Plumbline
By Pastor Apollo Quiboloy
Manila Standard Today
By Pastor Apollo Quiboloy
Manila Standard Today
As we go to print, many Filipinos have already ticked off their “list” of things that they would do and abandon in 2013.
Some of it would be cleverly rehashed while the rest would be in original rendition to reflect the list-maker’s changing priorities and outlook.
Those who still feel poor would vow to work harder. Those who missed Cupid’s arrows would seek another shot at romance.
The sick would vow a healthier year. Enemies would want closure. Sinners would haggle for forgiveness.
Every “list”-maker would sound resolute and committed.
In real world, however, a great bulk of this New Year’s resolutions goes to waste and forgotten—only to be revived in the next round of list-making.
***
In the US, the 10 most common New Year’s resolutions, ironically, are also the commonly broken ones.
These are:
1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends;
2. Fit in Fitness;
3. Tame the Bulge;
4. Quit Smoking;
5. Enjoy Life More;
6. Quit Drinking;
7. Get Out of Debt & Save;
8. Learn Something New;
9. Help Others; and,
10. Get Organized.
***
It was not the Americans, however, who invented resolution-making but the
Romans who started it in 153 B.C. in honor of two-faced Janus, a mythical king of early Rome.
Internet accounts said with two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future.
Janus, thus, became the ancient symbol for resolutions. Janus could also be the symbol of man’s infidelity towards his promises, one face keeps his while the other breaks it.
Resolution-writing became a modern global tradition when Jonathan Edwards of New England, an American theologian, compiled a list of promises that he vowed to do.
After two years, he came up with a list of 70 “must-dos,” with three as the most memorable ones:
1. Resolved, in narrations never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity;
2. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it; and,
3. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining and establishing peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects.
It was not clear if Mr. Edwards actually accomplished all the 70 promises, much less the initial three.
***
For a people always buffeted with crisis after crisis, Filipinos have developed the uncanny ability of paring down expectations on consummating their resolutions.
The wiser among us, in fact, forego making New Year’s resolutions for the simple fact that they don’t have the strength and time to make it happen.
They just go with the flow.
The rabid ones don’t do resolutions, they resort to flagellations.
Nevertheless, our common resolution as a people is summarized by this: “Magpakatino” or to be good.
We, therefore, endeavor to become a good person in every unfolding year—a good father, good husband, good son, and a good friend.
We care, until the caring hurts and we don’t expect anything in return.
If our national New Year’s resolution is, “Be always resilient,” we are definitely succeeding.
We manage to come back after every disaster and tragedy that swat us.
We always pick up the pieces and like a giant puzzle, we strive hard to be whole again.
Our basic wish is to come out stronger every year.
Since every year is a crisis year, we can’t promise to “learn something new” but only to “enjoy life more.”
We are not alien to “helping others” even to the point of not “getting out of debt.”
With calamities visiting us with rapid frequency, we are actually “spending more time with our families and friends.”
***
Drinkers and smokers would have this New Year’s pledging session cut out for them.
As prices of “sin” products skyrocket on the first day of January, they would eventually—if the authors are correct— have to cut down on their vices.
“Staying fit” in 2013 should not be really a problem as more Filipinos become conscious of their well-being as indicated by the growing army of joggers and runners on the streets.
Staying fit for office, however, could remain a challenge.
Staying organized should be a walk in the park.
Each time a disaster strikes, major TV and print media immediately rush to organize fund-raising drives to help the victims. This disaster-prone land knows no compassion fatigue.
When we feel slighted as a people, we tap social media to organize bashing campaign against the object of our wrath.
We are organized in chaos and in grief.
***
Election will greet us in the first quarter of 2013, and we better elect the right people whose rightness is not measured by their deep pockets but by their good virtues.
Public servants should renew their covenant with the people by practicing probity and old-fashioned public service.
If there would be dramatic arrests, let it be the kind of arrest that stops greed, violence and poverty.
If there would be an impeachment, let apathy and misery be the first ones to be impeached.
We are, indeed, a unique breed. We smile even if the odds are stacked against us.
With a national spirit that does not easily break, it would be a big let-down if we don’t do better in 2013.
A Blessed New Year to All!
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