Relishing moments alone

There are many things that elude our understanding or things happen without our knowing why. We’d quiz if “understanding” is an absolute necessity or would it not be better “accepting” the supposed nature of things or probe for the “truth” as we move along.
Sometime, we find ourselves alone in situations like running in unfamiliar woods. The lack of first-hand knowledge makes vital that we watch our step in front for it is the most important ones. Have we been paying attention to our “step in front?” Or have we been negligent?

Meditation. For mental acuity, I’d venture into reading the Holy Bible, beginning with the five books upon which was written the greatest book. I’ve gone through them at least thrice. Unfortunately, I’m still far from securing fair understanding of the depth of the materials as explained by superb literary authors.

It triggers the brain to sail into uncharted territory as you meditate upon what was said. It’s simple lessons from history written in simple English, though loaded with depth and wisdom. Challenging, though, the intellectual meditation in quietude.

Though each trip turns into greater clarity, it also brings up more than my share of questions. The amalgam of scholarly review by superb evangelists ensures each chapter accurately depicts the life of the Lord and His mandates. Literary garb was deleted to keep its integrity. I’ve come across myths I can’t resolve. I surrendered to “acceptance” for there’s also another term waiting that is far more humbling, “faith.” Employing existentialism is irrelevant in this case.

Christ told the Israeli teacher Nicodemus that believing in God turns into eternal life—the quality of life—rather than time duration. He seemed exasperated with him for not understanding the terms “begotten” and “spirit” per the word of God the Father through Moses.

How then could he understand heavenly matters? Said Christ, “The wind blows where it will, you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from, or where it goes…” It must be the pretense and confusion, braving materials he doesn’t understand.

Front step: Then I ventured into walking in unfamiliar woodland. My focus is the use of caution, specifically the step in front of me as I reach forward holding unto fragile branches and loose boulders. Though cautious I may be especially around ravines, there’s always the chance of a fatal slip in the dark. Thus the cautious and measured steps as I move about.

Truth: My eyes were set on the eight-legged creature while my mind wanders off, debating about the meaning of the word “truth.” But why would I be dealing with abstracts in the woods? Perhaps it was the treasured moment of solitude. I was actually thinking, no longer hunting.

So I’d weave in and out of the query. The origin of the thought of the term truth must have hailed from my profession as a journalist grounded on the foundation to search for the truth on each trip to the mound.

It reminds me of Mathatma Ghandi’s book, An Experiment with Truth, analyzed by an established writer. Said he, “Truth, like love, defines itself only at moments of difficulty. It is so much easier to tell the truth on a sunny day than on a day when the sky is darkened by clouds of apprehension and danger.

“I tell you the truth, Peter,” said Jesus, “this very night before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

“Even among men of great mettle, the temptation for self-preservation can prove to be a powerful force. Among lesser men, self-advancement can be sufficient impetus for treading on a path of lies.

“In the end, truth offers no rewards; it is reward unto itself. The king may wear satin and the poor man his tattered clothes, but he who wears the truth wears the crown.”

Indeed, there may be a chasm between truth that is spoken and truth that is understood by others, but “the residence of Truth sits on unshifting, even ground.” Do I understand and accept the truth? Indeed, though challenging the depth of biblical passages.

The KISS concept

With a population of less than 60,000 people, I’m often puzzled by the magnitude of problems we’ve worked up for nearly four decades now.

Are issues of significance really that complicated or is it more the absence of the proactive use of our culture of responsibility to move forward by resolving them on a timely basis? Why the apparent dismissive attitude, like time is always in our hands? Any realistic idea where we are today? Haven’t we royally “advanced to the rear”?

Leave your frustrations and ill-conceived pipedreams behind and resolutely reset your button. In doing so, you must use the concept, “Keep It Simple, Stupid” or KISS. This grants you the opportunity resolve issues simply and on a timely basis.

Yes, there are issues of substance and magnitude requiring the contributions of key sectors of the Northern Marianas community. It doesn’t, however, absolve you from working on urgent matters of state. Oh, KISS it?

Casualties galore

The CNMI is a casualty of Obamacare that literally robbed families of a sizeable chunk of what’s left in the family pocketbook. Perhaps our so-called “esteemed” Delegate Kilili has an explanation for the thousands of adversely affected families Marianas-wide.

There’s the other group of casualties—retirees that have to deal with a double whammy—searching for answers atop the vicious hit with a 40-percent increase in health premium. The cocktail of increases hasn’t stopped: power bills and food commodities ready to fire off into the heavens. Seesuzzzz!

John DelRosario Jr. is a former publisher of the Saipan Tribune and a former secretary of the Department of Public Lands.