I am enjoying the wonderful sights and sounds in India, and it has truly changed my perspective from the water tight compartment I live in. India has a way of doing that to me. In the US, I live in my little bubble where everything has to be a one hundred percent perfect for the prima donna, Rohini.
A ding in my car is a major problem. A small delay in traffic gets me all worked up. My salad for lunch has to be just right. I push myself and others to perfection, and forget to keep things in perspective. Note to self — keep it real.
I can see how people take things in stride and go with the flow in good old India. Look how happy all the passengers on this “double decker” bus look enjoying the bus ride and taking in the scenery. It is better than first class. Bring out the champagne.
This happy view has been an eye opener, and I promise to not sweat the small stuff.
“I complained because I had no shoes, till I saw a man who had no feet.”
No more nonsense. No more complaining. Time to burst the bubble.
About Rohini Rustogi
Hi Rohini,
This is the first time I’ve read anything on this blog……. and I liked it!
I learned of your short visit to India and enjoyed the pictures of your parents and friends, all thanks to Facebook. I’m glad to hear that India helped change your perspective on life and you’re determined to make improvements in your attitude – what a great teacher a journey has proved to be!
I remember, when, some years ago, one of my farmer friends had sold off his land and moved to the city, I told another friend about it, adding that the fellow had got a raw deal. A little sad, my friend asked me how much money he’d got for his farm. When I told him, he was surprised, saying, “But why is he unhappy? We folks are used to making do with much less! ”
His words have stuck with me ever since – we folks are used to making do with much less. It is the excessive consumerism of the West that will prove to be its undoing. Not just that, it’s creating problems across the world and the developing and underdeveloped countries are bearing the brunt of these wasteful habits. There needs to be a far greater effort in the developed countries to create an awareness about the lack of basic necessities in many parts of the world and the need for conservation and recycling of resources everywhere.
A more equitable distribution of wealth and amenities around the world is, perhaps, the surest way of attaining peace and harmony among nations. We in India are used to making do with less but it pains us to see others wasting precious resources without any qualms and, much of the time, without even realising their folly!
Yes, a lot needs to be done to make people aware. And there’s nothing to beat a journey to make one aware.
Good luck.
Jasbir Singh Bachhal, India.