How Self-Reflection Changes Societal Perspective
Daisy C. Nogot
Whenever my parents tell me stories about how they lived before as children and adults, I feel a tinge of envy because their world before seems happy even without the presence of these gadgets like the one I am using right now to type this document. However, I also think that if I will not embrace these changes, I will be left behind. The world is continuously changing, so are we.
Mental Aspect is the first perspective I want to discuss in this paper. Well, some people tend to question their existence. They are uncertain about their purpose in this world. This aspect clears the dark clouds. Our thinking will help us know ourselves better. The concept of metacognition is related to this. Metacognition means “thinking about thinking” or “thinking beyond thinking”. When we do metacognitive activities, we analyze why we do something including our motives, personal reasons, and inspirations.
As far as I see it, I do not have problems regarding this aspect because I always try to think first before speaking or acting upon a situation. The younger version of me might have slipped and stumbled a lot of times but it is from these mistakes and shortcomings that I learned the ways of life. Before, I used to disobey my parents. I was a bit hard-headed that I still do things in my own way. I could not follow even the simplest commands. I wanted to explore the world so much that I became unaware that I was already causing pain to my parents. Our childhood has always something to teach us. The best thing that I learned from these varied experiences is to think before doing or saying something. There are lots of things that should be considered. I could not help but remember the story “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, which has now evolved into a movie. The main character in the story thinks about the things he encounters, even the simplest ones. He asks a lot about why things turned out this way, or how people became the way they are now. This story is a witness of man’s capacity to think about what he thinks. In the story, the Little Prince gives attention even to small details, because he does not want others to be hurt by immediate actions and decisions.
The next aspect that I will emphasize is timely and timeless. Stories and anecdotes about sexual preferences and identity have never died. Years ago, same-sex marriage was approved in some countries in the world. This news has raised the eyebrows of many. According to some, this is just pure humiliation and disrespect to the word of Our Creator. They also say that there are only two sexes in this society: man and woman. However, the emergence of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders paved the way in expressing people’s true identity. In my opinion, if people are happy with their sexual preference, let them be, as long as they are not creating damage or insult to others’ lives. We must not dictate what they want to do with their lives. To me, someone’s sexual preference is not a reflection of their totality as a person. Their positive character still stands out. Another concept related to this is about gender roles. Way back, only the men were given authority and power in terms of education, politics, and agriculture. Women were only restricted to doing household chores and serving their husbands and children. However, women in every generation have become more and more empowered to voice out. Today, women are also given educational and political power. Women are also allowed to do the things that only a man could do during the ancient times. I am happy that all of us are receiving the same privileges in life.
I believe that if we know our place in the society as a man or woman, or even part of the LGBT community, there is a guarantee that we will understand ourselves better.
--oOo-
II at Lara Integrated School, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
The author is Teacher