Accept shortcomings like Lincoln did

It says here that the son of a government official was killed in a road accident. He drove his car while sleepy. He was only 23. Who was it who said that sleeping on the steering wheel is a good way to keep one from growing old?

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I was listening to a presidential wannabe speak about his "admirable qualities" (his words) and his achievements as a government official. Then and there I recalled what book author Bob Phillips said: "Self-praise stinks in the nostrils."

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The Holy Bible has something to say about self-praise. In Proverbs 27:2 it says: "Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth." During election campaign season this is one of the most ignored Bible proverbs.

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Politicians should accept their shortcomings. Like Abraham Lincoln did. One story says: Lincoln was visited one day by a federal officer who tendered his resignation. "All right, Addison," said the President, "I accept your resignation, but nothing can compensate me for the loss of you, for when you retire I will be the ugliest man left in the employ of the government."

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Everyone seems to be running these days. No, I don't mean the politicians running for public office. I mean doctors, nurses, businessmen, laborers, media persons, government officials, gays, cops, even some wheelchair-bound sick.

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Once upon a time, the only person talking to me about running -- and was actually running -- was my good friend and fellow Freemaner Raffy Uytiepo. He would drop by my place in runner's getup and talk about a running event he was organizing.

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Today, Raffy must be having his hands -- and feet -- full with all those running events taking place. He's not dropped by my office for quite a time now. The last time I saw him he was not a runner. He was Elvis Presley.

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E-mail from Necita (no second name): "Noynoy Aquino is not yet certain if he could have Mar Roxas as running mate. But Mar already has chosen a running mate for life -- Korina Sanchez in case you have forgotten amid the maze of mind-boggling political developments."

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Thank you Necita (Necita who?) for your e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you again. Thanks, too, to Danny Patron for the joke. But can't use it here. Too green, Danny.

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Email: [email protected]