Behind Complaints

CEBU, Philippines — Every SONA, or SOPA or SOCA, there are always good and bad sides to it. But everything will look good based on how we want to view it.

First, we have to remember that our officials are ordained. They do not just happen to get to where they are without your vote, and the acquiescence of God.

Secondly, the leaders are not gods. They are just leaders. No matter what leadership style they employ. Normally, they become what the situation requires. Sometimes, they are powered by greed. At other times, they are motivated by that real desire to serve. But most of the time, each one wants to be remembered for a legacy he or she wants to leave behind after his or her term. That is why often times, they revise and revise plans of previous government leaders because they want to make their own mark and not be overshadowed by a previous genius. It is sad when this happens. For we have to start again instead of embracing the good and shedding the bad. But there are leaders who are able to magnificently blend their original ideas as they build on those what have been workable. This gives us headway.

Third, what are we complaining about that has not been complained about? Since complaints seem to be cyclical, perhaps we can ask ourselves if we have tried to make our own road? Deviate a bit from the routinary blame and do what we can where we can with what we have.

Skewing our thoughts to what can be done, rather than what has not been done can possibly change the curve. Perhaps that is why what we want to happen is never achieved because we keep on finding wrong instead of helping make things right. We need to think about how we can help get things done and take a more progressive way of dealing with our problems instead of sitting in the rocking chair of grumbles.

Year, by year, I read the news about people marching on the streets every time there is a national or even local event that involves a leader. There is always opposition. Healthy opposition is okay. But how do we check the health of opposition when we see that some of the marchers seem to be the same glum faces, and we get to wonder if indeed the issues they are raising are their issues. Do they have to look deplorable to stage the drama? Well, not that we have nothing to disagree about, but really, why not agree to do something that will bring in results rather than just go through a peevish routine?

Which leads me to my fourth thought, we need to dig deeper. Look into the very intention of things. What is at the heart of a program? Why the change? How is it relevant to nation-building? To our people? To us? How can we contribute to gain positive impact? Perhaps we can have a different view of self here and make our entitlements  far reaching. Like, “I am entitled to take part in doing good, making well and seeing things through.” Then we dissect the ‘to dos’ into doable pieces so that we can take part in, and measure our accomplishments.

These may sound motherhood. But cut it to size. And see, that after all, we can do better than complain? Let us see what is behind every disgruntlement and address it and not just cheer on and not solve it at all.

May God bless our endeavors, may He bless our leaders in whatever suit, so they may be empowered by His wisdom, and His purpose.