Having a task, or special assignment, could be either good or bad for an individual. Well, it will depend on the situation. It could be good if the task being given suits on the personality of the individual – it will be heaven for him. Plus, if the given task is also the same thing that he is wishing for; he is just waiting for the right time where he can grab it, or he is just waiting that somebody will appoint it to him. But if the given task doesn’t fit on the personality of the individual, it will surely be hell for him. His options will be: first, to take it and consider as an opportunity to grow and to widen more his perspective about life, and secondly, he is going to take it by the virtue of no choice and won’t totally commit himself from the attached responsibilities- just to stay good before others and in the eyes of his superiors.
Duty or responsibility is a common thing in life. We can never escape it as long as we live our lives, or as long as we are living in this world. In fact, it is our very existence, we have to work in order for us to survive, we have to work so that we can also relate to others, and we have to work so that we can also contribute to the growth of our community or society, as a whole.
Here in the seminary, wherein we, seminarians, are formed to become integrated persons, are given the chance to handle big responsibilities, not only our personal responsibility to ourselves but also the responsibility to others. As what our mentors are usually saying, “Responsibilities are not meant to burden you, but it is an opportunity given to you so that you can realize your own strengths and weaknesses. Thus, it can help you to become more mature persons with a good sense and background in dealing with your responsibilities later on. It is an early training for all of you to make you well prepared when you are priests already, wherein more and even bigger responsibilities will be assigned to you.”
In m y personal experience, I’d like to admit that having responsibility, sometimes, is very difficult. It really challenges my person, testing my patience and endurance in the formation. There were times that I’m about to cry, because I don’t know what to do first and I’m losing focus. It sometimes left me hanging in the middle line, crushing my brain by thinking what’s the best way to kill these two birds (my duties - sometimes it is not only two, but also three, four, five, and even more) in just one stone (one process). I’m sure that I can do all my tasks well and there’s no question about it, but my usual problem is “time.” We are given so many tasks but we don’t have enough time. I’m not telling that I don’t know how to manage my time, but the only thing is, sometimes, I am given so many tasks which are really time-suppressing. Plus, there are also surprise tasks that are really surprising me most of the time, wherein somebody will just simply say to me, “Please do this and that… go to this person and tell him/her that… inform the community that… check them… etc.” Often times, in secret, I’m also complaining, but the funny thing is, I’m still doing what is asked me to do and afetrwards it creates a certain feeling that makes me feel so good whenever I accomplished my duties. Sometimes I came to the point that I’m asking myself, “Why me? Kadamo sa amom ngaa ako lang haw? I’m not the only one who is capable of doing these things. For sure, there are others who are better than me.” But answer also sprouted after asking it to myself, it was then that I totally realized that I was so privileged because I’m being chosen to do such tasks. I’m doing it not only for myself but for the community. That it would already be my chance to serve my brothers and sisters in the very best that I can do.
To be a leader is a privilege and becoming a good leader is never easy. You have to be a good model for everybody. You must live the laws of the institution you are in and never dare to violate any of them, because everybody is watching you- you have to set yourself as good example towards others. In short, you are the eye of everything; you have to maintain the orderliness of the community and discipline your members and motivate them so that they can function well in their tasks and responsibilities. But to be a leader doesn’t only mean that you will be burdened with the responsibilities given to you. There are also things that make you happy as a leader, especially when you see that you are helping others by being with them in their struggles, working with them so that they can survive it. It’s good to see that others are improving because you help them motivate their selves. And most especially, it’s nice to hear when others say their sweet “thank you!” after serving them. It draws the heart to smile and make it even stronger. Duties are not meant to burden us in life. It could be also a great privilege for us to serve others and to become part of their lives.
Duty or responsibility is a common thing in life. We can never escape it as long as we live our lives, or as long as we are living in this world. In fact, it is our very existence, we have to work in order for us to survive, we have to work so that we can also relate to others, and we have to work so that we can also contribute to the growth of our community or society, as a whole.
Here in the seminary, wherein we, seminarians, are formed to become integrated persons, are given the chance to handle big responsibilities, not only our personal responsibility to ourselves but also the responsibility to others. As what our mentors are usually saying, “Responsibilities are not meant to burden you, but it is an opportunity given to you so that you can realize your own strengths and weaknesses. Thus, it can help you to become more mature persons with a good sense and background in dealing with your responsibilities later on. It is an early training for all of you to make you well prepared when you are priests already, wherein more and even bigger responsibilities will be assigned to you.”
In m y personal experience, I’d like to admit that having responsibility, sometimes, is very difficult. It really challenges my person, testing my patience and endurance in the formation. There were times that I’m about to cry, because I don’t know what to do first and I’m losing focus. It sometimes left me hanging in the middle line, crushing my brain by thinking what’s the best way to kill these two birds (my duties - sometimes it is not only two, but also three, four, five, and even more) in just one stone (one process). I’m sure that I can do all my tasks well and there’s no question about it, but my usual problem is “time.” We are given so many tasks but we don’t have enough time. I’m not telling that I don’t know how to manage my time, but the only thing is, sometimes, I am given so many tasks which are really time-suppressing. Plus, there are also surprise tasks that are really surprising me most of the time, wherein somebody will just simply say to me, “Please do this and that… go to this person and tell him/her that… inform the community that… check them… etc.” Often times, in secret, I’m also complaining, but the funny thing is, I’m still doing what is asked me to do and afetrwards it creates a certain feeling that makes me feel so good whenever I accomplished my duties. Sometimes I came to the point that I’m asking myself, “Why me? Kadamo sa amom ngaa ako lang haw? I’m not the only one who is capable of doing these things. For sure, there are others who are better than me.” But answer also sprouted after asking it to myself, it was then that I totally realized that I was so privileged because I’m being chosen to do such tasks. I’m doing it not only for myself but for the community. That it would already be my chance to serve my brothers and sisters in the very best that I can do.
To be a leader is a privilege and becoming a good leader is never easy. You have to be a good model for everybody. You must live the laws of the institution you are in and never dare to violate any of them, because everybody is watching you- you have to set yourself as good example towards others. In short, you are the eye of everything; you have to maintain the orderliness of the community and discipline your members and motivate them so that they can function well in their tasks and responsibilities. But to be a leader doesn’t only mean that you will be burdened with the responsibilities given to you. There are also things that make you happy as a leader, especially when you see that you are helping others by being with them in their struggles, working with them so that they can survive it. It’s good to see that others are improving because you help them motivate their selves. And most especially, it’s nice to hear when others say their sweet “thank you!” after serving them. It draws the heart to smile and make it even stronger. Duties are not meant to burden us in life. It could be also a great privilege for us to serve others and to become part of their lives.
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