Recently ten construction workers had a tragic accident while working in a building at Makati City. Experts say that the cause is “OVERLOADING”. The elevator’s maximum capacity was limited to three (3) persons only. The ten workers, however, simply disregarded this. Hence, the elevator gave way to the overweight and crushed to the ground, killing all of them.
This is not an isolated case. Almost everyday we hear of vehicular accidents that are due to overloading. Even at sea, ships or boats have capsized due to overloading. At present our lawmakers are enacting a bill to limit the weight of cargo trucks in order to prevent the destruction of our public roads.
On further reflection, this piece of advice could very well be applied to one’s everyday life. Daily there are many things we do which need some kind of discipline in order to live a healthy and a well-balanced life. Among them, for instance are:
1. Eating: Overeating we know is the cause of many health problems.
2. Drinking: Excess in drinking hard liquor is the cause not only of various health ailments but of one’s relationship with people and even in one’s work productivity.
3. Exercise: A regular daily exercise is good for the body, but when done in excess it becomes harmful.
4. Sleeping: Our body needs rest. This is the purpose of sleeping. To sleep, however, beyond what our body needs would also cause some trouble physically, mentally and even spiritually.
5. Watching TV: Television is a very good means to be appraised of what is happening in the world we live in and to provide some kind of entertainment. Too much exposure, however, can affect our mental capabilities. Some say that the TV can become an “idiot box” if not controlled properly.
In a book entitled “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” written by Stephen R. Covey, there is a story of the Goose and the Golden Eggs. This is an Aesop’s fable which runs as follows:
“A poor farmer one day discovers in the nest of his pet goose a glittering golden egg. At first, he thinks it must be some kind of trick. But as he starts to throw the egg aside, he has second thoughts and takes it in to be appraised instead. The egg is pure gold! The farmer can’t believe his good fortune. He becomes even more incredulous the following day when the experience is repeated. Day after day, he awakens to rush to the nest and find another golden egg. He becomes fabulously wealthy; it all seems too good to be true. But with the increasing wealth comes greed and impatience. Unable to wait day after day for the golden eggs, the farmer decides he will kill the goose and get them all at once. But when he opens the goose, he finds it empty. There are no golden eggs – and now there is no way to get any more. The farmer has destroyed the goose that produced them.”
Mr. Covey further states that within this fable is a natural law, a principle – the basic definition of effectiveness, namely that: “True effectiveness is a function of two things: what is produced (the golden egg) and the producing asset or capacity to produce (the goose).
For me the lesson is clear and simple. One should take good care of his own body and make it function within the limits of its capacities. In other words, a human being is finite and entirely dependent on the creative power of God and therefore should learn how to live according to how God has designed him.
by: Salvador 'Buddy' Cagurangan
January 30, 2011
January 30, 2011
