Death certificate.

I share this FB post of Col. Harold Cabunoc as the message is very timeless and consistently significant:

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RANGGO AT MGA POSISYON NA MAY KAPANGYARIHAN

Marami sa atin ay nalalasing sa kapangyarihan. 

Kahit wala na sa serbisyo, nang aalipin pa rin gamit ang dating ranggo, impluwensya na hinawakan. 

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A retired Police Commissioner moved into his own house after leaving government service. He was proud of his former rank and achievements.

Every evening, he walked in the neighborhood park. He rarely spoke to anyone because he felt they were beneath him.

One day, an elderly man sat beside him. While the old man tried to make friendly conversation, the former Commissioner kept talking about his past position, power, and accomplishments.

This continued for several days until the old man finally said:

“Sir, a light bulb is only valued while it shines. Once it burns out, it doesn't matter whether it was 10 watts or 100 watts—it is just a burnt-out bulb.”

“I have lived here for five years and never told anyone that I was once a two-term Member of Parliament.”

The old man then pointed around the park.

“That man was a General Manager at Shell. That one was an Army Lieutenant General. The gentleman in white was a university Vice-Chancellor. None of them talks about their former titles because they know those positions are in the past.”

He continued:

“In the end, we are all the same. Whether we were important or ordinary, powerful or not, our titles do not last forever.”

“Both sunrise and sunset are beautiful, but people pay more attention to the rising sun. That is human nature.”

“Titles and positions are temporary nothing to shout about. If we build our identity around them, we will struggle when they are gone.”

“Life is like a chess game. Kings, queens, and pawns all have different values during the game. But when the game ends, they all go back into the same box.”

The old man smiled and said:

“Enjoy the present. Be grateful for what you have. Don't cling to past glory. No matter how many awards, medals, or certificates we collect in life, in the end, we all receive just one final certificate — a Death Certificate.”

(CTTO)/Credit To The Owner/Credit To The Author