some thoughts

Of surpassing mediocrity and shallow dreams. Sometimes, it saddens me to know how others just settle for less than what they can really do. I don't know if it's out of laziness or out the fear of success that they seem to be contented with mediocrity. Some people I know could've achieved more if they only pushed themselves further. If they only learned how to really persevere. How to really work hard. I know some of the people who know me may label me as a super OC [obsessive-compulsive] person. It may seem that [Hindi naman sa pagmamalaki, pagfi-feeling or what] I am this quote-unquote-well-endowed person who already has all the potential and the abilities that I can possibly need or ask for. Sometimes, it may look like I'm making my accomplishments out of magic or out of some innate capabilities from some god out there. But what these people don't know is that I am 10% talent and 90% hardwork. I really am. I know my strengths and weaknesses and the universe knows I am not that well-endowed person who they may be referring to. Although I am very much aware of the gifts/talents that I have, it doesn't mean of course that these talents operate automatically. I work very hard on them. I work even harder to improve them, to use them. Some people just can't imagine the hardwork I'm bringing my self into. I really work hard [as in grabe]. As in. As in tinotodo ko ang powers ko palage. Pushing ourselves to the limit doesn't mean that we should be just plain obsessed with winning. After all, it's actually not about winning but about passion. It's about really loving what you do. Everything you do. It's giving all of your energy. All your best. It's seizing every opportunity. It's valuing the gift you have and using it for the benefit of all. Sadly most of the common people today - based on my observation - are just contented in settling for mediocrity. Most peolple now are already contented in eyeing for short terms goals. They do not see the best things that they could possible do, the best that they could possibly be. [For sure our economic crisis has also something to do with this] It seems to me that the common Filipino youngsters [or Filipino people in general] today are only aspiring for what? money - for gimiks and shopping, a good job, a beautiful house, car/s, fame, love life, money, fame, love life, money, fame, love life - and other superficial things. Even some of my friends think this way. After college, I'm gonna look for a job, I'm going abroad, I'll buy a house, cars, I'll shop non-stop, I'll have my own business so on and so forth. This saddens me so although [thank the good lord] there are still lots of people out there [most of my colleagues] who really dream BIG. They don't dream just for themselves but for the world as well, for the Philippines in particular. I really do admire these people because of the vision and the will that they have. That's why I so like being with them. They dream of really big things. They think of big ideas. But of course, this doesn't mean that one shouldn't dream of these things. Of course all of us want a comfortable [if possible, luxurious] life. [Even I, of course, also dream of such things.] We also want to give our family [and our future family] the kind of living that we want for ourselves. We want to have enough money to buy everything that we need [and sometimes, want]. Those are but nothing but a pragmatic way to think, plan our lives and live. However, what I'm trying to say is that how I wish our dreams won't just stop there. I just hope that we will dream further. Let's dream bigger. Let's not be satisfied with being able to satisfy only our material needs for there are so so much more than that. Let's be obsessed [yeah, I know the term obsessed sounds kinda exaggerated but anyway I couldn't find a better word so let's just settle for it okay? ^_^] with improving ourselves; with pushing ourselves to the best that we can possibly be. Let's be obsessed in influencing others - in a good way of course. Let's be obsessed in making a difference. It's never too late to learn and start doing things the other way. It's never too late for us to transcend into the higher level of dreaming. Changing the world [for the better of course] is not impossible if and only if all of us would aspire for it. Let's make a better world, guys! That Ultra incident. Okay. So maybe I was just over-reacting that day when I blogged about the Wowowee tragedy. Needless to say, I just went on cursing those people without even weighing things. I know I lost my critical side there [kung meron man]. All my apologies. So I think now is the time for me to react, to really speak up with regards to the issue [not that I consider my opinion as a big deal. I just want to speak up. That's all.] The truth is, I had a small talk with my friends yesterday at lunch regarding this issue. I heard what they've got to say and really thanks to them 'cause at last I was able to make things clear for myself. They helped me to look at things in a wider scope. These things I figured out: [x] We cannot blame the media solely for the tragedy. Although they're really using these people to earn profits [as in to the point na garapalan na talaga], we still can't blame them because in the first place if these people weren't desperate enough to push themselves to gameshows such as Wowowee just to have instant cash, the media wouldn't get the opportunity of using power in exploiting them at all. The only thing that I really really hate about the media is how they go against instead of helping each other especially during times like this. Instead of helping to solve the case and instead of helping the victims, what GMA 7 does is it takes this issue as an opportunity to attack the enemy. All they care about is to emphasize their belief that it is really the fault of ABS-CBN and that they should be punished for the damage they have caused.They're turning this entire tragedy into a huge pathetic circus show. And also, I just noticed that if not for this incident, I don't think the media will ever tackle the reason behind the popularity of gameshows here in our country. Ah kaya pala maraming nahuhumaling sa gameshows kase sobtang hirap na ng bansa naten. Haller? ngayon lang nila nalaman? talagang ginagawa nilang bobo ang mga tao. [x] The Filipino psyche has really gone wrong - terribly wrong. In all aspects - and again, the media - and the capitalists of course - has a major responsibility for this. [x] We are really in hell. I'm so sorry to be pessimistic but I think for as long as the moral corruption here in our country is prevalent, for as long as we do not unite and do our part in pushing this country forward, more and more dreams, blood and life will be lost. We are not just talking about people dying to improve their lives, but people fighting for their lives. The situation has already become Darwin's survival of the fittest. Ugh. What a shame. Sometimes even though I try so hard to be optimistic, I still couldn't make my self think of other more innovative ways of helping this country. I sometimes even don't know how to think, what to think or even if I'd think at all!!! I sometimes couldn't even find my place in this freaking society anymore. [sigh.....] But of course, I still do not [entirely] lose hope. I'm still looking forward to a bright and wealthy future for this country and the people in my age that I know have a big potential in making a difference in this country - in the world. Dr. Jose RIzal would never be wrong - Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. kahit na marami pang kumokontra sa kasabihang yan. Naniniwala pa rin ako sa mga kahenerasyon ko at sa mga susunod pang henerasyon. People [esp. adults] just don't see the power and the potential that we have.