This week, I’m going to share my message via photos.
May I?
I’m not a photographer–so forgive my poor lighting, etc.
But there’s a reason why I want to show you these photos.
I’d like to show you the four greatest awards of my life…
My Award With A Golden Hammer
Recently, I received the very prestigious Golden Gavel Award, the highest recognition ever given by Toastmasters to non-members who excel in public speaking. This is special to me because I’ve been speaking for 30 years. A big chunk of my life is spent holding a microphone in my hand. So being awarded for it is really sweet. And it’s also the most intricate plaque I have in my collection. It just looks beautiful.
My Award Made Of Exquisite Glass
Last year, I received the Serviam Award, the highest award ever given by the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA). No less then Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales handed it to me in a lovely red carpet ceremony. (Trivia: Today, I visit him in Arzobispado just to chat with him. I learned that everyone there, even the security guards, affectionately call him Lolo because he’s 77 years old and has the kindest soul.)
My Award Made Of A Tree
And in 2006, I received what is perhaps the most prestigious: The TOYM Award, for Ten Most Outstanding Young Men, given by no less than President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Malacanang. By the way, each wooden sculpture is an original art piece by National Artist Abueva. So cool.
My Little Car Award
But let me share you my highest award–ever.
This favorite award of them all was given to me just last Sunday.
If I were forced to throw all my awards away and keep only one–without batting an eyelash–I’d throw all the others as rubbish, so that I can keep this one, forever.
It was Father’s Day last Sunday.
There were only two distinguished Judges in the Panel: My 4-year old son named Francis. And my 9-year old son named Benedict. And this Expert Panel of Judges unanimously voted to give me “The Best Daddy Of The World” Award.
And because my two boys knew that I loved old toy cars, they crafted my award out of some special clay. They put some plastic wheels and painted it with their own bare hands.
I now carry this little car with me wherever I go.
It’s in my bag. I don’t go anywhere without it.
Why? Because every time I look at it, I feel connected with my kids.
You see, when I’m far away from them, I miss them terribly.
Because whenever I’m at home, I play with them. Nothing touches my play time with my boys.
One day, I asked them, “Do you feel loved?” And they smiled and answered, “Yes!” It was the greatest thing a father could ever hear. (In the past 30 years of helping people, I’ve noticed that those with a lot of emotional hang-ups, psychological trouble, and even addictions are people who didn’t feel loved when they were kids.)
So the little car reminds me of the most important things in life…
My Greatest Achievements In Life
Here’s what I’m sure.
When I’m lying down on my deathbed, I’m sure I won’t be embracing my TOYM statuette, caressing it until I breathe my last breath. This won’t happen, believe me.
Instead, there’ll be a high chance that on my deathbed, I’ll be holding this little car. Holding it close to my heart.
Because it’s what I’m most proud of: That I am the best Daddy in the world according to my irrefutable Panel of Judges.
On my deathbed, I will cherish my greatest achievements in life.
Believe me, it won’t be the 14 books I’ve written.
Or the non-profit organizations I created.
Or the fact that I’ve gone to 30+ countries because of ministry.
Here are my greatest achievements:
My first greatest achievement is that I love my wife.
They say that after many years of marriage, your love for your spouse wanes. Gets tired. And finally dies. Not me. I can say this to you with all the conviction in the world: I love my wife now more than I’ve ever loved her. My love for her has grown through the years. Why? I’ve worked on this love everyday.
My second greatest achievement is that I love my kids.
And for them, love is spelled T-I-M-E. There are days when I get home extremely exhausted–as tired as a dog. And all I want to do is lie down. But when Francis sees me enter the door, he shouts, “Daddy, I’ll ride on your shoulders.” It’s not a request. It’s a command. So from a dog, I become a horse. He hops on me and we run around the house shouting, screaming, and laughing together. My exhaustion is swept away. I feel so alive. These are the moments that I’ll treasure forever.
My third greatest achievement is that I cut the fingernails and toenails of my father. Before he passed away, I would do that little service for him–because his eyesight was no longer good. I loved sitting beside him, cutting his toenails and fingernails. I loved doing it because I remember when I was small, he would do it for me. Now it was my turn to love him.
I loved it also when I brought him to the barbershop. I loved it because when I was small, I remember that he’d be the one driving me there. He’d lead me to the barber’s chair and then sit behind me reading the newspaper. Now, it’s my turn to lead him to the barber’s chair. I also sit behind him and read the newspaper.
But I’m not really reading the paper. It’s a camouflage. I’m covering my face so people won’t see that I’m crying. Tears flow down my cheeks because I’m thanking God for the opportunity to thank my father for the love he gave to me all his life.
My fourth greatest achievement is that I love the poor.
My fifth greatest achievement is that I love my friends.
My sixth, my seventh, my eighth… You can be sure it’s all about love.
When you really think about it, what else can one be proud of?
Love Like A Dying Man
Last week, I invited you to take a 30-Day Retreat with me.
To live these next 30 days as though it were the last 30 days of your life. (This blog is my second weekly installment on this series. Two more to go.)
Because I’m imagining these 30 days to be the last 30 days of my life, I’m changing. This past week, I’ve become corny. Sentimental. Mushy.
This week, I’ve never said more “I love yous” in my life!
This week, I wrote many mushy letters to my friends, telling them how much I love them. (And they happen to be guys!) I also asked for forgiveness for any hurts I caused them.
This week, I began to love like a dying man.
I noticed that it was purer love than whatever love I gave before.
I think I know why.
There are two kinds of love that the world passes as love.
One is true. The other is false.
False love says, “I love you so you can love me back.” It’s a co-dependent love. It’s manipulative. It’s insecure and jealous. Because it’s not really love.
True love says, “I love you–period.” I don’t expect anything back. I love you and set you free.
If you notice, this is very close to parental love.
Compared to married love, parental love is even more unselfish.
Parents don’t love their kids so someone can do the laundry for them. (At least, the good parents I know.) Parents love their kids because they want to set them free. Parents love their kids so they can one day watch them walk out of their home and conquer the world.
Friends, this too is the love of a dying person.
But the one walking out into the sunset is the lover.
The dying person knows he’s dying. He doesn’t need love–because deep within his spirit, he knows he’s going to a wonderful place of profound love. So in his last days of life, he just wants to love. He wants to fill the world with his love.
I repeat: We’re all dying.
If you want to live a spectacular life, I invite you to love like a dying person.
And your life will never be the same again.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
PS. Get into an abundant spiritual life. Sign up at www.KerygmaFamily.com and be part of our international, borderless, virtual community of people who want to keep growing in their personal life. Members get a mountain load of spiritual nourishment everyday–Absolutely Free! Donations are totally optional. But if you choose to donate, your donations will support my ministries towards evangelism and my work for the poorest of the poor. Aside from media evangelism, we run orphanages, feeding programs for street-kids, micro-lending programs in the slums, homes for the abandoned elderly, scholarship programs for poor children, a counseling center, and a halfway home for pregnant women in crisis. Join me. Together, we can make a difference in the world. Sign up at www.KerygmaFamily.com now!
