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By Klaus Döring

October 10, 2026

Which road do you take right now, my dear readers? Are you sure you’re on the right track?

Sometimes taking the “wrong road” opens opportunities to see things from different perspectives. And because we can never see all the possibilities along any path we choose, very often, a choice we consider to be right in the beginning turns out to be absolutely wrong in the end.

Even if the wrong choice is made in the beginning, the experiences that choice gives us — the feelings, the lessons, the skills — allow us to make better and better choices along the way so that we reconnect with the right road a bit later.

Many times, we compare our life with a path. We talk about “the way.” We describe a determined man as, “He’s on the right (or wrong?) track.” We go about our tracks, but we are reproved if we take a shortcut and not the path across a rice field. We learn that there are many ways of solving problems.

We also don’t want to stand in other people’s way. Sometimes, we prefer to keep out of someone’s way and plan to avoid getting in their way. Often, we try to find the golden middle course. Often — but not always. Sure, that’s life!

Many different ways have been offered to us throughout our lives. How can we choose the right and correct one? Which signs can be trusted blindly? These are urgent and vital questions for all of us and, especially during this time, more important than ever before.

In the past, traditions and customs were the paths we took. Nowadays, we make decisions and long for the correct path — mostly on our own. Are traditions and customs still important to us?

The German atomic physicist Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976) described it very impressively: “The man of today is like a ship’s captain. This ship is made out of iron. The compass needle is no longer able to show the northern direction, as expected, because of the ship’s inflexible iron body. You have one choice only: look up to the stars and study their guiding support!”

We’re all happy and proud when we have every need at our disposal. On the other hand, it only confuses our aims, goals, and objectives in life.

“I am the way” is NOT ONLY a traffic sign — or a shepherd without responsibility — or a religious founder who thinks that “only he is the right way if one follows him.”

HIS way is the only right way. Only His deeds colored our fates. Let’s keep our eyes open for the important signs on our way. Think about unselfish participation in the lives of others!

Do you show courage to uncover prejudice in your surroundings? Are you ready to help the unprotected and defenseless? Where is your struggle for freedom and justice, as well as your commitment to peace?

Most of all: Show and exercise love that does not calculate and count. Love without measurements, boundaries, and limits!

If you can share with others, you’ll know one day in the future that someone walked this way — earlier than you — and FOR YOU!

***

Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, or X-Twitter, or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.

Following the wrong road?

3 min read

0

By Klaus Döring

October 10, 2026

Which road do you take right now, my dear readers? Are you sure you’re on the right track?

Sometimes taking the “wrong road” opens opportunities to see things from different perspectives. And because we can never see all the possibilities along any path we choose, very often, a choice we consider to be right in the beginning turns out to be absolutely wrong in the end.

Even if the wrong choice is made in the beginning, the experiences that choice gives us — the feelings, the lessons, the skills — allow us to make better and better choices along the way so that we reconnect with the right road a bit later.

Many times, we compare our life with a path. We talk about “the way.” We describe a determined man as, “He’s on the right (or wrong?) track.” We go about our tracks, but we are reproved if we take a shortcut and not the path across a rice field. We learn that there are many ways of solving problems.

We also don’t want to stand in other people’s way. Sometimes, we prefer to keep out of someone’s way and plan to avoid getting in their way. Often, we try to find the golden middle course. Often — but not always. Sure, that’s life!

Many different ways have been offered to us throughout our lives. How can we choose the right and correct one? Which signs can be trusted blindly? These are urgent and vital questions for all of us and, especially during this time, more important than ever before.

In the past, traditions and customs were the paths we took. Nowadays, we make decisions and long for the correct path — mostly on our own. Are traditions and customs still important to us?

The German atomic physicist Werner Heisenberg (1901-1976) described it very impressively: “The man of today is like a ship’s captain. This ship is made out of iron. The compass needle is no longer able to show the northern direction, as expected, because of the ship’s inflexible iron body. You have one choice only: look up to the stars and study their guiding support!”

We’re all happy and proud when we have every need at our disposal. On the other hand, it only confuses our aims, goals, and objectives in life.

“I am the way” is NOT ONLY a traffic sign — or a shepherd without responsibility — or a religious founder who thinks that “only he is the right way if one follows him.”

HIS way is the only right way. Only His deeds colored our fates. Let’s keep our eyes open for the important signs on our way. Think about unselfish participation in the lives of others!

Do you show courage to uncover prejudice in your surroundings? Are you ready to help the unprotected and defenseless? Where is your struggle for freedom and justice, as well as your commitment to peace?

Most of all: Show and exercise love that does not calculate and count. Love without measurements, boundaries, and limits!

If you can share with others, you’ll know one day in the future that someone walked this way — earlier than you — and FOR YOU!

***

Email: doringklaus@gmail.com or follow me on Facebook, LinkedIn, or X-Twitter, or visit www.germanexpatinthephilippines.blogspot.com or www.klausdoringsclassicalmusic.blogspot.com.

HAPPY MOMENTS

 

From time to time I love silence. I love quietness. – Do you observe that we live in a real frightening, loud world? At every corner of our daily life are innumerable chances of being covered up with sometimes unbearable din and noise. The loud outcry gives me the needle. We don’t have nerves of steel forever.

I am not really a fan of going out at night. If you ask me how to spend a lovely evening after a hectic and stressful and, especially, noisy day – plain and simple.

The nicest occurrence is the silence, the intimate taciturnity, which can even “weld” people or partners together. It might sound just like an idiomatic expression, but believe me; not being forced to talk is great! No, I don’t mean that we have nothing to say to each other any more – or, he or she won’t listen to a special reason… . I am talking about a deep understanding between people, who are together and are able to share time in quiet and silent happiness.

After a long and strenuous day, it is a real big comfort to sit and lean back, read all the (old!) newspapers and magazines from the last days and weeks while enjoying a glass of wine and a handful of peanuts. A crossword puzzle is easier to solve while having a “silent” radio program in the background, instead of a “roars to hell” television show.

Try it. It’s indeed relaxing after traffic woes, the heat and dust of the day, telephones’ ringing, machine rattling, meetings and never ending discussions. Why should we talk right now?

Feeling safe and secure, inseparable, indestructible with peace in our minds and our surroundings, this is what we really mean to each other, understanding without words. At home, somewhere in the garden, at a beach – there are many wonderful places. And, suddenly out of the blue from the bottom of our heart and from the depth of comfort and ease, we might be able to speak about things, which couldn’t be discussed earlier. A good talk grows – but without compulsion or constraint or obligation, desperate or being forced.

Try it, and it might feel like walking hand-in-hand on a lonely sand beach, such as “once upon a time” with our first partner. And, unexpectedly: we become silent again AND thankful for it.

We really seldom take a break. We spend too much time in this terrible and frightful loud world… 

Happiness is always a by-product. It is probably a matter of temperament, and for anything I know it may be glandular. But it is not something that can be demanded from life, and if you are not happy you had better stop worrying about it and see what treasures you can pluck from your own brand of unhappiness said already William Robertson Davies (28 August 1913 – 2 December 1995) who was a Canadian novelist, playwright, critic, journalist, and professor

Never forget: A smile never goes out of style. All it takes for anyone to live a happier life is to live it one smile at a time. Be your own reason for your happiness. Believe you can, and you’re halfway there. Bringing the sun wherever I go. Chin up, buttercup!

I LOVE MY MINDANAO

My Mindanao. Sounds very egoistic, doesn’t it?

Daybreak. Dawn. Early morning. I do try to keep my eyes open, so that I must not miss this great spectacle again: an unforgettable sunrise paints the environs with all the color nature puts at its disposal. I’ve put in a large portion of my life just trying to make things easier for my loved ones and myself. I feel having all the time of my life I want in my hands. I prayed to God that this might be the place to settle down, where I can relax, take things easy and where I can spend the second half of my life.

Once upon a time… . Meanwhile, that’s reality. I have been here for more than 29 years.

I strongly agree with Rod Fernandez in saying: “I have made it my personal mission to explore different places on the island and show the world its vast natural beauty. The political and security situation has significantly improved over the years, and it is now mostly safe to explore different parts of the region”. Born and raised in Mindanao, the Philippines, Rod moved back in 2021 after an overseas stint. He hopes to use his photography to show the vast beauty of Mindanao to the world.

Why do I love Mindanao? This natural beauty makes me cheerful as well as the relationship with the warm and friendly people living here. I can learn from them about diverse ethnic cultures and its very special way to live life even with the struggles and trials or in painful poverty. DownloadInteractive Maps

I experienced the sea gypsies from Zamboanga, the Badjoas and their boats, their vintas, which are the caravans of the oceans. Mindanao, this part of the Southern Philippines is the melting pot of Christians and Muslims, of foreigners (let’s call them expatriates and count me in!), or such tribes such as Badjaos, Subanon, Tansug, and Yakan.

Mindanao music is unique because it’s music is imbued with mindanao’s history and culture itself. It reflects those of the various beautiful cultures that are filled with their pride and nature of living.

Mindanaoans are passionate and emotional, to express themselves, they prefer to use body language rather than words, making eye contact is a signal of recognition and crucial when you are interacting with others, they will appreciate and feel your genuine interest in them.

Yes, my dear fellows, I am a foreigner who lost his heart to Mindanao. I am staying for good after visiting the second largest island of the Philippines with mosques, towers and women, dressed in MALONGS, blessed paradises for nature loving people, who admire exotic plants, boiling volcano springs, plunging waterfalls, torrential rivers and much more. I love “my Mindanao”.

I clasped Mindanao to my bosom. I would like to recommend Mindanao warmly to everybody. Mindanao, the land of hope and promise… .

WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT?!

The phrase “believe it” is primarily used as an emphatic command to accept that something is true or real. Depending on the context, it means to stop doubting a fact, or serves as a confident confirmation of a statement.

In a world as vast as ours, anything that can happen will likely happen. The only thing that can limit these possibilities is your own imagination. Experience the oddest, the fantastic, the downright impossible parts of history that the textbooks left out. Be prepared — it will expand the limits of your wildest imagination!

It is almost a ridiculous fact that man wants to know certain truths about mundane things. But really he seems least interested in even mundane truths as can be read many times in newspapers for example. There seem to be too many rash judgments, and the readers absorb these and make these their own. A fatal attraction!

This is sometimes referred to as journalistic mentality and social media comments wherein accusations are generously made without proof. Evolution started this trend, when scientists stated for example that man evolved from the apes, without proof. The only proof they had was the missing link, and if I am not mistaken, it’s still a missing proof until now.

To look for proofs is a mental activity, which is no longer a common thing nowadays, because it takes really time, effort and is too serious to think about. Yet, in Christian education, thinking right is very important.That’s why Philosophy is important in Christian life. To avoid error in thinking, the rules of right reasoning must be studied and mastered. Is it really totally neglected in today’s modern education?

Thinking is actually an enjoyable activity but when one is pressured to get a good job for one’s sustenance, then the other more mundane becomes attractive. After all, great thinkers often do not get (good?) jobs… .

Spiritual writers like the British Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) noticed that mankind had stopped thinking even two centuries ago. That was during his age. Man probably stopped thinking even earlier. He has ceased many times to search for the truth. It’s easier to listen to gossip and believe in it. What a sign of weak minds!

Too often are we blind to the truth and as a consequence we easily believe in lies we only have to like it. Too bad, if people always like to close their eyes and ears especially while experiencing the delusion of error.

THE WAY TO HEAVEN

 

 Mindanao Daily News

 -   

The path to heaven is a profoundly personal question, with the answer depending on your spiritual framework. Throughout history, different traditions have provided distinct frameworks for achieving ultimate peace, spiritual enlightenment, or eternal life.Explore the paths outlined by major belief systems to understand how different traditions guide followers toward the afterlife:Christianity: The path to eternal salvation is rooted in faith and grace. 

Christians believe that through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the way to heaven is made available as a free gift. It is typically accepted by repenting of sins and trusting in Jesus as Lord and Savior, rather than relying solely on one’s own good works

Driving in big cities is not a joke for beginners. It’s an ordeal, especially driving during heavy traffic hours. One must know where to go and which way to take. Otherwise, one’ll end up bumping somewhere somehow… .

But, driving a car in a small village, where roads are simple, is for neophytes an enjoyable one. No traffic, or less traffic, no traffic lights, no complicated ways… .

In the same way, railroads can make train drivers ill at ease when they are also in big cities. I remember Munich in my home country Germany, where railways appear like spider’s cobwebs. They go in several directions. No wonder, accidents on the roads happen many times.

In life we, too, have roads which lead us in several directions. To go to heaven, man’s eternal destiny, one can either choose the shortest road, or one can make detours. Not so many perhaps fall by the way and end up in eternal damnation.

There are some of us, Christians, who take the shourt-cut road to heaven. This is the road of suffering, of the actual practice of Christian virtues, of serving God and our neighbour. Others take the circuitos road of easy life, thinking that at the end they still have time to amend themselves and lead a good life. This is risky, since no one can guarantee that an opportunity will be given at the eleventh hour. Unfortunately, there are still others, who prefer to take that

An opposite road, which leads to eternal damnation. So they live, so they die! In John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress”, we read, “Then I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of heaven!”

Homo sapiens, quo vadis?