Of Empathy And Valor

Today in the Philippines, we celebrate "Araw ng Kagitingan" or literally Day of Valor. We remember the sacrifices of Filipino and American soldiers in the hands of the Japanese to fight for the freedom that our country enjoys today, well officially, in papers. We are thankful for what our heroes did for us during the wars and until now, the front liners who sacrifices their own lives and existence to literally save the lives of others. Thank you so much Front liners! Nobody makes COVID a fightable war in the Philippines except for each and everyone of you! Thank you for giving more of yourselves and thinking more of others.

Thinking about others. It's not even about how we can better other's experience, but at the very least, how we can not inflict harm to them through our choices. Simply putting yourself in the shoes of others. Simply the golden rule - phrases that seem to be a big cliché or something we are too tired to hear during conversations. Have we truly learned what they mean? There's a reason for it being a constant reminder for people, because in our present society, it's still close to not existing.

A community or group governed by the principle of empathy is one that does not just function well, but functions for the benefit of one another, of each other. Simply thinking about your neighbor, and how your actions and choices will directly or indirectly affect them, can do wonders. Much more for leaders. We need more of those that can imagine themselves in place of its members. May it be a country, a company, or even at home, empathy should be a requirement for everybody to benefit not just the leader, but each and every member. 

Que, S. (2019, June) Guam.

Before you teach your child, or your student, or your workers the keys to excellence, making sure they become sensitive with their choices and how this will impact the bigger picture, is something that should be imposed in their hearts. We all are leaders one way or another. And as leaders, we should set an example and make sure this is evident in all our actions and decisions, not because we have to, but because as a member of a milieu, it is a responsibility. If you can't find ways to benefit people, at least make decisions that will not harm them..

In the end, if we don't take care of others, who will take care of ourselves? What will be the sense of any glory of a country or a company, if everybody else is harmed or infected or dead? Will the praises we gain through our indifference towards others make us truly feel like a winner? I think not and I hope not. 

"If you can't find ways to benefit people, at least make decisions that will not harm them."

Challenge yourself with every decision you make, whether it's for yourself, your employees, or your countrymen - have you thought of it's implications towards the bigger picture? You did? Okay think again, two or three times more! Remember, one's glory will never outweigh the able existence of two or hundreds or millions of the people around you. For tyrants and selfish people maybe, but to you? I believe in you! You are so much better than that! In the name of all the heroes that passed, and the heroes of today, be one! Don't do it for glory though, do it for the world and the worlds to come.

Stay safe! Really, I mean it truthfully, stay safe! I want you to live, to be able to breathe, and to be able to create more ripples of kindness because we all need it! We all depend on it!