Finding contentment
One of my three grandchildren has some difficulty when it comes to sharing. More often than not, he does not get contented with what he has. He is drawn to what his siblings have and he will not stop until he gets it. It has always been like that as far back as I can remember. I made several attempts to correct such behavioral tendencies but I have not succeeded. I am optimistic he will shake off the bad habit as he matures.
Many of us are like my grandchild. Contentment is hard to come by because of the enticements from TV commercials. Credit card schemes of “charge now pay later” can be very alluring. Peer pressure is also a factor to consider. Well, we can start by being satisfied with what we have.
It also helps if we ponder on the lives of those who have less? My fellow senior citizens asked me why I have not availed myself of the government’s cash gift that comes on a quarterly basis. My response has always been the same. There are those who need it the most.
Our children will take the cue from us. If we are generous, they will also be. I still believe in teaching by example. Adults who felt deprived when they were young have the tendency to pamper thus overprovide for their children to the point of spoiling them with so many material things.
Production and consumerism are partners in crime. Production of new gadgets offering more apps whereby attracting consumers to upgrade each time a new feature is introduced. When do we stop? When do we say, “I am satisfied with what I have now?”
Yes, the other man’s grass is always greener but have we asked him how much he spent in maintaining his lawn? There are times when we have to wear blinders so that we will not be tempted to be envious and greedy. We have to learn to live by what we earn. Keeping up with the Joneses could get us into financial trouble. Every peso counts. We can learn from that child who lost his life because he stopped to pick up the peso that he accidentally dropped while crossing the street.
Displaced residents of Marawi have yet to process everything in their beleaguered mind as to how they will start anew. The dilemma being experienced by the residents makes us ponder that everything we have could be taken away from us at any given time.
Our government promises to make the City of Marawi a first-class city. Will it be a bleak Christmas for the Maranaos? What can we do to make the holiday more fun for the children of Marawi?