partnership and pockets of wisdom

When we were touring old Manila two weeks ago, we were planning on a trip to either Singapore or Malaysia on the third quarter of the year. I began scouting for promo fares. My travel wiz Rhea is already on standby mode just in case I need the tickets to be booked.

Now, here's comes anxiety attack.

There goes the anxiety of providing for the future family - the children's educational funds, the house mortgage and other contingencies. When he began to speak about it, I know it's goodbye Singapore or Malaysia anniversary honeymoon. LOL!

Do men always go through this stuff? What time of the month does this usually happen, so I can schedule the events before the attack. Tsk, tsk, tsk.

In times like this, there is a story I remember, somewhere from Paulo Coelho's Warrior of the Light (I hope I remembered it right):

A disciple remarked to Rabbi Bounam from Pssiskhe:

“The material world seems to suffocate the spiritual world.”

“Your pants have two pockets,” said Bounam. “Jot down this sentence and put it in the right pocket: ‘The world was created only for me.’ Now write in the left pocket: ‘I am nothing but dust and ashes.”


“Divide your money between the pockets. When you come upon misery and injustice, remember that the world exists only so that you can show your kindness, and use the money in the right pocket.

When you are tempted to buy things that you haven’t the least need for, remember what is written in your left pocket and think twice before spending it. In that way the material world will never suffocate the spiritual world.”

So I say,

“Honey, your pants have two pockets. Jot down this sentence and put it in the right pocket: ‘I will provide for my family’. Now write in the left pocket: ‘We will have a trip...then divide your money between the pockets...”

I also have two pockets and my cash already divided. ;-)