Contentment

We humans always complain about just not having enough. We buy a home and crib about not having that extra bedroom. We go for a nice vacation and crave for that ‘foreign trip’ that our family friends went for. It is as if we are never satisfied. Agreed, there are exceptions. But most of us carry this trait of always wishing for more.

Suddenly ‘awakened’ about my exploding (there is no other way to describe the phenomenon) waistline and at last a bit touched by the sympathetic glances of well wishers who thought that I will be one day choked to death by my own weight, I decided to join the gym on 17th of June 2013. Two months down the line, I cannot say that I have miraculously trimmed down, but yes, I feel lighter. Anyways, tonight my kids asked me to bring home a KFC bucket for dinner. I decided to go there directly from the gym at about 9:45 p.m.

I took a rickshaw. The rickshaw puller was a strong man. And he was a smooth operator, taking turns and sailing through speed breakers with finesse. I was impressed. When I disembarked, I asked him how much the fare was. When I offered him a hundred rupee note and waited for him to tender me the change, I was struck by what I saw. The rickshaw puller had just one hand. Yes! His right hand was amputated from elbow downwards. With great skill, he took out the rupee notes from the breast pocket and held them with his stump, and counted the exact change with the left hand and gave the money to me; he said, “Do not mind me giving you the money with my left hand Madam.” I stood silent, and looked at his content and serene face. I saw a man, hardworking and determined, who overcame a huge blow to make a decent living.

I guess he is made up of the stuff of which real heroes are made of…He is an inspiration…..

Just felt like sharing this experience. And may be I will just think of the man for a minute when I will complain the next time about not having enough of anything.