Note: Being assigned to deliver the eulogy on October 14, 2011 in behalf of BCBP Consolacion Chapter for our late and dear brother, Kuya Paskie, a.k.a. Pascual Tabuac, Sr., I am posting what I have written 3 years ago.
“To begin with the end in mind” is the second of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” that Dr. Covey conveys to us. I am stuck up with this especially on visualizing what my family, relatives and friends, brothers and sisters in the BCBP and my farm workers have to say during the eulogy as to who I was in my lifetime. Indeed, death is the ultimate example of an “end”. However, we have many “ends” which we can possibly do while still alive.
“To begin with the end in mind” is the second of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” that Dr. Covey conveys to us. I am stuck up with this especially on visualizing what my family, relatives and friends, brothers and sisters in the BCBP and my farm workers have to say during the eulogy as to who I was in my lifetime. Indeed, death is the ultimate example of an “end”. However, we have many “ends” which we can possibly do while still alive.
In September 2004, I was requested by the widow of my cousin to say something during his wake. Unprepared, I pointed out a few things about our relationship. I focused on his desire to serve the Lord full-time because he contemplated to avail of an early retirement. His brothers and sisters in the Couples for Christ (CFC) were delighted to know his plan but the Lord took him instead in his golden age.
Lately, I dreamed that he readily lent me his clothes to keep me from nakedness. I realized I forgot to reveal the secret of his conversion. His elder son was responsible for influencing and bringing him to his spiritual renewal.
Another of my lapses was during the eulogy of the late Kuya Pete Boqueren, an air force colonel and a dear brother of BCBP Mactan. I should have saluted like the others who paid tribute and thanked him for his admirable gesture when he was still alive. In spite of his throat cancer, he managed to escort a priest who officiated one of the nightly Masses for my father-in-law.
Last July 4, 2008, the topic for the teaching night was about “attitude towards work” delivered by Ate Girlie Ang. I was struck when she stated that “many died without utilizing their full potential”. I assume it was her mere perception. I believe that God is always giving us the opportunity to live life to the full. “We cannot choose how many years we may live but we can decide to put life into those limited years”.
I was overwhelmed by the comprehensive presentation of Kuya Butch Gomez on the topic, “attitude towards money and wealth” during the August 8, 2008 teaching night assembly. Both speakers shared their personal experiences related to their respective topics, the keyword of which is “attitude”.
A personal mission statement is suggested by Dr. Covey regarding our relationship with all persons we love, everyone and everything that surround the ‘circle of our influence”.
To all men of vision and mission, Charles Swindoll lays down the a, b, c, d and e as our guide.
“[Attitude (a) is more important than facts, the past, education, money, circumstances, successes, failures, what other people say or do, appearance, giftedness or a skill. The only thing we can do is play on the only string that we have, that is our attitude. Life is full of surprises and the adjustment of our attitude is a lifelong project or “end”.
Belief (b) is having confidence in the power of God, confidence in others who are in similar battles with us and most especially in having confidence in ourselves by God’s grace.
God says, “You have to allow your capacity (c) to be invaded by My power.”
Determination (d) is hanging tough when the going gets rough. It is the constant focus on God who is watching and smiling at us.
Enthusiasm (e) is a Greek word, the origin of which is entheos meaning “God is in”. It is our ability to see God in all situations that makes all events in life exciting.]”
During one of our ‘action group’ meetings, we visualized a harmonious, united, active and spiritually growing BCBP Consolacion. This is our goal or ‘end’ in mind. Believing in God’s grace and providence, the group is confident that we will reach our expected ‘end’.
Our Community is one of the many ‘circles of our influence’. Basically, we have our respective families, our workplaces or marketplaces and so forth.
Going back to Dr. Covey and still dealing with habits 1 and 2 (being proactive and beginning with the end in mind), I appreciate and admire him when he declared that, “the entire body of literature and other materials in visualization and affirmation (Habit 2) appears to have originally come out from the study of the Bible by many individuals”. This simply means that to be effective in any of our endeavors and relationships, the Holy Bible is our basic guide and enlightenment.
Let us search, research, study and practice the remaining five (5) habits. In the meantime, we continue to read, reflect and be guided by the Holy Bible. nmg
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