Helping others pays huge dividends

Government and nongovernment social workers who help others in need, take note.

If they do it out of compassion and sympathy and not because it is forced upon them by their job, they live a life of magic.

What they’re doing to their fellowmen comes back to them.

The law of karma provides that you reap what you sow.

What you give away, you receive—only this time it comes back to you a hundredfold.

Social workers at the Department of Social Welfare and Development and health workers at the Department of Health who serve their fellowmen out of love should consider themselves blessed.

They are blessed to be in their position because the opportunity to help others comes with the job.

When you help others, you help yourself as well because the good that you do to your fellowman is eventually rewarded.

Reward comes in many forms: Material abundance, good health, success in work, better family ties, happiness out of a sense of fulfillment.

* * *

I’m a witness to how good karma works among my staff in the public service program “Isumbong Mo Kay Tulfo.”

My staff, who are called “Tulfo’s angels” by people they have helped, bring to the attention of the authorities the plight of those who come to us for assistance: From a man sporting a blackeye who got beaten up by an abusive cop, to a cash-strapped widow whose pension is pending at the Social Security System, the Government Service Insurance System or the finance section of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

I’ve noticed that my angels who are motivated by love in helping people with problems, and not because they’re getting paid for it, lead happier, more successful lives.

When my angels leave “Isumbong” for greener pastures, they advance rapidly in their new jobs.

Stories of their success are told during the yearly Christmas reunion of my former and current staff.

(I didn’t hold the Christmas reunion this December in deference to the millions of victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda.”)

Some couldn’t attend the reunion because they’re now abroad: For example, Donna now works as a radio announcer in Canada, June is in Australia, Amy is in the US.

Those who are in the country have made their mark in their new line of work: Mackay is now a top-earning freelance public relations practitioner, Ruth and Bong are lawyers, Dinna is happily serving her church, Rachel is a successful caterer.

They all attribute their success to good karma because of their stint with “Isumbong.”

Helping others because of love pays huge dividends.

* * *

People who are in power must use such power to make friends, not enemies.

They should be reminded that power is fleeting; before they know it, they’re out of power.

Look at Gloria and Mike Arroyo who used their power to oppress people: They’re now at the receiving end of oppression.

The Binays of Makati—Vice President Jojo, Mayor Junjun, Senator Nancy and Congresswoman Abigail—should learn from the Arroyos.