STRANGE as it may seem but you and I were probably happiest when we hadn't had a care in the world. It was a time that all responsibilities of life were left to mum and dad.
All our clothes, food and other needs were attended to by someone else. Our only "job" everyday was to amuse ourselves. We didn't care about what was happening on the far side of the street because mum said we couldn't venture that far.
We didn't really care how we look but almos everybody else thought we were cute in some way.
We were little toddlers then. Remember how simple life was then? And so it seems that the simpler one's life is, the easier it can be managed.
But as we grew up, something happened. We begin to put more importance on our appearance. We begin to think of a nice car, not just any old and second-hand jalopey but a real powerful "monster." It is as if we can't wait to have that extra attention.
By our very own supreme efforts, we have become vain. And if we earn more than our fathers, we may not even want to listen to him anymore. Sometimes in our "spoilt brat" mood, we may even come to the conclusion that mum is just too old-fashioned to keep up with us anymore.
Suddenly one day, we wake up and find that life is beginning to be quite a chore. We have to maintain certain "standards"; keep up appearances at social gatherings and parties; have a sizeable bank account so that others won't think too poorly of us, and think the word God is only reserved for those silly priests who have nothing better to do.
Son, at this juncture, I have something importance to impart to you. If the above description fits you, you are clearly in trouble. If you continue along this path, you will end up being very unhappy no matter how much money you have in your bank or how many exclusive clubs you are a member of.
When an individual loses sight of the finer qualities in life, he loses sight of what it's like to be a real human being. Meaning his purpose in this life has suddenly taken a deep detour and he's, simply lost!
The answer to your daily troubles, your lack of peace of mind and your life of quiet desperation is to simplify your life.
Here's how to do it:
** Try not to own a fancy car. Any car that can take you from point A to point B is deemed adequate.
** Don't keep up with the Joneses otherwise you are going to share their woes as well.
** Keep in mind you are a mortal and the frailty of your life is a daily and stark reality.
** Pray a lot and pray for others. Don't think that God is a stranger and that he's only communicating with saints in heaven. He's waiting for you to talk to him, even when you don't need him.
** Your personal appearance should not be an obsession.
** Give little credence to other people's opinions about you. For example, don't worry if you don't know about many issues of the day.
** Cut down on your plans to go on overseas holidays at least twice a year.
** Don't worry about what you have to eat tomorrow or next week.
** Don't be too caught up with other people's lives. Help them if they seek help but don't be a busy-body.
** Tell everyone you are not particular about food, where you dine and the condition of your sleeping quarters.
** Look upon the elderly as people who have more experience than you, simply because they have the advantage of being on earth longer than you. So maybe you can learn from their experience.
** Don't fish for compliments.
** Don't entertain thoughts of being nominated for some important post so that your name would be up in lights.
** Be kind to everybody, regardless of their social station in life.
** Never allow anyone to fuss over you.
** Don't be sad if nobody remembers your birthday. It's more important if you remember theirs.
** Volunteer to help others for no reason at all other than your sense of priority.
** Love the little children, for they have much to teach you, to remind you and to make you see that the greatest joy is to be an innocent, for such people will enter the kingdom of heaven.
The love of life, the joy of living, the pleasure of simplicity - all these are the natural results of profound thought. And when you have seen the light, gone there, seen it and decided to stay, come back to help the others who have lost their way. For in helping others, you help yourself. In spreading love, you gain it for yourself. In praying for others, grace naturally gravitates to your soul.
Be at peace, my son, for God is looking over your shoulder even now as I speak.
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