Most ladies desire a diamond ring as a gift.
But do you know that one of the most expensive gemstones ever sold was the “Pink Star” Diamond which cost $72 million?
According to NBC news, the “pink star diamond was mined in 1999 in South Africa, with a weight of 59.6 carats and has a selling price of $83 million…”
Today, I want to share with you not about the gemstones I have but the life-learning gems that I gathered through the years.
Just like a plain uncut diamond deposit that can turn into a stunning jewel when cut and polished, we have our own gems that we call life lessons.
These gems come from rough roads yet deemed important in the journey of life.
Allow me to share three life-learning gems I gathered on my way to golden years.
First, is the Gem for my head: The value of openness to learning
Being teachable and yet discreet to learning makes one wise. My passion for learning was encouraged by my grade six teacher. She taught me that I can only learn if I would be willing to be taught.
As I grew up I also observed that gaining wisdom is not confined only to the four corners of a classroom. It can also be achieved by reflection and application of important encounters we had.
For example, I learned to cook well because I tasted both simple and delicious food that my grandmother fed me while letting me pitch-in on cooking chores . I would have never learned if I did not follow her instructions. Now I can cook from simple pangat to special kare-kare.
In this information age, we should also be discreet in choosing and collecting information that can make us mentally healthy.
So be open in learning but be choosy in storing.
What makes you passionate and challenged in this life? Is it the relationship we have?
Second, is the gem for my heart: The value of relationship
Back in college, I never thought that I would be marrying the man who first caught my heart.
Our courtship years gave me the most exciting feelings since I longed for love. However, reality set in when marriage came.
Differences that were once seen as petty, slowly became irritations. Disagreement grew to resentment. We experienced the usual marital conflict, nonetheless at the end of the day or days of fight, I still long to be with my spouse.
It taught me to humble myself and compromise. In relationships, even in our community we see different personalities, backgrounds and values that cause us to unite or divide.
But extending respect and understanding to them is the first step to winning friends and taming enemies.
Aim to be better, not bitter in our relationships. Cherish our relationships.
The last gem is for my spirit: The value of faith
The value of my faith started when I attended a kids camp where Bible stories were taught. There, I was introduced to God who is so loving enough to sacrifice his own son to give hope for the lost world.
I started to believe and allow this faith in God to be the lens where I can look through my life with meaning.
This is the faith that made me strong in the past; hopeful at the present; and secured in my future.
Out of the three gems, faith is the most precious one to me. Without it, I would not have been able to see the beauty of the first two life-learning gems.
Have you thought of why entering 50 years of life and relationships are called golden years?
Maybe because gold can only be purified when tested under fire.
