Now that the Federal election campaign is finally over, we must now look into the future with excitement and high hopes for our present and future generations of proud Canadians, young and old and from all walks of life, from sea to shining sea. Of vital importance in the very challenging formula of success, progress, growth and happiness across our great nation is for our governments at all levels from federal to provincial and throughout our rural and urban municipalities to work together on all issues to achieve a common goal.
Our leaders need to forget the power-trips and the egos, then ponder, but forget about what might have happened in the past, while getting on with the most vital tasks of serving the best interests and priorities of those hard-working citizens and vibrant families who so proudly live in and love their favourite home town, city, county, province and nation with a keen and passionate energy.
Do we get wiser as we get older?
I am sure that many of us, as we shuffle into our so-called ‘golden years’, fondly look back at those early years when we strove to work hard, but also looked forward to playing on many occasions. We sincerely hope that we have been good parents, grandparents, workmates, bosses, friends, teammates and community members along the way, while sharing, caring and passing on some our skills, our love and our best ideas and efforts throughout the neighbourhood, the community and into the next vibrant generation.
However we may have lived our lives to this point, we just may have to make a few changes as we cruise into ‘retirement mode’, take a little more precious time and care of ourselves and our loved ones, while hoping that we will be pampered by our siblings, that we can just keep right on enjoying ourselves at our own speed and choice, with just a little help from our friends. Just for fun, here are just a few suggestions on how we, as seniors, may become just a little thriftier (not tighter) or change our outlook as we head into the future on a wild but slightly milder wave of grit and gray..
*As we grow older, and hence wiser, we may slowly realize that whether we are wearing a $300.00 or a $30.00 watch, they both tell the same time.
*If we choose to carry a $300.00 genuine crocodile skin wallet or handbag, or a $30.00 Wal-Mart special, the money and all the cards inside will still be the same.
*Whether we live in a 300 or 3000 foot square home, the loneliness is still the same without the presence of a close and happy family.
*Many of us as we grow older, like yours truly, may soon realize that our true inner happiness may not always come from all those material things that we have surrounded ourselves with.
*Whether we fly first or economy class, we will all reach the same destination at the same time, we don’t really need to rush through customs and to the baggage rack, and if the plane is late we can just relax and take a nap, because we’re not supposed to get stressed anymore, are we?
*Therefore, I sincerely hope that you realize that when we have mates, buddies, old friends, brothers and sisters and good neighbours who we can chat and laugh or talk quietly with, have songs to sing with and can discuss subjects of north-south-east-west or heaven on earth whenever and for as long as we wish, then that is what true happiness is all about.
The five undeniable facts of life
*Don’t educate your children to be rich; educate them to be happy, so that when they grow up they will know the value of things, and not the price.
*Among the best awarded words in the world…. ‘Eat your food as your medicines; otherwise you may have to eat your medicines as your food.’
*The one who loves you will never leave you because even if there were 100 reasons to give up, he or she will somehow find one reason to hold on.
*There is a big difference between a human being and being human, but only a few of us really understand it.
*You are loved when you are born, and you will be loved when you die, but in between we have to manage it all ourselves.
*If you just want to walk fast, walk alone, but if you want to walk far, so why not walk together.
*The six best doctors in the world are: sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self confidence and friends, and we need unselfishly maintain them in all stages of life, and enjoy a healthy life along the way.
So just go right ahead and… eat that darn big piece of chocolate cake, walk in the rain and splash in the puddles; dance, sing, and talk to strangers, go barefoot, smile at everyone, hug someone, go barefoot, take naps, make lots of love, don’t be afraid to try new things, spend time with kids, laugh every chance you get, help others, and life to the fullest with no regrets, because life is way too short. In the meantime, just go ahead and have a great week, all of you..