The 2 sides of contentment

While we spend a major part of our life living to earn, we often forget to question the purpose of why we are doing what we are doing!

The purpose of all the efforts we put in to earn a livelihood is to be comfortable and therefore be happy...

I got to see 2 opposite sides of the spectrum this lockdown.

While companies are resorting to pay cuts and retrenchments, there is an underlying fear amongst many. I heard many who were earning lakhs every month be fearful of losing a few thousands every  month because of pay cuts..

On the other hand, when I was out distribute food grains to daily wage workers under the initiative by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar ji, I met a laborer who had not received any earning for quite a few days. I asked him out of curiosity on how he was managing.

He had a smile of contentment that radiated more than a millionaire would have. He calmly responded. Every day the Divine comes in some form and takes care.Some day a fruit vendor gives away a couple of bananas and some day foodgrains reach us the way you have got it today.

I was amazed at the faith and the knowledge a simple laborer brought out. Even more so the state of contentment that many earning in lakhs did'nt possess.

He continued...I have nothing to lose. No bank balance, no mutual funds, no house loans to repay. I work to my 100% every day and then sleep to the fulfillment of my heart. The Divine is so caring. He always seems to be taking...

A feeling of gratitude took over teaching me to be grateful for what I have rather than what may be lost. As a tear trickled down my eye, I could'nt resist handing him another baggage of grains. That's all I could do as a beggar in front of a man who was so rich in his heart...