NOW YOU KNOW

Consider the Past to Determine the Future

Time passes fast. It seems only recently we celebrated happy moments or

experienced painful hours of 2011 and 2012. As the year gets closer to
December because in two weeks time we will be in the last quarter, people
from all walks of life are either optimistic or pessimistic how the year ends. I
don’t mean the dreaded endtime. What happened to your New Year’s
Resolution? That’s what I mean.

Now is the time to start reviewing the immediate past- how we lived it. Since
life is a variety of do’s and don’ts, let’s see which of the do’s we’re unable to
accomplish and which of the dont’s we did instead.

The essentials in our review and evaluation include relationship with

spouse; friends or co-workers; family and even church mates; health, financial
stability, profession, or trade and many others only known to you. Make
something special what was our walk with God. Or the stubbornness of our
hearts.

In a scale of 10 individuals I’ve randomly asked, two answered of improving

their relationship with their parents , two on being watchful of health and six
about financial stability. Which means money matters most against any other
concerns in life. What about you?

So, since the focus is on financial stability, there is a need of financial

planning. Without it, it’s spending through wanton buying and carefree
spending. This is a weakness of several women, because we’re easily attracted
to displays in department stores and malls or in our favorite establishments.
And this is buying the wants instead of the needs. And some families who could
not manage to have both ends meet of their buying capability suffer financial
instability. Another factor that would drag us down as far as money is concern is
that we spend more than what we earn and live beyond our means. Such
practice is common to the below average, the average and above average
categories. Kadtong walay klarong kinitaan mao man hinoon ang kusog
mogasto ng walay plano plano, di ba?

In casual conversation with friends I would hear them say that budgeting
and financial planning is only for those who have more in life—the rich as in.
Others say” what is there to budget when what we’re earning doesn’t warrant
any planning?” Okay, that would be correct in their own understanding. Walay
magbuot nato apan kita ang mag-antus sa kawad-on.

With varying reasons to ignore the necessity of budgeting, the typical Filipino
readily accepts mediocrity in life and would say “unsaon ta man pobrehon ra
man gyud ko.” He could live in poverty, because there is power in spoken
words. And with such position this kind of an individual will not strive hard and
places his existence on “swerte” or luck.

According to a Registered Financial Planner (RFP) in a television program, it

is always good to list needs to avoid the temptation to buy the wants.

Not all of us are destined to live abundantly and God does not want us to
suffer poverty because of our inability to handle our finances properly. Instead
of accepting the fact of our failure to manage the family money matter in the
home, we blame the government. I don’t think it is fair. For no matter how good
the government is if you are unable to guard your spending against limited
income, you are a failure.

Anyway, let’s remember this : No one could be considered poor, so long he is

happily contented. And nobody is even richer—he who is always discontented.
Take it from the Bible- “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Let me share with you this meaningful and thought-provoking passage from
Proverbs 30:8-9 which follows : Keep falsehood and lies far from me; Give me
neither poverty nor riches; but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may
have too much and disown you and say “who is the Lord?” Or I may become
poor and steal and so dishonor the name of God.” Such a brief and beautiful
prayer.

One of the two exponents on improving relationship is a 19-year business

administration student in one of the colleges in Dipolog City whose position I so
agree : This young boy says, “we must be good in our relationship with family,
friends, co-workers, church mates, and all we come in contact with everyday. “I
cannot be successful in what I would like to do if my relationship with anyone is
shaky .” Most of all, this young student says “my relationship with God should
be healthy.” I appreciate his position—feeling mature and determined.
 Actually, it’s not the New Year’s Resolution that direct our steps. It is God’s
being mindful of His children. We only need to submit to His being our source of
everything.

May your experience of the past year serves as an inspiration to better your
life for the soon incoming year. God bless us all!

$$$$$
Forty years ago on Sept 21, 1972 the Presidential Proclamation 1081 issued
by the late Pres. Fedinand Edralin Marcos shook the whole nation and was
the world’s center of political concern. We were under the rule of Martial
Law . There was that feeling of fear and uncertainty in every situation. The
Philippines was under that law for 14 years until 1986 when the widow of
the late Sen. Benigno Aquino- Corazon Cojuango-Aquino took over the
country’s leadership through a bloodless revolution . Some prominent
personalities directly involved in that process were former Pres. Fidel Valdez
Ramos, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile and Sen. Gringo Honasan among others
including those in the religious sector.
Me and my family in Marawi City experienced some unpleasant
memories under such rule- me as an active member of the media (being
suspected of alliance with the government ) and my husband who was
connected with the Philippine Constabulary of the AFP serving in the Medical
Team.
We were forced to leave Marawi and moved to Iligan City a month
after the declaration of Martial Law , because our house caught fire as a
result of the exchange of firing between local lawless elements and the
government soldiers. Our humble residence was situated between the official
residence of the Proovincial Commander and the PC hospital. The radio
station I managed for 10 years was deserted by all employees for fear of
their lives. For who would like to stay when there were threats from the
unlawful elements . At that time Christians were identified with the ILAGA
as a group allegedly supporting the government soldiers.
We left so many memories in Marawi and not had a chance to return
or visit the place since October 1972. My two sons, Joel and Jonathan , in
their innocent age also experienced the fear in our dawn escape from
Marawi to Iligan. By virtue of birth (place) Joel and Jonathan are
Marawinians.
I am thankful to some Maranaw good friends of ours who suggested
that my family must leave Marawi because not all of the people there
know us, specially the rebels coming from around the Lake Lanao areas.
There was animosity between Muslims and Christians because of the Ilaga
issue. I studied in Marawi, I worked in Marwi and married in Marawi, two
children were born in Marawi and had several friends –Muslims and
Christians alike but because of such circumstance there was nothing good
to do but leave the place. Nadalahig lang ang mga Christians nga walay
labot and had nothing to do with the Ilagas. Many people were in
quandary kinsa ang ilang kaaway- ang mga sundalo ba o mga rebelde.
A good friend of my husband, Ferdausi Abbas, who was also one of my
commentators in our station was one among those who urged us to leave
Marawi City. Ferdausi is an uncle of Atty. Adel Tamano.
Anyway, that was 40 years ago. We may or may not forget. Depende sa
gibati alang niadtong dunay mga makahadlok nga kasinatian sa Martial
Law. What is good to remember is that this day (Sept 21, 2012 is the
birthday of former city councilor Peter Co, the lawyer. I am writing this
particular article today (Sept 21st). Happy birthday Ter and Godbless !
$$$$$
Quote : “ A law is valuable not because it is a law , but because there is
right in it.” (Henry Ward Beecher)
MIZPAH : “auntie sally” 065-2129737 09999922265
Email : sally_elia@yahoo.com