rewind

 
By: Ivo Lim Gulayan

The fifth and final module of this philosophy course tackled ACTION, and

the many courses by which we can take it. It also discussed the fact that we have regrets and mistakes that we wish we could change, but it also reminds us that there is a bright future ahead of us. One that we can only achieve with appropriate planning and adjustment to the “new normal”. I particularly enjoyed this module because of how the topic hit really close to home and means so much to me especially in this time of doubt and confusion. It provided me with a quick jolt to remind me of what it means to be alive today, and what I must do in order to keep up with the current times.

    Throughout the course of this covid-19 pandemic, everybody has lost things that are dear to them. We have all lost one year worth of time that we could have used to achieve goals we had, or simply bond with friends over a meal. We also mourn the loss of not necessarily loved ones, but the thousands who have fallen victim to the coronavirus’s effects. I, personally, have many regrets that haunt me even today, and the fact that I am isolated at home, with nothing much to do, does not help at all. In the middle of the night, I usually see myself entertaining thoughts of “what if…”. “What if I did better in school?”, “What if we had listened to the news of a coronavirus outbreak and contained it while it was a tiny problem?”, “What if I am never able to experience life on campus again?”. Upon reading module 5, and looking back on these negative thoughts and regrets, I realize that there really is no point in wallowing in sadness and despair because there is no way for me to travel back in time to tweak details of the past. Rather, I must focus on moving forward and preventing these mistakes from repeating themselves.

I would be a fool to say that once this pandemic ends, I would party every day

for the rest of my life and not waste a second of my youth, as that would be irresponsible. Apart from taking back lost time by binging in excessive leisure and entertainment, I would like to focus on bulking up my resume. Before the coronavirus blocked out the entire 2020 for everybody, I really wanted to find a part-time job, or even just an internship, for me to gain work experience in the field I would like to work in when I graduate from the Ateneo. Although it would be quite the blast for me to enjoy my youth while I can, I do realize that time is off of the essence. The fact that an entire year and possibly more has already gone to waste reminds me to make use of my remaining years on this earth wisely. When I grow old, I would like to look back at this pandemic and see it not as a time of regrets and negativity, but as a period of reflection, recovery, and preparation for me to succeed once things clear up.

Image Source: https://thezombieshuffle.com/2016/06/23/what-if-life-had-a-rewind-button/amp/