Have you had a fine February 26, EDSA REV DAY! Was just bummin around the mall, when I happened to stop by at Mary Grace and read this little book by Alexander Lacson, "12 little things every Filipino can do to help our Country." It made me realize how much we can do with a little effort to help out instead of bitchin around. Because that's what everyone seems to be doing nowadays, bitch-bitch-bitch! Yada-yada-yada! What they don't realize is, if they spent the little amount of effort on doing something positive for the country instead of wasting time bitchin' well then maybe then this country will turn around for the better.
Here's the book's premise.
1. Follow our Traffic laws! - I always say, I will only believe this country is improving if the Filipino learns how to cross a street!
2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything ask for an official receipt. - Few people know this, by asking for a receipt for a service rendered or a commodity, you are actually helping our government collect taxes. The more taxes collected, the more money can go to paying debts.
3. Don't buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino. This is so hard to do! But it's an effort. We always think that Foreign is more superior in quality. And specially with all the pirated goods around that come cheap.
4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country. "What comes out of your mouth defines you!"
5. Respect your traffic officer, policeman or soldier.
6. Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle and Conserve.
7. Support your church. By supporting your church, you are actually helping the church sustain efforts to alleviate poverty. Here's something from "Across the Universe", Jude reacting to the discussion of Max's family over Thanksgiving dinner, Max's Uncle said, "What you do defines who you are." Max said, "No! Who you are defines what you do!", wherein Jude replied, "Actually I think, it's the way you do it."
8. During elections, do your solemn duty.
9. Pay your employees well.
10. Pay your taxes.
11. Adopt a scholar or a poor child.
12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.
This book reminded me of an article I read a while ago from "Jim Paredes".
He wrote, " I believe that it is our tiny largely unrecognized, unappreciated but sustained efforts that really count. It is those moments when we just seem to be plodding on that hold up the sky, so to speak, and that makes everything, especially the big things, possible."
Further on He wrote, " The daily grind consists of small acts of perseverance which I know are as important as the end goal or the ambition achieved."
So now, keeping these words of wisdom in mind, I believe our country is as good as the attitudes of the people in it. It is, by these small positive acts done consistently with perseverance, the only way that can help our country rise above its problems and achieve its goals.
