OBLIQUE OBSERVATIONS
By Atty. Gilberto Lauengco, J.D.
Normally, I avoid working on my birthday. This year, however, my article day for PNA coincided with my birthday. As such, I will take this opportunity to combine some commentaries with some birthday musings.
What’s there to celebrate? I greeted a friend on his birthday a few weeks ago and he grumpily responded that with everything going on he could not find any reason to celebrate. He cited recent social and political upheavals and scandals, some personal problems, and life in general as birthday mood dampeners. Although it is true that there are many things not to be happy about, I argued that as long as you are alive to celebrate a birthday then it is still a happy birthday. Any birthday where you are still around is a good birthday. The problems of our country, our community, our families, our community are important but on your birthday, they should have no effect on your happiness at least for the day. Take a day off from all the problems around you and just celebrate the fact of life.
Avoid or redirect rage and frustration. There was a recent viral video of a man who hit a car with a baseball bat repeatedly. The owner of the car tried to avoid a confrontation but baseball bat man did not give him a choice. Instead of getting angry too, the other man waited for the proper time and then gave the man with the baseball bat a combination punch which knocked baseball man out with precise punches to the face. There are many instances where our emotions get the best of us. As we grow older, we learn that we have to lead with our heads and not our hearts. If we cannot avoid arguing it is best to keep our cool and let the other person lose theirs.
Find the fun. Today, I had a ton of work to do but then I realized life is too short. Birthdays come once a year so I decided to just go out and meander. It was like a reset button day. Sure, there are serious stuff going on which we should all take seriously but not today. Deadlines, meetings, projects, cases and what have you can all wait for today. Spend a bit on things you love or want to experience.
Keep moving with the eyes on the prize. Life is a series of ups and down. Things sometimes go wrong. You cannot dwell on the negatives. You just have to keep moving and focus on your goals. Constant forward movement is key.
Finally, take the occasion to reflect on your past year and strive to do better. There is a prayer which I always find relevant during reflection. It goes something like this. “Dearest Father I have squandered my days with plans of many things. At this moment I beg to be allowed to live the remainder of my life well. For all we ought to have done, thought, said but did not did not do, think, and say I pray for Forgiveness and enlightenment.”
