I read somewhere that the first time a “word,” term or concept is spoken or stated, “it” becomes a defining moment or the authoritative reference or example. I do believe that First Words and First Acts are what create First Impressions that take effort to correct if they are wrong or can be the beginning of habits and mindsets.
For instance, cuss words and foul four letter words: the first mention may not seem criminal but when you think nothing of them, you then repeat usage and then you add emphasis and motion and before you know it, you are letting out verbal assault, soon followed by mental torture and ultimately physical violence.
I believe the same goes for the first article of the year. Unless absolutely, absolutely called for, I avoid an “opening salvo” on the first day of the year. By God’s will, I will be allowed and able to write 156 articles this year, so why start the year with criticism or negativity? Believe me, there will be enough days to scare the pants off people and their elected officials but for today, the proper thing is to simply point out the need to overcome our natural tendencies or inclination towards “bad news” or criticism of others, even if it only lasts one day.
In terms of public discourse, I would be the first to confess that when it comes to expressing thoughts and analysis, the easy way out for a quick article is simply to put on your “boxing outfit” and start slugging away at someone unpopular or incompetent, especially a government official or politician, you can easily write up all the ugly things about the person in 30 minutes and you can be sure that many people will read and agree with you!
But if you want to earn your pay or have a pleasant day’s work, then try to point out the good things in people that other people take for granted or don’t see. Bless or reward or spend time with people who never imagined it possible. For instance, the Philippine Coast Guard and many elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the DSWD and Philippine Red Cross have been working all throughout the Christmas holidays while most of us were on vacation mode.
Over the holidays while praying, I came to realize that most of us are more than willing to make time or do things for people at our level, especially those involving transactional relationships. Even in evangelization, I have learned through the years that many highly spiritual or godly people in various churches automatically minister to people in their same economic or social status. But few ever reach out to people in the interiors, security guards, laborers, etc. These people look up to us, but how often do we go down to them?
One of my very good and close friends, Mr. Alvin Uy who is a motoring journalist and organizer of the Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), sent out a message via Viber to our group on New Year’s Day that set the tone for “First Word & First Act” in 2022:
“I was inspired by Carl Cunanan’s (motoring editor-publisher and businessman) New Year’s wish (and prayers) to his friends about the proper use of time. It made me take stock of what happened to our lives not only just last year but in recent years. We may have expensive watches to tell us time but we don’t spend enough time to read God’s word and spend enough time with Him (James 4:8: Come close to God and He will come close to you…). We have fancy cars that don’t take us to where we really should be (Proverbs 16:9: The mind of a person plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.). We have nice homes but may not have good foundation (Matt 7:24: Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.) and that a lot of times do not foster and cultivate enough love, joy, peace and the other fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.), So my prayers for all of you is that starting this year, your journeys be filled with God’s protection and a clear vision of where God wants you to be, have homes that provide not only shelter but love, joy and peace with your households and, most importantly, have more time spent this year with the only One that matters in our lives. God bless you all!”
Immediately after Filipinos welcomed 2022 with fireworks, our first words were “Thank You Lord” that we are alive, that in spite of major medical threats among family members and professional displacement all over the landscape, God preserved and protected us. The first word I shared with our daughter who is studying in the Netherlands was to go to a quiet corner right after the Dutch New Year fireworks and say a prayer of thanksgiving for the many answered prayers that God gave her in 2021. From remaining asymptomatic with COVID-19, finding housing in spite of a shortage of 25,000 units for students, to passing her transition program under quarantine in another continent, etc. etc.
Yes, 2021 was a rough year for all of us and yes, we are once again threatened by the new variant Omicron and are now at level 3 in Metro Manila, but interestingly, another friend, Willie Soong, shot out a hopeful reminder all the way from the United States while waiting for the New Year turnover. He shared a more optimistic view about how scientists and doctors are saying Omicron is less deadly, how double vaccination and booster increasingly reduce risks and mortality. Those are the first words and first acts we need on the first working day of 2022!
Be blessed and prosper!
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