There was an old lady who would carry vegetables on her head, grown on the little space of their land, and come to our house very early in the morning, every Wednesday. She would enter our gates, with grins, exposing her teeth stained with betel leaves, and yelling my mom's name. She would converse with my mom, as if they were known from their birth, a thing which would sometimes even irritate my paternal grand-mom. The lady would get a doze of fresh brewed coffee, or breakfast (if made), every time she visits.
I would ask my mom winking, "You gratify her with fresh coffee because she puts load of ice on your head, saying that your-buying-first-brings her good fortune, right?"
My mom would say, "Cha... Do you know from how long she comes, how she suffers for this little sum of money...? At least, we can afford her this", and she would tell stories of that old lady which would eventually enlighten me that smallest of the small gratifications do really matter. Many mothers have this trait that the great mother, Teresa extended to her fellowmen, empathy! And they are the people who supersede the question of 'should I' or 'Why should I?' into "why not I'..
For me, the world still is in hold of empathetic people, people who know, empathy is putting us in others shoes, and those who practice it, apart from the abusers of all kind, those who frown at their neighbor's growth, who deceive their own kith and kin, who photograph an accident, instead of helping out, people who stick on to what-can-I-do-for-that attitude.
In a busy morning, while transports peak up, while the blood pressure rises,
even while the thought of a missed bus threatens, there is someone who drifts a physically challenged, carefully to the other end of the road..
Though the monthly income of a middle class man would be ready to be gobbled by burdening tuition fees and long-awaited weekend celebrations, when a co-worker sheds tears, the hands extend to wipe out the tears, as well as to empty his own pocket of pennies.
When a new mother is struggling in a new places, unable to handle herself as well as the newborn, a neighbor's parent, who had visited her children, suddenly becomes mother of four!
When a woman encounters a struggling tear, around the corner of the eye of another woman, co-traveling in a train or bus, she silently prays a word, for the issue to be solved, without pestering the affected!
An already over-tired husband offers to cook, feed and assist in sleeping the kids, when he understands his better-half's physical discomfort, or vice-versa!( somebody might ask me, should wives only cook?)
A young child, celebrates its birthday with special children, wholeheartedly and smiles along with the unadulterated souls!
Practicing empathy isn't too hard.. a little bit of humanity, care and with the understanding that 'this life is temporary', if one has a passionate ear to listen, he is already empathetic. With all the good feelings that those people impart, and the fact that they would outgrow much more empathetic children, these people teach us that 'simple things do matter'. And as a cliché, I would like to say, rain befalls, a flower blooms, innocence prevails, that which shows, God hasn't lost hope in humanity!
A silent prayer is worth more,
instead of kindling the sore,
A promising smile, a word of hope,
might deliver someone the courage to cope,
the sorrow or delight, which was yours that day,
in the cycle of time, might evolve into mine, one day!
or even if it doesn't..
fake sympathy might instantly flatter,
but small things of care, really do matter,
lets emulate in sowing love,
never-the-less, He is watching from above!
I would ask my mom winking, "You gratify her with fresh coffee because she puts load of ice on your head, saying that your-buying-first-brings her good fortune, right?"
My mom would say, "Cha... Do you know from how long she comes, how she suffers for this little sum of money...? At least, we can afford her this", and she would tell stories of that old lady which would eventually enlighten me that smallest of the small gratifications do really matter. Many mothers have this trait that the great mother, Teresa extended to her fellowmen, empathy! And they are the people who supersede the question of 'should I' or 'Why should I?' into "why not I'..
For me, the world still is in hold of empathetic people, people who know, empathy is putting us in others shoes, and those who practice it, apart from the abusers of all kind, those who frown at their neighbor's growth, who deceive their own kith and kin, who photograph an accident, instead of helping out, people who stick on to what-can-I-do-for-that attitude.
In a busy morning, while transports peak up, while the blood pressure rises,
even while the thought of a missed bus threatens, there is someone who drifts a physically challenged, carefully to the other end of the road..
Though the monthly income of a middle class man would be ready to be gobbled by burdening tuition fees and long-awaited weekend celebrations, when a co-worker sheds tears, the hands extend to wipe out the tears, as well as to empty his own pocket of pennies.
When a new mother is struggling in a new places, unable to handle herself as well as the newborn, a neighbor's parent, who had visited her children, suddenly becomes mother of four!
When a woman encounters a struggling tear, around the corner of the eye of another woman, co-traveling in a train or bus, she silently prays a word, for the issue to be solved, without pestering the affected!
An already over-tired husband offers to cook, feed and assist in sleeping the kids, when he understands his better-half's physical discomfort, or vice-versa!( somebody might ask me, should wives only cook?)
A young child, celebrates its birthday with special children, wholeheartedly and smiles along with the unadulterated souls!
Practicing empathy isn't too hard.. a little bit of humanity, care and with the understanding that 'this life is temporary', if one has a passionate ear to listen, he is already empathetic. With all the good feelings that those people impart, and the fact that they would outgrow much more empathetic children, these people teach us that 'simple things do matter'. And as a cliché, I would like to say, rain befalls, a flower blooms, innocence prevails, that which shows, God hasn't lost hope in humanity!
A silent prayer is worth more,
instead of kindling the sore,
A promising smile, a word of hope,
might deliver someone the courage to cope,
the sorrow or delight, which was yours that day,
in the cycle of time, might evolve into mine, one day!
or even if it doesn't..
fake sympathy might instantly flatter,
but small things of care, really do matter,
lets emulate in sowing love,
never-the-less, He is watching from above!