Him,all of these sorrowful emotions that had almost crushed as to death will soon be vanished.This was so timely that you had made me imagined the beauty of life once more that eventhough there were big obstacles around defeating to go on with the most enjoyful life that every person would want to live, still there is God who gives us TRUE HOPE and STRENTGH that beyond our imagination,He truly loves us dearly.Life should be played on with passion and dedication(many had forgotten it to feel due to problems and difficulties) and that this self retreat is the BEST way to wake us up that even true death will come,everyone is ready for it to be it sweet and be cherished bec. God will be just next to us.THANK you! continue motivating our souls,we LOVE you as our personal diciple.God bless you and More Power!
Thanks brother Bo! Had been postponing to do what is essential in my life, reasoning that God would surely understand. Your message hit me directly…deep in my heart, I know God wants me to do… i resolve to do it now… thanks and may my life be a thanksgiving to HIS COUNTLESS GRACES.
May you be blessed some more because you are an inspiration to us. Once again thank you!
30 days from now will be my 23rd bday.. this will be a great way for me to renew my life.. I am a work in progress.I know it will take time, right attitude, faith and prayers to make a better person. I can’t wait for the big transformation. More blessing to come.. Thank you bro bo, you are God’s instrument to all of us.
You’re truly a heaven sent Bro. Bo…you always inspire me. Thanks you!!!
Hi Bro. Bo..
Your article always inspire me… Thanks a lot
Good day! Thank you so much for this very inspiring message. You’re right in saying that we don’t need to be diagnosed with cancer to start changing our lives. We can do the change now. With God nothing is impossible. c,”)
Dear Bro. Bo,
Greetings of PEACE!
Thank you very much for your very inspiring articles. I have been reading your articles and truly it helped me a lot! It changes my outlook in life!
I will join the 30 day retreat starting today and invite other friends too. God uses you as HIS instrument to show HIS love for us.
God Bless Always.
Raul
hey bo,
i’ve got a problem. i was not particularrly afraid of dying growing up, up to now. never have been too attached to this life/world ever since i can remember. i have always identified with that jesuit saint who was asked the question:”what would you do if you knew with certainty that you were going to die in an hour or so”, while playing billiards… he answered:”Go on playing billiards.”. I’m sure of course that his perspective was different from mine because i think he would have been completely at peace and joyful in most areas of his life compared to me who has thus far been eluded by them(joy and peace). ok that may be an exaggeration there. but i hope you get the picture.i’ve always, always taken life as it came. always played the cards i’ve been dealt with as excellently as i could, with lots of lapses of course but the intention was always there
but there’s the problem: not afraid to die… cannot imagine any major change to do with what i’m dong right now if i knew i was going to die very soon. but yet, but yet, the joy and peace i’d like to feel has eluded me so far.i identify so very much with the song “Pilgrim’s Theme”,while GMA’s station song(it’s where you belong…) a few years back was quite meaningless for me. i’ve never belonged any where yet really.
Neverthe less it is a great article and a nice reflective exercise to do.
i’ll be doing it anyway just to make sure i have not been deluding myself.
God bless you and the things you’ve been doing for God. btw, my comfort nowadays is listening to the songs “Prayer of Rupert Mayer” and “Halina lumapit sa akin”. Well, i hope that gives you a peek into my pathos, thanks for reading and i will continue reading your future articles because they do speak to me very much.
hello! Thanks for the inspiring message. God bless1
Hi Bo,
there are really no accidents. i was just discussing the “when i die” topic with my 10-year old son last night and told him that i would be making his aunt, my sister as his legal guardian(i’m a single mom).
was very surprised (and nervous) with his reply that he would choose to be with his father (whom he only met and started a relationship with this year) when i die. then i received your newsletter this morning…talk about right timing. have a lot of sorting out to do so thank you for this 30-day retreat!
Godspeed!
Milli
Thank you for the remider Bro. Bo.
The thing is, I always live like my death is near because with so many deaths that I have experienced in my family I have come to see it as like the common cold that we could catch anytime. What I need to work on is not fearing it and I think my problem stems form my not being able to fully restore my faith yet. The irony is… many years ago the same mircale happened to my sister. A tumor disappeared thru prayer and strong faith.
bro BO, how do you do that? you always hit the proverbial “nail” in all of us. tinamaan kaming lahat. this article reminds me of OG MANDINO (author of “The Greatest Salesman in the World”)
“… i’ll live this day as if it’s my last….” - Og Mandino
i’ll have this article printed and give it to my wife….
…can you imagine how perfect our “family life” would be if we (me and my lovely wife) both execute this 30-day retreat?
thanks bro. BO!!!
Hi Bro Bo,
Where in Marilao do ALvin leads the Bulacan FEAST of my spiritual family, Light of Jesus.
thanks bro bo for this very inspiring article that once again touch my heart the deepest.Please continue to teach and motivate us everyday of our lives. god bless and more power to you.
Thanks Bo. It reminds me of my double-valve replacement open heart surgery 2 years ago. My surgeon told me that the metal valves will expire in 25 years pero nasa pagiingat ko pa rin. i told my friends “masarap pala ang may taning na ang buhay.” my life style has changed; my outlook & dreams in life have become more spiritual. Recovery is very fast. After 7months i went back to work. I walk, bike and for the passt 2 days i played basketball(half court only). I pray that God will soon lead me where I could best serve Him.
Really good one Bro. Bo. Your inspiring articles every week helps me a lot with my day to day life and how to handle life. ..
Hi! this is great! i just don’t want the thought of “the last 30 days” parang negative naman? nakakatakot. so much to do. 30 days just isn’t enough !
Thank You, Brother,…. It will surely help me especailly with my situations right now, Living away with my family, and even away with my friends. Thanks Bo. Person like you would always make a dead person alive and kicking. I am dying in sin right now, and I know that God is the only one who can help me… thnks bo. for reminding me. God Bless
wow!!!!! What an article. Really touch me so very deep. I just want to thank the Lord for using u so mightily and for touching so many people. Bro Bo, I am a Malaysian and i have been following your article for 2 years now. I really wish to meet you one day in person and give you a big hug. May the good Lord continue to bless you abundantly.
Bro Bo. Thank you for this wonderful article.
I met this 20 year old filipina who lives with her Family in San Francisco, CA. She happens to belong to a not so well-off family struggling to have a decent life in the US. She said, she will rest when she dies. I immediately had a connection with this girl. Right now, that’s what i feel. I work very hard to provide a decent life for my family back in the Phils…and I will only rest when i die.
Your article struck me. I want to take your 30-day retreat and hope that this will redirect my goals in life. Yes, i would still want to say “i will rest when i die”…but i will labor in loving, worshipping and serving the Lord till i die.
Hi Bo,
Truly this was a great nd inspiring story, I woke up this morning after my night shift work from a call center and thank God i was able to read this. This really is an eye openner for me.
I am now determined to live the rest of my days here on earth for the glory of God and love for everyone as God has so loved me.
He deserves our highest praise.
Hello Bro. Bo,
I think this 30 day retreat is a wonderful idea.
I hope it would give me the strength to overcome my fears and live life to the fullest.
But there’s the question of money…. … medyo magastos yung 10 list ko. …hehehe..
Thanks anyway for inspiring.
God Bless!
Hello Bro. Bo!
The story of Alvin Barcelona was very inspiring. It reminds me of my endometrial cysts in each of my ovaries which were totally healed by our Lord last Oct of 2008. They were discovered April of 2006 and I underwent a hormonal treatment for more than two years, that supressed the function of my ovaries thus, no menstrual cycle for the whole period of treatment.
With the prayers of my families and friends, with the faith in my heart that God will heal and get rid of those cysts, I received the complete healing before I took my board exam. My mother was crying in joy and thankfulness because the ultrasound showed no trace of cysts and my ovaries are normal and healthy.
All praise and glory to God, our ultimate HEALER!
I’m goin’ to take this 30-day retreat with my family and some friends. Thanks kuya Bo, another spiritual activity that will nourish our souls, all for His great glory! Amen! ;D
That story really inspires me… Im going to take this retreat with my bestfriend. Thanks Bro.Bo hope you could send us more inspiring stories your really an angel for us God bless
I thought about it and I decided that if I only had 30 days to live I’d probably spend it smoking.
But if had an eternity to live… well that’s a question to be pondered in another time, perhaps after 30 days
hello bro. bo,
good day to you. i don’t know if i’ll call it coincidence with regards to your article today. i started going to quiapo church last april 9. for 2 months i’ve been religiously attending mass every fridays. i admit those were the times that i needed guidance and strength. been living a difficult life for almost a year now so when my dear friend invited me to attend mass that day no second thoughts i went with him. since then i can’t wait for friday to come. it’s like am so eager to go there and pray. but then for almost a month now i stopped going there. and then confusion and worry came to me again. i see myself now as a hypocrite for stopping what i started with the Lord. and now after reading your article the more i felt guilty. becoz those time when i needed guidance He’s with me. when i asked something from Him i got answered prayers. and after receiving those blessings this is what i have done. stopped praying and talking to Him.
“Live like a dying man”, it’s how i thought before that’s why i started going to quiapo church. and when i became well, i stopped. now am feeling like dying again…..
thank you for sharing these articles and helping people like me to realize that only with Him you can find inner peace. be safe and god bless.
Hi Bro. Bo,
Several years ago, I read a novel by Mitch Albom entitled Tuesdays with Morrie. If I recall right, he said the same thing. Live each day as if it is your last.
God bless.
I really loved your books and my fiance had a collection of your great stories.
everyday it inspires me to see positive things in life..You are really a good testimony to all of us! More power! Godbless..
Hi Bro Bo,
Good afternoon, I agree with you bro. It is true that if you have a limited time you can do anything you can ever imagine. Allow me to share with you my experience here in Singapore. When I came here as a tourist & look for a job, the immigration gave me 14 days stay only. Against all odds, the only thing I have is my faith to HIM & my love to my wife & my family in the Philippines.
I woke up early to look for jobs listed in the newspaper, browse the internet and send as many applications as I can. Through Gods’ grace & will I found a job in three days and I was hired in the 7th day.
It is really amazing because other people say it is impossible for me to get a job within that period only. But God make it possible for me and I believe & always believe nothing is impossible with God.
For this may God be praised. Gob bless you bro & your family.
Hi Bro Bo,
Good afternoon, I agree with you bro. It is true that if you have a limited time you can do anything you can ever imagine. Allow me to share with you my experience here in Singapore. When I came here as a tourist & look for a job, the immigration gave me 14 days stay only. Against all odds, the only thing I have is my faith to HIM & my love to my wife & my family in the Philippines.
I woke up early to look for josbs listed in the newspaper, browse the internet and send as many applications as I can. Through Gods’ grace & will I found a job in three days and I was hired in the 7th day.
It is really amazing because other people say it is impossible for me to get a job within that period only. But God make it possible for me and I believe & always nothing is impossible with God.
For this may God be praised. God bless you bro & your family
THIS IS NICE AND IT IS REALLY HELP AND TO ENLIGHTEN ME WHAT LIFE AHEADS OF ME…
THANKS BRO. BO,,, U INSPIRE ME ALWAYS TO SEE THE POSITIVE THINGS IN LIFE.
PLEASE INCLUDE ME N YOUR PRAYERS BECOZ IM BIG MESS WITH REGARDS OF MY FINANCIAL PROBLEMS…
GOD BLESS U ALWAYS AND UR FAMILY..
IN JESUS NAME
THANK U AGAIN AND MORE POWER..
thanks bro. bo. i really love to read your blog cuz it inspires me a lot.
god bless
I heard Sis. Del V. of St. Peter once said in one of her preaching “Marami sa atin ang nagdadasal na humaba pa ang ating buhay, but do we ever take a deep thought of why we want to live more.Kung ang motibo mo ay pang-sarili lamang, di mo ba gusto na makasama mo na ang lumikha sa iyo?” It openned my mind to the true purpose of my being. And this article of yours added more sa mga meditations ko on how I should live the life I have today. Talagang napakaraming dapat na ipagpasalamat sa Diyos sa pang-araw-araw nating pamumuhay, mga biyayang dapat nating ipamahagi ngayon palang sapagkat di natin alam kung ang bukas ay darating pa sa atin. Thanks & I will share this to our community in HSP, Pangarap
Hello bro. Bo,
Again thanks for this very inspiring blog.
If you allow me to share how am I going to live my life if I only have 30 days to live, first and foremost I would spend each day loving the Lord God the best way I can-in prayer and in action, thanking Him for the many wonderful things He as done for me.
I swear to live a life in total surrender and willingness to change my life from good to better; promise to take care of myself, love myself and forgive myself fo all it’s imperfections; give the best way I can in gratitude for His goodness and renew the vow to forgive everybody who has hurt me especially the HARDEST one to forgive.
I would love my family unceasingly; show them how much I care for them; thank God for my wonderful parents who shared with me their most IMPERFECT LOVE, yet perfected in Christ.
I lwould try my best to enjoy life to the fullest by spending more time to rest and recreate while waiting for the ONE PERSON He prepared for me to love… till the end of time.
To Him be all Honor and Glory. Amen
I’m happy to say that I attended the last feast (June 21) together with my two sons (22 and 21 years old), my daughter (17 yrs. old) and the girl friend of my first son. I first attended the feast on June 14 together with my first son and daughter. My children asked me if we could go to the feast every Sunday and I glady said yes. I’m so happy that I’m finally praising the Lord together with my children. I’m also hearing the words of the Lord with them. Thank you Bo for your very inspiring messages. My daughter even told me that she never thought that she is that special until our first attendance of the feast. We are now in the most happiest chapter of our lives joining the 30 days retreat.
you did it again bo!
just thinking about death makes me cringed. What’s more if it will be for reality. I have a lot of things in my mind listed for my 30-day retreat. I’m also amaze of the things Im thinking to do. Wow! all of it speaks for love and forgiveness to family and friends.
Thanks Bo, I didn’t know i’m capable of forgiving and loving, not until now. God Bless you and more power!
Hi Bo!
Nice article! It reminded me of the “exercise of death” which is a usual practice in don bosco.
Galing naman… oo nga if today is my last how will I live it. Be happier. Nice one, thanks Bo!
i want to go to heaven, but i am afraid to die, just thingking of dying in 30 days terrifies me.
Sir, you are grace… thank you for sharing this to us..
youre a ganuine GOD’sconduit of blessing!
this is a real life testemony challenge..
i pray that the blessing you released be doubled in your life po..
thanks thanks thanks
what a nice and very inspiring story. i just do hope this will help me change whats bad in me and gain more faith to the Lord!!!!
this article will really reinvented my priorities in life, I’ll do it starting today!!!
thanks
Good day ! I myself had experienced the thought of living only a limited time while i was waiting for my biopsy result. I bargained God to please give me one more time with my family, at least just that one Christmas Season before He would take me with Him if my biopsy would turn positive. I made sure my family took the best Christmas pics of our Noche Buena together. Something to cherish later ! ha ha ! I realized that there were still so many things that I planned for my life, but suddenly that time, I had to zero it down to only one essential thing , for there’s not enough time to accomplish those. I would recall that if God would take me that time, I won’t be able to see my children getting married or enter the Religious life, and my granchildren. I remembered how the world just appeared so trivial to me, how I realized intensely the value of relationships and that love alone is all that matters, for our family, friends and most of all, the love for our Creator ! Things intangible like love, became far more essential to me than ever ! Like a 180 degree turn, my biopsy miraculously came out negative! Praise our Lord! That was few years back, and I couldn’t thank God enough for this new life He has given me, to serve Him joyfully but in an enlightened way, in my family and others . Praise God forever !!!
We should never fear death. As St. Francis said, ” It is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life ! ” Death is but our Gateway to Heaven!
Thanks Bro. Bo for this beautiful reminder of the reality of death. This article is one of your best! God bless you and your family!
Have a good day everyone and God bless us all !
Dear Bo,
Well, what can I say? With third stage cancer, I can say I am a dying woman. But I have never lived as much as before. Yes I am eager to join your retreat. Exciting!
Thank you, Bo, you are a blessing!
Nimia
to nimia —-
hi! i have a friend who has third stage ca. from previous years ! until now , she’s alive and ” kicking ” ! hey, as long as our heart still beats, and as long as there’s still air to breathe, there’s life ! everyday is a Miracle from our Creator !
cheer up and enjoy every minute that God has given you.
from your friend from the other side of the globe.
God bless you always !
Hi Bro Bo
Thank you again for the wonderful message. We are really thankful for the one life that God has given us. I will pray hard and write the 10 things that I need to do if this is my last 30 days to live.
May the Lord continue to bless you and use you powerfully to build His Kingdom here on earth. May you continue to inspire us with His messages.
God bless! We love you!
GOD BLESS!
death is something we all we’ll face and it would definitely crash us down when we’d learn that we’re dying…
i pray i would be able to see life in a different view now that i am in pain…
God bless everyone!!!!
thank you so much. Godbless u!
As one of the founders of Contemplative Outreach always says - death is just the passageway to a new life, a closer life with Him. So why be scared?
this is wonderful bro.bo, reminds me of tuesdays with morrie, “when you know how to die,you’ll know how to live”…i’ve always wanted this expirience,now after reading your words, i want it even more badly… Bro.Bo, thanx for your guidance…God Bless!
so wonderful & inspiring message. it answers all my worries on how to face God after life. Thanks a lot Bro. Bo
Hi Bo,
I am about to turn 43 in July. My career has somehow reached a blank wall. I’ve been blessed with a great life, a loving wife, 3 wonderful kids, a great house, good cars, etc. My problem is that I feel I missed the boat in my career or business. Its a long story but there were many assumptions I had that didn’t happen and now I feel as though I have been left out in the cold career-wise. It has taken me three years since that traumatic experience to get on my feet again.
Now, that i have gotten through the worst three years of my life, I want to take this opportunity to live my remaining half of my life to the fullest. I need advice on how to discover Gods purpose for me, how to discover my strengths — His gifts to me. I seem to want to do so many things and I can’t focus on what I should be doing. can you offer me any books or programs that can help me focus? I know Im blessed with a lot of talent but i cant focus on which one to pursue for fear it might be the wrong one. One thing’s for sure, though, I am definitely in the wrong job now. It’s an obvious misfit but I can just resign because I also need the salary. and in fact, i am also doing well where i am now but I know its because I’ve been force-fitting my talents to this job I have. I just feel that I should be in a situation where I can do so much more, and that God has given me so many talents that I don’t know which one to focus on.
Hope you can help me on this. I’ve read so many books but they all assume you know where your strengths or your talents are and how to focus on the vital few.
Thanks.
Thank you Bro. Bo.
I will definitely join this retreat cause I’m on a crossroad and I need to do some refocusing with my life in terms of my goals, career and family.
God really has ways of answering prayers and you are one of His intruments…
God bless
Hi Kuya Bo,
Thank you very much for sharing to me always wonderful words of inspiration. It is really fitted for me right now, since I feel so scared, hopeless and alone.
I will follow your advise. Truly you are one of those people who inspires me always. By the way, I love reading your books.
Hoping to see you again kuya Bo, here in Dumaguete.
Thank you!
Thank you
Hi Bo!
With the “30 remaining days of my life” in my mind, i felt the urgency of forgiving my father and making my mother sisters feel how much i love them. I would probably go to movies with them for the remaining days of my life.
Thanks thanks
Thank you for this post. I was confronted yesterday afternoon with the thought that I need to change certain things in the way I live my life. And I was quite lost on how to start it. What you’ve written is very very timely — And God is always on time.
Thank you for this article and may God bless you more in your ministry. ^-^
Hi Bo,
Such a wonderful article! I’m going through this fear and feeling too tired thinking, hoping and praying for love ones.
I earnestly asked God to give my mom another chance to live life. I have fear of losing her since the day she got sick..it’s been 4 years now and you just can’t imagine how tired am I everyday having this fear, approaching life without peace of mind. It hardens my heart more knowing that it’s not only difficult for me but for my love ones as well.
I miss my family, the home runs by my Mom. I really hope and pray that God will blessed her strength and good health. I miss seeing my Papa singing, dancing with Mom. I see the pain in his eyes to see Mom in nailed in wheel chair. See, I’m crying while writing this. The emotions are just overflowing. Pls pray for my Mom Lourdes. God bless you all!
bro bo. i always check your post in the blog everyday cuz it really inpires me.. thank GOD for this..
hi bro bo. i always check your post in the blog everyday cuz it really inpires me.. thank GOD for this..
June 24, 2009
Dear Bro. Bo:
Thank you so much for the inspiring message. I know that this is perfgect timing, you know what, im going through a period of hopelessness and desperation I so badly want that SOMETHING GOOD, POSITIVE AND MIRACULOUS will happen to my life and change my life’s perspective and status 180 Degrees!(bcoz if its 306 Deg, itll be back to crap, hehe, huh, i still managed to make a funny smile comment..)
TODAY IM GOING TO JOIN AND TAKE YOUR 30 DAY RETREAT CHALLENGE.. and I believe deep in my heart , even if the retreat is not yet finished A MIRACLE, A BLESSING AND TRANSFORMATION WILL HAPOPEN during the course of this Soul retreat, I donot want eagerly, i mean, hesistant to take on the title of the retreat challenge if I HAVE ONLY 30 DYAS TO LIVE WHTLL I DO WITH MY LIFE? FUNNY, im not afraid to die,at least i have a healthy notion or mindset about death, but what hesitates me is that IM STILL SO YOUNG AND MY KIDS ARE STILL SO YOUNG, KELANGAN PA NILA AKO AND I BELEIEVE MY PURPOSE PAKO DITO SA MUNDO NA DIKO LANG NATUTUNGHAYAN KUNG ASAN YUNG SUSI PARA MABUKSAN ANG PURPOSE NA ITO ..hence, ill take this retreat… please Bro. Bo, pray for me always and include me to your prayer army. Can you please send me also a Novena to God’s Love? I see you hold this up when i watch your delayed telecast of your preaching sessions ..
God bless to your wonderkid Bene, my youngest son likes him very much and admires him,,to your baby son also and your wife, ate marowe …when i was single, i was able to follow your love stroy via the kergyma magazine, (coolege pako nun po)
regards & God Bless. Alleluia!
Noemi
Hi Bro. Bo
This is an awakening call for everyone who reads this. I don’t know how to start this retreat, but I realy realy wanted to do it. Wish me luck. I know God will always be there to guide me.
Bro Bo!
YOU ARE AN ANGEL SENT BY GOD TO
INSPIRE AND REDIRECT PEOPLE’S LIVES!
THERE ARE BUT FEW INDIVIDUAL WHO CAN OFFER THEIR TIME TO LIFT OTHERS SOUL!
GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL YOUR ENDEAVORS!
Dear Bro Bo,
Reading your article really gives me something like a pain killer.
You really touched my soul so deeply. I’m so grateful that I’m one of your countless readers.
God Bless you and your family!
Lea
Dear Bro. Bo,
What a nice wake-up pinch to a carefree soul! You just don’t know how blessed i am every time i read your messages. Thank you very much, more power and God bless you always.
Jean
… Added to my comment above, if i had only 30 days to live, foremost of my preparation would be to make peace with my God and others. i would approach the Sacraments of Penance or Reconciliation and would receive Holy Communion more fervently everyday. To complete it all, I would go for the Annointing of the Sick to keep me strong. I had known friends who got well after Annointing. I just wouldn’t put my soul into that realm of mere ” perhaps ” ? It’s salvation we are talking about, and it will be our dwelling place forever! Still, i believe i shoudn’t wait for someone to tell me i have only 30 days to live on this earth, before i mend my ways. I should be ready anytime, never postpone my preparation, for death comes like a ” thief in the night ” , i will never know when late is too late. Further, we have to pray for more vocations to the Priesthood so we all can make avail of God’s graces through His Sacraments in the person of His Priest.
Thanks Bro. Bo for this reality sharing. God bless you and your family.
Have a good day everyone !
Hey Bo ^_^
I do hope you’ll be able 2 read my comment along with the others. Thank you for always taking time 2 write stuff that inspire people like myself. I’ve read some of the comments here, I hope that wherever these people are, no matter in what situation they are in right now, I hope they keep in mind the lesson I had to learn the hard way: even flowers don’t mean anything when someone’s dead. I hope that instead of just aiming to survive, all of us should learn to LIVE.
Have a great day everyone.
hi bro. bo,
its an opener to everybody’s mind that we should LIVE
LIKE A DYING MAN. and its true. wow!
thank you. thank you.thank you…for the nice & best
best blog.
GODBLESS BLESS YOU ALWAYS.
Bo,
hi.. it totally changes me..i’ll share this one to my friends..thanks!
Hi Brother Bo,
tnx. for the inspiring and touching article. When I read this article it remembers me my grandfather who had a lung cancer and he never walks. Tnx. to God because he heals my grandfather. Tnx din sayo because you sent me this article and it was so nice to read. Tnx a lot. Alleluia praise the Lord
Amazing !!!!!
Great article Bro. Bo…..
Actually I dont know how and when to start this retreat…Im struck with the imagination of your Bo, im willing to join but Im thousands away from home….Yet I’ll do everything wherever I am now to live like a dying a man…..
God Bless us All…..
Blessed day Bro. Bo
When I was 29, I am so ready to die coz I am so happy and satisfied serving the Red Cross and organizing outreach programs.
I am so ready die, kasi wala naman akong lovelife, but I am happy.
D pa ako kinukuha ni Lord. Have to excel in all GOD’s talent and skills.
Thank you and GOD Bless
Violet
bro.bo,
thanks for the message today,i have a mixed emotion on how to handle my last 30 days,am kinda sad & happy ,to meet the Lord & sad to leave my husband & 5 kids ,anyway,am really inspired..thanks again for sending me ur article. today,.so soul uplifting!! do continue to inspire more souls!!God bless always!!!
Dear Bro. Bo,
This particular article touched my heart. It made me realized that time is relally rpecious. Time must not be spent on harboring fears or anger. Time must be spent on giving love and by that receiving love.
I will join this retreat and shall hope that it will make me become a better mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and worker. A better person as a whole.
Thanks and more power.
despite the problems and ordeals we are experiencing, after all its a wonderful life we have. God blesses us everyday that’s why we should be thankful to Him and always be good to others. Show our kindness everyday as if its our last..
hi bro bo,
Thank you for the inspiring and remembering what life is. Life is short and you can do whatever you want but there is a purpose in our life why we are here in this world. If you know your purpose, life is beautiful and you can imagine how come that God is giving you a beautiful life. I just put in my mind that everytime that i have a problems and can’t solve it? I lift up to God and He can solve it, because we can do nothing without Him. Always trust to God and He will guide you in a right path of our life.
God Bless you for the inspiring message and your family.
same thing with the movie THE GUITAR. She lived her though-to-be last days differently until the cancer cells finally disappeared because it could no longer recognize its host.
Very inspirational as always!
Thanks BO.
BTW, im joining the retreat
Let me share my experience with you…
I am very thankful to God for giving me such a kind, loving, handsome, responsible, faithful husband and good father to our 2 kids. He has no vices, a good leader, and faithful servant of God. My friends often remind me, how lucky I am. For seven years of marriage, we do not quarrel. He always allows me to do what I want, even if some of our officemates teased him as “under de saya”. According to him, it is his way of showing to me how much he loves me. And in the event that he does not conform with my decision/action, he explains it to me in a subtle way.
At around 3:20 am, January 31, 2009, he asked me to sleep beside him (I am reading pocketbook at that time), to embrace him because he feels intense coldness. The comfort of blanket is not sufficient. As such, I immediately responded to his request. I asked him to turn off the electric fan and he did as ordered. I embraced him again but still he was chilling. Then suddenly, he suffered convulsion/seizure. I asked for help and my parents, who are living with us together with our two neighbors, responded to my call. At around 3:40 am, the doctor in the nearest hospital declared him as dead on arrival. If only I knew…He’s too young to die. He’s only 34. He has a lot of things to do, a potential to show, a dream to fulfill. But he has already accomplished his mission on earth. I’m positive he is now in heaven with our creator.
It very painful to lost someone dear to our heart. Thanks to the Lord for giving me strength to face that trial of spiritual faith. Thanks for the grace that I was able to accept it without asking for a reason. Thanks to our brothers and sisters in Christ, to our family and friends. Thanks to the text messages and teachings from God.
From that day, my perspective in life changed. I became more matured. I now cherish every day of my life, my love ones and friends. I am now totally dependent on God. Lessons learned - Life is too short. So let us live our lives to the fullest. Let us consider today is our last day. And I always asked myself “If today is your last day, are you ready to face God?”.
By the way Bro. Bo, my husband and I are your avid fans. We have collections of your books and kerygma magazines. We are present in the last 2 yrs kerygma conference. Your teachings on how to manage our finances are of great help. He was able to save some money (small amount) for our kids.
Please pray for us…thanks a lot.
Dear Bro. Bo, thanks po uli pagpadala uli ng e-mail na soulfood miss ko na talaga ito kahit hirap sa buhay at marami problema na-inspire ako sa mga artikulo mo nagiging gabay ko ito sa buhay ko at pag-asa sa aking faith sa Dios. More power at God bless.
“If you know how to die, You know how to live!”
~Morrie
Dear Bo,
Despite of my busy schedule, I always try to squeeze in the time to read your blogs as they have always been inspiring…. as always, like this one!
I’ve read this in the morning and made my list… I only got to #7 - you see, I’ve been through so much in my life - I think I’ve suffered enough and been blessed enough that I don’t need to do much in this life anymore!
This afternoon, though - it struck me! Friday evening and I go home on an empty house… I ring friends and they all have plans! I’m alone…without my work, I’m nothing. Tonight, I feel like I don’t need 30 days. I can die tonight and who cares?
Don’t get me wrong - I’m not suicidal but it’s a fact of life, not all people are blessed with happiness like you have. I’m blessed with success in career and financial ability to sustain myself and the medical outreach I organize every year but - these things don’t make me happy. They do make me feel complete - but still empty.
You can consider me a ‘lost’ case…. I don’t know what you can say to make me feel better. I’ve been well the past 3 weeks feeling content with my single blessedness but tonight it just hit me.
Thanks anyway for the great job you’re doing. You inspire me nonetheless..
…count me in the retreat.
something to reflect upon…
as the michael jackson “Gone Too Soon” song goes,
“Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight
Here one day
Gone one night…”
hello bo,
thank you for the inspirig letters you sent me .. it really has touched my soul and it’s a constant reminder of God’s love for me, the fact that he sent me someone to teach me and to inspire me…
it’s very timely coz my job will soon come to an end and im confused on what to do next.. it puts things in a very different perspective.. i sometimes become too “in-love” with the world that i come to forget what is really important.., i have always been in this yo-yo.. i feel that my personal relationship with GOd comes to a “high” , the suddenly it drops to a “low”.. that i sometimes feel empty and i need to constantly remind myself that is in my Life… may be i become to engrossed with myself and my problems and i fail to see the beauty of the world around me…
i used to write a lot, i really love the didache and my companion, yet i have failed to open a page for almost a month now,.. it’s like i have no energy though i know how important it is … hmmm
now, i realize that i must value my life and my decisions and it should reflect my quest to achieve my purpose in this life… i realized that i should really value all God’s gifts and develop myself to reach my full potential not solely because of discontent but because i owe it to God to use what he has given me..
thank you.. may god bless us all…
Bro Bo,
Thank you for this wonderful experiment….Its justs nearly 30 days before my 30th birthday!….What a coincidence!……I hope Jesus and the Holy Spirit would guide me throughout these……then my birthday would come!…..my personal new year!……
God bless Bo, more power!……
Greetings Bro. Bo!
somehow your articles have always proven to be encouraging and inspiring….
thanks again for making things easier to handle…
Pax et bonum!
Bo,
most of the people afraid to die. i am. but as i read on the article, i realized many things…. i realized that life is really so short…..
after reading… i decided to join… i believe that if i do… i will gradually let go of the fear within… and one day at a time i can clearly see what i have never seen before! may all of us experience the LOVE and GRACE of GOD…since all of us are dying ones…
GOD bless and more power!
Hi Bo,
My sister died last January 09, and just recently my brother Ian had a metastatic liver cancer with multiple mass outside his large intestine. I am confused and I’m trying so hard to accept all this thing that is happening in our life. We are not capable to have our brother treated for a chemotherapy which cost p60k per session. It is hard for me to just watch my brother and wait for his time to come to be with our Creator. Bro. Bo i’m sharing this with you to lighten my burden and maybe you can share something that will ease up all the pain and questions in my mind why things like this happens. Hope you’ll give time to email me back your thoughts on my situation.God bless.
I praise God for the gift of you
you are such an inspiration to us, bro… Am really looking forward to this journey…
Am looking forward to your emails…I thank & praise God for you 
Yes, when I was uni, I was suspected to have lymphoma after been having fever, lymphadenitis & drastically lost weight for 2 months…at that time, I took a turn in my life, & started to live as if my days were numbered…this circumstance back in uni that I experienced has open up my eyes & caused me to change my perspective on many things & matters in my life…
If I were to re-live those days again, I would, bro Bo…and I would love to go on this journey with the Lord’s guidance through you as His instrument
Hi Bo, this really difficult for me. It will be difficult for me to determine which ones I need to do in 30 days. Reason, I am hurting so much from my domestic problems I am afraid I may not be able to sustain the 30 days. But the experience the first time I read it is so enlightening in itself. Thank you and I pray I be able to continue on.
i wished i did open this link but it is never late for the Lord.
thank you and i hope in the guidance of the Holy spirit the retreat will be successful…. thank God for having a preacher like you… i pray that God will bless those whom you bless…
Thanks for such a nice wake-up call for our soul… Bro. Bo, I found my life so very busy each day… I have to work very hard to provide for myself and my family then my life look like that every now and then. And I’d always searching for peace… I must confess I forgot sometimes to meditate and give thanks to our Almighty… This passage give me an inspiration to live my life to the fullest… I hope that someday in my life I don’t ever regret…
I’ll try this one and I hope it works in my personal life…
God Bless you a thousandfold.
Thank you Bo! I need this as a reminder that everyday is a special day.