HIVE HORIZONS 03: Choice v. Obligation

in #hiveph4 years ago (edited)

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what is it about having wings?


For a number of months now, we are in the comfort of our homes with our families. Every single day, we long for that moment to finally go outside, and enjoy the realization of our plans – our overdue travel goals with friends or the imperative conclusion of our academic studies. We all want that, right?

However, in the most unfortunate circumstance, freeing ourselves outside is nowhere safe, yet. Clearing out the streets can be done in just a few hours. But still, there are a number of men and women who constantly are out from their homes: striving to wake up early on the day, go to work, then bear a heavy heart to be back home again by night – afraid of causing the worse to members of the household.


Just as they are granted with wings,
their actions have become limited with having to do their niche in the society.


So I ask, what is it about having wings?

Here is a self-composed poem to express my sincere piece of thought.

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illustration by: ALIREZA PAKDEL/@alirezapakdel_artist


winged
adj. /'wiNGd/
by FRANCIS JOHN JURADO


sunny, unclouded, gusty skies;
one blink, yawn, stretch – I rise.
outside are birds; few, yet free,
inside is me, longing to flee.

days and weeks of missing home,
couldn’t wait to rest on my comfy throne.
now granted, I wish for more;
nothing new, it’s all a bore.

envy fills me - that some can fly,
roam around or dash the sky.
then a bullet hits me straight – I wonder;
was it their choice or obligation – I ponder.

choice is selecting between two ore more options;
easy and free, yet exercise caution.
for the consequences that lie are given,
better to stay than to end unforgiven.

a greater call awaits moral duty.
obligation is no time to be choosy.
for commitment is the heart of service,
afraid, yet resolute for a novice.

like bees to flowers are couples (a match) -
wings help carry the pollen to attach.
men on the front line are no less different;
they stray hoping their hands are sufficient.

home has been an opportunity to enjoy;
wouldn’t feel the same for the brave employed.
"winged" - as they seem to be perceived,
their reward is more than a hero can receive.


What is your favorite line from the poem?
♥️
Or perhaps, you would like to add more stanzas? Share them on the comments section!


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Writing this poem had me thought about how blessed I am to be staying at home. As someone who resides in a country where the freedom of choice is conceded (at least by the constitution), to follow or not is entirely dependent on the person. Thinking-people as we are, our rationality should tell us to correspond with respect on the imposed protocols, although in contrast, several still behaves the other way. If only they knew the significance of the choice they are given, I believe, they would have acted accordingly.

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photo source: TED ALJIBE/ AFP

With so much issues suppressing our country this pandemic, sometimes the choice of going out, risking ourselves to be infected, is heavily countered with obligation – like the responsibility of a father to feed his family or the commitment of a single mother to look for sustenance for her children.

That is the kind of dilemma that bothers me the most. But as I understand each facet of the story, I end up taking the side of the "lesser one", for I believe that it should always be the accountability of the "greater one" that must prevail for the good of its own countrymen.

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photo source: DANISH SIDDIQUI/ REUTERS

On a much important note, as much as you and me have the same choice granted, always remember that there are countless who don’t even have one to choose from.


Not because they can't, but because they rather remain true
to the oath they sworn to: their obligation to serve the country.


We have been praying for them and saying our greetings to them, however, I do believe that they are beyond all our gratitude and prayers. What they deserve is a decent raise of pay, and a full amount of faith and support to their needs. I may be not one of them, but I see them as equals. Although morally tied public servants, their obvious conditions that we see do not lie.

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photo source: JANSEN ROMERO/ MANILA BULLETIN

In the end, the "greater one" should better keep up in responding on the pressing priorities of our present time; and not on some unimportant errands that can be bought off sometime.


After all, the benefit of the better days to come is for everyone.


Time will come that those with wings today can finally enjoy the seasons of being free outside - unafraid, and still fervent to keep everyone safe and healthy.


That is all for now for my #horizonalpha and #horizonsigma blog content. See you next time!

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Francis John Jurado

Welcome to #HIVEHorizons!

'dinger', as his friends call him often, is currently navigating through various adventures of his youth. Most of the time he spends his quarantined-self in front of his laptop - doing errands as a chemical engineering undergraduate student on his research thesis and conceptual process design.

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I would like to thank you, on behalf of all front liners and healthcare professionals. These past few months have been an immense plight for all who serve under an oath to uphold the health of each individual seeking medical care. I am beyond pleased to know that you are one of the people who understand the pains of healthcare workers in this country.

I would like to comment on this part,

then a bullet hits me straight – I wonder;
was it their choice or obligation – I ponder.

Indeed it is a dilemma, especially for nurses, who are greatly affected by the pandemic. Nurses are given the choice between justified self-preservation and staying true to our oath of service. There are many gray areas that shroud the decision-making process and it is a difficult matter to discuss.

However, I believe that the first step to make things much clearer is for people to start talking about it. Your insights help paint a clearer picture regarding the situation.

What they deserve is a decent raise of pay, and a full amount of faith and support to their needs.

Had the plea of nurses way before this pandemic been heeded, maybe things would not turn out this way. Then again, we can only move forward from this. Hopefully, the administration now sees the importance of healthcare in our country.

you're welcome! 😄 hats off to everyone who remained to serve despite the risks. frontliners, especially medical professionals are underrated in terms of many factors, even before the pandemic started. i just hope the administration does something about this soon.

Thought-provoking.

choice is selecting between two or more options;
easy and free, yet exercise caution.

I went for a quick travel to the beach yesterday. I have the privilege of having parents who own a private car. It was apparent just by seeing several checkpoints along the way, but only to motorcycles. Private cars are free to go. I voiced out my frustrations–how is it that only the poor are put to submission and not the rich? How is it that politicians leverage on the poor just to get that seat of power, but forget about them once they have what they wanted? My parents said because the rich contributes more to the economy. The system is really fucked up. But if it has a positive effect on me, it's the fuel to the mission of promoting financial literacy. The world never promised a fair game. But we could teach strategies to the less educated.

I strongly agree on the same thought - that several, mostly those in power, have so much leverage over to those they serving. Just like you said, the system is really fucked up. 😡 Arghh!

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