IT'S THE SMALL THINGS “I know in my heart, and in my soul that the state of our nation is sound.” The closing of President Ferdinand R. Romualdez Marcos’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA) went along those lines. It was promising, in as much as it was hopeful. Again, many people have varying opinions, but for me, hearing that from our head of state after he comprehensively laid his immediate plans for our country out was extremely encouraging. To say that holding the welfare of the Filipino people in your hands is a daunting task is but an understatement. But with the privilege of being voted by, and having the trust of over 30 million Filipinos comes an even greater responsibility – one that we will see unfold in the next six years. Although greatly influenced by the leadership of, and decisions made by our president, the state of our nation does not solely depend on him. The outcome of our country’s fate is a concerted effort of all our elected government officials – both in the national and local level – leaders of the private sector, as well as the mindset, and the actions of ordinary citizens like us. It all begins with the mindset, I believe. If we keep an open mind and try our very best to be as optimistic as possible that this new leadership will take us to greater heights, then there is a significantly increased chance that it will. With a positive frame of mind, we are conditioning ourselves to become more productive members of the community, empathetic, and compassionate citizens, ultimately contributing to the betterment and welfare of our country. To say that it has been an eventful week would be putting it lightly as an unexpected earthquake jolted us two days after the SONA. Earthquakes are one of those things that no matter how much we condition, or prepare ourselves for, we are still caught surprised, and off-guard at the actual moment. And then there is that fear of after shocks, not to mention, having to deal with the damage in its aftermath. Unfortunately, it is mother nature, and there is no way for us to stop it. But what I am most certain about is that like many other natural disasters we have endured, the spirit of the Filipino people remains resilient and indomitable. Perhaps even more now (post pandemic) than before. After all, the last two years, being the toughest in the lives of many taught us a lot of invaluable lessons. Let us never forget that at the end of the day, we are left to surrender to a greater power, for it is His plans that will prosper, come what may. We must relinquish control over situations that is truly beyond and greater than us for it is only in this way that we will learn the true meaning of faith. Faith is trusting in the unknown, and much like the message of our president in his first SONA, knowing in our hearts and in our minds that things will turn out fine – not without obstacles, and also not because we have a template of assurance. Instead, simply because we put our faith in a greater power. And truly, more often than not, when we are faced with challenges that precede, and our greater than us, this is what will turn the tide, and the only armor that will power us through.