Health is better than wealth

"You never miss the water till the well runs dry" is a very true saying where health is concerned.

Most of us are lucky and we grow up with adequate food, suffering only from the common childhood ailments like coughs colds, and measles. Our immune systems strengthen and we reach adulthood well equipped to cope and survive.

But it is easy to fall into lax ways, there are many temptations: we can overeat, choose the wrong diet, start smoking, drink to excess and experiment with drugs. All these take a toll on the healthy body that is our right and duty to maintain. You can reach a stage where all the money in the world will not save you from an early and unpleasant death.

It makes sense to develop moderate habits and enjoy the good things in life in a thoughtful manner. By staying healthy your chance of being fit and capable will greatly enhance your likelihood of earning a living and even ending up wealthy.

It has to be said that those who are lucky enough to have a good start in life from parents who have reasonable incomes do have an advantage. It is important to build on your strengths and use your available money to acquire health knowledge and good quality foods.

Health helps wealth and wealth helps health. Don't wait till the well runs dry; act now and harvest the benefits all your life.

Women's Wisdom

Look after number one

Human beings are social animals: we are born into a family and usually exist in a community group; be it extended family, neighbourhood or tribe. We have duties and obligations to the other members. In some circumstances we might even be called upon to make the supreme sacrifice of our lives to save the others. Brave men and women give their lives in the defence of family and tribe.

So how does this fit with the saying: "Look after number one"? You have a duty to self: if you don't keep fit and well you will become a burden to others. You won't be able to pull your weight and do your bit when the need arises.

It follows that you must strike a balance between your own personal interests and needs, and those people to whom you have an obligation of support. By looking after number one you will be in a better position to care for and assist the numerous others who depend on you.

Think of ease but work on

This is very straightforward: anyone who has to toil at a task that is difficult or boring has a small voice within saying, "Oh for goodness sake give this up and have a rest!"

If you were a carefree, wandering minstrel you might do just that but would you ever be able to pay your way? Sadly, for most of us, the daily grind is a necessity. When things get tough we have to find the inner resources to cope and keep going.

Yes, it is pleasant to think ahead to our leisure hours and perhaps even a golden retirement but in the short term you must "grin and bear it".

He whose belly is full believes not him whose is empty

We are all prone to complacency: when things are going well we do not want to hear the complaints of the poor and unfortunate.

It gives us an uncomfortable feeling to listen to a view of life that disturbs our calm. We find it easier to believe that the poor are responsible for their own follies. If they would work harder or be more disciplined then they would do OK. Their reasons for poverty sound like excuses.

So we bury our heads in the sand and try to ignore unpleasant truths. But beware: He that is too secure is not. It might be that at leased a proportion of the suffering really do have grievances that need to be addressed.

Your complacency might lead to your undoing. Better to deal with trouble half way rather than let it creep up and confront you with terrifying suddenness.

He who is weighty is willing to be weighed

A nice bit of alliteration here conveys an obvious truth - the genuine person doesn't mind being scrutinised on their claims.

Simple folks at market in days gone by would be conned out of their cash with tricks such as scamsters selling kittens in a bag whilst claiming them to be pigs - hence the expression to buy a pig in a poke (How these sayings love alliteration!) They did not do their due diligence in failing to examine the goods. No doubt if they had sunk a bucketful of beer beforehand they would have been in a happy trusting mood and ripe to be gulled.

This is all about testing the truth. If you are for real then you do not fear, but welcome, trials to prove it. It follows that those who are reluctant to be questioned and assessed must be suspected of potential dishonesty or incompetence.

Those who are talented and able are likely to be willing and eager to demonstrate their accomplishments. They talk the talk and can follow up by walking the walk.

An explanation of the use of alliteration and other poetic devices can be found in the paperback 700 Limericks & How To Write Them by clicking the link above.