89 God provided me with a comfortable financial living, but success did not enter into my head or heart, and the same applies to my wife, Helen. We both believe that sharing God’s gifts is the greatest feeling of happiness during a lifetime and, fortunately, all our children are sharing their love with us. God provided Helen and I with a united and happy family. I had prayed for this to happen, and I hope that, during the rest of my life, my example of compassion will continue with our future generations. During more than fifty-five years of my self-employed business, I always prayed and hoped that God would help me to resist all temptations as a priority, and always operate honestly. God has always shown how, without hurting my competitors. One day, while travelling from Brisbane to Melbourne, I felt that all my employees should know in writing about the ethics of my business operations. I purchased a pad at the Airport and, on the plane, I started to write, without knowing how to begin. God must have been alongside me, because it did not take long to come up with the words which were easy to understand for all who played an important role in my business. When I arrived at the office, I showed my paper to the Administrator, asking him to polish it up to better English. Within a few minutes, he came back to me and said “Pat, there is nothing to be changed”. I could not believe that I was capable of putting together the right words for all to understand my operational policy. I said to Joe “frame a copy for every office”. The next day, we all had a meeting, where I conveyed my message to them that, every time they had to make a decision, they should first read the ethics and then decide honestly. LA MANNA ETHICS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. God, we pray that you will watch over us always, and guide us in making decisions that are right, fair and truthful. Give us the strength to resist and refuse all temptations. Keep us free from greed, jealousy and anxiety. Show us the way to perform and progress without causing damage to others. Give us the wisdom to find ways to solve our problems peacefully. Restrain us from criticising and judging others. Help us To have self-respect, and be loyal, reliable and trustworthy.