I Saw, I Learnt

I am sharing what ‘I Saw and I Learnt‘ at BlogAdda.com in association with DoRight.in.

I have always believed that life is nothing but the chronicles of your interactions with the people you have met along the way; situations you have faced; experiences you have gathered and things you have learnt during the journey.

While reading about this initiative random memories kept flashing in my head. People, who have touched my life, inspired me and changed me as a person; Situations that altered the way of my life; Experiences that I would like to share.  Also there could be no better way of reliving those moments by putting this up on my blog.

Let me start this with the two people who are reason of my being, my parents. The way they have brought up me and my sister is commendable. We never had to ask for our personal space, we never had to fight for our freedom. They have always given us liberty to choose. They have let us make mistakes and fall down miserably even at the cost of their own pain only to be standing there to support us when needed. Though both are at quite influential positions in their respective careers but we were never given the shortcut in lives, we learnt everything from scratch and I think that’s the reason we are the way we are today. Independent, honest, not afraid to take challenges.

Then comes my Grandmother, she is a very traditional lady by all standards. Her appearance, her rigid customs, her religious obligations but I have learnt from her that you can follow your faith without interfering in others.  She has never forced her children/grand children to follow her ways; she has never ever differentiated between male – female child while all her counterparts did.

Then our beloved house help Durga; she actually lives up to her name.  She was married early to a drunkard husband and was abused often. Instead of blaming the fate for her situation she took the charge of her life in her hands for having a life of dignity for herself and her children. She left her husband’s home and rented a place for herself.  Enrolled her kids in a school, took up work and started earning.  Saved strategically and made a life for her children, now all of them are independent and want her to just live a life but she refuses to stop working. Surprising fact is she never thought about remarrying, she is not even filled with rage for her husband, she still follows all the traditions/customs/fast a married woman is suppose to, even supporting him financially every now and then. She is an inspiration to a lot of women in her community and to me for the immense dignity she possess.

There is another girl who comes in our house to study from my sister. She is barely 14, belonging to a poor family but she has a heart of gold. She teaches one need not be rich to be big hearted. During Diwali last year she mentioned that she will be going to a nearby fair (mela) with her friends. Mom gave her some 100 Rs. to get few things for herself. She always refuses anything we give her including food, clothes or money, he ego is too big to take stuff like that. But this time mom was adamant, forcing her to take it as Diwali blessings from elders. She took it reluctantly only to return next day with a gift for each of the 5 members in our family. Now what can you say on that, only these like this make you more humble towards life.

Then there was a faculty I used to go MBA coaching to. He left a very lucrative teaching job in a prestigious MBA training institute of the city because they stipulated fixed time per topic rather than making sure the students have understood or not. This faculty left a secured job only to start his own set up taking minimal fees to just meet the basic expenses of running the center. Seeing such passion and devotion to the art specially teaching makes you take life a bit more seriously and find your true calling.

When I started working I saw my manager taking special care of the old janitor of our floor washrooms. She would make sure the old lady had breakfast in the morning, making sure to check on her in the evening just in case she needs anything. Helping her in times of need and making sure she has enough money to continue her children education. Witnessing such act of kindness also make you the transmitters of them in your own life.

Then I married and saw the big heartedness of my in laws, the way they have made me the part of their family just the way I am. Not only washing off all my inhibitions of an arranged marriage scenario but inculcating that same open heartedness in me to take them and my extended family for just the way they are.

Recently we met with a small accident where we were being dragged unnecessarily, our swimming instructor happen to be in the same vicinity, not only he stood by us but bought his own gang in our support. Such selfless support, unconditional kindness warmed our hearts in the cold Delhi Life.

Then there are fellow bloggers who keep sharing their experiences of how they stick to traffic signals despite facing life threatening situations, how they found help in a foreign land from strangers, how small people are more helpful than the so called elite class. How small deeds make big difference. How most of them are trying to make a difference and sharing their life with the larger blogger community inspires a lot of people like us.

I can go on and on as I have been influenced by a lot of people to take up few things that make difference in other’s life but bring a great deal of satisfaction. But I think I will stop here today and leave you to observe goodness – kindness – rightness around. And I sincerely hope this initiative from Tata Capital goes a long way in inspiring a lot of people to take the first steps to Do Right and live a more meaningful life.