Development is a long-way process. From the moment we are born we are constantly developing. But the question is, “Are we improving?”
There are two aspects that should be considered if we want to improve ourselves for the sake of barangay development. One, we must strive to have a marked difference. Friends, the question arises here. How are we going to make a marked difference in ourselves?
Allow me to share to you a beautiful story from the internet.
A grade one teacher told her class that she is an atheist. She asked the class to raise their hand if they wanted to be an atheist too. Now, knowing that their teacher is an authoritarian therefore everybody raised their hand except little Lucy who is seated at the far end of the room. The furious teacher approached Lucy and asked, “Why you didn’t raise your hand?” “Because, my mother is a Christian and my father is a Christian, therefore, I’m a Christian too,” little Lucy replied. The teacher furiously asked “So, if your mother is stupid and your father is stupid, then what are you?” “An atheist,” Lucy replied.
Friends, certainly, Little Lucy already know how to make a difference even at her young age. She did not immediately follow what their teacher wants even knowing the fact that the teacher is the highest authority in the classroom. Indeed, she did make a marked difference. This kind of difference is what we need for barangay development.
As we continue in our career, we may meet several instances wherein our “big boss” wants us to do a certain thing which we already know is very wrong. We must be objective enough to differentiate right from wrong by using our subjective conscience. If we are able to do this, then, we can proudly say that we already attain that high level of self-improvement. Making a marked difference is not easy. We may meet several struggles within and without, from our families and friends up to our enemies and critics, but we have to do what is right for the sake of universal development.
Another aspect that we have to consider in achieving barangay development is change. This is not simply change, but, change for the better. Let me share again my experience during my elementary days.
Our math teacher is very strict in his class. He is also a sharp shooter – that is in terms of throwing an eraser to us. The eraser seems to be a caliber 45 bullet that perfectly hit its target. One day, he called our bully classmate in the front to answer the question on the board – that is, 20 divided by 5.
Due to tension and to the fact that the teacher is terror, my classmate just froze there in the front. Our teacher immediately lost his patience and bangs his head on the board. Afterwards he asked my classmate, “Did you count how many times I hit your empty head on the board?” My classmate replied, “Four times sir.” “Well, that’s the answer to that damn question!” our teacher exclaimed.
Fortunately, after our teacher was reported to the authority for his misconduct of behavior, he slowly changes – from being harsh to the most nice math teacher I’ve encountered. From then on, he was calm and patience in introducing his lessons which also greatly benefited us. Indeed, because of that change for the better that our teacher attained, our mathematical ability and his teaching skill developed.
So, this change in ourselves that I’m talking about has many good effects. From “bitter” we became better persons. We may affect the society that we live in through our actions. Because we are morally good, then our light will shine upon all men. There will be unity – thus there is an inevitable development.
We must remember that our country is composed of barangays. This just simply means that if our barangays are all developed, we therefore have a prosperous country, a very harmonious country that we live in. But as what I have said, we cannot achieve this development if we will not strive to attain change for the better among ourselves. Development therefore starts from each of us.
But, why is it very hard for us to change for the better?
Pope Paul VI in his encyclical Gaudium et Spes wrote “The dichotomy affecting the modem world is, in fact, a symptom of the deeper dichotomy that is rooted in humanity itself. It is the meeting point of many conflicting forces. As created beings, people are subject to many limitations…”
We therefore are subject to different opposing forces everyday. We are in constant temptation. Though we are created basically good, but we have an inclination to sin. There is no other cure for this “inclination to sin” aside of course from asking guidance from God. It is very hard for us to change our self if there is no God to guide us.
Lastly, we can’t do anything without God. There is no self-improvement and development if God is not there. Many times, we just take Him for granted that’s why development seems to be vague.
Friends, my challenge is this, we have to live our life according to the light of Christian values for us to make a marked difference and change for the better for the sake of self-development which will lead to barangay development. We have to be Christ-like and live according to his teachings.
Thank you and once again good evening!
(This one was used by my “friend” sa ila oration contest their at Bacuag. The theme there is “self-improvement for barangay development.” Duh, I’m not an expert in this field…Huh…I’m not inspired in making this article…duh, for the sake of compliance ra ni.)
There are two aspects that should be considered if we want to improve ourselves for the sake of barangay development. One, we must strive to have a marked difference. Friends, the question arises here. How are we going to make a marked difference in ourselves?
Allow me to share to you a beautiful story from the internet.
A grade one teacher told her class that she is an atheist. She asked the class to raise their hand if they wanted to be an atheist too. Now, knowing that their teacher is an authoritarian therefore everybody raised their hand except little Lucy who is seated at the far end of the room. The furious teacher approached Lucy and asked, “Why you didn’t raise your hand?” “Because, my mother is a Christian and my father is a Christian, therefore, I’m a Christian too,” little Lucy replied. The teacher furiously asked “So, if your mother is stupid and your father is stupid, then what are you?” “An atheist,” Lucy replied.
Friends, certainly, Little Lucy already know how to make a difference even at her young age. She did not immediately follow what their teacher wants even knowing the fact that the teacher is the highest authority in the classroom. Indeed, she did make a marked difference. This kind of difference is what we need for barangay development.
As we continue in our career, we may meet several instances wherein our “big boss” wants us to do a certain thing which we already know is very wrong. We must be objective enough to differentiate right from wrong by using our subjective conscience. If we are able to do this, then, we can proudly say that we already attain that high level of self-improvement. Making a marked difference is not easy. We may meet several struggles within and without, from our families and friends up to our enemies and critics, but we have to do what is right for the sake of universal development.
Another aspect that we have to consider in achieving barangay development is change. This is not simply change, but, change for the better. Let me share again my experience during my elementary days.
Our math teacher is very strict in his class. He is also a sharp shooter – that is in terms of throwing an eraser to us. The eraser seems to be a caliber 45 bullet that perfectly hit its target. One day, he called our bully classmate in the front to answer the question on the board – that is, 20 divided by 5.
Due to tension and to the fact that the teacher is terror, my classmate just froze there in the front. Our teacher immediately lost his patience and bangs his head on the board. Afterwards he asked my classmate, “Did you count how many times I hit your empty head on the board?” My classmate replied, “Four times sir.” “Well, that’s the answer to that damn question!” our teacher exclaimed.
Fortunately, after our teacher was reported to the authority for his misconduct of behavior, he slowly changes – from being harsh to the most nice math teacher I’ve encountered. From then on, he was calm and patience in introducing his lessons which also greatly benefited us. Indeed, because of that change for the better that our teacher attained, our mathematical ability and his teaching skill developed.
So, this change in ourselves that I’m talking about has many good effects. From “bitter” we became better persons. We may affect the society that we live in through our actions. Because we are morally good, then our light will shine upon all men. There will be unity – thus there is an inevitable development.
We must remember that our country is composed of barangays. This just simply means that if our barangays are all developed, we therefore have a prosperous country, a very harmonious country that we live in. But as what I have said, we cannot achieve this development if we will not strive to attain change for the better among ourselves. Development therefore starts from each of us.
But, why is it very hard for us to change for the better?
Pope Paul VI in his encyclical Gaudium et Spes wrote “The dichotomy affecting the modem world is, in fact, a symptom of the deeper dichotomy that is rooted in humanity itself. It is the meeting point of many conflicting forces. As created beings, people are subject to many limitations…”
We therefore are subject to different opposing forces everyday. We are in constant temptation. Though we are created basically good, but we have an inclination to sin. There is no other cure for this “inclination to sin” aside of course from asking guidance from God. It is very hard for us to change our self if there is no God to guide us.
Lastly, we can’t do anything without God. There is no self-improvement and development if God is not there. Many times, we just take Him for granted that’s why development seems to be vague.
Friends, my challenge is this, we have to live our life according to the light of Christian values for us to make a marked difference and change for the better for the sake of self-development which will lead to barangay development. We have to be Christ-like and live according to his teachings.
Thank you and once again good evening!
(This one was used by my “friend” sa ila oration contest their at Bacuag. The theme there is “self-improvement for barangay development.” Duh, I’m not an expert in this field…Huh…I’m not inspired in making this article…duh, for the sake of compliance ra ni.)
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