THE LAW OF OUR HEARTS
Pic.: Malabika Ganguly
I had been to my bank today. I wanted clarifications
on some of my transactions. So, when I got my statement, I carefully checked
all the entries in it. In fact, I carefully went through all the entries in the
statements of earlier years, too – some seven to eight years that is – and kept
asking some questions to the concerned person over the table. I left that place
only when I got a satisfactory clarification…
Same thing I
would do about my phone or electricity bills, my restaurant bills or my son’s
college fees or even the taxi or rickshaw fare…
I would want to
be doubly sure that I have not been cheated, taken for granted… Hence, I would
keep all my records – all the bills and receipts… How much is spent and how
much is received… The proof… The evidence… The hard facts.
Yes, call it
track record… Or, call it score card… Or, the Statement of Accounts… whatever.
When it comes to our relationships with our Banks, Telephone or Electricity
companies or our children’s schools and colleges... keeping such a record helps, immensely.
But, how about
keeping such a track record – a score card, a Statement of Accounts – when it comes to our relationships with our
spouses, children, parents and friends?
Imagine, if I
ask my wife repeatedly, “Give me the track record of all the things you have
done to me right from the day you married me.” Or, imagine she asking the same
to me… Or, if my young son was to ask me today, “Dad, tell me what have to done to
me all these years? Give me the report.” Or, imagine, if I ask my aged mother, tonight, “Mom, give
me the details of all the things you have done to me… since the time you gave
me birth.”…
Yes, imagine
the answer!
Imagine the
shock, the pain, the sorrow… the blank face!
If I am to ask my wife or parents, children or
friends such a question, I must be a heartless moron…
I will never,
ever get an answer For, never ever has
any one kept – or will keep – a track record about the million little or even
massive things done for the loved-ones…
Keeping a score
card or expecting it from others is pure ‘business’… Yes, just like
‘Pay-and-park’ stuff.
Only in the heat of our
fights with our loved ones, we might, now and then, ask for such a report - the
Statement of Accounts… Mercifully, that is only an emotional outburst… limited
to our war-times. Else, our lives would be miserable, living would be
frustrating…
The Law of our
Land may operate on the basis of hard facts… the proofs and the evidences…
But, the Law of
our Hearts operates on
faith, trust, hope… and loads and loads of sacrifice,
forbearance
and large-heartedness.
This Law – The Law
of our Hearts – can never ever be written!
GERALD D’CUNHA
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-- Usha Rawat