think rainbows

I have this Bo Sanchez Soulfood Newsletter that I receive in my email frequently. I think it was my mom who got me into it. I'm not sure if it's weekly or monthly, but what I'm sure of is that I don't really read them, thinking that they're too serious. I just open the message, browse through it, and sometimes even delete it, or just simply ignore it. But this time, I actually cared to read one because I was intrigued by what's written on the subject: Warning: If You Don't Design Your Future, Someone Else Will

It turned out to be a really nice article. Not that serious really, and it made me remember the life stories that was at the back of the Kerygma magazines we used to get at school which had some really good stories. The short article made a whole lot of sense, though I'm sure only those who are or will be committed to it could actually do it. Below is the actual content of the email.

One day, a man came up to me and invited me to speak to their company.
When he told me the date of their conference, I told them I couldn’t make it.
He asked if I could speak the following year, and I declined it too.
He asked if I could speak the year after that—and I said my calendar was still booked for the date.
He asked, “Can we invite you to speak to our group in 2013?”
I began to laugh.
This was getting to be embarrassing.
But the man in front of me wasn’t laughing.
“Bo, I’m serious. You turned down our invitation for 2010, 2011, and 2012. Don’t tell me you’re booked for 2013?”
Here’s the truth: Yes, I was booked.
Some of my appointments are booked until the day I die.
For example?
If you ask me, “Bo, what will you be doing on Tuesday nights in the year 2025?” I’ll answer, “Having dates with my lovely wife.”
How do I know?
Since we got married 12 years ago, I’ve given my Tuesday nights to her.
Having weekly dates with her has been the bedrock of our marriage.  Our lifesaver. Our refreshment. Our bond. Our joy.
I also have weekly dates with my 2 boys on Monday afternoon.
I have weekly lunches with my 85-year old Mom on Wednesdays.
These are my non-negotiable appointments in my life.
That’s why my relationships are strong. Vibrant. Life-giving.

That’s why my family life is tight.

I set these appointments for years—no, for decades—in advance.
Why?< Because if you’re not going to design your future, someone else will.

There are thieves that want to steal away your family life.
Thieves like Busyness.
Hurry-titis. (An epidemic today!)
Materialism.
TV addiction.
Selfishness.
Adultery.
Money problems.
Protect your family!
How? Next to God, make your family first.

See what I mean when I said that only those who are really committed could actually do what's written here? It sounds pretty easy to do, and very nice and sweet; the tricky part is actually remembering it, and doing it. We could easily say "Oh, let's do this every Tuesday night!", but on the next Tuesday that comes, "Oh, sorry, I'd have to cancel, have other plans.", until it's just totally forgotten.

I'd really like to be able to experience this, probably in the future. (I mean, when I have my own family too.) It's a good way of taking care of your relationships. Hopefully the people involved will be able to cope up or that they'll be okay with the "schedule" too.

Knowing your priorities helps a lot. Sticking to it maybe hard but it will help you go a long way. Family will always be family, they will be there for you even if all your friends disappear, so never take them for granted. Enjoy every minute you have with them, as much as you would with every friend, and every person that you meet.

Just like what my planner says, Design Your Life, design your future. :)