The Face In The Mirror

 

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You see me? I see you too. But while you spend your days examining my flaws, you remain a stranger to the person in your own mirror.

Daily, I take my journey one step at a time. Some days, I reach the goals I set for myself and find quiet satisfaction in small victories. On other days, I fall short, stumble, or discover that things do not unfold as planned. Still, I take note of both success and failure, knowing that each carries a lesson worth keeping.

What matters most is that I remain grounded in my own direction. My energy is not spent on controlling others or dwelling on circumstances beyond my reach, but on refining my own actions, decisions, and character. After all, the only space where I hold genuine influence is within myself. And so, each day, I continue forward, committed to becoming better than I was yesterday.

At times, we encounter public remarks that highlight the flaws of others, often delivered with confidence that can resemble moral certainty. Yet such criticism is not always rooted in understanding. In some cases, it reflects projection, where unresolved inner struggles shape how one perceives others.

What is often overlooked is that no one stands above imperfection. In focusing too intently on the shortcomings of others, it becomes easy to miss the opportunity for self-examination. The same lens used to judge outwardly can also be turned inward, where it may reveal more than expected.

Research in psychology suggests that criticism and self-evaluation are often intertwined with self-perception and internalized insecurities, influencing how individuals interpret both themselves and others (Gold & Smout, 2024; Malekzad et al., 2022). True growth, however, begins when attention shifts inward with honesty and humility, allowing self-awareness to take precedence over judgment.

Yet, as we choose to remain proactive in our own growth, we continue our journey undeterred. We move forward not because criticism does not affect us, but because we refuse to let it define our direction. While some remain preoccupied with judgment and dissatisfaction, we invest our energy in learning, discipline, and self-improvement.

Harmful words do not need to become permanent burdens. They can be acknowledged, then released, without allowing them to shape one’s identity. Often, what is spoken of others reveals more about the speaker than the subject. Our responsibility is not to respond to every criticism, but to remain committed to becoming better versions of ourselves each day.

In the end, I will see myself clearly, with both strengths acknowledged and flaws understood as part of growth. I will recognize who I have become because I chose reflection over reaction and understanding over judgment.

The question is not whether I can see myself. The question is: can you see yourself, too?

Papa Don't Preach

 

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“Do I come across as preachy? Does this sound like a sense of superiority?”

There are instances when social media timelines become saturated with posts that lean toward being preachy. Often, the people posting them may not even realize how they come across to others. In Psychology, this may be associated with what is called the “moral superiority bias,” the tendency of individuals to unconsciously present their views, choices, or lifestyles as more enlightened, ethical, or rational than those of others.

At times, what begins as self-expression or unsolicited advice can subtly transform into a performance of virtue, where the tone overshadows the message itself. Instead of encouraging reflection, such posts may unintentionally create distance, defensiveness, or quiet resentment among readers.

This becomes more evident in online spaces where people constantly announce how others should think, behave, heal, succeed, or live, often without realizing how these messages may sound to those quietly struggling with realities different from their own.

These are also matters worth reflecting on as writers, because the things we express, consciously or unconsciously, often reveal deeper dimensions of our inner world. Our words are shaped by experience, conviction, insecurity, desire, and even impulses we may not immediately recognize within ourselves.

In this sense, moments when our writing begins to sound excessively instructive or morally elevated may serve as opportunities for introspection. They invite us to examine whether, beneath the intention to share or inspire, there also exists a subtle tendency to position ourselves above others, a tendency that can unconsciously transform expression into preaching.

According to Brown (2012), individuals often perceive their own beliefs, actions, and values more favorably than those of others, which can unconsciously shape the way they communicate in public spaces, including social media. This may explain why certain expressions online can unintentionally appear preachy or condescending despite benign intentions.

This may or may not cause harm to others, yet it remains worthwhile for individuals to examine their intentions and reflect on their state of mind. Such reflection allows one to become more aware of the subtle ways thoughts and emotions manifest in expression. In doing so, unnecessary hurt and quiet alienation may be avoided, allowing social media spaces to become less arenas of tension and moral posturing, and more places of affirmation, understanding, and peace.

Perhaps the true measure of wisdom in the digital age is not how loudly we correct others, but how deeply we examine ourselves before speaking.

Those Who Lead

 

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“Weak leadership creates a vacuum that informal power fills.”

From the perspective of Niccolò Machiavelli, political and organizational power rarely remains idle. When formal leadership weakens, through indecision, loss of legitimacy, or inability to command trust, space is created for alternative centers of influence to emerge. These actors, though unofficial, begin to shape direction, decisions, and loyalty within a system.

This dynamic is observable across different settings. In schools, individuals are sometimes referred to as the “little principal,” while in local governance, similar figures are tagged as the “little mayor.” Such labels suggest the rise of informal influence operating alongside or beyond formal authority. In some cases, this may reflect gaps in leadership capacity, where official leaders are unable to fully consolidate direction or cohesion.

In political arenas, similar tensions become more visible. Recent events in the Senate involving accusations directed at the National Bureau of Investigation, alongside the presence of security forces such as the police and the Office of the Sergeant at Arms, have raised questions about how institutional authority is exercised and coordinated. Beyond the specifics, such incidents often prompt reflection on whether leadership structures are sufficiently clear and stable to prevent escalation or confusion in moments of pressure.

At the broader societal level, public sentiment reflects a familiar paradox. Many express fatigue over weak leadership yet continue to support the same political figures they later criticize. This has contributed to deep polarization, where political loyalty sometimes overrides critical evaluation. In highly divided environments, public discourse can shift away from accountability and toward defensive allegiance, limiting constructive engagement.

History shows that when institutional trust erodes, societies become vulnerable to stronger but not always healthier forms of authority, including authoritarian consolidation in extreme cases, as seen in figures such as Adolf Hitler. While contexts differ, the underlying pattern remains consistent, weakened systems often allow more dominant personalities to shape outcomes disproportionately.

In this light, the challenge is not only institutional but also civic. Leadership stability depends on both effective governance and a public that values discernment over blind loyalty. Without this balance, informal power continues to fill the spaces left by weakened authority, sometimes constructively, but often unpredictably.

Ultimately, when formal leadership loses clarity, influence does not disappear, it simply relocates. The critical question is whether that shift strengthens or distorts the system it inhabits.

No Meaning

 

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Waya nay lain mahimo kay maaya na!

One of the deepest confrontations a person must endure is boredom, not merely the absence of activity, but the absence of meaning. Psychologists often describe boredom as a condition that emerges when routines lose significance and existence begins to feel mechanical. In such moments, the human spirit longs for relevance, for proof that one’s presence matters in a vast and indifferent world. Thus, boredom does not simply invite distraction, it pushes people toward visibility, toward actions that might leave a mark and affirm their existence.

Boredom can reveal itself when a person suddenly becomes excessively noisy, impulsive, or irrational across various platforms. Rather than pursuing self-actualization, they may retreat into immediate forms of validation through petty quarrels on social media, unnecessary provocations, or flamboyant displays meant to attract attention. Beneath these actions often lies a deeper hunger, not merely for recognition, but for meaning and reassurance against obscurity.

Abraham Maslow argued that individuals who fail to progress toward self-actualization often remain preoccupied with external validation. Likewise, Carl Jung emphasized that self-awareness and individuation are essential to emotional maturity, as unresolved inner deficiencies frequently surface through projection, impulsivity, and performative behavior.

Some have wondered whether artists such as Sam Smith, who departed from a previously wholesome image through provocative performances and flamboyant aesthetics, can be seen as “losing themselves.” Yet psychological discourse offers a more nuanced reading. Rather than immediately labeling such transformations as disorder, scholars often examine how identity struggles, unmet emotional needs, or the pressure to remain relevant can push individuals toward increasingly sensational forms of self-expression. What appears excessive may also reflect an attempt to negotiate visibility and selfhood within a culture deeply invested in spectacle.

Indeed, it is the self that ultimately determines where it stands at any given moment. Yet while individuals may view their actions as expressions of freedom or authenticity, others can still perceive signs of imbalance, insecurity, or immaturity beneath them. In this sense, human behavior becomes not only a reflection of personal choice, but also a quiet revelation of one’s inner condition.

In the end, behavior often reveals what words attempt to conceal, the struggle of the self to find meaning, stability, and recognition in a world constantly demanding visibility.

Electrocuted

 

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Unhon daw pagpa-miyembro sa 4Ps.

There are circulating claims on social media suggesting that the recent increase in electricity bills is due to a government share allegedly allocated for beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Some posts have even taken a satirical turn, implying that middle-income households might now consider qualifying for the program themselves.

There is no evidence supporting this claim, as 4Ps is funded through the national budget and not through electricity billing. However, electricity bills do include a regulated lifeline rate subsidy system overseen by the Energy Regulatory Commission, where low-income households receive discounted rates that are partly supported through cross-subsidies within the power pricing structure. This is a social protection mechanism for basic electricity access, not a deduction for cash transfer programs.

Concerns have nevertheless emerged among taxpayers regarding rising deductions from income amid inflation and increasing costs of basic goods. This has fueled perceptions that government subsidies are expanding, sometimes framed in public discourse as “dole-out” programs. For many in the middle class, this adds to financial strain and raises questions about fairness in the distribution of fiscal burdens.

Such sentiments, while understandable given current economic pressures, can also risk reinforce negative perceptions toward beneficiaries of social assistance programs. At the same time, they highlight a governance challenge: the need to balance social protection with fiscal sustainability in a way that does not deepen social divides.

This concern is well documented in public policy literature. Stiglitz (2012) notes that when economic arrangements are perceived as uneven in distributing costs and benefits, trust in institutions can erode and social tension may increase.

Citizens are therefore called to uphold equity and consider the broader public good. In turn, public leaders must ensure that social programs are transparent, well-targeted, and aligned with taxpayers’ contributions, thereby maintaining both fairness and public trust.

Ultimately, good governance is not measured by how it separates burden and benefit, but by how it integrates them justly, so that no sector feels overlooked, and every contribution is recognized within a shared pursuit of fairness and social cohesion.

Rewired Minds

 

Paunahay pagsalida.

In our community, an elderly couple was brutally stabbed to death, sending waves of fear through the neighborhood. Not long after, another couple in a nearby town was shot and killed, deepening the unease and heightening collective anxiety. These incidents have left many asking difficult questions, as uncertainty continues to surround the circumstances behind such acts.

What is equally troubling is how these incidents are being relayed on social media. Some individuals immediately turn on live feeds and cry out for help in a state of panic, often incoherent and overwhelming, making it harder for responders and viewers alike to grasp the situation and act swiftly. Others go as far as broadcasting the victims’ bodies in real time, forgetting that these are not mere spectacles, but human lives lost, people with families who may find such exposure deeply offensive, distressing, and profoundly disrespectful.

Have people become so consumed by technology that every emotion must be broadcast across social media platforms, and every action filtered through them? In many instances, there appears to be an unspoken compulsion to document and share, as though an experience is not fully realized until it is made visible to others.

According to Sherry Turkle (2011), the constant urge to share reflects a shift in how individuals construct identity and connection, often prioritizing visibility over presence. Similarly, Jean M. Twenge (2017) argues that the rise of digital culture has intensified self-focus and validation-seeking behaviors, particularly through online platforms. Together, these perspectives suggest that technology does not merely facilitate communication but also reshapes how people experience and express their emotions, at times encouraging a reflex to make every moment public.

One may argue that the freedom to express oneself extends to any platform and in any form, yet such freedom should never come at the expense of universal values. Respect, discipline, and empathy must take precedence, guiding how and when we choose to share. The urgency to be the first to broadcast an event should not override the responsibility to uphold human dignity and sensitivity toward others.

From a Stoic perspective, as reflected in the teachings of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, emotions should never overpower sound judgment. Even in moments of fear or urgency, it is important to pause, think clearly, and act with restraint. In doing so, individuals not only maintain composure but also contribute to a more respectful and responsible way of responding to events that affect the community as a whole.

Driven or Indolent?

 

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Ampa molihok kun orada na!

Self-discipline, first defined in the 1690s as the ability to guide, retrain, and control oneself, has retained its core meaning despite societal changes over time. In contemporary terms, it refers to the capacity to regulate and correct one’s behavior for self-improvement (University of the People, 2022; Collins Dictionary, n.d.; Merriam-Webster Dictionary, n.d.), as well as to manage and motivate oneself to act appropriately without external direction or pressure (Collins Dictionary, n.d.; Longman, 2022).

This quality is evident in individuals who demonstrate sustained focus and intentional effort in their pursuits. Athletes, for instance, often devote significant time to training, willingly sacrificing social activities and popular trends to refine their performance. Likewise, writers may become deeply immersed in the process of shaping language and ideas, losing track of time as thoughts are gradually refined into meaningful expression. In both cases, action is guided by an internal commitment to improvement rather than external compulsion.

Self-disciplined individuals are characterized by intrinsic motivation and purposeful action. They consistently regulate their behavior in alignment with long-term goals, enabling persistence even in the absence of immediate rewards or external supervision.

In contrast, indolence reflects a tendency to avoid sustained effort, where action is often driven only by necessity or external pressure. Individuals who exhibit this disposition are more likely to delay tasks and allow circumstances to dictate their behavior rather than actively shaping their direction.

José Rizal’s essay “The Indolence of the Filipinos” offers a critical examination of indolence within a historical and colonial context. While it does not seek to generalize or attribute such a trait as inherent to Filipinos, it instead invites reflection on the broader social and structural conditions that shape human behavior and productivity.

These opposing orientations highlight differing levels of self-regulation. While self-disciplined individuals demonstrate consistency between intention and action, indolent behavior is marked by gaps in follow-through and engagement. Research indicates that higher self-discipline is associated with reduced procrastination and greater autonomous motivation, whereas weaker self-regulation contributes to habitual delay and passivity (Tao & Jing, 2023; Mezghiche et al., 2024).

Ultimately, the distinction between self-discipline and indolence becomes visible in behavior, decisions, and how others respond to them. Over time, these patterns shape trust, expectations, and credibility in both personal and professional contexts.