"Your freedom ends where your nose starts." This was the favorite expression of a teacher I once had. What she means is that there is no absolute freedom. True freedom is always relational. One cannot just do as he pleases. If you hit a person, you violate his own freedom to be treated as a person with dignity.
"Doing what I want," is a common misconception among young people of the true meaning of freedom. They are of the opinion that anything that gets in the way of their desires is a violation of their freedom. But this is a self-centered view. The exercise of one's freedom is ruled by how it affects others. It is what sets us humans apart from the rest of creation.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
I Am Pinoy
Am I proud to be Pinoy?That question frequently pops out of my head.I don't even know if there should be something to be proud of as a Pinoy.
With the present situation of our poor Pearl of the Orient,Philippines,it is hard for me to accept that I am a pure Pinoy-blooded gal.It is very much devastating on my part--I suppose for all of us--to hear that our very own government officials who are supposed to work for the betterment of the whole nation are instead busy working on things for the betterment of their own pockets.Don't they know that they're acting like grave criminals who ought to be penalized to death for stealing from the country's treasury?
Another concern is the E-vat.I don't even know what good it brings.It just makes prices skyrocket.Poor people become even poorer and don't have enough even for their food.Prices are soaring high but the salaries remain low.How would a regularly-waged worker survive?
Then here are the rebels who,instead of working hard so the country's economic and political situation will improve are causing trouble.Funds used to eradicate them would have been better utilized if spent on improving these health services in the country.Instead of buying guns and ammunition,the money should be used in purchasing materials for health,putting up additional health centers,and establishing projects.
Our president has done this country wrong.But so far,nothing has resulted but chaos and waste of time.Instead of spending money on destabilization,why don't these people use their money in thinking for better programs and establishing projects that all Filipinos can benefit from?It's no wonder we keep getting poorer each day.Our dept at the World Bank has remained unpaid.Foreign investors wouldn't take a risk in transacting business here because our economic status is low.
Will you still be proud to be Pinoy despite all these things?
Pinoy are world-class people.We excel in a lot of things.Pacquiao beat many foreign boxers,a chief cook working in the White House abroad,lots of workers showing honesty in returning found valuables,a nunber one restaurant ran by a Pinoy in Las Vegas,Lea Salonga,Charice,and other musicians who are celebrated throughout the globe are just a few of the things that we should boast of because we are Pinoys.
Pinoy workers abroad are known and valued for their services.We are longed for our tender and kind service to foreigners.We are known for our dedication and willingness and,of course,our discipline and principles.Pinoy workers are extraordinary one-of-a-kind.We also have this culture and tradition that nobody can imitate.We are known to be hospitable,friendly,loyal,and hardworking.We should be proud of that,I say!I am proud to be Pinoy.Despite all these problems in the country,I can't deny the fact that my blood,my heart,and my mind are truly of origin.I am proud to be morena.I am proud to be Pinoy.
With the present situation of our poor Pearl of the Orient,Philippines,it is hard for me to accept that I am a pure Pinoy-blooded gal.It is very much devastating on my part--I suppose for all of us--to hear that our very own government officials who are supposed to work for the betterment of the whole nation are instead busy working on things for the betterment of their own pockets.Don't they know that they're acting like grave criminals who ought to be penalized to death for stealing from the country's treasury?
Another concern is the E-vat.I don't even know what good it brings.It just makes prices skyrocket.Poor people become even poorer and don't have enough even for their food.Prices are soaring high but the salaries remain low.How would a regularly-waged worker survive?
Then here are the rebels who,instead of working hard so the country's economic and political situation will improve are causing trouble.Funds used to eradicate them would have been better utilized if spent on improving these health services in the country.Instead of buying guns and ammunition,the money should be used in purchasing materials for health,putting up additional health centers,and establishing projects.
Our president has done this country wrong.But so far,nothing has resulted but chaos and waste of time.Instead of spending money on destabilization,why don't these people use their money in thinking for better programs and establishing projects that all Filipinos can benefit from?It's no wonder we keep getting poorer each day.Our dept at the World Bank has remained unpaid.Foreign investors wouldn't take a risk in transacting business here because our economic status is low.
Will you still be proud to be Pinoy despite all these things?
Pinoy are world-class people.We excel in a lot of things.Pacquiao beat many foreign boxers,a chief cook working in the White House abroad,lots of workers showing honesty in returning found valuables,a nunber one restaurant ran by a Pinoy in Las Vegas,Lea Salonga,Charice,and other musicians who are celebrated throughout the globe are just a few of the things that we should boast of because we are Pinoys.
Pinoy workers abroad are known and valued for their services.We are longed for our tender and kind service to foreigners.We are known for our dedication and willingness and,of course,our discipline and principles.Pinoy workers are extraordinary one-of-a-kind.We also have this culture and tradition that nobody can imitate.We are known to be hospitable,friendly,loyal,and hardworking.We should be proud of that,I say!I am proud to be Pinoy.Despite all these problems in the country,I can't deny the fact that my blood,my heart,and my mind are truly of origin.I am proud to be morena.I am proud to be Pinoy.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Get Involved
There was once an old man who stood before the door of heaven right after he died.The gatekeeper asked for his name and look for it in his book.
"Your name isn't listed here,"he told the old man.
Surprise to know he wouldn't be admitted,the man exclaimed,"But how could that be?All my life I haven't done anything bad."
The gatekeeper explained,"That's where the problem is.You were so keen on not doing anything bad that you haven't done anything good either."
Are you like the old man who refused to do anything for fear of committing mistakes?Were there tomes you failed to act because of a particular obstacle?Was there a time when you caught your classmate looking at his seatmates test papers and you stayed mum about it?Or the time when you ignored the candy wrapper on the floor?Were there times when you wished you could have joined the stage play, or the varsity team, or the school paper but hesitated to because you feared you wouldn't make it,and regretted when you found out later that you were better than those who tried and made it?
How true is the saying that the reason why evil thrives in this world is because good men do nothing?You might think that since you are not doing anything wrong,and not breaking any rules,you are innocent.You feel you are able to contribute something good by not doing anything at all.
Today's involvement is tomorrow's hope.If you remain a spectator,watching the world go by,you are missing out lot of things.You do not only fail to see new doors that are open for you,but you are also allowing yourself to be passive and apathetic.
If you want to take part in shaping the future and improving the world,do something.Join the school's basketball varsity,submit that article to the school organ--no matter how trivial it is,it serves as a purpose--that you have done something good not only for yourself,but for others,as well.
How can you get involved in this change?The first step is to be in touch with yourself.Know your strength and limitations.This way,you will realize what you can offer in shaping the future.Also you will know your limitations and you can let others do what you can't do.Dare to dream,too.If there are things which you think are difficult to attain,think if you can do something to attain them.Find out which areas in your life are needed to be improved or enhanced.
There were always be obstacles.The toughest adversary you have to deal is yourself.Banish all negative thoughts.Believe in what you can do.Be confident.How can you make a difference to the world if you don't believe you can?
Be open to changes.Learn something new each day.Always sharpen your axe.This will enable you to go up a step higher each time.No matter how puny your deed is,do it anyway.Remember that big things come from small beginnings.Every little thing you do piles up to something that can spell the difference.And doing something no matter how trivial,is much better than doing nothing at all.
"Your name isn't listed here,"he told the old man.
Surprise to know he wouldn't be admitted,the man exclaimed,"But how could that be?All my life I haven't done anything bad."
The gatekeeper explained,"That's where the problem is.You were so keen on not doing anything bad that you haven't done anything good either."
Are you like the old man who refused to do anything for fear of committing mistakes?Were there tomes you failed to act because of a particular obstacle?Was there a time when you caught your classmate looking at his seatmates test papers and you stayed mum about it?Or the time when you ignored the candy wrapper on the floor?Were there times when you wished you could have joined the stage play, or the varsity team, or the school paper but hesitated to because you feared you wouldn't make it,and regretted when you found out later that you were better than those who tried and made it?
How true is the saying that the reason why evil thrives in this world is because good men do nothing?You might think that since you are not doing anything wrong,and not breaking any rules,you are innocent.You feel you are able to contribute something good by not doing anything at all.
Today's involvement is tomorrow's hope.If you remain a spectator,watching the world go by,you are missing out lot of things.You do not only fail to see new doors that are open for you,but you are also allowing yourself to be passive and apathetic.
If you want to take part in shaping the future and improving the world,do something.Join the school's basketball varsity,submit that article to the school organ--no matter how trivial it is,it serves as a purpose--that you have done something good not only for yourself,but for others,as well.
How can you get involved in this change?The first step is to be in touch with yourself.Know your strength and limitations.This way,you will realize what you can offer in shaping the future.Also you will know your limitations and you can let others do what you can't do.Dare to dream,too.If there are things which you think are difficult to attain,think if you can do something to attain them.Find out which areas in your life are needed to be improved or enhanced.
There were always be obstacles.The toughest adversary you have to deal is yourself.Banish all negative thoughts.Believe in what you can do.Be confident.How can you make a difference to the world if you don't believe you can?
Be open to changes.Learn something new each day.Always sharpen your axe.This will enable you to go up a step higher each time.No matter how puny your deed is,do it anyway.Remember that big things come from small beginnings.Every little thing you do piles up to something that can spell the difference.And doing something no matter how trivial,is much better than doing nothing at all.
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