Sunday, July 6, 2014
My Thoughts for July 6, 2014
We learn idealism while young not when we are of dotage. I started mine in grade school. It was not easy. It was fraught with contras and pros. The paradox of my vision of a life in a society laden with crass materialism. My own republic not Plato's or Machiavelli's Prince.
A society where everyone cares and do the right things for others, in celebration of our faith to a Supreme Deity or God as others called it. I have one. Life that it should be not what it is. The Deity whose wonder and omnipotence has an infallible, eternal and encompassing love for us, and all creations. A God who has no gender, and no ulterior sectarian clinging, A God who gives talents sparingly, no favorites, no Jews or Gentiles, or no Muslim or Hindu. A God whose command and religion is to love one another. A love that is pure and selfless. Philosopher Augustine have taught us the courage to change things, serenity to accept things we cannot change, and the divine wisdom to know the difference. Life as it should be, and not what it is, my own ideals and republic, not yours but mine. A selfless love for others because God willed it.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Thoughts for July 5, 2014...
Almost 33 years and counting, my awakening on the the plight of the poorest among the poor continue to serve as my anchor and fulcrum.
The poorest among the poor have dire socio-economic predicaments, poor physical and mental health. ( According to research people with physical and mental disabilities are the poorest among the poor ) As published in 2000 by UNICEF 122,000 children dies everyday of poverty related causes. Can you imagine today ? There are so many nonprofit organizations whose mission is to alleviate the plight of the poor, why can't they make even a dent on the predicament of so many poor people ? Are people inherently lazy ? Are people dumb that they choose their socio-economic lot ? Is evil to blame for their predicaments ? Is system to blame ? Is colonialism to blame ? Is feudalism to blame ? Is hedonism to blame ? Is State Socialism to blame ? Is capitalism to blame ? Is capitalism evil indeed ? Or people is to blame ? Do you ask why so many poor in the world ? In highly developed economies like the United States of America, why almost 47+ million poor are poor ? (estimated population of the USA - 312 million plus. Why 3-4 billion people out of 7 billion are poor ? Is statistics wrong ? What is poverty ? Is poverty meant to be ? Why can't we change the poverty conditions, and become better ? Who hinders our progress ? Is philosophy a panacea ? Will ideology change it ? Will it help if we start asking ourselves what is our role on the sufferings of others ? How many are selfless enough to do the right things for others ? What are the right things ? Why do you care ? Yes, a good question to start why do you care ? Do you care because it will impact you directly or indirectly ? What do you think caring will do ? Should we focus on our inability to sincerely care for others ? Do I need to give up everything in order to care ? Do I need to sacrifice my career, family and economic success in order to succeed ? Why should I really care ? Are you listening ? Are you hearing it ? Are you reading with an open mind ? Are you you reading the thoughts of my thoughts ? Really ? Are you hearing it ? Are you feeling the impact of poverty in your life ? Do you care to ask why ? Do you care to care ? Do you know why ?
Almost 33 years and counting, my awakening on the the plight of the poorest among the poor continue to serve as my anchor and fulcrum.
The poorest among the poor have dire socio-economic predicaments, poor physical and mental health. ( According to research people with physical and mental disabilities are the poorest among the poor ) As published in 2000 by UNICEF 122,000 children dies everyday of poverty related causes. Can you imagine today ? There are so many nonprofit organizations whose mission is to alleviate the plight of the poor, why can't they make even a dent on the predicament of so many poor people ? Are people inherently lazy ? Are people dumb that they choose their socio-economic lot ? Is evil to blame for their predicaments ? Is system to blame ? Is colonialism to blame ? Is feudalism to blame ? Is hedonism to blame ? Is State Socialism to blame ? Is capitalism to blame ? Is capitalism evil indeed ? Or people is to blame ? Do you ask why so many poor in the world ? In highly developed economies like the United States of America, why almost 47+ million poor are poor ? (estimated population of the USA - 312 million plus. Why 3-4 billion people out of 7 billion are poor ? Is statistics wrong ? What is poverty ? Is poverty meant to be ? Why can't we change the poverty conditions, and become better ? Who hinders our progress ? Is philosophy a panacea ? Will ideology change it ? Will it help if we start asking ourselves what is our role on the sufferings of others ? How many are selfless enough to do the right things for others ? What are the right things ? Why do you care ? Yes, a good question to start why do you care ? Do you care because it will impact you directly or indirectly ? What do you think caring will do ? Should we focus on our inability to sincerely care for others ? Do I need to give up everything in order to care ? Do I need to sacrifice my career, family and economic success in order to succeed ? Why should I really care ? Are you listening ? Are you hearing it ? Are you reading with an open mind ? Are you you reading the thoughts of my thoughts ? Really ? Are you hearing it ? Are you feeling the impact of poverty in your life ? Do you care to ask why ? Do you care to care ? Do you know why ?
Friday, July 4, 2014
Ciphering 2
2 Thoughts for July 4th
The guile and gullible.
- Two kinds of people.
The worldly and the idealist.
- Two of a kind. The fool and the foolish.
The rich and the poor.
- The exploiter, and the exploited.
The powerful and the powerless.
- One with the strength, another with weakness.
The wise, and the fool.
One is good, one is better.
The beginning, the end.
One is exciting, and the other is fulfilling.
The moment, and the past.
One is hope, the other is a learning that cannot be undone.
The teacher, and the student.
Teachers listens, the students learning.
Peace and War.
One destroys, the other builds.
The God, and the godless.
One was found, the other is lost.
Hunger and pain.
Both are sufferings. One is permanent, the other is passing.
Why two ?
Two reasons why July 4th matters to me:
1. The Flag. 2. The Nation.
Since then the United States have evolved from many of their follies to becoming a good nation with a bright future - to become the greatest democracy in the world. Not a country that exploits, or a country that "control" the destiny of others, but a country that may realized Plato's dream of a Republic. Authentic and Meritocratic, not princely or exclusive but inclusive, not idle but hardworking, not opportunistic but focus towards improvement of all, not insincere but honest to learn from their blunders, not warring but friendly enough to create fiends.
Why 2 ? 2 is not perfect neither others numbers. Why 2 ? Because with one it starts with you and two it begins today not tomorrow.
2 because it is you have been given first and second chances, the next is not a charm but schism that can divide further, two because it will take you and I to change, 2...why 2 ?
Land of democracy and justice for all...
The guile and gullible.
- Two kinds of people.
The worldly and the idealist.
- Two of a kind. The fool and the foolish.
The rich and the poor.
- The exploiter, and the exploited.
The powerful and the powerless.
- One with the strength, another with weakness.
The wise, and the fool.
One is good, one is better.
The beginning, the end.
One is exciting, and the other is fulfilling.
The moment, and the past.
One is hope, the other is a learning that cannot be undone.
The teacher, and the student.
Teachers listens, the students learning.
Peace and War.
One destroys, the other builds.
The God, and the godless.
One was found, the other is lost.
Hunger and pain.
Both are sufferings. One is permanent, the other is passing.
Why two ?
Two reasons why July 4th matters to me:
1. The Flag. 2. The Nation.
Since then the United States have evolved from many of their follies to becoming a good nation with a bright future - to become the greatest democracy in the world. Not a country that exploits, or a country that "control" the destiny of others, but a country that may realized Plato's dream of a Republic. Authentic and Meritocratic, not princely or exclusive but inclusive, not idle but hardworking, not opportunistic but focus towards improvement of all, not insincere but honest to learn from their blunders, not warring but friendly enough to create fiends.
Why 2 ? 2 is not perfect neither others numbers. Why 2 ? Because with one it starts with you and two it begins today not tomorrow.
2 because it is you have been given first and second chances, the next is not a charm but schism that can divide further, two because it will take you and I to change, 2...why 2 ?
Land of democracy and justice for all...
Most people in the United States of America are not racist. The few ignorant and greedy one's thought otherwise.
The incident in Murrieta, California is not the United States of America.
The few racist and bigots are immigrants themselves. It just so happen that they came first. I do not know if the few ignorant and bigots were awake during their US History class, or probably they skipped their history class ?
This United States will become stronger because of different cultures UNITED in one...Democracy and Justice for all.
The incident in Murrieta, California is not the United States of America.
The few racist and bigots are immigrants themselves. It just so happen that they came first. I do not know if the few ignorant and bigots were awake during their US History class, or probably they skipped their history class ?
This United States will become stronger because of different cultures UNITED in one...Democracy and Justice for all.
Thursday, July 3, 2014
THOUGHTS for July 3
We have all problems, weaknesses, limitations, shortcomings, failures, frustrations, mistakes, blunders, regrets, confusions, anger...and many other negativities.
What and Why ? Each one of us have uniqueness not only with our personalities but our experiences and circumstances in life.
Some of us make good of what we have, and others choose to make it better, and others are contented of what they have.
Some choose to pursue money because they thought it will make them happy. Some pursued fame and recognition because they thought they can enjoy the esteemed of others. Some pursued power because they thought it is a necessity for life. Some pursued knowledge because they thought they will define and discover the meaning of life. Some remains as they were because they thought that's all they needed. Some keep searching for all the things in the world because they thought it is fulfillment.
Some pursued religion because they thought it is the answer. Some choose not to believe in anything because they thought it is freedom.
What is the secret above and beyond our quest ?
LOVE, in its purest form.
Love that is caring, humble, selfless, forgiving, unconditional, slow to anger, willing, innocent, hardworking, honest, faithful, loyal, patient, passionate, righteous, focused, articulate, bright and happy, undeterred, convincing, non-malicious, respectful, compassionate, tolerant, non-judgmental, accepting, benevolent, curious, dependable, encompassing, faithful, giving, happy, independent, kind, lovely, memorable, non-superficial, courageous, open, critical, determined, persistent, self-sacrificing, wonderful, beautiful, not materialistic, not pompous, so many others you can remember when you give someone that purest of love,
Eternal...
What and Why ? Each one of us have uniqueness not only with our personalities but our experiences and circumstances in life.
Some of us make good of what we have, and others choose to make it better, and others are contented of what they have.
Some choose to pursue money because they thought it will make them happy. Some pursued fame and recognition because they thought they can enjoy the esteemed of others. Some pursued power because they thought it is a necessity for life. Some pursued knowledge because they thought they will define and discover the meaning of life. Some remains as they were because they thought that's all they needed. Some keep searching for all the things in the world because they thought it is fulfillment.
Some pursued religion because they thought it is the answer. Some choose not to believe in anything because they thought it is freedom.
What is the secret above and beyond our quest ?
LOVE, in its purest form.
Love that is caring, humble, selfless, forgiving, unconditional, slow to anger, willing, innocent, hardworking, honest, faithful, loyal, patient, passionate, righteous, focused, articulate, bright and happy, undeterred, convincing, non-malicious, respectful, compassionate, tolerant, non-judgmental, accepting, benevolent, curious, dependable, encompassing, faithful, giving, happy, independent, kind, lovely, memorable, non-superficial, courageous, open, critical, determined, persistent, self-sacrificing, wonderful, beautiful, not materialistic, not pompous, so many others you can remember when you give someone that purest of love,
Eternal...
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Thoughts for today July 2, 2014
Mentoring with Utmost Respect and Care
We can become good mentors of others by providing sound guidance, specially from the wisdom and experiences of the ages. It is a great privileged to mentor and share with someone the great lessons and morals of life. While teaching freshmen college (early part of my career), I did not immediately realized the impact of my profession to the lives of many of my students. I realized later while mentoring graduate students, the long term implications of good mentoring and guidance. Many students I mentored became my close friends and even confidants. One of my students who migrated to England became successful in his chosen career and invited my whole family to visit him and his family in England. It was exciting to see how he was raising his children - the way we guided him in facing the challenges of life. He married a college professor for one - I smiled thinking about it. My wife was also a former college professor. Another student of ours, an architect in the USA recently attended the graduation of my daughter at Columbia University .
My former students were like my own children.
It was interesting to note and exciting to see how this young minds transformed and became almost like you in certain respects. Many teachers felt the same way I felt. - like a parent to our students. I am no longer teaching college and graduate students but continue to mentor young minds from the inner city to some Ivy league colleges and universities. I focused my energy on providing many of my mentees with real life examples of things I taught, and practice for many years now - mentoring and caring for the poorest among the poor, the needy, the orphans, the widows and those with special needs and disabilities.
It is a philosophy, I embraced for life, a vocation and calling for almost 33 years now.
My father was my first mentor. From the discipline and rigid rules he instructed and "implemented", follow through his mandates; Despite of his hectic schedule as a businessman, he found time to mentor me.
He was a prolific writer, and I am not. But, I tried.
(His mentoring helped a lot when I attended law school). My father's writings were succinct and fluid. He had a great command of the English and Spanish languages. He was both articulate and passionate about teaching me the right formula to success and happiness. He taught me to love history. We would talk about current events and discussed politics, I was four years old - what/why do I care about the world ? I just wanted to play. He taught me to love books and read it, comprehending it most specially. My mother was tolerant of my rebellious nature. She became my advocate against the "rule" of my father. Both of them have passed on. I missed them so much. The comfort and security of parents are priceless and unfathomable. The valuable lesson they taught me - is mentoring others with love and sincerity. Honesty is still the best policy. Do to others what you like others do to you.
To care. To be tolerant. To be compassionate.
To be truthful. The fear of God, the beginning of wisdom. King Solomon once said, " Life is chasing after the wind, except to love and honor God. One of the hardest and arduous tasks - Loving people.
People can be difficult. People can be demanding. People can be selfish, above all people can be unfaithful and disloyal. Majority of Jesus disciples abandoned Him when He was arrested, tried and crucified. Mary did not.
Mary and her other children was at the foot of the tree where Jesus died. Mary, the mother of Jesus was faithful at the beginning and at the very end of her SON's earthly existence. Everyone of us are subject to the realities and challenges of the world...it is your decision that will make or destroy you. Do not worry what people say, some will agree with you, some will not agree, some will have nothing to do with you. Maintain that kindness and have peace in your heart. Many have their own limitations not because they were created evil, it is because they are lost in the quagmire of their self-doubt and confusion, or maybe they are limited by their earthly abilities to comprehend the broad, and complexity of their beings and circumstances on earth. Maybe they are unhappy and miserable because they did not find and see the beauty of the earth, the natural wonders of life, and the infinite power of love.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
The Sophist of the 21st Century...and SOPHISTRY
Socrates made a lot of powerful enemies in Athens but also touched the lives of many people because of his intellectual humility.
Socrates was critical about the sophist of his time. Socrates clearly denounced their dishonesty in the pursuit of knowledge. Many of the sophist were extorting money from people in exchange for "knowledge"
Sophistry is defined as - (noun) a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone.
I was in grade school when I was introduced to political philosophies ie. Plato's Republic.
Many years later I realized that Socrates was Plato's mentor. I did not know Socrates and his story until later after I left my college teaching career to pursue development work with the poorest among the poor. It was 1983. Like Socrates, I was in searched of a deeper meaning to all the theories I learned from college and graduate school. I was looking for the PRAXIS to all the theories I memorized...and still I wonder, with all those great theories, why so much poverty and sufferings ?
I have a gifted memory but I was pedantic and intellectually arrogant then. My exposure to development work from USAID, CARE and Plan International taught me valuable lessons, particularly the predicaments of materially deprived people in many parts of the world, and my personal and direct work with the poorest among the poor changed me forever. But, I have this nagging question, how many among the billions of people (7+ billion) are willing to be selfless like Socrates ?
Many others followed Socrates. Dreamers like him that made the world a better place to dwell.
Besides Socrates I have other favorites :
Blaise Paschal (Theory of Probability) Blaise was famous not only because he thought and initiated the first calculator and co-authored the theory of probability in Statistics.
Blaise Paschal's famous wager about God.
"If you believe in God, you lose nothing, therefore I choose to believe in God."
Socrates was critical about the sophist of his time. Socrates clearly denounced their dishonesty in the pursuit of knowledge. Many of the sophist were extorting money from people in exchange for "knowledge"
Sophistry is defined as - (noun) a deliberately invalid argument displaying ingenuity in reasoning in the hope of deceiving someone.
I was in grade school when I was introduced to political philosophies ie. Plato's Republic.
Many years later I realized that Socrates was Plato's mentor. I did not know Socrates and his story until later after I left my college teaching career to pursue development work with the poorest among the poor. It was 1983. Like Socrates, I was in searched of a deeper meaning to all the theories I learned from college and graduate school. I was looking for the PRAXIS to all the theories I memorized...and still I wonder, with all those great theories, why so much poverty and sufferings ?
I have a gifted memory but I was pedantic and intellectually arrogant then. My exposure to development work from USAID, CARE and Plan International taught me valuable lessons, particularly the predicaments of materially deprived people in many parts of the world, and my personal and direct work with the poorest among the poor changed me forever. But, I have this nagging question, how many among the billions of people (7+ billion) are willing to be selfless like Socrates ?
Many others followed Socrates. Dreamers like him that made the world a better place to dwell.
Besides Socrates I have other favorites :
Blaise Paschal (Theory of Probability) Blaise was famous not only because he thought and initiated the first calculator and co-authored the theory of probability in Statistics.
Blaise Paschal's famous wager about God.
"If you believe in God, you lose nothing, therefore I choose to believe in God."
4.5 + billion WHY ? and the POWER of COMPOUNDING.
7 billion+ people. 7 billion+ reasons + 7 billion personalities and One God ????
Sometimes I wonder, why I do what I do, subtly convincing people, God is real. Embarrassing (as flesh dictated) to insist on something that cannot be seen or concretized except the fact you have that PEACE many people has not achieved despite they have zillions in theirs banks.
When Jonah was running away from his "destiny" (his calling) he stumbled on the biggest quagmire of his life - the world (symbolized by the big fish ?)
Sometimes I wonder, why I do what I do, subtly convincing people, God is real. Embarrassing (as flesh dictated) to insist on something that cannot be seen or concretized except the fact you have that PEACE many people has not achieved despite they have zillions in theirs banks.
When Jonah was running away from his "destiny" (his calling) he stumbled on the biggest quagmire of his life - the world (symbolized by the big fish ?)
Many of us are like Jonah (including me), we tried running away from
our pre-ordained destiny (calling). You often wonder why ?
When you have achieved the pinnacle of success, looking down from your ivory tower, you asked this nagging question, now what ?
Do you think the 4.5+ billion poor and hungry asked the same question you and I are asking ?
To them where is food instead of where is the church ? Where is the toilet instead why the world is so small and yet it feels so overwhelmingly huge ? Many of the suffering people often asked, where is God when I needed him or her ?
312 million+ people in the United States, and 312+ reasons and questions , what are you doing today to help the needy, the orphan, the widow and the poorest among the poor children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, many of whom are outside the United States of America.
For almost half of my life I have been asking this question, WHY ?
When you have achieved the pinnacle of success, looking down from your ivory tower, you asked this nagging question, now what ?
Do you think the 4.5+ billion poor and hungry asked the same question you and I are asking ?
To them where is food instead of where is the church ? Where is the toilet instead why the world is so small and yet it feels so overwhelmingly huge ? Many of the suffering people often asked, where is God when I needed him or her ?
312 million+ people in the United States, and 312+ reasons and questions , what are you doing today to help the needy, the orphan, the widow and the poorest among the poor children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, many of whom are outside the United States of America.
For almost half of my life I have been asking this question, WHY ?
News Feed
Power
of compounding. IF 2 billion people gives HOPE and LOVE to others = 4
billion x 100 Guess how many will touch and change the landscape of
sufferings, the drought of human understanding, the blizzards of
confusion, and the darkness of hopelessness...
WHY GOD ?
If God knocks at the door of your heart, and when God summons you to do good to others, do not run or hide.
God is a God of all people...regardless they are Jews or Gentiles, Muslims or not, Christians or not.
In the absence of LOVE evil and wickedness will take over.
Not knowing is not an excuse. God gave us 2 ears to listen, 2 eyes to see...
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