REFLECTIONS : Goal 2024
by TERESITA BACANI-OROPILLA , MD
In the early 1940s , before WWII , in a classroom decorated with flower gardens , children playing , animals of all kinds , a class of six-year-olds started the day with a song .
“ Good morning to you ! We are in our places With sunshining faces , Oh ! This is the way , To start a new day !”
What innocence , what naivete , what trust ! Parents and teachers coincided on how to teach the virtues of character that would help their little ones succeed in a life of fulfillment and happiness . growth in science , technology , social thinking , health practices and communication . And covetousness , as well .
Then , World War II burst out in all its fury , destroying lives , countries , societies . This changed everyone ’ s outlook for the future .
We are products of that past . At our command are all the modern constructive and destructive inventions we have made .
Our now six-year-olds manipulate their toys and cell phones like pros . At their tender age , they can access information more than their parents and teachers realize . Is that what we aimed for ?
A new year , 2024 , is dawning . If peace and happiness is our goal , are we doing a good job of it ?
Dr . Bacani-Oropilla is a retired pediatrician and psychiatrist .
About that time , there had been occurring a tremendous
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