Exercising gratitude

Dr. Henry Yu

DAY in and day out, we seem to be in a hurry all the time. We lead a fast-paced life as if it were a desperate race to catch up, so much so that we sometimes forget that life is not a contest, that somehow we need to slow down and give time for ourselves to reflect on the real meaning and purpose of life and living. We need time to smell the flowers, appreciate the rainbows and bluebirds in the sky, some moments of silence to pause and ponder on who we really are, to re-evaluate the things that we have said and done to this and that person, etc.

In our busy schedules, we sometimes forget that our life is only loaned to us by the One above for a certain period of time and as such we will have to make an exit from this earthly life someday whether we like it or not. Yes, we are all but passing by as travelers in this journey of life. So while we’re still here on earth, let’s make use of this Gift of Life that God has given us. Let’s be good to ourselves and to the people around us. Let’s try to bring sunshine into their lives by saying and doing beautiful things.

As one popular saying would put it: “We only pass this way but once, so whatever kindness that I can do to people, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.” Let’s not wait for tomorrow, for tomorrow may never come. Let’s do it now.

Let’s do it today.

In the simplest of ways, let’s say thank you to all the wonderful people (family, relatives, friends, teachers, classmates, officemates, colleagues, associates, our alalay’s at home and in the office, and everyone else) who’ve been with us in making life more livable, bearable and comfortable, they who have been with us in good times or in bad.

Thank you, Lord, for friends and good times together. Let this new year be filled with happy thanksgiving.