Sunday, July 31, 2011

Family and life's balance

As you grow older you find that spending time with the family becomes increasingly important.Even a family dinner takes new dimensions as we realize that its not easy to get all the children and their spouses to sit down with you on the dinner table.To have little Aaron and Kyra together would add so much more to the fun of family members sitting together.On hindsight the weekly dinners with family brings back more meaning to the Reunion Dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year and that is one of the reasons why family members must really make the effort to be there.
Quality time means so much in the context of the daily hassle which we have to go through.This is especially so in the case of young people who are trying to make an impact in their careers to the extent that they have no time for themselves and because of the stress which they face in work become grouchies and lose track of their purpose in life.We should not forget that life is not all about making careers and money but its also having the skill to ensure that you have a bit of quality time for yourself.Never work at the expense of your physical and mental well being.No work or career in the world is worth it!

Monday, July 25, 2011

A wedding anniversary

Last night we attended a dinner to celebrate our nephew's 20 years of marriage and it got me thinking about marriage.When we got married a vow and commitment was made "to take each other as your lawful wife and husband,to cherish ,love each other in sickness and in health...".that's what marriage is all about and what makes it so special is how two people out of the millions in the world can choose each other and share life's blessings and tribulations together for the rest of their lives.Living together,sharing things ( the good, the bad and the ugly) often brings out the best and worst in people.We are the most familiar with our spouses and its not unusual that the one who understands us the most and shares things with us the most is the other half.
Anniversaries are special in the sense that after so many years of marriage it's the time for renewal,renewal of our commitment to each other,our bond ,our feelings and our passage through life together.Celebrating the anniversary has this special meaning and people who do not know will just look at it as a gathering of friends and relatives.For the two people who celebrate the anniversary its much more than this.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Old Boys

Saturday 23rd July was the annual get together of the St.Anthony's Old Boys and we went to show our support.As teachers it made us feel good to see our boys and girls grown up and many of them are today holding important positions in society.What made us feel even better is the fact that they are still loyal to the Alma Mater and many of them talked about their fun filled school days and I was touched when a few of them came up to me and said 'Do you remember you caned me? And do you know because of that I'm here today, a better person.Thank you Sir"
We have always taught our students and our own children to hold on to values,to be all rounded individuals ,good in their chosen fields and yet possessing some of the intrinsic values of life.As teachers and parents nothing makes us happier than to see them growing up with this.Its not easy to accept values if you do not have them at the outset.Children who grow up in homes where there is sharing ,caring, happiness and family unity tend to carry this on to their adult life but children who grow up in homes where there is no family unity and values become difficult and shallow people in their later lives.
Our children and students have always been taught to be caring,humble,aim for excellence and never forget their roots.One of my students came up and said" Sir,I will always remember you because you paid for my exam. fees>If not for that I would not have made it in life" I did not remember that because it was just a small gesture but I did not realize it made such a difference in somebody's life.
It's amazing how such little acts of helping comes back to you after so many years and surely its one of life's satisfaction which money cannot buy so all money god worshipers please note there are so many more things in life than just dollars and cents!

Old Boys