MY CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS & 2011 YEAR-END SOLILOQUY

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