CHRISTMAS: A SEASON FOR LOVE, SHARING AND FORGIVENESS

                Christmas is the holiday that people all over the world look forward to and celebrate once a year. But do we really understand the reason for this holiday?

            For some people it might just be a ritual and they do not understand why it is celebrated. I used to think that Christmas just came about because of the birth of Christ; I have come to realize that there is so much more than to the tradition and its origination. We choose to celebrate this holiday for one reason—JESUS. This is the emphasis that my family puts on Christmas and everything that goes along with it. Christmas season is the time to show our love. We, ourselves, have a responsibility to show love to others especially at Christmas. Love is the true essence of life because it embodies all the characters Jesus Christ represents. It is a period of sharing things with those you love. We share food, gifts or other things that can bring joy to others. It is common to see people sharing Christmas cards filled with messages of love and encouragement.

            In this very important and memorable season, all of us must understand and feel the true essence of Christmas. Forgiveness is one of the fundamental of true love and during this festive season, reconciliation normally occurs. Families that were otherwise divided come together as one that new relationships are built and old relationships are renewed. Disputes are settled and reconciliation is achieved. The essence of Christmas is to reconcile men to God and highlight the importance to let go of hurt that has been meted out to us. 

EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

            Should women have equal rights to men? Yes, they have equal rights and opportunities in the areas of speech, education, respect and the freedom to vote. Indeed, all of us were created firmly equal by God.

            In this society, we have heard so many cases and stories about the discrimination, exploitation and the loss of respect of others to the rights and freedoms of everyone, the common victims of these acts are women and children. Your freedom ends when my right starts. We should all be treated equally and any sinful act which opposes the human rights and the law of God is a strong proof that your act and the person, you, is not honorable and must not be respected. According to John F. Kennedy, people don’t have equal talents, but all people should have an equal opportunity to develop their talents, all human beings have their innate and learned talents and these are to be developed in spite of differences in gender, status, age, duties, roles and perspective. Also, God does not look at one of the sexes as if the one is the only important being. Eve was created from one of the ribs of Adam, signifying that men and women stand side by side in status before God.

            These proofs really exemplify the need of us to have the chance to have equal rights for us to live a life which is respected. This also gives us the chance to have equal opportunities in enhancing our talents, skills and potentials to be an effective and successful citizen of this country.

IT ALL STARTS WITH SMALL STEPS..

            In today’s world, a lot can be said about making a difference. People who believe that we can make a difference are the ones who shape our society today, the people who help in driving our country leading us to a better world to live. It is important to keep in mind that one person can make a difference even how simple the life he has.

            I want to make an impact on the world much like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King and our very own Cory Aquino who moved the world and have changed the lives of many people as they fought the rights and freedom of these. I would also like to change the views and perceptions of our society that even if we are not as powerful and as sumptuous as a politician, it doesn’t mean that we cannot anymore contribute to the betterment of our country. A simple student like me, a youth, can make a change, a powerful one, which most of us think we can’t. But actually, if we are to use the leadership and the good characteristics we possess in the times we are in the shelter of our school, definitely we could lead the nation with firm dedication and stand for the true achievement of change.

            All of us must be responsible enough and we should not be self-centered. Let us all support morality, understand the people and truly unites the nation. I want everybody to have the opportunity to live a decent life. I want to be able to stop crimes, terminate prejudice, and open up anew, more peaceful world. I understand that it would be difficult to accomplish all that I would like to, but it all starts with small steps. Small steps can be taken to accomplish big things. Anyone can make a difference, it just takes the right attitudes, decisions and camaraderie for fellows.

CLIMATE CHANGE, A SERIOUS THREAT

            Climate change and Global warming have been a controversy and becoming a big burden and a threat to everybody. But the question is—ARE WE REALLY CONCERN WITH THIS NERVE-WRECKING REALITY OR WE ARE JUST SELF-CENTERD PERSONS AND DON’T HAVE CARE.

Around the world, people are putting more and more pressure on the environment. They are dumping pollutants into the air and water , and removing natural vegetation to extract mineral resources or turn the land into cropland for farming. We just need to have that good intention and passion and the action for us to make change for next generations. Proper awareness of different affairs is really an important factor for us especially on this very serious suit. Climate change is a long-term and worldwide change in temperature, rainfall, snowfall, fog, frost, hail, wind and storms. Gradual warming and cooling of Earth’s climate has been a natural process throughout its history. Global warming is an increase in Earth’s average surface temperature, the increase in CO₂ and other gases-such as methane-the major cause of this warming. Because of many human activities such as driving cars that use gasoline and burning fossil fuels, contribute to global warming. These kinds of activities produce “greenhouse gases”, which seep into the atmosphere and trap heat. Scientists predict that temperatures may continue to rise by as 10F over the next hundred years.

            It may seem like there is nothing we can do to help prevent it, but that is wrong. To help prevent devastating climate change, we need to contribute in the goodness of our own Planet. We need to burn less fossil fuel, conserve water, change farming methods and treat our planet with love and care. In this time, we need to wake up from a long mind rest, all of us must act to protect our Planet Earth.