“If you had a rebirth, what would you like to be born as?” – it was an essay writing homework when I was in grade 6. I wrote that I would like to be born as a tree as that spontaneously came to my mind. I remember the Ashoka tree that was tall and shook its heads to the wind and that was my favourite place at home. I’d sit beneath it for hours and do my homework. I remember the day it was cut and my heart bled. I cried over a month and cuddled the broken branch. To me it was a friend. The reason I gave for choosing to be a tree was that it gives us everything and left with nothing.
My teacher wrote a comment “I surrender my knowledge and wisdom in your simplicity. This is altruism at such a young age!” and I hardly was able to pronounce the word “altruism”.
“Can I help you?” – this was never a question in the olden days as people voluntarily helped each other. My dad always mentioned about the days in his village when his mom would just give away Kgs of dhal and packs of ghee from their farm to young moms having kids. He also fondly talks about her caring and sharing nature that the whole village looked into. I regretted that I never had a chance to see her.
This trait of my grandma continued with my aunt too and my dad is no less. I still can picturise each incident my dad narrated when I was a kid. I felt that it was normal human behaviour to help each other.
Dad actively pursued multiple tasks at any given point in time. I still see my maternal grandpa shedding tears that he has to stay away from work after the age of 85.
Sharing, caring and helping each other was something that motivates me always. I grew up quite old schooled (as per today’s generation). I haven’t watched a single movie online; I haven’t claimed an erroneous IT return; I haven’t copied in a single exam; I haven’t browsed internet for personal use in office; I haven’t used my office printer for personal use; I haven’t watched TV for more than seven years and that’s why I haven’t replaced my CRT TV at home yet.
My family still knows how mad I get on them if they call me while at work except in case of emergency. My daughter doesn’t dare to come to me or switch on the TV while I’m working from home. For me office and home are the same during working hours.
Now for all this, I only remain as a laughing stock and an old fashioned person. Well, that’s typically me and I’m happy being myself.
“Well, what am I living life for?” you may ask. I believe in personal connect with people; I believe in motivating each other; I believe in caring for each other and that’s what I do outside office. Online forums on anti depression, blogging, personal journals to reflect on myself – this is my happy, satisfying little world.
While this is me in my private time, will this trait change in my office time? It’s me and my genes! I get attached to the topic I work and treat it as my baby. I feel proud to work wherever I am and this loyalty makes me feel that I should give back more to the company that grooms me. I never complain on my workplace and that’s why I always have a happy workplace. For all the mistakes of people, why should we curse our workplace?
I feel guilty if I don’t pay attention to my core work and I feel guilty if I don’t have enough work. If worktime is for project, lunch and tea is for networking and helping each other.
I network and talk to people and a lot of times also speak on positivity at work. I know this world is moving towards negativity. Each cafeteria, each rest room, each pantry hears millions of negative stories everyday. I try my best to spread one percent positivity atleast. I’m not a leader but I try to support people who are in need. I feel glad to be approached by kids and youngsters at work.
My auto and cab rides are filled with experiences as each traffic has something to teach. I read articles and try to learn and groom myself. I talk about it to people at work too. I write to spread positive vibes around and that’s the least contribution I could do to the society where I live in.
When you do this in this little world, we must accept the fact that you’re doubted too. “Is there a motivation to do this? Is there a loss of focus while she’s doing multiple things? Is she crossing her boundaries? Is she trying to show off? Is she doing this for a promotion? Is she longing to gain fame? Is she trying to outsmart?” I smile to all such comments and walk away.
At times, I get frustrated, irritated and angry too. Am I not just another human with blood and flesh? Do I not have emotions and feelings? Yes I am and I calm down by writing. A million mind map finally brings me out of the frustration.
I pardon all those who throw such swords at me. I give up my ego and smile at the same set of people who put me down. After all, aren’t they humans too? Probably they did not hear stories of their ancestors who shared and cared for the society. How unfortunate of them not to know the joy of giving and helping.
The world is a great place to live. However you’d be doubted for all good things as people think nothing is offered for free. Remembering my words that I’d have loved to be born as a tree, I smile and move on when doubted!