The sun is up and I see people smiling all around me. It’s a lovely day and as I wait for the last passenger to get in the van before we head for Ranipool, I can’t stop myself from being optimistic about the times to come. Since the day I had a much needed conversation with one of the most intelligent men I have met so far, I have understood quite a few things. Everyone is qualified and intelligent as far as bookish knowledge is concerned but this man was intelligent about life. It’s been an honour to know such a man and I’m hoping that in the years to come we’ll be sharing many thoughts.
Coming back to my blog, as we made our way downhill I started wondering about my plans for the birthday to come. The idea is to do something significant for a change, for the people who need it the most. So I plan to spend an evening in the missionary distributing snacks and other eatables. Charity of any kind is a selfish act. I mentioned this to my friend the other day and he strongly disagreed. His argument was that the very fact you do charity work is because you want to give, not that you have to give. But I still support my view. Charity is a selfish act in the sense that you do it in order to feel good about yourself. Look inside you and tell me you never felt that way.
As the taxi reached the government college area I saw a man flat on the ground. He wasn’t a drunkard nor was he a patient. He was a namlay who was unable to bear the burden on his back. I saw his face as he lifted the weight. The wrinkled face seemed to crumble into multiple layers under the pressure. A lady was helping him stand up while others were more concerned with their mundane lives. I was no different. I simply sat in the van and effortlessly glided downhill, giving as much as a glance and this blog to be written later. I wondered what could be this man’s idea of good? My definition of good would have been a satisfying job and a healthy life earlier but now it’s just to be able to live in the moment. To just be.
I stood in line to make a payment some days back, I found everyone cribbing about how slowly the line was moving ahead and how there was no time at hand to waste a day making payments. How did we get here? It doesn't take a lot of effort to realize how much this life has to offer. We need to re-learn the art of patience, the art of living, the art of contentment.
Happy birthday Cyden.
Let’s hope you can make a difference in your lifetime.
The process has begun.
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