M: The new year just started, we just celebrated the feast of the Senyor Sto. Niño and we’re still alive and kicking—there should be no reason to complain or gripe about things in general, right? Unfortunately, there are really times when life gives us a raw deal that we do not take positively. We cannot immediately see the silver lining behind the cloud. So sometimes (or usually the case), one might immediately complain about the unfairness of life, blame other people, even God, or worse, think about ending it all. Patient endurance is good and worth emulating but it is difficult to do.
DJ: It is a conscious effort to try to see the good in a bad situation and not allow negativity to grow and foster. Several years ago, I visited a couple; the husband, diagnosed with brain tumor. It’s his third operation. I was floored by their sunny disposition. I realized that when I always see my own frustrations, I can become too focused on my anxieties that I fail to recognize the sufferings of others who I can help. Each day is a decision to live through challenges, to make the most of what we know and how to try to make things work, whatever is within our control.
M: Be it in personal or business dealings, many of us want to be dealt with fairly. And even if the playing field was not leveled, for as long as things were done in good faith, it would suffice. In a business transaction or contract negotiation for example, we are expected to be dealing with one another with a certain level of trust or good faith. So, don’t you just hate it when you deal with people upfront only to find out that they have been scheming and devious behind your back? Or you treat others fairly but they don’t reciprocate it? John Gokongwei once said, “the important thing to know is that life will always deal us a few bad cards. But we have to play those cards the best we can. And we can play to win!”
DJ: Life is tough. But if we always look at or focus on the bad and the ugly, we will certainly find it and never see what lies beyond the trials and tough days. If we choose to see goodness in people, things or events in our lives, we will also never run out of things to be thankful about. Many of us don’t like pain, failure, rejection and a host of other distressing things or situations. But it is said: “What does not kill us makes us stronger.” Tough times don’t last but those who go through those tough times are toughened up so that they are able to withstand trials and overcome any setbacks. As gold is tested through fire, so must we if we want to become better, stronger. You’ll never know how better you can get if you don’t go through the bad.