Be True To Yourself
Be true to how God made you.
Don’t try to be someone else.
Be the best that you can ever become.
Or else, Cherie Gil’s words will describe you (from an old Sharon Cuneta movie): “You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying-hard, copy-cat.”
Friend, God created you with a special gift. And only you can give this gift to the world. If you don’t become true to yourself, if you don’t give this gift to the world, the world becomes a lesser place.
Love yourself. Celebrate yourself. Be yourself.
Be true to how God created you.
In other words, follow your heart.
Follow your path.
Follow your calling.
Follow your destiny.
Unfortunately, very few people encouraged us to do this.
“Why Don’t You Become Like Ate?”
The opposite is true.
Some of us grew up being compared to others.
Some of us grew up hearing these words:
“Why can’t you be like your elder sister who’s bright?”
“Why aren’t you like your cousin who is more responsible?”
And worse, we heard our parents say, “Why don’t you become like me? At your age, I was already doing this and doing that—and I never did this and I never did that…”
Parents, these are toxic words.
It’s like giving poison to your kids.
I know you don’t mean it, but this is what they hear: “You’re no good. You’re not good enough for me. If you want me to love you, you’ll have to be someone else.”
I Still Remember
When I was six years old, I came home with our class photo.
I wasn’t too proud of it, but I had to show it anyway.
I gave it to my father.
When he looked at it, he couldn’t find me. He said, “Bo, where are you?”
Sheepishly, I pointed to myself in the photo—somewhere at the back of the crowd. You could only see half of my face. (Clue: I’m somewhere at the right side.)
Dad groaned. I’m sure he didn’t mean to hurt me. Parents usually don’t. But that day, he did.
Because he said, pointing to the mestizo guy in front, “Bo, why don’t you be like this guy! Be in front! Wave at the camera!”
Ouch.
I said, “Yes, Dad.”
But I felt very sad that day.
Because I was a shy kid at the back.
And Dad wanted me to be like that mestizo kid in the front row. Confident. Outgoing. Aggressive.
That happened when I was six years old.
That was 35+ years ago.
Yet to this day, I still remember how I felt that day.
That’s how toxic those words were to me.
Parents, you need to love your kids with their personality, their temperament, and their unique gifts.
Never compare them with others.
After all, this is how God loves you.
Friend, are you still hurting?
Perhaps people around you are looking down at you. People around don’t believe in you. And all they do is point out your weaknesses.
You have a God that doesn’t do that.
He never compares you to anyone else.
He loves as you are.
He celebrates who you are.
He enjoys you—your idiosyncrasies, personality, gifts…
And He accepts you as you are—the entire mix, the whole package.
The Seeds Of Your Success
Were Already Planted In Your Childhood
Yesterday, I was going over my photo albums.
I saw this photo of me as a baby.
When my mother brought me to Chinatown, people bowed to me with great reverence.
Because they thought I was the reincarnation of Buddha.
By the way, that’s Mom’s arm showing off her “Seiko”.
Actually I think her arm is there because she was afraid that I was so incredibly round, I could just roll off the chair.
I show the photo above to make you laugh.
But the next photo I’ll show you is very close to my heart.
My mother said she could leave me in a box the whole day and I won’t budge. She said I didn’t need a baby sitter. Because I’ll just stay in my box and imagine the entire day.
Because my physical body may have been inside the box but my mind was creating worlds and galaxies.
As a kid growing up, I remember always having such a wild imagination.
Like I wasn’t satisfied reading comic books. I had to draw my own comic books. Complete with my own characters and storylines. It was a series! Comic Book Volume 1, 2, 3… (Now you know why I give a Teaching Series at the Feast!)
To this day, you can leave me in a “box”.
That’s why my wife says I’m a low-maintenance husband.
She can leave me for a few days with my books and I’ll be happy.
Why did God make me this way?
Because He wanted me to write talks, write books, and design organizations that will bless the world.
That’s why the Bible says, For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made… (Psalms 139:13-17)
I Appreciate Myself Now
I appreciate the fact that I’m creative.
I appreciate the fact that I was a baby who liked to stay in the box the entire day.
I appreciate the fact that I like imagining worlds in my head.
If you look at your childhood, you’ll see the seeds that God planted—seeds that will later grow and bear fruit in your life.
Here’s another thing I love about myself.
And this photo represents it so well…
That’s not a toy chicken.
That’s a real, live, warm-blooded chicken in my hands.
Thankfully, I didn’t become a sabungero.
They said that when I was a toddler, I would chase after chickens and grab them. I wasn’t afraid.
I appreciate the fact that I like chasing what I want.
To this day, I like taking risks.
I like daring stuff.
That’s why I’m a pioneer.
That’s why I like building organizations from scratch.
I like blazing a new trail.
This was how God made me.
I appreciate that.
I thank God He made me this way.
That’s why the Bible says, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart, I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)
Are Martha’s Second Class Citizens
Of The Kingdom?
One day, Jesus visited his friends, Mary and Martha.
Mary was the quiet one who liked listening to Jesus.
Martha was the cook with the outgoing personality.
Honestly, this Bible story has disturbed a lot of Martha’s in the world. Because many people see themselves as Martha. Busy. Hardworking. Talkative.
Very few people see themselves as Mary. Quiet. Contemplative. Reflective. Introspective.
Here’s the story from the Bible itself.
Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He taught. But Martha was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are so upset over all these details! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
Because of this, a lot of Martha’s out there feel like they’re second class citizens of the Kingdom.
That’s why people believe that monks are holier than businessmen.
That contemplative nuns are holier than salespeople.
That hermits who live in deserts are holier than policemen, nurses, accountants, and laborers living in the world.
That’s not true.
Holiness has nothing to do with your personality or your job.
Holiness is all about love.
Let me say something that will change the way you interpret this story: Jesus wasn’t correcting Martha’s busyness. And he definitely wasn’t correcting Martha’s service. Jesus was correcting Martha’s “comparisonitis”.
If You’re Martha, Be Yourself!
Martha’s problem?
She kept comparing herself with Mary.
Comparisonitis is a spiritual disease that has become an epidemic. It’s the cause of much unpeace in our lives.
To drive home my point, let me change the story a bit.
What if the Bible story went this way…
While Martha was preparing dinner, Mary sat at the Lord’s feet, trying to listen to what He taught. And then Mary said, “Lord, can you tell my sister to stop all her work and sit here with us? Why can’t she be like me?” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Mary, you are so upset over this! There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Martha has discovered it—and I won’t take it away from her.”
My point?
You can be a Martha and be at peace.
How? Be true to yourself.
Don’t Fulfill Someone Else’s Dream For Your Life
I came to know God when I was in second year high school.
At that point, my mind was made up—I wanted to serve God forever. So I opened myself to the most obvious way of serving God—to be a priest.
But for many years, I never felt a strong call for the priesthood. Believe me, it was difficult to say “No” to priesthood.
Because ever since I can remember, my mother wanted me to be a priest.
She never forced me. She would just say, “Bo, I’ll be very happy if you become a priest,” oh, about 16 times a day.
Okay, that’s an exaggeration.
But you know what I mean.
My mother can be very insistent. (She used the power that all mothers have. It’s called Em2: “Emotional Maternal Manipulation”.)
But when I searched my heart, I realized that this was her dream, not mine. And my parents respected my decision not to pursue priesthood.
Today, I thank God I didn’t become a priest.
God called me to be a lay preacher instead.
Because my talks come from my experience as a husband, a father of two boys, and as a small entrepreneur.
People don’t see me on an altar.
They see me as one among them, living their lives and facing their problems. With marriage problems to fix. With kids to love. And bills to pay. And cars to repair.
And I’m happy doing what I’m doing now.
Honestly? I can’t imagine myself doing something else.
Follow Your Bliss
I heard of a sad story of a priest who, after only one month after his ordination, left the priesthood.
No, it wasn’t because of a girl.
It was because of the original girl in his life.
When he was ordained, he realized he became a priest because of his mother.
Because he knew he’d never be happy, he left.
I know of a doctor who—after 10 years of studying medicine—left his medical practice and became a businessman selling kitchenware.
When I asked him why, he said, “I come from a family of doctors. My parents were both doctors. My elder brother was a doctor. My uncles were doctors. And I was expected to be a doctor. So I took medicine. Only to realize later that this wasn’t what made me happy. What made me happy was when I sold stuff to people!”
Henry David Thoreau said, The greatest tragedy in life is to spend your whole life fishing only to discover that it was not fish you were after.
Friend, God has given you a dream for your life.
That’s the dream that you have to fulfill.
And you’ll only be happy if you fulfill that dream.
Joseph Campbell said, “Follow your bliss.”
What makes you truly happy?
Truly fulfilled deep inside?
That’s the path you need to take.
Success Is Effortless
Here’s what I learned in life: The most stressful thing for you to do is to be someone else. And the easiest thing to do in the world? To be yourself.
And there lies your greatest success.
And your greatest happiness.
When you become yourself, you discover that success and happiness becomes almost effortless.
I’m not saying “without work”. Success entails lots of work. But it’s work that’s done effortlessly.
Have you seen a world-class singers sing?
They sing effortlessly.
Have you seen world-class athletes perform?
They perform effortlessly.
They do so because they’re following their bliss.
Once Upon A Time,
I Felt Envious
I have a confession to make.
A very embarrassing confession.
Some years ago, I used to compare myself to Mike Velarde of El Shaddai. And Frank Padilla of Couples for Christ. And Tony Meloto of Gawad Kalinga.
And I felt very small.
I felt very insecure.
I didn’t want to admit it, but I felt envious.
I preached to thousands. But Mike preached to millions.
I built a group that has grown in a few countries. Frank built a group that is now in 156 countries.
I built four small ministries for the poor. Tony built 1,700+ GK villages for the poor.
As I compared myself with these giants, I asked myself a terrible question: “What is wrong with me?”
Let me give you a background.
Many years ago, I suffered from a shame-based personality. (I shared in my books, Your Past Does Not Define Your Future and 7 Secrets Of Freedom.)
My shame-based personality was partially connected to my being molested as a child.
Basically, I was ashamed of myself.
I didn’t like being me.
Because I hungered for love, I wanted to be someone else. In an unconscious way, I wanted to be more successful so that people will love me.
But thankfully, God made it his fulltime job to heal me. (Wink.)
He told me that He loved me.
And He told me to love myself.
Over and over again, God told me, “I didn’t create you to be Mike Velarde or Frank Padilla or Tony Meloto. I created you to be Bo Sanchez. To be the best Bo Sanchez in the world.”
I like what Judy Garland said: “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”
And one day, I learned to love myself.
To accept myself.
To celebrate all that I am.
To embrace my calling.
When I did that, it was like I turned a key in my soul.
All of a sudden, peace flooded my spirit.
Like a heavy burden lifted from my shoulders.
I felt free. Liberated. Whole.
Instantly, I gained confidence.
Today, I no longer feel envious.
Today, I no longer look over my shoulder, comparing myself with this guy or that guy.
Because I’m at peace.
I am where I’m supposed to be.
And I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.
I want you to have that same peace today.
Deep in your spirit, receive God’s embrace today.
God Wants You To Be You
Friend, God has chosen you.
You’ve been handpicked by God.
Your destiny awaits you.
Don’t look down at yourself.
You might say, “But Bo, I’ve not been a very good person lately. I’ve fallen into sin. I’ve been far from God.”
I’ve got news for you: If you’ve been far from God, God has never been far from you. He’s pursued you, chased after you, and He’ll never give up on you.
God wants you to be another Jesus in the world.
But I’ve got a radical announcement to make: He’s not interested in making clones of Jesus. (That’s what happens in Pampanga every Good Friday—they crucify themselves.) He’s interested in making the best “you” in the world—to be Jesus in your unique way.
Yes, God wants you to be you!
Learn To Appreciate Yourself
Friend, God created you in a very special way.
He shaped you, fashioned you, and molded you.
God designed every part of your being.
You may not feel good about yourself right now.
You may feel you have no gifts.
You may feel down now because you’ve failed so many times in the past.
But remember that God has a great plan for your life.
Friend, you have a sacred mission to fulfill.
God has appointed you to be a prophet.
Every raw material you need to do His work is already there within you.
And God appreciates you!
So first things first—Appreciate yourself.
One of my favorite Bible passages is this:
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
One Bible translation says, “God will dance over you.”
Have you ever imagined God dancing?
And why is He dancing?
Because He delights in you.
Because He’s throwing a party in your honor.
Wow.
That’s how much He appreciates you.
So start appreciating yourself.
And be true to how God made you.
May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez
PS. Become true to who you really are. How? Allow God to remind you of your true identity, call, and beauty. Get my GodWhispers twice a week. It will blow you away. And here’s the good news: It’s free. Log on at www.GodWhispersClub.com now!
PS2. Grow Spiritually. Receive daily Bible reflections and a mountain load of material to grow in your spiritual life. Join my international, borderless, non-physical, virtual community called KerygmaFamily. Also free. Log on at www.KerygmaFamily.com now!
PS3. Leadership Training Seminar for the Youth. This leadership seminar focuses on authentic character building – having a heart for God is what true leadership is all about. The activities will help discover, develop, and deliver the gifts of the young. Techniques to reach out to other young people will also be shared. Empowering the youth always works! In this leadership seminar the different issues of the young people will be tackled like: Choosing the Right Path of Life (iChoose), Using Media and Technology (Hi-Tech), Being in a Romantic Relationship (Love Smart) and Enjoying Life with God (D.E.E.P.) It’ll be on May 22, Saturday, 8am-5pm, at San Carlos Lay Force Guadalupe Makati. Speakers are Kerygma Preachers and Feast Builders Arun Gogna and Obet Cabrillas. Your learning investment is P450 only if you register early. Call Noel at Tel (02) 9852447 (02) 9852447 or 09154493600 or 09282109765. Or visit www.ArunGogna.com
Filed under: Blogs by bosanchez
Hi Bro Bo,
I suddenly remember Seth Godin’s Linchpin while reading the first part of your article. Both of you have the same way of thinking.
It’s true that we have a special gift that should be shared to the world!
By the way, I love these lines!
“The most stressful thing for you to do is to be someone else. And the easiest thing to do in the world? To be yourself.”
“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”
Thank you Bro Bo for sharing us your gifts.
You’re a gift to us from God.
Have a blessed day!
elvin
Dear Bro.,
It is true that we should not compare ourself to others, because we are all born unique and we only need to discover the gifts given by God.
Probably, I should also apply this message to my children. I may not be a perfect mother to them, but their own uniqueness in many ways made me to love and appreciate them more because they’re truly gifts from heaven, and they’re angels sent by God for me to take care of.
I truly believe that I have glfts to share, may be i just need time to rediscover myself, develop it and share it .
Thanks again for the inspiring message / stories.
God bless!
AJG 5.17.2010
Thank you Bro. Bo. I pray that God will guide me in my soul searching.. I hope to follow my gift and serve Him with my passion. I look forward with courage and excitement because I know that at the end of everything, His marvelous plan will unfold right before my eyes. Thank you for being our mentor. You are one of the best gifts that God has given us. May God bless you more!
Cute pictures bro bo…
Thank you Bo.
This has struck me the most:
“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”
I completely appreciate myself.. although at times I still get trapped in a situation where I compare myself to others…
I am that. I am.
I already possess the qualities I wish I had.
“I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.”
Thanks again for this very enlightening article kuya Bo!
I will be the BEST Janmck in the World! For sure!
Janmck
wonderful
I have been guilty of many things in this article and comparing oneself to others is really not a good thing to do. You compete with yourself not with other people. What an inspirational article again from Brother BO. Cheers! =)
Bro Bo,
This article awaken the giant in me.
Thanks so much for sharing this article with message of love for myself.
God bless you,
James Parmis
http://www.MakeMoneyOnlineManila.com
“He’s not interested in making clones of Jesus. (That’s what happens in Pampanga every Good Friday—they crucify themselves.)”
Hi, Bo. I’m from Pampanga. Just two clarifications:
First, the Good Friday crucifixion happens only in one Barangay in the City of San Fernando; hence, saying that the crucifixion “happens in Pampanga every Good Friday” may paint an inaccurate picture to your readers.
Second, I am not in favor of the re-enactment of the crucifixion. I don’t think the Catholic Church is either. But, from what I know from the people who were crucified, they were not — to use your words — “making clones of Jesus.” Instead, they have a “panata,” a deep religious belief, which I am not in a position to judge.
My clarifications notwithstanding, I appreciate and agree with your point that God wants us to be how He made us.
May the heart of God be in your pen.
What a great God I have indeed who accepts and love me just for myself. They say if I reject myself, I am also rejecting the God who created me fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139).
Your words of encouragement are truly a great reminder of my loving God!
Praise the Lord Dear Bro. Bo.
Very touching article. I am going to save this and read along with my kids again. Being a professional accountant, I was expecting my daughter to become an accountant. Now, I will not force her. Keep inspiring us with your article.
May God bless you and your team always.
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)
Truly God is with us all the time!!!!
once again bro bo, thanks a lot for that very rousing message!!!!!!!!!!! God bless…………
dear bro. bo,
fullness of life in Christ for all us!
just wanna say thank you so much for all the inspiring messages and stories you shared! all of this made affirmation on what God’s message for me. ^-^
i felt more blessed when i read all your articles and it was a big help in my service life to be more colorful.
by the way, i’m sis. rona of singles for christ! i’m here now in kuwait.
bye for now…. (*-*)
Let’s keep on praying to one another, let the Holy Spirit work through in us and spread God’s Love.
Keep loving, keep smiling!!!
God bless and bless God.
Love and Prayers,
In Christ – Sis. Rona
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him. — 1 John 5:14-15
like it.
I’m looking forward to read your blog Bro. Bo and I’m so happy to open my email today and see your wonderful blog. I’m looking forward to meet you in person, too! Thanks for those beautiful and very inspiring lines. God bless you and your
Wow, Bo, you\’re such a blessing to the world. Your message keep on inspiring me. Thank you for being you and thank you for sharing your gifts.
Dear Bo,
This is one great article! How I wished I was able to read it many years back
My question is, how do I know exactly what my core gifts and talents are? I think it’s easy to say - whatever makes you happy and fulfilled. But which one? I’m one of those who have no single defining talent/gift. I mean we all have many talents, but that core one eludes me. I cannot identify it. I have several, not-so-shiny ones (do I hear you say “appreciate yourself”? hehe!).
I don’t or cannot answer the question of “what makes me happy and truly fulfilled”, because for all of my life, I did what would make my parents happy. And I am in a very good status right now I think because I obeyed my parents. But I’m not totally, deliriously, overly happy to the max. So I’m in a “search mode” as it is.
Any suggestions aside from continued discernment? Is there a step-by-step procedure on how to accurately define that one gift that I’m supposed to share with the world?
Thanks for all your articles! I never miss reading them. God bless!
dear bro. bo,
thanks for this inspiring article. it reminded me to be true to myself and be myself. that i should not compare myself as well as my husband and my children to others because God made us a unique person, no one is alike. and for sure there is always a greater and lesser person in this world. if we can accept this, we will surely be a happy person.
again, thanks bo for this inspiring article. you are really a Godsent.
This really made my day. Thank you Bo!
THANK YOU.
bro bo, what if people don’t like me for who i am and i am always left alone? doesn’t that tell me something….that i am doing something wrong. but what if that is how i am? how will i know if God wants me to change or this is who i already am & i should leave other people to their judgments.
when people first see me, they think i have everything. and there is nothing more i could ask for. when i start to talk, they are impressed and think more of me. but when time pass by, they feel intimidated by me and they start to stay away from me which then leaves me to be on my own again. i do not understand why people who get to know me more or those who have spent more time with me would be the ones to go away. it makes me feel something is wrong with me. when all i ever want to do is to spend time with them talking and helping them with their problems. at some point i thought maybe i am influencing their decisions or giving too much or what but if that is how i am, should i change to keep my friends? or should i just leave it as that and just wait for someone to accept me? i know God accepts me as i am but do you think He want me to change some parts of my personality???
It’s a wonderful message…It really lifts me up and be confident again..
Thanks Bo!
thank you for this inspirational article Bro. Bo.
Still in a search mode, bit I trust God that I already have it in me what Iam searching for and the right time will come for me to discover it. Through constant prayers and contemplation I feel God’s love streaming through me.
nice article, i like it.
nahihirapan ako iaccept ang self ko lalo na if im surrounded with people who are very successful, compares me and looks down at me. i stayed away from them but their words still hunts me. ngayon ok nako. sana di ko na sila makita.im still working with my self acceptance. your blog helps. thank you very much.
Hi Bo,
I adore your way of inspiring me and truly thank God that you’re being the greatest Bo Sanchez.
Honestly, I don’t know Mike Velarde (I see him on TV but I don’t feel any connection with him), Frank Padilla or Tony Meloto; but surprisingly I trust and believe BO SANCHEZ through your words and examples. Funny right that the people whom you’ve compared yourself before, for a person like me, they don’t matter, but you matter to me.
Cheers!
My mama’s *so* like this. I still haven’t found what makes me want to wake up in the morning to, I’m already a graduate of and a looking for a job in aviation which was not my inclination when I was young. I was a writer and a cook when I was still in the dreaming phase of my youth. But we couldn’t see any money in that business so, I decided, together with the persuasion of my parents, to pursue this. I’m still unemployed after 2 years of graduation~~lols~~ Haay…
Thank You bro. Bo for reminding me this. There are times that I look this “comparisonitis” as setting an example or a model for someone to be inspired to become better (sometimes it works! :p) But, yes! It is not healthy to make it a “habit” of comparing one person to another esp. if that one person is “you”.
As cited in my favorite poem, Desiderata… “Do not compare yourself with others, because you may become vain and bitter; For always, there’s a lesser and greater person than yourself.”
Hi Bro. Bo,
I am so blessed with your article. God bless you always!
amen
dear Bo,
I am currently working here in riaydh, KSA for almost 2 months now. I log on to your website so I can read daily messages from God to accompany me on my loneliness and homesickness. Can you please help me find other catholic groups here so I can be continously in touch with my spiritual being. I really miss going to church every sunday.
Thanks for all your inspiring messages. God bless!
dear bro. bo,
Thanks again for inspiring us to love ourselves. May God bless you always to share your God given talent.
Maraming salamat
Hi Bo,
Ang ganda. Thanks Bo for inspiring people.
God is very good!
Hi Bro, BO.Nice article.To be honest I’m still on the process of discovering my core gift.In God’s time I’m sure i’ll be able to find out.Just like Martha I often compare myself to others.Most of the time I feel insecure and like a failure because of this disease.I’m praying that I’ll get over this.Pls.pray for me too.Thanks and God bless.
thank you very much again BO!!
more power and God bless you and your family!!
wow! its gud to be true…& you! Godbless!:D
Thank Bro. Bo for making me realize what I really wanted in life…eventhough I’m 35 and Married with 3 children…I know i can still fulfill my dream without sacrificing my duties and responsibilities to my family.
God Bless Bro. Bo…and Again…Thank you.
Yes, He makes all things beautiful in His time.
Thank you and God bless us!
Hi Bro. Bo.
I admire tito Frank and tito Tony and thank them for CFC-SFC and GK. But I have been learning from you since I was 17. Started from Kerygma Magazine and your teaching casette tapes..that was since 20 years ago..when Kergyma mag used to be a big magazine..bought my 1st copy from a St. Paul Shop in UPLB. and your teachings have been powerfully blessing me since then until now. Funny (strange) that I had come first to attend CFC-SFC christian life programs in 2001…and then The Feast only in 2006…on second thoughts, maybe it is not really strange…but part of God’s plan…point is, I agree with you 100%, you are definitely not lesser than tito Frank or tito Tony…only much younger in age…
God bless you, your nuclear family and the entire Kerygma family!
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Palm (someone that posted a response above) and I have the same problem.
How will I know my core gift?
hi bro bo.,
thank you for sharing this. as of now, i need as much affirmation as i can get coz people are looking at me differently due to promotion in job.
as i’m trying to learn to be a better person, i should know myself: the first-rate version of me.
may God bless you always
@Janmck
I love your statement.
I am the best ELVIN in the universe!
Woohoo! 
Elvin
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This is very inspiring Brother Bo… a very great way to start my morning, thanks for sharing.
God bless us all.
Dear Bo,
Thank you for always sending me Soul Food Newsletter. I feel good every time I read it. It inspires me. It motivates me.
By the way, your pictures when you were a little boy were sooo cute….
Keep inspiring and motivating people….
Regards,
luh
i always check my mails to see msgs from you. i greatly appreciate the way you inspire millions of people thru your stories. this is one of the most wonderful stories i ever had received. thank you, thank you so much…i am looking forward to reading more inspiring stories from you…God bless..
Hello Brother Bo,
I always felt renewed everytime I read your blogs. I’m so grateful that God sent you to inspire a lot of people, for making us see what we failed to see in ourselves and for filling up what we lacked of understanding about life, about love and about God. Thank you so much Brother Bo! May God bless you and all the people you love
Best regards,
Frailyn
Thank you for another soulfood letter..
God bless you and more soulfood letter to be read.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for being God’s instrument. I am at a crossroad now. Your words are directing me to where i know in my heart, i ought to be.
This is another huge ‘fish’ i caught. Thanks ‘coach’. I’m going to play the game of life differently now.
salamat po.
Dear Bro. Bo,
Tears welled up in my eyes, as I was guilty of comparing my daughter to myself when I was her age. Hopefully, I can change this kind of thinking, and with God’s grace appreciate the beauty and talent that we individually possess.
Thanks for another inspiring message.
Brother Bo,
I’m having a big life problem at the moment, it’s about relationship and faith. because of this problem, and many other problems, i become more emotional, worse version of myself these past months.
Then I read this article..
If you look at your childhood, you’ll see the seeds that God planted—seeds that will later grow and bear fruit in your life.
That sentence reminds me what my mom said to me several days ago..
She said that I was very nice when I was a kid. Whatever everybody or other kids did to me, I was never angry or cried. When I was playing with a toy, then another kid came and took the toy, I didn’t cry, I wasn’t angry.. I would just look for another toy to play..
After reading this I wonder.. if it’s really the seeds that God planted in me, then I really want to be like the-kid-version me, to be a nice, humble, down to earth person with a golden heart to make everyone happy..
it may not easy, as more problems come as we get older, but if a little kid could, why an adult can’t do it..
Whatever everybody does to me, I will try not to be angry, always apologize them, and just pray..
i know it’s slightly different that what you mean in this article, but well.. that’s what it reminds me about.. to be a better person..
Thank you Brother.. GBU
thank bro.bo May GOD Bless you!!!!
Thank you, Bo!
Sometimes, I really need that reminders. Being a mother of 3 boys, my mind has been busy thinking about many things.
I thank God for showing me the way to your Soulfood Email.
Thanks a lot and God bless you and your family!
thanks(times infinity) for this post sir Bo
hi bro bo,.
i really have this problem, and i hope u cn help me with these.. please if it’s oky message me in my email add so i can message u back.. i really need ur advice.. email me @ rammy_ramz@yahoo.com..
i wud really be thankful if u cn find time to message me and help me.. tnx!
Thanks! Bro Bo,
You enlightened my mind for not comparing myself to someone else. from now on I will appreciate myself.
Very nice blog!
God bless!
belen
thanks a lot Bro. Bo. sana dati ko pa po ito nabasa.
Very enlightening!
More power to you!
hi bo,
got really inspired of this blog..so true!!
one cannot appreciate the beauty of things around him, without appreciating the beauty inside him first..
i’ll always remember this and make it my guide..
thanks bo!
Godbless always!
dear brother bo,
you are an angel.
God bless you more!
thank you.
Hi Bo,
Thank you so much for sharing.. I was really down today… And suddenly I bump into this.
You dont know how much it enlightened me and somehow inspired me to live my life to the fullest.
Thanks Bro for your gentle presence..God Bless and More Power
please continue on sending me articles Bo. Every time I read any of your articles I become more inspired to live life in simplicity, in giving LOVe to what I do..I’ll be looking forward for your future emails. Hope I will have the chance to see u in person..hope u could be our retreat master in one of these years.
I will really pray and hope for it..God Bless
Hello Bro,
Thank you so much for this wonderful message, from now on, I will love myself…I really appreciate it!
God bless you always…!
Hi BO,
I\’d like to tell you a story, my story. A month or so ago I decided to apply for a higher post because at that time I felt that I am ready to take a step \”higher\”. After the initial interview I felt really confident, I knew I did I great job. Then I found myself in the conference room for my final interview after two days. I left the conference room feeling bad, you know why? Ask me why… laughs because I knew at that very moment that I will not get the job, I told myself \”isang himala kung makukuha ko yung post\”. Let me do a quick rewind. Before I sent my application I prayed to God and asked him for guidance. I told him that the application was done out of humility and nothing else. While waiting for the feedback I found myself typing your name in the google search engine (See! You are famous Bo!. Hey! I love your works and I have a collection of your books which unfortunately Ondoy took away from me). Your blogs served as an inspiration for me; Winners have a bias for action. Then one night when the moon was young (kidding) my boss called me. FEEDBACK TIME! You know what happened? Ask me what —- I GOT THE JOB, not. To be quite honest with you I felt really bad, bitter and confused. I started questioning their decision! I said to myself that they will regret not giving the job to me, I even added, I AM VERY GOOD! Then I found myself typing your name in the google search, again. Kept reading your blogs and you did not cease to inspire me. I tried to reflect and I said to myself, hey, you told God that you are going to apply because of humility why the attitude now? To give you a quick background since it took for the management to give out the decision after a few weeks, within that span of time I tried to contemplate and assure myself that this is the job that I want to have but I found myself thinking twice. I am a single mom and If I get the job that would mean to say sacrificing my quality time with my five year old boy. They gave the decision out last Friday and you know where I was last Sunday? In Valle Verde Bo, 10:30 and indeed love should be your greatest goal. Part of me is still hurting, my ego really hurts but I am in the process of healing. But come to think of it I get the chance to still excel in my current role. I get to spend my quality time with Joaquin. I have my tickets for Macau and HK (I can file for vacation leave anytime I want). But more importantly, I have more time to listen to God\’s plan for me. I know that He knows that I love to lead and I am very confident that He will give me that chance, In His time. ***He makes all things beautiful in His time*** Probably He wants me to lead in a different company, who knows? He knows. I think for us to realize His big plan for us we need to keep quiet first, oh boy stop ranting and listen fist! There should be a thing or two where we are good at and I think we should work from there. I pray for everyone\’s success and let love be your highest goal.
PS
Bo, thank you for the Novena to God\’s love. Yeah! First timer. I am going to tell you something, since its our (me and my girl bestfriend) first time to attend the feast we all the while thought that we need to attend the first timer orientation before the mass. So the \”sister\” asked us \”who invited you here?\”. I answered her \”Bo\”, I can almost see her eyes popped while she said \”ooohhh\”. Then I added \”Oh! I read his blogs\” then she smiled and gave us instructions. I appreciate everything that you are doing. I know exactly how I would like to die. Paula1984
Tito Bo,
I love this piece…mom always compare the “fallen” me to my cousin who is very successful in her career. I realize I neverwanted to be her.. I enjoy being me and I love being me..
PERIOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHOUT TO THE WHOLE WORLD–BE YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!
GOD BLESS TITO BO, MORE POWER!!! TO GOD BE THE GLORY
Hi Bro Bo.
Maraming Salamat !
Gob bless !
hi bo,thank you because of your topic be true to yourself after i read that article it feels like parang nawala yung malaking tinik sa lalamunan ko coz the story really fits me,ganyan na ganyan ako bro, bo i want te be like you that someday i will be healed,thank you so much because of this maiiba na yung pananaw ko sa buhay,my self esteem is very low because of my past and a big part of it is my parents,
god bless and may god will continue to bless you because your an inspiration to us….thank you!
Thank you Bro Bo for sharing to us this article. It may sound a cliche but it’s true - We cannot give what we do not have. Since then I strongly believe that loving oneself and appreciating oneself is the very first thing we should do so we can also learn to love and appreciate other people. We are all blessed by God in many different ways. All we just have to do is to open our eyes and be aware of the daily blessings from God Almighty. If everybody learns to focus on the positive side of life, only then can they appreciate the blessings from Him.
Hi bo,
I’ve always been inspired with your blogs and books. Ever since i was a kid i have been always insecure with my self, I never thought I would even get married because of my insecurites. Why? It’s a secret…and so many…my hair…the way I dress..so baduy…I always compare it to others who can freely wear what they want cause of their assets that they can share…I did’nt mean wealth I meant their being flawless. Sad to say commercials,magazines and other staff denotes that having white or flawless skin is beautiful…when i read this article you know what I cried…deep inside…I did’nt want to cry physically my husband might think I’m nuts…While people can freely wear whatever they want especially this summer me I wear pants imagine at a very hot place like this especially out in the sun then i envy all the people having fun at the water….I know God did not create me like this it was during my childhood that I was not so conscious at what I was doing I biked a lot, believe me I was free my mother just allowed us to do whatever we wanted as long as I came home before dark. I was free as a bird when I was a kid but when I grew up my freeness gave me limitations….then I ask God why was’nt it the other way around? Mom should have given me limitations so that when I grew up I a was free, I’m sorry if I sound materialistic its not in any way the material things I’m longing for its being free of what I wear and not being insecure if only someone would give me a miracle…
I just wanted to share this…Oh part of my insecurities I can’t talk to more than 4 people at one time especially when I get intimidated na bubulol ako….hay….I’ll just write its better….mahabang gamutan yata to… please tell me anything to make me better….I just need it to remind me…
I love the Mary and Martha story… thanks Bo!
thanks, bro bo. that message hit a very hard spot on me. like others who replied yo your message, i also have a lot of questions to you and i also would like to seek more counseling. If only i can have an audience with you. But, you have given me so many inspirations from kerygma magazine and now the feast.
God has truly blessed you.
” Be ye perfect as thy Heavenly Father is perfect . ” says our Lord. Challenging as it may be, we strive to do good everyday inspired by the good examples of our parents, teachers, friends and others whose deeds are worth emulating. ” By their fruits you will know them. ” says our Lord. By one’s good deeds, one becomes another ” Christ ” to the world ; serving others out of love — ” Love one another as I have loved you . By this, they will know you are my disciples, if you love one another . ” says our Lord.
Be happy everyone !
Thanks Bro. Bo and family .
nice one Bo!
keep it up!
Very inspiring article sir..
Thanks Bro. Bo. I really needed this. Continue to be a blessing to others. =)
God bless you and your family!
Love this article..
Hi Bro.Bo,
thanks for inspiring me everytime i read ur message of god’s love as well as ur feast every sunday morning on TV. u never failed to make me cry and make me feel worthy of God’s love.
God bless u and ur family.
Bo,
You’re my hero. Thank you!
You inspire me to become a better person. My life has changed since I started attending The Feast regularly.
God bless you and you’re family.
Jane
Bo,
Your message brightens up my morning, honestly.
You know i tend to look up to people who have been great in their own rights and i keep on dreaming to be like them someday without noticing i already failed to appreciate what i possess. the stories made me realize so.Thanks Bro. Bo!
I am touched with this: Henry David Thoreau said, The greatest tragedy in life is to spend your whole life fishing only to discover that it was not fish you were after.
May God bless u more!
Kent
“The greatest tragedy in life is to spend your whole life fishing only to discover that it was not fish you were after”
Bo, i feel like i am being trapped on the quotation above.. Sigh.. despite of everything, i hope God will never get tired of guiding me towards to the place i should be.. ;(
Bo,… You spoke through my heart..or rather God sent his message through you to me for this day….
I felt so depressed, low self esteem because ive been comparing myself and i was bulleyed at work…
Bo, I really want to attend your seminars and talks..
ill be praying for it,,..
thanks.. may God be praised!!!
hi bo
thanks a lot for your inspiring article:) after i read your article, it help me a lot to think for myself and how can i be true to others:) thanks:)
Thanks Bro. Bo!
Very inspiring blog…I felt guilty..because I’m always envy with my bestfriend, with my officemates..I always compare myself to them..
I should not do that pala..kasi God loves me pala…kahit ano pa ako..kahit sino pa ako..Now, I’m very inspired to become the BEST ME!
Thank you po..Continue to bless others..God bless us all!
Hello Bro. Bo,
As usual this is another inspiring blog bringing hope to everybody.
Thank you so much sa walng sawang pag-share ng iyong bits of wisdom.
Keep it up. God bless
Thanks. This is awakening and inspiring. I’ve thinking for quite sometime what is my gift? some people say I am good looking and have a good career but I always feel I am not talentes. I am always insecure and it is because of my past when I am still grade school and I am a valedictorian and I asked my daddy to attend so he can see and hear my speech. My dad did not show up and came so late in the house already. I was so depressed then and until now I do not want to try so hard and excel anyway people will not appreciate That was the effect on me. You are right that our past is the result of what we are doing or acting now but it’s ur choice and we can still change the future. Thanks for inspiring me. This is the answer and the sign I have been waiting from God. God Bless you!
thanks for this,bo.. it enlightened my self.. i’m loving my self more now. i wanted to be more transparent to the people around me..
i wish we can talk for yoy bto counsel me.. i have al lot things to say,brother bo.. a lot. i’m waiting for that moment.
thank you for inspiring me..
aawwww..so touching
very inspiring & touching!!! thanks Bo…
Hi Mr. B. Sanchez,
Shalom!
On the adage - ‘Be true to yourself’
How can you reconcile those persons who can quote Bible passages, pray the rosary, go to mass, take Holy Communion, and active members of the Church but do injury to their fellow men, say half-truths to favor their cause and back stab people who were once close to them wihout a scintilla of remorse and guilt on their part?!?
I am not judging and I admit that I am not religious/holy and also I know that I am sinner.
I pray to the Lord, Most High, Most Merciful & Most Compassionate to give me the grace to continue believing in the Faith amidst this tragedy & confusion!
And also pray for His forgiveness for having to write this piece for in truth it hurts me to write this to you.
Bismillah!!!
- NR
salamat kapatid… exactly what i needed…
gave me a catharsis
Hi Kuya Bo! Maraming salamat po sa napaka-inspiring na article na ito… I really need this right now because I am in a struggle for what I really want in life… Actually I knew it from the start, but I was so afraid, and because of fear I became too lazy to pursue it. Yes, very pitiful of me. But God created this moment for me to read your article, and it gave me a new tank of gas to go on! God bless you and your works! =)
helu po….
as im reading this blog….i feel like im not reading it i feel like someone is talking to me and telling me all of those words…bo…you are a medium wherein god can speak with someone else heart.
more blessing to you…
Dear Bo,
It was a great sharing, as always.
May I just correct you on Tito Frank Padilla? Tito Frank is Couple’s for Christ’s FORMER leader. Now, he is not associated with the group Couple’s for Christ.
Thanks.
Hi Bo,
i really like the “box” thing..cute!
Hello Brother Bo,
Thank you so much for this blog! I really appreciate this as I appreciate myself now. More power to you! God bless you more…
how will i know my core gift? the questions where do you excel and what do you love to do are not enough for me to know what it is. I want to know but how?
Thanks Bo for your reminder that God is always with us, loving us and accepting us. May God bless you and your family always.
Hi Bro.Bo, its good to be yourself…isang bagay ito na pinagaawayan naming mg asawa, he always command me what to do, para akong tanga..he want me to be like his other friends who were successful businesswoman.. ang hirap po gumawa ng isang bagay na hindi mo talaga gustong gawin kundi pinagbibigyan ko lang siya kaya siguro kahit anong pasukin kong negosyo ay hindi nagkiklik..please help me to pray to know my core gift..thanks for your inspiring blogs..god bless.
thank you for being an instrument of God’s words…God Bless!
Hi Bro. Bo … the moment i read this article of yours was just in time…i was really confused to pursue or not my teaching career because of the pressure wanting to help my family..i love my family so much that i’m willing to sacrifice my own happiness but i realized that i can help themand still be happy if i just follow the dream God has placed in my heart..the path is still quite unclear to me but i know i’ll never be lost because God will always guide me and i’m sure of that..GOD BLESS you more and more Bro. Bo..thanks for the enlightenment.. :)) hope you will read this
Hi Bro. Bo,
I am truly having a hard time in knowing what makes me happy. I have been very confused lately.
Thanks for the read, it helped me.
God bless!
Bro. Bo,
Always be a first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of somebody else,a phrase that is worth remembering when trials and envious came our way..thank you for your wonderful blogs thats keep on reminding us that whatever and whoever we are God design us and truly God loves Us.
what if your being true to yourself is not good for others…what if they didn’t like you as what you are… are you gonna change your self for their sake…or you still be your self even more people didn’t want you to what you are…?are you gonna willing to change to make them likes you…? i just want to ask!
Thank you.
This one inspired me a lot. I’m so down & out.
God bless.
Hi Bo, thanks for this nice article. Those were really amusing pictures. I’m not a regular reader of your site but this may change, heheh. I got here by mistake when I searched “Ted Haggard.” You wrote a blog about him some time back and google listed it… so.
I was searching for Ted Haggard because his wife wrote a book being advertised in Christian publisher’s site, Tyndale. No, I’m not interested in her book, but I was in that site to look over some Christian materials which brings me to my longish message (sorry about this=).
I recently got reacquainted with the bible. I have read quite a few self-help books and benefited from them. But I wasn’t satisfied. I got this hunger to read from the source itself. The problem is there were so many expressions and passages in the bible which were hard to understand. And that’s when I discovered the study bibles. It’s like having a bible scholar or expert beside you while reading the bible.
I have two study bibles: ESV Study Bible and NLT Study Bible. Actually two more are on the way for delivery. But I’m digressing…
In my reading, I started from Genesis and now I’m at the last parts of Deuteronomy where the Israelites are poised to cross into the promised land, Canaan. And what an adventure story this is! The whole of the Pentateuch!
About being true to yourself. I know what you mean…
Now it occurred to me this morning, how also true it is what the bible said about the human heart. It’s leaning toward evil, right from the start.
….Genesis 6:5 The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. (NLT Study Bible)
….The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
(Genesis 6:5 ESV Study Bible)
Look, even the Israelites on their way to the promised land, who enjoy the privilege of being God’s chosen people, continually rebel against God after all the God has done for them: taking them out of slavery from Egypt with his immense power, wiping out their enemies, providing for them food and water in an arid place. They even get to hear God’s voice himself! How cool is that!? Who on earth can claim that honor?!
And yet they sinned, even when God resided physically right in the midst of them! It might be said they’re so fortunate that they had a mediator with God, Moses, who in so many occasions prevented God from totally burning them up. And yet, even Moses sinned.
Now, who in all the earth is without sin? Who in all the earth for all time is that person who was totally obedient to God, who pleased him in every way? That man is our only hope.
Pasang-awa lamang tayong lahat. We’re doomed. The moment Eve took that first bite, she and Adam unleashed terrible consequences for all of humanity.
But glory be and thanks be to God, for in his great mercies, steadfast love, and faithful commitment to his promises, even as Adam and Eve sinned, God has already put into motion the supreme plan, a rescue mission to put us all right with him again and restore to us the pride and dignity and our exalted place beside God that we forfeited.
But how?
Through the Lord Jesus Christ. He’s our only hope. He’s our only salvation. He is the rescue mission. There is no other. There is no back-up plan. He’s the one without sin and the only one worthy to mediate us to God. This is the story of the bible. I can only hope everyone gets to read it and most of all that the Holy Spirit which already resides in us through Christ may open our minds to understand.
To those who love self-help books but not yet very acquainted with the bible…. If you can’t find the answers to life’s problems there, it’s no accident. We’re supposed to find them in the pages of the bible.
I would like to enjoin those who can afford it, to buy a good study bible, in a translation that you can actually read. It is there where we truly know who we are, where we’re headed, why we’re so evil (no that’s not a compliment=) and why we need someone to save us from that doom. It all began in Genesis… but I won’t spoil your suspense.
If there is one thing you must read before you die, brothers and sisters, let it not be just any self-help book. Let it be the bible.
“The time is surely coming,” says the Sovereign Lord,
“when I will send a famine on the land—
not a famine of bread or water
but of hearing the words of the Lord. (Amos 8:11)
(Matthew 4:4. The Lord quoting Deuteronomy 8:3)-
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Let’s not allow this terrible famine to catch up with us! Go straight to the source. Don’t let a hard to read bible translation stop you. Get a study bible and turn a fresh leaf in your life.
Thanks, Bo!
Sole Deo Gloria
napaiyak po ako nang nabasa ko to. na realize ko po na -appreciate yung sarili ko kasi
” God has chosen me.
I’ve been handpicked by God.
My destiny awaits me.
AND I’LL NEVER LOOK DOWN TO MYSELF AGAIN”
salamat po.
This Article really moves me,.
God is darong me to move as my will.
And for the past years of my entire life, i only cares about what wiil other people says behind my back,..
I’d never cared about my feelings getting hurt, basta masabi ko lang na nagawa ko yung mga bagay na yun para ma-satisfy yung mga taong nakapalibot sakin..
As a Leader in YFC (Youth For Christ) I never expected na sobrang daming mali sa mga things na ginagawa ko,.. I never opened up my Ideas that would hurt others.. Kahit hindi OK sa akin ang mga nangyayari, I always Pretended na ayos lang ang lahat..
God is trully on my side, God will surely Giude the things that I’ved been doing, and Now I surely know what is the real purpose of me being in this position. *thank You*
*daring*
Im of the third sex. and im happy this way. wla naman ako tinatapakan ibang tao. so i think i shud be happy da way i am. coz i know god still loves me. =)
I love your blogs Bo. I have read most of your books and they are great! Continue to inspire people!
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