Tuesday Reflection/Corruption

September 23, 2025

Acts 20:17–24

I had a perfect night’s sleep, probably because I resisted napping yesterday even when I was tempted. Jeff visited just as I was about to lie down, and I stayed awake even after he left. Soon after, I found new interests to occupy me—photography has been keeping me alert lately, along with tending my plants.

Yesterday was nearly perfect. I woke up, meditated, and then went out for a walk. I completed four miles at the park and continued walking on the beach, testing my balance and leg strength on the sand. My balance has definitely weakened with age.

I had planned to visit the AT&T branch in Lantana for the new iPhone 17 Pro Max, but I called first. As I suspected, they were sold out, as were the other branches. The phone was just released last Friday, and demand is high. At my age, I can wait. So I returned home.

The rest of the day was spent processing new videos of the beach, which I posted on YouTube and Instagram. My repotted plants are thriving, though I’m not confident about my okra—they look lanky, likely due to insufficient artificial light. I may try growing seeds outdoors in partial shade next.

I experimented with voiceovers in my reels and found them satisfying. I even added captions to ensure clarity behind my accent. I may continue using voiceovers, but I’m cautious not to depend on them. My reels have always been about music and scenery, and with my new DSLR arriving tomorrow, I want to keep that direction alive. So many possibilities lie ahead.

Still, I remind myself not to get consumed by one interest while neglecting others. Reading remains steady, mostly through Audible while walking. Video recording and editing are active. Writing and meditation are ongoing. Photography and gardening now have places in my daily rhythm. What’s missing, as usual, are programming and Spanish practice, which I must fit into my schedule. And, of course, exercise remains part of the routine. In short, I am busy with the things I love.

This morning begins again with meditation. I may drive to the beach early to record stretching exercises while the shore is still quiet. I will continue walking, though cautiously, keeping away from the waves. Later, I’ll tend the garden, check on my repotted plants, perhaps practice photography outdoors, and continue reading Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan.

The passage today reminds me of the Holy Spirit guiding us where the Lord wills:

“And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” (Acts 20:22–24)

The prospects Paul faced were grim, yet he said his life was worth nothing apart from completing his task. Reflecting on this, I realize I must avoid overprotecting, overthinking, or overimproving my life in ways that overshadow its spiritual essence. While it is true I should care for my body as God’s temple, I risk becoming too focused on its daily needs while forgetting why it was created in the first place.

This temple exists for God’s glory. The Holy Spirit directs its purpose, and I pray for discernment to hear and follow. Too often, my meditations drift to worldly matters—new hobbies, exercise routines, video editing, or sharing online. None of these touch my soul the way God’s Word does.

What I truly need is to dwell on the words of the Lord and the examples of His saints, like Paul, whose only concern was to fulfill the work given by God. That must also be my way of thinking.

I’ve become more active in my websites lately, especially the fiction one, where anonymity allows me to post spiritual reflections more freely. I’ve written shameful stories in the past, but there are gems among them too. If given a choice, I’d rather fill that space with meditations. Perhaps a struggling soul might stumble upon them and find something useful.

Still, I must remain careful: to meditate on God’s Word itself, not to drift into distractions or feed the desire to be read, admired, or validated. My goal must be to uplift my spirit, not my status.

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I woke from a good sleep. Yesterday was fulfilling despite the rainy, cloudy weather; I couldn’t walk, but I spent time in the backyard refreshing my seed trays and making sure they were protected from heavy, sporadic downpours. The neighbors were repairing their roof. I wanted to greet them but hesitated because of the language barrier.

I used my action camera and iPhone to record the repotting, and before long I found myself recording another voiceover, narrating my thoughts about the process. Later I started other old seed packets—tomatoes, annuals, perennials. These seedlings are part of my effort to stay active; I refuse to be stagnant all day. I want to keep moving, even if only in small ways.

I also wrote a piece in meditation reacting to the corruption unfolding in the Philippines. Although the draft was detailed, I ran it through ChatGPT for clarity and comprehension; in the process, some phrases—and some details—I’d intended to keep were trimmed away. Next time I’ll limit the edit request to grammar only so I don’t lose the ideas I worked hard to record.

It doesn’t matter. I am narrowing my audience, people no longer flock to my ideas. My reflections are not novel, and I don’t pretend otherwise. What I want now is to record history and to remain “alive” to the family I left behind. My videos will help them recognize me—how I look, how I speak—and perhaps they will someday read my thoughts. It would be tragic if I existed only in their imagination. Sharing myself with them matters.

My earlier writings from my youth are gaining relevance again as the country repeats old patterns. After forty years, I can see how what I imagined then echoes what is happening now. That sense of usefulness—documenting what might otherwise be forgotten—pulls me back to those works. With the help of AI I can at least correct grammar without sacrificing content. These pieces are meant for people who recall the 1980s, when we lived our prime years. Seeing the same issues reappear with new players is both refreshing and frustrating.

Our generation is now the old one. The same people who once fought corruption are now accused of it, while many of those currently stealing were never part of the old struggles. They hid while the real fighters marched in the streets; when the dust settled, they emerged from their caves and began their schemes, forming alliances that enriched them. Now they sit on mountains of ill-gotten wealth, guarded by networks that shrug off justice. The anger of the people simmers beneath the surface; when it erupts, those who plundered the nation will find their fate far less secure than they imagine.
2025-09-24 00:49:32
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