I don't mean to make a comeback with a rant. It's been months that I left this blog unattended. But, isn't it nice there are things in life which you can keep coming back to without feeling guilty you abandoned it for a while? Things that will never blame you for making decisions that aren't favorable to all but only to yourself. That's what you call freedom isn't it? Coming to a decision and not seem like walking on egg shell...carefully considering if your every move will come out acceptable for everyone. Such a chore to live chained to others' approval! Overly concerned whether people will be pleased or disappointed.
I often hear people say "magpakatotoo ka" (reveal who you truly are). Dunno if my translation is what the line really means but it's how I understand it. And this is my way of defining it. But, does it matter what my view is? People will have different understanding, anyway. Those who like me will either agree or simply respect my point of view. Those who have nothing but hidden dislike (or worse hatred) will only disprove. After all, that's the irony really. You show your true colors or not don't matter much as how others perceive you. In the end, it's their opinion they will follow.
People are complicated that way. You act a certain way, they judge you being phony. You act another, you're pretentious. You show transparency...you show all that you really are--how you think, how you feel, how you behave, how you deal with situations--they can easily throw criticisms at you. They throw their opinion like it's the only valid thing in the world...they want you to conform to how they THINK or BELIEVE you should be. That's a prison house they turn your life into if you're gonna live trying to gain their approval. Can't we just let people be, seriously?
Wondering how come those people who love throwing "the line" (get real) never realized why everyone's afraid of showing their true colors. We lie to each other, we pretend, we put our best foot forward, we are all fake ...because the moment we become unguarded and start showing people our reality, they tell us how wrong we are. Many won't just respect you for you. They will complain that you aren't what they expect you to be. They won't like you. Won't even CHOOSE to. Who doesn't want to be liked? So...there's no choice left but to show a facade which we think can be generally acceptable. Still that's never enough. Nothing will satisfy a person who has very critical eyes and wants to please only him/herself! How can anyone except myself tell whether I am being fake or real? Do they know what's in my innermost thoughts and feelings? There are even times I can't understand myself. What gives anyone the right to judge my sincerity? Who gives anyone the right to judge another's intents? Isn't it the Holy Spirit's job to "search the heart"? (Romans 8:27)
And when I show ME...my idiosyncrasies...everything that I am...I am bashed, questioned and disliked. Isn't this such an unhealthy practice? We indirectly manipulate people by treating them with bias because we define them based on some standard we have in mind. They have flaws, limitations, weaknesses, mistakes and what-have-you (we all do!) and we see those imperfections with judgment in mind because we THINK it's so wrong. If there's so many wrongs (imperfections) in each person because they're all unique in their own way, and we harshly deal with them...complain how ugly their behavior and attitude are...why should we even dare them to "get real"? Let's just all be happy and content with what facade they show, then! After all, we can't like their truth. So let's not challenge each other to be REAL if we can't accept them for who and how they are as individuals.
Regardless of our view of anyone, it's highly important that we respect people. Whether their attitude is making us happy or not...whether their behavior is acceptable for us or not...our only contribution to their humanity is to take them as they are and love them. In our rooms...in the confinement of our homes, isn't it ACCEPTANCE that we all long for? "I am imperfect but I got good traits, too." Aren't we all hearing ourselves crying for acceptance because we can't be anyone else but our own skins? We aren't supposed to make people dislike the persons that they are. Why are there so many lonely people? People who are depressed because they have to hide inside themselves in fear they won't deserve love?
And am so sad to know how many people who claim to be followers of Christ are so hard on others whose challenges are something they don't understand. Am hurt as a Christian when too many say how it's people you find active in Church that treat others with judgment. If there's anything I can say about such kind of person claiming to be a "disciple"... Well, the Word says, "the tree will be known by its fruit." Jesus highly emphasized to not judge. It's not anyone's job to judge. Jesus even said, "people will know that you are My disciples IF you love one another." In another part of the Bible He said, "love one another as I have loved you." He came not to condemn the world but to save it. So if anyone claims to be a disciple, (s)he must do as what the Teacher did. He saves. We must save everyone in error by loving NOT by judging. We must see with the Eyes of God and feel with His heart.
...saying all these...hafta guard my heart and be cautious not to do the same. God help me to live in love and live humbly, too. I rather be thought a fool because I keep my mouth shut than be considered intelligent only because I advertise my opinion on how others should live their lives as if my life is perfect and all my choices are right.
I often hear people say "magpakatotoo ka" (reveal who you truly are). Dunno if my translation is what the line really means but it's how I understand it. And this is my way of defining it. But, does it matter what my view is? People will have different understanding, anyway. Those who like me will either agree or simply respect my point of view. Those who have nothing but hidden dislike (or worse hatred) will only disprove. After all, that's the irony really. You show your true colors or not don't matter much as how others perceive you. In the end, it's their opinion they will follow.
People are complicated that way. You act a certain way, they judge you being phony. You act another, you're pretentious. You show transparency...you show all that you really are--how you think, how you feel, how you behave, how you deal with situations--they can easily throw criticisms at you. They throw their opinion like it's the only valid thing in the world...they want you to conform to how they THINK or BELIEVE you should be. That's a prison house they turn your life into if you're gonna live trying to gain their approval. Can't we just let people be, seriously?
Wondering how come those people who love throwing "the line" (get real) never realized why everyone's afraid of showing their true colors. We lie to each other, we pretend, we put our best foot forward, we are all fake ...because the moment we become unguarded and start showing people our reality, they tell us how wrong we are. Many won't just respect you for you. They will complain that you aren't what they expect you to be. They won't like you. Won't even CHOOSE to. Who doesn't want to be liked? So...there's no choice left but to show a facade which we think can be generally acceptable. Still that's never enough. Nothing will satisfy a person who has very critical eyes and wants to please only him/herself! How can anyone except myself tell whether I am being fake or real? Do they know what's in my innermost thoughts and feelings? There are even times I can't understand myself. What gives anyone the right to judge my sincerity? Who gives anyone the right to judge another's intents? Isn't it the Holy Spirit's job to "search the heart"? (Romans 8:27)
And when I show ME...my idiosyncrasies...everything that I am...I am bashed, questioned and disliked. Isn't this such an unhealthy practice? We indirectly manipulate people by treating them with bias because we define them based on some standard we have in mind. They have flaws, limitations, weaknesses, mistakes and what-have-you (we all do!) and we see those imperfections with judgment in mind because we THINK it's so wrong. If there's so many wrongs (imperfections) in each person because they're all unique in their own way, and we harshly deal with them...complain how ugly their behavior and attitude are...why should we even dare them to "get real"? Let's just all be happy and content with what facade they show, then! After all, we can't like their truth. So let's not challenge each other to be REAL if we can't accept them for who and how they are as individuals.
Regardless of our view of anyone, it's highly important that we respect people. Whether their attitude is making us happy or not...whether their behavior is acceptable for us or not...our only contribution to their humanity is to take them as they are and love them. In our rooms...in the confinement of our homes, isn't it ACCEPTANCE that we all long for? "I am imperfect but I got good traits, too." Aren't we all hearing ourselves crying for acceptance because we can't be anyone else but our own skins? We aren't supposed to make people dislike the persons that they are. Why are there so many lonely people? People who are depressed because they have to hide inside themselves in fear they won't deserve love?
And am so sad to know how many people who claim to be followers of Christ are so hard on others whose challenges are something they don't understand. Am hurt as a Christian when too many say how it's people you find active in Church that treat others with judgment. If there's anything I can say about such kind of person claiming to be a "disciple"... Well, the Word says, "the tree will be known by its fruit." Jesus highly emphasized to not judge. It's not anyone's job to judge. Jesus even said, "people will know that you are My disciples IF you love one another." In another part of the Bible He said, "love one another as I have loved you." He came not to condemn the world but to save it. So if anyone claims to be a disciple, (s)he must do as what the Teacher did. He saves. We must save everyone in error by loving NOT by judging. We must see with the Eyes of God and feel with His heart.
...saying all these...hafta guard my heart and be cautious not to do the same. God help me to live in love and live humbly, too. I rather be thought a fool because I keep my mouth shut than be considered intelligent only because I advertise my opinion on how others should live their lives as if my life is perfect and all my choices are right.
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