|
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Antalan: Complaining
By Roger P. Antalan
Dateline Igacos
Nothing is easier than fault-finding. No need of research, no need of talent, of brains, of character, to set up in the grumbling business.
FOR some constituents, there is no end to their complaining. They requested for barangay roads to be opened. Once the farm-to-market roads were opened, some people complained about the dust.
For years there were no concrete roads. Now the main roads are concreted. Some people are complaining that the motorcycles and other four-wheel vehicles are going too fast and are very noisy.
Everybody asked for light and power and water. Now that the connections have reached their houses, they are complaining about the payment for these services.
Many years ago, Benjamin Franklin said: "Constant complaint is the poorest sort of pay for all the comforts we enjoy."
William Arthur Ward is more direct: "A complaining tongue reveals an ungrateful heart." Or as the simple wisdom says: "If you pray for rain, don't grumble about the mud."
As the local chief executive and father of the city, I tell the officers and staff who labor hard to serve the people--to take complaints with the patience of job. "Parayeg lang kana sa mga tawo! (That's just how people show their appreciation. They want us to do and give more.)"
It is a matter of perspective. Some complain that rose bushes have thorns, others are glad thorn-bushes have roses. Somehow we have to communicate to our people that it is not the greatness of our trouble but the littleness of our spirit that makes us complain.
It is sad to note that there are still people who love to find dirt where there is none.
One day, a woman was watching her neighbor washing clothes and hanging them to dry. She said to her husband who was reading the papers: "Her laundry is still dirty." The husband silently stood up and ran his fingers on their glass window: "It's your window my dear, that is dirty!"
As the old saying goes: "He who throws mud loses ground."
I am reminded of the distortion of a well-known saying in sports: "It matters not whether you win or lose, what matters most is whom to put the blame."
Nothing is easier than fault-finding. No need of research, no need of talent, of brains, of character, to set up in the grumbling business.
I like the second part of the famous story of the Prodigal Son, which is often not noticed. When the spoiled brat came back, the father dressed him up lavishly and threw a big party. The older brother grumbled and complained. The father explained: "Your brother was lost and is now found, he was dead and is back to us alive." And this is the best line of all: "Why are you complaining? Everything I have is yours."
Count your blessings.
Which brings us to our last anecdote. When people complain, I love to tell them of a man who complained because he had no shoes. He stopped complaining when he somebody who had no feet!
(January 29, 2004 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[ return
to top ]
[ home
]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
