The Good Life - Part 1

First published in Daily Tribune under Anthony Vivero's Vibes and Vision dated April 21, 2008.

We are after the “good life.” Financial success is what everybody wants. That is why the lottery is the number-one game of chance in the world, giving hope of instant riches. How we wish we can be rich and have the best money can buy.

The second wish is to have a perfect family and/or a companion who will be by his side all his life. He or she can be anybody, as long as that person is willing to spend the rest of his/her life with another.

The third desire of man is power. As long there are people “below” them, including their children, the taste of power remains very fulfilling. Man’s hunger for power never ceases. Man desires for more power. Along with it is respect in every aspect of their life.

Another wish is always placed last in the list – health. People want to live as long as they want but unfortunately we don’t give health serious time and concern, only when we are ill, which at that point perfect recovery is almost impossible to achieve.

So, for a good life, one must have one, if not all, of these: wealth, family/ companion, power and health.

But to many of us, why does it seem so hard to achieve at least one? Let us try to look at some of the problems. We might then be able to pinpoint the crucial factors.

Responsibility

Many still believe that pain and misfortunes in life are caused by family curses, brought from one generation to another. Some even say that they are the works of the devil. Worse, some, the desperate ones, blame their god for all the negative events that happened to them.
A fool will always blame others for his misfortune. The crazy ones will blame himself. The half-fool and half-crazy will blame both. But a man of wisdom will blame no one.

Our troubles and difficulties really came from ourselves. They arise from our own actions, which are rooted in greed, hatred and delusion. But sometimes, if not always, we succeed so well in trying to fool others. We even manage to fool ourselves with false realities that we have created in our minds.
If we made a mistake, we must have the courage to admit it. And no matter how unpleasant the effect of it, we must be ready to face it. If one possesses this kind of character and attitude, the negativities will be diminished, that is, when we become responsible for our actions. Negative action plus positive action will result in a positive scenario. Remember your basic algebra.

We must keep on practicing a responsible act for every action that we do and intend to do. Every thought, every word, every action has an effect that will give us the success or misfortune that is deserving. And yet, regardless of the action we did, we must still be responsible about all that comes with the results.
As the motto says, “With great power comes with great responsibility.” Unfortunately, many want success without any responsibility. We forget that everything on earth has to be paid for, in every sense.

Teach responsibility to children while they are still young. One way of teaching responsibility to young kids is having pets, which they care by themselves. In a way, they will also learn power over a pet. They can also plant fruit-bearing trees or flowering plants. This is power over something but with great responsibility over that something.

During summer breaks, let children earn money. Pay them for extra jobs they can do around the house—cleaning, washing the car, watering the plants. Even if they are not experts, pay them. It is a lot better for them to earn the money rather than you just giving it to them without effort. For sure they will ask for cash, work or no work. And let them spend the money as they wish. This will train them to consider the value of money.

Provide quality time with loved ones. This will create a harmonious change to everyone involved. The needs and security of each other’s presence will be felt. Let them or both of you join in any sports or activities that require teamwork. This will create trust among each other. And together, this will create a healthy body and mind.

Tolerance and patience

People tend to complain first before doing anything once confronted by events that make them uncomfortable. We complain of bad governance, of poor parents, unfaithful partners, stubborn children, bad weather, bad economy. We even complain of terrible traffic conditions, and so many other things around us. All we do is complain. To balance the equation, ask yourself if you did something to alleviate the condition in any of these situations before you started complaining?

About corruption, will you wait for your turn in a government transaction or will you use your connection or money to gain advantage of being the first in line and get preferential treatment? Instead of blaming our parents, why can’t we help them in every household chore, study well, be the children that parents dream of? It will give your parents the joy they had wished for and not the problem they never wanted in the first place.

Why don’t we help conserve energy in our own little ways to help alleviate the bad effects on the earth’s ozone layer? Less usage of electrical gadgets and appliances instead of complaining about temperatures too often and at every opportunity.
Are you a law abiding citizen? Do you beat the red light? As a pedestrian, do you use the overpass or underpass instead of crossing the street? Are you courteous to another motorist? Do you give way to those who are just starting to learn how to drive?

Be tolerant. Have more patience, and the good life will be yours. Be more responsible in your words and actions. Then problems will be less, and the good life in every sense will be at hand.