Today's post is my attempt to answer the question for this week's Memorial Monday initiative. The question for this week's Memoir Monday #9:
What Do You Worry About?
If you're new to this initiative, you can check out this post, which provides further explanation about it. You can check out my previous post here.
😖 What Do I Worry About? 😖
I tend to be a worrier, so I have plenty of things that concern me. These worries shift with the circumstances of my life, but there are two constants that have remained unchanged for the past few years.
Worry about my kids' future
When my kids were younger, I didn't dwell much on these thoughts, but as I've grown older, concerns about my children's future have become more prevalent. As a mother, I often question the effectiveness of my parenting and whether I've adequately equipped my kids with the practical skills they need to navigate life. It's difficult to gauge this, especially until they mature and face the world independently. My worries stem from the stark differences between my upbringing and how my husband and I are raising our children. We grew up in the 80s, before the technological advancements of today. Our parents worked and expected us to be self-reliant from a young age. However, our children don't have quite the same experience, primarily because I'm a stay-at-home mom who tends to most of our family's needs. Essentially, my kids lead a more sheltered life compared to ours. Now, don't get me wrong; I'm not saying that my children don't help with household chores or lack responsibilities altogether. They still have chores, but in a more convenient manner -with vacuum cleaners and washing machines. When I was their age, I washed clothes by hand and swept the floor with a broom.
Anyway, I realize this might sound trivial, but as a mother, these feelings are hard to shake. I wonder if other moms experience this too.
Another significant concern is whether I'm effectively shaping my kids' characters to confront life's challenges. Being a Christian, I strive to impart biblical values in my parenting - kindness, integrity, perseverance, love, patience, and so forth. Yet, teaching these values to children isn't merely about listing them; it's about modeling and demonstrating their application in real life. I can't expect my kids to forgive their friends if I'm unwilling to extend forgiveness myself, or to be patient if I react angrily to minor inconveniences on the road. The challenge lies not in determining the values to instill, but in figuring out how to exemplify them consistently. I'm far from perfect; my children have witnessed my mistakes firsthand. Though I've admitted my faults, apologized, and explained why they were wrong, I worry about inadvertently appearing hypocritical to them.
Worry about the state of the country and our retirement
Many people, especially those in middle age, can likely relate to this concern. Over the past seven years, Malaysia has faced political instability, with four different prime ministers coming and going. Political instabilities have had severe consequences for the currency, leading to a significant decline in the value of the MYR. This has exacerbated inflation, with prices of goods and services skyrocketing, causing our purchasing power to diminish rapidly. The stagnation or minimal increase in salaries over the years only adds to the concern. The prospect of the country's state over the next decade fills me with dread, especially considering the education expenses for my growing children. While we have savings, insurance, and some investments, the question lingers: how long can these resources sustain us?
Moreover, with retirement looming in less than two decades, my husband and I are not getting any younger. Although we have retirement funds in place, I anticipate the need to continue pursuing side hustles to supplement our income for as long as we are able. The government's decision to cut petrol subsidies this year in an effort to narrow the fiscal deficit will likely result in higher petrol costs. I firmly believe this will further drive up prices of goods and services, adding to the financial strain.
🙏 There Is Hope 🙏
Continuing to dwell on my worries here may not offer any tangible solutions. Worries seem endless, but I find solace in my belief that God is ultimately in control. I understand that not everyone shares this perspective, but we each find what works best for us, don't we? For me, my faith in God remains my guiding light and steadfast anchor as I face life's uncertainties. Many things are beyond my control, so I'll focus on doing my best in all I undertake, trusting that God will take care of the rest.
That's it for now. If you read this far, thank you. I appreciate it so much! Kindly give me a follow if you like my content. I mostly write about making art, life musing, and our mundane yet charming family life here in Klang Valley, Malaysia.
Note: All images used belong to me unless stated otherwise.