Persistence

The body is broken, the mind is tired, but the spirit will endure and pull me through. Faced with obstacles, one does beyond his best. One must do what is necessary to the welfare of those he loves.

We do our part and trust in God to see us through.

Law and Conscience

Society and governments should construe according to the law, but the individual must construe according to his own conscience; for he is answerable before God not to Society or governments, but according to the virtue of being consistent with his conscience.

Ignorance is Bliss

It has been said: "Ignorance is bliss." Sometimes I do feel that learning about all the bad and evil in the world through the news media simply makes you feel powerless and does no good either to you or to those who suffer.

Life is indeed much, much more than floods, droughts, war and misery seen through the screen of a TV set. It has flavour and it has joy if you allow yourself to experience it.

Want to do something about the suffering of others? Good! Join the local peace corps or the Red Cross or be a volunteer in your local parish to help the homeless and the needy.

Be that as it may, never forget you have people who love you. Devote yourself to them every chance you get and allow life to fill your heart with joy.

What Have We Gained?

The XXI century sucks! I would trade all the technological wonders that we have achieved as a species for half the humanity we have sacrificed to do it.

Inverse Marketing?

The concept of a brand (mark) was invented in the Middle Ages to offer credibility to a product. It was an innovative proposition that grew inexorably in meaning and in diversity to the present day.

Yet, somewhere along the end of the 20th Century, Mkt. managers somehow forgot the very simple concept that started it all, which is to say they forgot that brands have to do with credibility and assurance of quality.

For example: if your Nike sneakers are made in the same crappy Chinese factory as their pirated copy and Hewlett Packard doesn't really make their own computers anymore, they should at least ensure their customers that they'll get what they pay for.

The same is true for companies like Microsoft and the many first line Banks the world over. They are supposed to offer support to the products and services they offer to the general populace.

Instead, it is easier obtain post-sales support from the cutthroat sellers of counterfeit products and loan-sharks then it is to deal with the "big brands". Where's the credibility in that?

When the big brands forgo their commitment with their customers, it is time to question the doctrines of brand managers.

Early Christmas Season?

Does anyone else find it odd that we're still in October, comming up on Haloween, and already we find Christmas decorations in every shopping centre and supermarket?

It's the tendrils of Consumerism stretching forth with the hidden message: "time to start spending again". While the world considers the survival of Mankind, Haiti fights colera, Brazil decides between authoritarianism and democracy and while we ponder the truth behind every new scandal in the Church, shouldn't we also pause a moment to think what Christmas really is?

I find it distasteful that Christmas has been turned into a purely commercial holliday. IT'S NOT! It is supposed to be the celebration of the good news of our redemption through Christ. It is Christ's birthday party. Shouldn't He receive the gifts then?

I've entered a family-wide pact not to give presents a couple of years ago, and it feels great. Instead, we work on making a joint banquet, sharing it in the family and going to mass together. We look onto ourselves and the things we have pursued througout the year, and then we vow to correct the wrongs we've perpetrated and improve on the good that we've done.

I wish governments would do so.

In view of what is done with my monies, when I pay taxes, I feel less like a conscientious & dutiful Robin Hood and more like I was ripped-off by the Sheriff of Nottingham.