Congratulations, Pilipinas
THE applause at the SONA was not only for President Arroyo but for the country and all its citizens. We tend to look at the glass as half empty rather than half full. There are many things for which we should be thankful to Lord and also to ourselves and our fellow citizens without whom we would not be enjoying what we have and what we are. Counting our blessings is better than self-pity or longing for what we do not have. Although we try we cannot have perfection or everything we may want here on earth. It may weaken our aspiration for heaven. No one can deny that we are in good times or even in a boom situation.Construction is up, which for some is the bellwether of a good economy. Some immediately add the hope that we, especially politicians, do not mess it up with bickering, grandstanding, or tinkering with the economy. The President enumerated the successes of the past year and the good situation at present, while asking for cooperation and more effort. And she is right in this. She deserves congratulations but we also congratulate the ordinary citizens. While we look up to those in power and tend to expect a lot from them, we must not forget that the efforts of the ordinary citizens are just as important.
Happiness according to some is obtained not only from what we have, or have achieved, or learned but primarily in appreciation of what we are. This jibes well with the happy disposition of the Pinoy. Mababaw ang kaligayahan. Even those in poverty, which every one is helping to alleviate, seem to enjoy a disproportional amount of contentment. Foreigners often find this remarkable and also our overseas Pinoys long to return to this haven of peace and contentment. The collateral of this satisfaction or the less optimal side effect of this is the need to prod us on to greater accomplishment, greater effort at learning, greater effort at entrepreneurship, greater effort at trying to get out of poverty. We need prosperity so that we can have a surplus to share with others. We have been the recipients for too long. We need to be the giver.
Even with this good economic situation there is need for constant improvement. And to improve is to change. And in change it helps to be able to conceptualize into what, we want to change. We also need a vision. While by definition a vision is unreachable like a star, it gives us a direction for our efforts. A success scenario paints an immediate future which can be broken down into goal and objectives. We want a peaceful, prosperous community where everybody is safe and challenged to contribute our best. We want to be able to boast of a nation because we have plenty to be proud of. We have to tell everyone how wonderful it is to live in this country.
We have to tell others because as Dr. Corpus always preached, our reputation will not take care of itself. We have to be good and tell others we are good. One without the other is not good. It is a wonderful country even including the corrupt and the thieves and the violent. The success of microfinance is because our people are basically honest. We can paint a target scenario, a land of safety, abounding in opportunities for entrepreneurship, where everyone is challenged, no one is left behind, and grateful to the Almighty for the gift we are and have.
