There is a huge difference between being able to do something and wanting to do something. It’s often people who want to do something succeed in any field and they are the ones to look up to. This is more so in the matters of helping someone and in the philanthropy. Like it is said, the haves will never have the heart to give away, .... as along with the richness, what the rich have in abundance is the insecurity of everything .
Giving is as much a matter of art as it is of heart... Some have the art of giving to mitigate their guilt or sin or they even give to add value to their status in society. But one need not be critical of these people as at least someone is benefitting irrespective of what the motive of the giver is ... Earlier one would protect the wealth for the joint family or the extended family. At such times, the attitude and ability to donate or share was far better despite the insufficiencies. Later the savings were for the nuclear family only and only a surplus was for the philanthropy. Now it is probably saving for the self as the trust on the kith and kin is waning and the surplus is for the family... Thank god this is not so rampant and seen only in parts.
But there is one thing that is applicable to the poor and the poor with the rich heart and that is the attitude of empathy and support, which is so unconditional or given at a very small dividend.. Their support and help is always immeasurable and in most cases un noticed and taken for granted..
One such experience is narrated here ... My apartments (rented) has a new watch man and his wife.. They seemed like a new couple. I would find it damn cute and touching to catch them koochi kooing and shying and talking and all that... would feel happy to look at them and ensure that i am not a disturbance even for that 4 minutes during parking the car. Felt pity at times as to how do they find the privacy to romance and be together like a new married couple. Alas, private moments don’t really need the privacy but, the connection and love.. One day, i couldn’t miss that they were little sad and seemed worried. I couldn’t check myself and on enquiry found out that, the lady is pregnant .. i don’t know, my eyes genuinely and instantly experienced moist and throat choked . I didn’t know how to react and said hope you guys are going for a regular medical check up. Much to my relief they said, indeed they were and i quickly called Prasad( watchman) aside and gave some money to buy fruits for her and asked him to feel free for any help. I did not allow many thoughts to cross me on how they would bring up the child and all that. But it does worry me and feel helpless.
Life moved on with exchange of smiles and enquiries for next few days.. one day, my darling grusha forgot to inform me that the next day morning , she had to wear the formal uniform to the school and she didn’t know that there would be power failure. That uniform could no way have been worn as it is. I panicked and just rushed to the watch man for a solution. He just said ,nothing can be done except a proper ironing ( press) and that he wasn’t allowed to put the coal to burn as the apartment management has instructed him not to do so till 11 am. But he still took the clothes down and said that he will be back in few minutes. I got tensed about the delay and just rushed down to see that he broke the apartment rules and finished the job. For him it was a huge risk and he would even loose job as it happened to earlier 2 watchmen on what i think was flimsy grounds.. Oops such martial laws in apartments????
My heart sank at his gesture and i didn’t have words and expressions to convey my gratitude. He did all this as an exchange for the money i gave for fruits? No way. Not even for all the casual care that i show. It is his attitude of helping and giving the best in that situation. Normally we take it for granted and for him, he need not have taken the risk. His attitude and help for me was the biggest for that week and i will remember for life time. What can i do and match his great gesture. I can never repay nor can i repay all the help that i get every day from my servant maid or the guy who cleans my car or the office boy who attends to me in my office or any of the vendors who smile and give warmth for the purchase of few rupees. We all live on many such people’s good gesture and heart and we can never weigh them in currency.
These are the real rich people who seldom feel in secured the way most of the educated and decently well off people feel about many things. This includes power, recognition, fame, attention etc. The list on what aspects we all can feel in secured is endless These real rich need only 2 things.. Decent money and small recognitions in the way of a smile, a small enquiry and acknowledgement that they too are humans like you and me. Never cease to learn from so called small people...... feel the need to be more empathetic towards them and never shy from giving an impression that you are around for them. In the material sense, it will surely do a lot good for us only. But in the non material sense , the benefit for each of us is incalculable.
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