My philosophy
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Everyone has a philosophy, even when that philosophy takes a form of ‘living without any philosophy’. If you ask me what would be my philosophy, first of all, thank you very much for asking this question and it’s my joy to share it with you as follows:
One time I planned to enjoy a picnic with a group of long-time-no-see friends. The chosen location was a beautiful park. The program was well organized by the group. When that day came, it rained as if it had never rained. The picnic was canceled.
Only in the past two years, at least five good friends of mine wanted to meet me either in Europe or Vietnam. However, all the plans never became a reality since they all went to the eternal life.
Another time, I was planning to spend two days on reading all the class materials so I could go to the beach to release some stress. But when that day came, I was under the weather and could not study at all….
Still another time, I was very excited about welcoming a friend who was coming to see me. I planned to take him out to see famous places, enjoying cuisine specialties and singing karaoke…. But at the last minute, his flight was canceled. Well…
On a recent Monday, around 9 am, I received a message that my young healthy doctor friend suddenly collapsed to the floor while working. Only a few hours later, I received another message informing that he had passed away. Too fast! Too unexpected! …
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Dear friend, there are many stories like these happening each day in our life. One often says: Yesterday has gone, tomorrow has not yet come, we only have today. In my experience, let me say it a little differently: Even today does not belong to us for sure. Today is still a long period of time. All we have is this very moment. That’s it. Like it or not, it’s the truth, an undeniable truth.
When all I truly have is this very moment, then how do I need to live it? Dear friend, this is my present philosophy: since I only have this very moment, if I can do something good and meaningful in my little limited capacity, I will try to carry it out. Just like that, each present moment, tiny but continuous, until my time to go to the Loving Father. I pray that I can live this well. Hopefully, when my time comes, I will go with a peaceful smile.
My experience of life teaches me that when our hearts are filled with love, our smiles will be peacefully radiant. My dear friend, no matter what happened in our past and what will take place in our future, let us fill our hearts with love at this very moment so a peaceful smile may radiate on our face.
P.S.:
I am passing each moment. Therefore, I don’t want to be illusory at all. The unique persistence of all people lies in the Loving God. The only thing that remains after everything else has faded away is love. And, “God is Love.” (1 Cr 13:13; 1 Jn 4:8)
Joseph Viet, O.Carm.
(11 September, 2011)
Tiếng Việt / Vietnamese: https://only3minutes.wordpress.com/tieng-viet/tri%E1%BA%BFt-ly-s%E1%BB%91ng-c%E1%BB%A7a-toi/
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