You know how we tend to think sometimes that everything in the world is about us; that our problems are so much worse than anybody we know, how much pain we endure, what all we go through; and how we bask in our own courage, patting ourselves on the back for being an epitome of patience and endurance. What fools we mortals are!
My father taught me one thing more than anything else..'be grateful every single morning for being able to wake up and be alive and be there for people you love and to enjoy simple pleasures'. As much as I'd like to remember and practice that every single day of my life, I don't! I fail to be the grateful, humble person that Papa wanted to raise me as. I start to lose sight of who I really am, what I really am; but after every few ignorant, self-absorbed days, I give myself a reality check. I remind myself of my quest for the true meaning of life; I open my eyes to the harsh realities around me, not necessarily my own; I go back to finding beauty in the most unexpected places..a gorgeous red bug scurrying away on its tiny feet; the delicious colours of bell peppers, freshly washed, ready to be added to my sesame seed and noodle salad; a tiny feathered visitor with its glorious shades of turquoise, taking a dip in my little pond; a hawker girl's beautiful smile, confident that I'd smile back at her; an old rusty, intricately carved door; Ghalib's absorbing poetry; my son's honey-coloured hair, my daughter's melodious voice; the magical sound of my mom's bangles, my brother's heart of gold; my best friend's shrill but to me the most beautiful voice; another friend's crinkly-eyed smile; the twinkle in my mum-in-law's eyes when she sees me; the clouds, the trees, the grey concrete roads...
And then the beautiful people surrounding me with their resilience and courage and will to make a difference; those with integrity and respect for others; and I can't help but find peace in the knowledge that to so many around me, life is less about themselves and more about others. And then there are those who go through so much pain, physical and emotional, but always come out victorious, grateful and content; regardless of what they have lost; and I feel small, very small..and I promise myself to find that strength in me to re-emerge everytime something pulls me down and to think of those less fortunate than me (not necessarily in terms of money); and I strive to be more like Papa and these wonderful people around me, grateful for their presence in my life...
