2008 - 2009: A Transition

Transition is a fact of life. It is not all about change, nor a continuation. It is a movement, a shift from one to another. It provides an opportunity to constructively change or creatively continue a status quo.

Every transition carries a hope. For Obama, it is a firm hope for change that catapulted him to power. For Bush, it is a hope for a forgiving history that will view him. For Iraqis, it is a hope for improved security and self-rule. For Afghans, it is a hope for keeping on hoping. For Gazans, it is a hope for a peaceful surrounding.For the rest of the world, it is a hope to revive the slumping global economy from the financial crisis. For the average people, it is a hope find or keep a job that will support their living decently.

From Bush to Obama, from the US troops to Iraqi forces that will oversee the security of Iraq, from hundreds of thousands of foreign troops to more additional foreign troops in Afghanistan, from the rocket fires to ceasefire in Gaza, from Europe, US and Japan which are being hit by economic woes to China which reported a slight growth rate, from job termination to job placement, these transitions are images of hope which touch our common humanity with the rest of the world.

As for me, it is a hope for continued blessings in life. From studies to work, my transition is in the hope of contributing to sustain the hopefulness that now pervades amongst us, in spite of and/or because of the global financial crisis and difficulties in general.

In a recent survey, more that 60% of Filipinos remain hopeful that life will be better. I hope to see and keep that hope in spite of and/or because of the current administration. It is a pity that the rest do not see hope.

We hope in spite of our limitations, of our slumping economy, and of our frustrations and disappointments.

We hope because of our family, of our love for our country, and of our aspirations and dreams of a better tomorrow.

In our transition, with our transition, we hope.. Yes, we can.. Yes, we do. Let us share our hope to the rest. This is going to be our greatest gift to our fellow brothers and sisters who struggle to keep up with the crisis, everyday. Let us show them that there is enough reason to hope. There will be a transition.