Burning Idealism

Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands, but like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them, you reach your destiny. --Carl Schurz

This quote by the first German-born statesman that entered the American senate is remarkable. Entering politics and being this principled is quite commendable if you’re speaking for our time. I used to be a very idealistic person. I had a lot to say regarding the issues concerning our world. But with the change of time come a change of perspective. I suddenly got scared of what’s there waiting for us, a world where idiosyncrasy, cynicism, skepticism and irony come together. My fears toppled my idealism. What used to add fuel to my burning idealism was the same thing that extinguished it.

When you turn on the television at any time of the day you would catch some bad news, see a lot of politicizing and if you’re unlucky, watch a whole lot of mediocrity. The medium is not the only one to be blamed. Television portrays what is transpiring in our society. It mirrors the true stories unfolding in our generation. Media can not be blamed for the Iraq War, North Korea’s nuclear weapons and typhoon Milenyo. But not everything you hear or see is bad. There are still those trying to create change.

Conrado de Quiros puts it best when he said that, “as you grow older and are thrust into the so-called ‘real world’, your idealism will be challenged by what passes for realism, or pragmatism.” We may still be optimistic and hopeful now but needless to say, one of us will falter and be eaten by the system. But at the rate things are going, I don’t think anyone of us will end up like this.

My generation has taught me to hold onto my idealism and principles that I almost lost. Yes, almost. Going back to school for my last semester and experiencing once again how it feels to take the future into your hands truly gives one a sense of pride, a sense of hope. Looking at my classmates and listening to their dreams was more than a wake up call, it made me ashamed of even trying to turn my back on my own. They made me realize that it’s wrong to give it up. Witnessing the world go from bad to worse is not an excuse. It should be a motivation to reverse it. One should be the change they want to see.

It takes one dictator to induce suffering for twenty years, but only takes one revolution to overthrow him. It takes one tape to divide the nation but only takes one Ronato Alcano and one Manny Pacquiao to take bring it back. It takes one dream to change the world and one person to fulfill it. Idealism is the secret of this generation. Let us try to hold onto it and make it a better world for all of us and remember that this will guide us in reaching our dreams.

Better late than never...

While the whole world has gotten over the fascination of having their own blog, I can't believe I'm just starting mine. I guess I just mustered enough courage to let the people know the real me. I'm not used to letting people read what Ive written. It has got alot to do with my inferiority complex which I'm trying to get out of my system. Today, I just decided to make one, and already I feel like a new door of opportunities have opened. I promise to post as often as possible and include the previous works I've written. Already I'm excited for my next entry...indeed, it is better late than never.