At this point in my life, it
would be nice to get some 'R and R'. Celebrating four decades of existence
through some breather from all the toiling throughout the years is what I seek
and what will continually be sought after. Having reached this age, anyone
would most likely envision being in a stress-free situation. However, that
would most likely contend with and allow us to realize still the purpose of our
being. For a while there, you’d also reflect back on the ‘what-ifs’ and
‘what-would-have-beens’ as much as what you have accomplished so far that of
which somehow molded your essence and probably determine who you will further
be.
It would be hypocritical of
me to deny that I’m not aspiring for the finer things in life. I want ‘this’, I
want ‘that’… too many of ‘those’ actually… There’s no need to elaborate on what
those are if only to point out the difference between the ‘wants’ from the
‘needs’; the necessities from priorities as much as the luxuries from what’s
really important. As a matter of fact, it will likewise be trivial of me to
even be torn between wanting a status-defining extravagance over a simple requisite
for a decent basic need in a time such option is not just dependent on my
current financial affair but also subject to the essence of life’s provisions.
We’re in trying times. It’s
even more depressing to deal with untimely spending that overlaps with
overheads at hand. The escalating expense over several bills coinciding with an
additional outlay adds to the pressure. And more than that, that additional
cost has been originally allotted for something already. Then it struck me…
The mere fact we’re even in
such a situation no matter how tight it squeezes our resources, it’s still some
manifestation of a windfall that breaths subsistence. We get to enjoy amenities
with the capacity to pay for it and appreciate for ourselves as a reward of
some sort. A chronic example is how our family has simply enjoyed even just going
around on a joyride with the convenience of having a car yet to an extent
mileage has tallied up only to reach a distance-run that needs periodic
maintenance consequential of a substantial expense inopportunely befalling simultaneously
with tuition fees, internet connection, cable TV, etc. Come to think of it, all
of these are actually blessings. We’re even more blessed to be healthy for the
capability to do that.
Amidst this awareness seemingly
half-grasped and halfheartedly valued, I’m still dreaming of a grand vacation
without having to worry about everyday expenditure; the capacity to settle fiscal
obligations in full and without delay; equipped with up-to-date technology,
currently trendy and other superficial wishes justified as “providential” necessities.
Then, as if presenting me a tangible and a ‘touching’ example, it struck me
again…
A day after my 40th
birthday and along all these worldly yearnings, we facilitated the realization
of a dream through the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s program. A young leukemia
patient simply wished for a time with her family at SM. Such a wish though as unpretentious,
it dwarfed all my materialistic desires. Traveling on a several-hour trip from
a far-flung area, they were brought to Baguio for a planned family reunion and
had them experience luxury even if only for a day. The most poignant part for
me though was upon providing them with new shoes as part of that absolute
shopping experience we planned for them as it’ll be their first time. It wasn’t
even the thought of the charitable deed they’d probably appreciate regardless
of brand or condition as a matter of that sense of liberality. Perhaps
regardless if it was even just hand-me-downs, they’ll still be as grateful as
it was their first pair of shoes.
For all we know, those shoes
could get them comfortably farther. So much for a wish coming true and yet we
seem discontented of what we have and still fancy about going beyond on a more
affluent indulgence; at times unrepresentatively beyond our means.
There’s nothing wrong with treating
yourself and/or your family with such incentives as these are likewise
motivational factors for our being if it provides not just comfort but
inspiration and life’s essential realizations.
As we start 2013, another estimated
good year in the offing, in a time New Year’s resolutions are contemplated on,
I’ve realized that I’d be more thankful of every blessing that comes my way and
those that are yet to turn up as a result of perseverance for the next 365 days
or so… I’ve realized that I’m as normal as any man could be and wanting to
achieve and gain so much even the “not so important things in life”… And more
than vainly seeking for the capacity to be charitable once rich, I’d continue
to wish to have that means for that ability to share… yet achieve to be as
generous of whatever I could accordingly contribute regardless of time and
occasion…
This year, this time, I wish…
