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THE UNSTOPPABLE NATURE OF CHANGE
Marian Baltazar
Class of 1980, University of the Philippines College of Manila
AN Political Science
Change has its various meanings and it can even be referred to as transformation and transition. It covers a
very broad meaning and we need to delve to understand the kinds of changes that occur around us. We have
experienced changes in our life in the past more than the changes that our past generations ever had in their
lives. Thanks to modern technology and the present computer age for we have had overnight millennium
changes which transformed the world into a whole new one! But on the contrary, we undergo a defying series
of events where nature plays an important factor. There are numerous typhoons that have hit several countries
which baffled us and left some poverty-stricken nations shattered! Not to mention the recent earthquake and
tsunami that hit Japan and washed out several houses and even one of their power plant.
Over time nature, has caused damage and destruction in more ways than one. Aside from the earthquake,
tsunami, typhoons, storms, tornadoes, cyclones, floods, bush fires, droughts, landslides, etc. Most of these
change in nature caused immense damage and as humans, we are unable to hinder. Not only did these people
lose their valuable possessions but event their loved ones too during these times. What’s more there was a
recent flash flood that struck in the Philippines and in the span of 24 hours, swept the people off their feet
inside their houses, killing a lot of people including the children, leaving them homeless and with nothing at all.
Many communities were affected and devastated by all of these events for the past couple of months. To name
a few, there were the three most disastrous events which took place as follows: the “ Black Christmas “ bush
fires, the recent irrepressible rains in the Sydney and Illawara Regions and Cyclone Chris which swept through
the Northwest of Western Australia. This disaster caused extensive damage and economic instability in these
regions, which of course they would not be able to quickly recover from. The dilemma of coping with the
change around us never stops. It continues till who knows when. Whatever it is, nature will always take its
course and only God knows what will happen next. The concept of natural change is unstoppable. We cannot
change the unstoppable will of God. The only recourse is to understand it and accept the change to face life’s
reality.
The most important thing is not to be depressed for we have to go and move on whatever the cost is for we are
living in this changeable world. After all, it’s the impermanence and unpredictability that makes life not only
worth living but tolerable. To quote, “ Absolute certainty is a menace and aspiring to this makes us disbelieve
our dreams.” So let us live up to our hopes and dreams for nothing can stop us from achieving them! Let time
take its course.
Questions for discussion:
1.How does the unstoppable change of nature affect your way of thinking?
2.If you were to choose to live again, would you still chose the way of life that you are facing now? Why and
why not?
3.What is the real meaning of change for you?
4.Site a major change that happened to your life and how did it affect you?
5.Will you allow nature to take its course for you to experience a changed life?