“Happiness is not what you have but what you do with what you have.” I have rich friends and they’re not a bit happy as I am. A friend once asked what my secret to happiness is? I had a simple to his query, contentment. It’s how I make most of what I have. Whatever small thing I have, I cherish. It really isn’t hard to do. I consider every little thing a blessing.

Making the most out of what you have would make you happy because of the value you give it. I may not have all the riches in the world but whatever I have, I really enjoy it. What more can a man ask for when you have a wonderful family to share your life with? I cherish every moment I spend with them.

A friend of mine has lots of money, a successful executive and yet is still not happy. Loveless, childless and goes home to an empty house. He had to drag our friends to go out every night. I don’t envy him at all. I have a family to go home to everyday. Any family man can tell you how being welcomed home by your family can be so refreshing after a hard day’s work. Nothing comes close to the warmth of a home.

I suppose happiness can be found in one’s heart. As long as you are content, you will always be happy.

Are there gray areas? Should I stick to what is black or white? Times are changing and life is getting more complicated as we journey through life. I’d like to think that there are no compromises in life. It’s either right or wrong. But the more I meet people along my journey, there really are some gray areas. Not that I am willing to compromise my principles, it’s just that I came to realize that I need to understand other people.

Not all of us have choices. Those who live in desperation often do not have the luxury of choice. A young boy I once had the chance to talk to made me realize that not all that we see is the truth. We tend to be judgemental at times and fail to see the reason behind the actions of others. How I wish that we all have choices.

We all react to different situations. Some of us may see other means but to the desperate, it may end in the extreme. So are all criminals sinners? Or have society forgotten them? Now it is clear to me. There are really gray areas in life. It all depends on how some maybe luckier than others. “Judge lest you want to be judged.”

It’s Good Friday, one of the most sacred days in the Catholic religion. It is believed that this is the day the Christ died on the cross. As we celebrate this holy day, we are reminded to be unselfish. How ironic it is that all around us, people who claim to be Christians prefer to think only of themselves. There are people who are in need all around us both spiritually and materially. Whatever their needs may be, I hope we take time out this Holy Week to think of them. I hope that we try to put ourselves in their shoes to understand what they are going through. This is what God is trying to teach us and I hope that we try to follow it by heart.

I always watch the Fox News even for just a few minutes a day. I keeps me in touch with my sanity. Listening to the commentaries there reminds me the I’m still sane considering how insane the hosts there are. It’s a reminder that people will put a spin on anything just to besmirch the people they don’t agree with. That’s the price people have to pay in the name of free speech.

Oh well, they’re entitled to their opinion, that’s how society works. Imagine a world without Fox News? Life would be boring. I wouldn’t have anything to remind of how sane I am compared to the people there.

As December sets in, we are reminded that we are a part of a global society. In times like this, when the world faces a global financial crisis, this is the time when we all pull together to survive. This is when even the rich can feel the economic crunch. Sure there are a few that can still afford a lavish lifestyle but for how long.

As the middle class continues to shrink and the incident of poverty grows, I am reminded of the greed that got got us all into this mess. If only people cared a little, we could have avoided this meltdown. If only people did not think themselves so much, the social divide wouldn’t be so defined. I now wonder where we all will be headed to?

Instead of thinking of one’s self, can’t we see ourselves as a part of a bigger world? I try to practice what I preach and try to pass this on to the people I interact with. I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve helped in my lifetime. I never expected anything in return. I simply tell myself how lucky I am that I’m the one helping instead of the one seeking help. Just imagine a world where people help each other out? There would be less despair, poverty, hunger and hate.

Are we hopeless or am I reaching for an unreachable star? It’s Christmas time. I hope we stop and reflect on the life we’ve lived. I hope that we stop for a moment and find out if our neighbor needs our help. Everything that happens around us affects us. And it is up to us to do our part to make this a better world. It’s a world of we, not of me.

As many of you know, last Monday was a dark day in the name of democracy and journalism in the Philippines. An estimated 65 persons were savagely massacred in the name of greed for power. With this incident, the International Federation of Journalists now ranks first as the most dangerous place for journalists.

Power not only corrupts, it also kills. Politics at the local level has never seen such inhumanity in the name of politics. The massacre rivals that of the atrocities of war. Maguindanao is not even a war zone and yet innocent lives were sacrificed. Journalists covering the incident have received threats as well. The ruling clan in the province closely allied with the current dispensation are being given special treatment which common criminals or suspects for that matter do not enjoy.

I’m still at a loss for words on how to express my grief, my anger and whatever emotions I could feel. Incidents like this should not be happening in the modern times we are in. I’m thankful though that the international community is closely monitoring this deplorable incident. I pray that justice will be done and that the perpetrators of this barbaric act get what is due them.

For now, all I can do is pray for those who lost their lives, pray for those they left behind, and pray that people not be terrorized into silence. The greed for power has reared its despicable head. I hope that the coming elections will bring hope and justice for my very tired and weary people.

Manny Pacquiao is one great boxer. He definitely is one of the best in this generation. But he is now saying that he would be entering politics at the loacal level. He plans to run for a congressional seat in his wife’s hometown. He tried this back in 2007 and lost.

I believe that every man has a destiny and should know who and what we are. Mere popularity does not mean that people will vote for you. One also should know what our limitations are. Manny may have good intentions but politics is a very different field. In politics, you are not accountable to only yourself but to your constituents.

I hope he rethinks this a million times over. He maybe a good boxer in the ring. The political arena involves more than just a strong punch or fast fists. It involves more than just a strong jaw but a strong heart and a clear mind.