Life 101 - Rusty Nails
Dusting off the rust
I asked my cousin if he kept his used nails for emergency use. Unfortunately, he said that he already used it for the construction of his pig pen.
I reasoned out why I approached him that day. I said that all I’ve got was a pile of rusty nails stored in a coconut shell. That’s how I keep it to avoid spillage and for fear that my nieces and nephews will play it if they visit here at my house.
So, I went back empty handed and decided to use those rusty nails, instead. I have no fear of being infected with tetanus since I had myself injected with the vaccine prior to my DIY (DO-It-Yourself) project which is a comfortable shed near the provincial road where our house is situated.
Luckily, I was able to choose some of the nails, although most of it is crooked and need to be straightened.
Within a day, I was able to finish my waiting shed made from the thorny bamboo that I get from our old house.
Thanks to those rusty nails.
Rusty Nails in coconut shell
Being rusty as we grow older
As I grow older each year, I feel that my physical attributes are faltering slowly.
My uncle agreed with this statement, since he was already suffering with arthritis.
He cannot do the things he used to make, like lifting heavy cargo or weights. He said that he is becoming rusty. His disposition is slowly becoming fragile.
He becomes irate most of the time or short-tempered and moody. His failure to accomplish tasks easily made him morose most of the day, much to the disgust with his wife.
If I become rusty one day, I will have a way to divert myself from the discomforts of becoming old.
My mom, who is one of the officers of the elderly in our barangay, encourages others her age to become active in the community.
Although, she cannot move fast, like she used to be, she still can fulfill her duties as barangay volunteer health worker.
As my uncle jests, my mom is now being compared to a slow-moving turtle rather than a fast-moving monkey.
As the fable story of ‘The Monkey and the Turtle’ which was written by our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, narrated, a productive person can be compared to a patient turtle which can accomplish things, even at a slow pace rather than a monkey which can move fast but cannot do the task properly because the latter expected a speedy result when they planted parts of the banana.
My mom is still encouraged by our neighbors to run for a local seat at the barangay council.
This rustic lady still deserves the clamor of public service.
Although, we half-heartedly disagree, she reasoned out that she will become weak once she stays at home doing nothing.
Rusty nails to salvation
Physical discomfort will always e experienced once we grow old.
In case we forget, even our souls can be rusty because of sins.
As the saying goes, “Beauty is not only skin-deep. It radiates within us.”
I forgot who first said this, but reflecting on what we’ve done in our lives for the past years, we can measure how much goodness we imparted to our family, friends, and neighbors and in the society where we belong.
In this age of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and other kinds of social media it’s so easy to fire opinions online.
There are issues that became trending topics for a long period of time. It varies from day-to-day events, personal issues, worldwide happenings and a lot more.
One of these is about spiritual issues.
I once believed that the religion where I was affiliated was the right one.
I was wrong.
Even Jesus Christ disliked religion. It will just cause segregation or separateness among the people of the world.
It is true.
There are limitations in every religion but believing in salvation, it’s another thing.
Saving mankind from sins was already done when the Son of God, Jesus, sacrificed His life by succumbing himself to be nailed at the cross.
We are already saved.
Our rustic souls are already redeemed.
By living as an example and doing rightful things, together with other believers, there’s no need to be afraid about our future when we face the Judgment Day.