When does a truth become a lie?
Every child was taught to tell the truth no matter what. Even how much we resent the fact that we broke our mother’s fancy vase, we still have to claim our fault. But as the years abruptly passed by, we seemed to face changes, from gradual to drastic ones. For instance, our government who should be the cornerstone of morality becomes a haven of so-called whimsical lies, corruption and injustice. It appears that we often lie than tell the truth. Why? Because of fear? Uncertainty? Insecurity? Trend? Whatever our reasons, it should not defy the fact that what we’re carrying out is wrong. Remember, we seldom have the chance to right our wrongs.
To imbibe truth, honesty, and humility within one’s self is the ultimate step towards achieving wholeness and integrity.
The Appalling Truth
Just imagine what difference technology has done to our very lives; how it has affected our contemporary society. How fast-paced life is! Dictated by the rapid development and urbanization, it carries with it the directive of doing things in a hurry. One would notice people racing around with high-tech gadgets while juggling their loads of daily tasks. Life has only continued to speed up. In fact, we may often feel as though we’re caught in a tornado. At times, our lives seem to be whirling out of control. When this happens, the competing demands of work, school, home and family may seem more than we can handle. Consequently, it is no wonder that people tend to forget one’s well-being. We live in a world where deadlines will always be deadlines, that stress and pressure are always inevitable. People’s last resort would be fast foods to temporarily ease hunger. Or in the worst-case scenario, to not eat at all just to meet deadlines and pressing issues.
Mention the word happiness and many people would think of things that will make them happy, or things that will make them sad.
If you ask Filipinos: Would you consider yourself a happy person? Many would hesitate before answering “yes” or “no.” Others will say “depends” or shoot back with “why?” and “who’s asking?”
It is also possible many people will not give an honest answer. If you ask, “How happy are you?” You would get a shrug. Besides, would you base your answer on your material possessions, physical attributes, spiritual attitude, hopes, dreams and aspirations? What about people who smile a lot? Does it mean they are happy? Well, smiles are misleading. In fact, many smiles are fake. Some people smile only during a pictorial because the photographer barks “everybody say cheese.”
Small happiness. Big happiness. Can you be totally happy? People cannot tell the difference. When you look into the mirror, do you smile?
The Intriguing Truth
One lousy error breaks trust.
HERE'S A BASIC TRUTH IN LIFE: MISTAKES happen. Mistakes will happen under any system, under any organization. Mistakes will happen in any issue, any question, any problem. Mistakes happen.
So the question is not how we can stop mistakes from happening because that's not happening. We can only accept our limitations humbly and willfully. We are the summary of what we do from day-to-day, whether you’re a student, a sales representative, a socialite or a politician. What we do affects our well-being, our perspectives, as well as the people around us.
The most important thing that I’ve learned is that there is so much that we do not know. Therefore, we have to keep improving, try to learn new things every day, and to enhance our craft, not just pick up new facts. It’s also a humbling reminder on my part that nothing I do will ever be perfect; that I will make mistakes and that the best that I can do is to learn from them and try not to repeat them. Everyone makes mistakes and I guess, the older I get, the more humble I become, because the more I realize that there is so little I know and that there is so much to be discovered.
The Ominous Truth
There could never be any problem that is unsolvable.
What is it with problems that seem so obscure? Every person has problems. Whether young or old, rich or poor. There are ups and downs. Successes and failures. As much as we would intend to avoid it, we simply could not. It happens on a daily basis. People marry then, separate. Businesses boom then, draw to a close. People come and go. But what is upsetting is how people handle it. Some are wallowing in pain. Some are still in denial. Some even cannot transcend. And worse, some attempt suicide, not to end their sufferings but to go on with the latest trend—being an EMO. One-sided hairstyle, thick eyeliner and lashed wrists define an EMO. What ever happened to our moral values? Have we lost it as we head on to modernism? Is it really worth to keep up with the changing tides?
Teenagers seem to regard hurting themselves as a hobby. The number of suicidal attempts has continually staggered for the last few years. What is it with this music that seems to have an impact to the youth? Is it man’s last resort to escapism? Or plainly to justify their misjudgments? Is it no longer a music genre but a way of life? Cheer up, EMO kid. Whatever your reasons, there could never be any problem that is unsolvable.
The Unanimous Truth
We all want change; lasting change that would reshape man’s lives in his quest towards progress.
The stigma in any country’s government is that it is either corrupt or ineffective. But what is it with our government in particular, that makes it corrupt or ineffective? One would probably say our leaders who know nothing but to use black propaganda to make themselves appear clean or to engage themselves in under-the-table dealings and stash large sums of money from the mere pockets of taxpayers. If corruption is prevalent and terminal, what would be left for us?
We, Filipinos have once, no not once, but twice proven ourselves that we can achieve change. That we can function as a nation when we graced the streets of EDSA and cried for justice and truth. We have ousted two leaders whom we felt guilty of perverse undertakings. Where did it point us? Further menace? We hoped and acted on for a change. But the question is, where is this change? Do we really need to do a third version of the People Power just to be heard?
Change happens to be the only thing constant in this planet. And perhaps, the only resolution left for our country to achieve national progress. It is a lifelong process, not some overnight transformation. It must come from within, most especially from our government officials. We simply cannot enjoy harmony if we prioritize our vested interests. We must tread the rough roads before reaching and relishing our final goal —stability.
Be the change that you want to be!
