NEWS
[ Side Mirror ] Political Dynasty
By Sofronio P. Altez

The start of a new year is the ideal time to take stock of oneself. A year of our earthly existence has just ended and, here we are again being given another 365 days with 24 hours. We usually look at this time inwardly and try to see what kind of person we have become. Then we make a firm commitment to try to re-invent ourselves.

Am I a better human being? For some, this concept is rather undefinite, too general. Let us then break it down to specifics. Have I become a better Christian? Have I lived as a follower of Christ should, practicing my faith openly, helping or influencing others to do the same?

Have I shown compassion to my neighbor and tried to assuage his need as far as my material means would allow me? Have I been an active participant in efforts to keep my neighborhood peaceful and clean?

Have I been a good spouse to my former sweetheart? Have I kept the love of our youth alive between us day to day through sustained communication and careful regard to each other’s feelings and needs?

Have I been a good parent? Have I tried to provide for the needs of my family the best I can? Have I kept watch over the welfare of the children and provided guidance and direction to them that they may mature into robust and responsible adults?

Have I been a dutiful son/daughter treating my parents with respect and loving them unconditionally?

Have I done my share in keeping the home environment clean, orderly and livable? Have I assisted my parents provide for the family’s material needs by being frugal and thrifty? Have I attended to my studies the best I can and should?

As a civil servant, have I discharged my duties and responsibilities faithfully and to the best of my ability? Have I kept regular hours of work day to day, week to week? Have I not kept the public waiting before I attended to them? Have I been a helpful and sympathetic co-worker?

As a politician, have I comported myself according to the dictates of my conscience, and
scrupulously avoided situations where I was likely to compromise my principles and refused outright invitations to violate my sworn oath?

As a public works contractor, have I tried to do justice to any project awarded me for the benefit of the general welfare? Are the roads that I built and the buildings that I constructed safe for the people using them and are likely to last for a good number of years?

As a businessman, have I been fair to my customers by offering them good quality merchandise and charging them reasonable prices? Have I contributed to the development and maintenance of a vibrant and stable marketing environment through close association and active cooperation with my fellows?

After this examination of conscience, no matter the outcome, comes the resolution to renew oneself this year, and the years to come should there be many more. For, somehow we come to realize that we must now do our utmost to stock up on merits, as we lessen the demerits, for the hereafter.

To attain this state of renewal, the strategy is to be resolute and vigilant at every step, to sustain the pace as we gain momentum and, to pray. Remember, we are not equipped to go it alone. The path is full of potholes to stumble into and on each side, every possible enticement to stray from it.

And as we strive to be less imperfect, it is possible that we may yet attain the semblance of a paradise on earth for as peace and harmony eventually reign in the hearts of all men and women, the strifes that beset us now and the poverty, even the frequent advent of natural disasters, may be tempered or altogether disappear.