Investing in kindness

Ben Contreras

HAVING been born to a poor family makes it easy for us, me in particular, to empathize with the poor. But it was our mother who showed us to be kind to others even in our own destitute. I was witness to one event when my mother gave food to a hungry man and gave him a few pesos when he left our humble home.

Unlike my classmates and friends whose parents were already into business, they too invested their time and effort in helping make their family business grow. We never have that chance, though my siblings made their own mark in our society some way.

Being the more controversial in the family, poor in academic performance, unable to finish my college, married at a very young age, went through a failed marriage, a roller coaster history of employment, I thought life is not going to be kind to me. But like what my brother said to me, “You’re a fighter, a survivor.”

I bought a motorcycle when I met my second wife. Who knows about motorcycles? Not me when I bought it. But I tried to learn to impress my new girl. Who would have thought that my motorcycle would become my constant partner to feed my children and send them through college with success?

But behind that success were my siblings who helped me financially, especially our youngest. The blessings from my siblings were immeasurable that it taught me one thing: sharing blessings to others.

Thus, with no money to invest in business, I decided to invest in kindness. That’s how I came close to Buddhism. Buddhism is said to be not a religion but a way of life anchored on Karma. The amount of kindness you give and share would come back to you in folds.

There are stories that I love to tell and re-tell. They are stories that I consider as “Divine interventions.” And they are the fruits of my investments in kindness.

Nope, I am not rich as some would think I am just because I was able to buy a brand new car six years ago. It was actually a gamble as my nephew kept on nagging me to get one. He said, “Don’t worry about the installments. You’ll manage.” Three years to pay was fast.

My children are now all working. My income from my so-called “bread and butter” is just enough for me and my wife. Sans illness, I believe we’ll get by with a little for charity.

Believe me, if you invest in kindness, you won’t regret it.

In fact, my neighbor Atty. Rodolfo Uy decided to share his blessings after reading my article about the little farm we bought in Libertad. He told me he’s going to give me a pair of goats. I was overjoyed. After receiving a pair of geese from, okay–they’re from RD Ulep of LTO last week–now goats.

This I can promise to both of them, if they multiply, I will do the same kindness to others. God bless you Larry and Rudy!

Hmmm, I have this hunch that my candidates for the national and local are by all indications, sure winners. I guess it’s time to focus my time in Libertad.