While preparing for my stepmother's funeral, I shared something with the minister officiating the ceremony. I spoke of her strictness—not to glorify my own behavior, but to honor the way she raised me as her own. I was no angel, and I must have been the source of many a migraine, yet she never wavered in her guidance.
As she refined her understanding of the English language, carefully selecting American slang she found tasteful enough to adopt, she also took the time to teach me how to read and write in English. For fun, she would attempt to teach me Tagalog and Ilocano, and though I was not the most diligent student, some of her lessons have stayed with me. Thanks to a kind Filipina friend, I now have the opportunity to continue learning.
It was my stepmother who instilled in me the importance of a respectful spiritual journey, carrying on the wisdom my grandmother imparted just a few short years before. That foundation remained with me as I searched for deeper truths, navigating the many voices claiming to possess divine wisdom.
Appreciate the strict routines of your family. They prepared you for the world as they understood it. In turn, their hope was that you'd make the world to come a little more bearable for the ones that follow your footsteps.
In the Philippines, the concept of “Bayanihan” teaches that strength comes not just from an individual’s hard work, but from the community’s willingness to help one another. The wisdom of elders, often passed down through stories and discipline, emphasizes perseverance in adversity. Hardships mold resilience, much like how rice must endure fire to become nourishment.
Likewise, in Finland, the cultural value of “Sisu” defines an inner fortitude that drives people to push forward despite challenges. It is not about seeking an easy life, but rather finding the courage to endure difficulties with integrity. Generations before us faced long winters and scarcity, yet they survived through determination and resourcefulness.
Both cultures emphasize that wisdom is not gained through comfort, but through struggle. Parents who enforce discipline are not being cruel; they are passing down the tools needed to navigate an unforgiving world. A soft life, free from responsibility, weakens character and leaves one unprepared for accountability.
Proverbs 12:11 (AMP) – “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless things lacks common sense and good judgment.”
Our ancestors did not have the luxury of an easy life. They labored, sacrificed, and made choices that ensured survival. To honor them, we must take responsibility for our actions and work diligently toward a life of honesty and strength.
Ecclesiastes 3:13 (AMP) – “And also that every man should eat and drink and see and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God.”
Embrace the lessons of the past. Live with integrity. And most importantly, understand that wisdom is earned, not given.
