I came across an article yesterday about an old man, Mr. Sahay, who is selling puppets in Connaught Place, Delhi to make a living and I was overcome by a flurry of emotions. I felt sad for the state that the man was in. At an age where he deserves some rest here was a man who is again caught in the struggles of life. But what I felt most about was how he is trying to live his life with dignity.
Life deals us a bad hand of cards sometimes. But irrespective of where we start, our life can be defined by how we choose to deal with our situation.
Click here to read a post on the old man.
I was reminded of the famous book, Man’s search for meaning by Viktor Frankl. He was a psychiatrist who spent time in the horrible Nazi concentration camps during World War II, including the infamous Auschwitz camp. His experiences where he faced the darkest acts and crimes committed in recent history, shaped his beliefs and his views on therapy for patients.
Some of his famous quotes are so meaningful!
Everything can be taken from a man or a woman but one thing: the last of human freedoms to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.
Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus, everyone’s task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it.
Hats off to Mr. Sahay. Let us face the challenges we encounter with as much courage!
And more importantly, let money not be an end for us but rather the means to actually “living” life.
You can consider sharing your wealth for a worthy cause if you are not doing so already. If you don’t trust NGOs you can still do work on your own. Buy soap, grain, tea, biscuits and share them with an orphanage or an old age home. Spend time to teach a kid who is not getting a formal education. Do your bit. Spend some time thinking and you will see many possibilities to help others.
Let us give our life meaning!
Roopa Amit says
Hello Kunal,
This was a very good article and yes very aptly put
“Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life; everyone must carry out a concrete assignment that demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated, thus, everyone’s task is unique as his specific opportunity to implement it.”
Many a times when you really want to help the needy a doubt pops up in your mind “what if this guy is a cheat” and that is when you should follow your heart. No matter go ahead and help him not because he needs help but because it is in you to help people less blessed than you.
Regards,
Roopa
Kunal Pawaskar says
Yes, Roopa, that thought can come into one’s mind. I feel that we can give in a way where the outcome can be easily seen by you. Hope to see you around at Capital Orbit.