EXCELLENT ADVICE TO THE 50PLUS

This piece of Chinese advice has been making its rounds online for a while now. I am posting it here to share with those who have yet to read it. Characteristic of the Chinese who are known for being pragmatic and frugal to a fault. All the same, it's still good advice that we should heed.

CHINESE ADVICE TO 50-YEAR OLDS and OLDER

WHERE YOUR LIFE STANDS HERE ON EARTH

(Translated from Chinese)

None of us have many years to live, and we can't take along anything when we go, so we don't have to be too thrifty...

Spend the money that should be spent, enjoy what should be enjoyed, donate what you are able to donate, but don't leave all to your children or grandchildren, for you don't want them to become parasites who are waiting for the day you will die!!

Don't worry about what will happen after we are gone, because when we return to dust, we will feel nothing about praises or criticisms. The time to enjoy the worldly life and your hard earned wealth will be over!

Don't worry too much about your children, for they will have their own destiny and should find their own way. Don't be your children's slave. Care for them, love them, give them gifts but also enjoy your money while you can. Life should have more to it than working from the cradle to the grave!!

Don't expect too much from your children. Caring children, though caring, would be too busy with their jobs and commitments to render much help.

Uncaring children may fight over your assets even when you are still alive, and wish for your early demise so they can inherit your properties and wealth.

Your children take for granted that they are rightful heirs to your wealth; but that you have no claims to their money.

When you die, you can say bye-bye to your money.

50-year old like you, don't trade in your health for wealth by working yourself to an early grave anymore... because your money may not be able to buy your health...

When to stop making money, and how much is enough (hundred thousands, million, ten million)?

Out of thousand hectares of good farm land, you can consume only three quarts (of rice) daily; out of a thousand mansions, you only need eight square meters of space to rest at night.

So, as long as you have enough food and enough money to spend, that is good enough. You should live happily. Every family has its own problems. Just do not compare with others for fame and social status and see whose children are doing better, etc., but challenge others for happiness, health, enjoyment, quality of life and longevity...

Don't worry about things that you can't change because it doesn't help and it may spoil your health.

You have to create your own well-being and find your own place of happiness. As long as you are in good mood and good health, think about happy things, do happy things daily and have fun in doing, then you will pass your time happily every day.

One day passes without happiness, you will lose one day.
One day passes with happiness, and then you gain one day.

In good spirit, sickness will cure; in a happy spirit, sickness will cure faster; in high and happy spirits; sickness will never come.

With good mood, suitable amount of exercise, always in the sun, variety of foods, reasonable amount of vitamin and mineral intake, hopefully you will live another 20 or 30 years of healthy life of pleasure.

Good friends are there for you when you need them

Above all, learn to cherish the goodness around... and FRIENDS... They all make you feel young and "wanted"... without them you are sure to feel lost!!

LIVE LIFE, LOVE LIFE, FOR WHO CAN TELL WHEN OUR TIME IS UP

I know it sounds morbid, but ever since the first of my high school mates passed away, I've taken to scanning the obituary columns in the papers. Death still seemed distant then. My sister's sudden demise in 2006 from a heart attack brought death literally to my doorstep. She was just two months shy of her 56th birthday. Two years ago, my cousin suffered a heart attack in Seoul where he was based. He was a young 42.

Yesterday I read in the papers of the passing of an old friend. It was another reminder that we are all mere mortals. Who knows when our number will be called. Even as we remember those who have departed, we should give thanks that we can wake up each morning to greet a new day and breathe the breath of life.

Too often we take people and things for granted. Only when they are taken away from us, do we realize we should have appreciated them more. But rather than waste time on regrets, let us spend it with the people we love, doing the things we enjoy, and helping others in whatever way we can. Isn't that what life is about?

A cousin sent me this video which is a reminder that we should live life to the fullest. If we have dreams, we should pursue them. Life is to be lived, not wasted.



The video is in Chinese, but the message is loud and clear, and transcends language.