Beyond the call of duty

It was a foggy morning and yet the elegance of the landscape was evident. The Meghalaya day run saw great numbers on the road. I was almost near the half way point when a policeman came from behind piercing the misty backdrop. He was on his bicycle. 

There were several policemen along the route assuring the safety of the runners. But this cop on bike did a tad more. He cheered for all the runners he came across, motivated them to complete the run and told all drivers to go slow. It was a foggy morning and yet his special efforts, beyond the call of duty, were transcendent.

Boundless

With valleys on either side, the road offered breathtaking views. The thick vegetation made us feel as if we were breezing past a meadow. And amidst this genuine flirtation with the landscape, we saw a dark figure lying on the road. Perhaps hit by a speeding vehicle. 

We stopped and got down to find out that it was a mare. And a pregnant one. Through the administration, I informed the vets. The neighs reminded me of the growing human apathy. Even for our own species at times. But love and care should not be governed by the genetic code. It should be boundless. Both the mare and foal are doing good, I was later told.

WW 1984

The movie stands out for two beautifully depicted tenets. First, you don’t really need a superhuman to save the day. All that is needed is a collective desire for humanity to thrive. All that is needed is for everyone to renounce their wishes drawing gains from someone else’s loss. 

Second, for those who have taken a vow to serve humanity, thou shall not even get that ‘one’ thing, that one thing, the only thing you ever desired. Thou must rise above it. And when the chips are down, thou shall remind the world the first tenet. And thus, the world will survive.

From Soil to Dirt

The soil in the old pots had dried up and the plants were long gone. To revive the roof greens, we needed to mix it up with the new alluvial. And ergo we laid it all on the floor. As we worked on it with our bare hands in the comforting sunlight, the maid complained that the floor has been ruined with dirt. 

When exactly did this distinction come about? Isn’t it the stuff of life ? We all have come from it and shall go into it. Why did we forget this quintessential connect while we designed our concrete enclosures? Why did we ostracise mother nature from our lives? When did the soil become dirt?

Ikigai

This Japanese concept roughly translates into - the happiness of always being busy. There have been various studies to analyse the high life expectancy in Japan and especially in Okinawa. There are, of course, several factors like genetic makeup, diet, climate etcetra but the one which stands out is, Ikigai. 

They are always on the move. You will never find them sitting idle. They would keep on working till the very end. They do not have a word for ‘retirement’. They prefer walking around the town running errands. Smiles and laughther are ubiquitous across their social groups. You see, most of the secrets we seek are so simple. Have you found your ikigai?

Generosity of the modest

She was proud to show us the little kitchen garden that she had prepared near the Anganwadi Centre. As she cautiously drifted across the vegetable beds, she recollected names of all people who had provided her the seeds and the assistance thereafter. She expressed her immense gratitude and prayed for them. 

Meanwhile as we were engaged in a conversation about expansion of such initiatives, she quietly plucked few ready vegetables. “For you all”, she said with a smile. With that little kitchen garden and more than 40 children in her centre, she still wanted to give something to the visitors. Makes you wonder, you need not have all the resources in the world to be generous to others, one big heart is enough.  “Keep it for the children, I will bring more from my kitchen garden”, I humbly submitted.