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