I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again
Stephen Grellet 1773–1855
I heard this quote recently and it took me back in time. For the life of me I couldn’t remember if I learnt it in school or church. Anyway, I never forgot this and the thing is it was the way my mom lived her life and instill that in my sisters and myself. Children live what they learn and what we saw was a lady that gave freely of herself. As I had mentioned in previous blogs, my mother thought it was her job to save the world. I am not my mother but I realize I not only look like her but have that soft heart for some things. In my mind as long as what I’m going to do isn’t dangerous I will help. My first priority is to protect me. The other thing I no longer have a soft heart about is the loaning of money. I learnt the hard way and I always hear my mother’s voice in my head say, “ you only lend what you can afford to give away.” Using Jamaican parlance, “ better you vex than me.”
I am willing to give what I can give to persons in terms of time, a listening ear,etc. I have realized that giving is something that we must do. It’s in giving that we receive. It doesn’t have to be where you give and the whole world sees what you do. You can be a philanthropist without informing the world. Just open up yourself to helping. As the quote says you won’t pass this way again. Do what you can do now as you might never get the chance again. Think about it and just do it. This is the perfect time of year as Christmas seems to give that “feeling.” It’s hard to put it into words. Start now and let it grow. It’s as simple as smiling at someone and seeing them. I acknowledge that I see the person and smile, say good morning even if they don’t reciprocate. It’s like water off a duck’s back. It doesn’t mean they don’t like you, it’s just that they might be in their own world. As my daughter would say they have zoned out. 🤔. For me that smile that I gave makes me feel great. I don’t know what it is but I guess if I did some research it would show when you smile you lift your spirt and also others. “Smile and the whole world smiles with you.” And as Mother Theresa said “peace begins with a smile.”
When I read this quote I see a river in my mind’s eye. With a river it will never see the same water again, once it’s gone it’s gone. It’s just like time which is what this focuses on. When you see the opportunity to help and think it will always be there, sometimes it isn’t. It’s gone and can’t come back. That’s why so many persons will say if only I had. Why not try and grasp the opportunity now, why wait. This is not only in terms of helping others but helping yourself. It’s all about life and living it to the fullest. As my Dad said to me, “ never look back on you life and say if only I had, look back and say I did.”
Let me know as I really want to know what you are thinking, and I know others do too. Try commenting 👍🏽, but if you are not comfortable, reach out to me via any medium. Your comments let me know how you feel and very often give me a total different perspective on the topic. 😉. And you can never tell your comment might help others.
Always remember life is for living and you must always live your best life. #lifeisforliving #liveyourbestlife #gratefulforlife #faithgreaterthanfear
See you next Wednesday at 8:00 pm, Bogota time.
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