Give moral and human values a try!
In these eventful times with shouting for peace but also “lust after war”, politicians and terrorism attacks against innocents is it very easy to forget important and necessary things of our daily life, also living here in the Philippines.
But besides peace and war or economical problems I like to ask, “What makes a modern person?” Technology and knowledge for sure. If not, we couldn’t operate with our computers or other equipments. Skills, of course, belong to it. But more important ( also for as expats living here) are attitudes and values, and our readiness for new ways of acting, reacting, feeling and looking for things.
I am afraid that we have to look into ourselves at first. Everybody of us can notice our group feepling besides terrible egoism many times. We care so much for the good of our own families (do we really for our Filipina wife’s family?), or ourselves by making great sacrifices even for a long time. But charity starts and ends at home (in our four walls!). Why we are not able to develop fidelity that expands into a wider field of action so that we can go beyond the limits of our unsocial system and reach out to others around us?
We easily blame our government. This happens in mostly every country worldwide. But we only get the government that we deserve. Misuse, improper treatment, rude language, corruption - these are all the reflections of ourselves. The mistake, the injustice, the wrong sense of values, and the lack of priority through arrogance and ignorance are simply our own. A nation might have been rich with abundant blessings; it is only unfortunate that these blessings could not made useful because of some flaws in the entire system.
Why do we have collapsing economies or huge foreign debts? Because human values are not or seldom put into place. Aren’t we paid for the service we rendered that we resort to other unlawful and shameful activities? Or are we really prioritizing material things over and above spiritual satisfaction? We are becoming weaker and weaker when we lack punctuality, honesty and task responsibility.
Can we really only work, if somebody (the boss?) is around? every one of us has values and distinctive personal qualities. If we loose these great assets, we loose our identity. On the other side, especially we as expats living in the Philippines, have to avoid too much subjective comments, sensitivity, and being fancy and conceited of ourselves. If a nation, like the Philippines, is still rich of natural resources and intelligent, highly sensitive and creative people, these people should prevent criticism from know-it-alls such as insufficiency, imbalance or inequality.
We have to improve as human persons with national pride, discipline, and consistency, because skills and knowledge or technology are never enough. We must improve ourselves by updating our skills and knowledge and by acquiring new values and attitudes. I can learn a lot as an expat living in the Philippines without ignoring my own identity. It could do great things to alleviate the economic life, and to allow us to live in peace and harmony.
Dear Klaus,
Happy New year to you and your family. May we have prosperous and abundant blessings for 2008.
grace
Hi Klaus- You are correct in your assumption regarding moral and ethical values in todays world. There has been a lot of debate particularlly in the academic arena as to what constitutes acceptable behaviour in our social interaction with others and what is percieved as good ethical practice in the field of business.
The problem as I see it is the bar is being lowered because the enforcement of standards is being left to law enforcement as opposed to it being passed down from parents,teachers and the like as it was in the past. If one is set a good example throughout ones formative years that example and subsequent behaviour will be of high moral standard.
Should that person with the same high standards take those morals in to business then likewise their ethical values and practice will also be of a high standard.
Unfortuately in todays society some people want everything “NOW” and are not prepared to wait and will do whatever to achieve their goal even if it means putting asside good moral and ethical practices. The example is then followed by others and the wheel goes round.
Hi Grace, thanks again for stopping by. The same to you and your family. Enjoy reading LiP.
Hi Jim, thanks for living a very interesting comment. I agree with you 100%. Especially your last two sentences are so true. Some people want everything NOW and can’t wait… Many could learn from you, Jim. Thanks a lot.