The habit of helping!

The rose flowers above appear dull with folded petals after the heavy rain lasting ro about two hours. 

The flower below had a better look with the petals preserved with its normal appearance after the rain!

 

Having lived in five campuses during the forty five years of clinical work, I now look back to get an overview of life people live in thier work place, 

Most people carry marks of stress, weariness, and demands on account of events at work place or home. 

There were some who lived above these experiences. I recall some of them and find a difference in the way they lived and related. They lived creating space for others in their lives. They thought about others and reached out. They were attentive to the aspirations and needs of others in the department or in their neighbourhood. 

It was while talking to one of those who lived with an altruistic orientation, I discovered an attitude that refreshed me. He said to me: 'We are well only as much as we are able to bring wellness to others '!

It is the mindfulness towards others, which liberate us from living self-absorbed. 

How does such a mindfulness spring within and stay as an attitude! 

I went to a shop to buy some manure for our garden yesterday. The shop keeper carried a heavy bag of manure to the car. I offered to help him to carry, but he did it on his own. He turned to me and said, 'you are older and I am glad to help' ! Another person waiting in the shop, said, ' His habit is to help' ! He works in the shop to earn a supplementary income for the family, while he attends the evening college to continue his studies. 

The habit of helping, even when one has personal burdens to bear !

When we feel moved by the needs of others, we feel freed to some extent from the preoccupations with ourselves! The habit of helping brings a fresh ambience of wellness within, lifting our spirit to feel useful and relational!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)