A real gimmick

A young girl finds help to quit smoking and drinking by opening up to others…
I had already stopped smoking, yet I was still in the habit of drinking. After a meeting at the Focolare Centre, I finally understood why I shouldn’t be drinking.
That’s not because it’s bad or forbidden, but because I may get sick afterwards. I may not experience bad effects now, but I will definitely have health and brain problems as I get older. It was very hard for me to quit because I had already gotten used to smoking and drinking whenever I was happy or sad, especially when I was bored. I drank almost every day. I would buy it at a convenient store and even get annoyed at the cashier who would not sell me liquor because they thought I was a minor (I look quite young). But after this meeting, I thought it would be good to cut down my liquor intake or not drink at all. I mean, I could still drink, but only when the occasion called for it. Also, I understood that everything should be done moderately like drinking – not to drink too much or not to drink at all, since it really affects my brain and body.
With the strong unity of my friends in the Focolare, with whom I shared everything, I was able to overcome my smoking and drinking habits. Whenever I would feel tempted, I would get the money to buy a bottle of beer, and place it inside the empty beer bottle which is my piggy bank. And that money, I would offer to Jesus, for my friends, my family, and for the Genfest, especially for the Genfest of 2012. It’s really an opportunity to honour my YES and love for Jesus, who is my special friend.

Some time ago, the company where I now work did a feeding program in one of the social centres of the Focolare. Last year, a colleague told me she wanted to continue with this feeding program. Another time, a second colleague asked me if she could celebrate her upcoming birthday with poor kids. So I contacted the Focolare and scheduled a day with the kids in one of their social centres again. After setting a date, we talked about it with a third colleague, who also wanted in. I was surprised and happy that they were so open to the idea of helping out with a feeding program. We three were talking about it when a fourth colleague overheard us. Now, she too wanted to help too. All together, we were four.
Then, a week before the feeding, I found out that one of my favourite DJ’s was coming to Manila for a concert. I really wanted to go, ready to spend a lot of money so I could see him. Also, I hadn’t been clubbing for quite some time and here was an excuse to unwind with friends, party late at night and relax. Even if I had to sleep late, what mattered most for me at that time was to see him and dance to his tracks and mixes. The fee was P2,500 (about 60 US Dollars) discounted from the P3,000 original price. Then I confided to my friends how much I wanted to go to this event, for I had my money ready. But then, the most wonderful thing happened! My colleague reminded me, “I think the ticket is too expensive. You can just give it to the kids in the feeding program that we will be doing this Saturday.” Like having received a slight knock on my head, I woke up and realized how really expensive the ticket was. In fact, I would rather have used the money for other people than for myself. Besides, I could listen to the DJ on my mp3 player or get a free pass the next time.
I told my colleague, “Yeah, or I will just use the money to buy Christmas gifts for you and for others.” Less than a week to go before the feeding program, we had a problem contacting a fast food chain which usually supports us with our feeding program. I was a little saddened by the turn of the events, for we were trying hard to procure the food for Saturday.
Worried, I mentioned this to another officemate, and the biggest surprise came. She said, “Okay, I will contact my friend whose father owns another fast-food chain.” Truly, Jesus cannot be outdone in generosity! I had wanted to give up on the feeding program and was worried that it wouldn’t have been possible that Saturday. Then I offered it to Jesus. And look what he did: instant providence! The fast-food chain that my friend recommended promised to support our feeding program, offering 75 spaghetti meals and hamburgers for the kids. Joyfully, we went to the day-care centre where the kids were, played with them, sang songs and even had conducted story-telling. She gave the kids piggy banks as prizes so they could save up. Later, we played even more games. The children were quite happy and so was my other friend for she got to celebrate her birthday with the kids. We were super happy for having made these children so happy. Afterwards we had lunch together.
My friends kept on asking lots of questions on how we could help and improve the situation in the Philippines, etc. We also gave my friend a surprise gift for her birthday – ice cream in three flavours. She was overjoyed, and so touched by the gesture of care and love from my friends who were working at the social centre. My colleagues told me at the end, “We really want to help. We just don’t know how to go about it! And we want to be in touch with you always.” They are looking forward to more feeding programs and other activities. With this experience, I realized how life can be more enjoyable if we open up our hearts and share our joy with others.
S.C.
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