Constructive Criticism

Most truths can really bite. We are all entitled to our own opinion. Since the latest tourism slogan "It's more fun in the Philippines", a recent trend in most social networking sites is talking about a video made by independent American film makers expressing their likes and dislikes about the Philippines. In matter of days upon the videos release, it has received heaps of viral critics from fellow Filipinos. As a Filipino, I personally  know the sentiments of my fellow people. What I do not understand is how vulnerable we are to criticism. I have always believe that we are what we do. What the video imply is generally correct and factual. Indeed, it is as clear and pricey as law school personal statement. Instead of being driven by the defensive force, I think that in these situations constructive criticism is more helpful. People react when they care. So how about putting that care at work by thinking of concrete actions rather than defensively whine.

Learning the Virtue

I achieve a new set of discipline. As I trod back home earlier, I began to appreciate that life has its own timetable. And I began to see that patience would have to play a significant role in our life if I want to come our of this boot camp life alive and happy. It takes nine months to make a baby, and two decades to make an adult. It takes time to become a good violinist or a uni-cyclist, or a success. The key to everything is actually patience. "You get the chicken by hatching the egg - not by smashing it." Those words by a certain Arnold Glaslow I plan to install in my computer's marquee saver. It is only 18 words. I can read the whole quote in a matter of seconds. But in the computer screen, I'll have to wait for two full minutes to be able to read it. That should remind me of my need to be patient.

Running After

As they say that "patience is a virtue". Like many people, I often times find myself feeling that the world owes me something. More than that I sometimes feel that I'm just too important to be kept waiting for anyone or anything. I'm not too important of course; none of us is. And yet somehow, I often fail to see and accept that the world is mine to enjoy but not made for my convenience. This incapacity to see the fact makes me unable to be more patient with ordinary vicissitudes of life. For instance, when I was inquiring for my phone's warranty, and grumble at the seemingly slow pace of attention of the iphone support representative. My impatience sometimes becomes too evident when I'm within the confines of my workplace or home. It just occurred to me that maybe my impatience may be part due to my fast-paced lifestyle. Perhaps I need to give attention to the stop light and figured out if i should go with being impatience or go with the fast lane.

Reason to be Truthful

Being truthful is a virtue. Truth is gentle, healing sponge that keeps our conscience clean and spotless. This does not mean that we won't have anguish, be tempted, be filled with fear, or even sometimes lose friends - at least people who called themselves as our friends - through telling them the truth. Even though telling the truth is the right way to go, it will definitely challenge us. But in the long run this will also make us feel powerful and clean because we have done the right thing. Truth can make us a better person. It it something that no boarding school or educational institution can teach us. This is because the concept of truth is very subjective. If one would choose to tell lies, the that person will probably begin to choose other wrong directions in life. If, on the other hand, one would choose truth, that means that you are making positive, clean, strong choices that will lead you into a straight but better and happier way of life.

The Deed of Crying

Cry your heart out. Tears promote the health of our eyes. Just like how argan oil skin care protects our skin. But their release also help develop our emotional and social well-being. Children normally cry when afraid or hurt. It has also been a tradition for most societies especially patriarchal group such us ours to make boys ashamed of showing pain or fear. Since crying is considered unmanly, boys tend to repress and deny all kinds of feelings, including tenderness. This impedes their ability to establish a wholesome relationship with family members, friends and fellow workers. When a person experiences fervid emotions such as grief or great joy, we biologically tightened the muscles near the tear glands which produces the copious tear fluids. So when you feel like crying, allow yourself to cry. The tear glands in our body are natural parts of human beings placed for a purpose. They are to protect our eyes and provide us a means of expressing our most intense emotions. That's some truth about tears.

Ending the Day Well

I'm not sure if it's proper to splay it here, but i'd be hypocritical to believe that as far as my parent's marriage is concerned, everything's all sweet and honey. Because to be honest, it's not. The truth is my mom and dad fight. Although many are ashamed to admit it, almost all married people fight. Someone said that a "good" marriage would be between a blind wife and a deaf husband. Well, my mom has a clear eyesight while my dad has an average hearing acuity. Now please understand that my parents seldom fight. They often disagree on many things, from buying pure argan oil for hair to the preferred brand of milk, but they rarely fight. Overall they have a wonderfully satisfying marriage and their love for each other grows everyday. It's just that living together sometimes causes trouble. Sometimes somehow, the peace both of them enjoy  get ruffled at times, and then they fight - really fight. But what I look up the most when my time of marriage comes, is that I'll never go to bed angry. Perhaps this is the secret why my parents had a lasting marriage.

I Do's

The ring is a very perfect symbol of what marriage means. Considering that many marriages today are ending in divorce and separation because of infidelity as well as the broken homes and shattered lives dire to irreconcilable differences, perhaps we would be more sympathetic to the people that are against polygamy. It has been said that all marriages are happy, it is the living together afterwards that's tough. The tendency for marriage partners to drift from a height of bliss into the boredom of routine attitudes come when they begin taking their spouses and relationships for granted. Remember the time when couples were so focused and engrossed in preparing for their wedding, from the little cheap car hire details to the wedding cake? If only couples invested much time and energy in their marriage instead of their wedding, then relationships could get somewhere to success. The world in which we live is largely dominated by emotional impulses and cravings of the carnal flesh. How important that we preserve our matrimonial vows, and make our marriage honorable.