Sometimes in life, we need a jolt. A jolt to make us realize that we are indeed, very fortunate. Last year, I visited Calcutta (Kolkatta), in India. It was definitely the experience of a lifetime. While some other friends of mine visited New Delhi and the Taj Mahal, I decided to do the unexpected: Calcutta. A city where 30,000 people sleep on the streets at night. Where children are forced into prostitution. A place, where you would think that life would be bleek, life is instead, vibrant.
I was fortunate enough to be in Calcutta during Durga Puja Festival. It was amazing to see sales going on in stores, people setting up lights, and buying new clothes to wear for the nights of the celebration. It was much like Christmas. Durga Puja, although being a religious celebration, did not make them pious (although, they did go to temple). Instead, they rejoiced, and took this time to ask the gods to care for their families, and thank the gods for what they had, and make their offerings.
We should all be so lucky as to view the world in this manner. These people, who live in poverty, were thanking their gods for what little they had. To me, that is admirable. To be able to look beyond their status, their monetary gain, their posessions. To look beyond what you don’t have and see what you DO have, is a gift.
Many times I have wished that people could realize how well off they are. Whenever I hear friends complain, and I hear them say: “my life sucks, I hate my life, I’m tired, I’m lonely…”; they complain about work, friends, family, relationships, their health, and I won’t lie, it makes me upset. Why does it make me upset? Well, my answer to their lament is always the same: you can hear, see, speak, walk, breathe, and you have a roof over your head, and atleast one meal a day…you are blessed, please shut up! 🙂
As human beings, we tend to take things for granted, to want more, to strive for the best. But the mere fact that you can see, hear and walk, has already given you an advantage over those who are deaf, blind or paralyzed. You should give thanks every day that you do not have this extra burden in your life. That you are able to start a winner. (For the record, I am not saying that those who are deaf, blind of paralyzed arent winners, look at Helen Keller, the woman was deaf and blind and she wrote books.. she’s my hero).
All I am saying is, stop complaining. You are lucky. You have all the opportunities the world has to offer. You have two hands, two feet, and a mind to guide you, and a heart that reminds you of what is right and wrong. Make the most of what you have, and take advantage of the advantages that you may have over others. Because not doing so, would be an insult. Not only to those who are disadvantaged, but also to yourself, because you are not living to your full potential. And that’s a damn shame.
The Jet Set Zen 