Throw Water on That

Editor: To live amicably with other members in our community, we must overlook many things and demonstrate a forgiving spirit. Children have the capacity to quarrel at this moment and not long afterwards be friendly to each other.

We adults hold grudges for years, and some die without resolving their conflicts. As we age, we are supposed to mellow, but some of us become bitter because of our unforgiving nature that we stubbornly hold.

Once a man, twice a child fittingly describes many, but some of us age miserably and do not revert to the childlike forgiving nature.

Consequently, we give much trouble to those charged with our care. Our bodies too, respond with aggravated illnesses that the doctors could find no physiological explanation for. In such cases, the remedy is to find some purpose in life by helping others.

The Bible says that it is more blessed to give than to receive. There are so many opportunities to give right around us. Many lose out on blessings by throwing away materials that others may well be able to use. Coming from the “Hand Me Down” generation, having occupied the ninth position in a family of 12 children, I have come to appreciate the value of used clothing. I was appalled sometime ago when I observed a “poor” family burning clothing. Certainly, some needy folks could have made use of those clothes.

Another “poor” woman was throwing away new unopened sealed food stuff. This is indeed poverty of the mind, because perhaps she was blinded to all the needy folks around. Money is no indicator of riches. On a visit to a certain community of the country, a young lad remarked, “these people must be very poor.” The reason proffered was that there were no fruit trees around their dwellings. Many people have diets deficient in fruits and vegetables and would have need of them.

As we age we will lose some of our loved ones and friends, but we need not despair because the same love we had for them can be transferred to some new needy “family and friends.” To make our lives more pleasant, we must forgive the wrongs others have done us and say like my grandmother, “throw water on that.”

Anthony Stewart, PhD