HOW’S LIFE? by Judge Fernando Vil Pamintuan”
On Positive Note Hello Friend! How’s Life? Have you been Sad or depressed lately? What caused you the agony? Did you bounce back quickly? Or allowed Self-pity to take hold of you and really wore your heart on your sleeve? ? Whatever, always strive on a positive note, Life’s about plain land, then hill and mountain, and then plateau and valley, “Cest la vie” (in French). So learn to move on after a tragedy. Learn to flap your wings to fly after a storm. Jump forward (not over a cliff), and show them, especially that person that you’re up and about and that misery he caused you meant nothing at all (small time). Raise your head up high like a giraffe, and soar high (not with drugs) like an eagle. Then, you land gracefully and swim like Giselle, the White Swan. You see, my friend, being on a positive note also results in something positive (of course). Like being good begets goodwill (usually). Being otherwise, brings karma. So just be gracious and kind whatever difficulty you’re going through. Heaven will certainly smile at you. Smile and the world smiles with you. Frown and smirk and the world starts running away from you. Be an attractive force that draws people to you. Be a good member of the community and someone that they can refer to. For all your personal troubles, others have more. Think of these troubles as means to solve long, festering problems, and ways to make you stronger, character-wise. These personal troubles maybe blessings in disguise, just parading as disturbance but when solved (do it fast) they open doors of relief and opportunity. But there are people who wallow in their misery, true to the movie characters of Greta Garbo of old Hollywood, and Charito Solis of yesteryears Philippine movies. These people who do not wish to get out of their miseries fast, love being pitied, sympathized, and martyred in the eyes of others who care to see and associate with them. They are the shrinking violets, or drowning water lilies always misty-eyed, or in full tears for the world to see their wretched lives. They feel emotionally charged when they look desperate and getting the attention from people especially those who cause them that misery. To a certain extent, they are masochists (pardon the word) that they find glory in the pain they suffer and that after a prolonged ordeal, their redemption and coronation as heroines (really life imitating art in movies). However, we give to some of these heroines, credit for their harrowing experiences could have delayed their bouncing back. It’s also possible that their misery was caused by cruel, and traumatic acts and events that would need medical cave, psychiatric test, and therapy. These must be the height of depression. Over all, except for those who need medical intervention, the outlook must be clean and clear. Brood and sulk if you must after a hostile encounter. Cry if you must, over night, or few nights (include daytime, if convenient). But don’t make it for a week (you’ll be dehydrated, dear). Find a friend or a relative to whom you can share the melancholy story (usually told many times). Depressed or sad people do not really look for advice, they just need someone to listen to them. Above all, don’t forget to pray to the Creator of Heaven and Earth, the Good Lord. After all, He’s your Creator and He did not breath life unto you just to be a perfect dramatic actress, or actor. The Lord has created all of us for a purpose or mission. This is more important than your personal hurt or dramatic moments. So bounce back, dear friend and be positive. Your sad times will also pass and end..
*Former Palawan State Scholar
