Written on a book I read was a dedication that in scripted.

“Dear Analyn,

                        Humor and Madness,

                                That’s Life!”

           

Simply yet enough to describe the book entitled Humor and Madness – it is LIFE.

Humor is when you’re funny when everybody else is serious. Madness is when you see the grass of your neighbor’s wife is green even though it isn’t.

            We live in a world full of humor and madness, madness that we sometimes take grievingly as we put our humor into action. There are also our humors that sometimes are already more seemingly like madness. In this world where humor and madness can be a brain-cracking thing, people may either choose to react or not to react or neither of the two and result to being taken by the flow of the situation. It is who we are and what we choose to be that outweighs simply being taken by the flow. Riding the wave of life is different from being washed away. It differs to control, to choose.

            So how does one deal with a madness and humor packed world? Perhaps the answer lies deep in you.

            I have been an English instructor for almost 10 years. Like any other individual who is also engaged in such profession, I also do have ups and downs, humors and madness too. I did ask myself some questions that eventually made me laugh and think, “Am I already insane?” Every time I hear students saying, “Ang hirap naman maging estudyante, nakakasawa! Paulit-ulit!” One thought will again cross my mind, “Hindi kaya natanong ng batang ‘to kung di nananawa ang instructor nya sa pagtuturo sa kanya?” funny it may seem, but come to think about it. There are many of us who always throw back their hardships, sacrifices and even a little effort exerted to be seen, appraised or mostly publicly recognized. Is this the real worth?

So why there are different responses? Is it madness?

            We always seek for a new, what is in the trend for us not to be left away. Of course! That’s one o the trademarks of Filipinos, “IN kahit OUT” as they say it. Grabbing all the possible means to catch what’s in the latest. This is same true with education; students who are in search of their career are often confused, unhappy and impatient. Leading the word “shifting” to

be over used and done by these young dreamers.

            Education today is merely perceived as a privilege rather than of a right. We must be aware that not only Philippines, our country, is experiencing financial crisis, we are not all alone, the entire world with the Philippines, we are bearing and still striving for this crazy race.

            So if you are one of those students who is thinking to change course or even transferring to another school just to be in, well, think again.

            Learning is not all about the four corners of the classrooms, big gates welcoming you every morning and name of your school in your I.D. Learning is a deeper thing than you can think, this comes first from within –eagerness- oneself. The change will not be a change per se. It’s not the place you are in, the people you are with or the system you are abiding. It will take a powerful “A” for us to gain whatever change we are looking for; ATTITUDE. Maybe not all, but in some way or the other, any endeavor connecting to change roots to attitude. Happiness will not find its way to have you. You need to act to have it.

            We live in generally wounded world where everyday life can be a rude and harsh. But isn’t a wonder that there are still homes, places and spots in earth that seem to shed itself from insanity-madness. These are the ones where more humor-happiness-love dwells. You see, it doesn’t matter much either the world is a piece of heaven or a part of hell. What matter is how we choose to make it, how to make life for us and our fellowmen.

            Man in pursuit of happiness mostly finds madness. He in turn aids humor to ease the pain. The ever growing busy world works and lives insanely in pursuit of selfish desires yet those desires instead of making the world a better place to live does exactly the opposite.

            Life is what we make it. Majority makes it madness yet still few keeps the world going around and few isn’t a sad thing. You could choose to be one of those few…you know? The world – make it a better place for you and for me and the entire human race! There are people dying. If you care enough for the living, let’s make it a better place for you and for me.

            Madness?

            Humor me!

By: Edlynne F. Perona