How Much is Enough:
In 1995, as I prepared to depart Indonesia after an assignment, a close friend approached me with a dilemma. Having spent twelve years as an expatriate, he grappled with the question of how much longer he should remain separated from his family in Australia. I responded with a simple yet profound inquiry: “How much is enough?”
The simplicity of this question belied its complexity, as my friend discovered during a sleepless night of introspection. Eventually, he arrived at his own answer, deciding to extend his stay by one more year before returning home. His struggle resonated deeply with me, underscoring a universal challenge we all face at various junctures in our lives.
I am sure, the esteemed readers, who have taken out time to read my post also must have grappled with this dilemma at some stage in life. The purpose of this blog is not to give you a solution but to share an experience.
Learning from My Life:
As for me, I grew up in Delhi, amidst the diverse narratives of middle-class life. I witnessed firsthand the pursuit of dreams and aspirations of my parents and their counterparts, often at the expense of personal well-being. Many of us have inherited this as a way of life. The relentless pressure to succeed and provide for our loved ones can lead to an insatiable pursuit of ‘enough,’ perpetually eluding our grasp.
In 1994, while in Indonesia, I encountered the wisdom of Dada Vaswani of Sadhu Vaswani Mission. The speakers of this organisation are known for spiritual and motivational talks. Frankly speaking, I attended the talk to ward off my boredom of being alone in a foreign country, with no family and friends. In his talk Dada Vaswani cautioned against unnecessary worry, especially concerning our children. Despite initial scepticism, somewhere in my deep, his words struck a chord as I grappled with the delicate balance between providing opportunities for my children and safeguarding my own well-being. I imparted this wisdom to my children, emphasizing that while I could provide them with opportunities, their success and fulfilment would ultimately be their own responsibility. Fortunately, they thrived, embodying the values we endeavoured to instil in them.
The infinite ‘Do Loop’:
I am concerned with the plight of those ensnared in the ‘Infinite Do Loop’ of accumulation, sacrificing their health and happiness in pursuit of material wealth. Inspired by the resilience of birds, I implore us all to break free from this cycle, embracing life’s simplicity and nurturing a legacy of love and contentment.
Learning from Birds:
The poem “इंसान और चिड़िया” andits English version, “Human and the Bird” encapsulates this sentiment, serving as a poignant reminder of the inherent simplicity and resilience of life. Let us liberate ourselves from the shackles of accumulation, finding solace in the beauty of simplicity, and discovering our own definition of ‘enough.’
इंसान और चिड़िया
चिड़िया का बच्चा
जब हो गया बड़ा
बोली हो जा बेटा
अपने पांव पर खड़ा
तुझे आज़ादी से उड़ना
और जीना सिखा दिया
अपना परिवार पाल सके
इस लायक बना दिया
अब जाओ खुद भी जियो
और मुझे भी सकून से जीने दो
उद्द्येश पूरा कर जीवन का
अब स्वच्छंद विचरने दो
बच्चा बोला मां मां
सीखो कुछ इंसानो से
साथ रहता है परिवार
बावजूद झगडे और तानो के
हंस कर बोली मां
उन दोगलों से क्या सीखें
जो ऊपर से दिखाएँ प्यार
अंदर से दुश्मन सरीखे
रिश्ता उनका सिर्फ दौलत से
रिश्तों का प्यार बहाना है
असल में जहाँ मकसद
ज़्यादा से ज़्यादा हथियाना है
हम सम्पति जोड़ते नहीं
हर दिन इक ज़िन्दगी जीते हैं
खतरों से खेलते खेलते
खुशियों का अमृत पीते हैं
जोड़ना तोडना मोड़ना
मतलब से हसना और बोलना
नहीं है फितरत हमारी
शक्ल देख कर दिल खोलना
हम अपनी ड्यूटी करते हैं
कोई उम्मीद नहीं रखते
तैयार कर देते हैं जीने के लिए
हर दिन रो रो के नहीं मरते
English Version:
Human and the Bird
When the bird’s chick
became mature,
It said, “Oh, my child,
My task is now secure.
I taught you to fly,
To soar and be free,
To nurture a family,
You’re capable, you see.
Now leave my nest, my child,
And grant me rest awhile,
Having achieved my goal,
Now let me roam and smile.
The chick said, “Oh, mother mine,
Learn from human kin’s design,
They dwell under one roof’s span,
Despite disputes, their bonds remain.
The mother bird chuckled and replied,
Human ways are treacherous, she sighed,
Their love superficial, mere show,
With each eyeing wealth’s hefty flow.
Their bonds tied only by wealth’s strand,
Human relations built on shifting sand,
Their insatiable greed for land,
Leaves relationships barren and bland.
We don’t hoard or cling,
Through challenges, we sing,
Risk is but a part of our daily chore,
Our lives are simple, yet they soar.
To unite or sever for an aim,
We don’t indulge in acts of shame,
Our lives are steadfast, pure, and straight,
From the right path, we never deviate.
In our duty, we’re diligent,
No regrets, no lament,
We simply teach you to live,
No expectations, no gripe to give.
Conclusion:
Let us liberate ourselves from the shackles of accumulation, finding solace in the beauty of simplicity, and nurturing a legacy of love and contentment.
Inspire Positivity 