The best of humanity is our exercise of compassion…….

This is a true story. But the names have been changed to protect the identity of the people involved.

It was a very hot and humid day here in Kerala. We wanted to get some provisions for the daily digestive activities and me  who is ever ready to go out jumped at the opportunity to get out of the house along with Nandan. Then we remembered that we did not have our  car that day since it was given for its regular service.  The lady who cooks for us was very adamant  that she would make something  only after she gets her essential things. So there it was…no other short cuts.  Someone had to go and get the things. Then Nandan said he would take an auto to our regular supermarket and get the things.

He bought the stuff and eventually got into an auto rickshaw. The auto drivers  in our city are very special than anywhere in the whole of kerala. They are very polite and do not charge extra. They really go out of their ways to help anyone. Strangers and tourists love them because they will never be taken for a ride literally but they are well taken care of.! So he got into an auto and reached home in  a few minutes. The ride cost him about 30 rupees in the meter but the driver was very rude and he demanded 50. Nandan argued with him and gave a 50 since there was no change with him. The driver without giving back anything, furiously turned his auto. He was grumbling and uttering something which  Nandan could not pick up. The auto left in a rush. Nandan was still fuming after the incident but somehow calmed down and  got himself to read that day’s newspaper.

Then something happened. He heard the sound of an auto. The same driver was back again in out courtyard. Was he coming for more? He rang the bell and Nandan opened the main door and there he was clutching a 20 rupees note. Nandan  was very apprehensive and waited. The auto driver said “  Sir, I am so sorry for my rude behavior earlier” . Please take your money back’. Nandan was very much surprised and something in the driver’s eyes melted his heart. He said. “ That is alright. Now you may keep the money” . The man’s eyes brimmed with tears. Clutching the note he almost broke down and said. “ Sir please do not misunderstand me. My life is a mess I don’t know what to do”. Any spectator could understand that he was genuine and  had tear filled eyes.  Nandan wanted to know more. He asked him to sit down and told him to calm down. Tea was offered and after drinking that the conversation turned into something very strange.

This person had a son who was about 12 or thirteen years of age. He had been diagnosed with a disease that the parents did not know. All they knew was their son  was  going to die in a few years.  The father  burst out crying that he was at his wit’s end and was running around to provide his everyday  medication which cost him around 500 rupees daily!! Nandan was so moved by listening to this man that he asked for more details of the doctor and the treatment that he could get more. The driver said that the medications are available outside India but there is no way he could access those. He asked the driver to give him copy of his medical report and said he will check with the medical fraternity that he knew personally. The driver was beaming with hope and happiness and he left with a lighter heart.

That night Nandan studied the reports and came to know that it was a condition called Muscular dystrophy and more advanced researches are being done in this. He visited various websites and posted the boy’s condition asking for further guidance. Noone replied. Then on the 4^th day he got an email from a Doctor who was in Paris, France. He has posted his email id and telephone number too. This doctor wanted to know more about the boy’s condition and specific medications that he was taking.

The next day he called the auto driver and asked to bring all detailed reports which was promptly emailed to him and then Nandan spoke to the good doctor from Paris. He explained everything in detail and suggested some new medications which he promptly passed on to the auto driver. He also assured that with proper care and medicines the boy can be better too. This was a total relief to the parents and everyone who came to know about this.

 This happened a year ago and the treatment is going steady. All that people need is kindness and care……nothing else…

BE KIND, FOR EVERYONE YOU MEET IS FIGHTING A

The Salesmen of Salvation…

I see countless posts on social media irrespective of a religion or a particular cult, of a grand promise of glory , wisdom   death  and even  an afterlife through pictures , captions and videos. They work constantly through these new mediums and literally brainwash anybody . if a person browses about  to ten  times on an average, he is likely to see the same posts that he saw  five minutes before. And assuming he does browse  fifteen  times a day he sees such posts fifteen times and it gets stamped in his central  nervous system. This is true brain washing in all sense. In earlier times kids were asked to repeat multiplication tables once or twice a day and it remains in the kid’s mind till he dies. So just imagine what these proclamations credos do to the minds of any unassuming mind? It is permanently nailed there forever there by transmogrifying the personality completely in a relatively short time.  I don’t really know how such licentious and credulous posts are to be avoided while you are online. There has to be some accountability on the part of social media and their responsibilities to the users. People immolate themselves and some leave their families to desperation for the so called higher purposes. But they hardly realize that they are being duped by the salesmen of salvation.

In the case of television too this is the ongoing agenda. They define the society, set their own terms and conditions  through dramatic serials and mythological stories and very biased and opinionated news broadcast along with added spice. Mostly according to their own political opinions and  party status. Thus the majority of the society which follows such stories are constantly reminded five times a week that this is the way to live and exist.

The salesmen of salvation

The Salesmen of Salvation…

I see countless posts on social media irrespective of a religion or a particular cult, of a grand promise of glory , wisdom,   death  and even  an afterlife through pictures , captions and videos. They work constantly through these new mediums and literally brainwash anybody . if a person browses about   ten  times on an average, he is likely to see the same posts that he saw  five minutes before. And assuming he does browse  fifteen  times a day he sees such posts fifteen times and it gets stamped in his central  nervous system. This is true brain washing in all sense. In earlier times kids were asked to repeat multiplication tables once or twice a day and it remains in the kid’s mind till he dies. So just imagine what these proclamations and  credos do to the minds of any unassuming mind? It is permanently nailed there forever there by transmogrifying the personality completely in a relatively short time.  I don’t really know how such licentious and credulous posts are to be avoided while you are online. There has to be some accountability on the part of social media and their responsibilities to the users. People immolate themselves and some leave their families to desperation for the so called higher purposes. But they hardly realize that they are being duped by the salesmen of salvation.

In the case of television too this is the ongoing agenda. They define the society, set their own terms and conditions  through dramatic serials and mythological stories and very biased and opinionated news broadcast along with added spice. Mostly according to their own political opinions and  party status. Thus the majority of the society which follows such stories are constantly reminded five times a week that this is the way to live and exist. This is no way of bringing  about a decent and self sustaining society which could exist peacefully.!!!

Life of choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A nurse reveals the top 5 regrets people make on their sick bed:

For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives. People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learnt never to underestimate someone's capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them. When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.

2. I wish I didn't work so hard.

This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence. By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result. We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying. It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again. When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.

6. I wish that I had been a human first and then a man..

Many of the men realized that they were role playing all their life. While being male Chauvenistic against their own will, they followed the dictates of their society or community. They conformed all their life trying to act like a stereotypical MAN. In doing so, they never got a chance to be a human first. There was always a deep longing to be human and humane, but, they were afraid they might be misunderstood as not being 'manly'. Dont fear change, be the change and stop pretending to others. Be what you really are and be Happy long before you are dying.

Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly.

Choose happiness