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Deutschland – ein Frühlings-Märchen!
Endlich! Auch wenn der Wind noch vielerorts kalt ist – der Frühling lässt sich nicht mehr aufhalten. Überall in Deutschland blühen wie hier im Düsseldorfer Hofgarten schon Bäume und Blumen. Am Wochenende erwartet uns allerdings ein Mix aus Sonne und Regenschauern. Die Temperaturen reichen von neun Grad im Erzgebirge bis zu 22 Grad am Oberrhein.
(C) 2022 BILD
We love to complain! Many times we don't have reasons at all to do so - but, we love to complain. Especially nowadays. Our world is full of mess - isn't it? Of course, somehow it is indeed if you look around.
We bring many more assertions to bear: first, in the past we have been thriftier and economical, more religious and devout, more patriotic, industrious, more hard-working, keen and obedient. And, second, above everything and all: in the past we had more idealists. Third, nowadays we have (mostly?) material things in mind - what a disgrace.
Materialists or idealists? Materialism or Idealism? Whom or what do you love? Love most?
I just quoted Vox Populi... .
A "materialist" has indeed become a swear word. I don't mean with "material" the accumulated data out of which a writer creates a work of literary, historical, or scientific value. A materialist is being easily described as someone with an attitude, who ignores spiritual values, compared with an idealist, who has the tendency to seek the highest spiritual perfection.
Idealism means the doctrine that appearance is purely the perception, the idea of subjects, and that the world is to be regarded as consisting of mind. The coquetry of higher philosophy makes it difficult to bear the ups and downs in our daily life.
Sure, we all know that "our last earthly dress has no pockets any more". Striving for earthly and terrestrial possession, property and estate might be the hit-man of idealism. That's how we have been taught. "Wine, women and song", having the unpleasant feeling of fullness, egoism and bragging as well as showing-off - are these the materialist's real attitudes?
Is the idealist, many times not being able to stand on earth with both feet, the only one who occupies himself with religion and virtuousness - so to speak, with celestial and heavenly things? Is that really so? Can we make such a distinction? Sure, it's easy to do so: it's manageable and comfortable. But well, why is the enjoyment of having a tasty meal BAD, and listening to a recital composed by Johann Sebastian Bach BETTER? Why should art be better than roasted pork and a bottle of wine? Value judgements and moral concepts... .
Owning a house and lot and a car - or even more then one - are earthly properties, as well as bank saving accounts, profitable insurances, and invest advantageously in stocks. Is a terrible underpaid nurse or a book author an idealist, because he or she doesn't work for the filthy lure but for higher values?
Has Jesus been an idealist, because He accepted renunciation and died without terrestrial possession? Has Jesus been a materialist, because He fed thousands of people on the breadline? Are we idealists, if we bequeath nothing to our families and might die without a single centavo, because earthly things are bad?
Worth to think about it ... .
by Annalyn S. Jusay, Manila Bulletin
She is an achiever-beauty queen who has managed to snag two international beauty titles within the last five years. Yesterday, 24-year-old Kathleen Paton faced the media fresh from being crowned Miss Eco International 2022 in Cairo, Egypt.
It was another proud moment for the Philippines as Kathleen bested 40 other candidates from all over the world. Beauty watchers were quick to point out that her win heralds an auspicious start for the country in the competitive pageant circuit.
The new Miss Eco International was a vision in pink as she made her entrance at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom in an elegant gown specially made for her by young designer Ryan A. Uson.
“There were a lot of expectations from everyone and I can just say I gave it my 110%,” Kathleen said in reply to the question on what she thought was the factor that made her win. She added that “being honest, being kind and being approachable mattered a lot. Aside from this, I made sure my behavior and attitude were up to par as a beauty queen.”
“Winning Miss Eco International is an honor and also a responsibility for me. I don’t see it as a dream that I just get the crown. I see it as a career and a purpose for me because I love to help people. I know that with this crown, am given an even bigger platform to reach a wider community. I am able to voice my advocacies related to mental health awareness, education and water conservation,” she pointed out.
As a woman in a very high profile field, Kathleen feels strongly about mental health issues. She revealed that she had to battle her own demons after encountering some people online who criticized her physical appearance and some other personal matters.
The beauty queen has advice for people who are mean and can’t control themselves on social media.
“We need to just learn to be nice, to be kind. You have to look within yourself and ask if the things you are saying are going to affect other people or not. Because if it’s not nice or kind, what’s the point of saying it in the first place? Ask yourself: are you treating other people the way you want to be treated? Are the words you are writing online the words you want to hear other people being said to you? If it’s not, there’s no point in your writing that,” she remarked.
Kathleen also gave valuable advice to young girls who want to join beauty contests. “If you want to become a candidate, just join and try. There will always be people to help you out. Joining a pageant is the perfect platform for when you want to live for a purpose and a cause. You will reach a wide community in being able to change something in society.”
The half-Aussie beauty revealed that she is enthusiastic to join showbiz after her reign but admitted that she has to improve her Tagalog. Kathleen is presently in a relationship with model Kirk Bondad who was adjudged Mr. Supranational Philippines 2021.
