On belonging, attitude

compliments and boosts our social skills and acceptability to “belong.” Here are some quotes of wisdom I have come across which are inspiring philosophical parachutes in life for those who, like many of us, sometimes find themselves falling towards the pit of discouragement and despair:

• Anthony J. D’Angelo, in The College Blue Book, said, “Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”

• To quote Oscar Wilde, “If you don’t get everything you want, think of the things you don’t get that you don’t want.”

• Voltaire expressed it beautifully when he stated, “Life is like a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.”

• An ancient Persian saying puts a great perspective on our daily aches and pains in life –“I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet.”

• And as some of us may curse some bad days we encounter and wish they never came, Cavett Robert offers these poignant words: “If you don’t think every day is a good day, just try missing one.”

Indeed, every day is a good day, although others are better, and others not as good. But each day is a gift. Not waking up to another day is a deadly waste, but not appreciating another day as we open our eyes each morning in our journey through life is a tragedy. How each of us greets the day depends greatly on our attitude. Indeed, attitude impacts our health, our life, and our everyday happiness and success. A person with a chip on his shoulder, with a negative attitude or pessimistic view of life, will obviously be miserable most of the time. And the opposite is true, as Annette Goodheart brilliantly points out: “Just because you’re miserable doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life.”

Happiness is basically an attitude. Gaining inner peace is an attitude. We have that Godgiven power to feel what we want to feel. And we can even psyche ourselves.

In a world where global peace is still a dream, a world beset with an economic crisis, with terrorism, with greed and corruption, with energy, food and water shortage, global warming and its devastating side-effects on typhoons, earthquakes and flooding, good social skills and attitude, in the midst of all these disasters, are the best weapons against helplessness, despair and depression. They, indeed, impact our health and life. With all these complex problems confronting us, we often find ourselves in the gutter of hopelessness, wherefrom,

Oscar Wilde suggests, we can look up at the heavens and “see the stars.” Indeed, a positive attitude, a happy outlook in life, especially these days, can help us tremendously in conquering our fears, insecurities, and dilemmas. Without total surrender, when we sometimes lose or fail, we should remind ourselves to get up and fight even harder. After all, “defeat is not bitter unless you swallow it,” as Joe Clark states. To this, I will add my own: “No one can succeed in life who does not have the courage to fail”; and, “The greatest risk in life is in not taking any risk at all.”

Someone said, “You cannot adjust the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails.” Very true, indeed. Simple words of wisdom that could make our day, if not our life.

But, of course, we should not simply leave everything to God. We must do our share. He promises to help those who help themselves. As I live my life each day, I remind myself of an ancient proverb that says, “To everyone is given the key to heaven; the same key opens the gates to hell.” It’s indeed a matter of personal choice. And that choice inevitably depends on our attitude in life. Some people believe their fate is predestined, and that they can’t do anything about it. Others, inspired by good attitude and a positive social frame of mind, design, create, and charter their own destiny.

Finally, I strongly believe that leaving this world after this life is not a tragedy. Dying without significance, without making a difference, without leaving behind a good legacy, certainly is.

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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

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The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.

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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888. com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

THE Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC) will hold its 51st Anniversary Inaugural Ball on May 20, 2023 at the Hilton Oakland Airport Hotel (1 Hegenberger Road, Oakland, CA 94621).

The PMSNC is a 501c(3) organization (nonprofit, tax exempt) that holds medical missions to the Philippines, provides scholarships to deserving students and arranges community outreach events for Filipino Americans in the Bay Area region.

Just in January 2023, the PSMNC marked a return to its medical mission activity since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic with a visit to the province of Pangasinan where participating practitioners saw more than 6,000 patients who received a range of services, including outpatient medicine, surgery, dental, health education, diagnostic imaging and medications.

Back in October 2022, a PSMNC outreach program was held in San Jose that provided education on a variety of medical/health topics. Blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol screenings were also performed.

The current set of officers for the PMSNC are: Dr. Narciso Thad Padua, president; Dr. Mark Gonzalgo, president-elect; Dr. Ria San Valentin Calinga, immediate past president; Dr. Teresita Degamo, recording secretary; Dr. Rosemarie Padua, corresponding secretary; Dr. Mary Ann Fernandez, treasurer; Dr. Pet Cajator, public relations officer; regional vice presidents Dr. Augusta Valera Jr. (San Francisco/San Mateo), Dr. Donna Tigno (Alameda/ Contra Costa), Dr. Luigi Borrillo (San Jose/Santa Clara), Dr. Jill Tiongco (Monterey/Napa/

Solano/SLO); and regional board representatives Dr. Carmelo Roco (San Francisco/ San Mateo), Dr. Albert Retodo (Alameda/Contra Costa), Dr. Judy del Mundo (San Jose/Santa Clara) and Dr. Cecille Loleng (Monterey/Napa/Solano/SLO).

For the 2023 Gala, Bernadette Roco, RN, is chair of the gala committee, while Dr. Carmencita Agcaoili is co-chair and Dr. Sheila Gonzalgo is the event coordinator.

PSMNC gala committee officials and organization officers are currently inviting companies and individuals to become a sponsor at the gala, or to donate to the PSMNC so that it can continue to fund scholarships and schedule its medical mission and community outreach. For more information (including COVID protocols), to sponsor/donate, and/or to RSVP to the gala online, go to www. pmsnc.org.

HOPE HORIZON GALA HOLDS SUCCESSFUL GALA. Hope Horizon East Palo Alto, which has been operating since 1984 and whose main mission is “to equip east-of-Bayshore youth to grow spiritually, gain life skills and develop as leaders so that they have hope and a future,” held a successful 2023 Gala at The Grand Bay Hotel in Redwood City, CA last March 19. Among the featured activities at the Gala included an exhibition of 50 original artwork spotlighting Hope Horizon East Palo Alto students, and a silent auction that featured fabulous items such as autographed pair of shoes from Jeremy Lin, a week’s accommodation in Princeville, a dinner for 25 guests in a luxury home, and a 3-day/2-night stay at the Capitola Beach House. Organizers thanked attendees for participating in the gala and supporting youth through Hope Horizon East Palo Alto. Right photo shows (from left) Balitang America anchor Henni Espinosa, Maria Pilar Lopezbanos-Carrion of ABS-CBN International Corporate Affairs and PR, Forever Young Club of California’s Tess Gregorio, and San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa. Photo above shows some of the 350 guests who attended the 2023 Gala.