So two things happened today.
One – our license in GIFT City, India came through. Finally!
Second – I bought something materialistic – those close to me know what it is.
The first news was received with more relief than excitement, the second seemed like a culmination of something, but not really “I looked forward to this all my life” moment.
It’s tough to describe such feelings sometimes. Looking forward to some exciting times with it, says one part of the heart. What next, says one part of the mind. Together, it results in a muted celebration – maybe a calming of a want rather than the fulfillment of a need.
It’s so easy to look at these things in one way and go – I worked hard to deserve it. Well, I did work hard, but then, many people work much harder than me, and yet struggle to get someplace. Some even struggle to put two square meals on the table. It’s just that some of us, a very select few of us, have won the lottery of life. We were born at the right place, at the right time, into the right family – a lot more ‘rights’ and a lot fewer ‘wrongs’.
Some of us received a relatively longer head start. Yes, we did have to work towards it, but conditions were more conducive, again, relatively speaking. So when we look back at our lives, the longer you look back, the more you tend to view these as blessings and good fortune, being given the ability to enjoy life much more than a lot of others.
After some time, all this ceases to matter – what remains is a collection of experiences and a feeling of thankfulness. For being given the opportunity.
Maybe this is what I feel today. And with it, comes an added responsibility- of trying to justify the lottery that I have won, and ensure that I don’t take it for granted. On the contrary, to work even harder and reach my full potential, and also bring out the potential in others.
Fellow traveler, oh fellow traveler
What wrong did you do?
Why do you struggle, to find your place in the sunshine
While I bask in it’s glory all day?
Fellow traveler, oh fellow traveler
what sin did you commit?
Why are you not blessed with a life as fine
Am I more fortunate than you?
Fellow traveler, oh fellow traveler
I was you in my last life, I was
I had the finery, I had the blessed life that you now lead
I grew out of it, and am back now, oh fellow traveler
to experience the joy of need
You may lead a better life today, and maybe even tomorrow
But pray tell me oh fellow traveler, whose joy has lived long, and who has been shielded from sorrow?
We walk alone, we do for now, oh fellow traveler,
But not for long, not for long at all
For there comes a day when you leave behind, all of this
and what you carry forward, are not even your experiences
Fellow traveler, oh fellow traveler
Have you heard the song
of the birds in the trees, of the winds in the leaves
They will stay, yes they will, long after you and me are gone.
So rejoice in the fleeting moments that you think bring you peace
And look forward to a day, fellow traveler,
When you and me, we walk together
No joy, no sorrow, no merriment, no burden,
But only silently, we walk together, both of us, in peace.
Rohit