Res Gestae
More in 2007
Thank God it's New Year! And, as New Year comes, we are given an opportunity for a (re)new(ed) hope, a (re)new(ed) strength and a (re)new(ed) life!
I always believe that nothing is really "new" every time a New Year unfolds. I mean, nothing significant actually happens as we turned our back on 2006 and embrace 2007. Well, what did the colorful fireworks and deafening pyrotechnics do to our lives as individual, as a family or as a nation after all? Burnt faces and amputated limbs?
Do I sound pessimistic? Apparently! But, consider this. We have gone through the same activities or even more colorful, more extravagant and grander the past years than what we had done the eve of December 31, 2006. But, where were we after wearing those polka dots, devouring twelve fruits, and what else? We still have the same Gloria, same DOJ, wallowing on same Cha-Cha issues, still with ballooning foreign debts, and worsening graft and corruption cases.
However, despite the ineffectual New Year practices that most of us usually do, we remain a people and nation who hope for a better tomorrow. Meaning, following the so-called New Year customs and traditions do not really make a difference in our lives. After all, it is how we face every circumstance that comes into our life that matter.
Even if we wrapped ourselves to death with kilometers-length of polka dots before the clock struck at 12:00 midnight of December 31, 2006 but don't take initiative and sacrifice to make a living, we will still end up penniless this year. Obviously, it is not the number of dots on our wears that changes our lives. But the amount of time, hard work, relationship and faith in the One Above are the ones that will transform our lives.
I do not have to elaborate my perspective of the New Year. It is enough for me to make everyone aware that Year 2007 will not offer something "new" unless we ourselves willed it.
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Last year, I only wrote 23 articles. It was far behind my target of 50 articles for 2006. This year I am raising the target to 100 articles. Well, I know I could only write as much as I did last year if I will not bravely wrestle with the occasional writer's block.
I don't believe that my work loads will be less this year. Though it was said that, in this "Year of the Boar," lots of good fortune await those who were born on the "Year of the Dragon." Still, I expect same voluminous paper works, series of meetings and conferences, and tedious conceptualization and marketing of proposed projects. But, as I said, it all depends on me. In my hands, with the guidance from Above, many things will come as planned, including the 100 articles.
Despite my overloaded schedules last year, I was still able to tickle you mind (and conscience) with my 23 articles. Expect that as I reNEW my commitment to serve you, my passion to write and my faith in God, this year this column will give you more thoughts and perspectives of the Things Done (Res Gestae) not only in Western Visayas or Philippines but probably around the globe. It is a Deal -- next level!
(I may be reached through rogatepnp@yahoo.com)