Tell Them Now

Let somebody know you're caring,

Take the time to listen to
What they want so much to tell you,
For the gentle folks are few.
You are not so high and mighty,
That you cannot spare a smile,
For you never know when you might
Need somebody after-while.

This poem reminded me of someone close to me before he died. This happened during my high school years.  I have been very close to this old man. He was a far relative. I really enjoyed talking to him and listening to his jokes and guidance. When he started to get sick, I visited him every Sunday afternoon just to spend time talking and listening to him. I was not weary traveling far just to listen to this man and read all the books he wanted me to read to him allowed.

Then I started to get busy with exams in school and I stopped visiting. Then suddenly, some of my relatives came to visit me and mentioned that the old man died months ago. I was really shocked that I realized that I totally forgot to visit him again. Then they mentioned that he was looking for me those past days before he died. He kept on mentioning about the girl who was always there to listen and talk to him. He wished that I was around to read him more books. Then they said that he was really waiting for me.

I really cried to hear everything they said. Somehow, I was, also, at peace when they added that before he died, he told them to tell me that he was really thankful that there was somebody who spared the time to be with him. He was happy that I read all those books for him. He wished of my presence but those days spent with him was enough to make him happy recalling those memories.

I wished that I didn't stop visiting but those last words of kindness made me happy that I did something good for that old man. How about you? Have you spent the time talking with your parents or family or friends? Life is quite short and you will never what you totally missed. Regrets will always come last.

Also, there will be a time that you will be needing someone to spend the time with you, too. So, give those smiles and time now while you can.

A Common Illness in the Society

In the human race on earth, regardless of race, religion, culture and nationalities, it has a common illness: one mistake covers all good works.

Once a man committed a mistake all of his achievements and good contribution to the society will all be forgotten. Why? It is because the mistake is magnified more than his good works. Regardless of status in life, this common illness is prevalent and evident. Instead of just simple admonishment or reminder, gossipers became the jury and the person involved is convicted and left behind. Wounded that person may be but still that person is continually being hit by unseen arrows. Thus, that person became prisoner without a prison cell. An invisible wall of distrust and prejudice became that person’s prison bar.

Life must move on in spite of what is happening around us but those wounded persons, most of the time, has to crawl up all by himself. What is humanity by the way? Is this really being human? Is this why we were made from the very beginning? Or, is it that human values are rotting out and there is no morality anymore? The fact is human nature is totally sinful and selfish. We tend to look on other people’s mistakes and magnify it even more to cover up our very own flaws and imperfectness.

Can we not salvage moral values for the good of mankind? Nowadays, a lot of people think that moral values are old fashioned and it has no effect for modern society. If that is so then the school, church and the court of law has no value anymore. Why? It is because this is where values are taught and given high regard. Do we really allow that kind of thinking to prevail? Are we going to allow the future generations to live life in such a manner?

Forgiveness and acceptance is important to each one of us. We cannot continue living if forgiveness is not given. A life without acceptance is like living in an island where the only human living is you. Everyone wants acceptance. Everyone needs to be forgiven. Somehow, we just want it for ourselves but we do not willingly give it to others. Thus, we should learn to change that kind of mindset. From here on we should start all over again and try to change our very own way of thinking.