Celebrate life as you celebrate birthdays
There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.
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- George Santayana (1863 – 1952)
Soliloquies in England, 1922, “War Shrines”
Recently, I had the joy and privilege to buy a birthday gift for my Editorial Assistant’s daughter. I had wanted to share her birthday joy. She had wanted a particular Australian brand bag, a particular model to be exact. But when we were at the store, we were told the specified model was discontinued some two years ago!
The teenager was so disappointed. I could see her excitement at anticipating having the bag dissipated to one of forlorn and utter disappointment, and she started to tear!
I felt amused, that she would hold so close to her heart the strong desire to want that particular make and model. It is only a bag, I told myself, why the fuss?
But I do empathise with her, she wanted the best for herself, nothing but the best and the most unique. There is nothing wrong with such requirements. It is indeed admirable, especially so at such a tender age of 14. But it should be tempered with some measure of joy, celebration and enjoyment of what is available for the present, for the alternative.
I am not advocating settling for the next best available option. I am advocating that she should accept the fact of life that there are some things that aren’t always timeless, and one should always treasure the present and make do with alternatives.
These perspectives are timeless.
Life is transient, Life is temporal. Birth and death can be inevitable, but what is essentially essential is one celebrates what life has for each of us. Keeping up with the Joneses can be a waste of one’s precious time, it dilutes the essence of life and living. I rather opt to celebrate life and enjoy what I have for the moment keeping in perspectives that tomorrow is another better day.
However, wallowing in self-pity and in the feeling that life has treated you unfairly won’t do you any good either. What more can you do? You are certainly not God, or for that matter, some Genie that makes one’s three wishes comes true.
I am who I am, it’s Hobson’s choice. I have chosen to celebrate life as I take this route of adventure and excitement whatever is strewn on the road. Every successful life has a painful story, and every painful story has a successful ending.
Happy Birthday, Wanxia. I am dedicating this page to you that you will enjoy every moment of life however and whatever life may be for you - as you anticipate and as you receive.
Joseph Hong
Managing Editor
+65 8333 7118
