Confucius

(551 B.C. to 479 B.C.)

“When it is obvious that

goals can’t be reached, don’t adjust the goals, but adjust the action steps.”
- Confucius
Each of us dreams for something, and we give everything to make it happen. A
fulfilled goal is what everyone aims for, and by doing so we can encounter countless trials
which hinders us from the light of our dreams. However, everyone encounters
disappointments, learn to move on. We should never be daunted by the odds and live our
dreams while wearing our passion. Though goals can’t be easily reached, we should never
compromise it, on the other hand, we should regulate our actions in reaching those in
order to fulfill what our hearts and minds want us to do. As a person with so many dreams
in mind, Confucius’ words are eye openers. His words made me see my aspirations in a
different light, that I should never compromise my dreams for something unworthy and
for a reason which is never acceptable. Just because some people say that your dreams are
beyond your reach, does not mean that it is never possible. When people tell you that you
cannot do something, prove them wrong. Show them that you can and no one can ever tell
you that what you hope for is impossible, because what a person dreams and aspires to
have is always and will be possible as long as he or she puts his or her mind and heart into
it, and doing everything to make those dreams come true. Remember, the path to success
is full of failures. Believe that you can, and it will be done. The power of mind is a force to
be reckoned with. Believe in your dreams and trust yourself.
 Saint Thomas
Aquinas

To one who has faith, no

explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.
– St. Thomas Aquinas
Faith is something which can never be questioned. To a person who has strong faith,
understanding is constant. A faithful individual knows how to compromise and recognize
differences in beliefs and opinions. These words from St. Thomas serve as a reminder and
a warning, a reminder that we should always keep our faith high. Our faith will save us
from anything that challenges our beliefs and opinions. However, to those who lost their
faith, understanding and acceptance will always be a hard thing to do. You can never teach
an individual without faith for he or she has nothing to stand for and a belief to prove.
With this reason, we should nourish and fight for our faith because it can teach us values
that will last a lifetime. May each of us realize what our faith can bring to our lives as an
individual and as children of God. May we win the battle of faith and uncertainties that life
provides us and appreciate all the good things that it would bring.
 Saint Catherine of
Siena

“Be who God meant you to

be and you will set the world on fire.” 
― St. Catherine of Siena
What God wants you to be is what you are meant to become. God made plans for all
of us, and his plans are absolute and undeniable. These words from St. Catherine of Siena
made me wonder what I am meant to become in accordance to God’s will. I am hoping that
what I am becoming is what God wants me to be. We are all given the chance to live our
lives according to what we want and what our choices are, but when the time comes that
God asks us to do something for Him, which is different from what we want; we tend to
follow our desires rather than the words coming from our God’s mouth. Since God has this
extraordinary way of telling us what He wants our path to lead to, we sometimes ignore
those and continue living the way we want to be, that’s why I am praying and hoping that
I could realize God’s plans for me and follow those with utmost willingness and sincerity. I
am very much happy to have read this quotation from St. Catherine of Siena, for it cleared
my mind from confusions and uncertainties about what should I become and what is
destined for me. It made me realize that if I make God as the basis of everything and
anything I decide for, it will set not just the world but most importantly, my heart on fire.
The scorching love I have for God will eventually lead me to what I am meant to do and
what I am meant to become, because what’s meant to be will always be done especially if
it is God’s will and if it sets my heart on fire.

Saint Augustine
Of
Hippo

“The world is a book, and

those who do not travel read only a page. “
- Saint Augustine

Prejudices are what make our world less innovative and acknowledging. From the
words of St. Augustine, we can realize that what we see is only a portion of what is exactly
there. We should open our minds for change and accept everything wholeheartedly. Each
of us should see the good thing in everyone and trust that God made this world as a
manifestation of His love and that love will bring us together. Wander around, meet new
people, learn new things and love them. If we can do those, loving our God-given land and
our fellow humankind will never be a hard thing. Learning to appreciate things by
knowing and seeing what’s beyond it is what makes love more sincere and special. We
should see right through of everything that we experience in this life and realize that
everything has its own unique story, we just need to flip and read the pages and
understand every chapter to fully understand and appreciate what God made and planned
for us.
 Lao Tzu

“Being deeply loved by

someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you
courage.” - Lao Tzu

Love is never an understatement. It is what makes us come alive. Love lightens our
soul and brightens our life, and learning how to love is the most significant lesson we can
ever have. As what Lao Tzu said, being loved by someone gives you strength. It gives you a
reason to live and continue what you are meant to do. While loving someone give you
courage. It makes you brave which pushes you to do something for someone you truly
love. Loving someone drives us to do imaginable things and makes us learn the real
essence of love. Having the chance to show your love should never be wasted, for it is a
chance that not everyone is fortunate to have. Hence, we should love until we can and love
with all our hearts because love is the only thing that can bring us together and unite our
differences. Love can change the world, so love and be loved and see the change it can
bring to everyone around you that has finally recognized and appreciated what love can
provide each one of us. Just love. Always.
 “Reflections”
Performance Task
in Introduction to
Philosophy
A.Y. 2018-2019

Submitted To: Mr. Max Frederick Oyos

Submitted By: Anna Katrina Vallagomesa Arellano
Grade 12 HUMSS – Counsel

August 2018