Thriving inspite of damage!

I was on my walk in our garden and I noticed this Musanda plant having had a sudden spurt of growth recently. 

This plant was damaged in its stem (second photo) during the previous storm about a year back and struggled to revive for many months. I did not hope to see it returning to its life considering that the stem was vertically split reaching to the root level. 

But the plant is not only growing but about to bear its blossoms in plenty. From teh damaged stem three strong branches have emerged. 

My perception about the plant was proved wrong. It is when one suffers, there is emergence of a renewed life.

It was this book that helped me recently to consider moving towards a more reasonable approach to my thought process. I realised I have relied on my experiences often than on objective assessment of situations. The 'familiarity bias' of thinking as bore is a trap. If there is a new day, then there is a need to embrace a new perception. 

In this book in the first chapter, Bobby Duffy quoted an Octogenarian psychologis, Daniel Kahneman, a noble laureate of 2002 in economic sciences, from his book, 'Thinking fast and slow' a significant observation. Commenting on the well being or happiness index of different nations, Kahneman suggested that we can either live, 'experiencing self' or 'remembering self'. 

Those who choose to live experiencing life would turn every occasion to live fully in the present and make that to bring well being. The circumstances or adversity do not stress them or reduce their passion to live. Where as, those who live remembering life events and condition living by them seem to live under the traction of past experiences. They do not revise their optic or contextualise living in the present. They have the story of the past living in them which colours the optic and outlook. 

He illustrated how we tend to remember negative experiences more than pleasant experiences. 

We live in a perilous time of a pandemic of COVID and most of our experiences related to it are loss of loved ones and horror stories of people having to struggle to get due care when they were sick. 

At the same time, there is another side of the story. About 320 doctors seem to have lost their lives with COVID while taking care of others. The health care system in India although stretched beyond its capacity, is still hope giving to thousands who need care.  

I have suspicion that the political leadership in India is partly responsible to create a high decibel narration of negativism. The politicians thrive by criticising and not by appreciating or  collaborating. 

We are consenting to disregard others who do not conform to our views. 

The plant in this blog thrived against all odds. It stands as a monument of resilience and hope. I am reminded of Prophet Isiah's hope: 'A bruised reed He will not break, a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish, He will faithfully bring justice. He will not be disheartened or crushed until he has established justice in the earth' (Isa.42:3-4).  

  

As I listened  to some doctors yesterday in a meeting, I realised how they have devoted to give their utmost for COVID care. They visited a family of a domestic helper working in their department, whose son got married. For them that too was an occasion to remember. I felt overwhelmed by how well they live and work with an enlarging awareness of fullness of life and the wellness that they can find by acts of kindness towards others. 

We are called to live in the present, looking into the way that God in His kindness would open before us!

 We are called to a life overflowing with message of hope!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)