Let’s be good activists

IF we are really good citizens of our country, truly

concerned about how things are, then we should be, one way or another,

a good activist pursuing advocacies that can make authentic

improvements in the different fields of our social and political life.

            We cannot deny that there are serious issues and problems

besetting our collective life and we should not just be indifferent to

them. We have to feel the responsibility of doing something about

them, since we, as persons and as children of God, are meant to be

responsible for one another and for the whole society in general.

            We should just find a practicable way of how we can be

good activists without compromising our basic personal necessities,

especially in the moral and spiritual aspects. We have to observe the

proper priorities, although it cannot be denied that sacrifices, even

the extreme ones, cannot be avoided.

            To be an activist can only mean that we have reached a

certain level of maturity and have formed a personality and character

that now covers a scope of concern wider than just the purely personal

and individual.

            In practically all aspects of our life, we need activists.

From the most material and physical aspects, to the personal, social,

political, etc., there are serious matters that need to be improved

on.

            Yes, we may focus on physical cleanliness in our

environment only, but that would already be a good and worthwhile

effort. But I am sure that there are many other issues regarding the

environment that need to be tackled.

            To me, the advocacies with fundamental importance would be

those that are related to the protection of life, basic human rights,

family, education, moral and spiritual ecology.

            These advocacies can be pursued individually or, better,

by groups. But these should be inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit.

They should not just be motivated by some certain sense of social or

political concern, because unless clearly inspired and guided by the

Holy Spirit, these advocacies will most likely turn into something

where lack of charity and the dominance of biases and prejudices would

prevail.

            We have to be careful not to be activists who are simply

obsessed with something, no matter how legitimate in itself. Such

condition can only lead us to bitter zeal, if not to violence.

            A good activist will always be respectful to everyone and

will pursue his cause with great delicacy to the people’s different

views and conditions. The forcefulness of his advocacy will never

compromise anyone’s freedom. Rather it will come as a result of the

clarity and fairness of his views and actions.

            A good activist is willing to suffer anything and is not

scandalized by any wrong thing that can happen along the way, which

will always be likely to happen. He refrains from making rash

judgments and from simply finding faults in the others. He is willing

to listen to everyone, including those who differ with him.

            Amid differences and conflicts, he knows how to find

common ground with everyone, always listening to everyone and open to

a continuing dialogue. At times he may have to give in without giving

up over something that may pose as an obstacle for moving on with the

advocacies. If it is something essential, he may have to be patient in

waiting for the proper time to recover what was unfairly lost.

            He would know how to behave properly in both those times

when things are favorable to him and to his group and when they are

not. He is always game and sport, not allowing setbacks,

disappointments and frustrations to discourage him.

            He is also quick to learn from the others, knowing that he

does not have the exclusive claim of what is right and fair. He is

very welcoming to others and knows how to adapt to everyone according

to the way they are.