The day before the department where I work, was to organise the children’s Christmas programme, some medical students came visiting. We were in the midst of decorating the place for children. The students happily joined in and spent the whole afternoon with us. We were enthused by their presence and involvement with us.
It is the same batch of students who were earlier involved with us during the awareness programme we conducted at the college for the students. Two of them had acted in the awareness play. One of them mentioned to me, that they ‘like coming to the department because they feel at home here’.
What is that which would help others feel at home in our midst! If we can turn the attention to those who visit us, they would feel welcomed.
We have a tendency to be preoccupied with what we do or what we have achieved something! We can get occupied with these in our conversations and exchanges. Instead, if we can be focussed on the visitors and with what they do or are going through or the challenges they face, then they would feel befriended. Most visitors would feel included if they feel safe in our presence. To be deliberately, ‘other person centred’, is the only way of ‘loving our neighbour as ourselves’.
Not all of us can do this often. However, when we drift in our conversations to talking about ourselves, it is good to pause and return to the visitors and revolve conversations around them and their interests or needs.
We grow only as much as we include others into our lives. This begins with the habit of listening and taking interests in what matters to others.
A child of six years likes to play with puzzles. Anna often thinks of him and keeps new puzzles ready for him. When he visits, he feels welcome because his interest was also included during the family visit.
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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