Wednesday, February 06, 2008 Ombion: Things we take for granted By Karl Ombion Thing in itself
PARADOXES. Poverty and discontent are widespread, as is confusion. The economy is said to be improving while average family incomes are declining; Average family incomes are declining even as more and more are going abroad to remit incomes to their families; Remittances are increasing while real incomes are decreasing; The people who go abroad are unhappy but continue to keep ties with the country; They continue to keep ties with the country but their families remain unhappy; They are unhappy but they continue to tolerate those that cause their miseries.
Don'ts of life. In our childhood years we were bombarded with endless of don'ts from our parents and grandparents. A number of us ended with robot inclinations and perverted characters. In our teenage years we were challenged with lots of dos. Many of us lived adventurous life, some turned out so disasters. Well, for all the good and bad sides of dos and don'ts, let's try once more with the don'ts from a different perspective. Don't wait for time, make it. Don't wait for money, earn it. Don't wait for the path, find it. Don't wait for opportunity, create it. Don't go for less, get the best. Don't compare, be unique. Don't avoid failure, use it. Don't dwell on mistakes, learn from them. Don't fight a battle you can't win, make your own in your own good time. Don't frown at life's hardships, enjoy them.
Assertive rights. "Psychologist Manuel J. Smith points out that everyone has certain important rights. He calls them "A Bill of Assertive Rights": 1. You have the right to judge your own behavior, thoughts, and emotions, and to take the responsibility for their initiation and consequences upon yourself. 2. You have the right to offer no reasons or excuses for justifying your behavior. 3. You have the right to judge whether you are responsible for finding solutions to other people's problems. 4. You have the right to change your mind. 5. You have the right to make mistakes - and be responsible for them. 6. You have the right to say, "I don't know." 7. You have the right to be independent of the goodwill of others before coping with them. 8. You have the right to be illogical in making decisions. 9. You have the right to say, "I don't understand." 10. You have the right to say, "I don't care." "Summary: You have the right to say no, without feeling guilty."
