THE METAMORPHOSIS
By Ernie Delfin
MY CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS & 2011 YEAR-END SOLILOQUY
The year 2011 in a few days will be a part of history. Most likely it can be considered a year as “the worst and the best of times” as many historic world events occurred in highly unpredictable ways. The unusual civil upheavals, now known as Arab Spring, that happened and still happening in Egypt, Libya, Syria and the continuing peace turmoils in Iraq, Afghanistan and Nigeria continue to dominate world news through Christmas day. Although these political and civil unrests may be disturbing or tragic, they are also providing needed catalyst for a new and better socio political landscape giving more freedom hopefully for the citizens of these countries.
The world witnessed many unforeseen changes as if all the “fears and hopes of the world” just converged during this Christmas season. Even, the USA that used to be the model and magnet of many countries continues to suffer its worst economic recession since the depression of the 1930’s. Highlighted by the Occupy Movement (of the 99% vs. the 1%) and fanned by the record profits of Wall Street at a time of massive unemployment and economic inequality is now taking center stage in the 2012 presidential campaign. Reading all these man-made problems often makes me wonder how people, like me, still can manage to be sane in our tupsy turvy world .
It’s good we have Christmas, when we Christians reflect on our own lives and still manage to see some silver linings in the horizon, sprinkling ounces of optimism for a better future amidst our own fears or insecurities. The life of Jesus, the Savior of those who believe in Him, and the teachings He left us still resonate to this day. His life and His pronouncements given to us Christians through his disciples force us to ponder on the meaning of our life here on earth. If you have crossed the midpoint of your life’s candle especially if you have become aware that you may be in your “pre-departure” area, you cannot help but be grateful everyday that you can still open your eyes when you wake up, hear the chirping of the birds, witness the growth of the seeds in your garden, walk, and play with your children’s children. Every day becomes a bonus especially if you remember that you have relatives, friends, associates who have departed into the life beyond in the recent past.
It is a sobering thought to accept that all men no matter how powerful and wealthy they are now, will not last forever. We came from dust and unto dust we shall return. My favorite passages of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 succinctly describes “that there is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens, a time to be born and, a time to die. . . . a time to love, and a time to hate, a time of war, and a time peace.” Nothing in this world is permanent.
With that global and personal perspectives, please allow me to share some random thoughts, my own Christmas reflections and year-end review and soliloquy, centering on the purpose and meaning of my own life, with the hope that some readers can be motivated to ponder or write their own review, based on their own set of values and experiences:
* MANY THINGS IN LIFE ARE STILL FREE. Having lived for over six decades ----from the years of material deprivations when the words: luxury, leisure or disposable income, did not even exist in my dictionary while in the Philippines into a relatively comfortable life of material “excesses” in America now -----makes me grateful and lucky to have undergone such a wonderful life’s metamorphosis. At this stage of my life, it is humbling and wise to also realize that many things on earth can still contribute to one’s enjoyment and positive outlook in life are still free. After man’s basic needs are met, another house or another expensive car or designer clothes may not be necessary to be real happy and fulfilled. Many simple things around us, all blessings from Above, can still make us happy, joyful or contented at no costs at all. For instance, a hundred times I have biked along the Santa Ana River bike trail to Newport Beach, walked leisurely with bare feet on the soft sand along the Pacific Ocean where nobody ever bothers you. The many visits I have made to the Wetland preservations, nature’s wilderness and the Big Bear Mountains and the grandiose Yosemite National Park and beautiful Lake Tahoe, where self-supporting birds and wild animals still live in peace, were rejuvenating to both body and spirit. Like sunshine, all of nature’s gifts are still there for everyone to enjoy.
* APOsTOLIC WORK. We also had our first “apo” (grandchild) named Olivia who gives us much happiness and make us do more physical activities this year. We realize that once you become a grandparent, another phase of your life commences as you are naturally sucked into doing that inevitable “APOstolic” work of taking care and playing with your “apo” Indeed, you inevitably witness many things that you might not have observed with your own children simply because you have now more time to savor and the patience (and wisdom?) to observe many childish and childlike deportment of a growing toddler, enjoying each minute of her innocent years when inhibitions, prejudices, hatred and taboos are still non existent. What a mysterious and wonderful lessons, we as adults can learn from babies!
* HOME SWEET HOME. The year 2011, despite all the “bad” news we read, was also very good for us, as we made some tough choices that enriched my family’s life. While we are healthy to walk and see, despite the great expense, my wife and I decided to travel to four European countries and experienced first hand what we just read in books or saw in the movies. Meeting old and new friends who hosted us in Europe made us realize the priceless value of human relationships, that reaffirmed that indeed we homo sapiens have more common thread that bind us than things that divide us. Those miles of walking in Vienna, Rome, London and Paris were quite tiresome but our eyes feasted on many historic sites centuries old landmarks. The totality of our 3-week experiences in the Old World made us more appreciative and grateful for many things we often take for granted in the United States. My wife summed it this way: “I missed our home, especially my bed and everything that surrounds us in California! “
* THE VALUE OF FAMILY. When everything in your world seems wrong, especially when you become sick and really need someone to keep you alive because you become incapacitated to do even the simple acts of daily living, then you realize the extreme value of your own family and real close relatives or friends. This year, I experienced a week of disability when I cannot even walk due to severe gout attack, unable to even cook or get my own food or water from the kitchen. Being sick is never fun but it is probably another life’s mystery that visits us to make us realize that you are not invincible after all. Indeed, you appreciate your family much more after nursing you back to your normal health, with their kindness and unconditional love.
* HUMANITARIAN WORK THROUGH NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND CHURCH MINISTRIES. A line in the Jaycee Creeds says “Service to Humanity is the best work of life” and I find that very true. For many years now, I have been contributing some of my talents, time and treasure to a non-profit organizations, like the Rotary International, and volunteering in several ministries of my church, like the Pastoral Council, Social Justice Ministry and our Diocese Restorative Justice and Prison Ministry. Founding the Global Kalinga e-Rotary Club, a borderless Rotary Club, that is substantially internet based, has been lot of work with untold challenges. However, as its charter president, I find it quite fulfilling to see its gradual development into a viable NGO that can do some humanitarian works for the less fortunate in our society. Living out my faith through volunteerism completes my week and makes my life worth living. Can you ever imagine what kind of world we have now or can you quantify the number of really needy people without all the churches and NGO’s with millions of their membership silently rendering true Service Above Self, without expecting any reward or compensation?
* HAVING “LESS” CAN ALSO BE A BLESSING-IN-DISGUISE. Amidst all the socio-economic turmoils that many families in America are still confronted with, we can still make pallets of many good choices for our lives. With less disposable income in many family’s budgets (for us who belong to the 99%) we become more discriminating in our lifestyles, including our spending habits. Many family members have opted to live together to save money, rather than paying an extra mortgage or rent, thereby making them closer as one family --- helping one another to weather this prolonged economic tsunami. People go to the doctors for increased anxiety and depression but it is also said that more people also are going to churches and pray. People during this economic and financial downturn have become more practical , discriminating and choosy what are the true essentials in their family life. In many instances, I believe that these critical conscious choices will not only good for our body’s health but also for our mind, soul and spirit. .
* BOOKS, LIBRARY, ARTS AND MOVIES. I have not been a sports fanatic which is very economical for me as the costs of watching any “live” NBA basketball, or Super Bowl, including the parking and unhealthy popcorns are really prohibitive for the average person. Much less expensive hobbies, however, are to go to the bookstores or library, arts museum and going to the movies. The latter activities are even more entertaining and definitely more educational than any Lakers or Clippers game in Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles, or the Angels baseball game in their Angel’s Stadium, or a Hockey game in the Honda Center in Anaheim. Futhermore, driving to these sport centers may also give you headaches fighting the crazy traffic just going or leaving the area.
* PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH FRIENDS AND LOVERS. It is said that without healthy human interaction in our society, it will be extremely difficult for any person to reach his full potential. People need people to be happy. Even big businesses and the major banks now have created a job classification, called Relationship Marketing Officers, to help enhance their bottom line. The social media has grown exponentially due to this “cyberspace relationships” as evidenced by the popularity of FaceBook and Twitter. New words and phrases have been added to the 21st century dictionary to describe many of these “relationships” such as BFF for BestFriendForever and many more. The personal relationship or fellowship we develop and nurture with others has a direct correlation with our success and can add more meaning to our lives.
*LEAVING A LEGACY . Every human being craves to leave a legacy. Steven R. Covey, a best selling author describes Active Verbs in the 4TH Quadrants of live to have a fulfilling and balanced life: Live (Physical quadrant) Learn (Mental Quadrantl) Love (Mental Quadrant) and Leave a Legacy (Spiritual Quadrant) . The many books/authors in the library speak volumes of the legacies people have left for the world to learn and enjoy. Thomas Alva Edison, Mother Teresa, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Jose Rizal, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi are just a few names that have left priceless legacy for the betterment of our society. The kinds of legacy that these great people left behind will last forever vs. the material things left by people who have no “spiritual quadrant” Even the mega-achievers and super wealthy people like Steve Jobs has a lasting legacy for what he has done and for what he wants to be remembered. Bill Gates, Bill Clinton, the Rockefellers the Fords, and many successful people in business and politics have their Foundations to pursue and perpetuate their good works even after their physical life, to leave their lasting legacy to the world.
To end this last column of 2011, let me share a Metamorphosis’ “Food for Thought” taken from a poster in my library:
“One hundred years from now,
It won't matter what car I drove,
What kind of house I lived in,
How much I had in my bank account,
Nor what my clothes looked like,
But, the world may be a little better
Because I was important in the life of a child.”
* * * **
A GREAT, PROSPEROUS AND MEANINGFUL
NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU!
--------------------------------------
Email: ernie.delfin@gmail.com or drbannatiran@yahoo.com
Monday, January 23, 2012
MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING: HIS HEROIC JOURNEY
THE METAMORPHOSIS
By
ERNIE D. DELFIN
MAN’S SEARCH FOR MEANNG: HIS HEROIC JOURNEY
Every person who has some knowledge of the Bible would know the bitter-sweet story of the prodigal son (Luke l5:11-32) Each human being, including this columnist, most likely will have his own “heroic journey” , like the prodigal son, who “left home” for whatever personal reasons that compelled him to do so, then lived in another place where he experienced many things, both good and bad, that eventually “changed” him as a person. Then for another set of reasons, he decided to “return home” and coming home a completely a “changed man!” In some journalistic parlance, each one of us, human beings, may also have experienced or undergone such a “heroic journey.” I think I have also undergone such “mid-life crises” (for a lack of a better word) phenomenon that I still do not fully understand but has accepted it as a part and parcel of life on earth.
This cycle of human life from infancy to adulthood (biblically, from conception to resurrection or from dust to dust) is as certain as the sunrise in the east and sunset in the west. Man’s journey is his alone to traverse, to enjoy or to suffer. His life’s journey can be bad or good, depending on how he does with it. It can be beautiful despite all the obstacles and thorns that may come his way, as long as he discovers his own “treasure” and finds the meaning of his life along the way to his final destination.
In his classic book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Dr. Victor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor wrote: “ The WILL TO MEANING is the basic striving of man to find and fulfill meaning and purpose in life. Man is reaching out for the world - a world, which is replete with other beings to encounter and meanings to fulfill…. The purpose is to give meaning to life...the individual...wants to create values...the human being has a primary or native orientation in the directions of creating and of values.”
A man therefore must take minute vacations to ponder and evaluate his own life, to always re-define what a “good life” means to him. Socrates once wrote: “An unexamined life is not worth living for.” When I was one and twenty, I never understood that short admonition from this great philosopher. Four decades later, now that I am a grandpa, I have a clearer understanding of Socrates’ advice, that has helped me chart what my “good life” should be.
Such evaluation or definition of a good life is quite personal and unique. Society’s definition is quite different from philosophers’ definition simply because society often measures a good life or success with a different yard stick that is normally associated with the pursuit of happiness by the acquisition of earthly power and fame. Many people of my generation have now passed the high noon mark in the clock of their earthly life. Some are now gazing at the sunset of their lives in the horizon. An honest reflection of one’s life evokes an inexplicable emotion that creates a mixed feeling of morbid thoughts and a feeling of an orgasmic release that could also bring some degree of tranquility and peace deep within.
I have read and now believe that there is a real “heaven on earth” when a person is at peace within himself and is aligned to that Almighty Power who created all things, Who found all of His Creations, including you and me, very good. There seems to be an invisible magnet available for all of us to follow that path towards Heaven or “Enlightenment” as some philosophers call it. Whatever and wherever that path to our (heroic) journey lies, you have to find it, and then own it. Each man must seek answers to his own questions as no one else can answer that for him.
My life’s values and priorities will not be identical to any one, like my finger prints are quite different even to my own brothers’ and sisters’ although we came from the same parents. So, are my spouse and my two adult children. Surrendering that I will never fully understand all these human drama unfolding before me, from the time of my birth to the last day of my life is empowering as it blows away the toxins of anxiety . It also serves as the oxygen tank that allows me to breathe fully and freely. It’s a life mystery that I’ve learned to accept.
This act of humility of accepting my own limitations, vulnerability and mortality has helped me re-define what is the true meaning and purpose of my own life. What is a “good life” (or heaven) for me?
What the heart yearns, what the soul aspires and what the mind’s predominant thoughts are, will serve as the true north compass that guides man’s direction. The Good Book says: “for where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” . The focus of the mind, heart and spirit then becomes the shuttle of one’s desires and ultimately defines what his “good life” is. As it is inherently personalized, no one can fathom its own meaning but the man himself. The common thread, however, is that very decade or so, the answer changes with age and maturity. When we were young, to finish college was the most important goal. After college, to have a good job and excellent salary or have a good business to provide our material needs was paramount. Then, to start a family and live happily ever after. What a myth!
Once you have a family, another set of challenges arrives: the young kids’ health and welfare, then schooling, then coping up with the concomitant problems or challenges of teenage children. Then, their own expensive college years that parents normally support. And the cycle of life continues and is repeated in every generation.
When you are lucky to pass the mid-century mark or reach a fully ripe age of 80’s or longer, like many healthy seniors now, life can be good if you have gradually fine-tuned your life’s priorities and values in alignment to a higher calling beyond just existing, eating and watching TV, like sharing your life with the least of your brethren and rendering true service above self without counting the costs.
A retired friend of mine describes it beautifully: “When I was young, what I have accomplished and accumulated served as my trophy which defined me. Now, that I can no longer drive any of my cars, I have given them away which was a great relief by letting go. Sharing a part of what I have, my experience and time with others was quite liberating and makes my life worth living for. When I wake up in the morning and still can smell the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and still can read the morning paper, and walking in the garden and picking up some fruits and feeding the birds are simple joys that I used to take for granted. In my youth, working in he field was like working in prison, now working in my garden is like walking in paradise.”
AMEN to that, my dear friend! Indeed, our life is a mystery to be lived, and not a problem to be solved. Life’s purpose is to live, to learn, to love and to leave a legacy!
-----30----
The Metamorphosis’ Food for Thought this month:
“ A man is born, goes to school, finishes college, has a good job, marries, buys a house, have children, then, retires with good retirement income and eventually dies! Is this all there is to our life?”
An entry in my diary
“Your life is God’s gift to you, what you do with your life is your gift to God!”
Anonymous
“ Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you!”
Steve Jobs in his commencement speech
in 2005 at Stanford University
Email columnist at: ernie.delfin@gmail.com or
drbannatiran@yahoo.com
By
ERNIE D. DELFIN
MAN’S SEARCH FOR MEANNG: HIS HEROIC JOURNEY
Every person who has some knowledge of the Bible would know the bitter-sweet story of the prodigal son (Luke l5:11-32) Each human being, including this columnist, most likely will have his own “heroic journey” , like the prodigal son, who “left home” for whatever personal reasons that compelled him to do so, then lived in another place where he experienced many things, both good and bad, that eventually “changed” him as a person. Then for another set of reasons, he decided to “return home” and coming home a completely a “changed man!” In some journalistic parlance, each one of us, human beings, may also have experienced or undergone such a “heroic journey.” I think I have also undergone such “mid-life crises” (for a lack of a better word) phenomenon that I still do not fully understand but has accepted it as a part and parcel of life on earth.
This cycle of human life from infancy to adulthood (biblically, from conception to resurrection or from dust to dust) is as certain as the sunrise in the east and sunset in the west. Man’s journey is his alone to traverse, to enjoy or to suffer. His life’s journey can be bad or good, depending on how he does with it. It can be beautiful despite all the obstacles and thorns that may come his way, as long as he discovers his own “treasure” and finds the meaning of his life along the way to his final destination.
In his classic book, Man’s Search for Meaning, Dr. Victor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor wrote: “ The WILL TO MEANING is the basic striving of man to find and fulfill meaning and purpose in life. Man is reaching out for the world - a world, which is replete with other beings to encounter and meanings to fulfill…. The purpose is to give meaning to life...the individual...wants to create values...the human being has a primary or native orientation in the directions of creating and of values.”
A man therefore must take minute vacations to ponder and evaluate his own life, to always re-define what a “good life” means to him. Socrates once wrote: “An unexamined life is not worth living for.” When I was one and twenty, I never understood that short admonition from this great philosopher. Four decades later, now that I am a grandpa, I have a clearer understanding of Socrates’ advice, that has helped me chart what my “good life” should be.
Such evaluation or definition of a good life is quite personal and unique. Society’s definition is quite different from philosophers’ definition simply because society often measures a good life or success with a different yard stick that is normally associated with the pursuit of happiness by the acquisition of earthly power and fame. Many people of my generation have now passed the high noon mark in the clock of their earthly life. Some are now gazing at the sunset of their lives in the horizon. An honest reflection of one’s life evokes an inexplicable emotion that creates a mixed feeling of morbid thoughts and a feeling of an orgasmic release that could also bring some degree of tranquility and peace deep within.
I have read and now believe that there is a real “heaven on earth” when a person is at peace within himself and is aligned to that Almighty Power who created all things, Who found all of His Creations, including you and me, very good. There seems to be an invisible magnet available for all of us to follow that path towards Heaven or “Enlightenment” as some philosophers call it. Whatever and wherever that path to our (heroic) journey lies, you have to find it, and then own it. Each man must seek answers to his own questions as no one else can answer that for him.
My life’s values and priorities will not be identical to any one, like my finger prints are quite different even to my own brothers’ and sisters’ although we came from the same parents. So, are my spouse and my two adult children. Surrendering that I will never fully understand all these human drama unfolding before me, from the time of my birth to the last day of my life is empowering as it blows away the toxins of anxiety . It also serves as the oxygen tank that allows me to breathe fully and freely. It’s a life mystery that I’ve learned to accept.
This act of humility of accepting my own limitations, vulnerability and mortality has helped me re-define what is the true meaning and purpose of my own life. What is a “good life” (or heaven) for me?
What the heart yearns, what the soul aspires and what the mind’s predominant thoughts are, will serve as the true north compass that guides man’s direction. The Good Book says: “for where your treasure is, there also will your heart be” . The focus of the mind, heart and spirit then becomes the shuttle of one’s desires and ultimately defines what his “good life” is. As it is inherently personalized, no one can fathom its own meaning but the man himself. The common thread, however, is that very decade or so, the answer changes with age and maturity. When we were young, to finish college was the most important goal. After college, to have a good job and excellent salary or have a good business to provide our material needs was paramount. Then, to start a family and live happily ever after. What a myth!
Once you have a family, another set of challenges arrives: the young kids’ health and welfare, then schooling, then coping up with the concomitant problems or challenges of teenage children. Then, their own expensive college years that parents normally support. And the cycle of life continues and is repeated in every generation.
When you are lucky to pass the mid-century mark or reach a fully ripe age of 80’s or longer, like many healthy seniors now, life can be good if you have gradually fine-tuned your life’s priorities and values in alignment to a higher calling beyond just existing, eating and watching TV, like sharing your life with the least of your brethren and rendering true service above self without counting the costs.
A retired friend of mine describes it beautifully: “When I was young, what I have accomplished and accumulated served as my trophy which defined me. Now, that I can no longer drive any of my cars, I have given them away which was a great relief by letting go. Sharing a part of what I have, my experience and time with others was quite liberating and makes my life worth living for. When I wake up in the morning and still can smell the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and still can read the morning paper, and walking in the garden and picking up some fruits and feeding the birds are simple joys that I used to take for granted. In my youth, working in he field was like working in prison, now working in my garden is like walking in paradise.”
AMEN to that, my dear friend! Indeed, our life is a mystery to be lived, and not a problem to be solved. Life’s purpose is to live, to learn, to love and to leave a legacy!
-----30----
The Metamorphosis’ Food for Thought this month:
“ A man is born, goes to school, finishes college, has a good job, marries, buys a house, have children, then, retires with good retirement income and eventually dies! Is this all there is to our life?”
An entry in my diary
“Your life is God’s gift to you, what you do with your life is your gift to God!”
Anonymous
“ Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you!”
Steve Jobs in his commencement speech
in 2005 at Stanford University
Email columnist at: ernie.delfin@gmail.com or
drbannatiran@yahoo.com
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