Religion and Spirituality

There is a lot of debate these days about how religion is the root of many problems - fundamentalism, terrorism, and what not. So, one should not be religious and rather be humane. Because there are problems with the way religion is understood and practised today, we need not throw religion out. What we need is a proper spiritual understanding of religion. Truly religious process should make your heart soft and bring compassion for all living entities vs what we see where people's hearts harden and they become fanatics and are ready to even kill others in the name of religion.

Even though there are five separate fingers on each human hand, they invariably meet at the palm. In the same way, there are five major religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam— and while their external appearance may vary, they are ultimately one, in that they strive for the same (or similar) goals. There may be various gradations in these goals, higher or lower depending on the needs and aspirations of a particular people. They may refer to these goals by using different terms, and their approaches may be designed for a particular people, in particular parts of the world. But make no mistake, the essence is the same!

The word religion comes from Latin word 'religio' which means union with the God or divine. It is similar to the word yoga which means to bind (yuj) or unite with God. We have to make a distinction between what goes as religion nowadays (sometimes it has become a business) vs spiritual understanding of religion.

So what is the spiritual understanding of goal of any religion? 

It is nothing but aiming to achieve love for God and as a result love his creation and all the living entities. Now, I do not want to get into the discussion of what God is—nature, power, or supreme soul. It is clear that there is something beyond what we 'see' with our outer eyes. Something which needs to be experienced as we look 'inwards'. I do not also claim that I have managed to do that—I just now that there is a greater purpose of life and we all should find it. 

For thousands of years, humanity has passionately pursued the Truth with a capital T—the ultimate answers to life and the universe. This perennial knowledge constitutes the answers to what are often called the 'soul questions':

• Who am I?
• What do I want?
• What is my purpose?
• What is the meaning of life?

Historically, from the perspective of the soul, there have been two foundational routes to discover these truths: religion and spirituality. Although they have many similarities and there is a relationship between the two, there are differences between religion and spirituality.

By definition, religion is a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices; the service and worship of God or the supernatural.

Spirituality, on the other hand, connotes an experience of connection to something larger than you; living everyday life in a reverent and sacred manner. Or as Christina Puchalski, MD (leader in trying to incorporate spirituality into healthcare), puts it, “Spirituality is the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred."

A key difference between the two is that one is somewhat based on fear and other on love, which is the greatest emotion! Despite the best of intentions, religions can sometimes contain a subtle (or not so subtle) undercurrent of fear woven into their teachings. The concepts of original sin, divine judgement, God’s wrath, or eternal punishment can create a mental environment burdened in worry and anxiety over your worthiness and whether your actions will result in divine retribution or karmic punishment. Your fate in the afterlife can loom like a specter in the back of your mind, subtly influencing your thoughts and behavior.

By contrast, spirituality typically discards the vestiges of fear and worry in favor of a more loving, compassionate approach to life—and death. Spirituality embraces a consciousness-based worldview that supports all human beings on their path to awakening in unconditional love and kindness. Your choices and behavior are guided not by fear of punishment, but rather by a desire to end suffering and create a peaceful and loving world for all.

This may be the tonic one needs in the current times! Stay blessed!

Life is about moving on, so forgive (and 'forget')

Everyone has probably heard the phrase 'forgive and forget' at some point, but honestly, it's pretty safe to say that it's easier said than done. What does it mean to forgive and forget? Does it mean you no longer have any built-up resentment towards someone who hurt you? Does it mean you can go on with your life without ever thinking again about what happened?

The brilliant Australian cartoonist Michael Leunig has a quote which says, “Love one another and you will be happy. It’s as simple and as difficult as that.”

Forgiveness, as a particular expression of love, is simple in principle but difficult when we are the ones who need to do the forgiving. None of us go through life without being wronged or betrayed at some level. As a result, we all need to learn about forgiveness for our relationships to prosper.

Forgiving and forgetting can be a difficult thing to do, but understanding what it really means is the first step to accomplishing forgiveness and moving on. When it feels like someone has wronged or betrayed you and done something that may seem unforgivable, it can be extra tricky to forgive and forget, but guess what? It is hard, yes, but possible all the same.

In most situations, it may be easier to forgive than to forget, though neither one is really a simple task. To forgive and forget means you've finally made peace with the offence that's occurred and have allowed yourself to move forward. To truly forgive means you understand the human condition and can accept that all humans possess both positive and negative qualities. This means to accept what has happened, move forward, and not hold a dangling carrot of resentment over someone’s head.

The reconciling of relationships through forgiveness must contain an element of remembering. Otherwise it is not true forgiveness; it is denial which does not triumph over evil. Desmond Tutu, in his book, No Future Without Forgiveness, says, “Forgiving is not forgetting; it’s actually remembering – remembering and not using your right to hit back. It’s a second chance for a new beginning. And the remembering part is particularly important. Especially if you don’t want to repeat what happened.”

Furthermore, to truly be able to forgive someone, it's helpful to understand the difference between forgiving and forgetting, and how each can benefit you. The forgiveness aspect of this phrase signifies that you're willing to understand that all humans are imperfect and have moments of selfishness, vindictiveness, and cruelty. To 'forget' is an entirely different story. In truth, the offense is never fully forgotten. Emotional, physical, or economic cruelty doesn't get erased. And we do need to learn from what happened. However, we can give ourselves the personal freedom to liberate ourselves from the continual remembrance of the offense. By choosing not to dwell on whatever (or whoever) it is you're trying to forgive and forget, you allow yourself to fully move past it more easily. 'Forgive and Forget' should really be 'Forgive and Remember without pain'.

While you may prefer to withhold your forgiveness and not forget the offense — whether it be because you're still hurting or you're over it but don't care to make amends — it can actually do you more harm than good. Holding onto anger and resentment doesn't hurt the other person. It hurts us. Forgiving someone is a gift to yourself. It's a way to escape all the negative emotions you're feeling, because you're allowing yourself to let go. When we forgive, we no longer need to be imprisoned by the pain and anger of what has been done to us. The same goes for forgetting. Forgetting means we no longer torture ourselves by replaying the negative events of our lives.

It is said: "The first to apologize is the bravest. The first to forgive is the strongest. And the first to forget is the happiest."

Think of the positives that come from moving on. When you begin to think of the personal benefits derived from forgiving and forgetting, the phrase takes on a much more empowering meaning. It may not change the past, but it gives us a chance for a better future. Amen to that!

Empathy - the greatest virtue?

Long time ago, in a small village somewhere in America, a farmer, who had several puppies in the house from a female dog, put up a 'Puppies for Sale' sign outside his house. The next day, a little boy knocked on his door.

When the farmer opened the door, the boy excitedly asked him about the puppies: “How much are they? I want to buy one of these cute little puppies.”

“They cost $50,” the farmer said.

The boy's face fell and with a dejected look, he asked, "Please, can I at least see them for a while for this much?” And, he pulled out a wrinkled $5 bill.

The farmer thought for a moment and said kindly, “That’s alright. There’s no charge for seeing the puppies.”

He took him to his yard, opened the door of the doghouse, and called out to a dog. Out came a beautiful female dog followed by six little puppies nearly rolling down the ramp as if they were balls of fur. They were trying to match the paces of their mother. They quickly made their way to the fence while another puppy, noticeably smaller and slower, emerged from the doghouse and limped his way to his mother.

“Can I buy that one, sir?” The boy pointed at the hobbling puppy. “I promise to pay you $5 every month for the next 10 months.”

The farmer knelt down and tried to explain to the boy, “Son, you don’t want that puppy. Unlike the other dogs, he will never be able to run and play with you like you expect.”

But the boy was sure about his choice and said, “This is the puppy I want, sir.” Then, he stepped back a little and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. A steel brace, attached to a custom shoe, ran down both sides of his leg. He then said, “Actually, I don’t run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.”

The farmer was stunned. He told the boy, "Son, you can have the puppy. No charge!"

Why did the boy want that puppy? Because he could truly experience what that puppy was going through and would go through, since he was in the same 'boat'.

Whilst we all may not necessarily be able to have such a 'physical connection' to what someone else is experiencing, we have been bestowed with an extraordinary emotion ­— empathy. Simply put, empathy is a genuine effort to see the world from the perspective of the other person. It is as if you step into their shoes to see where exactly it’s hurting.

Empathy is often confused with a similar virtue, i.e. Sympathy. They are similar words but they are not the same.

The term 'Sympathy' was already in use in the English language in the 1500s while it was not before 1909 when 'Empathy' was first used. Sympathy is about showing 'care or concern', accompanied by a wish to see the other person better or happier. Empathy, on the other hand, is the ability to recognise and share the emotions of another person. It is vicarious and requires imagination, while sympathy doesn't. The sketch below captures the differences quite nicely:

Therefore, empathy is a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing. Instead of offering empathy, we often have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance ('sympathy') and to explain our own position or feeling. Empathy, however, calls upon us to empty our mind and listen to others with our whole being.

It is said: "Empathy is the greatest virtue. From it, all virtues flow. Without it, all virtues are an act." Empathy is indeed on the top, as from empathy comes true compassion and it is what makes us true human beings.

However, it is not easy to be empathetic. It does have to be a conscious choice, even if some people are inherently more empathetic than others. We all know some people who are naturally and consistently empathetic – these are the people who can easily forge positive connections with others. They are people who use empathy to engender trust and build bonds; they are catalysts who are able to create positive communities for the greater good. But even if empathy does not come naturally to some of us, I firmly believe that we can develop this capacity. It is because when you continue to practice a certain emotion as a conscious choice, soon it becomes your second nature.

Here are a few practical tips that can be helpful:

1. Listen – truly listen to people. Listen with your ears, eyes and heart. Pay attention to others’ body language, to their tone of voice, to the hidden emotions behind what they are saying to you, and to the context.


2. Don’t interrupt people. Don’t dismiss their concerns offhand. Don’t rush to give advice. Don’t change the subject. Allow people their moment.


3. Tune in to non-verbal communication. This is the way that people often communicate what they think or feel, even when their verbal communication says something quite different.


4. Practice the “93% rule”. We know from a famous study by Professor Emeritus, Albert Mehrabian of UCLA, when communicating about feelings and attitudes, words – the things we say – account for only 7% of the total message that people receive. The other 93% of the message that we communicate when we speak is contained in our tone of voice and body language. It’s important, then, to spend some time to understand how we come across when we communicate with others about our feelings and attitudes.

In the current times, we all need to be empathetic. It does go a long way in building beautiful relationships and truly uplifting both the receiver and the giver. So, let us strengthen that virtue within us as we move forward on this journey called life. Amen!

Strive for happiness, not worldly success

I had been thinking of writing something about this topic for several days now, but hadn't gotten around to it! Then yesterday, I received the shocking and extremely sad news about the sad demise of Sushant Singh Rajput.

This really got me thinking! How could a person who nominally had everything - success, fame, fan following, money, etc. etc. - commit suicide? And even more so when he had himself given such a strong message about this in the recent movie Chichhore, which I connected with a whole lot as it is set in an engineering school hostel? It just sounded unbelievable! And he was also a unique person in some sense! He was a National Physics Olympiad winner and got a good rank for the Delhi College of Engineering entrance which he gave up to pursue his more creative talents further.

We can never know what went wrong - may be there were underlying issues of depression, where he just did not see a way out and suicide was the only viable 'exit' in his mind, but we can of course never be sure!

Of course, one can talk about the fact that it is still 'taboo' to talk about mental disease, even in 2020, when in many cases having mental illness automatically means being 'lunatic'. It is indeed a sad state of affairs, which has been covered by several 'sane' and 'enlightened' people. So, I am not going to comment about it, but rather focus on another wider theme. One can also imagine that the situation caused by Covid-19, the uncertainty, the misery, etc. could not have been helpful and may have acted as the straw that broke the camel's back!

So, looking again at Sushant, one would imagine that he had all reasons to be happy, but looks like he did not see it that way! How could that be?

I am definitely not in a position to comment directly on what happened with a beloved movie star but want to bring forth some thoughts and opinions from my side.

It seems that apparently very bright and successful people can be quite prone to mental issues and depression. It is probably because they may be running after the wrong things, focusing on success rather than happiness. Also, your work, your success becomes your identity and when that 'falls', you fall straightaway!

Austen Heinz was a science geek who turned a radical idea—a scientific approach to laser-print DNA—into a successful company, Cambrian Genomics. A rising star in Silicon Valley, he was gaining media attention when the pressures of life started a downhill spiral that ultimately led to his suicide at 31 years old. His story is not unique!

It is easy to see that super successful (not just successful movie stars, but entrepreneurs, CEOs or other top level executives) have a tendency to go down this path. There could be several reasons for that:

• The competition is wearying - They are constantly comparing themselves to colleagues and other people in the field, measuring their self-worth by whoever seems to be more successful.
• Working all the time doesn’t allow them to focus on the simple things - They are consumed with their work 24/7, and even when they do sit down with their family, they may have a difficult time being 'present'. There is a significant disconnect from the simple things that give pleasure.
• They may feel detached from their former selves - If wealth or success happens suddenly, it can catapult them to a different kind of lifestyle, not necessarily one that is better suited for happiness.
• Privilege may make them less resilient - Sometimes when people have grown up with comfort and wealth, they don’t have the skills to weather difficult times. Often people who have struggled in their childhood years (like the class loser) develop habits that make them more resilient.
• The industry can tear them down - Certain industries like finance and technology or Bollywood for that matter - which tend to be fratty, boisterous, and young, not to mention extremely competitive - can contribute to depression, especially for the quiet, deep thinker.
• Their values may change over time - A certain emptiness sets in when you realize that you are achieving what you set out to achieve and yet you are still not happy. Sometimes when successful people reach an important milestone, depression is common because they are forced to reassess their values.

There could be one of these issues or multiple ones coming into play, but the key thing in my view is that we need to figure out what makes us happy. Bhagwad Gita says: "The Key to happiness is the Reduction of desires". May be that is one way of overcome the 'misery' and move towards happiness? A minimalistic lifestyle, just focusing on what you really need, not what you may think you want? I think the Covid-19 lock-down has taught us this lesson, and my good friend Shivani did write about this theme the other day.

But I think what might be really needed is true companions, true mates, true friends. This true friend could be anyone, a person who you can trust, a school mate, a college buddy, a work colleague, even a member of your family. A true friend is not one who repeatedly is telling you negative things other people say about you. First, they make it clear by their words and by their actions where they stand when it comes to you. Secondly, they don't just merely standby silently when others are tearing you down no matter what consequences they may face socially. A true friend is a friend when it is convenient and when it is not. They stand by you consistently both when you are present and when you are not. They're authentic and honest with you. True friends aren't phony with you. They show you who they really are. They're honest with you when it matters most. They never try to deceive you to make themselves seem stronger, more successful, or better than they really are. 

I saw a video recently which said that having true friends is the real strength, the real asset, the real money in the bank, the real measure of success, and hence happiness. When you are in trouble, true friendship will be your weapon. When you are 'lost', true friendship will act as your guide. When you are stuck in some kind of conspiracy, true friendship will act as your 'brain' to help you get out. When you are lonely, true friendship will act as 'motherly love' and be together with you. So earn friendship, not money. And if the desire to make and keep friends is your 'weakness', then you are actually the strongest person in the world. So may be this is what we should be striving for?

Time - the most precious gift that you can give someone

Some time ago, I pondered on a question: what is the most precious gift you can give to someone? I contemplated for a moment and the answer was obvious to me - it is not money, it is not some other possessions, it is actually your time!

However, I could not pinpoint the reason for this until I got a message which confirmed what I believed but also clarified why it is so. Time is the best gift you can give someone because when you give your time, you are giving a portion of your life that you will never get back. Your time is your life. That is why the greatest gift you can give someone is your time.

What a profound thought! You can give someone money, but it does not make your 'poor' as it is possible to earn it again! But the time you give is 'gone' for ever, you will never live those seconds, those minutes of your life one more time. So, it has to be the most valuable 'thing' of yours that you can give. And it is free, even if it is priceless for sure!

This concept very much applies to the relationships we have in this world. It is not enough to just say relationships are important; we must prove it by investing time in them. Words alone are worthless. Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. Relationships take time and effort, and the best way to spell love is "T-I-M-E.”

Time is a very 'special' commodity. Harvey Mackay says, "You cannot own it, but you can use it. You cannot keep it, but you can spend it. And once you have 'lost' it, you can never get it back."

I know people would turn around and say that we just do not have time to give to someone who needs it, who would be happier, calmer, more relaxed, better because of it - that life is too busy! I think eventually it is a matter of prioritisation, or as Charles Brixton says, "You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it." For I do think that if we can make someone happy, then that is the ultimate means to our own happiness.

It is not easy to give the gift of time as there are so many demands on it. So sometimes, one needs to pause and reflect on how it can be done. Here could be some steps to follow:

• Think of a person whom you care about. 
• What might you be able to do for this person that entails nothing more than the giving of your time? Certain acts of kindness entail gifts of money or goods, but, in this exercise, time is of the essence, as it were. 
• Plan a gift of time for this person and give it, whether it means doing something with them or something for them on your own. Spend as much time as needed to do the favor well and do not take any shortcuts. You might even consider taking off your watch or putting your smartphone away. 
• If you did something for them on your own, do not tell the recipient of your gift how much time you spent. Let the gift speak for itself.

So, let us spend our time wisely. For it is said: "There’s only one thing more precious than our time and that’s who we spend it on." Amen!

Words

A dear friend sent me a quote the other day about 'words'. It said, "Eyes express the real feelings better than touch, touch shows care better than words, but words IF used properly can wet the eyes and touch the heart." Are words really that powerful?

The book of John in the Bible's New Testament begins with the following:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind."

Thus, it was the 'word' of God that set everything in motion, which is what is probably known as the fundamental sound of the universe.

Similarly, it is said that the Vedas came out of a 'word' out of the mouth of Lord Vishnu, in this case 'Om'.

A word is definitely powerful, more so than a sword, even if the latter has en extra 's'. It can be said that words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Yehuda Berg says, "Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble."  Friedrich Nietzsche declared, "All I need is a sheet of paper and something to write with, and then I can turn the world upside down."

The book of Proverbs also includes several verses about the power of 'words'. Proverbs 15:1 says "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but hard words stir up anger." A bit further down, Proverbs 15:4 says "Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit." Proverbs 16:24 announces "Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 18:4 characterizes words as a life-giving force: "A person’s words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook." Further down in Proverbs 18:20, it is written: "Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person’s lips bring satisfaction."

We can't let ourselves forget how important words are. Whether it's what we say or what we write, we can't forget the power that our words hold. Words have a life-changing power. Your words can make someone fall in love! Your words can make someone heal! Your words hold so much power to them that it can ignite something in people and push them forward to pursue something that they always wanted to.

You can feel 'small' or feel 'big' because of what someone says to you! A kind word said to someone is everlasting! It has the ability to do so much good. Mother Teresa said, "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."

Therefore, be loving with your words. Be kind and generous. Your words could make someone somewhere realize what they've been missing their entire lives. It could bring someone to an epiphanic realization of why they are doing what they are doing. You can breathe meaning into someone's life with simple words. Can a sword have this much power?

Being able to control the words is the power to control your life. The Apostle James compares the tongue to the bridle in a horse’s mouth or the rudder on a great ship. He even says that the guy who can perfectly control his tongue is a perfect man. Your words can steer your whole life.

Bhagwad Gita 17:15 is tells us how to speak as our tongue is like a loaded gun we always carry with us.

It says:
अनुद्वेगकरं वाक्यं सत्यं प्रियहितं च यत् ।
स्वाध्यायाभ्यसनं चैव वाङ्‍मयं तप उच्यते ॥ १५ ॥

Translation: Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others.

You can build those around you up, or you can tear them down with your words. Your words are powerful. Your words bless or your words curse. Therefore, we should all try to build each other up, rather than bring someone down. And only words have the potential to do that.

We are also reminded to be careful with our words, especially if they are hurtful. Once they are said, they can be only forgiven, not forgotten.

Let us join today in praying to God to give us discernment that we can use the right words at the right times, because they are the most powerful force of change! Amen!

Kindness - that awesome quality that can change the world

The other day someone sent me a story about civilization and when/how it 'started' which was very inspiring. Years ago, the anthropologist Margaret Mead was asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about clay pots, tools for hunting, grinding-stones, or religious artifacts.

But no. Mead said that the first evidence of civilization was a 15,000 years old fractured femur found in an archaeological site. A femur is the longest bone in the body, linking hip to knee. In societies without the benefits of modern medicine, it takes about six weeks of rest for a fractured femur to heal. This particular bone had been broken and had healed.

Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, you cannot drink or hunt for food. Wounded in this way, you are meat for your predators. No creature survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal. You are eaten first.

A broken femur that has healed is evidence that another person has taken time to stay with the fallen, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended them through recovery. A healed femur indicates that someone has helped a fellow human, rather than abandoning them to save their own life.

“Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts,” Margaret Mead said.

So, the start of civilization is kindness - I got a wow feeling out of this!

One may ask what kindness is? Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate. While kindness has a connotation of meaning someone is naive or weak, that is definitely not the case. Being kind often requires courage and strength.

We have all heard about survival of the fittest and Darwin. Survival of the fittest is usually associated with selfishness, meaning that to survive (a basic instinct) means to look out for yourself. However, that doesn't have to be the case. Research has now shown that devoting resources to others, rather than having more and more for yourself, brings about lasting well-being.

In my view, kindness is one of those virtues that brings us so much joy - to see a smile on someone's face when you have helped them is the most precious thing. A recent study reported on how people felt after performing or observing kind acts every day for seven days. Happiness was measured before and after the seven days of kindness. The researchers found that being kind to ourselves or to anyone else — yes, even a stranger — or actively observing kindness around us boosted happiness. So, we should all choose to be kind.

The purest form of kindness may have no audience and offer no credit. Kindness to accumulate thanks is self-serving at best. I caught parts of a movie by Salman Khan the other day - Jai Ho! While I must confess that I am not a big Salman Khan fan, one of the concepts that he propounded in this movie was amazing. The idea was that if someone tries to thank you and express gratitude for an act of kindness, you need to tell that person that instead of giving thanks, you need to carry forward this spirit by 'helping' three other people and in turn, they need to help three more people, thus creating a 'chain' of kindness in the whole community. What an awesome thought? Kindness does beget kindness. So, why not be the kind person from whom others take their cues?

It is also true that if you put kindness out in the world, it does come back to you. Let me share a story that I have seen a couple of times, just because it is so inspiring. A lady is being evicted from her house and she is being forced to leave immediately (her husband had left her, and she had no money whatsoever). Suddenly, a young man comes and tells the 'evicter' to leave her alone. On being told that only the owner of the house can make such a request, he shows a paper where the name of the owner is written. And lo and behold, it is the lady herself! Everyone is shocked, no one more so than the lady. Then the young man says that I have bought the house in foreclosure and transferred the deed to the lady. The 'evicter' had no choice but to leave and then the young man and lady have a beautiful conversation. Of course, the lady cannot believe why a 'stranger' could do something so 'massive' for her. The young man tells her of the time when he was out on the street as a boy, with nothing to his name. He approached a couple for help. While the man reprimanded him, the lady took pity and helped her with money from her rent pot. She also gave him her mother's necklace for good luck. That help 'kickstarted' the good times in his life and he eventually became a real estate businessman. He could never forget the lady and when he saw her name in the foreclosure list, he knew what he needed to do! He still even had the 'good luck necklace' that he gave back to the lady. What an amazing story! In another similar one, a restaurant worker who helped a homeless lady but was later kicked out for being too 'helpful' meets her back at the same restaurant when she had become successful and she offered him a new job. So, kindness does come back, but that should surely not be the 'reason' for us to be kind. In this case, there was a 'direct' repayment for a kind act. However, it may not be the case. You may never be in a position to help someone who helped you, but you should pass it on to others who you can assist.

Kindness is also lasting - a good deed done by someone for you stays always in your mind and can be uplifting even after a long time.

However, it is not easy to be kind. So, it is important to practice. Aesop, the ancient Greek storyteller, once said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” If random acts of kindness don’t come easily to you, try this: do one small, kind thing each day for someone. Then pay attention to the impact on you. Does it become easier the more you do it? Do you start to notice and act on more opportunities to be kind in your world? Do you start to feel lighter? Kinder?

So, let's turn 'human being' to 'being human', because that is how the world will become a better place! Amen!