The poet Olavo Bilac was asked by a friend to write an announcement advertising the sale of his small farm. Bilac wrote a poetic description highlighting the beauty of the property. Later, when Bilac asked if the farm had sold, his friend said he had changed his mind after reading Bilac's writing and realizing what a treasure he had. The friend was reminded not to underestimate the good things we have and to appreciate life's blessings like family, health, and friends rather than chasing false treasures.

1. VALUE WHAT IS YOURS! The Song of the Birds

2. THE OWNER OF A SMALL BUSINESS, A FRIEND OF THE POET OLAVO BILAC, MET HIM ON THE STREET AND ASKED HIM

3. “ MR. BILAC, I NEED TO SELL MY SMALL FARM THE ONE YOU KNOW SO WELL. COULD YOU PLEASE WRITE AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR ME FOR THE PAPER?”

4. BILAC WROTE

5. “ FOR SALE, A BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY, WHERE BIRDS SING AT DAWN IN EXTENSIVE WOODLAND, BI-SECTED BY THE BRILLIANT AND SPARKLING WATERS OF A LARGE STREAM.

6. THE HOUSE IS BATHED BY THE RISING SUN. IT OFFERS TRANQUIL SHADE IN THE EVENINGS ON THE VERANDA.

7. SOME TIME LATER, THE POET MET HIS FRIEND AND ASKED WHETHER HE HAD SOLD THE PROPERTY?

8. TO WHICH HE REPLIED: I’VE CHANGED MY MIND. WHEN I READ WHAT YOU HAD WRITEN, I REALIZED THE TREAESURE THAT WAS MINE.

9. SOMETIMES WE UNDERESTIMATE THE GOOD THINGS WE HAVE, CHASING AFTER THE MIRAGES OF FALSE TREASURES.

10. WE OFTEN SEE PEOPLE LETTING GO OF THEIR CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR SPOUSES, THEIR FRIENDS, THEIR PROFESSION,

11. THEIR KNOWLEDGE - ACCUMULATED OVER MANY YEARS , THEIR GOOD HEALTH, THE GOOD THINGS IN LIFE.

12. THEY THROW OUT THE WINDOW WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN THEM, SO FREELY, THINGS WHICH WERE NOURISHED WITH SO MUCH CARE AND EFFORT .

13. LOOK AROUND, APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE: YOUR HOME, YOUR LOVED ONES, FRIENDS ON WHOM YOU CAN REALLY COUNT, THE KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE GAINED, YOUR GOOD HEALTH.

14. AND ALL THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS OF LIFE,

15. THAT ARE TRULY YOUR MOST PRECIOUS TREASURE.

16. WE CAN NO LONGERT SHOWER KINDNESS ON THOSE WE LOVE, AFTER THEY HAVE DIED.

17. IT IS USELESS TO WANT TO RE-DO THE WORK THAT WE MAY HAVE DONE NEGLIGENTLY. IT‘S BEST TO APPRECIATE AND DO THINGS WELL NOW.

18. ASK OF GOD AT EVERY MOMENT THAT OUR PROBLEMS AND CONCERNS NEVER DEGENERATE INTO FEELINGFS OF SADNESS AND ANXIETY.

19. BE IN UNION WITH GOD, WHO WILL PROVIDE THE COURAGE NEEDED TO BE CERTAIN OF VICTORY IN THE STRUGGLE, BECAUSE GOD WILL GIVE WITH ABUNDANCE WHAT WE NEED.

20. WE ARE ALL IMPERFECT. ALWAYS PRAISE AND VALUE YOUR FAMILY, DO ALL YOU CAN TO MAKE IT EVEN BETTER. ALWAYS PRAISE AND VALUE YOUR WORK-COMPANIONS . SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE YOUR ENVIRONMENT.

21. INSTEAD OF ISOLATING YOURSELF, BECAUSE OF WEAKNESS OR FAILURE, SEEK TO INVEST IN TRUE AND CONSTRUCTIVE FRIENDSHIP IN YOUR LIFE.

22. FAITH IN GOD IS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN SELF-ESTEEM IN DEALING WITH DAILY PROBLEMS.

23. MY WISH FOR YOU BE WITH GOD – AND MAY GOD BE WITH YOU