DO WE TAG GOD WHEN WE PRAY?
“Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead
has never watched them dancing on a windy day.”
“Sir,
I have started a blog,” beamed young Muskaan, after our Workshop, on last
Sunday, “I like writing.”
My friend, Dr.
Deepak (a psychiatrist and an excellent soft-skills trainer) had just concluded
the Workshop on ‘Assertiveness’. So, Muskaan was excitedly telling Dr. Deepak about
her new-found love - blogging.
“Very good,”
Dr. Deepak complimented Muskaan, “But, don’t write it for others… Write it for
yourself.”
There was a
bit of puzzle in what Dr. Deepak had just said. Muskaan’s face was revealing it…
“Of course, I want others to read my blog. So, how can I say, that I am not writing
for others?” It was unexpressed; but, quite evident from Muskaan’s face.
Dr. Deepak was
quick to pick it up. “Do you like dancing?” he asked Mushkaan.
“Yes Sir, very
much,” Muskaan said with equal excitement.
“Why do you
dance, can you tell me?” Dr. Deepak probed.
“Because, I
like it, Sir,” Muskaan answered.
“Exactly,” Dr.
Deepak said, “You started dancing because you liked dancing… Dancing for others
came later, isn’t it? He added, “You have just started blogging because you
like to write… Write it for yourself, for your own joy. If it makes you joyful,
it will make others too joyful. But, keep writing because you like it… Likes and comments from others should not be the reason.”
It’s
a hard lesson to learn for many young ones, today. They have so many talents
and gifts… Some of them write and dance, like Muskaan… Some of them draw,
paint, sing, design and speak… Some of them like clicking pictures and making videos…
And, some of them like to teach and organize events. So, is it possible to do
all these activities just of the joy of it?
I think, the
answer is: “Yes, we can.”
Let me add
this: “Not only we can, we should, too!
Often, I look
at a nice click, a short quote or whatever creation from young men and women… I
love the fact that the quote, click, poem or the blog is their baby. But, what
I don’t like are those one-dozen hashtags along with their creation!
Young ones,
today, are so convinced that whatever they create – be it a quote, click, blog
or a video – it should reach out to the masses, the millions out there!
Hence those
hashtags. They know what is trending… They believe, that somewhere, someone is searching
for something… and, they will randomly come across this newborn baby…
And, they hope
to hit the jackpot! Become famous and
successful!
Times have
changed… Yes, I agree. Today’s kids are growing up in a world of speed and technology.
But, some things, I believe, will never change in life… Like, the simple joy of
creating a new recipe, a song or a dance move… It’s for our own hearts’ content…
The joy of reading a book or looking out of the window while travelling…
Walking, dreaming, crying and praying.
Do we tag God
when we pray? Then, why this desperation when we behold His marvelous creations
– a sunset, a snowfall, an autumn fall and a cloud-dance?
How about
doing it today, Muskaan – I mean, writing a beautiful poem in your blog and
tagging it to God… with due credit to Him?
Just asking!
GERALD D’CUNHA
Pic.: George Antony D'Souza
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