A LEGACY WORTH REMEMBERING The 21st century is a period of challenges and fast-moving activities
especially in the field of science and technology. Some paradox of our time exists and can’t be denied in our history. We build taller buildings but possess shorter tempers; wider super highways, freeways and skyways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more money but have less contentment. We buy more basic commodities, luxuries and sophisticated equipment, but enjoy less. We build bigger, wider and taller houses and condominiums but smaller families; more convenience but less time for each other. We have more degrees and reached the highest educational echelon but less common sense and practicalities in life; more knowledge and skills but less judgment; more expertise, yet more complex and complicated problems; more wonder drugs and state of the art in medicine but less wellness. We eat and drink too much, smoke too much, spend money too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too much anger; sleep late at night but get up too tired and irritated for Sunday worship, read the Bible too little, watch TV too much, but no time to pray. We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our spiritual and moral values. We talked too much, love becomes seldom and hate too often. We’ve learn to make a living but not a life that is worthwhile. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon, Mars and Jupiter and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor or friend. We conquered outer space, the cyber space but not inner space. We’ve done great things on earth but not making things better. We’ve cleaned up the air through sophisticated gadgets and equipment but polluted the soul and spirit. We’ve conquered the atom but multiplied our prejudices and biases. We write more lines but learn less. We plan our activities and itineraries but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush during deadlines but never learned to wait. We assembled and procured more sophisticated cellphones, top of the line computers to store more information and for internet communication purposes, to produce more copies than ever but we communicate less to our love ones and the person beside you. These are the times of fast food, fast teller, instant coffee, instant loan and instant cash but slow digestion; big men with smaller character and good conduct; steep projects and ROI’s but shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes or wage earners but more divorce, marriage annulments, and legal separation; fancier, elegant and colorful houses but more broken homes and families. These are the days of quick decisions, quick trips here and abroad, disposable diapers, kitchen wares, house wares, throw away morality. one night stand to overweight bodies and pills that do everything from cheer to sorrow. It is a time when there is much in showroom window but nothing in the stock room. A time when technology can prolong our life through the wonder drugs highly automated equipment that can change our psyche and image and be able to bring these lines to you in a second, and a time when you can either share this insight, or just edit or delete. REMEMBER to spend some time with your love ones because they’re not going to be around forever. REMEMBER to smile and say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe because that little person will soon grow up and leave your side as successor. REMEMBER to hold hands and cherish the moments for somebody. Give time to love, speak and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind. REMEMBER to give a warm hug to the person next to you because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent. REMEMBER to say “I love you” or “I need you” to your partner and other love ones, but must mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt feelings when it comes from deep inside you. And always REMEMBER, life is not measured by the number of breaths or years we take but by the moments that take our breaths away and the number of persons we shared our precious moments while we are on earth. Let us help someone every time and in every opportunity. We will do this NOW because we will live on earth only once and shall NEVER pass this way again! May God bless you!! John C. Quiniones, Ph.D