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Based on the writing by Tiruvalluvar, in The Tirukkural: A New English Version, Translation by Gopalkrishna Gandhi.
Reading this passage reminds me of David Thoureau who wrote about gratefulness, "I am grateful for what I am and what I have. My thanksgiving is perpetual." When I help someone in distress I do not expect anything in return. My heart is filled with deep joy. When someone offers a helping hand to me my heart is filled with deep gratitude. As the author Tiruvalluvar says," A good turn done is a heaven-born gift you cherish... Ask 'Will (they) repay it?' and it will perish." I always gratefully remember the person who has helped me and has been kind to me. I forget right away who has wronged me. Kindness is not measured by size and shape. Small acts of kindness are as valuable as big acts of kindness. Kindness whispers quietly in my ears," I am here for you." I have been blessed by having people who have extended their helping hands joyfully whenever I need their help. And the same way I am vey happy to hold somebody's hand when he is in distress. It is a very fulfilling and enriching experience for me. I will never forget kindness of someone who financially helped me when I was studying in a college. Such experiences have enriched my life and have inspired me to be helpful and kind to others who are in distress. I have learned from my experiences of kindness and compassion not to hold on to hold to my grudge against the " wrong-doers." As human beings we are not perfect. We all have our own limitations. From my pesonal experiences of "wrong-doing" I have learnt the value of forgiving myself for my wrong-doings and the wrong-doings of others. I practice the age-old wise saying, "To err is human, to fogive is divine". This light of wisdom keeps me awake, and aware to walk wisely on the path of my life. Namaste!
3 Comments
Elaine
11/25/2023 10:24:14 am
Dr Dave … you have role models, everything that you spoke above in your response summary about gratitude. This is what I have learned from you and have integrated this into my life, into my philosophy of thinking, treating others and especially role modeling this for my family. I am ever grateful to you and I’m filled with great gratitude
Debbie Podwika
11/25/2023 03:07:04 pm
I am the oldest so I am use to helping others. it is hard for me to accept help & even harder for me to ask for it. I am always grateful for those who do help me. I usually ask God to forgive those who have wronged me or the world and do forget most things but there are a few that I have not forgotten and still feel hurt by. One thing this article did not discuss is when others try to help you & you do not want their help or what they are doing is actually not helpful even though they may think so. Perhaps we can talk about that.
Stacey Tomasello
11/25/2023 03:29:14 pm
Dr. Dave, thank you for sharing this wonderful writing on gratitude. I really enjoyed the phrase regarding, "to err is human, to forgive is divine. I feel that gratitude and forgiveness are traits that we choose to have, and I believe those traits help us see the beauty in every situation. My wife and I are currently watching a dramatic show that displays a once respected family man who due to unfortunate circumstance begins participating in illicit acts and chooses greed, deceit, and resentment. Relatively quickly his family, who once respected and loved him, is replaced by money and fear. It reminds me that our actions and choices to center ourselves and live in the present are build-able, exercis-able skills essential to appreciate and give thanks to what/who surrounds us. Thank you for allowing me and all of us to share, and please know that although I won't be able to make Satsung this week, I will be there next week, and that I am grateful to have met you and your daughter at Desert Gardens, and everyone that participates in Satsung, and thank you for allowing me to continue to be apart of your life. Leave a Reply. |
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