When Sin Is More Enjoyable Than God

When someone is asked to name an enjoyable place, most people would probably say malls, bars, gardens, resorts, and etc. Very rare are those people who would say church, or anywhere with God. It is very innate for us to search for enjoyment. But is it really something to be asked where, or is it something that is supposed to be asked with whom? Being a person who once looked for enjoyment, I want to let others know how I found enjoyment in God by defining true enjoyment and comparing and contrasting the enjoyment given by Godly actions with the earthly ones.

They say, "How can God be enjoyable? He just provides us with a bunch of rules."

Why is there a congress and a senate in a state? To provide laws isn't it? Why do they make laws? Is it not because they are tasked to make the country peaceful and orderly? Does the existence of laws make this country a less enjoyable place? A state without a law will simply be a mess. I think this is the same with  God's purpose of providing us laws. It is for His people to have peace and order among themselves. Those laws can never be for God's sake; God does not need anything anymore. It is us who need those laws -wouldn't a place with harmony be enjoyable?  He just prevents us from making decisions that we will regret later in our lives, but still makes us free enough to choose whether we will follow what He wants.

I have always said and felt that true enjoyment cannot be descirbed.
                                                                        -Jean-Jacques Rousseau

I believe that the same with happiness, love, joy and peace, enjoyment is one of the words that can never be described by words itself. However, in this essay, we will try to define enjoyment even in a very general way.
A place of enjoyment is somewhere we take pleasure in; somewhere we are confident, at peace, happy and carefree.

True enough, people find enjoyment in many different places and in many different ways. However, just like any mood or feelings, enjoyment is not something that is likely to be permanent --esp. in this world where change is constant. Now, the critical question is, what's next after that enjoyment? This world can surely provide enjoyment. Happiness in fame and money; the carefree feeling of being drunk and high, the pleasure of adrenaline when we do something rush; and many more. Enjoyment of these things when abused may cause us situations that we may regret in the future. It can be an enjoyment for a short period of time, but can cost a lifetime of consequences; a lifetime of suffering. But we cannot deny that emptiness will always be present in our hearts no matter how we drown ourselves with the pleasures of this world. We are not forever young nor forever healthy to enjoy the things this world offers. As we grow old, we will come to a point when the things in this world won't matter anymore. We will search for that thing that will fill our empty hearts. We will be surprised to know that no matter how gratified we are with with the recreations and luxuries in this world, we will never feel complete because, yes, we are satisfied physically and emotionally, but our being have spiritual needs too. These spiritual pleasures, compared to other delectation we usually desire, gives lifelong enjoyment. Free from the feeling of guilt; free from pain; free from any regret. It is the only pleasure that promises to be eternal. It is an enjoyment that can last forever. How can I say so? Because it is an enjoyment that is beyond this imperfect earth; that can go more than the boundaries of this constantly changing world. It can surpass death and it can be carried after our journey in this life.

I may sound as a world hater, but the truth is, the world is a wonderful place. The only known planet that contains life. What I hate are the sins and the fire that engulfed such a wonderful place.

Will we choose to settle for the short term-enjoyment which will probably give us remorse in the future, it will we aim for the long-term enjoyment which will give us eternal happiness?

Calling for a Strict Implementation of Bag Inspection

                September of last year, a shooting in SM Pampanga happened. It was a murder committed by a 13-year old boy to his ex-lover –a 16-year old boy. The murder was followed immediately by a suicide of the murderer. Based on investigation, everything done was planned by the 13-year old boy. If only the SM management implemented a strict bag inspection, the plan of the boy should not have been successful. Being a consumer and goer in SM malls and other closed establishments, it is bothering to know that people carrying deadly weapons can actually enter a building and stand near innocent people. Not only SM malls but also all the non-residential buildings should strictly implement bag inspection because it will ensure the safety of the people inside an establishment, avoid successful attacks by terrorists, and train people to follow rules.

            People do not want strict bag inspection because they say that it is an invasion of their privacy. I think, although searching a person’s bag is a breach of privacy, if there is a decent reason like possible possession of illegal drugs or things that may threaten the security of the people, it is perfectly fine. Moreover, I think it is not too much for us to sacrifice a small portion of our privacy for the sake of public safety. Besides, if there is nothing one has to hide in his bag, why would it matter if someone checks his belongings?

            Another strong reason why people do not want strict bag inspection is because it will create long lines in the door or gates of the establishments. Yes, it is really a problem, but I think we can do something to make the inspection faster. We can organize our things; pack all items in neat layers, put all the papers in a folder, put the wires in a ziplock or any transparent bag so it does not need to be opened anymore, and etc. By doing those things, we are not only helping the guards to identify our belongings, we are also being more clean and orderly about the things in our bags. Another benefit we can get from the long lines is the willingness and endeavor of the people to arrive early. They will desire to avoid the hassle and tardiness due to the long lines, so they will have a tendency to go to their work or school earlier.

            Bag inspection should be strictly implemented to ensure the safety of the people inside an establishment. Safety is one of the basic needs of a person according to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It is next to food, shelter, clothing and family, so I believe it is one of the things that should be given priority. Through bag inspections, deadly weapons will surely be out of the building, therefore giving more confidence to the people. Alcohol and drugs will also be out of the building so it will prevent unconscious actions of people. It will prevent riots, brawling and etc.

            Strict implementation of bag inspection will also avoid successful attacks by terrorists. Explosive devices often used by the terrorists for mall bombing will not be inside the premises of the establishment because it will be seen immediately even before entering the mall. Whatever attacks they have in mind will not be accomplished because their weapons and paraphernalia will not be inside the establishment. As a result, this will give a good image of the government.

            As they say, if you can be trusted with simple things, you can be also trusted with complicated or big things. Strict implementation of simple rules like this will train the people to follow rules. If they can follow this rule, then most likely, they can follow more complicated rules. People will not bring things that are not supposed to be brought because they know they will only be prohibited to enter the building. It is the same as; people will not do what is wrong according to the law because they know they will only suffer in the end.

            What happened in SM Pampanga is not the first shooting that happened in SM malls. There is a shooting happened on Sept 14, 2011 committed by Shella Macapugay to her husband in SM North EDSA. Another is a shootout happened July 29, 2011 in SM Delgado Mall in Iloilo City which killed a security guard. If not given attention, more incidents like this will probably come about. Less unpleasant incidents will happen if we implement strict bag inspection because weapons will be detected even before it enters the establishment. Moreover, fewer risks will make the people more confident about their country and will encourage more tourists to visit. It will make the Philippines a desirable tourist destination and a pleasant place to stay in. 

References:

www.consumertraveler.com/columns/pack-your-bags-to-avoid-security-hand-inspection-loss/

http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

http://www.theprophecyblog.com/?p=9262

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/61961/another-shooting-incident-in-sm-mall-branch-reported

Pagninilay-nilay tungkol sa Pagsubok ng Personalidad

Marami-rami na rin akong nasagutan na personality tests sa buhay ko at isa na itong gods and goddesses sa mga iyon. Sa mga nasagutan kong tests katulad nito, although natutuwa naman akong magsagot, kadalasan parepareho lang ang mga sinasagot ko at parepareho lang din ang nagiging resulta ng mga test. Hindi dahil tamad ako magsagot, kundi dahil yun lang yung pagkakakilala ko sa sarili ko. Kung ano yung mataas yung score, ‘yun ako. Iyan ang kadalasang sagot ng mga personality tests. Pero iba ang gods and goddesses test lalo na noong nalaman ko ang mga ibig sabihin ng mga resulta tungkol sa mga persona at shadows. Hindi lang pala kung ano ‘yong mataas ang score, yun ako. Pati pala yung mga mabababa may ibig sabihin rin pala sa buhay ko. Sa test na ito, nalaman kong shadow ko si Poseidon. Ako yung taong mahilig magtimpi, tapos maiipon at maiipon lang yung galit hanggang sa sasabog nalang ako bigla. Ako din yung iiyak nalang. Hindi ko itinuturing na kahinaan yung pag-iyak lalo na kung wala naman nakakakita. Kapag masama ang loob ko, iyak lang. Naniniwala kasi ako na sa ganitong paraan, nailalabas ko yung sakit o yung galit nang hindi ako nakakasakit ng tao. Dito sa test na ito ko nalaman yung reason kung bakit napakaiyakin kong tao. Kahit nga masasayang sitwasyon iniiyakan ko eh. Iiyak ako kapaag nalulunod ako sa emosyon, kahit anong emosyon pa ‘yan, saya, lungkot, galit at kung anu-ano pa. Kaya pala ganun kasi yun pala yung nangyayari kapag shadow ko si Poseidon. Hindi ko alam kung tama din ito eh. Pero nagiging maganda yung epekto ng luha sa pakiramdam ko. Nakakabawas sa apaw-apaw na emosyon sa puso ko.

Ayon sa test, shadow ko rin si Ares at narealize ko din naman na tama ito. Ako kasi yung taong hindi komportable sa katawan, puno ng insecurities at laging naghahangad na sana kasing ganda ko si ganito, kasing payat ko si ganyan… ‘Yong laging nagtatanong ng, “Ano bang maganda sakin?” Lagi akong naiinggit at naiinsecure sa magagandang tao. Ang ginagawa ko nalang, sinisikap kong maging maganda yung ugali ko kasi naniniwala ako na kung hindi ako maganda sa panlabas, magiging maganda pa rin ako para sa panigin ng iba kung maganda yung ugali ko. Itong insecurities na ito ang shadow na pinakaalam kong nandito sa puso ko, pero pinakatatago ko naman sa iba. Sobrang hindi ko ‘to sinasabi sa iba kasi nahihiya ako. Feeling ko sasabihin nila na ang babaw ko.

Shadow ko din si Hestia. Nung una nagtataka ako kung bakit kasi gusting gusto ko naman sa bahay, Ang saya ko naman kapag nasa bahay ako. Pero nung nagreflect ako, nalaman ko na figuratively, kaya pala ganun yung result ko kasi ako yung taong ayaw na makukuling lang sa iisang gawi sa buhay. Gusto ko lalabas ako, mag-aadventure at i-eexperience ang mga kung anu-anong bagay. Tapos, at the end of the day, uuwi ako ulit sa bahay na dala yung mga bago kong experiences at doon magpapahinga. Kaya pala masaya ako sa bahay, hindi dahil homemaker ako, kundi dahil sa bahay ako nakakahanap ng kapahingahan matapos ang lahat ng adventures ko sa labas.

Shadow ko din si Hera at dito nagsilabasan yung mga ugali ko sa mga relasyon ko sa mga tao sa buhay ko. Ako yung taong sobrang clingy physically pero nananakit emotionally. Kaya din siguro nahirapan yung past boyfriend ko sakin kasi ang hilig ko maglambing kapag magkasama kami tapos mamaya-maya, yung magtalo lang sa maliit na bagay mabubungangaan ko na siya. Yung salita ko pa naman akala mo kutsilyo. Namana ko ‘yun sa nanay ko. Ilang beses ko ipinangako sa sarili ko na hindi ako magiging katulad ng nanay ko, pero in the end,  ‘yun din pala ang ugaling pinapakita ko. Since nabanggit ko na din yung nanay, shadow ko din si artemis. Hindi ako masyadong mother’s protector. Kapag mag-kaaway nga sila ng tatay ko, kampi ako lagi sa tatay ko. Siguro kasi mas close kami. Kaya persona ko si Athena eh. Pero wag na natin masyado pag-usapan yung persona, focus tayo sa shadow.

Huli kong shadow si Persephone. Hindi ko mareflect hanggang ngayon kung bakit shadow ko siya. Isa naman akong taong sarap na sarap at daling-dali makareceive ng pagmamahal ng iba. Ako ‘yung taong gawan mo lang ng konting nakakatouch na bagay, teary eyed na sa tuwa. Sa kabila ng hindi ko pagkakatanto sa  ibig sabihin ng shadow na ito sa buhay ko, hindi pa rin naman ako sumusuko. Umaasa ako na balang araw makikita ko pa rin ang shadow ni Persephone sa buhay ko.

Habang dinidiscuss ni sir yung mga ibig sabihin ng mga gods and goddesses sa test na ‘yun, lalo ko nakilala ‘yong sarili ko. Lalo ko nalaman kung bakit ganito ‘yung ugali ko at nalaman ko ang mga ugaling maging sa sarili ko ay tago. Kung ano mang problema sa ugali ang natuklasan ko, sisikapin ko itong mabawasan manlang. Masaya ako sa pagsubok na ipinagawa sa amin dahil isang kaligayang maituturing ang makilala at malaman nang lubusan ang kagustuhan ng sarili.

letter to the editor (supposedly for my englcom)

     I am writing with regards to the restriction of operation of bars and clubs near colleges and universities. I agree to the law that has been passed to restrict the activities of such establishments near schools, but I would like to ask for your notice about its implementation. It seems that both the bar and club owners and the government forget the said law. A lot of bars and clubs are now having its operation not far enough the colleges and universities.

     Bars and clubs near a place of matriculation affect the students because such establishments tempt the students to cut classes and do irresponsible deeds. This temptation will drive the students' focus away from their studies which is actually the main purpose of their parents for sending them to school. It is not that we are depriving people from having fun and celebration in bars; we are just trying to tow them away from temptations. Furthermore, this is also to discipline students and help them to balance their studies and carousal. 

     This issue needs to be given attention because it concerns the attitude of the youth which, we all know, is the future of this country. The government should do everything it takes to ensure the productivity of the next generation. Moreover, bars and clubs may provide an environment which give the students an improper condition of mind and body for learning. 

     Hence, the government should be stricter in implementing the said law. It should provide more authorities to look after places around universities and colleges. They should also raise the fine and punishment for the business owners who will violate the passed law. However, they can be allowed to operate as long as they have given enough distance form the colleges. This way, the students will be given the chance to celebrate and have fun in clubs, but not cloe enough to tempt them to relinquish their studies as the worst case scenario.