Domoguen: Resolution 2020: To be simple, loving and true

WE ALL want to change something in this world. But those who have really done something to change the world are those who focused on improving themselves.

How do I know that? I read history, philosophy, self-help books, technology, literature, and others.

I do not always understand what I read. I am a slow learner. But I persist because I am needful of education to overcome weaknesses, and to develop wisdom and virtue.

I have read that the three greatest American Colonials: George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Jonathan Edwards made life count by creating a “legacy of selfless thoughts, words, and deeds.”

All three achieved lasting greatness by nurturing themselves on principles, self-discipline, honesty, and “by seeking true greatness of character, not the false friendship of fame,” according to Orrin Woodward, in his book “Resolved: 13 Resolutions for Life.”

I like that because it tells me what matters in life and how to change the world. It is a cliché perhaps, but to change others start with yourself first.

Perhaps the importance of that lesson can best be understood by looking at how a terrorist change society’s opinions? He does it by force. He wants immediate impact and results. He holds a gun at your head, or explodes a bomb that can kill hundreds and thousands of people.

It seems that not a few are enamored with that behavior. It has inspired the emergence of such major types of terrorism like political and ideological terrorism, state terrorism, bio terrorism, cyber terrorism, ecoterrorism, nuclear terrorism, narcoterrorism, among others.

The latest count I did on the different types of terrorism, which is 21, tells me that thinking men are not really thinking and rational most of the time. That is if you include domestic terrorism which is common and usually overlooked.

Do not get mad but this is the reality. All terrorist have reached their adulthood, many are sophisticated professionals – lawyers, scientists, religious people, politicians, statesmen, soldiers, teachers, businessmen – almost every profession is included. These terrorists could have been leaders, not power-hungry and authority-focused people. They manipulate the innocent children and the poor masses in the country sides to their evil causes.

What is really wrong here, with us supposedly thinking and moral living species?

Try to follow, read and understand what the terrorists are saying. Are they not focused on having control, to be on the spotlight, to rule, to be authorities, whether they are deserving or not. They want to be seen as better than anybody else that is what is wrong I guess.

I wish we are adults and yet children at the same time. I would rather we learn to be children again who are warm and loving not adults who are cold and cruel. Let us be children who are friendly and sincere not adults who are scheming and full of intrigue and hatred.

This Christmas, I spent time with the children. They are in awe most of the time. They have the capacity to wonder. They need love but also love others in a manner they know how. It is demonstrative in tears, hugs, holding hands, shoulders, and even horse play with much laughter not hurts.

I do not know entirely how hatred, terror, control, and evil come into our lives. But that is why we really need to seek true greatness of character, and nurture ourselves on principles, self-discipline, honesty, and acquire virtue.

This 2020, may we all grow more in friendships, sensitivity, sound thinking, curiosity, in work and learning, in exploring, playfulness, imagination, creativity and flexibility as we mature gracefully in those physical traits inherent among men and women.

I wish you become or acquire the courage and conviction of your heroes who helped change the world by being great adults but also kept the child in them. For me, I would count Joan Baez, H.H. Dalai Lama, Martin Luther King, Billy Graham, Andrew Greeley, Harold Kushner, Lech Walesa, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and St. Teresa of Calcutta.

To many, I would assume that your hero of heroes, whose birth you recently extolled highly on Facebook as the reason for Christmas is Jesus. He tells us to be like children again, simple, loving, and true if we must go to heaven.

How about that as our common resolution for 2020!

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