Two dangerous things any person could nurture. We are in this earth because of it. Had Lucifer been so kind as to swallow his pride to prostrate to Adam we still be in the Garden of Eden. History is replete with arrogance and pride. The latest of which is the quagmire of the Coalition Forces in Iraq. They are so arrogant of their military might that they did not consider the repercussions of their action. A worst fate befell the Persian Empire, when Genghis Khan send messengers to the Emperor Court the Royal entourage mocked and put to death the poor messengers for demanding something preposterous. They did not listen at all and their pride and arrogance led Genghis Khan to invade them. When they were capture it is said that Genghis Khan pours molten silver and lead into their ears since it’s the only thing they will listen to.
That feeling that we are superior to others because of what we have done and accomplished or that we belong to a certain family, clan, or tribe is one symptom of arrogance. It’s alright to be proud of what we are but to be arrogant that is totally a different story. Worst mistake in history are due to peoples arrogance and pride. Sometimes a rift in relationship will go unhealed for decades and even generation because of pride - it such a big amount to pay for anyone that nurture it.
One way or the other we become a victim of this vices either through boasting and over confidence of what we have especially during time of success. Sometimes things go into our head that our feet leaves the ground and that we feel that we are above everyone else. The only cure to this is to constantly remember that the best among us is those that are best in the eyes of God. Naturally, those who are best in the eyes of God will never admit that they are - since if they do then they wouldn’t be best in the eyes of God.
However, let us not be over humble too or we end up being the same with the person who says “I am the humblest person in the world and in humility nobody can beat me.” Ehem!!! Can you say that again…
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Be Happy You're Not Pretty
Excerpt from James F. Bender
Do you sometimes wonder how life could have been better if you are as beautiful as those people you idolize? Wishing you could swap faces with someone very handsome person you admire? If you do, stop pitying yourself – and start pitying the handsome people you envy. They are the ones who are more apt to be hurt in life by their looks.
Most beautiful people have “royalty complex” a feeling that others are there to serve them by virtue of being pretty. As a result they never develop their full potential and often they have unpleasant personality and fragile character. They easily succumb to life trials and often a victim of a broken heart. At the University of California 600 coeds were rated and it shows that plain girls are more successful than their beautiful counterparts. In the US beautiful people are many times over prone to divorce than plain individual.
The only worthwhile beauty a person can have is, in essence, an inner sparkle produced by a combination of strong character and an outgoing approach to life. If you have this sparkle, it will shine through. Youthful handsomeness of features is simply a skin-deep facade that will wilt rapidly with the years; and before wilting it may give you dangerous delusions about yourself. If you acquire the inner sparkle, you will have the best “good looks” anyone can have, regardless of your age or physical makeup.
My Comments
Indeed beauty has its advantage and disadvantage however the disadvantages far outweighs the benefits. No wonder God was so compassionate He created only few beautiful people. In my experience most of the beautiful people I met are hard to get along with. They somehow possess a deficient personality as if they want everything to revolve around them and be the center of attraction. In my decades of academic studies most of those that excel in class are not the so beautiful and during my brief time as a teacher usually the plain coed far exceed the beauties and handsome in class.
I think the problem with beautiful people is their belief that they can always charm their way to success or get what they want. However, they are deceiving themselves since the effect of beauty is temporary and will fade sooner than they expect. True and lasting love is not brought by beauty but rather by the personality of the person we love. We become endeared to another because of the affection and appreciation we experience and not the outward appearance of that person. When beauty becomes the basis of love it is not true love but true lust. Nevertheless, there are rare beauties that are matched by pleasing personality. These are rare gems who never abuse their God given advantage and think of themselves as rather homely.
Do you sometimes wonder how life could have been better if you are as beautiful as those people you idolize? Wishing you could swap faces with someone very handsome person you admire? If you do, stop pitying yourself – and start pitying the handsome people you envy. They are the ones who are more apt to be hurt in life by their looks.
Most beautiful people have “royalty complex” a feeling that others are there to serve them by virtue of being pretty. As a result they never develop their full potential and often they have unpleasant personality and fragile character. They easily succumb to life trials and often a victim of a broken heart. At the University of California 600 coeds were rated and it shows that plain girls are more successful than their beautiful counterparts. In the US beautiful people are many times over prone to divorce than plain individual.
The only worthwhile beauty a person can have is, in essence, an inner sparkle produced by a combination of strong character and an outgoing approach to life. If you have this sparkle, it will shine through. Youthful handsomeness of features is simply a skin-deep facade that will wilt rapidly with the years; and before wilting it may give you dangerous delusions about yourself. If you acquire the inner sparkle, you will have the best “good looks” anyone can have, regardless of your age or physical makeup.
My Comments
Indeed beauty has its advantage and disadvantage however the disadvantages far outweighs the benefits. No wonder God was so compassionate He created only few beautiful people. In my experience most of the beautiful people I met are hard to get along with. They somehow possess a deficient personality as if they want everything to revolve around them and be the center of attraction. In my decades of academic studies most of those that excel in class are not the so beautiful and during my brief time as a teacher usually the plain coed far exceed the beauties and handsome in class.
I think the problem with beautiful people is their belief that they can always charm their way to success or get what they want. However, they are deceiving themselves since the effect of beauty is temporary and will fade sooner than they expect. True and lasting love is not brought by beauty but rather by the personality of the person we love. We become endeared to another because of the affection and appreciation we experience and not the outward appearance of that person. When beauty becomes the basis of love it is not true love but true lust. Nevertheless, there are rare beauties that are matched by pleasing personality. These are rare gems who never abuse their God given advantage and think of themselves as rather homely.
Random Thoughts
By Ibrahim
There's a point in time when everything becomes meaningless. As if you are in a different dimension of time and space that nothing else really matters. It is a point somehow in our existence that we transcend all bounds of being humans and we see ourselves simply as fashioned clay – a clump of dust nothing more and nothing less. It's a profound experience of emptiness and lack of purpose that this world and everything on it is but a dream, a dream of our own making which value the artificial rather than the eternal.
Weird as it may seems but those are the times I love the most. It gives me that moment to dissect myself and to understand my innermost feelings as individual. Afford me the ability to look at life from beginning to end as if my life has already been lived and what is happening now is but a repetition of that life. Somehow a question of “What’s really important in this life?” lingers on begging to be answered.
Every time I experience these detachments from the life the answer to the question changed. Finally, I come to the conclusion that only important in this life is what we do with our fellow human being. Wadsworth says it better in his poem.
WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG MAN SAID TO THE PSALMIST.
Henry Fellow Wadsworth
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,--act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;--
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
There's a point in time when everything becomes meaningless. As if you are in a different dimension of time and space that nothing else really matters. It is a point somehow in our existence that we transcend all bounds of being humans and we see ourselves simply as fashioned clay – a clump of dust nothing more and nothing less. It's a profound experience of emptiness and lack of purpose that this world and everything on it is but a dream, a dream of our own making which value the artificial rather than the eternal.
Weird as it may seems but those are the times I love the most. It gives me that moment to dissect myself and to understand my innermost feelings as individual. Afford me the ability to look at life from beginning to end as if my life has already been lived and what is happening now is but a repetition of that life. Somehow a question of “What’s really important in this life?” lingers on begging to be answered.
Every time I experience these detachments from the life the answer to the question changed. Finally, I come to the conclusion that only important in this life is what we do with our fellow human being. Wadsworth says it better in his poem.
WHAT THE HEART OF THE YOUNG MAN SAID TO THE PSALMIST.
Henry Fellow Wadsworth
Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.
Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.
Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Find us farther than to-day.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.
In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!
Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,--act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;--
Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.
Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.
Happyness
This is not about the movie by Will Smith. What is happiness? It's a state of being content. How do we achieve it? By undergoing pain and suffering. How come? Aha, this is the purpose of this post to explain what happiness is all about and why do we feel it.
To me happiness is that point of time that you feel alive, that moment where things have meaning, and you are content with what you are. However, happiness can sprung from all sort of things from finding a lost valuables to seeing an old friend. Now there is a very importance concept to remember here. That is before happiness can occur the source of happiness must be absent first. In other words, we have to feel sad or longing for something first before we can be happy.
To illustrate this point, to Muslims they feel so happy during Ramadan at the time they are about to break their fast because for the entire day they have been lacking food and drink, thus at the moment of breaking their fast happiness occurs because the thing that they longed for is finally there. However, this is not the only aspect of it they have also proven to themselves that they are discplined enought to abstain from eating.
There are lots of examples on pain and then happiness such as after exams or during graduation. Here people suffered and sacrificed a lot and be happy in the end - that its finally over. Notice that our happiness in graduation is greater than our happiness in finish a subject. This leads us to think that the greater your suffering and sacrifice the higher the feeling of happiness.
What the hell em I leading to? All I am saying is in this world we cannot be perpetually be happy. That is - it is impossible to be happy all the time. Because happiness connotes the presence of something we value, which were previously not there. Now if everything we value is within reach then we will not value them in the first place. That's why rich people are seldom happy since they are never denied of things. While a poor man will be ecstatic and thankful to eat chicken a rich man won't even finish his meal and never feel any form of thankfulness or happiness.
So Dear Folks, if you are feeling bad or sad you are lucky because happiness is just around the corner while if you are happy beware that sadness is just around the corner. Huh!!!
You may be asking how to get out of the cycle sadness and happiness. It's simple but very hard to do. Acceptance is the key, believing that what had happen is meant to happen and everything is for our own good. I'm not being fatalistic all I mean is that we can rise above our emotion and treat the cycles of life as something we need as human being. On the other hand, there are simple ways to be a bit happy if you are sad. Try doing your laundry or cleaning something - somehow its therapeutic and makes us feel good about ourselves even though nothing have changed.
To me happiness is that point of time that you feel alive, that moment where things have meaning, and you are content with what you are. However, happiness can sprung from all sort of things from finding a lost valuables to seeing an old friend. Now there is a very importance concept to remember here. That is before happiness can occur the source of happiness must be absent first. In other words, we have to feel sad or longing for something first before we can be happy.
To illustrate this point, to Muslims they feel so happy during Ramadan at the time they are about to break their fast because for the entire day they have been lacking food and drink, thus at the moment of breaking their fast happiness occurs because the thing that they longed for is finally there. However, this is not the only aspect of it they have also proven to themselves that they are discplined enought to abstain from eating.
There are lots of examples on pain and then happiness such as after exams or during graduation. Here people suffered and sacrificed a lot and be happy in the end - that its finally over. Notice that our happiness in graduation is greater than our happiness in finish a subject. This leads us to think that the greater your suffering and sacrifice the higher the feeling of happiness.
What the hell em I leading to? All I am saying is in this world we cannot be perpetually be happy. That is - it is impossible to be happy all the time. Because happiness connotes the presence of something we value, which were previously not there. Now if everything we value is within reach then we will not value them in the first place. That's why rich people are seldom happy since they are never denied of things. While a poor man will be ecstatic and thankful to eat chicken a rich man won't even finish his meal and never feel any form of thankfulness or happiness.
So Dear Folks, if you are feeling bad or sad you are lucky because happiness is just around the corner while if you are happy beware that sadness is just around the corner. Huh!!!
You may be asking how to get out of the cycle sadness and happiness. It's simple but very hard to do. Acceptance is the key, believing that what had happen is meant to happen and everything is for our own good. I'm not being fatalistic all I mean is that we can rise above our emotion and treat the cycles of life as something we need as human being. On the other hand, there are simple ways to be a bit happy if you are sad. Try doing your laundry or cleaning something - somehow its therapeutic and makes us feel good about ourselves even though nothing have changed.
Procrastination
Procrastination is my sin,
It bring me naught but sorrow,
I know, I must stop it,
In fact I will tomorrow.
-Anonymous
Why do we procrastinate? Well, because we have all the time to do so. But then again we know that we are mortal and soon will be carried to the grave. So this argument doesn’t bode well. My belief is that we procrastinate because we are afraid that once we finish our task we have no other things to do – being human the worst thing that could happen to you is to do nothing. Thus, the saying “If you want things done give it to a busy person.” Because busy person don’t run out of things to do, therefore they don’t have the luxury of procrastination that I and perhaps some of us indulge.
How do you cure procrastination then? Some said “deadline is the best motivator.” Once the deadline nears procrastination seems to disappear. How about lavishing yourself with rewards once things get done. Maybe, especially if you have something to pamper yourself.
If there is something to be blamed for the emergence of procrastination as habit then it’s our civilization. Put it this way, we are hunters and gatherers with animal instinct. We are constantly in search of food there is not time to wait at that time procrastination is not an option. However, as we evolve as society food becomes plenty – thus affording us the time to doze and relax. We lost that instinct that guides all other living things in the planet. Have you ever seen an ant procrastinate or a bee take time to rest. Well, with the exception of the foolish grasshoppers every living thing seems to be busy doing one thing or the other. I think the only remaining instinct that we have is the urge to procreate of which nobody procrastinate.
So the next time you feel procrastinating think of it as way to procreate. You never know the next time you finish at task it may be your masterpiece.
It bring me naught but sorrow,
I know, I must stop it,
In fact I will tomorrow.
-Anonymous
Why do we procrastinate? Well, because we have all the time to do so. But then again we know that we are mortal and soon will be carried to the grave. So this argument doesn’t bode well. My belief is that we procrastinate because we are afraid that once we finish our task we have no other things to do – being human the worst thing that could happen to you is to do nothing. Thus, the saying “If you want things done give it to a busy person.” Because busy person don’t run out of things to do, therefore they don’t have the luxury of procrastination that I and perhaps some of us indulge.
How do you cure procrastination then? Some said “deadline is the best motivator.” Once the deadline nears procrastination seems to disappear. How about lavishing yourself with rewards once things get done. Maybe, especially if you have something to pamper yourself.
If there is something to be blamed for the emergence of procrastination as habit then it’s our civilization. Put it this way, we are hunters and gatherers with animal instinct. We are constantly in search of food there is not time to wait at that time procrastination is not an option. However, as we evolve as society food becomes plenty – thus affording us the time to doze and relax. We lost that instinct that guides all other living things in the planet. Have you ever seen an ant procrastinate or a bee take time to rest. Well, with the exception of the foolish grasshoppers every living thing seems to be busy doing one thing or the other. I think the only remaining instinct that we have is the urge to procreate of which nobody procrastinate.
So the next time you feel procrastinating think of it as way to procreate. You never know the next time you finish at task it may be your masterpiece.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Learning to Swim
Tugaya, Lake Lanao... It was a lovely sunny day, every kid is going to lake to swim and play. As friends called unto me to join them for morning of fun and playing I was rather timid and slow. At age nine I still don't know how to swim - I've kept it secret for a while I wouldn't admit lest I be the laughing stock. Kids in my town learn to swim as early as 5.
I do venture in the lake to teach myself how to swim but whenever other kids arrive I will always leave and pretend that I am done swimming - little did they know of my little secret. I even collected those tiny insects that seem to float in the water believing that if you squeeze them in your elbows and knees you will soon learn how to swim. Always avoiding playing and swimming with them making all sorts of excuses and lies...
Ah!!! But that day is different from any other day. It was a day when the ray of the sun seems to penetrate beyond our skin and into our very soul. A day when destiny calls and kids build their character... I have decided that day to join in the fun come what may - either I sink in the bottom learning how to swim and be the laughing stock of friends or triumph that somehow my body reflexes will help me float.
As I heard the cheering and shouting of kids playing in the lake - joy in their faces beyond description, the happiness they felt beyond compare. I slowly undress nude - naked nothing there except that tiny thing that wiggle as you run. I suck up all the air I can take and run as fast as I could -- jumping into the water with a big splash and a cheering crowd. I slowly descend into deep cold and realize that the water is too deep. Huh! Panic is upon me. Then as if time froze and my very soul spoke to me saying believe in yourself that you can do it. I calmed and my feet and hands as if they have a mind of their own start moving to send me upward. As a resurface and feel my lungs with air, I shouted with my heart's content.
It was a triumph that I cherish to these days. A slice of life that builds what we are now. Hope I didn't waste a minute of your time reading my blog. Great day to you!!!
Hard Labor
Grandfather's hands are always half-closed, it’s rough as rock and hard like the roots of that old Madang tree in front of our house in Pindolunan, Tugaya. In that sleepy place where you can count the numbers of vehicle passing by your fingers I was sent to learn the meaning of discipline.
But why? I was 11 years old irascible kid that never liked school and hates work. I have my reasons I couldn’t count the time an erasers have been thrown on me during class. Luckily, I was good in evading and my classmates always receive the brunt. I guess that dodge ball game we play pays off. I really hate teachers I tell you - they are bad mean lot. At poor age I know discrimination all too well being Muslim in a non-Muslim community is not that easy. But we do have one advantage children don’t bully us – thanks to history portraying Moro as fiercesome warriors it seems to be ingrained in others kid mind not to mess with Moro. As for work, tsk.. tsk… tsk… they always interfere with play.
The dawn is broken by the loud call to prayer. I wake up when I feel the kick in my butt, it was Grandpa. I stood up like a soldier and the rest of my cousins did too. Our Boss is no nonsense if you have a sticking thing between your legs you are a man. After prayers each are given tools, I get a hoe while the others receive sickle and bolo. We trek to up farmland and started that backbreaking work. My hands were already blistered by the heavy hard work. As kids always do, I don’t want to show my weakness – that I am strong and tough like my cousins. We took some coconut and walk back home. I can barely walk and we are all tired – a sing or two seems to wash away exhaustion, our favorite “Maliit na Gagamba” always cheer us up to walk faster.
After lunch, a cousin shouts its time to tend the fishpond. Huh! I thought to myself does this people ever get tired. The wall of pond was torn by storm – we have to rebuild it back like the Great Wall of China. Our Granpa is there ridiculing those that can’t keep pace.
Night fall and for the first time I understand what is really mean by earning your keep. We ate plain rice with vegetables and fried fish. Oh! Boy it so fulfilling. I took my last sigh and goes to rest – I think I earned it. Ahh! Life its nothing but hard labor.
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