Longer Life Better Than More Wealth?
“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 New Living Translation
I grew up in the 1950s and 60’s and we had very different lives compared to the young people today. Most left school much earlier, with many starting work at 14, and far fewer people had the chance to go on to further education.
Ordinary families had little spare money for treats like cinema trips and holidays. Before most homes had televisions, people spent their spare time listening to the radio or reading the newspaper; they played board games rather than computer games; and in place of the selection of fast food outlets we have to choose from, they had a takeaway from the local fish and chip shop.
During that period family homes were also very different from what it is today. Housework was much more difficult, as for example people did their washing by hand, instead of in a machine, and with refrigerators being a luxury item for most people, food had to be bought daily. It was less common for married women to work and many took on the childcare and housework, while their husbands went to work. Families sat down at the family table for meals and then would listened to radio or watch TV together.
The average life span in develop countries is 79 years or 28,835 days. One activity we spend most of our time is sleeping for 26 years and trying to sleep for 7 years. That would be a total of 33 years or 12,045 days spent in our beds. But how does that compare to work, socializing, laughing and other activities? Look at the chart below on how the average person spends his days in his life time.
During my younger years when all my four children were in different private schools, I worked for several companies that staffed various hospital emergency rooms in Texas. Most of the ER’s where in large metropolitan area that where busy and when you work night it was busy with no time to sleep. I would average 4 to 6 hours of sleep and did not feel sleep deprived. During that time I quite my physical fitness program.
Healthy adults typically require 6 to 10 hours of sleep in a 24-hour day. The average need is just over 8 hours. Chronic loss of sleep, defined as 2 to 3 hours per night less than the ideal for an individual, produces a sleep debt. Humans do not adapt to a sleep debt.
Some well-designed studies of physicians have shown that sleep deprivation has a number of effects:
• Impairs language and math skills.
• Impairs ECG interpretation.
• Results in poorer quality intubations.
• Increases time taken to perform laparoscopy and error rates in performance.
• Increases error rates in an intensive care unit.
• Increases motor vehicle accidents.
• Can produce less empathy for patients and poor communication.
• Causes significant family and marital stress.
On two occasions driving home working nights I fell asleep on the wheel and waken after hitting the curve. Those occasions really scared the heck out of me thinking it could have been worse.
Fortunately 14 years before I retired from full time emergency medicine I became a partner in an emergency physician group that provided services in two hospital ERs and we only worked 9 hours shifts about 5-6 shifts a week.
So, when I read this Facebook post it attracted my attention because it questions what we often think is important in our lives:
“Very Profound
When TV came to my house. I forgot how to read books. When the car came to my doorstep, I forgot how to walk. When I got the mobile in my hand, I forgot how to write letters. When computer came to my house, I forgot spellings When the AC came to my house, I stopped going under the tree for cool breeze. When I stayed in the city, I forgot the smell of mud. By dealing with banks and cards, I forgot the value of money. With the smell of perfume, I forgot the fragrance of fresh flowers. With the coming of fast food, I forgot to cook traditional cuisines. Always running around, I forgot how to stop. And lastly when I got whatsapp, I forgot how to talk.
When we die, our money remains in the bank.
Yet, when we are alive, we don’t have enough money to spend.
In reality, when we are gone, there is still a lot of money not spent.
One business tycoon in China passed away. His widow, was left with $1.9 billion in the bank, and married his chauffeur. His chauffeur said:- “All the while, I thought I was working for my boss… it is only now, that I realize that my boss was all the time, working for me !!!”
The cruel reality is: It is more important to live longer than to have more wealth. So, we must strive to have a strong and healthy body, It really doesn’t matter who is working for who.
In a high end hand phone, 70% of the functions are useless!
For an expensive car, 70% of the speed and gadgets are not needed.
If you own a luxurious villa or mansion, 70% of the space is usually not used or occupied.
How about your wardrobes of clothes?
70% of them are not worn!
A whole life of work and earning…
70% is for other people to spend.
So, we must protect and make full use of our 30%.
Go for medical check-ups even if not sick.
Drink more water, even if not thirsty.
Learn to let go, even if faced with grave problems.
Endeavour to give in, even if you are in the right.
Remain humble, even if you are very rich and powerful.
learn to be contented, even if you are not rich.
Exercise your mind and body, even if you are very busy.
Make time for people you care about.”
Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong to become wealthy because you are in better position to be a blessing to others. Just don’t sacrifice your health, reputation and other important aspects of your life.
Please Forward
This To Everyone
Whom You Care about
