Rise Above It

I recently took part of a free Medical Mission being offered by our barangay. I had a full blood work done, urinalysis, echogram, and x-ray. They also offered free dental but I was too scared of the pain attached so I left it for another time. I'll be picking up the results later this week and in the past couple of weeks I'm relatively happy with my wellness progress. Working out regularly? Yes. Diet-wise. So-so.

A couple of days ago, a tragedy occurred in Manila. You all know what I'm talking about. I really did not want to pitch in my two cents but after seeing images of students and POLICE getting their photos taken in the aftermath like it was some godd*#n tourist attraction (oh, the irony) I just felt so shamed.

Sometimes the sheer idiocy and tactlessness of our people leave me bewildered.

Did you know, J and I had plans to take a trip to Hongkong this October? I've been saving and saving for this trip and with plans of doing a phototour I've been working out and really trying to cut back on food so I can take any shots without worrying about how I look. We're debating on nixing the whole thing after news of possible retaliatory acts being done to Filipinos who are in Hongkong.

It's very sad and the dead will stay dead. All these talk of investigations and diplomatic missions seem more like a coping mechanism than actual progress.

You can't take back the epic catastrophe we committed. So far, this episode in our history is just another example of the venal, backsliding personality of our country's people. I'm no exception. (See dismal progress with my weight goals.)

A Korean friend of mine once asked, "Your country during the People Power inspired our country (South Korea) to better itself. Why, when you are so rich in resource, have you never tapped in your potential?"

I see it often today, that those Filipinos who succeed are the exception to the rule. Not the norm.

In relation to everything we try to do here in belletoday, I want to change this reality. Let success be our norm.

No more backsliding.

No more complaining.

Rise above it. Just do it.