They say that if you do only good things, you will get nothing but good things in return and we believe this saying because we have an example right here to show you. Not too long ago, Yui Jiranan Manojem received the award for “Artists against Drugs” from the PPS (a commission for prevention and fight against the use and promotion of drugs) for her work campaigning against drug use. At the same time she’s still making lakorns that have captured the hearts of many fans because she is one of the very talented actresses in the entertainment industry. Another side of her apart from being an actress is her role as a daughter and granddaughter of her mother and grandparents. She tells us that these people are like her heart and soul. It’s certain that she is no doubt an outstanding person in her role as a daughter and granddaughter to the point that she received the “Most Grateful Child” award from the Sapasungkom Songkrah just 2 years ago. Let’s hear what Yui has to say about treating her elders well. How Yui Jiranan takes care of her grandparents: You’re a good person for them to be proud of: Engage in various activities together: Taking care of each other’s Body & Soul: Having good conversations with each other: Don’t bring work from outside into the house: Boran say that “Gratefulness is the mark of a good person” and the act of doing good will give us good things in return (but we shouldn’t expect to get it). The act of giving love, taking care of each other, especially to those who are benevolent to us, already shows how grateful one can be. So please take care of one another (wholeheartedly) especially to those who are closest to you. Take our example, Yui Jiranan Manojem, is it not for that her gratefulness that has allowed her to go so far in the entertainment business and in life itself.
From Cheewajit 168, October 2005, Translated by Noiki 2005 (not a word for word translation)
Yui is a country girl who grew up in the care of her grandparents. After her parent’s divorce, the reason she did not have an inferiority complex or feel unloved is because her grandparents took care of her so well that she didn’t feel she was missing anything. Right now, their lives have gotten better because the house that Yui worked so hard for has just been completed and her dream of having all the people she loves live together has come true. The only thing she has left to do is to take good care of her grandparents so that they experience happiness as much as possible.
“My family isn’t perfect, my mom and dad separated a long time ago and I know there are some people who think I’m definitely a problem child because of this but I’m lucky enough to have my grandparents. My grandparents have always taught me that the more problems you have, the more you have to prove how good and worthy a person you are to those who criticize you. Above else, you have to prove that you’re worthy to yourself. I constantly tell myself that I have to be a good person to make my grandparents proud. I don’t want anyone to say that my grandparents didn’t do a good job of raising me. I have to be a good role model and do the most that I can for society. Right now, my grandparents are very proud that I’ve been able to uphold myself in a position where I can be a role model to the younger generation.”
“Even though I have to work almost every day, if I ever get any free time off I dedicate all that time to my grandparents. We’ll find various activities to do together, whether it’s preparing food, watching T.V., going to the movies, traveling, eating out, doing merits at the temples in Nakornpathom or Ayuthaya, or anything else that makes them feel good and happy. I let them decide what they want to do and I’ll stay and talk with them so they won’t feel lonely. I once heard that many elderly people feel neglected because they think that their children and grandchildren don’t care about them. I’m glad that my grandparents aren’t like that. Luckily during the weekends my family and relatives are usually together so that my grandparents feel that we see their importance to us.”
My grandparents are very old now and I’m really worried about their health. I’m trying to incorporate healthier foods into their diet that are easier for them to digest. Their digestive system isn’t that good so I have to pay extra attention to that. I usually substitute fish for red meat in their diet and have them eat more fruits and vegetables. My grandmother has problems with high levels of uric acid and I’ll routinely take her to the hospital for check-ups, as for my grandfather I have to take care of what he eats. Their spirits are also important to care for, lucky for me my grandparents have good dispositions and it rubs off on me as well. Therefore whenever we’re in conversation it’s only about fun and good things, my family doesn’t like to do stressful things (laughs happily).
Whenever I’m talking with my grandparents, no matter what the topic, I’ll always talk with them nicely because I’m a child. I see children nowadays who like to bicker and yell to their elders, and when I see it it’s not loveable at all. I’ve never done this no matter how much they discipline me, I tell myself that they have only good intentions and I’ll listen to them and think about what they say later on. The fact that they’ve experience these things before me gives them a lot of teachings to share with me. Therefore when they’re telling me things, I’ll sit and listen to what they have to say and not act unpleasant in any way.
No matter how tired I am from work, I never bring any problems I may have from work into the house. I’ve never acted irritated or displayed bad manners towards my grandparents; I am able to separate things. I’m normally not a hot tempered person to begin with. After I’m tired from work, when I get home I’ll talk to my grandparents and tell funny stories about what happened today, seeing them laughing and having fun is all the happiness I need. It feels that we’re living everyday to keep each other alive.”