Under the shadow of a loss in the family, life has posed many a question at me this week. The ultimate futility, the ceramic frailty of everything we chase through a lifetime only to leave behind stares at us, while we continue to forget the fleeting nature of this life. We continue with our busy lives chasing the things that satisfy the 'I' in each of us. We build the walls and finery around us somehow hoping they insulate us from the dust and suffering of common human life. We wish away the pain by living in our golden illusion without acknowledging the hollowness in our hearts. We become what we are not, we become insensitive, we become indifferent, we become selfish. We refuse to acknowledge the pain of others, we refuse to acknowledge the pale and the downtrodden. We turn away....
On the turning away
From the pale and downtrodden
And words they say
Which we won't understand
Don't accept that what's happening
Is just a case of other's suffering
Or you will find that you're joining in
The turning away
The questions pour in. To what avail is this meaningless pursuit of selfish happiness? Are we joining in the turning away? While we despair at the indifferent state we are in, we find the encouraging signs that lead us to find some meaning. As we despair at our helplessness in changing the world, we find inspiration in the everyday. The inspiration I found this weekend was in a group of young men and women who are doing their bit to change the world. They are a group of young corporate executives who take the time out on their weekends to help the downtrodden. In today's times, when we don't have time for ourselves, finding time for others, for the service of others is refreshing. These folks help poor children with education in the rural areas. They support an old women's home with more than 100 women abandoned by their families. This started as a small idea when 5 people came together, 5 years back. I witnessed the birth of this idea from afar. Now, I see they have built a movement that is growing from strength to strength, that has many volunteers and many beneficiaries. I have had the privilege of seeing them come together and persevere over the years, single minded in their determination to serve, to make a difference to other's lives. In doing so, they provide meaning to life.
No more turning away
From the weak and the weary
No more turning away
From the coldness inside
Just a world we all must share
It's not enough just to stand and stare
It is only a dream that there'll be
No more turning away
P.S : Follow this enthusiastic group on www.whyfoundation.org . March on forward, folks!! And thanks to Pink Floyd for their music, for the lyrics "On the Turning Away"
Such is life :(
ReplyDeleteIndeed eye opening reality- in today's world we have become like machines- and we are all running like in a mad race...serving people or serving god- all has become conditional to requirment based. Wonder where we are all headed. true solace is surely in service being rendered. God guide us to the right sources to contribute.....in the right manner.
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