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MAKING OUR LEGACY LIVE ON
Kathlyn Q. Barrozo
Class of 1991, University of Santo Tomas
B.S. Medical Technology
I have often reiterated to my kids: YOU ARE SHAPED BY THE CHOICES YOU MAKE. Well, I would also like to add
the following words of advice that my children can use in their own lives: YOUR CHARACTER IS SHAPED BY THE
VERY ADVERSITIES THAT YOU FACE EACH DAY.
As a parent-and a widowed one at that- I have often faced down the most outrageous obstacles in life. Those
challenges run the whole range of the most challenging (Will my next paycheck cover my child’s tuition fee for
this school term?) to the most mundane (Will this detergent soap suffice for a day’s full laundry load?).
Sadly, I am not the perfect parent that my children can be fully proud of. But what parent can boast to be? We
have shortcomings and quirks that even our own kids will always be unable to completely comprehend, much
less take pride in. But in our acceptance and admission of our imperfections, let us not forget our pre-ordained
part to be the role models of character for our children.
When we fail to abide by rules and regulations such as not jaywalking, sticking to deadlines, paying our
community dues and remembering the obligations we have to keep, we encourage our children to do the same.
Telling a child not to try smoking even when one is a heavy smoker is not the proper way to discipline a child
towards doing the right thing. That doesn’t work especially when a parent already suffers from the curses of
smoking, such as lung cancer and respiratory disease.
Of course, there are other cases where children pick up the habit because of peer influence and provocation.
That is certainly something that any parent will find absolutely surprising and hurtful at the same time. Who
would want their child to suffer the consequence of actions they pick up from other people aside from those
they love and that love them?
Unfortunately, our children’s character will also be able to assist them in making crucial decisions such as
quitting smoking. If we have molded them to be firm in their convictions and to think independently of their
future, miracles can always happen and they’ll finally see the error of their ways. Teaching them the right way
is nearly a fourth of the battle and getting them to listen is almost half the victory. In the Lord’s proper time,
they will see their mistakes.
While our children are young, let us teach them good values and discipline in all aspects of their lives.
Recognize every challenge for them as a learning opportunity. Invest in their character with the values we teach
them at home, and then pray that they are able to carry those values well into their own parenthood. That’s
ensuring that our great legacy lives on forever.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1.
What external factors influence a child’s character? Justify your answer/s.
2.
What external factors change character? Elaborate on your answer/s.
3.
Why are we known by the company we keep?
4.
What particular character traits that you posses have been influenced by people other than your parents?
5.
Is there any particular character trait you wish you had? Expound on your answer/s.