Forget Yes; Forgive Not Yet?

By Alex P. Vidal 

“I will reach out to the world from the corner of my little space and no devil can stop me from fulfilling this purpose.” ―Daniel Anikor

IF we’re sure winners in the recent Philippine elections, we’re supposed to start reaching out to our political rivals by initiating the first move.

Even before the Comelec has officially proclaimed all the victors, at least there must be a semblance of hope that election protagonists are willing to smoke the proverbial peace pipe however difficult at this moment to forgive and forget.

While we understand that being emotionally wounded can mark a difficult time in a politician’s life given that the uncertainty that comes along with a painful event (ditto the hurting words unleashed during the heated campaign period) often leaves one wondering if the ache will ever end, the election fever is over whether we like it or not.

We have all heard the saying, “Time heals all wounds.” While this statement may be motivated by good intentions, we believe it’s not always an easy concept to grasp for others.

Often, the heartache of the moment weighs so heavily upon them that they cannot see past the pain. We get it.

-o0o-

The campaign period was contentious and really mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting and stressful, but good leaders are always magnanimous in victory and gracious.

Without humility, no real success can be possible. We can’t lead people, without first being able to admit our mistakes and shortcomings.

It is said that most leaders have an abundance of ambition, talent, and confidence, but few possess the humility necessary to sustain influence over time.

Although many leaders typically have shunned humility because they saw it as a sign of weakness or self-doubt, it will not hurt if winning leaders initiate the first move to offer the olive branch.

Some of those victorious characters felt they have to be right on everything. After all, they were in charge. Their character and personality tended to go down this similar path.

They found themselves trying to maintain self-preservation and felt if they admitted fault that they might be viewed or perceived as weak leaders.

That is not always the case because when they were sincerely humble, they discovered they gained respect, loyalty and wisdom.

-o0o-

I received an email from New York Governor Kathy Hochul which she also sent to other New Yorkers: Alex, It’s no secret that cell phones are distracting kids in schools across the country. Young people are constantly dealing with never-ending pressure and stress — from how they look, to whether their clothes are cool, or if they’re being excluded from a party. How can they possibly focus in class with all that on their minds and constant notifications buzzing in their pockets?

That’s why back in January, I proposed bell-to-bell restrictions on cell phones in New York schools. I knew we had to put an end to these digital distractions and give kids their childhood back.

I’m proud to say: We got it done.

New York is now the largest state in the country to enact statewide, bell-to-bell restrictions on cell phones in K-12 schools. Starting this fall:

Students will be required to put smartphones away and out of sight –not just during homeroom or lunch, but for the entire school day

Schools will be empowered to develop their own implementation plans and can utilize new funding to purchase solutions to help them go distraction-free

Parents will still be able to contact their child during the day if they need to. And in the case of an emergency, law enforcement experts have made it clear that students are safer when they’re focused on the direction of trained adults – not distracted by their phones.

For many students and parents, these policies are nothing new: Schools throughout New York have already implemented similar measures, and they’ve been transformative:

I’ll never back down when it comes to what’s best for our children, because your family is my fight. I said that on day one, and I mean it just as much today.

We’ve protected our children before – from cigarettes to alcohol and drunk driving. Now, we’re taking action again by protecting them from the challenges of addictive technology. Ever Upward, Gov. Kathy Hochul 

-o0o-

CALORIES AND SEX.The more intense the sex, the more calories are burnt: up to 10,000 calories annually. How? Having sex 3 times a week burns 7,500 calories per year. That’s the equivalent of jogging 75 miles (120.675 km).

TWO-DOLLAR BILL IS BACK. Without question, the $2 bill is the black sheep of the U.S. currency family. Despite being such a small denomination, the “Tom”—nicknamed for its portrait of Thomas Jefferson — rarely surfaces in day-to-day transactions. But make no mistake, the $2 bill is very real and remains in regular circulation.

FREE DIVING. There’s a community of women in South Korea known for free diving — without the help of breathing equipment — for several hours a day, collecting seafood from the ocean floor as deep as 60 feet below the surface. Scientists have discovered these women have evolved “unique genetic differences” that they hope will one day lead to improved medical treatments.

(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor-in-chief of two leading daily newspapers in Iloilo, Philippines.—Ed)