Sorry for being away for many weeks.
On a few days, I don’t have stories worth sharing. On others, I don’t have the conviction to put out stories that transform the way we feel, think and act.
While your WhatsApp and emails are flooded with summaries and commentaries of the Union Budget, I hope you find value in what Arjun experienced.
Remember Arjun? The man who used his relationship with god to get a son, but the child was fated to die on his wedding day?
This incident was earlier in his life, much before he’d met his wife Kaveri.
Arjun was coming out of the temple after his daily conversation with his friend – Dear God.
But some ruckus at the temple’s footsteps distracted him.
He saw four old ladies huddled up, arguing passionately.
Arjun was curious and listening intently, when one of them called out to him, “Beta, please come here and help us solve this problem.”
A nervous Arjun walked up to them and politely asked, “You all seem old and wise. How could someone like me help you?”
“Don’t underestimate yourself. Every soul has infinite wisdom. So do you.
Let’s leave philosophy aside and focus on the problem.”
“Sure, as you say. What’s the problem? Why is it bothering you so much?”
And then it began.
The first old lady spoke, “Beta, we’re all discussing that who out of us is the most important. My name is Hunger. I feel I’m the the most important because, without food, the body will eventually waste away. People must eat: without me, there would be no life.”
The second lady chimed in, “Isn’t she completely wrong? You can go on without food for days at a stretch – but not without me. I’m Thirst.
Without water, the body will dehydrate and eventually die. Without water, there will not be any food. I am the most important of all.”
The third lady was smiling, “That’s not right. And I’ll tell you why.
Beta, I’m Sleep. On the battleground, soldiers leave hunger and third aside. They keep fighting for days – but are powerless against me.
Even yogis leave water and food aside, but have never resisted rest.
Tell me, am I not the most important?”
The fourth lady was the quietest of them all.
She finally spoke up, “You are all important, sisters. But without me, life would be unbearable.”
Arjun interrupted, “Amma, who are you? And why are you the most important?”
She sighed and explained, “I give people the strength to face challenges, the courage to keep going, and the belief that tomorrow will be better. I am the most important of all.
I am Hope.”
The women continued to argue, but Arjun was silent.
He was wondering how to solve this problem.
What is hope in the face of a hungry child?
How could you sleep when your throat is dry?
Can you eat when you’ve not slept in three days?
Would you be able to sleep when you’re hopeless about the future?
To Arjun, it seemed so much like the people in his life.
Yes, some of them seemed important, but as the situation changed, others became more important.
In the end, we realise that there is no one above or below, they are equally crucial and that each plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy and fulfilling life.
Like the four ladies, everyone has a unique purpose and that together, they were unstoppable.
