About a decade ago, I began having heart to heart conversation with my mother, and in our deliberation, I discovered a philosophy my mother had practiced for over forty years of marriage. During this time, she had kept silent and watch of her husband, her neighbours, the environment from which she lived and the ways in which she raised her children. She said less than she intended, she did not question nor reproach. Now in her sixties, retired from wife’s duties, she looks back to share her wisdom. Having witnessed countless births and deaths, she has this to say, life is too short to sit around and do nothing. Unlike my father who thought, education is not the key to success, my mother advocated for change.
Looking back to a decade ago when my mother and I began having these conversation, as I hang-up the phone to yet another fruitful dialogue, I can’t help but be intrigued to her insight on matters of love, life, health and wealth. As she remarked, in all you do, remember, the foundation to most of your problems lies not far from what you believe and that which you vest. Now I know, to be a person of value, one whose labour brings joy and peace, you must be quick to learn than you are to earn. She said:
1. In life, miracles happen to those who make it happen; those who believe will receive, those who forgive will forget.
2. Golden age is just a number; change can be made at any given time, even beyond 80. Success can still be attained even in your late 40s.
3. It’s never too late to start, never too early to stop.
4. There is no limit to how many miracles God can perform in your life, so long you believe.
5. Wisdom is better than achievement, action better than laziness; isolation better than fame.
6. No show of love is faint, no deed is insignificant; no action is a small action, no change is a wrong change, so long it is well intent.
7. In all you do, she said, your boss is not your friend; your will is your only shield.
8. Fear is for cowards, those with muscles, embrace it.
9. She remarked, each day is an opportunity to make anew, to make a difference!
10.Above all she said, when you see people suffering, you must understand that they must suffer so others can learn. The suffering of the poor is not a punishment from God, but a privilege that you have had the opportunity to witness a revolutionary miracle.
