None of us can live forever and we cannot take
along anything when we go, so let us enjoy life
while we can. Let us spend the money that
should be spent, enjoy what should be enjoyed,
donate what we are able to donate, but let us
not leave all to our children nor grandchildren,
for we don't want them to become parasites who
are waiting for the day we will die!!
Live
simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God.
|
Don't worry about what will happen after we are
gone, because when we return to dust, we will
feel nothing about praises nor criticisms. The
time to enjoy the worldly life and our hard
earned wealth will be over!
Let us not worry too much about our children,
for they will have their own destiny and
should find their own way. Don't let us be their slave, use us nor take
advantage of us. Let us love them, give them
reasonable gifts but let us also enjoy our money
while we can. Life should have more to it than
working from the cradle to the grave!!
Let us not expect too much from our children.
Caring children, though caring, would be too
busy with their jobs, commitments and their own
family to render much help. Some of them
try their best to touch base regularly with their parent even if
they don't need anything but they have their own
priorities.
I have learned that what is most pleasing in the eyes of God is the amount of love that we give to
our parents.
Sirach 3:1-16 describes our duties and the consequences of dealing with
them. We obey Him when we honor our father and we please Him when we make
our mother happy. The Lord does not forget our love and kindness to them. He
does not ignore our indifference to them either. Serving them is more of a privilege than an obligation.
Uncaring children are self-interested, may fight
over our assets even when we are still alive,
and wish for our early demise so they can
inherit our properties and wealth. Some children
take for granted that they are rightful heirs to
our wealth; some of them have “no money, not
talk attitude” to seek our attention. Some of
them usually express what they want in different
ways, forms (like jokes) or suggestions. Be wary of their
advice nor suggestions especially selling your
property and moving in with them.
Let us not trade in our health for wealth by
working ourselves to an early grave because our
money may not be able to buy our health. When do
we have to stop making money? Out of thousand hectares of good farm
land, we can only consume three quarts (of rice)
daily; out of a thousand mansions, we only need
eight square meters of space to rest at night.
To bring out the best in those
around you, give them encouragement
and show them loving appreciation. |
I have also learned that as long as we have enough
food and enough money to spend, that is good
enough and we should live happily; that every
family has its own problems; and not to compare
with others for fame and social status, but to
inspire, motivate, encourage and challenge
others for happiness, health, enjoyment, quality
of life and longevity.
I have learned not to worry about things
that we can't change because it doesn't help and
it may only spoil our health; that we have to
create our own well-being and find our own place
of happiness. As long as we are in good mood and
good health, let us think about happy things, do
happy things daily and have fun in doing, then
we will pass our time happily every day.
With good mood, suitable amount of exercise,
variety of foods, reasonable amount of vitamin
and mineral intake, hopefully we will live
another many years of healthy life of pleasure.
Above all, let us learn to cherish the
goodness around and friends. They all make us
feel young and wanted without them we are surely
to feel lost!!
By Tim Pedrosa
Surround
yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes,
music, plants, hobbies, whatever.
Laugh
often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a
friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with him/her.
|
Tim
|