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2
Feb 2016
D
ue to the nature of my
work over the past
few years, I work with
a large percentage of
rich people, very rich
people. The saying goes – “they have
lots of problems, but money is not
one of them”, and believe me, I have
witnessed that. I know that there has
to be a balance. Without money you
cannot afford a proper medical aid,
cannot send your kids to a proper
school. But how much is enough?
For each one of us that number will
be different, and it might change over
time as well. I therefore urge you to
read the following:
The CEO of the most successful
company in the world over the past
few years, Apple Inc., had this to say a
few weeks before his death last year:
“I have come to the pinnacle of
success in business. In the eyes of
others, my life has been the symbol
of success. Apart from work,
however, I have little joy. Finally, my
wealth is simply a fact to which I am
accustomed. At this time, lying on the
hospital bed and remembering all my
life, I realise that all the accolades and
riches, of which I was once so proud,
have become insignificant with my
imminent death.
In the dark, when I look at the green
lights of the equipment for artificial
respiration and feel the buzz of their
mechanical sounds, I can feel the
breath of my approaching death
looming over me. Only now do I
understand that once you accumulate
enough money for the rest of your
life, you have to pursue objectives that
are not related to wealth. It should
be something more important; for
example, stories of love, art, dreams of
my childhood.
No, stop pursuing wealth; it can only
make a person into a twisted being,
just like me.
God has made us one way, we can feel
the love in the heart of each of us, and
not illusions built by fame or money,
like I made in my life. I cannot take
them with me. I can only take with me
the memories that were strengthened
by love.
This is the true wealth that will follow
you, will accompany you, and will give
strength and light to go ahead. Love
can travel thousands of miles and so
life has no limits. Move to where you
want to go. Strive to reach the goals
you want to achieve. Everything is in
your heart and in your hands.
What is the world's most expensive
bed? The hospital bed. You, if you
From the President
I Van die President
Johan Marais
Don’t buy
the world’s most
expensive bed...
All of us, including me, want more money. Money buys stuff, nice stuff – a
large house, a bigger car, a better swimming pool, a Jacuzzi, etc., etc…
So most of us chase money; the big pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
CREDO
We, the members of the Association, resolve at all times:
• To honour our profession and its Code of Ethics
• To maintain and uphold high professional and scientific standards
• To use our professional knowledge, skills and resources to protect and promote the
health and welfare of animals and humans
• To further the status and image of the veterinarian and to foster and enrich veterinary science
• To promote the interests of our Association and fellowship amongst its members.
Ons, die lede van die Vereniging, onderneem om te alle tye:
• Ons professie in ere te hou en sy Etiese Gedragskode na te kom
• ‘n Hoë professionele en wetenskaplike peil te handhaaf en te onderhou
• Ons professionele kennis, vaardigheid en hulpbronne aan te wend ter beskerming en bevordering van die gesondheid en welsyn
van dier en mens
• Die status en beeld van die veearts te bevorder en die veeartsenykunde te verryk
• Die belange van ons Vereniging en die genootskap tussen sy lede te bevorder.
>>> 3
Life is short. Treat everyone
well. Give a compliment.
Don’t criticise. Help each
other. Why? Well, why not?