WALK THE TALK

A story goes like this:

“Now boys,” admonished the old minister, lecturing the Bible class, “you must strive always to keep calm and never lose your tempers. You should never swear or get angry or get excited.”

“But sometimes we cannot help it, sir,” said one.

“It is not hard,” declared the old fellow. “I never do it. Now for example, see that big fly on my nose?”

“Yes, sir,” chorused some.

“It is a bee,” whispered an experienced one.

“Now see this fly,” went the old minister. “Most wicked men would be excited and swear, but I just say, ‘Go away, fly’ and I – GOOD GOD! IT IS A BEE! DAMN IT TO HELL!”

* * *

It’s a funny story, but think about it, it would probably remind you of some “men of God” who preaches something, but that does not do what they preach. ‘Hypocrites!’ some exclaim.

This is not only true to the hypocrites of the clergy. But aren’t we all guilty of being hypocrites? We say, “I never do it” like the old minister, but when an unexpected circumstance caught us unaware – like the bee on the minister’s nose – we exactly do the opposite.

The minister should have not said, “It is not hard. I never do it.” He should have said, “Maybe it is hard, but pray to God to help you. Nothing is impossible in Him.”

Let us not make the mistake of the minister. Always declare that you cannot do anything without the Big Guy, to help or guide you.

Or you will end up being stung on the nose by a bee.

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Emotions

Love. Hate. Jealousy. Anxiety. Compassion. Envy. Irritation. Anger. Greed. Fear. Shock. Pride. Loneliness. Jubilance. Excitement. Despair. Anguish. Boredom. Enthusiasm. Ignorance. Arrogance. Pity. Disgust. Shame. And many more…

They are emotions. You and I experience them. Emotions make us humans.
But emotions can kill in both sense of the word – figuratively and literally.

Being too emotional is dangerous. When we allow our emotions to take over us, it will cloud our judgment and thinking. Emotional persons make bad decisions, are easily panicked, and are easily led to their destruction.

Take Anakin Skywalker for example. He was skillful, powerful, intelligent, and versatile. But those cannot make a great Jedi, Jedis should be able to keep their emotions at bay. But Anakin was very emotional, and this led him to fear, to anger, to hate – and finally – to the Dark Side. He was driven by hate when he avenged his mother. And his fear of losing his wife, Padme Amidala, led him to make bad choices, and even being a reason in his wife’s death.

Being too emotional will probably lead you to the Dark Side.

As for those who are able to not allow their emotions be master of them, like Genjyo Sanzo and Sherlock Holmes. They were able to make good decisions often, and think ways out of tight situations even when under pressure.

A good example of someone who never allowed his emotions to take over in times of crucial moments is Phileas Fogg, the hero of Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 days”. Being cold, but optimistic, he was able to win his bet. Though many obstacles and problems that seems impossible – in other’s and Passepertout’s eyes – to scale or solve, Fogg was always able to find a way through all those circumstances by shutting down his emotions and thinking out a good plan or decision.

You may say that “unemotional” and cold characters like Genjyo Sanzo, Sherlock Holmes, and Phileas Fogg are friendless, disliked, and miserable loners. Genjyo Sanzo friendless? His “Sanzo Army” respects and do everything for him… doesn’t it sound like friendship? Sherlock Holmes disliked? Only by criminals, but he is much loved by the Scotland Yard and his clients that he saved from grief, anxiety, or scandal. Phileas Fogg miserable? He won his bet, obtained happiness, and had Aoudam the love of his life. Friendless, miserable and dislike loners? Bah… I don’t think so.

Being cold does not always mean being inconsiderate, insensitive, uncompassionate and such. Being cold also means being able to control one’s emotions.

I’m not saying that emotions are bad. Being too emotional is. It is good to be compassionate, loving, and other show of emotion in some circumstances. Learn to control and hide emotions, but be able express them in right times.

All I am saying is that we should not allow our emotions to take control. Ever heard of the expression, “driven by emotion”, or in Filipino, “nadala lang ng emosyon”? it’s dangerous doing impulsive moves or choosing impulsive decisions just because “nadala lang ng emosyon.”

I, myself, am still learning to master how to effectively control and hide my emotion. Yes, it is hard, but learn to practice it – it is worthwhile to do so. When you feel your emotions getting the better of you, take deep breathes – it’ll help.

Always remember, people who can control their emotions are better than those who can’t. That’s why the Vulcans are better than the Romulans.

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