On sincerity
On friday, during a conversation with a friend, I realised that for many of my actions, I expected that the other party would respond (favourably), so it was my own self that I tried to please, eventhough on the outside, my actions seemed to be for the other party…
Perhaps, this is what it means to be sincere: To do something sincerely means that the action taken must be motivated inwardly, and that motivation alone is enough reason for the action. There is no waiting for responses / outcomes for it to be "succesful" or "worthy". To sincerely be kind to someone means that to wish for that person’s happiness only, and nothing else. No returning the favour, no praises / affirmations.
In ‘zen’ term, it also means to focus only on the present, on the action taken, instead of the future (the future reward).
I asked my friend who is very active in ministry, that she has been serving others because God loves her, but if hypothetically God doesn’t love her, whether she would be still serving others…
Of course a hypothetical question does not require a hypothetical answer in return 
Perhaps this is what sincerity means, to love others regardless whether others love you back. Whether it is a family member, that special someone, a project, a vocation, a sacrifice. That the internal motivation alone is enough reason and reward for the action taken.
So, for many of my actions that had been ’self-seeking’, I would like to apologise. I hope it is not too late, that though the actions have been taken, that now the attitude has changed. I wish for your happiness only. And that only.
"Let love be sincere" Romans 12: 9. (Let love be without any pretence - The New Jerusalem Bible translation).
"Let … be sincere" (Fill in the blank yourself. Bobby 12: 9)
