“AS I AM SO IS MY NATION”

(I received a few writings of one of our leading thinkers and thought it’d be nice for you fellow Patriots to hear from him. Enjoy.)

By Kumalau Tawali

I begin with these powerful words I learnt when I was at the University of Papua New Guinea in 1969, “AS I AM, SO IS MY NATION”. The way you think, the way you talk, and the way you act in spirit is the way this nation is going to be. The way I walk down the village or in the city is the answer for our people, now and the future. The challenges for our nation is our thinking and living. Your pride, greed or lying will determine the future of our people. So let me guve these words to encourage us now.

1. The Power of Love

The real leader must truly love your people with all your heart. There seems to be many leaders who never truly serve the people. Greed for example, is the destruction of our daily living. Gandhi said, “Civilisation does not consist in accumulation of things, but rather in the reduction of wants.” Just before World War II, Dr. Frank Buchman said these words: “There is enough in the world for everybody’s need, but not enough for everybody’s greed. If everybody cares enough and everybody shares enough, wouldn’t everybody have enough? Empty hands are filled with work, empty stomachs are filled with food and empty hearts with an idea that truly satisfies.”

One of the challenges of our leaders today, is that of destroying the spirit of greed, an enemy in our nation.

2. The Power of Humility

A true leader is a man of great humility. He is willing to listen to others before he speaks. His presence itself is authority of power. Jesus Christ the Greatest Teacher who ever lived magnified the virtue of humility when he said, “The meek and lowly are fortunate, for the whole wide world belongs to them”. The Apostle Paul said, “Don’t do anything from selfish ambitions or from cheap desires to boast, but be humble towards one another, always consider others better than yourselves.” It was the meek spirit of Gandhi that precipitated the Independence of India. A President of Uganda stated “Humility is one of the most important attributes necessary for good leaders. When you observe leaders at all levels of society, all over Africa, and I suppose throughout the world, you will find them overcome by power, greed and self interests.”

Without the spirit of humility, our people will destroy our nation.

3. The Power of Truth

My own life tells me, that there is neither small nor big sin, whether it has to do with the Prime Minister or other MPs or anyone in our nation. One of our writers, Bernard Narakobi expressed, “No leader who is full of cunning and trickery, will have the charisma that will inspire people to want to make sacrifices.” A well known poet from the West Indies, Aime Cesaire warned of this danger when he said, “A civilisation that uses its principles of trickery and deceit is a dying civilisation.” To be a true leader, truth is most important both individually as well as the nation. Truth is the foundation of our national existence. A nation cannot continue to enjoy freedom and prosperity without truth being practiced by all sections of its community. As someone said “You cannot live crooked and think straight.” A corrupt churchman, businessman, or politician is most likely, unable to think straight on matters of public concern. Truly one cannot live a crooked private life and expect to think clearly on public issues. What is done in darkness of our own private lives will one day be shouted from the rooftop. “AS I AM SO IS MY NATION”

I cry that the God I love, will give great hope to our nation.

--------------------------------------------

Change Starts With Me!

REVIEW OF LAW DECRIMINALISING PROSTITUTION AND HOMOSEXUALTIY~~“AN IDENTITY CRISIS”

Firstly let me say that Patriots PNG is not a political activist organisation. It is a movement focused on promoting patriotism and attitude change. Our fundamental message is for “WE THE PEOPLE” to change from within. We do not divert from our commitment to steer clear of politics unless we see a need to engage and only in a manner consistent with PPNG’s philosophy of change. We are pro-truth and pro-morality and see ourselves as proponents of our National Identity. To the extent that our nation’s laws/policies touch the mindset, moral direction and attitudes of our beloved people, we will speak when we perceive harm to these from both foreign and local elements. Now on the issue of reviews to our “sex laws” in PNG, potentially legitimising homosexuality and prostitution, we say this:

It is absolutely absurd and shameful that Papua New Guinea, a “Christian Country”, is now considering laws that directly contravene the supreme laws of the God we believe in. It is unimaginable that our leaders could even have these laws on the table (but then sadly it is not surprising). Who are we? Where is our identity? Why do we think that the problems we face in our nation cannot be solved by home-grown solutions in the Spirit of our Nation? Why do we always have to adopt a western materialistic philosophy and force it on a people whose spirituality is fundamental to our identity?

Are we not ashamed to even consider calling what God says is evil, “a legitimate practice”? “LET GOD BE TRUE AND EVERY MAN A LIAR”. That’s how His own Word describes man’s philosophy compared to His. And now our best argument is that of “social and public health perspectives” and to “strengthen PNG’s response to HIV/AIDS”? What about truth, morality, inner peace, human dignity and self-respect? What about family values? Let’s not forget our sanity. Are these not vital compared to material, economic and democratic values (which are designed for man, by man and of man)?

Our Nation’s Constitution sets out two important things which we bring to our lawmakers’ attention in respect of this issue: (1) It provides a National Goal for “Papua New Guinean Ways” (NGDP 5); and (2) it proclaims as the first Basic Social Obligation of every resident in PNG to “to respect, and to act in the spirit of this Constitution”. Are these potential laws we now contemplate within the ambit of “PNG Ways”? Aren’t we breaching our first duty by considering laws that effectively make us another people? Acting in the spirit of our Constitution means striving for the PNG Way, adhering to “Christian principles that are ours now” and protecting our dignity. This is an integral part of our national identity—and hence our personal identity.

Every single true PNGean within the sphere of influence of the reviews must search him/herself. Recall his/her true identity and resolve never to compromise it. To you who are in that sphere: TAKE NO PART IN MAKING THESE LAWS A REALITY. For in these potential laws we will surely lose ourselves. And without an identity everything else, even our survival, is utterly meaningless.

WE ARE WHO WE ARE, AND WHO WE ARE IS BEAUTIFUL.

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT PAPUA NEW GUINEA...

Ganjiki D Wayne

Are We Any Better??

Patriots

This morning on way to work a young man among the crowd was suspected of picking a pocket and was beat up. People hurled verbal abuses on him, cursing his very existence and condemning him to hell. I struggled to let out similar words as I remembered my own failures: my own robbing of others and violation of the law. Here we were condemning a young man for doing what most of us were practically doing.. Are we really any better than him?! We put on our fancy clothes; go to our fancy jobs and in the evening we lie on comfortable beds after a hearty meal.

Along the way we’d chew our buai and colour the pavement up a bit. We’d pay half the required bus-fare, then in a bus or in private cars we’d run the red light 10 seconds after it’d turned; we get paid a full day’s pay for a 2-hour presence, we’d cut some cues to be served ahead of others, we’d litter on the streets, smoke in busses whilst sitting next to mother and baby; and not being guilty of the above, we remain silent against those who are...

We hurl our criticism on a government lacking in patriotism, at the Kumuls n Pepes for a lacklustre performance, at our disciplined forces for human rights violations and ill-discipline, at the petty criminal for being a nuisance to society...

But are we so INNOCENT? Are the wrongs WE commit against country and countrymen so insignificant? Do we not affect others by our thoughts, words and deeds? Can we not see beyond the blue smoke of our cigarettes; of the buai spittle once it leaves our mouths? Do we not realise our duty towards one another and towards our country? We’re all endowed with an inalienable duty.

A duty to BETTER OUR NATION...A duty to BE BETTER PEOPLE....

COME...............LET US CHANGE.....


G
PATRIOTS PNG INC.
“CHANGE STARTS WITH ME”

PNG Growing Up...

Patriots,

In light of the recent tribal and ethnic fights (& killings) around the country, I just thought I’d share a thought. The problem of regionalism is not the only reason for the violence going on. But the major challenge in us Papua New Guineans is our EMOTIONAL IMMATURITY.

Unfortunately in PNG very little or no progress is made in the emotional growth of the majority. From my (unscientific) assessment I think most PNGeans have emotional levels equal to that of toddlers. That’s why we react more with how we feel rather than logic and reason. That’s why the educated elite still fight in towns like their brethren in the village. We throw tamper tantrums, feats, sulk, seek revenge foolishly and basically do WHATEVER WE FEEL AT ANY MOMENT without consideration of others—of course with the adult twist!

This may be a tough assessment of ourselves but I think we must confront such problems in ourselves in order to advance our attitudes.

Next time you’re faced with a choice. STOP AND THINK. Are you reacting according to your feeling or responding according to reason and logic? The sooner we shift the basis of our decisions from FEELINGS to REASON then the sooner we’ll establish peace between our tribes, provinces and regions. And give UNITY a chance…

EMOTIONAL MATURITY is being in charge of your emotions rather than the other way around.

Heavenise Week!

Ganjiki
PPNG

“Inspiring Change”

PATRIOTISM BEYOND SEPTEMBER 16

Dear Patriots

As we move into Celebration mode marking our Nation’s 35th Independent Anniversary, I would like to make an appeal I guess I will make every Independence Day.

Our celebrations and donning of our beautiful colours is all very good. During this period we are awakened to the reality of the greatness and beauty of our nation. We are proud and united and loyal and will defend this nation with our lives on…really??

I repeat a challenge that I posed last year: Consider young lady looking squarely into the eyes of her excited and anticipating lover. She asks him this one thing: “WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME IN THE MORNING??”

Imagine a nation so longing for the love of its people to be demonstrated not just on the date of its birth but on every other day. Longing for a real dedication that goes beyond the colouring and the singing. In the analogy of the lover many PNGeans, come September 16, are only lusty lovers looking to satisfy our own selfish desires to party and simply have a good time. But at the end of the day or the morning after we go on living our selfish lives contributing very little or nothing good to our country. We spit on her, litter on her, steal from her purse; blatantly ignoring her plea for us to remain in a mode where our attention is genuinely dedicated to her. She longs for the steady and simple acts of love from her people every day and not just one big POP! per year. A steady and tranquil patriotism expressed in good citizenship…

When you celebrate the EXISTENCE of this Nation ask yourself “WHY??” “Why am I celebrating?” “Why do I care that on this date my nation was born??”

Remind yourself that come September 17, “I will still be a true and constant patriot”. I hope that like me you will make an Independence Day Resolution that “FOR MY COUNTRY’S SAKE I WILL BE A BETTER CITIZEN TODAY MORE THAN YESTERDAY”…and repeat that resolution every other day the rest of the year…maybe the rest of YOUR years??

I love this country. My love for this country demands that I call up more patriots who will truly love this country beyond September 16.

Happy Independence and God Bless Papua New Guinea.

Ganjiki D Wayne
Patriots PNG Inc.

“CHANGE STARTS WITH ME”

Change is in our hands

When I was in college I witnessed many a good expression of concern bout the country from the ‘elites’. Expressions of anger and disgust at the blatant corruption in our government came from many lips. When we had the two unrests of our time patriotic outburst proceeded in our gatherings. Orators were always available to stir the hearts and minds of other students to rise to stand against an “injustice”.

From those same lips on other days I heard loud cursing and profanity. I watched the unbridled chewing and spitting of beetlenut all over the campus pavements and the busstop…from those same lips. Those same hands lifted up against a macro-injustice would vandalise property, toss rubbish cans, paint aliases on toilet walls, litter freely. Drunk and disorderly, ethnic differences and poor sportsmanship on weekends resulted in ethnic wars--from the ‘cream of the crop’ in a place that literally meant ‘unity in diversity’. I watched the abuse of women by this nation’s elites and wondered if our college education ever helped us appreciate the value and dignity of women.

Our definition of corruption extended to everything apart from ourselves. It rested on the bureaucracy and the politician but not on who you and I are. We seemed immune and yet there were not more darker hearts and minds than those supposedly more “enlightened”. We were hypocrites. And we still are (yes me too!). With our left hand we wish for change and progress. With our right we destroy it. Obviously one hand is more powerful.

MJ’s “Man in the Mirror” sums it up in our contemporary language. But throughout eternity the ever-applicable formula for change of any society first came from the SOURCE Himself in Whom no hypocrisy is found:

“YOU HYPOCRITE, first remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” ~Jesus

Senisim Pasin, Senisim PNG!

God Bless Papua New Guinea

Ganjiki

YUMI YET YUMI PNG!!

Dia Patriots!

Mi ting olsem bai mi raitim dis'la toksave lo tokpisin. Mi save olsem yupla olgeta save lo tokspisin so em bai orait…

Lo makim maus blo President Henry Osembo na ol narap'la lidaman na meri blo Patriots PNG mi laik tok bikpela tenkyu lo yupla ol memba na u husait sa’ salim tok hamamas na sapot lo wok blo PPNG. Dis'la grup em no wanpla fb grup nating. Em trutru Asosiasen o grup i wok long mekim trutru wok i go het long kamapim senis lo PNG (ino lo intanet tasol). As tingting blo grup em long helpim yumi yet ol pipol blo PNG lo laikim kantri blo yumi trutru long bel na tingting na ino lo maus o bilas tasol. Na long helpim yumi long sensim pasin. Sapos yumi senisim pasin bai kantri blo yumi senis trutru.

Dis'la no wanpla isi wok. Bel na tingting blo man em yu yet gat pawa long senisim (yu yet wantaim God). Wok blo PPNG em long soim (1) sampla asua blo yumi oslem pipol blo PNG, (2) sampla as blo senis na (3) sampl rot o wei we yumi ken senis. Em ken soim ol disla samting tasol sait blo senis trutru em stap lo yumi wanwan. Sapos yu no lukim nid lo senis bai yu les lo wokim wanpla senis. Olsem na mipla laik kamapim sampla wei lo soim yumi olgeta PNG manmeri long ol dis'la nid blo senis.

Planti grup ol wokim planti gutpla wok long PNG lo senisim kantri blo yumi. Tasol lo sait blo strongim toktok blo senisim pasin em nogat planti grup i stap. Patriots PNG em kamap long dispela wanpela as tasol. Yumi no politikol ektivist, or charity grup. As tingting blo PPNG em lo bungim ol yumi pipol blo PNG long lukluk lo senisim pasin.

Lo pinis mi tok tenkyu gen lo sapot blo yupla ol fb memba blo PPNG. Sapot blo yupla i save helpim mipla bikpla stret lo go mo long disla wokabaut.

Tenk yu na God i ken Blesim Papua Niugini!

Laikim

Ganjiki