Pagmalasakitan ninyo ang kapakanan ng iba, at hindi lamang ang sa inyong sarili.

Mga Taga-Filipos 2:4

Some basic rules we were taught as children include falling in line, waiting for our turn, and sharing our things. Pero bakit kahit alam na natin ang mga good manners na ito since bata pa tayo ay nahihirapan pa rin ang marami sa ating i-apply ang mga ito sa tunay na buhay?

Isa pa sa mga pangunahing tinuro sa atin ng mga nakatatanda is to be kind. It is, however, easy to be kind toward those we like and are also kind to us. But for people who give us a hard time, or are just plain difficult to deal with, being kind is a huge challenge.

But here’s something we need to realize: these people who aren’t nice to us, or are difficult to live with, more often than not, are dealing with their own problems. Hindi lang halata pero may pinagdadaanan din sila. Baka nga kaya sila nagsusungit ay dahil ito ang kanilang coping mechanism to survive. Maybe they try to act tough, unforgiving and demanding because that’s their way to conceal their weaknesses. May kasabihan nga, “Hurt people hurt other people.”

Anuman ang pinagdadaanan nila, they need somebody to help lift their spirits. Wag tayong patola sa mga taong gusto nating patulan. Hindi man sila open to talking to usabout what they’re going through, this should not stop us from smiling at them, being more tolerant and patient, or sharing something like a snack without expecting anything in return.