Stand strong!

I admire the resilience of our Chamorro and Carolinian people in these trying times. I, myself, at times get into difficult situations. I guess we were raised to withstand the harshest of circumstances. If you say you weren’t affected, then I admire you for your honesty of being in denial.

Moving on, no one ever said life would be easy. Somehow we could all make it work even with just an ounce of faith. To ease the pain, I always tell people to look into the song Keep It Real from reggae-star Shaggy who said in his first verse on the last three lines, “No matter how you’re sad and blue, there’s always someone who has it worse than you. Sometimes you gotta pay your dues so don’t worry just push on through.” I always share this with people with stories of medical referrals or unemployment. Then I see that it gives them a little bit of hope and a different look at life.

Moving forward, the economy is nowhere to getting better and promises are usually meant to be broken after any election. I guess we just have to live and think positive even if it’s the same old tune. I always say that these are the challenges that come with life’s heaven-sent package. You think? Always hoped for all to be temporary or I don’t know what else we would do.

Several letters ago, I wrote that the hardships we face is called a “tropical depression” of this generation in reminiscent of the Great Depression of the ’30s to the ’40s. Hope history would never repeat such despair. Perhaps we are bound for that future after the general elections if we continue to be ignorant to knowing who should lead the government.

Moving forward, we are so very fortunate to have a roof over our heads, cloth on our backs, and the help of our neighbors in times of need. I hope that this coming election, you are able to choose the leaders who actually know poverty inside and out. It’s not always the government that needs resuscitation but to bring hope back to its people for a better tomorrow. Working cohesively with the people is not so hard to do. Just never knew why this can’t come to fruition when the selected elite sit on Jan. 12.

We need leaders who understand the way you eat, sleep, and think. Notice the progress from the hill? Our roads only gets fixed and partial payments of land compensation will be paid out or any pet projects entertained nearing election time. Only wish this can happen more often than not. Stand strong and live free!

Vince G. Cabrera
Chalan Piao, Saipan