By Atty. Antonio P. Pekas
Dear son.
The reactions to your column story last week entitled HYPOCRISY are great. But let that not lull you into dream land, or to thinking you will be totally immune from that weakness. For try as you might, the reality as you will later find out going through life is you will commit mistakes like doing some hypocritical acts. When that happens, the thing to do is go through the process called redemption. It starts by admitting the mistake and then, as far as you can, make amends. Then learn from it. That’s how humanity progressed into societies or civilizations. By learning from mistakes. Even the most embarrassing ones that will make you unable to face your wife or close relatives can be a treasure trove of life lessons. That is, if looked at in a positive way.
The greatest part of committing such hypocritical errors is it results in swallowing your pride. It is like your nape was grabbed by a stronger fellow and pulled your head down to rub your face on the mud. It obliterates arrogance or the egoistic feeling you are somebody. The positive effect is humility or a more inclusive viewpoint. And you will be liked by more.
The possibility of that happening, however, should not deter you from being daring or bold. For in this world, without these would render you unable to accomplish great things. Yes, be not afraid. Just be prepared to face humiliating situations. It is a part of life. You will become better because of it.
Well, it is easy to talk about this but very different when you are squirming from emotional pain due to the humiliation. More so if you will be lucky enough to achieve some name or fame. Any mistake will be publicized or splattered on media front pages or the most prominent spots. In such a situation you should have developed some fortitude and stamina to deal with it. Also the ability to get out of the situation psychologically unscathed.
Redemption with the attendant humiliation can result in the energy to achieve great things.
Having said these, don’t look down on people who committed big mistakes in life. Am sure they had improved and explored the limits of their potentials. They just lived out the slice of life accorded to them. You have yours, mistakes and all.
Conversely, those who were afraid to take risks have a lot of potentials that remain untapped. They failed to get or realize the best they could from themselves.
In sum, don’t be fooled by those who pretend to have never committed any hypocrisy or such mistakes. They must be living in dream land.**
Then here’s the comment on the foregoing of a fellow UP Los Banos alumna.
Love the article of JV. His struggle as a young lad as he sorts out his feelings, beliefs and ideals…in a real world with expectations, standards. And the answer of the father to the son… “…be not afraid, go forth and face the world…” Give him the liberty to live his life after you have given him a strong foundation for a meaningful, fulfilling and happy life.**
