Oh, Brother!

Oh, Brother!

Posted by on May 3, 2012 in Family, Featured, Inspiration | 8 comments

Meet my newest brother! We look so much alike, don’t we? 

Father Vinay, Mom, Dad & Sammy

Father Vinayak Jadav, from Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India, came to Cincinnati first in 2006 when he worked as an intern here at Franciscan Media. My mom (my predecessor in my current role as editorial assistant) took Father Vinay under her wing and has dubbed him her adopted godson (hence making him unofficially my “godbrother”). This past weekend marked Father Vinay’s fourth visit to Cincinnati to reconnect with his “family.”

I was fortunate enough to spend some quality time with my “brother.” He is one of those people who nourishes my soul with each of our conversations. His cheerful and peaceful mannerisms and inspirational words of wisdom always brighten my day.

During one of our discussions, Father Vinay gave me food for thought. On the topic how people handle situations in various ways, he reminded me of the old analogy of the two subliminal “bears” that reside within all of us all: the aggressive one and the tranquil one.

Depending on which bear we “feed” in others will make a difference in which bear is the one to surface. If the “food” you are offering to that person is negative (a mean-spirited personality or sarcastic tone of voice), then the more hostile bear will be that one responding to that “food.”

If the “food” you are feeding is constructive (positive conversation and encouraging attitude), you will bring out the peaceful bear.

That conversation reinforced my appreciation of the truth that our words and actions DO indeed make a difference in the lives of others. Maybe the next time we wonder why someone reacts unreasonably, we should look in the mirror for the cause and begin to analyze what quality of “food” we are dishing out.

I hope and pray that, God-willing, someday in the future my “brother” can return to visit his Cincinnati home. My family and I already miss him!

 
 

About the Author

Sharon Lape is both the permissions manager and the editorial assistant in the periodicals department at Franciscan Media. She also researches and provides content for the popular Minute Meditations feature. Sharon is a wife and a mother of four children.
 
 
 
  • Monnaleeyounger

    Excellent. We miss your ‘brother’ already too. We missed him the moment he was picked up to go and catch his Megabus back to his current Jesuit residency at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. I will cherish the memories of his visit with us while in Cincy (his home in Cincy, as he calls it). Thanks Sharon for being the wonderful daughter you are, Love mom.

  • Debbie

    Thanks, Sharon.  The two bears is an interesting analogy.  Hmmm, which bear will I allow out today? 

  • Dss382966

    Great article!  Love the “food for thought” theory!  I read that similar story somewhere else and needed the reminder!  That theroy should be spread around more often!!

  • Vijaybbn

    Fr. Vinayak is a great man.He makes person at home and also inspires to do more and more good to the world. He is like a beautiful flower that spreads fragrance  around the world, no matter where he is, his work is to make people beautiful 

  • Sanorared

    Great food for thought for all of us, Sharon!

  • Jftgkk

    Great article!  We are all brothers and sisters in God.

  • Jpinotti

    So glad you had a spiriutally enlightened visit with your brother, Fr. Vinay! :)   It’s good to spend time with individuals to help us to become better people.  We all need to heed those words of wisdom.

  • Leah

    I always appreciate your thoughts and your blogs, Sharon. They keep me focused on what’s really important in the grand scheme of life. I hope to meet Fr. Vinay someday. Speaking of food, does he like American beer or Indian beer better? Do they even have beer in India?