PUBLIC LIFE & SERVICE
Where and when should service end?
In my younger years, I took for granted the involvement of people I love in the local politics. Ten years ago, I started to care. With this caring came the realization that in a 'self-preservation-instinct-kind-of-way, I was right in adapting an uncaring attitude. Uncaring in the sense that I do not want to be informed of the political aspect (i.e. the enemies one makes, the bad publicity one gets, and the multitude of misinterpreted comments made by honest public servants which are used to destroy them, etc.) of public service nor do I volunteer to participate in any of the 'pre-election activities' of political supporters.
In our little K-town, politics is overly celebrated. Everybody has a bet and an opinion. And ten years ago people had thrown in their lots on this one person whom they have trusted to bring wakefulness and motion to this town which has been sleeping for decades. Good for them, bad for us.
My family's political life, if to be penned down, would probably be one tragic yet lovely story. We have lived through the lost of a loved one whose death is politically-tainted. For nine years, one of us has been constantly pestered with nonsensical and baseless lawsuits. The family has been relentlessly beleaguered by unsubstantiated accusations and black gossip. I don't wanna sound like a gasgas na cd so I'll park my lonely thoughts right here.
In spite of all that, I won't exchange for anything the trust you see in the faces of a crowd melting your heart until you cannot resist but to forget the past, forgive the present and be hopeful for the future and do what is right. Nothing beats the smiles from children who appreciate their good classrooms. One of the best times of my life was to see people get a much needed medicine or surgery and they come to you because they trust you to help them no matter what. (One of the advantages of having someone on a seat in the public chair gives you the right to borrow the ambulance anytime you need it.:)
For all it's worth, this little town has awaken from a deep slumber despite the efforts of 'quack doctors' to administer sleeping potions so it would faint and lay unconscious again.
Sure, the family have had to tweak and manipulate their minds to adjust to a 'new' concept of family through the years. (That when someone's father comes to you and ask you to pay for his daughter's tuition fee, you have no choice but to do it because when your loved one was pushed by the people to serve them, it wasn't his back only but the whole clan's too.) It's worked out just fine, but it wasn't easy.
But, please remember this...
Sure, he loves the people and we do too, but we are individual persons who would like to have private lives. We have our own lives to live, our own dreams to chase, our own stars to follow, and our own plight to deal with. Sure, he is our _________. Get over it, we are all someone of someones. But someone's gotta begin the process of educating the people that really, 'servants' can only do so much. Your servants do not need your vote only. They need you to be responsible, self-reliant and resourceful too. Does it ring a bell? Remember the Star Scout Promise? :) It can be as simple as that. We complicate it when we give and do nothing but expect too much.
Time is just too damn precious to waste in utter dependence on someone or something when you yourself can do and actually achieve it.
My only wish is that people who like to sit all the time would not put out their feet so as not to have someone who runs stumble on them.
My heart bleeds for you...
But... as they say...
There is always a light at the end of the tunnel... and we will be here for you even if the tunnel runs too long and the darkness lasts for a time.
In my younger years, I took for granted the involvement of people I love in the local politics. Ten years ago, I started to care. With this caring came the realization that in a 'self-preservation-instinct-kind-of-way, I was right in adapting an uncaring attitude. Uncaring in the sense that I do not want to be informed of the political aspect (i.e. the enemies one makes, the bad publicity one gets, and the multitude of misinterpreted comments made by honest public servants which are used to destroy them, etc.) of public service nor do I volunteer to participate in any of the 'pre-election activities' of political supporters.
In our little K-town, politics is overly celebrated. Everybody has a bet and an opinion. And ten years ago people had thrown in their lots on this one person whom they have trusted to bring wakefulness and motion to this town which has been sleeping for decades. Good for them, bad for us.
My family's political life, if to be penned down, would probably be one tragic yet lovely story. We have lived through the lost of a loved one whose death is politically-tainted. For nine years, one of us has been constantly pestered with nonsensical and baseless lawsuits. The family has been relentlessly beleaguered by unsubstantiated accusations and black gossip. I don't wanna sound like a gasgas na cd so I'll park my lonely thoughts right here.
In spite of all that, I won't exchange for anything the trust you see in the faces of a crowd melting your heart until you cannot resist but to forget the past, forgive the present and be hopeful for the future and do what is right. Nothing beats the smiles from children who appreciate their good classrooms. One of the best times of my life was to see people get a much needed medicine or surgery and they come to you because they trust you to help them no matter what. (One of the advantages of having someone on a seat in the public chair gives you the right to borrow the ambulance anytime you need it.:)
For all it's worth, this little town has awaken from a deep slumber despite the efforts of 'quack doctors' to administer sleeping potions so it would faint and lay unconscious again.
Sure, the family have had to tweak and manipulate their minds to adjust to a 'new' concept of family through the years. (That when someone's father comes to you and ask you to pay for his daughter's tuition fee, you have no choice but to do it because when your loved one was pushed by the people to serve them, it wasn't his back only but the whole clan's too.) It's worked out just fine, but it wasn't easy.
But, please remember this...
Sure, he loves the people and we do too, but we are individual persons who would like to have private lives. We have our own lives to live, our own dreams to chase, our own stars to follow, and our own plight to deal with. Sure, he is our _________. Get over it, we are all someone of someones. But someone's gotta begin the process of educating the people that really, 'servants' can only do so much. Your servants do not need your vote only. They need you to be responsible, self-reliant and resourceful too. Does it ring a bell? Remember the Star Scout Promise? :) It can be as simple as that. We complicate it when we give and do nothing but expect too much.
Time is just too damn precious to waste in utter dependence on someone or something when you yourself can do and actually achieve it.
My only wish is that people who like to sit all the time would not put out their feet so as not to have someone who runs stumble on them.
My heart bleeds for you...
But... as they say...
There is always a light at the end of the tunnel... and we will be here for you even if the tunnel runs too long and the darkness lasts for a time.
Comments
Anyway, politics is always a complicated issue. But since we are called to be the light and salt of the earth, we should minister wherever we are led.
Fongakhan
I wish my family would quit politics pero ayun dinagdagan pa! Oh well, ika mo nga, they are probably called to serve in that way, as we are called to serve 'this' way. Hayyy ewan, basta ngayon, galit ako! LOLz
Mahirap nga ang politics, but sabi nga ni Dr. Tano, we have to believe that the Lord is Lord and King of all orders, be it economic, political, social, personal, spiritual, etc., even if it does not seem to be the case.
Just hold on to this thought, sis. I hope it will strengthen you as you look at your family's involvement in the dirty and oftentimes, scary world of politics.
Fongakhan