As I write this article, I am on my fourth and final day of straight vacation leave. It’s a physical vacation from work but I didn’t get anywhere as far more exciting than staying at home with my family. I simply limited my thoughts from work-related to being an all-around dad. Parents like me would readily know, without explanation; that this means 24/7 house chores and limited personal space. Yet I somehow managed to reach out to some friends through Facebook, during the first two days by alternately doing my home duties and in-between FB breaks. Then last weekend, I disconnected from the net. My in-between breaks would then be watching movies instead. You see, I can’t normally watch movies, and in being able to do so, I somehow felt the chill that I’m on vacation (for some of you this might just be a normal weekend routine).
I’m not asking nor expecting anyone to have pity on me of some sort. We all have different experiences in life. I just wanted to share with you a few bits of mine. So anyway, last Sunday, I watched a 2008 movie produced by Star Cinema, “Caregiver”. After watching the movie, I realized a lot about life and was inspired on another level.
Well, here’s the full trailer for your convenience:
Throughout life, plans have been made for us – at first by our parents; then by ourselves, by loved ones or by our superiors. It’s having a goal and reaching it. But of course, our plans may change over time depending on many personal and environmental factors. Some things also happen beyond our control. For now, I’d steer clear from biblical terms. I’ll just say things based on my personal observation. While it’s true that we plot our career and family life, there are factors which may or may not help us achieve our goals. Health may fail, accidents may happen, good things and luck may come without any intervention, inequality happens. Unfortunately, some people might actually pull us down. But let us not forget that we are responsible for whatever is happening in our own lives. We should not blame others or our past, for that matter.
Therefore, if we choose to motivate ourselves and pursue our goals, despite the hindrances, we could possibly do it. It’s a matter of perspective. And as the saying goes, change is constant. It’s about being responsible for yourself. If you think that the powerful pulls you down, then release yourself from their power and let better options come in. That way you have good control on your desired path.
And so, this part of the movie, “Caregiver”, as taken from its actual script, provided me an insanely profound wisdom. It’s where the caregiver’s patient wrote her a letter prior to the latter’s death:
You’ve always said that everything you do is for your husband and your son. They are lucky men indeed to have you as wife and mother. And I am lucky for having you as a carer. But I want you never to forget…that you are a person too. And it is vital that you live your own life. And do things that make you feel alive. If I have one wish..it is that you grow old happy and without regrets.
Would you make your life and other people’s lives miserable or would you make positive thoughts and actions to improve yourself and others? Would you pull other people down or would you help them in their growth? Would you use others so you can easily achieve your goals or would you play fair and see who the best really is?
You can make a choice… right now. In the end, I hope we all grow old happy and without regrets. Cheers!
p.s. and oh, prayers would help 🙂
ZenPinoy 