People often ask me, “Don’t you get too involved with things?” Yes, I do. One example is the article below.
“What makes you do it?”
Belief. Helplessness. And my own conscience.
“Can’t you be dispassionate?”
No. I don’t see how being ‘objective’ can add quality. Besides, I do not shirk facts.
“What will it achieve?”
Perhaps, nothing. But at least someone will listen, think, feel…at least someone.
Just today I got an email from X, who I had introduced where I was in a position to do so. I did not know X at all and now I am not even active where X is. Yet, this is what I got: “Dear Farzana...today is a year… I am still getting inspired to write more. I wanted to thank you for your generosity of spirit and being a source of inspiration...”
You know what? I could not believe it. I replied that in a world of forgetfulness, it was touching that someone could acknowledge what I had only tapped to make a difference to the humdrum.
It feels good when people who should have just begun to ignore me because I am not visible anymore still keep me posted about their achievements, their new projects; with some I have been there during the process of their creation.
Can you imagine my delight when I got a crisp copy of a book with a most touching inscription, all without having to even ask?
I have just watched and been mostly a well-wisher, nothing more.
Regarding feedback, too, one tends to respond to negativity. When I think about it, there is so much positive around. It may appear like I do not notice, but that is what stays with me.
On my travels I met one reader who I had a not-too-long correspondence with. He was aware that I wasn’t too well those days. Do you know what gift he gave me? He brought a whole bag with milk, bananas, protein bars because, “You won’t even think of all this.” We may probably never meet again and we hardly ever write to each other.
I may not make a difference, but quite a few people do make a difference to me. The families of those mentioned in the article below are such examples. They have helped me grow; this story has remained the same, more or less, but new dimensions keep getting added.
One’s life is often limited. What we gain is by becoming a part of others. And always seeking...
“Jis tarah darya bujha sakta nahin sehra ki pyaas,
apne andar ek aisi tashnigi ban jaae.”
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PS: In the interest of the issue, I would be happy if the article is forwarded as much as possible. Since this is not a plug for this blog, here is the link to the piece…
http://www.countercurrents.org/versey180407.htm
2 comments:
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(Perhaps, nothing. But at least someone will listen, think, feel…at least someone)
Yes,I do with all the honesty of my heart. Keep it up.
Thanks. I must also state here that I had mailed this to several people, and the empathy expressed by Pakistani and Indian was alike.
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