Skip to main content

Reality Check : The Difference


Let me start the year by sharing to you an article that points out a reality. It was supposedly written by Dr Arsenio Martin.

2010 is election year again for us and contrary to many, I would say that the change of leadership in our government will not make our country better. Our country is doomed to be poor, unless we see the point this prose is hammering into our heads.

I just hope that these thoughts will not just fly by as a 'nice to know'.

The difference between the poor countries and the rich ones is not the age of the country.
This can be shown by countries like India & Egypt , that are more than 2000 years old, but are poor.On the other hand, Canada , Australia & New Zealand , that 150 years ago were inexpressive, today are developed countries, and are rich.

The difference between poor & rich countries does not reside in the available natural resources.
Japan has a limited territory, 80% mountainous, inadequate for agriculture & cattle raising, but it is the second world economy. The country is like an immense floating factory, importing raw materials from the whole world and exporting manufactured products. Another example is Switzerland , which does not plant cocoa but has the best chocolate in the world. In its little territory they raise animals and plant the soil during 4 months per year. Not enough, they produce dairy products of the best quality! It is a small country that transmits an image of security, order & labor, which made it the world's strongest, safest place.

Executives from rich countries who communicate with their counterparts in poor countries show that there is no significant intellectual difference. Race or skin color are also not important: immigrants labeled lazy in their countries of origin are the productive power in rich European countries.

What is the difference then? The difference is the attitude of the people, framed along the years by the education & the culture & flawed tradition.

On analyzing the behavior of the people in rich & developed countries, we find that the great majority follow the following principles in their lives:

1. Ethics, as a basic principle.

2. Integrity.

3. Responsibility.

4. Respect to the laws & rules.

5. Respect to the rights of other citizens.

6. Work loving.

7. Strive for savings & investment.

8. Will of super action.

9. Punctuality.

10. and of course...Discipline

In poor countries, only a minority follow these basic principles in their daily life.The Philippines is not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel to us. In fact, we are supposedly rich in natural resources. We are poor because we lack the correct attitude. We lack the will to comply with and teach these functional principles of rich & developed societies.

If you do not read this message nothing will happen to you. Your pet will not die, you will not be fired, you will not have bad luck for seven years, and also, you will not get sick or go hungry.
But those may happen because of your lack of discipline & laziness, your love for intrigue and politics, your indifference to saving for the future, your stubborn attitude.

If you love our country, CHANGE, ACT!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Just Saying!

I chanced upon this blog as I was 'Googling' and I realized that I have not written any post for the past year. When the pandemic happened and I started working from home, I thought it would be the best opportunity for me to start writing again. My excitement produced 2 blog posts, but that was it. Nothing followed. Fast forward to this time. Since I have some time to spare, let me just say this regarding what's happening out there. We are all tired of the quarantine life and wish we can go back to how we live before this virus came to being. We blame the government for all the inefficiencies and lack of foresight, insight and what not. We compare our state with other countries and their seemingly better response and outcome. We all have brilliant ideas on what to do and what should be done. We cannot even agree if face shields add a layer of protection or not! But do we really have to stress ourselves with all of these? Is it even worth the energy? Do we think something go...

The Beauty of Giving

It is heartwarming to read how people are coming together to help and support all those involved in this war against the corona virus 19. Indeed, the blessing in this crisis is the transparency of people and the willingness to help those in need without a second thought. We have proven once again that we can care beyond ourselves. Hopefully though, this selflessness goes beyond the end of this pandemic. Giving sincerely is powerful not only for the heart but also for the mind and soul. It provides an intrinsic reward that’s far more valuable than the gift.   It’s ‘finding one’s self by losing it in the service of others. As we nest in the comforts of our home, let us continuously find ways to help others in even small and meaningful ways.

Changing our Attitude to Change

There is nothing permanent in this life. Everything  changes and whether we like it or not,  it impacts us. But instead of denying and resisting it, we should learn  how to accept it and move on. “We need to develop the habit of looking at whatever happens through a positive mindset instead of a negative, defeatist one.” Have faith that God has a purpose in everything that happens. We need not understand what and why now, but for sure in His perfect time, we will know it and be thankful about it.