“The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.” – Ted Kennedy
NG DAHIL sa trapik, sa init (o lamig) ng panahon, o sa taas ng presyo ng mga bilihin; ng dahil sa korupsiyon, sa mga panatiko sa politika, o sa masamang impluwensiya ng social media; ng dahil sa stress sa trabaho, sa mga problema sa bahay, sa kalusugan, pera, o pag-ibig; ng dahil sa mga scammer, mga kolektor, o mga inggitera sa pali-paligid. Kaya pa ba?
Buti nalang may kape sa opisina, at maraming coffee shop na pwedeng puntahan pagkatapos. Buti nalang may Shopee, at palaging may sale tsaktong araw ng sweldo. Buti nalang may coop loan, Pag-IBIG loan, at salary loan. Buti nalang may mga butihing kaibigan na may laman ang GCash — at kayang mag send anytime dahil may data. Buti nalang may ka-tsismisan sa trabaho, sa bahay, at sa GC. Paano pag wala?
Hindi naman ang mga ganito lang na sitwasyon ang maituturing na mga angkop na coping mechanisms para mapanatili ang ating katinuan. Meron din namang nagbabasa lang ng libro, o di kaya’y nag Nenetflix binge-watching, o nag ga-Grab at foodpanda. Ang iba, naglilinis ng kwarto o bahay. Meron ding nag fo-focus sa fitness goals, travel goals, o sa mga self-improvement goals.
Meron ding sapat na ang pagdarasal. Ang tumulong sa mga nangangailangan. Ang mag-walking kasama ang aso. Just keeping in touch or being in constant communication with loved ones.
Lahat ay may pinagdadaanan. At bawat isa sa atin ay may dahilan. Pero dapat iwasan sana natin ang crab mentality. At huwag maging pabigat sa iba. Gawin mo ang iyong tungkulin. At ayun nga sa kanta ni Freddie Aguilar, “Tulungan mo ang iyong sarili.”
Putting it in a context context, I still believe that each Filipino must consider his or her present state of life as his or her responsibility and contribution for the future state of our nation.
In relation to this, I dare challenge all employees to remain true to their oath of office. That heroic times are not only celebrated based on past events, but more importantly, heroic times are exemplified in our day-to-day job. We can be heroes now—despite anything or anyone. We can choose to be a hero or heroine now in our simple everyday tasks.
The past may teach a lesson, and the future may inspire action; but it is only in the present moment where we can truly make a change and build a better nation.
The slogan of our current Philippine president Bongbong Marcos is apt for all of us: “Sama-sama tayong babangon muli.”
To end, allow me to share this poem written by Edwin Arlington Robinson entitled Minever Cheevy:
Minever Cheevy, child of scorn,
Grew lean while he assailed the seasons;
He wept that he was ever born,
And he had reasons.
Minever loved the days of old
When swords were bright and steeds were prancing;
The vision of a warrior bold
Would set him dancing.
Minever sighed for what was not,
And dreamed, and rested from his labors;
He dreamed of Thebes and Camelot,
And Priam’s neighbors.
Minever mourned the ripe renown
That made so many a name so fragrant;
He mourned Romance, now on the town.
And Art, a vagrant.
Minever loved the Medici,
Albeit he had never seen one;
He would have sinned incessantly
Could he have been one.
Minever cursed the commonplace
And eyed a khaki suit with loathing;
He missed the medieval grace
Of iron clothing.
Minever scorned the gold he sought,
But sore annoyed was he without it;
Minever thought and thought and thought,
And thought about it.
Minever Cheevy, born too late,
Scratched his head and kept on thinking,
Minever coughed, and called it fate,
And kept on drinking./PN
