I Shall Pass This Way But Once...

“I shall pass this way but once; any good that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being; let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
- Etienne de Grellet

If all of us can live by this tenet, how much better the world would be.

A little kindness shown to a stranger can make a difference to that person especially if given unsolicited.

Most of us are in too much of a hurry to notice the despair of others or to realize that some are in desperate need of help.  We are far too self-centered to be aware of others’ needs.  A lack of empathy, a lack of sympathy, perhaps a touch of indifference or the terrible attitude of  “ it’s none of my business “-are we not guilty of one of these?

There are many opportunities for us to lend a helping hand to someone less fortunate. Volunteering your service to help those who are not as mobile or whose family members are unable to attend to their needs is one way of doing good. During one of my hospital visits to see the doctor, I had the opportunity to meet a lady who did just that.  She volunteers to accompany old ladies who are wheelchair bound, to see their doctors. She fetches them from their homes and brings them to the hospital and is in attendance until it is time to send them back home.

It is this voluntary service that makes her happy, knowing that she is doing something to help. She didn’t reveal that this was what she was doing. I thought she was accompanying her elderly aunt to see the doctor until she told me that she didn’t even know the lady she was helping. Her church had put her in touch with this elderly lady who needed transport to see the doctor.

It is good to know that by serving others, we are serving God. We should be more sensitive to the people around us who are in need in one way or other. Let us give more of ourselves in service to the Lord.

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Words of Wisdom

 I would like to share the gist of words of wisdom which a friend sent to me.

Our life on this earth is transient. Whatever we have in terms of property and wealth cannot be taken with us when we go to meet our Maker. We can donate some and leave some to our children and grandchildren, only some, not all of it.  For we don’t want them to live in anticipation of our demise to get their inheritance. We should not be afraid to spend money on ourselves.

We should leave our children to find their own path in life. We shouldn’t be their slaves, working so hard just to hand everything to them on a silver platter. There is more to life than working from the cradle to the grave. We should enjoy our money while we can for if we lose our health in obtaining wealth, what’s the point of it all?  We can’t enjoy life when we are terminally ill.

On the other hand we should not expect much from our children. They may be caring and loving but they have their own careers and commitments, often too busy to help us.  What can I say about uncaring children? Many old folks have been abandoned, whether at public hospitals, old folks’ homes or just pushed out of their homes into the streets!

Some children take for granted that they are rightful heirs to our wealth but when we need some help their attitude is that we have no claims to their money.

 So remember, middle-aged parents, don't trade in your health for wealth by working yourself to an early grave anymore... because for all your money, you may not be able to buy back your health...
                                                         
How much do we need?                                                   

                                   
As long as there’s enough food and enough money to spend, it’s good enough.

We shouldn’t worry about things that we can't change because it doesn't help and it may affect our health.

We have to create our own well-being and find our own happiness. Stay positive, be in good mood and think about happy things.  Enjoy the activities that we like and have fun doing and time will pass by happily every day. 

Regular exercise, exercising outdoors and a healthy diet plus the right attitude towards life will lead us closer to that four score and ten milestone which not many people have reached.

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Retirement…

When one is working at today’s frenetic pace, one looks forward to retirement.  It looks so inviting and one tends to dream of that day when one finally clocks out at the office.  No more traffic crawls in the early morning and evening…. Just time to rest and relax, doing what one feels like doing.

Some retirees go travelling, far and near, depending on the travel bug that has bitten them and on their financial resources.  Some settle into a humdrum routine of morning exercise, a leisurely breakfast, reading the newspapers, afternoon naps, dinner and watching t.v., occasionally forwarding emails that are interesting.  Others may take up hobbies or help to babysit grandchildren.

What of the expertise that retirees have?  What happens to that wonderful store of knowledge, skills and experience ?  Is there any way that they can share them ?  Put them to good use?  Are there any opportunities or avenues for such retirees?

A second career?  Part-time work?  It’s a shame to let such rich experience and knowledge waste away while retirees are still healthy.

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