As usual, the author is another unsung hero because people, when they forward articles, don’t usually acknowledge the original conceiver/writer. I believe this is a horrible practice. People must respect the intellectual property of others and give the proper credit to the author/s. (As an aside, I received an article by e-mail that was supposed to have been written by a cousin of the sender. It seemed familiar so I checked it against one of my articles…and word for word, it was my article! Now that was unfair.)
In case the originator of this forwarded material reads this, kindly e-mail me so I can properly acknowledge you. I enjoin all you readers who forward or quote anything to mention the author and the source/publication of such. Do this out of respect for the mind that helped illuminate your mind!
"The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country. This can be shown in countries like India and Egypt that are more than 2,000 years old and are poor. On the other hand, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries and are rich.
"The difference between poor and rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources. Japan has a limited territory, 80 percent mountainous, inadequate for agriculture and cattle raising, but is second in world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole world and exporting manufactured products.
"Another example is Switzerland which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolates in the world. In its little territory, they raise animals and plant the soil during four months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the best quality. It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order and labor, which made it the world’s strong safe.
"Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference.
"Race or skin is not also important: Immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power of European countries.
"What is the difference then?"
1) Ethics as a basic principle
2) Integrity
3) Responsibility
4) Respect for the laws and rules
5) Respect for the rights of other citizens
6) Love for work
7) Strive for saving and investment
8) Will of super action
9) Punctuality
"In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life. We are not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us. We are poor because we lack attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich and developed societies."
All monumental change starts in the mind. We must reprogram the mind of the Filipino for progress and prosperity. As they say, "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." We must constantly educate our people to think clear and forward in an illuminated fashion. We have to inculcate in their minds that education does not stop with school; it is a life process.
Most important of all, action is the key. We can talk all we want but if we don’t move and take action to implement our ideas, nothing will happen.
1) Patriotism or love for country. For citizens to work for their country, they should love and be proud of it to the highest degree.
2) Unified team spirit. We all know that no man is an island. National wealth is an activity of concerted effort. No kanya-kanya (to each his own) mentality, no akin ito (this is mine) thinking.
3) A national vision or dream. Without a dream that is transformed into a goal, a country has no destination. What every country needs is a written mission-vision.
4) A visionary leader and team. Every country needs a powerful leader who can inspire people to do their best, and a think tank team who will plot the steps to progress.
5) A major national export. If Japan has technology, France has fashion, the USA has movies and technology, and Switzerland has chocolates and dairy, what does the Philippines have? We have to be known for a service or product that is truly unique. Skilled manpower or mangoes? Maybe both, and more!
6) Town, city and national architectural planning. A nation, like an intelligent and efficient building, should be planned. The roads shouldn’t sprout from out of nowhere. Planned communities are laid out to maximize the geographical elements; the flow and direction of traffic is controlled, even garbage and waste products are disposed of according to a planned scheme. Planned communities, too, give importance to beauty of the environment. Buckminster Fuller preached that if you create a space, people would behave to mirror or act in accordance to the quality of that space. With pleasant surroundings, the citizens’ spirits are uplifted and their bodies energized for a fuller, more productive life.
7) An empowering spiritual philosophy. Highly religious countries (like those subjugated by Spain and Christianity – the Philippines and most of the Spanish speaking South American countries) are poor (with the exception of the Vatican, of course – its museum treasures are priceless!). Religion is the antithesis of the scientific mind – the very cornerstone of progress. It is impossible to work while on your knees with clasped hands. Super religious people still pray for miracles, for manna to fall from heaven. Organized religions subjugate and take away power from the people – what we need is a spiritual philosophy that empowers us to be our best!