People say we should focus on the good things in life. And to a certain extent I agree with them. We SHOULD be thankful for all we have. There are so many people who have nothing. Literally nothing. People die of hunger each day and disease each day. People lose their families due to war, and accidents.
I just wonder how can I focus on the positive so easily then. Unashamedly oblivious of the pain and agony of the world. Quietly ignoring their cries for help? Its so easy to focus and be thankful for the good things in our lives, but when do we start doing something for those who do not have something – not even one single thing - in their lives to make them happy.
I was walking in a parking lot during lunch, and car guard was so friendly. He seemed incredibly happy to be doing his job. He welcomed me, and told me to enjoy my shopping, even gave me a cheerful smile. But when he goes home he might have to eat by candle light in the freezing cold because he cannot afford electricity or gas. He cannot afford to buy all six his children vegetables like we’ve been taught. He walks home, because the little money he earns is barely enough to keep him and his family alive. Still he smiles, and he’s friendly to each person who passes him. Sometimes rudely stared at, and even ignored when he tries to make small talk. Do these people know how they crush that poor man’s soul? When do we acknowledge these people? When do we start to realize that it might well have been us? He isn’t any less a person that anyone else – but rather more, so why do people get so irritated with him? Willing him to keep quiet. Maybe they’re embarrassed to be seen talking to someone who struggles to make ends meet? Maybe they’re irritated because they think he wants money.
Sometimes I really wish I was an animal. However strange this might sound, they don’t pretend that one giraffe is better than the other. That, just because he had fresh green leaves this morning, he’s somehow superior? What has that got to do with anything? In the end the one who runs fastest and is fittest will be the survivor, and that’s all that matters to them.
Not the colour of their spots. The food they eat. Or the place they sleep. The fact that they’re alive and well is sufficient.
In the end its not enough to ‘be thankful for what you have’ and look the other way. We need to be thankful, but we also need to stop thinking that that’s enough. We need to start doing. Helping. Giving. And even just loving. Just being friendly might mean the world to another. Respecting him as a person will mean much more than the five Rands you don’t want to give him in any case.
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4 comments ↓
I know what you mean about the agony of the world. Ten people are probably being tortured to death as I type this. But there’s also a lot of ‘good stuff’ happening. Life is cruel and weird and sometimes fun. The circus never stops.
But keep in mind that a car guard may not see his life as other people would, and may in fact be quite satisfied with it. He would’ve probably done something about it by now if he wasn’t.
We should be thankful for the things we have, and at the same time we can be a little kinder to one another..No one person can fix everything, but maybe a kindness every day could help.
dizzy dee,
Sometimes, we really have to look at the positive side to make us feel better. Take for example the guard. If he was taking his job as something he’s not looking forward, he won’t even have anything support his family. Not even the little money. He has to find some ways for him to be happy with his job. That’s why, he gives a smile everyday eventhough he knows, that’s a poor-man-job.
I see many such people around me. Some look happy, some look miserable. The happy ones are proud of their work and are always ready with a smile for everyone, no matter how badly they are treated. i have great respect for such people.
I try to make their work better by being more considerate and returning their smiles.
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