"Health is wealth." I think this is one of the most underrated quotes in the world. Health is one of the most important things in our life but most often we took it for granted. I'm guilty of this in the past and still trying not to in the future
Sometimes we can't help but expose ourselves to unnecessary illness through our inactions and actions. Even when we are healthy we most times seem not to appreciate what we have.
This has got me thinking deeply and remembering the lessons my dad thought me.
A night before I left home for the higher institutions, my Dad called me, my mom, and six siblings. This has always been his way whenever one of our family has got to travel for a while. He called it the lessons night. As this is where the family value are been enforced.
I love this night very much and always look forward to it, this is where our parent does reminds us of how much they love us and what we mean to them. Our best family dish will be served with special fresh apple wines. These nights, real talks and important lessons will be thought with pure love. On this particular night a little box of gift was ramped and presented to me by my dad as a special gift. This I was meant to open it, each time life gets hard for my in life. I later found out that it contains a hand written note of most of his talked about life lessons and our family values.
Facing my direction, he said "my darling, now you will be going away for a while from us. Always remember that we all love you very much, and take care of your health religiously. Remember that if you are healthy you already have a great life. Never forget your mom's breakfast rule." My mom always makes sure we don't ever have to leave the house without a proper and healthy breakfast. She will say "a great breakfast is the beginning of a great day"
A rule I broke along the way. Yeah, like a prodigal son, I got bored with mama's rule, pay dearly then retrace my steps after.
What happens was, I let my study get in the way, I was consumed with studying and comprised my good eating habits. I began to eat breakfast only when I felt like it and mostly junk. I was under a lot of pressure but I could have done better by prioritizing my health.
After a while, I developed a chronic stomach ulcer which took a while and put my happiness in jeopardy. It went away by the time I began to eat well again. Only then I began to value my dad's teaching.
He will tell us if we care about our loved ones, we should live a healthy lifestyle as an unhealthy person is a burden to their loved ones.
I saw a lot of value in his teaching so I called the night lessons a Gift Of Wealth because following his philosophy I'm healthy, and happier which is equal to wealth. This gift I plan not only to pass down to my children but to my generations to come.
He may not be a rich dad but he made my childhood memorable and prepared me for a greater future. He thought me selfless act of kindness, to myself and to others. He showed and thought me love and how to love others and spread happiness everywhere I found myself.
