Sunday, July 26, 2009

Happiness and Charity


There is this orphanange near my residence wherein we contribute either by way of cash or kind. Immense happiness fills our hearts in doing this deed. I have been to a few orphanages and I felt whenever I was contributing, I was doing an amazing deed. Oh how foolish I was.


This March my husband suggested that we hand over my 3 year old two wheeler to the orphanage for their regular use. Oh a wonderful deed indeed I thought The volunteers there thanked us a lot for this contribution.


Each time I call them, I am thanked profusely saying how useful the bike is for them in carrying out many of the orphanage activities. And a smile spreads across my face to hear the same. But then suddenly I was faced with this question. Am I the one who is doing something. I just gave them something, when I had a replacement for the old one. But is it not they who filled me with happiness beyond measure by giving me an opportunity of being able to do some good deed in my life. I am forever filled with gratitude to them.

12 comments:

KParthasarathi said...

I am reminded of this when I read your piece.

There are those who give with joy,
and their joy is their reward.
And there are those who give with pain,
and that pain is their baptism.
And there are those who give and know not
pain in giving, nor do they seek joy,
nor give with mindfulness of virtue:
They give as in yonder valley the myrtle
breathes its fragrance into space.
Through the hands of such as these God
speaks, and from behind their eyes
He smiles upon the earth.

Great post,Lakshmi

Manivannan Sadasivam said...

That's a great thought. And guess what akka, when I finished reading, I was thinking of the Gibran, and was surprised seeing KP sir's comment.

We always need someone to receive...otherwise to whom shall we give? That's life! And donating a two wheeler is something very generous and kind of you. I felt happy knowing that :-)

Why ur not writing often? It's been a long time since I visited ur space.

Keeep posting more!

ramesh sadasivam said...

What ever we give to others, we give unto ourselves- Ramana Maharishi!

Very true...

If there are no fans, where are there superstars?

If there are no citizens, where are the rulers?

A New Beginning said...

Beautiful thought Lakshmi:) and a great deed aswell, giving is a beautiful feeling, its an act which makes us feel complete and makes us realise that we in our own small way are carrying out the deeds that God actually wanted us to.When we use things its for our sake that we are doing it, it makes a single person happy and that is us, but when we give something to makes someone happy, the happiness just reflects back filling many hearts with happiness. I am happy to have a friend like you, thanks for setting a great example for many to follow.All the very best to you:)

Anish Iyengar said...

It requires large heart to be kind to the needy.I liked the article
Anish Iyengar

lakshmi said...

thanks a lot Mr.Parthasarathi, Mani, Ramesh, Sana and Anish.
Your words of appreciation mean a lot to me.

Greener Bangalore said...

I liked the way you put it here. And yes glad to see more generous people around.

Anonymous said...

so kind of you indeed..!

Rush said...

so truly said Lakshmi..will live in a owrld of illusion most of the time, i am glad u snapped out of it!!

deeps said...

hats off to you ...
thats indeed an act fitting your name! :-)

however, as we all know there arent many who do such deeds of love these days .. else how wonderful our world would have been ....

Cruz said...

Lakshmi, a very nice n smart thought from ur hubby. Glad to know you both are doing ur part in a cause. Good to have people lyk you around...everything gets balanced. I also contribute whenever I can.

workhard said...

I believe what goes around, come around...

U do good.. u ll get good..


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