And we’re not so different after all

Science has proven that no two persons are born having identical DNA’s. We may be ninety-nine percent the same when it comes to our genetic make-up but no one is exactly alike. In one way or the other, there is always something that makes one individual different from another.

Aside from one’s genetic make-up, the environment in which one is cultivated has created various instances that lead to settting an individual apart from all the rest. A person may be different when it comes to his race, his beliefs, his culture, his status, his desires, his practices or even his ideals. Growing up, we are taught that we are unique and that no one is like you or me.

Who we are is a result of our constant self-discovery and rediscovery. Our becoming is an everyday endeavour. As we grow, we learn to decide freely. We learn to choose what we want and we learn to select the things that would make us happy. We learn to say no to things that we don’t like. And we learn to craft the tomorrow that we want to achieve. These everyday decisions define who we are and set us apart from all the rest.

But then, the process doesn’t end there. We are not lone entities. We are situated in a place where we are with millions, or even billions of individuals whom we need to co-exist. And just like you and me, each of these individual wants something and/or has something to say. We are caught up in a traffic of people who are also in a process of self discovery. And reality becomes more complicated. Everyday becomes an arena of clashing wants.

And this you, who is also influenced by your own interests is confronted by people who like you have only two thoughts in mind - First, of what they want; and second, how to get it.

These differences often result to conflict because we insist on what we want rather than compromise.

This difference among each one of us has become our excuse whenever there arises a conflict of interest. It is but natural that because we have varied wants, we end up taking part in an interplay of negotiations and persistence to win over another. To have what we want, we end up fighting strangers, our mentors, our colleagues, our friends, and even those that we love the most. Instead of allowing our differences to complement each other, we have used it to widen the gap amongst ourselves leading to conflicts.

A few years ago, my western Philosophy teacher one’s told me that the problem between people is that we do not know how to listen. Whenever we are in a confrontation, we close our ears and insist on what we want. It is either a take it or leave it – there is no room for compromise. We insist that someone is right and that someone must be us. Winning means resolution of conflict – that it is only the means to end a misunderstanding. And when someone tells us that we are wrong, we take it negatively. We take it as an attack against our person.

Most of the time we are overwhelmed by our desires that we end up hurting a lot of people. And it is only later that we realize, that in the process of getting what we want, we lose those that we love. We sacrifice so many things thinking that what we are doing is for a greater cause. And yes we may have destroyed the obstacle towards getting what want, but we have also destroyed ourselves. Speaking up for yourself and fighting for what you want is not bad. But allowing our emotions and allowing conflict to control us in our dealings with others is like a poison seeping through our veins, slowly killing us. It can corrupt us to the very core.

Thus, in order that this be prevented, I am in full support to what Mr. Villanueva said, that whenever there is a conflict, and when everyone is at his tipping point, it is best to step back and move towards the “balcony” so as to better assess the situation. It is only through stepping back that we get the picture in its entirety and not only through our vantage point.

Conflict exists everyday. And these conflicts that arise in our day to day encounters may be those wherein we are directly implicated or those where we act as mere spectators. In the former, we either choose to insist our stand or just let it go whereas in the latter, we often prefer to not be involved. Why do we have to involve ourselves in conflict, when after all life itself is already complicated.

And yes, our attitude towards conflict has always been the same throughout the ages. We take conflict as something negative. Conflict is something that we must avoid. It is bad. It brings nothing good. It causes destruction. It breaks hearts. Conflict as much as possible must be avoided.  Instead of facing conflict, we remove that which causes the conflict or we move away from the conflict itself. In our minds we think that we have won over conflict but in reality we actually did not.

Thus we are locked up in a cycle spiralling up. Our philosophy is not to confront conflict and leave it as it is - thinking that it will simply annihilate and die its natural death.  This is our greatest mistake.

Man has the capacity to understand. It is a gift that he must share.

Thinking that “conflict must be avoided” is an insult to man. It is like saying that conflict can never be resolved or transformed and thus we cannot do anything about it. Saying that we must just let it go and let it be is tantamount to admitting that we are not capable of understanding the other. At the same time, when we refuse to understand conflict, we give up on the opportunity that maybe we can do something about it. This very principle of facing conflicts knocked me during the conflict map workshop conducted during the conflict transformation seminar that we participated in weeks ago.

When asked to draw a conflict map, we decided to choose a case that me and my classmates are so familiar with. We decided to plot the conflict that involves two of our classmates where things have ended up very destructive. We used to get pissed off whenever these specific classmates of ours fight. Their fights were never obscure and slowly the violence between them have become physical. The rest of us in the room knew what was happening but we decided to keep our eyes closed. We did nothing. We believed that we cannot do anything about it and that we should keep our noses out of it. But then we are wrong. We could have done something about it. And maybe, just maybe we could have made them feel that in the interplay of their wants, interests and needs, they have friends who could support them. We are the bond that supposedly could have connected them so that the misunderstanding can be discussed and so that a middle ground is achieved. But then, we easily avoided the conflict, not thinking that it will only cause more damage than we expect.

But also we must put to mind that it is not at all instance that we must insist on resolving conflict immediately. There are conflicts that have been witnessed by history and conflicts that have been with various generations. Some conflicts have created wounds that are too difficult to cure. Indeed, some conflicts are irreconcilable. There are conflicts that only time can heal and are difficult to resolve - after all, what we are dealing with are emotions. A perfect example would be the conflict between the Muslims and the Christians in various areas in the country.

I am a Mindanaoan. I was born and raised in Mindanao. My mother lived in a Muslim community while I have Muslim relatives from my father’s side. I have participated in the MILF peace process and have been exposed to people who also share in the mission of “re-righting” history. Whenever I tell people especially my Christian friends that I support the Bangsamoro Framework, I always receive a raise of brows. I find it difficult to explain to them that the MILF’s to be specific are men armed by their principles. They are people who just like anyone of us are willing to kill for the sake of what they believe. They are people who are driven to fight on behalf of their children.

The misunderstanding between the government and the Moros came into existence even before I was born. Everyone was pushing their side unwilling to listen to the other. Everyone’s pretending that they understand, but in reality is motivated only by the will to pull the other towards their side. We often say that anything can be resolved through a peaceful dialogue but ironically, when we do dialogue, we do not communicate, we simply insist our wants.

The capacity to understand is man’s gift. We are different: but this capacity to understand endowed to us is our means in order to realize that we are all not that different. No one is above another and that this differences that we have will only help give birth to something beautiful.

Conflict is natural. In wherever we are and in whatever that we do, there is always conflict. It is a manifestation of our being caring people. Without care, we are simply apathetic people who wouldn’t mind whatever is happening around us. But we shouldn’t stop in knowing that conflict is natural. We must always put to mind that conflict is part of our natural process of growth. And as part of a process that entails actions or steps in order to achieve a particular end, we must not remain stagnant in it. It is important that we find ways to understand the other and go into the root of the conflict so that it may be resolved or transformed. Because in the midst of all our differences, there is that something that connects each one of us. And it is a challenge for us to find that point of alikeness that makes us all equal.

And from discord, we give life to something beautiful.

This is what makes the human race beautiful. We are like the black and white keys of a piano. Every key is different and every key pressed creates a different sound. Playing the keys altogether may either result to discord or harmony. Creating discord is easy whereas the latter entails an effort to work out the discord in order to create a beautiful melody.

True enough, all of us have various wants. We differ in so many things. But we are challenged to go beyond our differences and to look into the very core of conflict so that we may find a WIN-WIN solution. Transforming conflicts and finding ways to accommodate our differences can be very difficult. But at the same time, let us bear in mind that nothing worth it comes out from what is easy. 

Climate Change is Real

The temperature of the earth is changing. Weather patterns have changed and natural calamities have brought greater disaster to communities[1]. This is the newest trend... and this is a recurring threat to the survival of the human race. This is Climate Change.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have listed some of the regional impacts of global change. In Asia alone, it has been projected that freshwater availability shall decrease in Central, South, East and Southeast Asia by 2050. On top of this is an increased risk of flooding in coastal areas and a higher mortality as a consequence of water-borne and drought associated diseases.[2]

As a consequence, government leaders all over the world together with international organizations and environmental advocates put forth a parcel of their resources in order to find ways in resolving this problem. This is evidenced by the different conventions[3] being conducted throughout the years with the aim of looking into the issue and seeking solutions to find a stop or at least mitigate climate change. Also, through these conventions, humanity made a great leap in humbly admitting the participation of the human species in the aggravation of climate change.

But solving the problem of our environment is more complicated than we thought. The interplay of every system that operates within each country as well as each country’s stand over climate change plays an important role in our collective efforts. Together with this is the need to assess whether our measures in combating climate change have been helpful or more incremental not just to Mother Earth but to every individual.

A varied outlook

However, despite all the efforts that most have exerted in order to combat climate change, not everyone is convinced that climate change is real. Despite all the years spent in order to comprehend this phenomenon, there are still those that refuse to acknowledge its existence. Some are still in denial of man’s participation in climate change. Many still refuse to accept that we made this problem and we need to take full responsibility over it. A concrete example would be the Americans where in a conducted survey last November 2013, 23% don’t believe in climate change –7% higher than last April 2013’s survey. [4]

And what does this mean?

When we neglect the existence of climate change, we refuse to believe that something is wrong. When we refuse to believe that something is wrong, we continue doing those that we do unconscious of whether they are good or bad to the environment. When we continue doing our bad ways, our activities continue to contribute to the abnormalities of the changing climate. We think that nothing is wrong unaware that we are denying everyone the right to live. We think that everything is okay.

Climate Change is a human right issue

Indeed, Climate change is a human right issue. Climate Change is transboundary. We are all affected by it. And unfortunately, those who produce more of the gasses that aggravate climate change have more resiliency and resources to adapt to the changing climate - leaving the third world countries more vulnerable.

Based on the list[5] made by the World Bank on the top twelve (12) countries that are most vulnerable to the five threats of Climate Change – drought, flood, storm, increase in sea level and agriculture – four of the world’s poorest nations top the list. In a separate survey conducted by Standard and Poor’s ranking, the Philippines, a third-world country, is 7^th in the ten (10) countries most vulnerable to climate change[6].

And what does this imply? The poorer countries have higher risks when it comes to climate change because they don’t have the means and the capacity to adapt and/or counter climate change. The sad thing is that they are not even the main producers of the gasses that destroy our ozone layer yet they are the ones who have to suffer the most. Whereas those who contribute the most to climate change – the rich countries – have higher percentage of surviving the threats of climate change because they have the resources.

Isn’t that unfair?

***

We all have a right to live in a liveable Earth. And we are all challenged to think not only for ourselves but for everyone. We deserve a world conducive for living. This is a right that applies not only to you and your family but to every individual regardless of race and status. Progress is not bad. But as we grow intellectually, our hearts have become poor. Pollution which is a product of our own hands has become one of the major culprits why our earth is slowly dying. We are continuously developing, but our unstoppable progress has hindered our responsibility of becoming stewards of the earth. We have to accept our responsibility because nothing will happen unless we learn to accept that we are at fault.

---

[1] http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/urgentissues/global-warming-climate-change/threats-impacts/index.htm

The threats and impacts of climate change based on the Nature Conservancy are (1) ¼ of the Earth’s species shall be extinct in 2050, (2) higher temperatures, (3) changing landscapes, (4) wildlife being at risk (5) rising seas, (6) increased risk of drought, fire and floods (7) stronger storm resulting to greater damage (8) increase in heat-related illness and disease, and (9) economic losses.

[2]http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/

 North America: Decreasing snowpack in the western mountains; 5-20 percent increase in yields of rain-fed agriculture in some regions; increased frequency, intensity and duration of heat waves in cities that currently experience them

Latin America: Gradual replacement of tropical forest by savannah in eastern Amazonia; risk of significant biodiversity loss through species extinction in many tropical areas; significant changes in water availability for human consumption, agriculture and energy generation.

Europe: Increased risk of inland flash floods; more frequent coastal flooding and increased erosion from storms and sea level rise; glacial retreat in mountainous areas; reduced snow cover and winter tourism; extensive species losses; reductions of crop productivity in southern Europe

Africa: By 2020, between 75 and 250 million people are projected to be exposed to increased water stress; yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50 percent in some regions by 2020; agricultural production, including access to food, may be severely compromised.

Asia: Freshwater availability projected to decrease in Central, South, East and Southeast Asia by the 2050s; coastal areas will be at risk due to increased flooding; death rate from disease associated with floods and droughts expected to rise in some regions.

[3] http://unfccc.int/essential_background/items/6031.php

[4] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2540926/The-rise-climate-change-denier-New-figures-23-Americans-not-believe-global-warming-happening.html

http://www.livescience.com/42633-climate-change-disbelief-rises.html

[5] http://www.irinnews.org/report/85179/global-twelve-countries-on-climate-change-hit-list

[6] http://www.fastcoexist.com/3031376/these-are-the-countries-most-vulnerable-to-climate-change#1

Para! Diyan lang sa may kanto! (kuwentong kalye atbp.)

Halos dalawang oras: Nakaupo. Nagmamasid. Nag-iisip. Nakikinig sa walkman. Nagbabasa. Nag aaral. Nakikipag kamustahan. Nakikipag away. 

Halos dalawang oras araw araw. Halos dalawang oras akong nakaupo - Dalawang oras sa loob nang pambansang sasakyan ng Pilpinas na kung ilarawan ni Yoyoy Villame ay “parang auto na mayroong unan at design na pampasahero.”Dalawang oras araw araw. 

Pag sinuswerte, makakasakay sa jip na hindi lang bago ay mayroon pang stereo. Jackpot.  Solb na ang ilang oras na battery nang walkman. At di lang yan, ito ang mga dyipneyng may mga driver na hindi lagpas kuwarenta -  si kuya driver na kayang lumusot sa anumang trapik at eskinita. Ayos. Sure na ang joyride. Pero kung mamalasin naman ay doon sa lumang jip ni manong driver na kung tumakbo ay daig pa ni kuya’ng naka bisikleta. Yung mga “dyipneyng” kung masasagasaan ka ay di ka naman mamatay sa impact nang pagkakabundol sayo kundi dahil sa tetanong dulot nang kinakalawang na makinilya. Tsk tsk tsk. Minsan wala na kasing choice. Wala ka nang magawa kundi umiyak nalang sa sulok at sabihan ang sarili nang goodluck at better luck next time. Hay naku.

Pero sa bawat dalawang oras nang bawat araw ko na nakalaan sa pagsakay ng dyip ay katumbas rin ang dalawang oras na nahahalubilo ko ang iba’t ibang uri nang pasahero. May pasaherong pasimple lang na natutulog – hinay hinay na pinipikit ang mata at nagnanakaw nang kahit konting minuto para maka idlip. Mayroong mga tila bestprend ang cellphone na wala nang ginawa kundi ang maglaro ng tetris o candy crush, o di naman kaya ay nagte-textxt o nag e-ef-bi (FB). Sila yung magugulat ka nalang dahil bigla nalang ngingiti o magiging seryoso. At huhulaan mo nalang sa isipan mo kung bakit nga ba bigla nalang nag iba ang mood ni ate o ni kuya. Ano kaya ang nabasa niya? Mayroon ding halatang gutom na binabalewala ang mga nakatingin. sila yung mga hindi ma awat sa pagkain. Minsan ikaw nalang ang nahihiya kapag tinititigan mo sila. Aba naman, baka naman kasi mag akala sila na gutom ka rin at naiinggit ka sa bawat kagat nila at lunok nang hamburger na galing Jollibee. 

May mga pa-cool din na naka headset lang, may sariling mundo - sinasabayan ang kantang ipiniplay sa kanilang mga walkman. Yung mga hindi tinatablan nang pasigaw na pagtawag tuwing nakikisuyo ka nang pamasahe mo. Sila yung mga kailangan mo pang tapikin para malaman nilang hindi sila nag iisa at may mga kasama sila sa dyip. May mga estudyante ring gahol sa oras at piniling tapusin nalang ang homework sa pampasaherong jipney. Ba, akalain mong pwede palang magsulat kahit umaandar ang dyip. Sila yung minaster na ang pagbabasa at pagsusulat sa loob ng jip kahit paminsan minsan ay lubak ang daan. Isang kongkretong halimbawa ng tinatawag nilang “mind over matter.” 

May mga pasahero ding matatapang. Sila yung mga nakikipag away dahil sa kulang na sukli o di naman kaya ay nagagalit dahil sa sobrang singil. Hindi rin naman kasi natin sila masisisi lalo na’t may mga anomaly talagang nagaganap. Uso din kaya ang korupsyon sa araw araw na pamamasada ng mga hari ng kalsada. 

Hindi rin mawawala ang mga inienjoy lang ang byahe - tahimik na nakaupo at tinitingnan ang dinadaanan at bawat sumasakay. Sila nga ang mga tinatawag nating mga most observant. Ang karamihan sa kanila gumagawa pa ng mental note kung ano ang nakikita. Hindi sila nalalayo sa mga katropa ko na ginawang venue para mag isip ang dyip - Nagmumuni muni upang mas maintindihan ang buhay at bawat pagsubok nito. Ahem. :p

Pero ang pinaka hindi mo inaasahan at sigurado akong ayaw na ayaw mong makasabay sa pagsakay mo sa dyip ay si manong/manang pickpocketer. Aba marami rami narin sila. Parang epidemya na mahirap tukuyin kung saan nga ba nagmula. Ingat ingat lang. Mahirap na. Kung hindi ka maging biiktima ay baka akalain ni manong driver at kuya kundoktor na katropa mo sila.

At eto pa, isang payong pangkaibigan. Huwag masyadong relax sa kinauupuan. Baka makalimutang sabihin na... Kuya! Para dito lang J

Reminiscing our FIRST LOVE.

And who would ever forget that first person who makes us feel so giddy; that first kiss that sends butterflies into our stomach; that first love who'd make you ask how you survived life without him/her by your side.

Our first attempt in love is definitely the sweetest experience. However, it may never always end in "happily ever after." Those who found their last love in their first love are lucky. Love is a risk. It is a game of trial and error and having your first as your last is definitely magical. However those who did not end up with their first love shouldn't feel less lucky. Love is love no matter how it is packaged. It may evolve and change us in the process of discovery and rediscovery yet it keeps changing us into persons capable of going beyond their limits.

We've been there and we know the feeling...that's why we love it.

Highlighting the year that passed: An open diary of my first year in Cebu and in Law School

The dreadful nights have passed. The grades are finally out and we’re officially on summer break.  It was a fast year. The days have gone so swiftly and it was just like a blink away. But the year that has just passed was a very fruitful and amazing year - it became an opportunity to grow, to learn and to relearn life.

Hello Cebu

Choosing to study Law in Cebu was a result of an interplay of many factors.  Aside from the very reality that I want to try living away from home, the school gained the most weight of my decision. Who would not want to graduate in one of the best schools in the country? But everything has a price. Together with the want to be independent and to study in San Carlos is living away from family. Was it difficult? Yes. But I took it as a challenge. It is part of my growing experience – having to face life and its problems alone, budgeting for your daily consumption and maximizing available resources.  In the first place, I asked for it and life is just testing my limits. 

Culture Shock: Cases and Digests

Before entering Law School, I was already expecting it to be a bumpy ride. Not deciding to go into law school right after graduating college was part of preparing myself. I need to be disciplined. I need to pay attention to details and I need to be effective in oral and written speech. I need to be confident with myself so as not to feel intimidated by teachers and intelligent classmates. I need to be firm before entering Law School.

But theory will never be at par with reality. I thought the three-year-experience I had would be enough. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.

It was a totally different experience. Reading, exams and oral recitations was taken to another level. It was so much different from college and the Master’s program. As a full time student, I have all the time to read and prepare for our every class, but time seemed to be always not enough. I still get tongue tied when asked. Intimidation still kills me in every session. And I can never really read and memorize everything before entering class. Sometimes, teachers would even make fun of you. If you are threatened, they’ll threaten you even more. And complaining would not do you any good.

When there are case assignments, instinct would tell you to find refuge in case digests. But trust me. It will bring you more harm than good. Your teachers will know if you have faithfully read the assigned readings. They’ll ask you even the minutest detail which you’ll never find in case digests. But not being able to answer well in law school is not so much of a big deal. Every law student has had its “disgraceful but not-so-disgraceful” moment.

Love and Friendship

But the best part (for me) of being in Law school is finding Love and Friendship. I definitely found some of the best people in my life in law school. Law school could have been a lot more difficult if I didn’t have friends who’ll cry and laugh with me along the way. My friends definitely played a big role in my adjusting and surviving first year in law school. And sharing law school with these people has strengthened the bond: knowing and understanding our each and every struggle in law school made us more patient with each other.

401was my room assignment. I spent my first and second semester in law school in the room assigned as 401 together with random people who happen to be, like me, driven in law school… for various reasons. The room was filled with a lot of character. As what I have observed, unlike the other sections, mine was the most random, the most fun, the noisiest and the most care-free. We study but not study as in “STUDY.” We’re serious in law school but we also know that Law school is already too complicated that you have to take it lightly once in a while else it’ll drain you. We’re competitive but we refuse to compete in Law School. We realized that it would be more helpful to all of us if we help one another.

Bring it on 2^nd year

The grades for the first semester are out and I cannot contain the happiness I feel after knowing that I passed all my subjects. It was a tough year. You can never be certain that your answers are correct in the exams. You can never be confident in every oral recitation and you always get the feeling that you’re hanging in the edge.  You always get that feeling that you fail the course and that you are not good enough to be in the school. And when the grades are out and you get an at least 3.0, Hallelujah!!! Your spirit rises to the heavens like you are the most blessed person on earth.

But the passive character we had for the past year will only put our investments to waste if retained. The coming year requires diligence and sacrifice. The coming year requires change – a change which means a letting go of our passive selves.

I am no longer a freshman. The adjustment year has passed and the teachers are expecting more from me. Am I ready? I’m not really sure. But one thing is for certain, I need to give my all starting next year.

Building your Character

Law school is not merely a test of one’s knowledge but at the same time a test of character. Law school will teach you to humble yourself. It will make you realize how small you are and will make you learn to accept humiliation in order to grow.  

***

End of Year 1 J

CYBER LIBEL IS A REALITY

Some interesting facts I came across while reading an article on Cyber libel + some of my thoughts regarding the issue 

TREATMENT ON FOREIGN JURISDICTION:

English - Jurisdiction of Cyber Libel is based on the place where the article was downloaded. At the same time, publishers, aside from the author are liable of Cyber Libel. Knowing that such imputation was with the intention to dishonor the reputation of a person, publishers should have not allowed such publication. 

Japan - Japanese authorities encourage victims of online defamation to come forward. Since a majority of the population are internet users, Japan treats cyber libel strictly. (Japan ranks #4 worldwide where 71.9% of its population are internet users. The Philippines' is at #14 spot). Also, there is NO STARE DECISIS in Japan.

Australia - Libel Tourism is recognized in Australia. 

Libel Tourism is defined as the act of shopping for a convenient venue for the filing of a libel suit. 

America - like the Philippines, American jurisprudence on cyberlibel is subject to conflicting rulings. There is that critical analysis as to balance whether an imputation is within the ambit/scope of freedom of speech and expression.

Philippines - CYBER LIBEL EXISTS EVEN BEFORE THE ENACTMENT OF THE CYBERCRIME PREVENTION ACT OF 2012. By that, the Cyber Law is simply an expansion of the the provision on Libel and an attempt to frame an act which our courts do not have a fix jurisprudence

***Everyone is entitled to his own opinion. But may we never forget to put these thoughts under critical analysis before deciding to spill it out in whatever means. The International Law as well as the Constitution may have given us the guarantee on Freedom of speech and expression but still subject to certain limitations. 

And regardless of whether there is a Civil Law or not, I believe it is our moral obligation to ensure that whatever we say or do would not cause any harm to another. 

Btw, the article is entitled "An Examination of Cyberlibel in the Philippines: A study of the Current State of Online Defamation" by Kevin Lester Lee and Juan Paulo Villonco, Vol 57 Ateneo Law Journal

ROBBERY, THEFT AND SWINDLING

For the Love of Service

There is no exact formula in keeping the heart burning for service.  Whether we like it or not, there will always be that instance in our life where we'd feel tired and hopeless. We will be in rage with those who have the resources to help yet still chose to pretend not to see the situation.  We will get frustrated because in spite of all that we have done; there are still those who do not want to help themselves.  We will question ourselves because we have given our all yet still it seem not to be enough. It’s a big world, and we are but a tiny pigment of that world. What can we do?

WHAT-CAN- WE- DO?  Now, you can take it as a question of frustration:  to yell at the world and just say that, “I am just me. What can I do?” Or, you can use it as a challenge to yourself, telling yourself “I am just me, but what can I do?”

***

Be grateful that you have the opportunity to help others. Don’t just help because of the feeling of fulfillment at the end of the day. Don’t do it if you just want to feel needed and important.  Take this as a moral obligation – as a mission. In everything that you do ask yourself, “Will this make me more human?”

Serving others is a difficult task. It requires a lot of sacrifice where you can never disregard the human frailty. We get tired and we also feel pain.  But remember that love is most present when you still choose to love even though you no longer find any reason to love.

Questions in life are not always in black and white.  It’s easy to choose between two goods or between a good and bad. But there are a lot of instances that we are left with no choice.  Every day is a test of your inner goodness. Take every experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. It is ideal to be able to help everyone.  But we have to accept that we have limitations.  Accept and work from there.  Serve with hope in your heart that those you inspire may also inspire others in the process. You may never be in control of what’s ‘gonna happen next. But nevertheless, serve still. It requires no special skill and all you need is your heart. 

There are a lot of instances where we can do an extra mile to help others.  But you don’t have to go far. Remember that every day is an opportunity to lend a hand and share yourself to another. Don’t miss that chance.

We're Halfway there...

We all have biases. We only look at things we want to see, listen to those that we wish to hear and even respond only to that which we think make sense. We see things differently. And this applies not only to the material world. Our preconceived judgments even apply to people. We look at people differently and most of the time we classify people based on our colored judgments.

But how are we ought to understand a person’s worth. Is it based on his capacity to respond to every question you throw at him? On his capacity to think and to prove that he is intelligent? Is it based on a person’s innocence and capacity to love? Is it measured by the glitter that he wears? Is man his brain or his heart?  Surely there are no definite answers. And just like everyone else, my answers to the questions I have raised must have also been conditioned by my experience, my biases and my beliefs.

But how should we see the world? And how should we look at people? Because surely, our perceptions change based on which faculty we chose to use – the mind or the heart.

 ***

Each person has a story. But most of the time, even before a person shares that story, our biases have already clouded our eyes. We immediately point out a person’s flaw and box him in a stereotype. We tend to immediately look at a person based on what we think rather than being welcoming of that which he wants to share. We terminate the opportunity to know a person.  We lay down our impressions and we look at that person like there is nothing more than that which we see in him.  We are not letting the other share his story. Instead, we are creating our own interpretation of the pages and we think ahead, presuming that we know what is coming next. Every encounter is not a surprise but rather a mere validation of what we think towards the other. And because of these, we become indifferent.

Most of the time, we forget to be more understanding. We forget the inevitable reality that each one of us is imperfect. We forget that we are flawed – a fact that applies not only to the other but also to you and me.  Confucius said “To not do unto others what we do not want others to do unto us.” I say, “What you think of others is probably what others think of you too.” It’s elementary logic.  You just have to think that despite all our differences, we are all alike. And in that alikeness, we are all equals. And because we are essentially equal, we ought to respect each other. And if we can only put into consideration the reality that we all have untold stories, then may, just maybe, we can look at each other with more compassion. 

***

Together with the fast paced lifestyle, man has become more intelligent.  But in the end we ask – Who among us have proven to be the better person? YOU DECIDE.

HAPPY THOUGHTS and GREAT DEBATES (Imponderables)

To gain wisdom, it's not enough that you experience life. What is important is that you crystallize the richness of your experience. It is necessary that you reflect on everything that is happening to you in order to gain the lessons that life wants you to have.

But what if you come across questions in life where no answers seem to fit?

Here's a compilation of imponderables I came across the net. You might want to spare some time thinking of possible answers for these questions (or you might just end up saying that there is no point in answering these).

So here it goes, ENJOY :) 

im·pon·der·a·ble.

adjective \(ˌ)im-ˈpän-d(ə-)rə-bəl\ : not able to be measured or judged exactly

• If you take an Oriental person and spin him around several times does he become disoriented? 
• If people from Poland are called Poles, why aren't people from Holland called Holes? 
• Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery? 
• If a pig loses its voice, is it disgruntled?
• If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?
• Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker? 
• When cheese gets its picture taken, what does it say? 
• If lawyers are disbarred and clergymen defrocked, doesn't it followthat electricians can be delighted, musicians denoted, cowboys deranged, models deposed, tree surgeons debarked, and dry cleaners depressed?
• What hair colour do they put on the driver's licenses of bald men? 
• If you're in a vehicle going the speed of light, what happens when you turn on the headlights?
• You know how most packages say "Open here". What happens if you open it somewhere else?
• Why isn't "palindrome" spelled the same way backwards? (Palindromes are words or phrases that read the same in both directions, e.g. EYE,or RACECAR)
• Why is it that when you transport something by car, it's called a shipment, but when you transport something by ship, it's called cargo?
• You know that little indestructible black box that is used on planes, why can't they make the whole plane out of the same substance?
• If someone invented instant water, what would they mix it with?
• Why does your nose run and your feet smell?
• Why is it called a "building" when it is already built?
• Why do they call them "apartments" when they are all stuck together?
• If you keep trying to prove Murphy's Law, will something keep going wrong? (Murphy's law is an adage or epigram that is typically stated as: Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.)
• Shouldn't there be a shorter word for "monosyllabic"
• Why is the word "abbreviate" so long?
• Why isn't phonetic spelled the way it sounds?
• Why are cigarettes sold in gas stations when smoking is prohibited there?
• If you can't drink and drive, why do you need a driver's license to buy liquor, and why do bars have parking lots?
• If a cow laughed real hard, would milk come out her nose?
• What is another word for "thesaurus"?
• When they ship Styrofoam, what do they pack it in?
• Why doesn't "onomatopoeia" sound like what it is? (Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to
• Does a fish get cramps after eating?
• Why is it when two planes almost hit each other it is called a "near miss"? Shouldn't it be called a "near hit"
• How can there be "self help GROUPS"?
• Why are we afraid of falling? Shouldn't we be afraid of the sudden stop?
• Why is it called 'after dark', when it is really after light