CHEST with a heart
Giving back to the community is important but sometimes it's difficult to figure out where to start. Helping others isn't just good for the people around us; it's good for us, too. However, deciding what we want to do to help make an impact is often the trickiest part. Perhaps we are wondering whether or not the skills we already have can translate into actions that will elevate the lives of those in our neighborhood.
Personally, more than this is my way of going back to my roots. I only have limited involvement with my own place, Mandaue City. This is so as my workplace is in Cebu City. And every time I have some engagements most often than not they are in this city. However I have been looking forward that one way the doors of Manduae City would open so I could share my time and expertise.
And so when somebody told me to be part of a certain cause-oriented organization that used to be active, I did not have a second thought. Yes, it is the rebirth of the Cultural, Historical, Educational, Sports and Tourism (CHEST) of Mandaue Foundation, Inc. It is an association of men and women from various fields of discipline, the very important components and drivers for the advancement of a certain place.
Its lofty mission is “to be the prime mover in promoting and nurturing the Mandauehanon culture by providing avenues for the expression of arts, education and sports for its citizens to live in an enriched and vibrant community.” Its vision is to be the catalyst in the cultural preservation and upliftment of Mandaue and its people, while its values are commitment, creativity, holism, excellence, spirituality, and transparency.
As expected in our initial organizational meetings, I met the pillars of Mandaue City. In their respective fields, they have individually shared their expertise and even financial resources, devoted their time for the upliftment and development of the community without much fanfare and due recognition.
The initial meeting and election of officers culminated with the formal induction ceremony held last December 4, 2019 at Tulip Hall of the JCentre Mall with Mayor Jonas Cortes as inducting officer. Also in attendance were some members of the city council.
Sharing one’s knowledge and skills is a way to achieve immortality. It is truly in this way that we develop the young generation what we have done and started. Such contribution is very attached to the one leaving such a legacy, and his influence continues even after his lifetime. Physical being is temporary but the legacy is forever.
Giving more than what is expected comes in various ways, may it be helping a colleague work on a project, or organizing a neighborhood cleanup, learn to become aware of what is happening around us and what others are experiencing. This helps us to live more fully in the present.
And unless we try to do something beyond what we have already mastered, we will never grow. It is in sharing that we gain new significant human experiences. The more we share, the more we are conscious of the enormous impact it would create on others.
The straightforward way to live a life of significance is simply to share our time, talent, and treasures. Some of us may have the time only, others may have both time and talent while others have all of them. Our lives are meant to give away --to significant causes, to loving families, to friends in need, and to the whole community. Let’s find a way that our gifts can serve others with the purest intention.
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