FOR NEWS OF THE HEART, ASK THE FACE

 



“Running a marathon with a backpack is tough

and may hinder you from winning the race.

Don’t let the baggage of your past  - heavy with fear, guilt and anger – slow you down.”

Maddy Malhotra


 

There is a couple I know. They are in their mid-seventies. Everyone who knows them says, that they never fight, never even argue… The husband, particularly. Well, because several people say that, including the grown-up children of this couple, I have to swallow my doubt about it.

I am compelled to believe, that there is a sizable number of humans on this planet, who behave gently even when things don’t go right in their lives…

I said, “When things don’t go right in their lives”… Didn’t I?

When things go right – when we are not challenged – it’s easy for all of us to behave gently – speak gently and act gently… That’s easy.

But, when our chips are down – when things don’t go the  way we want them to – yes, that’s when our character is tested… Remember the saying, “Character is who we are in the dark”?





Life’s ‘dark’ moments are the moments when we are faced with our problems, confusions, anxieties, fears, guilts, sorrows, regrets, trust deficit and frustrations… That’s when we are under emotional stress…

Most of us wear these two faces as we go about our lives. Yes, like the elephant going about its life, with two sets of teeth: One to eat, the other to exhibit…

I seriously think, the vast majority in this world is like the elephant. Let me confess: I belong to this vast majority…

I am quite good in exhibiting calmness before the world. But, I have a long way to experience the same calmness inside. When I say this, I do not feel horrible, or weak, about myself… On the contrary, I feel ‘okay’ about myself… (Not saying ‘Strong’, with all honesty).

And, yes, I wonder, how can a couple stay married, have married children, and go on till they are ripe – yes, without fighting, and not getting into heated arguments!

Blessed are such couples… For, the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them…

And, what about the rest of us? Where do we belong?

I don’t know, if the place where most us belong can be called ‘Hell’..

Benjamin Franklin said, “Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame.”

Yes, I have experienced it enough…

And, the old African saying tells: “For news of the heart, ask the face.”

I have seen my face, often… I have heard the news of my heart, often…

The news isn’t good, often… Yes, I know…



Am I justifying?

No Sir, I am not…

                                                                            

GERALD D’CUNHA

Pic’s: Pixabay

Video: Gaur Gopal Das

 

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