PISMO JEDNOG DEDE SVOJIM UNUCIMA

(obavezno pročitati, veoma je poučno za sve nas)

Pisac i pesnik Džejms K. Flanagan iz Njujorka ostavio je svojim unučićima, od... kojih najmlađe
ima pet a najstarije 11 godina, pismo sa brojnim savetima koje je stekao tokom svog dugog
životnog iskustva. Trećeg septembra 2012. on je iznenada preminuo od srčanog udara, a pismo je
objavljeno uz dozvolu njegove ćerke Rejčel Kreigton.

Dragi Rajan, Konor, Brendon, Čarli i Meri Katarina,

Moja draga i mudra ćerka Rejčel tražila je od mene da zapišem neke savete za vas, one koje sam
naučio u životu. Počinjem ovo pismo 8. aprila 2012, tačno na moj 72. rođendan.

1. Svako od vas je najlepši dar od Boga vašoj porodici i celom svetu. Setite se toga uvek,
naročito kad sumnjate u sebe i kad ste obeshrabreni.

2. Ne plašite se nikoga i ničega i živite punim plućima. Sledite svoje želje i nade bez obzira na to
koliko su teške i koliko se razlikuju od tuđih. Ljudi često ne rade ono što žele ili što bi trebalo jer
konstantno razmišljaju šta će drugi misliti ili reći.

I zapamtite još jednu bitnu stvar - ljudi koji vam ne donesu pileću supu kad ste bolesni ili ako
nisu pored vas kad ste u nevolji, nisu bitni!

3. Svi smo mi sasvim obični ljudi. Neki nose preskupu odeću ili imaju velike titule ili moć i
misle da su iznad svih ostalih, ali nije tako. Oni imaju iste sumnje, strahove i nade, jedu, piju,
spavaju i prde, kao i sav normalan svet.

4. Kad porastete i dobijete decu, uvek imajte na umu staru irsku poslovicu: Hvalite decu i ona će
cvetati!

5. Budite dobri i uvek pomažite ljudima - naročito slabijima, onima koji su uplašeni i deci. Svi
oni nose neku svoju tugu i potrebno im je vaše saosećanje.

6. Nemojte se pridružiti vojsci ili bilo kojoj drugoj organizaciji koja vas trenira da ubijate. Rat je
zlo. Sve ratove su započeli stari ljudi koji su prevarili mlade muškarce da mrze i ubijaju jedni
druge. Starci prežive i kao što su započeli rat olovkom i papirom, završavaju ga na isti način.

7. Čitajte knjige koliko god možete. One su predivan izvor uživanja, mudrosti i inspiracije.

8. Uvek budite iskreni.

9. Putujte kad god ste u mogućnosti, posebno dok ste mladi. Ne čekajte da imate dovoljno novca
ili dok se sve kockice ne slože. To se nikada, ali nikada ne dešava.

10. Izaberite posao ili profesiju koju ćete voleti. Naravno, biće i teških momenata, ali posao mora
da vam bude uživanje.

11. Ne vičite! To nikad ne uspeva, a povređuje i vas i druge. Svaki put kad sam vikao, doživeo
sam neuspeh.

12. Uvek ispunjavajte obećanja koja ste dali deci. Nemojte da govorite „videćemo“ ako znate da
je odgovor „ne“. Deca očekuju istinu, dajte im je s ljubavlju i dobrotom.

13. Nikad ne govorite nekome da ga volite ako nije tako.

14. Živite u harmoniji s prirodom: izađite napolje, obiđite šumu, planine, mora, pustinje. To je
veoma važno za dušu.

15. Grlite ljude koje volite. Recite im sada koliko vam znače, ne čekajte da bude prekasno.

My wise and thoughtful daughter Rachel urged me to write down some advice for
you, the important things that I have learned about life. I am beginning this on 8
April 2012, the eve of my 72nd birthday.

1. Each one of you is a wonderful gift of God both to your family and to all the
world. Remember it always, especially when the cold winds of doubt and
discouragement fall upon your life.

2. Be not afraid . . . of anyone or of anything when it comes to living your life

most fully. Pursue your hopes and your dreams no matter how difficult or
"different" they may seem to others. Far too many people don't do what they
want or should do because of what they imagine others may think or say.
Remember, if they don't bring you chicken soup when you're sick or stand by you
when you're in trouble, they don't matter. Avoid those sour-souled pessimists who
listen to your dreams then say, "Yeah, but what if . . ." The heck with "what if. . ."
Do it! The worst thing in life is to look back and say: "I would have; I could have; I
should have." Take risks, make mistakes.

3. Everyone in the world is just an ordinary person. Some people may wear fancy
hats or have big titles or (temporarily) have power and want you to think they are
above the rest. Don't believe them. They have the same doubts, fears, and hopes;
they eat, drink, sleep, and fart like everyone else. Question authority always but
be wise and careful about the way you do it.

4. Make a Life List of all those things you want to do: travel to places; learn a
skill; master a language; meet someone special. Make it long and do some things
from it every year. Don't say "I'll do it tomorrow" (or next month or next year).
That is the surest way to fail to do something. There is no tomorrow, and there is
no "right" time to begin something except now.
5. Practice the Irish proverb: Moi an olge agus tiocfaidh sí "Praise the child and
she will flourish."

6. Be kind and go out of your way to help people -- especially the weak, the
fearful, and children. Everyone is carrying a special sorrow, and they need our
compassion.

7. Don't join the military or any organization that trains you to kill. War is evil. All
wars are started by old men who force or fool young men to hate and to kill each
other. The old men survive, and, just as they started the war with pen and paper,
they end it the same way. So many good and innocent people die. If wars are so
good and noble, why aren't those leaders who start wars right up there fighting?

8. Read books, as many as you can. They are a wonderful source of delight,
wisdom, and inspiration. They need no batteries or connections, and they can go
anywhere.

9. Be truthful.

10. Travel: always but especially when you are young. Don't wait until you have
"enough" money or until everything is "just right." That never happens. Get your
passport today.

11. Pick your job or profession because you love to do it. Sure, there will be some
things hard about it, but a job must be a joy. Beware of taking a job for money
alone -- it will cripple your soul.

12. Don't yell. It never works, and it hurts both yourself and others. Every time I
have yelled, I have failed.

13. Always keep promises to children. Don't say "we'll see" when you mean "no."
Children expect the truth; give it to them with love and kindness.

14. Never tell anyone you love them when you don't.

15. Live in harmony with Nature: go into the outdoors, woods, mountains, sea,
desert. It's important for your soul.

16. Visit Ireland. It's where the soul of our family was born -- especially the West:
Roscommon, Clare, and Kerry.

17. Hug people you love. Tell them how much they mean to you now; don't wait
until it's too late.

18. Be grateful. There is an Irish saying: "This is a day in our lives, and it will not
come again." Live every day with this in mind