THIS is the ideal we should pursue in our self-giving, first to God and then to everybody else. If we truly love God and everybody else, with a love that is nothing less than a participation of the love God has for us and as commanded by Christ to us, then we will never say enough in our self-giving.

While it’s indeed laudable that in whatever we do, we try to give it our best shot, we should never forget that our best will never be enough insofar as pleasing God and everybody else is concerned. Our best can always be made better.

This should not surprise us, much less, cause us to worry. But we should acknowledge it so that we avoid getting self-satisfied with what we have done and then fall into self-complacency. That’s when we stop growing and improving as a human person and as a child of God.

We have to remember that we are meant for the infinite, for the spiritual and the supernatural. That’s a goal that we can never fully reach in our life here on earth. But we are meant to keep on trying.

In our spiritual life, we need to always go forward, to advance, to cover more area. In other words, we have to always go on the offensive, always growing and going. We cannot be all the time defensive, though that is also necessary, but as a complement to our efforts to reach our ultimate goal.

For our spiritual life to be truly alive and healthy, we should not just wait for things to happen. We have to make things happen. We cannot afford to be cold. We have to try our best to be as hot as possible and for always.

This is not going to be an easy task, of course. But we have been assured of God’s grace, and if we correspond to that grace as much as we can, somehow some progress can be made. More virtues can be acquired and developed. We can reach out to more and more people. We can do a lot of good.

Let us remember that in our spiritual life, that is, in our relation with God and with everybody else which is marked always by love, there is no such thing as a fixed position. Either we move forward or we slide backward. Let us not be deceived by the idea that we can be in some stable and fixed condition. The spiritual life is supposed to be always in a dynamic state.

What can keep us going in this regard is certainly not our own effort alone, much less our desire and ambition for fame, power or wealth. It’s not pride or some form of obsessions. These have a short prescription period. A ceiling is always set above them. In time, we will realize that everything we have done was just “vanity of vanities.”

It is God’s grace that does the trick. It’s when we correspond sincerely to God’s love for us that we get a self-perpetuating energy to do our best in any given moment. It’s when we can manage to do the impossible.

It’s a correspondence that definitely requires a lot of humility because we all have the inclination to be proud of our accomplishments that would kill any desire to do better. It’s also a correspondence that is always respectful of our human condition, given our strengths and weaknesses, our assets and limitations.

It is important that this attitude be instilled actively in all of us, since it is what is proper to us as persons and children of God. It’s what keeps us growing and going.

The question of how long it takes to change one’s life and perspective is a complex one, lacking a simple, quantifiable answer. It’s not a race with a finish line, but rather a journey of self-discovery and transformation that unfolds at its own pace. While some shifts might feel instantaneous, lasting, profound change typically requires sustained effort and commitment over a significant period. The timeframe depends on several interwoven factors, including the depth of the desired change, the individual’s approach, and the support system in place.

The Illusion of Instantaneous Change:

Popular culture often portrays transformative change as a sudden, dramatic event. A single epiphany, a life-altering experience, or a pivotal decision is presented as the catalyst for complete metamorphosis. While such moments can certainly be powerful turning points, they rarely represent the entirety of the change process. These moments often serve as the initiation of a longer journey, a spark that ignites a process of gradual, incremental shifts. True, lasting change requires consistent effort and conscious action beyond the initial inspirational moment.

Factors Influencing the Timeframe:

Several factors significantly influence the time it takes to achieve lasting personal transformation:

– Depth of Change: Small adjustments to habits or routines, like adopting a healthier diet or starting a regular exercise program, might yield noticeable results within weeks or months. However, more profound changes, such as overcoming deep-seated insecurities, addressing significant trauma, or changing career paths, typically require a longer timeframe, potentially spanning years.

– Individual Approach: The individual’s commitment, consistency, and approach significantly impact the speed of change. Someone who actively seeks support, engages in self-reflection, and consistently works towards their goals will likely see results faster than someone who adopts a passive or inconsistent approach. The willingness to embrace discomfort and challenge ingrained patterns is crucial.

– Support System: A strong support network, including family, friends, mentors, or therapists, can significantly accelerate the change process. Having people who understand and encourage the individual’s journey provides crucial emotional support, accountability, and guidance during challenging times.

– Self-Compassion and Patience: The journey of self-transformation is rarely linear. Setbacks, challenges, and periods of doubt are inevitable. Self-compassion and patience are essential for navigating these difficulties without becoming discouraged. Celebrating small victories along the way helps maintain momentum and reinforces positive changes.

– The Nature of the Change: Changing a single habit is different from fundamentally altering one’s worldview. Learning a new skill, for instance, might take months, while shifting from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset could take years of conscious effort and self-reflection.

The Importance of Incremental Progress:

Rather than focusing on a specific timeframe, it’s more beneficial to embrace the process of incremental progress. Each small step taken, each challenge overcome, contributes to the overall transformation. These small victories build confidence, momentum, and a sense of accomplishment, fueling further progress. Celebrating these milestones reinforces positive behaviors and strengthens the commitment to change.

Measuring Progress Beyond Time:

Instead of solely focusing on the time elapsed, it’s more effective to measure progress based on qualitative indicators:

– Increased Self-Awareness: A deeper understanding of one’s strengths, weaknesses, values, and beliefs.

– Improved Coping Mechanisms: The ability to navigate challenges and setbacks with greater resilience and emotional intelligence.

– Enhanced Relationships: More fulfilling and meaningful connections with others.

– Greater Fulfillment and Purpose: A stronger sense of purpose, meaning, and satisfaction in life.

The time it takes to change your life and perspective is a personal journey, varying greatly depending on individual circumstances and the nature of the desired change. While instantaneous shifts can occur, lasting transformation typically involves a gradual, incremental process spanning months or even years. Focusing on consistent effort, self-compassion, and celebrating small victories along the way is far more productive than fixating on a specific timeframe. True success isn’t measured by how quickly things change, but by the lasting impact and sustainability of the transformation. Rapid, superficial changes may yield short-term gains, but they often lack the depth and resilience needed for long-term prosperity. A truly successful transformation is one that integrates deeply into the fabric of the organization, altering not just processes but also mindsets, cultures, and values. It’s a metamorphosis that endures, adapting to future challenges while maintaining a strong foundation. The focus should be on building a resilient system capable of withstanding change while continuously evolving and improving. This requires a long-term perspective, a commitment to continuous learning and adaptation, and a willingness to invest in the necessary resources and expertise to achieve lasting, meaningful change. The depth and sustainability of the transformation, not the speed at which it occurs, is the ultimate measure of its success.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

The events are somehow not connected but it has seemingly similarity, gunning down a woman teacher in broad daylight, in school, for all to see with the intention to kill.

As we knew from social media and mainstream media two teachers were gunned down in Tanauan and Matalom all in Leyte. Both cases were perpetrated by their husbands, both women teachers had filed complaint of Violence Against Women and Children, Violations of RA 9262, against these husbands and had history of violence before the act of firing a loaded gun to the wives.

What could be the reasons that prompts husbands to ignore decency and shed-off the often protective and loving expectations? What could be the ultimate motive?

Asking 15 individuals on that question, the informal survey shows that Jealousy has 8 response, Insecurity 5 and Losing Control 2. Jealousy stands as the most common response. Indeed, Jealousy is a major factor in domestic violence because it often acts as a powerful emotional trigger that fuels control, rage, and irrational behavior.

The events create long lasting trauma from the schoolchildren who are simple bystanders. It creates a long and lasting trauma for the children of the assailant and victim and yes, creates sadness on everyone.

When the husband is the dominant partner , at times he sees his wife as mere tool or possession. The husband became the abuser. In the other hand when jealousy arises—especially over suspected infidelity—they feel their control slipping and may lash out violently to reassert dominance.

At times, the fear of being dumped motivates the dominant male to be extra jealous, that it leads to physical and verbal abuse.
-TO BE CONTINUED