OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART
“True
miracle is not walking on water or walking in air,
but
simply walking on this earth.”
Thich
Nhat Hanh
Everything
I have learnt in life has not been taught to me by my school and college teachers,
parents or grandparents, or by my spiritual teachers. Yes, I have learnt a
great deal from them. But, the most valuable lessons, which I have learnt in my
life, often, I have learnt by being quiet… watching the sky and the sea, the
grass and the grasshopper, the just-born and the just-dead… I have learnt many,
many lessons from strangers and, even, from my oppressors…
Like these
simple things, which I have consciously embraced to practice in my life…
To address people
– including the parents of my students - as ‘Sir’ and ‘Madam’; regardless of
their age, education or position…
To rise when I greet
people in person… I feel, I should follow this more and more often… Just rise…
To add that
personal touch in my every conversation – be it on SMS, WhatsApp, FB, email, postal
letters, greeting cards and, yes, on calls – just by adding ‘Joe’, ‘Jane’, ‘Sir’,
‘Ma’am’ etc. The bland line like this – “Did you receive my mail?” becomes more
personal, if I just add the person’s name in it: “Joe, did you receive my mail?”, or “Thanks” becomes
really an expression of gratitude, if I just add, “Thanks, Jane”.
I like when a
student of mine gives me fees in an envelope, rather than in open… and, I feel
specially touched, when he or she writes “Thank you Sir”, or “With Gratitude”.
The day I felt
warmth, when I first consciously noticed someone ending the note with the four-letter
word ‘Love’… Yes, that day, I decided to end my own notes - letters, messages, comments,
replies, every note – with ‘Love’! And, what a powerful warmth-giver that word
is!
My teachers,
parents, spiritual gurus – none of them – taught me when to smile, laugh, cry, wonder,
worry, feel joyful or scared… Living close to Life taught them to me… And, believe
me, I am not ashamed of crying, worrying or feeling scared… just as I am not
boastful of smiling, laughing, wondering, or feeling joyful. To me, these are
the essentials of being a true human…They make me feel, that I am truly experiencing
life… and the Creator!
Public display
of my affection to my loved ones – be it my wife or son, mom or brothers,
whoever it is – doesn’t come to me easily… But, a warm hug does. And, I think,
most of the times, it leaves all of us filled with enough warmth!
Saying “I am Sorry”
… “It’s beautiful” … “You look great” … “I need some help” … “I will be delighted”
… “I will be grateful” … “Touched” … “Honoured” … “Feel humbled” … “Feel blessed”
… “Feel privileged” … Oh yes, there are so many warmth-givers like these. And,
I repeat, everything has not been taught to me by my teachers, parents or gurus…
But, paradoxically,
I have learnt all of them from my ‘Teachers’! Someone - as I said, a friend,
foe or a total stranger - has been my ‘teacher in Life’. But, above all, the
quiet sky and the rivers, the grass, the flowers and the butterflies… the stars
and the winds, the birth of a baby and the death of a dear one… even the sound
of my gentle breath… the striking
awareness of my mortality - how short, yet, how precious this gift called Life
is… Yes, yes, yes… These have been my teachers in Life… They have taught me to look
up in awe, appreciate, celebrate… or just be!
Listen to li’l
Christopher sing – ‘Open the eyes of my heart; I want to see you’…
Paulo Coelho
says, “Grandeur of God reveals itself through simple things.” I am able to
understand why!
GERALD D’CUNHA
Pic.: 1. Matt Hardy 2. M. Rohana
Video: All Around
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