Tag Archives: Philosophy

Excellence, Inspiration, Legacy, Literature, Purpose

The War Within

6 Comments

Now that I am reading Ayn Rand (again), I can’t help but get inspired by the men and women she brings to life. The central theme of all her works is the concept of Man-Worship.

It’s quite funny, but the biggest book influences to me are Ayn Rand and the Holy Bible. Both inspiring. Both controversial. Both polar opposites.

To be fair to both of them, I guess what they both have in common is always gunning for excellence. To be the best possible person you are in all facets of your life. Though the term ‘best’ is defined differently in both books.

A few years back, during my initial readings of Rand, I admit, she gave me strength but at the same time she confused me. I went through a Rand-worship phase.

Rand is a radical. A rebel, if you must. But that is also why I love her so much. She believes in the human potential. She is immensely in love with it.

I can’t say I am any bit like her, though I would like to be. She is sure of herself, what she wants and what her purpose in life is. She values competence, strength and intelligence. I hunger for that kind of person in real life.

There is an ongoing war within me. I want to take pride in what I do but the Bible talks differently. It advocates humility, self-control, patience and other fruits of the spirit. Why shouldn’t I take pride in what I do? Why can’t I enjoy my passions to the fullest?

Sometimes, I feel sad and torn inside. My walk with the Lord is bringing me more questions than answers.

 

Praiseworthy, Relationships

Smile and Carry On

2 Comments

Don’t you just hate to be around negative people?

Negativity can be in the forms of:

  1. Anger
  2. Bitterness
  3. Cynicism
  4. Envy
  5. Hate
  6. Sarcasm
  7. Self-pity and always-the-victim attitude
  8. Inability to accept and apologize for their mistakes
  9. Pride
  10. Suspiciousness

These traits are all encapsulated in the word negativity. Negativity takes a toll on a person and their relationships. A person with such a perspective will drag you down sooner or later, it’s only a matter of time.

I am intrinsically attracted to people who are light, easy to get along with and are not prone to arguments or quarrels. Who would want to share a meal with someone who always wanted to start an argument with you, seriously? Not me, that’s for sure.

I just want to savor my dinner, enjoy the company and be on my way.

So, will you so kindly please pass the salt, hold the bitterness and leave your baggage at the door. Thank you very much!

Admit it, it’s so draining to be around such types. Bad vibes they call it.

Of course life is full of challenges, no argument there. However, how we take on those challenges is what truly defines us.

If you take on a problem with complaints or exhibit bitterness, anger and all that dreary-stuff, then I can’t sugar coat it any other way: you are YOUR complaints.

My personal barometer for checking if the person is negative or not is through sheer observation:

  • Is the person prone to criticizing instead of encouraging?
  • Is the person a habitual complainer (about their life, job, children, family, even the smallest of things)?
  • Is the person always wallowing in self-pity, the everyone-is-against-me type?
  • Is the person prone to envy, jealousy and I-should-haves-or-wants?
  • Is the person still bitter about mistakes, experiences, etc. that are history and constantly brings it up?

Also a favorite of mine:

  • Is the person unable to give praise and gracefully accept it when given?

Always remember: You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with. So, choose your company well.

On a positive note, I commend those individuals who, despite their trials in life still manage to uplift and encourage other people. They always show a friendly smile, are goal getters and action-oriented. They are neither rattled nor shaken by life, but instead tackle it head on. They manage to bring out the best in others even if they themselves are having a rough day.

Bravo!

You greatly inspire me and I hope I can match the stamina, vibrancy and love for life that you so clearly show. I am thankful everyday that you are not an extinct breed.

This post is for you. May you continue to light the way and be an encouragement to others who are also swimming against the tides of negativity.

Light. Love. Life.

Daily Life, Family, Friends, Inspiration, My walk with the Lord

Thankful Today and Everyday

1 Comment

Today…

I am thankful for an understanding family that unconditionally loves me

I am thankful for good health.

I am thankful for good role models. They inspire me everyday.

I am thankful for my brother.

I am thankful for my crazy parents.

I am thankful for my critics. They help me sharpen my skills and gifts.

I am thankful for my grandmothers. Their wisdom is priceless.

I am thankful for my life.

I am thankful for my trials and heartaches. They taught me so much.

I am thankful for second chances.

I am thankful for the luxury to give than ask.

I am thankful for the opportunity to make a living.

I am thankful for the pleasure of being able to read a good book.

I am thankful for the ability to express myself  through writing.

I am thankful for a discerning and clear mind.

I am thankful for true and reliable friends.

I am thankful I have the opportunity to get to know the Lord more and thank Him for loving and protecting me.

I am thankful today and everyday of my life…

How about you? What are you thankful for today?

 

Daily Life, Inspiration, My walk with the Lord

Light Bearer Chronicles: Rebelling Against a Cynical Generation

Leave a comment
Yes, We Can (44th/52)
Hope more, it kills cynicism.

We live in a jaded generation. Today’s generation is so uninspired, jaded and already dead it shows on so many levels: marriage, work, friendships, business, the concept of having kids, the opposite sex, money, love, you name it, and these cynical men and women have an air-tight, unsolicited response to each.

As a result, their negativity brings upon a society that does only the bare minimum. There is no bigger purpose left aside from making more money and harnessing more power to support their already exploding egos.

I come across so many people that say they’ve been there, done that and that nothing surprises them anymore. Such people treat life like it was some curse and in my annoying sense of humor, I retaliate: “If you’ve seen it all, wouldn’t it be grand if you’d just do everybody a favor and disappear entirely?”

People who think this way feel that they have learned everything about life and that there is nothing else to learn and do except “infect” others with their disease. That describes this generation of soulless life-sucking entities who drift along this life.

The Reason Behind the Cynicism

Is there a reason for this? Perhaps being raised with absolutely no values, no morals, and practicing instant gratification does this to people. Plus the fact that we are conditioned at a certain age to rebel against our parents (who are our first line of authority figures as we grow up) as possible things to consider.

I remember looking around and thinking “If these people are the future, we are all screwed”. I keep hoping that if I had a kid it would rebel from this way of life. To be good according to Jesus’ standards, to appreciate the beauty of life and pursue what is right. To live a life he or she can be proud of: clean, just and moral.

If you want to see real human beings, go down to your local nursery. Look at the way the kids play together, how they share and communicate and spend five minutes doing that. Nice isn’t it?

We weren’t always this ugly.

Wayne W. Dyer said it best: “Loving people live in a loving world. Hostile people live in a hostile world. Same world”.

How about you? How can you rise above the negativity, cynicism and ugliness?

Daily Life, My walk with the Lord, Quotes

Silence Makes the Loudest Sound

Leave a comment

shouting on phone

There are some people I know who can’t function without having the TV or radio on. First thing they do in the morning: switch on their cable TV or put on some really loud music. Mind you, this is also how they entertain guests at home: through the remote control.

It’s like a minute spent in silence is deafening to them.

Not for me. I bloom in silence.

Growing up in cozy Novaliches surrounded by trees, plants and having an aquarium of a house all to myself has never opened my ears to the disastrously noisy city of Makati.

I literally cannot function with the radio or TV on when I’m working. I am getting fond of the fact that I can think better and produce more thanks to silence. I don’t want any distractions of the TV, the radio or loud people. I just want my quiet time so bad, its like being paralyzed without it!

Noise aggravates the hell out of me. I can’t even stand people who talk too loudly on their mobile phones or to anyone for that matter (as if the person they are talking to is deaf). I have never felt a greater need for silence especially when I have a tight deadline to meet. And because of this, more and more I detest the noise of senseless talk, the hollow company of television and the incessant need to fill my ears with rubbish music.

And finding silence has been a challenge for me as of late.

I would rather sit in silence with a friend and bask at each other’s mutual affection than share coffee over some senseless talk of who won at Big Brother House.

Noise simply exhausts me.

He who does not understand your silence will probably not understand your words.

― Elbert Hubbard