THE METAMORPHOSIS
By
By
Ernie D. Delfin
PROFIT IN DOING NOTHING … IN MAUI
“Look at the birds in the sky, they
do not plant seeds , gather a harvest and put it in barns, yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you
worth much more than birds? Can any of you live a bit longer by worrying
about it?” --- Matthew 6:26-27
In the business world, the businessperson must do something either from
his personal efforts or through his capital,
contractors, employees or sales
force to generate sales and hopefully in the end, he earns a profit,
which is the bottom-line of the business. As a semi-retired businessman (still do some
consulting or servicing some clients who I have established decades of solid business relationships), however,
I am slowly getting adjusted to be doing “nothing” especially when I am away from my home office, like last week when
we had a week-long family vacation in a 5-star Ritz Carlston Resort in the magnificent island of Maui. Surprisingly, I did not only enjoy the
“unproductive” week but I
also counted the unquantifiable “profits” and blessings for doing nothing. Philosophically, let me expound as a mental calisthenics to stimulate my brain cells, with the hope that this unusual
column does stimulate the readers’ minds as well.
Since high school, I have had some passionate love affair with the English
language and Etymology, the fascinating study of the origins of words, led to my great interest in reading and
writing. As a hobby, I often
playfully dissect the anatomy of words, that
often unveil their traditional meanings.
Occasionally, however their meanings change due to evolution, usage
or culture. For instance,
half a century ago in high school one can say, “I am gay and very happy”,
without anyone raising his eyebrow. Now, never ever say the same sentence, especially in any public gathering!
In biology class, I just fell in love with that long word, ‘metamorphosis’ that succinctly describes the transformation of a pupa into a
caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly, but must go through a “bloody” phase to
remove the unnecessary “toxins” before this multi-colored creature able to fly. Or the
unassuming helpless tadpole becoming a little frog overnight. Simply fantastic physical transformations that no man can ever create but by an Almighty
Power who makes all things possible.
With my family including two innocent precious granddaughters, Olivia
almost 4, and Sofie, almost 2, with their parents and my wife, I had the luxury of time to read and
write as I was inspired (from a Latin origin “inspirare” meaning “to breathe” or its other meaning “in
spirit”) to just do anything, like swimming in the pool or in the unpolluted clear ocean where you can see fishes gallivanting, that
I felt like doing each day. Serendipity
also visited us as we were reminded during one dinner-show at the resort about
the origin of the word, ALOHA. “ Alo” literally means presence, front or
face, while “ha” means breath, hence, Aloha means the “presence of (Divine)
breath”. For a week of doing nothing,
the real meaning of the word, recreation,
comes to fruition. Recreation in this
instance simply means the act of re-CREATING or re-charging something that without such a process the
death or extinction of the cells of life is accelerated. But recreating the weary cells in the mind, body and
spirit, one is magically rejuvenated
that contributes to better health and happiness.
Our two grandkids being with us for
a solid week became my unsuspecting teachers, showing me by their child-like deportment how to be genuinely happy,
by living in the moment. It is quite natural for them to be contented
and happy while we adults find it very challenging and difficult. Observing them upclose and personal, I
learned some lessons that I have taken for granted for decades: children do not know nor possess hatred,
prejudice, envy and do not store grudges after a fight over their toys,
whereas we adults can carry them even to
the grave.
During my reflection while watching the magnificent postcard-quality
sunset over the horizon, it dawned on me
that it is naturally very easy for my grandkids to be happy with what they have,
while we adults crave or envy what others have. When you love the young children, they love
you back unconditionally a thousand fold, with a pure innocent
love that is never feigned nor forced. It is spontaneous. Their needs
are also quite simple to provide that do not bankrupt the family: just enough sleep, toys and play time, clean and dry
diapers, and yes, eating their favorite
foods and milk, to sustain their energy to play and “exercise.” A happy and healthy child is the greatest
gift from God to his parents and family.
*
* * *
Back to the subject of this column
today, what then is the profit in doing
nothing in Maui?
Fully
cognizant of my humble beginnings, working since I was a little boy helping
in my father’s farms, in Pangasinan (Philippines) and
continued working hard and smarter in a
professional and business career in the USA for 40 years has resulted into a better and more
comfortable life than my own parents and our ancestors ever experienced. Due to
back-breaking work in the farm, either under
the heat of the sun or under the rains, my own parents, in their life-time, never had the so-called leisure or vacation as
we know it today. They were always
working and just enjoying intermittent and ephemeral rest between work at home
and in the fields.
It is against this back-drop, that I feel
quite grateful to be able to be “lazy” doing nothing in complete leisure. It is a priceless treasure that I cherish
especially with people that I love. In places like Maui, there is that mystery
that the majestic blue ocean, that serves as huge playground for whales,
dolphins and millions of fishes, can magically remove the toxins of one’s life
while swimming for hours. It’s a
wonderful paradise for any mortal to be,
to do anything that he wants to do
while his body can still do it, in any place in the world that his finances would allow him to do. To this writer, that is a great blessing (PROFIT)
that money alone cannot buy. (Many people say that money cannot buy happiness, but I dare say that it can serve as a very good down-payment!)
After 40 years in America, I know
many people, from all
nationalities, creed or color, that when they reach their so-called
“retirement to enjoy life”, they are confronted with some ironies of life, such as: they may be able to afford to eat steaks and
lobsters every day if they wish, but they
are already forbidden to do so by their doctors;
they may have enough retirement money
to go on a world tour but their aging body refuses to cooperate as their muscles
in their legs and arms are just too weak to climb a little hill or even walk a short distance.
“Doing nothing” in Maui, a majestic place that others just dreamed about is something to be
treasured. The profit derived, however, is never measured in pecuniary terms, but by the
results of such a wonderful leisure: a healthier body, mind and spirit. Thousands
of people, like me, would rather spend their money in this kind of “pursuit of happiness”, rather than spending it
to pay the hospital, doctors, therapists,
or donating the money to humanitarian foundations to help and empower others to
reach their human potential.
The philosophical profit for doing nothing last month in this popular Hawaiian island is
impossible to measure by the yardstick of Wall Street. It is not only unquantifiable but totally subjective.
In my mind, however, what I did nor what I did not do was quite “profitable” in the physical,
mental, social and spiritual
quadrants of my being as my entire body,
mind and spirit were rejuvenated after months of mundane and sometimes boring
activities. When these quadrants are in equilibrium, we become more energetic and
healthier. It is proven by neuroscience that when a person is healthy and grateful, he also becomes
happier. When these activities that make people healthy and
grateful become a way of life often enough,
they become a habit, thus contributing greatly to a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
That is a real
personal profit that can last a
lifetime!
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The Metamorphosis’ Food for
thought:
“Strong
family relationships lead to happiness, and happiness
could lead to longevity.”
Cloris Leachman, 88 year old actress
“If you ask me, What
is the single most important key to longevity?”
I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you
didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it!”
American actor and humorist George Burns,
who lived to age 100
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