A Personal Prayer

I was doing some year-end cleaning, when I accidentally unearthed a letter I wrote 12 years ago. It was a personal prayer I did for an activity when I attended the 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' seminar, sponsored by Ginebra San Miguel before. 

I remember I also have a copy of it hidden in my wallet--but I printed it in a miniscule point-something font that I barely notice it when I look for some loose change.

So when I saw this paper and read it, my heart skipped a bit. I realized that my prayer a decade ago is still what my heart desires up to now. Some things never really change. 

Let me share this prayer with you.

A Personal Prayer

In every role I have in my life, let me be the best that I can be.

I am a creature of the world. Let me be true to myself, and true to every man. I do not wish to be deceived, so, too, I shall not deceive. Let me upkeep the dignity of every man I meet by treating everyone as my equal, for I am just a mere speck in the dust of life.

I am a wife. As I have committed myself to my husband, I cease to be me. The two of us are one, and so we shall always be. We are soul mates, and I am certain that fate has bound us together. Let my husband draw inspiration and strength from me, as I from him. May we conquer every hurdle and challenges of raising a happy, healthy, and loving family. May we walk through life's ups and downs together, never letting go of each other's hands.

I am a mother. I was blessed with three miracles, and every single day with them is a miracle that unfolds before my eyes. Let me be worthy of these gifts by nurturing them with unconditional love. Let me nourish my children's physical bodies with nature's healthy bounty, and their spiritual beings with good values, ethics, and principles. Let me help them provide for the best education we can afford, and give them support all the way. Let me shelter them under a home filled with warmth. Let me help them make their own choices, never dictating what they want for themselves, but guiding them in the process. May my children perceive me as the best friend they will ever need as they journey through the road of life.

I am a daughter. Let me not forget where my roots are. My parents gave me the best they could ever give, and the least I can do to repay is to love them back. I will never miss the chance to call them just to say hello when I feel like it, to greet them on special occasions, to tell them I still need their words of wisdom. Let me make them feel that I am still their little girl--childlike, trusting, candid. Let me think as they look back at their life that they have passed to me a legacy of values and principles, which no material possessions could ever match. 

I am a worker. I toil for excellence in whatever endeavor I wish to pursue. Let me perform my duties to the best of my ability. Let me take one step ahead, never counting how much my company can give me, but how much I can contribute to the welfare of my company. May my superiors, co-workers, and subordinates have pleasure in working with me.

But I am only human. Without the Supreme Being, I shall cease to be. I know i could not take all these roles without His hand, his light, his love. So I shall forever follow His hand, seek for His light, and reciprocate His love...till the end of my days.

Bing Cacnio

January, 2001

Sniff. Oh, by the way, happy 46th to me today. Life has been good to me.