Indolence of Man

A hundred years ago, the colonists have accused the Filipinos of indolence. Now I wonder if such indolence is embedded in genetics and ran in the family of nations.

Thirty years ago, when oil first found its industrial use, science had already pointed out its limit. For years, the global economy ran on fossil fuels and oil is black gold. Fast forward in time, we see oil prices hiking much more than we thought they should. Transport groups are on the verge of revolution, consumers are bemoaning. Have we really considered the truth that crude oil is limited or have we chosen to close our eyes to an imminent reality? Wouldn't our intelligence be to blame for the current crises?

Thirty years ago, meteorological studies noticed a warmer global temperature and higher carbon dioxide volume in the atmosphere. A question over the existence of human induced global warming was born. The question became a rumor, rumor to debate, debate to concern, concern to issue, issue to global threat.

Every learned man has passed through the classroom and has undergone instruction. Knowledge and morality has not failed to find its way into our educational systems. But when these children grow to become the work force, such education fails to bear fruit or has it? Is man by nature indolent or is this the evil face of our nature?

Take a break

It happened to me, it happens to everyone. Once in a while after a long period of bone-breaking work and tedious toil, the psyche goes numb and numb and numb. It's about time we need to take a break.

Sharpen the saw and so they say. This summer, after five years of college and aspirantate, a period of circus and a mix-matched schedule, I went numb. I just wanted to take a break. I miss the old, really old younger days when I never had any worry in the world. I mean the pre-school years when all you care about is play.

Is it really human destiny that once you grow old, you grow tired? Does age really mean more work?

It can't be avoided, I know, we have to work in order to eat. But once in a while we are called to rest, replenish, and renew. I believe we work more when we age more because we grow more responsible. I also believe that work should always be paired with play and we often forget that. So why not stop awhile, breath deep, close those sagging eyes and just live. Live and experience, tingle those senses, because afterall, we work in order to live and not the other way 'round.

Biking Once Again

A fellow aspirant, Nino, and I were planning to visit the Talisay City Hall today going there in bicycles. It would save us around twelve pesos from fares and shed off a few pounds from the exercise.

I thought to myself that I should practice once again, not that I'm poor at biking but it has been years since I last rode on a bike I might injure my thighs. So I took a spare bike parked in the community room and started to pedal around the flat grounds. Feeling the need for a thrill, I decided to fly down along the slopes of Don Bosco Lawaan. Surely enough it was a fun ride - or not at all.

When it was time to go up again, guess what? Yeah, I have to gather all my strength to my calves and thighs before I could go up the thirty degree uphill climb. Push, push, push, and push, I fought hard against years of sitting in class and in front of the computer. The years have put these legs to dormition.

Reaching the top, I looked back on my accomplishment. The pain of tired muscles can't replace the pride I have for climbing the hill. Without hesitation, I took the downward glide once again to repeat the same agony and joy of riding a bike.

After a few rounds, I was sweating profusely but was smiling anyhow. This is life, I thought. Should I ever get stagnant, I'll try to wake up. I'll take risks and push my destiny. I'll fight against the current if I should reach the top. This is how I live.