Do All We Do Well

An article in the Catholic Peace Weekly by a university professor recounts her efforts in repairing an old apartment in which she lives. It's never easy to repair, reduce costs and achieve the results one wants. She needed a lot of inspiration and effort to find the information needed. She was a teacher and repairing was not something with which she was  familiar. Her efforts to learn were not made easy by the technicians, merchants and the distributors of the materials necessary.

Work which can't be seen should also be done with meticulous care. It may look alright from the outside but it can be uncomfortable and dangerous when used. In her apartment what was not seen was done shabbily and when she made this known she was told: "Who is going to see it?" Comfortableness, safety making the owner happy were not valued. 

Manufactured goods installed left much to be desired. Instead of clean, neat and delicately finished they were roughly handled. One side was done with care, smoothly and evenly, the other side was rough and uneven. What she wanted was not necessary, she was too fastidious and they reproached her. The workers would not see their work again but she will be living with it not only for 10 years but for a lifetime. She was not fussy but merely wanted a job well done.
 
Carelessness and dishonesty of those who make, sell and distribute can lead to a lifelong inconvenience, risk, and dissatisfaction for the user. A chair, a desk, a window when done well, finishing it delicately and honestly you are respecting and caring for those who will be using them.Technology is not only necessary for convenience sake but with the premise that we are doing this for humans. What are the implications of technology that does not respect and care for the human beings using it?
 
Everyone needs to have a professional outlook. This is required of all of us. With this outlook on life, we will all contribute to humanity no matter what is done. All is based on the human respect we should have for another. Repairing old shoes the craftsman should feel respect for the human being that will be using the shoes.
 
We need to have pride in what we do and respect those for whom we are working. More important than the 'what'  of the work is the 'how' of what we do, this will determine the value of our efforts.

Simple Life Not a Fad

Humans are consumers: (Homo Consumens)  not difficult to see why.  A professor at a Catholic University gives the readers of the Kyeongyang magazine an article on consumerism.  Korea has  both those who seek to possess and those who are going in the opposite  direction.

One sociologist suggest we have gone beyond our biological needs to live and procreate; our greed makes us increase our need for material goods and services. In a consumer society: what we wear, eat, where we live, what kind of car we drive, makes known our position in society, our tastes, and even our personality.

Is what is consumed unrelated to how we judge a  person? Let us suppose we have two housewives, they both buy cabbage, bread, curry with the only difference being one housewife buys coffee beans and the other mixed coffee. We can jump to the conclusion that one is lazier than the other judging by the kind of coffee bought. This is also true in the places in which one lives; we  make judgments. Is this good logic? Of course not but this is the kind of society we have been brainwashed to expect.

Consumerism has developed our industrialization and extended the market. When production is greater than the demand we have the increase of different products and the marketing of kindness and the beautiful. Beauty was always important but now the elegant, hair grooming, cosmetics, and plastic surgery have become financial money makers— products are unlimited.

Why do we seek to possess more than we need? When our needs for life and security are met, we start looking for other needs. What was beautiful 20 years ago may not be so today. 20 years ago, no need for a handphone today it's necessary. Society has created a need for it. When we have a nice handbag or a beautiful looking car we bask in their gorgeousness. When we put photographs of our overseas trips on SNS,  we are not only showing some beautiful pictures but also showing our wealth and good tastes.

Many are tired of the rat race and are opting for the simpler life. They see the destruction of the environment and the effect on weather.  Consumerism has a lot of bad side effects. Many realize if the wealth in the developed countries were possessed by the underdeveloped countries, we would need three more worlds.

The possessing of material goods also in the eyes of many is not what it was. The effects of showing off our wealth are no longer what it used to be. More interest is shown now for service and experience.

The professor ends the article reminding the readers that many consumers are looking for the true self which is not packaged with goods and services. What we need and want is not easily grasped. Necessary to reflect on what consuming will do to us, our society, the environment and to our descendants. If we do not reflect on this and fail to take  the minimal life seriously, we will do what some did  years ago to simplify their lives but it was only a fad which quickly disappeared. 

"You Die Me Die" Situations

It's difficult to repress the emotion of anger.Recently in the daily paper, a picture of a five-story building with two PC Rooms shows this graphically.  (These are gaming places where patrons can play computer games for an hourly fee. Usually, about one dollar for an hour being a common rate) Koreans would know quickly that something was not going well between the owners. It was another one of those "You die, me die!" situations, long used as a joke but it is not a laughing matter.

An article in the Catholic Times Weekly by a counseling psychologist explains how this situation arises and what to do. You die I die kind of thinking is not rare in society and we wonder why we go to such an extreme. Social concerns about anger control are high because of the harm it causes.

Road rage gives us retaliatory driving (driving for revenge), arson, and assaults are all signs of "intermittent explosive disorder" sometimes called anger control disorder. This impulse when not controlled ends up with disruptive behavior. This says the writer is different from the tendency of the 'hot-blooded' or quick tempered person. Normal anger varies depending on the degree of psychological and social pressure.

The hot-blooded or quick-tempered person gives you signs of the anger that is building up but the person with an anger control problem gives no signs and consequently, both in the home, the workplace and   interpersonal relationship we have problems that often become legal issues.

A person with anger control problems needs to receive help. Anger is an emotion that is expressed with words and not actions. A person with anger problems needs to work on the opposite virtues.

She gives us the  Korean proverb: If you're patient three times, you can prevent a murder. Our culture directs us to suppress and restrain our emotions. However, anger is not something you want to  suppress but something we want to properly regulate.

If you suffer the emotion of anger for a long period of time it will burst out and we have an anger control problem. She quotes from the movie Star Wars, Jedi's teacher said: "Fear is the way to darkness. Fear makes anger, anger makes hate and hate make pain." In other words, fear can be seen as a wound of the mind that comes before the feeling of anger.

The root cause of anger is ultimately the result of fear within us. We need to listen to the voices inside to find what fear is in us. She recommends going to the mountains or the seashore and to express anger to your heart's content but not reproach others. If this doesn't work go to someone who will listen and  sympathize. If nothing works then go for professional help.

Peaceful Co-existence of North and South Korea

In the fall of 2015 the 30th Human Rights Council met at the  Headquarters of the UN in Switzerland. A peace activist  writing in the Catholic Times on issues dealing with unification writes  about her attendance at this meeting. She was apparently a leader of one of the  small civic group discussions.

An organization in Japan came to the writer to ask  for an opportunity to speak at the plenary meeting. It was her task to facilitate the speaking in one of these  small groups. They sought to make a statement about the Japanese military comfort women at that time. She was saddened that the meeting ended in the morning and time would not be given in the afternoon. 

Civil groups were grateful that the Japanese organizations had come from afar to deliver the truth about the comfort women of the Japanese military. They were promoting justice and human rights, rather than giving  opinions and directions of the state. During a break she greeted them warmly and shared talk about their remarks.

However, she was confused and embarrassed on hearing what they were going to say. At that time in Korea  demonstrations against demolition of areas of Seoul where prostitution was extensive were items in the news. Korean comfort women were in the work for the money just like these prostitutes now in Seoul,was the opinion expressed by the Japanese contingent. Our writer was overcome with resentment and was asked where was she from. When she answered Korea, the spirit of the group changed quickly. She could no longer continue to objectively lead the group.

In the  afternoon session the Japanese group sent their statement to the plenary session and this time not as civil group but as official representatives of Japan. Our writer feels this should have been rejected but they were allowed to talk. Representatives of the comfort women of Korea because of sickness  weren't  able to attend.

This was the time  of contact between the Japanese and Korean government authorities on the Korea-Japan comfort women agreement which was released on December 28, 2015. The Korean delegation kept silent during the discussion. It was only North Korea that strongly criticized the Japanese Administration as distorting history and refusing to apologize in making sexual slaves of so many women. 

We are one people. We share a long history, suffered pain together and have the same wounds. Our body is divided but the heart is that of brothers and sisters. We have come together in harmony for the Olympic Peace Festival. Our co-existence needs to be prioritized so that we may be part of the open world. We pray that our encounter will be a step to a world of peaceful co-existence.   

To Marry or Not to Marry?

Mass media and the experience of young people towards married life is not positive. Young people are exposed to this negativity from an early age and it shouldn't be a surprise they don't see married life as beneficial. They know about failures, unhappiness in many marriages and the difficulties faced. Surveys and polls have given us the reflections of the young which are not a harbinger of a better future.
 
The understanding of marriage and children is not clear to many of the young. Over 4 out of ten don't see any need to have children. The survey of 7,676  young people was written up in the Catholic Peace Weekly. The Ministry of Gender and Equality and Family announced the results that were conducted with 13-24 year-old young people: taken every 3 years to make policy.

In 2012, 73.2% said there was a need for marriage; in the last survey 51% saw a need and 49% saw no need. Even if married 46.1% saw no need for children and this was higher for the girls. Last year there was a decrease of 12 percent from the previous year in the number of births.
 
Since they have determined that it takes about 300 thousand dollars to raise a child, we are seeing a drop in the birth rate and the reason the young are frightened of having children and distancing themselves from the teaching of the church.

The church needs to educate the young to have a  positive understanding of marriage and children that is more than an empty echo from afar. At the same time raising our voices to change the structures and culture that make it difficult to raise a family.
 
The number of young people who talked with their mothers for 30 minutes or more a day was 72.9% and their fathers were 41.1 %. About 2 out 10 spent little time in leisure activities with the parents. 27% ate the evening meal with their parents.
 
52% of adolescents felt a need for full support from their parents until they graduated from college. In job selection the young consistently indicate their abilities and aptitudes are the most important, followed by job security, unlike the past when economic income was important.
 
In their daily lives, 91.6 % experienced stress. This is a slight increase from three years ago. Over 80 % have received private education during the past year and this has increased from the previous year:  average is about 9 hours and 26 minutes a week.
 
The survey should help to make policy and also show the church where programs and education will be necessary for the future.

Suicides in Korea

One of the Korean government ministers in an interview with the Catholic Peace Weekly gives the readers of the paper his ideas on suicide. In one year, 13 thousand commit suicide. This is about 36 a day and the highest of the OECD countries. For the last 13 years, Korea has not been able to rid itself of this disgrace. The government is taking steps to change this. Government, religions and civic organizations are working together to lower the numbers. 

Unemployment and the inequality of income in society has a big influence on the numbers. Compared to other countries the inequality of income is large and affects the situation greatly. Structures of society are another aspect. Culture has changed: family bonds are weak, mental problems are hidden, and the embarrassment in asking for help are all reasons for the numbers.

Plans are to educate a million of the citizens to become Gatekeepers within society. They will be on the lookout for citizens who are having difficulty in life. Communication and presence with those in difficulty will help to make sense of their situation. Also with those who have attempted suicide efforts in accompaniment will be present. Celebrities who commit suicide have copy cat followers; efforts to give psychological help to those in high-stress occupations will be initiated.

Gatekeeper programs refer to programs that sensitize people to the warning signs of those contemplating suicide. Gatekeepers will be given tools on how to listen, be empathetic and know how to refer them to others if necessary.

The government is not able to do it alone and needs the help of all society. Religious elements in society are an important part of this effort. Catholics, Protestants, and Buddhists have been involved in the movement for some time. Plans are being made to set up a policy council that will help coordinate the work and determine the strategy.

The government has set a goal of reducing the numbers of suicides by 30 percent by 2022. Criticism is heard for desiring to attempt such a large reduction, says the minister, but after examining the situation, he feels it's an obtainable goal. The government needs the help of society, if this is to be achieved. This is not only the ministry of Health and Welfare but the other branches of society working together that  will bring about change.

Korea is a country with a great deal of stress. Many vividly remember the financial crisis of 1997 where many were hurt deeply: lost their jobs, their business and lived with great stress. The IMF and other institutions helped in the recovery but the memory and fear of it happening again is present. The North-South division, competition, stress of society, found also in the years of schooling are all areas that need to change. Hesitation to ask for help when overcome with problems is present in many other societies but  thoughts of dishonor to the family may be greater in Korea.

Why Take Issue With the Tears of Others?

In the Catholic Peace Weekly, one of the journalists writes about crying and its place in life.

He begins by mentioning how he is easily brought to tears and that was always the case. As a child he was scolded for crying: a man shouldn't cry, and unconsciously this feeling of uneasiness remains with him whenever he is moved to tears.

He went to see the movie '1987: When the Day Comes' sat in the back of the theater and was prepared with his handkerchief. Anger, sadness, joy, sympathy all kinds of emotions moved him deeply and the tears came. "Crying puts me in touch with myself, we came into the world with a cry. Crying  expresses our innocence, our gratitude for life and our desire to share and to sympathize."

President Moon saw the movie with the actors and cried and was written up in the daily press. One of the daily papers referred to the crying and wrote that he cried again: after seeing  the film A Taxi Driver a few months earlier, the president giving some political comments cried. 

In the article on the president watching "1987", the journalist mentions that during this movie he cried again which our writer found hard to swallow. He read the article over slowly and calmly a number of times. It was like a fish bone caught in his  throat. "The president shouldn't cry so often. Or is it that he shouldn't show his weakness to the people?"

"1987" is a movie dealing with the torture and death of a university student Park Jong-chul who was actively fighting for democracy against Chun Doo-hwan the military dictator. This started the June movement for Democracy of 1987.

The other Movie A Taxi Driver is the story of a foreign correspondent who covered the story of the uprising in Gwangju, Korea. A Korean taxi driver was the hero of the film. He takes the German foreign correspondent to Gwangju and the uprising became world news: also called the 'May 18 Democratic Uprising'. Estimates suggest that over 600 people died during the uprising which ending on May 27, 1980.

Both of these movies were popular in Korea. Going back into history and seeing the suffering of those who wanted a better way of life and their suffering moved many. Many incidents have recently brought tears to the eyes of the citizens.The recent hospital fire, the Sewol ferry disaster that killed 304, mostly young people. 

President Park Geun-hye who was then president,  cried when giving her message to the nation on the tragedy. Some found fault and considered the tears filled with hypocrisy and without authenticity. Tears are not from the head but from the heart.

How can any politician or president wipe the tears of those weeping if their own tear ducts have dried up?  The writer ends the article by asking all our politicians to get rid of their crocodile tears and become human and able to cry with those who are hurting and crying. "Rejoice with those who rejoice and be sad with those in sorrow" (Rom 12:15).  He asks for the gift of tears and hopes all will be gifted with tears in seeing the suffering of others.