The spirit of Christmas

THIS YULETIDE season our thoughts turn tender and we are overcome with a generous spirit.

The abiding concept is that this is the season for giving. That is, if you have something to give.

Regarding those who are only receiving; you have no problem there…everyone and anyone will receive whatever it is you feel like giving… even those whom you do not know.

Remember, ‘tis more blessed to give than to receive. It is in this sense that Christmas is like boxing. Great boxers are those who give more and win the bout because they have given more jabs, straight, upper cut, etc. than the opponent. In this profession, it is more painful to receive.

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Strangely, Christmas imposes head-splitting problems. The most common is what presents to buy your loved ones; legitimate and illegitimate…I mean, those outside.

A word of advice honed from years of calamity: do not buy Christmas gifts. You know why? Not all presents costs the same price. They will compare their gifts and discover that one’s present costs more than the other; and rant that you love your son P53 more than you love the daughter. (The difference between the cost of their gifts.). So, instead of spreading joy and cheer…you receive ridicule and complaints of economic abuse.

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The better solution is to give cash…in equal amounts, that is. This way, there is No Cause of Action for them to complain of parental favoritism or financial discrimination. See, I have solved your Xmas problem. Now the only problem is…whether you have money.

But you have to give your Querida…ah, maid, a bit more. It is not 13th Month…it is known as Hazardous Pay. One word of caution: be careful that your wife or mother-in-law does not know about it.

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Never take life seriously. Whatever troubles plague your life, erase that dour and sour face. No matter your Fate, meet it with cheerfulness and laughter.

You know, disease, too, is human because it attacks and thrives on humans, like you and me. However, the more you worry about it, the more lethal will be its onslaught to show-off because you evinced concern, a weakness disease discerns.

But regardless of how bad you feel, if you don’t pay attention to the pain, laugh at the aches, sing amidst discomfort, disease will be confused; think you’re crazy and suplado, and leave you alone.

They are like that. Constant worriers die more quickly; whereas, “don’t-wori-be- hapi” people die longer. Also because they don’t know that they are sick.

Try it. Forget the BP check-up; ECG; FBS; Createnine; SGPT; Uric; Ultra Sound; MRI – they are just distractions…subtractions from your wallet. Tell me later how it turned out…if you are still around.

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And so, Meri Christmas…and what have you done? Another year older…and what have you done? Please…don’t answer Nating…because she is my mother-in-law!

In these distressing and difficult times, let us also be forgiving to those who did not give us any Christmas gift; be kind and understanding…throw them a flower, including the flower pot./PN