February 14, 2005

  • When a beam of white light from God shines upon people, it's a wonderful sight.  Fatima gave me a new quotation to use: "When you are born, you are crying while everyone is smiling down on you.  When you die, everyone is crying while you are smiling down on them."  I truly believe that BJ fulfilled his purpose, which is no easy task to describe, because he served people on so many levels and in so many ways.  It went beyond the meaning of words.  Language can be so imprecise sometimes.  As for me, thank you, BJ, for choosing me to pass on your messages.  It is an honor and a privilege.  I don't know why you chose me, as I'm sure there are people more worthy and more capable, as well as closer to you, but thank you.  Of course, thank you to the De Borja's for facilitating the translation as well.  Maybe it's one of those instances where the message coming from a stranger is stronger than coming from a friend, because of the idea that friends are obligated to say comforting words, and strangers wouldn't give a damn to say comforting words.  Thank you BJ for empowering me.


    I never liked it when people made fun of the word "empower," and any versions thereof, especially during group meetings.  I won't mention any names of groups, because they do other good things, and I'm not trying to taint their image.  I just want to point something out.  What kind of message does making fun of a positive word send?  In a world where people are entirely too negative, we need more positive influences, even simple words.


    I'm reinvigorated because of two Full Equity Bills, one in the House (HR 302) and one in the Senate (S 146).  The struggle for full equity has never been in such a good position the this early in a Congressional session.  We've already missed out on so many chances.  Let's not miss out on this one.  Come help me.  Come help us.


    I sort of feel the need to call some people out.  It's about a particular strain of feminism in society.  I wasn't able to express it then, but on a small scale that type of feminism reared its ugly head at the PYC retreat.  I believe men in lower economic classes have been getting a raw deal as well as women in the last ten years.  Here's why: There is this very polarizing ideology of feminism which is not about equality but about: women are better than men.  Some women talk like this all the time.  Like about how dumb men are and how the female way of approaching problems and feelings is superior to the male model.  I mean, this is ridiculous and insulting.  I have brothers.  They have feelings.  They are very smart.  The difference between men and women is biological.  It has nothing to do with being smarter or dumber, it is about two different brains that contain two very different hormones and how those hormones drive thought and behavior.  These chemicals and biological drives were wired that way for a reason.  Long before we became agrarian, God, or Evolution, created really muscular hunters who could defend against attacks on the family and who needed to mate early and often to ensure that the species did not die out.  Hence: Testosterone.  It makes men strong, fast, and loaded for bear.  It also makes them very visual.  So: certain sights=erection.  Women on the other hand, needed to bond with their baby, and in order for her to survive, she needed to stay with one mate, who would care for her and their baby.  In the wild, when a female ape's mate dies, the new mate often kills the old mate's offspring.  So, there is no advantage for women to change partners.  They are biologically wired for monogamy.  Hence: Estrogen.  Now, I believe in the same way we have created entire systems for honoring the female path, we need to maintain some kind of respect for the male model as well.  Sure there's the whole argument that men have had it their way for so long, but discriminating against men serves to alienate them from the struggle for equality.  We have to value each other and recognize the value we possess in each other's lives.  I've been able to do it and I'm a pissed off Pilipino.  Surely other folks can find a way.  Maybe I've simplified it too much, but I hope it causes people to analyze what they are saying when they begin on an -ist argument.  Oh, and let me type this one last thing in defense of men:  No, they don't talk about their feelings very much, but they work, and bring home paychecks, and love their kids.  Now, I say men, not boys.  I have a friend who has a wife, and a mother who lives nearby, and is responsible for seeing that they have enough money to pay bills.  He doesn't mind this.  He makes a great deal of money.  His partner does work, but he likes for her to have extras.  With his mother, he is expected to climb on the roof in the pounding rain if there is a leak in her roof. He pays her mortgage, any and all repairs, her utilities and handle any and all electronics breakdowns and hookups.  He is a fine example to foster a new respect for how so many men do these things and never really say anything.  Finally, let me say, in all the mudslides in California, in a number of instances, men, passing by, jumped into a barreling mudslide/raging floodwaters to snatch children out of the jaws of certain death. I'm not saying women wouldn't do this, but I am saying, men can show emotion too.  One father dug and dug desperately thinking he could clear tons of earth and reach his family.  Again, not that a woman wouldn't, but don't tell me men are dumb and can't express their feelings.  So maybe we can stop stereotyping each other.


    When one opens their eyes, one sees the goodness in people, even in those who we don't like or have closed off from our lives.  It's partially our own fault.  We have to remain open, in order to learn how to forgive, to learn how to grow, to learn how to be good with God.  This philosophy gets reflected in one's daily activities, how they carry themselves, how other people interact with them.  What ever you are looking for, you will definitely find.  Look for good, you will find good.  Look for bad, you find bad too.


    Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.  It's been a while but I may have a personal reason to celebrate this Valentine's Day.  In any case, tell your loved ones that you love them.  You never know what will happen next.