I found this picture from a forwarded email, so I cannot give credit to its original owner. The caption: The happiest people in the world are not those who have no problems, but those who learn to live with things that are less than perfect.
Look at how the family stays together. Despite a little soft place to sleep, they still made room for the cat and the dog, water pouring down from the roof. Still, each one has a peaceful smile on their faces…still amazing!
I am reminded of how my family was more than 10 years ago, before we moved to our current home. We lived in a tiny condominium (one of the nicer Bliss projects at that time) at the back of SM North. I already had 6 children then. Our home had only 3 tiny bedrooms, one occupied by Angelo the eldest and the other by my mother. The other 5 kids stayed with us in the bedroom, a mattress laid on the floor. In the evening, we all huddled together in the tiny space available, with Pauline and Chato, then small babies sometimes sleeping on the bed, sometimes on the floor, and the bigger ones wherever they wanted–bed or floor. There was no regular sleeping arrangement–sleeping where sleep caught or took over any of us. And–we were happy, despite the cramped place and lesser comforts in life that we had at that time.
When they were small, I was not overprotective. The kids were given the liberty to experiment, to be free, to play, they were not forced to eat, not forced to sleep, not even forced to study, in the process they discovered themselves, and became responsible. I even let them climb the tall bookshelf and jump to the floor (with a mattress, of course). How happy they were–to FLY.
We had one desktop computer, yes, a dial up connection–when almost all my friends did not have computers and connection in their homes, Angelo was already into BBS then later on, dial up connection. The kids had to log in a timesheet when they needed to use the computer, 1 hour each, first come first served, or made reservations, if necessary. Nowadays, this is no longer applicable, laptops and desktops have to be on a one-on-one availability, at most, one-to-two.
Today, we still live a simple life, we are not financially well-off, but at least we are able to send the kids to the best schools possible (Ateneo, Miriam College, Claret and UP). Given the current economic crunch, being open with the kids, making them understand how life is–they are able, or at least try, to make some adjustments in life style, and having options.
- watching how the price of gas increases beyond proportion (how glad they were to learn that a rollback of at least P2 in the price of gasoline would take effect in the morning) and conserving gas
- taking a 5-minute jeepney ride from our home to UP instead of the car or a taxi, when possible
- taking one trip to and from schools instead of multiple trips
- eating healthy food instead of junk food, though of course sometimes they accede to their yearning for something salty or something sweet, and buying Choknut instead of Hersheys or eating pure Milo by the spoonful–a favorite choco trip (lol)
- dining more at home instead of dining out, and cooking only enough
- learning to brew own coffee and concocting own tea, instead of buying from Starbucks and other coffeeshops
- watching UAAP games at home being the norm now, rather than watching live, ADMU-DLSU games or championships as the only exceptions
- having less air conditioning hours
- spending less for text messaging and mobile phone calls, and learning to use the landline again
- turning off lights, fans, TVs, computers when not in use
- using used bond paper for printing, and recycling materials for school projects
- bringing own drinking water instead of buying bottled water in school
- using toiletries properly, avoiding excesses
- conserving water
- and many more
Any peso saved is still a peso–money!
Having less of today’s money’s worth and making do with what we have, do not make the family less happy. In fact, it makes each family member more sensitive of what is happening and being closer to each other–the elder ones taking care of the younger ones, and the younger ones not taking advantage of the elder ones.
How about you? How do you cope? And do your children take part?
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16 responses so far ↓
Em Dy // Sep 12, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Hi Sexy Mom. I just have to say I love this post. It’s easy to surmount any crisis with family behind you. And we get to realize that money can’t buy happiness.
amymd // Sep 12, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Very nice post, Dine. I totally agree that true happiness is beyond material possessions.
kyels // Sep 13, 2008 at 9:45 am
Happiness is intangible and there’s no way you can buy it w/nickels and dimes!
I love this article Tita!
Off topic; my site’s down again … Haay. I just came back from a retreat hence I wasn’t able to visit your site as usual. Now, I’m back po.
haze // Sep 13, 2008 at 9:16 pm
My family have gone thru difficult moments and I confirm that happiness is one way to overcome difficulties in life. Not to mention helping out each other
! Take care Tita and I am really learning everyday thru your blog 
. Continue inspiring us mothers.
Belle // Sep 14, 2008 at 10:29 am
it doesn’t take much to please me. half a can of jalopeno sardine worth 68 cents plus veggies in my garden are good enough for my dinner. how is that for frugality?
though, i must admit my kids don’t have the concept of saving. on a couple of occasion last summer, they invited me for dinner and i thought they would pay for it because they had jobs, but they insist that i pay the bill…dirty trick..hehe.
Rach (Heart of Rachel) // Sep 14, 2008 at 12:30 pm
This is a wonderful post Dine. I love the cute graphic of the family in one bed. Contentment can make you enjoy life more.
Thank you for sharing the photo of your family. It’s always inspiring to hear how you successfully brought up your kids.
raqgold // Sep 15, 2008 at 3:23 am
it is better to keep everything simple and direct to the point. since we dont have household helps here, the kids have learned to make their own bed, to clean the house, etc — they know if they wont move, nothing would happen. i have stopped pampering them since they were 3 years old, now if they want their room to be tidy, they have to do it. and it is working just fine. though i could still use some of your tips!
toni // Sep 16, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Happiness is a perspective yes, and with everyone sharing that same view, with everyone pitching in, life is so much rosier.
edelweiza // Sep 16, 2008 at 2:41 pm
very true, happiness is a choice.that picture made a smile.
vk // Sep 17, 2008 at 4:24 am
there is a painter, who paint a pics, like this style….nakalimutan ko lang…
he paint-draw a pics, a man who is sick, laying in his bed, tapos yon may tulo ang roof….using only umbrella…..
basta so like this pics, you share……….
nakatuwa ano?….
the pics, of your kids…..
naala-ala ko noon mga maliit pa kaming magkapatid….isang double bed, kami lahat natulog……
balik na lang ako dito to read your interesting post….ito…….
meron lang akong isabi,
please, if you have time, pls. visit me-blog,
i have something for you, i do hope you like it.
it is you……..with your lp, sharing your ideas and inner feeling,….
i am lucky, i meet n know you, eventhough i have not seen you personally.
balik nalang ako dito, time to sleep na.
regads
julie // Sep 18, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Living simply doesn’t mean we deprive ourselves of luxury but rather we learn how to cope, how to use whatever resources are available and maximize these resources.
This post is inspiring
vk // Sep 19, 2008 at 1:58 am
thanks for sharing this, post……
i really, appreciated your family life….
you have blessing from God……while you are a good Mama, a good woman….
“Whatever you do to other, thats what God do to you.”
manilenya // Sep 22, 2008 at 8:30 am
I think you are the best mother ever…..this inspired me to blog again my childhood with my family and the small house we used to live in. Now my youngest sister and her family live in that house.
Mabuhay ka Ate Dine! I used to call you Tita Dine kaya lang baka sabunutan mo ako kapag nakita mo ako e lol!
Linnor // Sep 23, 2008 at 6:56 am
we also do most of what you listed… plus, when we go to the mall to feast our eyes on nice stuff (a common preferred weekend activity), we go there only after we had heavy snacks at home so as not to be tempted to eat out. only expense is the parking fee of P25.00.
times like these, it pays to be creative with the limited resources.
annamanila // Sep 29, 2008 at 10:30 am
I love the pictures of your brood growing up cozylike .. what a happy bunch of children they are. And wow … that was a great idea: logging in for an hour of computer use each. If you’re mom to such big and precocious brood, you really must be resourceful and ingenious ha? And I daresay you didn’t disappoint.
This is such an endearing post on your family. No wonder you are winner in your category. More power.
I am Alive! Praise God! | The D Spot // May 26, 2009 at 8:08 am
[...] blessings He has bestowed to me and my family. By giving more time to family and friends. And embracing the challenges, even the frustrations and failures that come every now and then. There is a purpose for all [...]
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