Only Hungry Minds Can Grow

Only hungry minds can grow. Just think of learning, of further education. Have you ever noticed that there are people you know who are literally at the same place today as they are five years ago? They still have the same dreams, the same problems, the same alibis, the same opportunities and the same way of thinking. They are standing still in life. It is like their watch stopped five years ago, and so did they. God’s will for us is to grow, to continue to learn and improve. The biggest room in our house is always the room for self-improvement. I myself can testify how I grow and rediscover the hidden ignorance within me. As an education graduate, I took my board examination and luckily I passed. I served and practiced my profession for two years. Because of my hunger for learning and for the professional growth, I tried to take my masters degree, just a try. I was hopeful to find fulfillment in that decision. But I was disappointed. I am still searching for something. Unfortunately, I spent only one semester and decided to go here, in the seminary. And now, in my journey towards my searching for fulfillment, I am optimistic in facing and aiming for the higher learning. Truly, it is an education that leads me to wisdom of a fulfilling life. So, learn from others and truly they will learn from you. Do not stop in mediocrity. Think education is expensive or difficult? If you think education is expensive – try ignorance. But we should not stop there. Do not quit after a victory. There are two times when a person stops, after a defeat and after a victory. Successful people understand that there is greater opportunity right on the other side of a victory. Do not stop after a success; keep forward momentum. For me going back to school is not that easy. There are lots of adjustments I must to overcome in different areas of my academic aspect. Since then, I never liked school. But the only impetus that motivates me to pursue my studies is good fortune ahead of me if I will finish it. Even before, I never thought of being a teacher or a seminarian. But no one knows what I am going to be except Him of course. And now, I am here, still studying, learning and searching for wisdom that can fulfill all my desires in accordance with God’s will. Though how hard, tiring and with struggles, I encounter every night just to cope with my lessons but then still optimism resides in me striving in my quest of learning. In this scenario, we can realize the importance of courage and perseverance not only in simple environment but in the broader horizon of our world. These are good and authentic attitudes that we must possess to connect us in more complex realm. It makes us to interact with them. We must be truthful in doing and possessing such. We must be true to ourselves, to our strengths and to our weaknesses. We must admit our mistakes, failures and short comings. With these, respect will form and lead to good relationship in order to have positive outlook. This optimism will help us to make all things or work as easy as they are. This may lead us to common direction and to our ultimate goal of perfection. It is easy for us to deal wit world if we are synergized by our beliefs and in respect. These are really essential for our victory and continuing journey towards it. One of the great prizes of victory is the opportunity to do more. In the Philippians 1:6, the Apostle Paul writes: “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” God’s momentum always results in growth. So, let go of whatever makes you stop. Thus this life aims for change complementary to the main reason of existence of philosophy – philosophy of man itself. It is a change for the better until it becomes best. We should not be scared of its essence; instead we should be inspired to value its fecund purpose in ameliorating our civilization, our life as a human. Its significant role enlivens us in conquering more heights, reaching our dreams and fulfilling our destiny for the best thing in life. Change to be the evidence of life. We cannot grow as an individual if we will not undergo the process of change. It is not a clandestine for us to deny or deprived of because of its explicit goal which is to lead our way and hitch our wagon to the acme of success. Success brings our hopes for impudence progress. It is our greatest ally to achieve it. To have such kind of determination for change, we must be open-minded to accept and recognize formidable reality around us. This acceptance opens many doors for opportunities. Let our flamboyant spirits grab it. Then, it will guide us in searching for the ultimate truth. This truth seems to be clairvoyant to the senses or state of being. It is our primary goals of our existence - to find reason behind our life. Many philosophers give different views regarding this matter but until now no one can perfectly presented us its true meaning and essence. Its quiddity is still oblivious for our senses to seize it faithfully. Henceforth, this is the main impetus that pushes me to live in examined life for it is worth living. It reveals the reality of life. it depicts liberation from the slavery of ignorance. It upholds the culture of intellect. A revolt against the deception of stupidity makes it possible to seek its contemplation as an eye opener for the masses living in blind acceptance. For us to understand in maximum capacity the mystery of life that we have, we need to examine it. It will enable us to grasp answers to the questions that tickling in our minds. It will distort our senses in flexibility and astonishing realization. By examining our life, we will understand what we are, what we are doing and why we are doing such. An act of questioning is the evidence that convinces me that a person is thinking. I asked questions because I wanted to have answers. As if I was in a deep sleep, O was aroused by the clamor of perilous world. This perplexed reality leads my sight to wake up from my hasty sound sleep and challenge myself to scrutinize its existence. Out of my juvenile world full of innocence, I am looking forward to think and search what is within me and ahead of me. So, I asked several questions. I examined my well being. I wondered for my existence. I searched for the answers to these questions, until now. Answers I gained are indefinite for it continues to evolve. It seemed to be unfathomable. Identifying my primary matter and substantial form is not enough to attain its focal point. Recognizing my strengths and weaknesses as well as my positive or pluses and negative or minuses features can be an aid to deepen my understanding. These are my guides to consider in conscientiously searching for interminable happiness and life worth living of knowing myself. It is indeed philosophy has a great part in molding our minds for learning and change. This act of examining with confidence, grants me to hear a spasmodic perpetual voice of my soul. It speaks of my existence. Hereafter, I am liberating from the chains of unquestioning acceptance of whatever is at hand. I am resisting with those truths that hold me back in the thoughtless conformity. So, I can say, I am free to live the life and lead the world, my world in a vintage deftness of my philosophy in life guided by the methodological and philosophical vehicle body of knowledge. From accepting the reality of change to the sense of wonder through submission for life examination to liberation may lead to identify my personhood. Moreover, we want to learn, to grow, to improve and to compete in survival of the fittest. This is an ultimate philosophy of man to carry out. It entails or necessitates me to know and to do something about myself. That is what I am doing now because this is what I have learned from this realm of lifelong journey of life. With my personal conviction and own creativity, I am aiming for the highest intensity for the quest of my identity and purpose. It is a kind of determination in examining one’s life worthy to stand for and worth living for. PHILOSOPHY OF MAN OCTOBER 11, 2010