Overview:
In this heartfelt reflection, Tutii Chilton shares timeless lessons on love, respect, and faith—reminding readers that life’s challenges are not meant to break us, but to shape us. Rooted in values familiar across Palau, this piece calls on communities to live with compassion, strengthen relationships, and trust that every hardship carries a purpose.
Life is full of lessons. Our elders remind us that if God brings us to it, He will bring us through it. The journey is not about avoiding hardship, but about living with love, respect, and faith. Let me share with you some helpful ideas, that we can practice in Palau today.
- Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully. Generosity builds trust.
- Marry someone you love to talk to. Conversation will matter more than anything as the years pass.
- Don’t believe all you hear. Balance is wisdom.
- When you say “I love you,” mean it.
- When you say “I’m sorry,” look them in the eye. Honesty heals.
- Be engaged at least six months before marriage.
- Believe in love at first sight. Love is both patience and passion.
- Never laugh at anyone’s dream. Dreams are the seeds of life.
- Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt, but it is the only way to live fully.
- In disagreements, fight fairly. No name-calling.
- Don’t judge people by their relatives. Each person stands on their own.
- Talk slowly but think quickly. Wisdom is in listening.
- When asked a question you don’t want to answer, smile and ask, “Why do you want to know?” Grace disarms.
- Remember: great love and great achievements involve great risk.
- Say “bless you” when someone sneezes. Small kindness matters.
- When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
- 3 Rs: Respect yourself, Respect others, and take Responsibility for your actions.
- Don’t let small disputes injure great friendships.
- When you make a mistake, correct it quickly.
- Smile when you pick up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
- Spend some time alone. Silence is medicine.
These are not just ideas. They are reminders that life is precious, that relationships matter, and that faith carries us through.
If we teach our children these lessons, we will raise a generation that knows how to love deeply, live honestly, and walk with God’s guidance.
So let us remember: if God brings us to it, He will bring us through it. And along the way, let us live with cheer, courage, and compassion, for ourselves, for each other, and for Palau.
Palau in Motion
By Tutii Chilton
tutiichilton@gmail.com