Kung gusto may paraan.
Kung ayaw may dahilan.
To one who is willing to go, there will always be a way.
To one who won’t, there is always be an alibi to stay.
People who are driven and motivated will always find a way to achieve and attain their goals and get what they want. They are deaf to people who would say it is impossible. They are blind to the obstacles and difficulties that come their way. In fact, these often only serve to firm up their determination.
But when people do not want to do something, they can be very creative in coming up with all sorts of excuses and alibis for not doing it. Children are particularly brilliant at this. Jonathan has to be constantly reminded to do his homework. One time, I peeked into his room and he was watching video even though he had his books opened in front of him. When I reminded him to finish his homework first, he reasoned, “Lolo, I am a multi-tasker.” I smiled and walked away. And true enough, he had to wake up early the next day to finish his assignments. Another time, Anabelle was the one who reminded him and Jonathan went, “Lola, you spoil my focus and concentration every time you pop into my room like that.”
Sometimes, I imagine how life could be much simpler and easier if we had no choices, if we just plainly lived by instincts alone. Come autumn and the leaves start falling, no if and no buts. Come the cold winter and the birds simply fly south, no excuses and no alibis. Come spring and the leaves come back and the flowers bloom, not any later nor any sooner. And when summer comes, the hot winds blow and everything just grows and grows.
But to be human is to have choices. A banquet is a nice event to go to; but we can come up with other choices for which we would be willing to forego the banquet. We may even choose to go hungry for something better we could get in return. The challenge is how to consistently make the right choices. I have the gift of self-awareness that helps me discover what my choices are and which ones are best for me. I have the gift of conscience that tells me which choices I can live by and which ones will haunt me for days or even for the rest of my life. I have the gift of imagination that helps create new options and possibilities and therefore new choices. I have a will that enables me to say YES to what is good, true and beautiful and to say NO to what is not. Finally, there is a Presence that guides and directs me on my way all the days of my life.
I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
~ Psalm 23
Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people
in parables, saying,
“The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who gave a wedding feast for his son.
He dispatched his servants
to summon the invited guests to the feast,
but they refused to come.
A second time he sent other servants, saying,
‘Tell those invited: “Behold, I have prepared my banquet,
my calves and fattened cattle are killed,
and everything is ready; come to the feast.”’
Some ignored the invitation and went away,
one to his farm, another to his business.
The rest laid hold of his servants,
mistreated them, and killed them.
Matthew 22:1-6