Life was so much simpler when I was younger. Three decades ago, I had no qualms about walking in the middle of the night alone in the heart of Manila. Nowadays, that would be an invitation for trouble. Why is it that there seems to be so much evil in the world today than in those days? After much thought, I have come to the conclusion that the root of all evil is greed. Perhaps, to aspire to eradicate greed in all of mankind is a foolish thing. But is it?
Early in life, I was taught by my grandmother that giving, specially the giving of oneself is the one thing that makes us special among God's creatures. She never said it in so many words but she lived it to the end of her days. And the example she has shown me and the rest of my family is probably her best legacy to us. In retrospect, it will probably be the saving grace of our family.
Nothing can be more fulfilling than the act of sharing what you have with others. It gives you a high that cannot be described in words. Was it Oprah who said that everything she has gained in her life has meaning only when she gets to share it? Think about it. Try it. Help someone in need. Get a taste of how it feels. Only then will you understand what I am talking about.
As a mother, I began teaching my children the value of sharing as soon as they could walk. I never tire of reminding them that generosity will be their ticket to eternal life (we are Catholics, you see). When I see my children doing an act of kindness to people around them, my heart swells and I know that I have taught them well. It is my firm belief that whatever you give, you ultimately get back a thousand-fold. So when they give, I know that when I am gone they will always be alright because they have learned the one lesson that makes them human-the spirit of giving.
If as mothers we all teach our children the virtue of giving, then we will have a whole generation of human beings who have no greed in their hearts. Is that not utopia-people giving selflessly to one another? Mothers, you have the power to change the world. You are the key to eradicating evil in the world. Now think about that.
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4 comments:
Amen! Congratulations sa ating lahat na mga nanay.
thanks for visiting my blog :D If i am not wrong, you are sister from Liza isn't it???
How true! Parents should instill the right values and virtues. We can still change the world. Greed leads to apathy.
WOW!!! What a powerful post!!!
My parents didn't manage to teach me the joy of giving, simply because I had to learn it from somebody else, not because they didn't teach me that lesson. My brother learnt that lesson well from them...but it took one of my closest friends to open up my mind about the joy of giving. :-))))
But you're right...mothers have the power to change the world by teaching kids how to live well. :-)))
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