Holy Week musings

This has got to be the longest Holy Week vacation or rest next to the 2020 lockdowns. We take a break for a week until Monday April 10 and though it is not good for the economy as a whole, it is the best time for vacation spots, tourist establishments and other out-of-town destinations. Because people just have to get out and take in some fresh air and this is the time the family has common free time to be together. It is also the worst time for traffic on the expressways and the worst time to be in Baguio or Tagaytay – two of the most popular destinations in Luzon, at least.

In Mindanao, we found the chance to see the country in search of groups needing markets for their coffee produce. The road network is beautiful and the scenic spots are aplenty. We drove out from Davao City to have lunch on BUDA road, and we explored Bukidnon and its many road routes to Misamis Oriental, Agusan and Davao. I can imagine road trips can be fun for the family during this long break.

But if you are looking for something different, stay in the city. You will find a quiet place, noise from construction and repairs cease temporarily and you will find time for fixing up. You can fix up your home, or you can organize the mind. People will not disturb you with text messages or meetings, and you will also not get disturbed by crowds who are all looking for some respite and rest.

It really will be time for reflection and being with yourself. You owe it to yourself to be alone and just think about what you have been rushing for or about. It is like New Year except you will not do any new resolutions. Rather, it is a check on what you have been doing and what else you can do to change the world. It may sound cheesy but so many of us are so consumed with everyday matters we forget to do something really noble – like doing something for the planet.

It can be just changing your mindset about a few things.

Do you think deeper or higher than money? I overheard some men who were bragging to each other about how they found the best deals by selling property of farmers to developers. But who will now grow our food? A windfall of money for farmers, a chance for developers to make a new subdivision, at the price of food.

Another chimed in about two roads leading to a vacation place to be built by two huge companies, and increasing the values of properties along the way. Again, these are productive lands which will soon be roads and highways. Is it about development or is it just about money? When we think of business, profit is always the goal. But more than profit, is there a higher purpose?

What have you done for the planet? You have a good business, you are happy with your family, but have you done anything to change the course of things? Is your business protecting or harming the environment? We can be so busy the rest of the year, we do not have time to think of these things. Now is the time to reflect on these matters.

Is your business or career sustainable? How much time do you devote to planning your business or your career? I met a few women whose corporate careers may soon come to an end and they are now looking for options. It is the same for business. We may have been doing it for years that we forget to assess if we still have many years left doing the same thing. With advancement in technology happening everyday, our obsolescence as a business may come sooner than later.

How is your spiritual health? Now that it’s the Lenten season maybe it is also the time to do a check on our spiritual health.

Many people do things because of tradition, not knowing the true meaning of such. It is high time we studied our own spiritual journey, or time to address the lack of any spiritual exercise.

No matter what humbles you, or whatever religion you were born in or baptized as, we all have the chance to be by ourselves and be still and be quiet this week. Maybe it’s to think of how life has been, and what we treasure most about life. Maybe it’s time to think of what we can do for others, if we already have enough.

Remember the lockdowns? That time taught us to think about what we needed most and how little we needed to live. And if we survived that time, we surely still have a mission to do to justify our stay on this planet. What could that mission be?

Self examination. Truly only a self-examination will reveal all these things to us. And the best time to do this is now – when people are quiet, businesses are silent and the whole town goes into a pause. Take advantage and give yourself some quiet time.

While you have lined up what to watch on TV or Netflix, even a day or two of just quiet reflection and meditation may bring you new ideas and a new beginning for the years to come.

So take time to sit and do nothing. It is a pleasure and privilege not given to many.

This may be the longest Holy week in years with that addition of an extra day which is the Monday after. So plan ahead and plan to be in a quiet place, in the city or somewhere you can find silence. Stay away from the noise of other people. Fast from traffic and crowds.

Be with yourself, for a change.