The importance of ‘Thank you,’ ‘Please, help me’ & ‘Sorry’ in achieving success
I was invited recently to deliver a message to the grade school graduating class of Lakeside Integrated School, a private school in Gulod, Cabuyao, Laguna.
Here’s the abridged version of what I told the graduating students.
Many times, we are taught to dream to succeed. Today, more than dreaming, I will tell you about the three secrets of many people who succeed in life. Secret 1: Know how to say “Thank you”
“Thank you” is a simple way to demonstrate that the heart knows gratitude. Those who are grateful are one step ahead to achieving their dreams.
It’s not enough that we are kind to our teachers. It’s not enough that we smile at them. It is also music to their ears when they hear their students than king them for guiding them while in the con fine soft he school.
We should also say “Thank you” to our classmates. It is my belief that if all students can be grateful for the friendship they have forged in school, there will be no bullies. Bullies have no place in school. The friends you have now should be for keeps no matter how far you will sail later on in the sea of life. It’s important to have friends because, according to the Book of Life, you cannot do it alone.
Though kindness is a natural virtue, in time, because of circumstances, we become madamot (selfish ). Hind ii pin ag dar a mo tang“Thank you .”
When you visit a friend’s home, you have to be conscious to say “Thank you” to his or her parents. You went to a home and the most you can do is express your gratitude to his or her parents for letting you in. When it is time to go, look for your friend’s mom and dad and bid them goodbye, too.
It is important that we also appreciate the hard work of our parents. When was the last time you said “Thank you” to them? Now you are young. By the time you finished college and have your own children, your parents will already be old. Will you still be there for them? That’s your challenge.
Another challenge is how to become a good citizen of the community. Marami nang naliligaw ng landas, sasama ka pa ba? If you do good in life without stepping on another’s toes, that’s a good sign of gratitude to your community. You don’t have to be a hero to be good. Just be good. And that is already a big contribution to your community. That way, you become a hero.
And every night, please don’t forget to thank God for giving you another opportunity to wake up to another beautiful day. Secret 2: Know how to say “Please, help me” Many times, pride complicates life. We have
forgotten that to be able to make it somewhere, we need well- meaning people to help us. “Mom, please help me with my assignment.” “Tatay, please help me with my Carpentry subject.” “Teacher, can you please help me understand the lesson further?” When you take the jeep and you’re far from the driver to give your fare, what do you do? You ask the person near you: “Pwede pong pakiabot ng bayad?” Then say “Thank you.” Excuse me for pointing this out. But it is my observation that many times, many people forget this basic trait. Please, don’t forget this.
When you’re an adult already, you will f ind that there is more room to ask for help. Don’t be ashamed to say “Please, help me.” But this time, asking for help becomes a little bit complicated. When you ask for financial help, say a loan, you have to remember that it comes with a responsibility of returning the money. You fail to pay your debt, you risk your reputation. Remember, to be trusted is to be loved.
But if you always borrow money, your “Please, help me” becomes meaningless. If you always ask for help without helping yourself, you become dependent on people’s generosity. Your dependence will paralyze your creativity to better your life. In the end, you lose.
One day, you will become adults. You will f ind your partner, have children. Practical tips I learned from my parents, who were farmers: 1. Never ask financial help because your wife will give birth to your first child. You have nine months to earn for your wife’s delivery; 2. Always save money to pay for your electricity bill. “Hindi ipinangungutang ang pambayad ng kuryente. Matutong mag- tipid,” my father said. Otherwise, your “Please, help me” will bring you somewhere. Just don’t overuse it. Secret 3: Know how to say “Sorry”
We are people; we commit mistakes. Own up and sincerely say“Sorry .” You hurt your friend’s feelings. I’m sorry. You broke a promise. I’m sorry. You were rude to your teacher. I’m sorry. You did something wrong. I’m sorry. Not many know how to apologize. They must have forgotten that a sincere sorry heals the wound and gives another opportunity for friendship to flourish a new.
How do you say a sincere“Sorry ?” Just say it. No explanation. Just“Sorry .”
But a person who repeatedly says sorry for the same mistake is not really sorry. This is already a hard habit to break. This becomes dangerous. You lose face. Eventually you will lose the trust of other people.
A sincere apology does not correct a mistake. But it bridges the gap between the offender and the offended. It gives birth to new beginnings.
Thank you for listening.
( For your new beginnings, please e- mail me at bumbaki@yahoo.com. I’m also on Twitter @ bum_ tenorio and Instagram @ bumtenorio. Have a blessed Sunday!)