One of my favorite moments during the day is lunch. I used to eat lunch quickly then go up to the lounge to take a nap to recharge my lost energy. You might ask, how does this make lunch my favorite moment? Errr, I used to like lunch break. Now, I like lunch..
During lunch, I get to have some meaningful discussions with passionate people who are very much aware of what's happening around them. Anyway, in one of our philosophical discussion about life, the topic of discipline came into being. Then stories of naughtiness of our students, of children of other parents, of discipline strategies and what not emerged. We pointed out one trait that mostly children have, and perhaps most of the time I catch myself doing, blaming others of failure.
Boring a hole in my brain, I cannot recall any instance when someone totally accepted a fault that is so huge that it would bring him/her embarrassment. Maybe I have witnessed now that I'm thinking about it, but it wouldn't be that huge. Maybe something small, I don't know.
Anyway, there is always that automatic trigger that pulls itself whenever I am blamed for something. That trigger points to someone else. I usually make excuses, blame other people, and keep a blind eye for my own flaws. I guess I know that I have my limitations. I accepted that reality. But what keeps me from admitting to faults that are obviously mine? Embarrassment? Am I afraid to lose credibility? What credibility do I have? It is true, what Darwin said. Self-preservation. The theory also states that when a person is faced with utmost danger, the person will follow its instinct to protect him/herself. Flight. Adapt. Fight. Whatever it may be as long as life is being preserved. This could be the root of all this blaming game. Adam invented the game. He blamed the fault entirely to the woman, perhaps to God himself because He gave Adam the woman. We all know that Adam was not forced to eat the forbidden fruit. In fact, it wasn't even shoved down to his throat. He hesitated a little, then yielded. He willed to eat the fruit. Somehow it was deliberate. And how can he lie to God, who knows everything. Why did he try to conceal this ugly truth that he willfully disobeyed God's commandment. Why did he deny that he failed? What is there to protect? Perhaps the leisure in Eden. He can kiss it goodbye. but...
Anyway, I am nothing different with Adam. I love to play this blame game like little children do. One story goes that a child played with their white linens that were newly washed. Basically ransacked the house with it dirtying what seems to be an epitome of purity. All the people in household point to one person - the culprit. He denied it. Little did he know, there was a CCTV record of what he did. Knowing that he doesn't have any exit to go, he still tried to slip away by saying "Maybe it's me because the boy looks like me." Who are you kidding? We understand when it's the children doing this because it looks cute, but nevertheless they should be corrected. But adults, like me still do these things. No matter how ridiculous we sound, we persistently look for a way out hoping people don't take notice. Just like this Vhong Navarro's mauling incident. People are pointing fingers. Just like people in the government.
I can only do so much. I can only start with myself. I want to grow up...
Love is the only thing that can make me outgrow this blaming game. It's a childish thing. It's really a bad feeling when people tag you with inadequacy or with shortcomings. People want to prove to themselves and to others that they are better than what they seem to be. But again, it's a childish thing.
Again, love is the answer. Jesus came down to suffer for our sins instead of blaming it on us. God loves us so much, why can't we love each other? Why do we want to be better than the rest? Why not serve each other? Why do we need to be appreciated with what we do if what we do is out of love? Why do we need to be seen doing good? Why do we need something in return for a good deed? Why do we take pride in our success in and failure to other people? Why can't we just love each other. The world will be a better place. But as how most of quentin tarantino's films, there' no ultimate happy ending. The world is bloody cruel. I guess, there will never be peace on earth so long people are loving themselves. The Kingdom of God is not of this world.
