Now, It is Who or What Are We?

One of our more serious egroups had a rather casual discussion on the hot-button issue of government bureaucrats being exposed for having “abused” their offices by availing themselves of “exorbitant” and “unconscionable” perks, benefits, privileges, and the like, that would stagger the delicate conscience of any right-thinking individual.

One comment made was that it is often said among people of ex-communist countries that they feel that it is alright to victimize the government. Stealing is okay as long as perpetrated against the established government. And lamented that alas, our countrymen may now feel the same.

My comment was rather caustic and seemingly more critical about our own compatriots. I said that my firm belief is that it is precisely this attitude that has been ingrained in the psyche of our collective mind as a people that may be gravely responsible for the present ills. And this permeates in all aspects of our social and political life.

The traits of shame, love, respect and all the good stuff appear to apply only to persons related to us, in one way or another.

To illustrate, and this I gather from the many groups and gatherings I have been associated with all these years, our compatriots go out of their ways to liberally and profusely declare their undying and limitless love and devotion to kin, siblings, children, and all those bonded to them in one way or another. The altruism shown not only in words but more dramatically in deeds appears almost infinite.

But watch how they castigate with harsh and unchristian criticism all those they disagree with and are not kinfolk. Almost diametrically opposite, and the impassioned and/or deep-seated hatred expressed is most resolute and unwavering.

I have often wondered how both extremes can reside and co-exist in one person. But they do and I suggest one pays more attention to our compatriots in media and elsewhere where opinions are casually welcomed. Blogs could be a fertile ground for mining.

So loving to kin and kindred, so unkind and unforgiving to everybody else, be they fellow compatriots or citizens/officials of other countries. And we couldn’t care less for anybody or anything outside the realm of this cherished and beloved circle, blessed and nurtured at times with smothering love, attention, and devotion.

And these are the compatriots that we respect and revere as respectable, good-natured, and nurturing to family and kinfolk. Compatriots that couldn’t do wrong, according of course, to those within that same cherished and constricting circle.

Who Are You?

Was confronted by this rather innocent question when I was trying to update the personal information required or asked for for this blog.

Thus, spent the last 10-15 minutes or so trying to compress into a few words the things that taken as a whole define all the years I've spent on this earth as my life. Or the answer to the question posed above. Funny, how I feel quite inadequate and quite unfinished re-reading the things that I have listed down. And funny, too, that instinctively I appear to try to cast myself in a most liberal, hospitable and charitable light, almost instinctively attempting to project an image larger than life, thankfully with no dash of self-delusion or tinge of any illusion of grandeur.

Thus, resolved to try even harder at life and hopefully, do more interesting and meaningful things before it all ends for me.

Amen to that.

Time Rides Me Out Again

This inactive blog was revisited by its creator with a lot of hopes and plans in mind. Spend time learning and improving the site. This was a first priority. Being a networking guy leaves one with a lot of deficiencies in in-depth knowledge of software and applications. But the desire to learn and spend time learning are still all there.

Time appears as the greatest hindrance and impediment this time around. For such was not the case when the issue was how to gain knowledge and expertise in networking and its intricacies. It was after all one of the primary demands of employment. Even coursework in a classroom environment was no problem.

Resolved to make a serious effort to mark time and progress for this current effort. But in the meantime, time has again played the upper hand.

Till next time.

An Introduction

An Explanatory Note

The title of this blog refers to St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spanish founder of the world- wide Jesuits. Having been educated by Jesuits in one's formative years strongly lends one to subscribe and follow the same moral precepts and ideas that not only characterize Jesuit education, but which each Jesuit lives by.

Preface

First and foremost, why would anybody read and/or participate in this weblog? People usually read books and articles written by persons who are already famous or noted for their personalities, stations in life, accomplishments, positions, etc.; and events or issues that they undertake to articulate and reduce to print become events and issues that are invested with the same degree of admiration, importance and celebrity status assigned to their persons. Thus, books and articles that they write become worthy of reading essentially because things they write about also become newsworthy.

But what about the ordinary typical person writing about his ordinary typical experiences in life? One normally does not see such materials out there for the general public to choose from.

And so, why not?

Shouldn't the ordinary typical person be interested enough to read and learn about what other ordinary typical people experience in life, the things and values they consider important to them?

I am convinced that the teeming number of people out there living through their typical workaday lives are also sufficiently concerned and interested about other people sharing similar lives.

The weblog will be an attempt to do just that, compile random life experiences and thoughts, and share them with kindred souls.

It is a personal belief that each man is born into this world with a uniquely personal purpose to fulfill. Thus, it is expected of him to conscientiously gear his serious efforts toward the direction and attainment of that singularly personal purpose. This he does to gain proper and deferential approbation both before the eyes of God and of humanity.

Most of men's lives are essentially quiet and simple workaday lives, that at times border on boredom and monotony. Like the breathtaking silence of dawn, most men's lives are serene and contemplative - prone to meeting quietly the multitudinous concerns that beset them daily. Patiently, gradually, and unobtrusively, they try to get things done, unmindful of how others may view them.

However, there are those of us, or maybe most of us, who devoutly wish that some day, like the brilliant but fleeting spectacle of a heavenly comet, we could shine in solitary grandeur and be in the glaring spotlight of the world for all to see and witness.

Shouldn't we all then aspire for that chance on the spotlight?