The Joy of Sharing

The Joy of Sharing is the mirth in knowing our limited existence in this life and understanding that nothing is certain in life. During lockdown, we usede to feed the cows since noone scared stiff of coming out due to covid remained indoors, not even coming out into balconies. Rumours spread about virus spreading in air and enveloping the nation. At that time, noone fed the cows. We took turns finding donors and arranging foods in both Gosalas as well as street cows. 

We did not have to feed the hungry humans since there were kindred souls who risked covid, moved out, made food in their homes and shared it with the ones orphaned on the roads without any transportation. Even finding water was so hard with even pan shops being closed. Those who were performing duties also found it hard to find food and water. Even in those times, no human or animal went hungry. Street dogs normally find some food near commercial restaurants, joints. With all options closed, they were running all streets for food. Kindred souls even took care of their needs. 

What motivated me was not civic sense and neither did i feel it a moral duty. It is the feeling of togetherness i feel when i share. We are not giving. We are sharing the wealth that the Universe has given to us for Custody during this brief period of life. After us, it goes to our children who may or may not retain the asset. They may not be even staying in this same place. They might be going abroad. The amount of time we spend in building assets honestly meant nothing when the world faced a pandemic. No asset could save a person who got sick and could not recover. 

All Humans are interconnected. Yet we feel different from others socially and economically. Post lockdown, i do not go out to feed for there are hundreds of souls today outside feeding cows& humans. Survival has taught subtle lessons to many while some do it because the spiritual leader on TV asked them to do so. These spiritual gurus are doing a noble task of goading people to feed animals and not allow them to go hungry but sometimes this feeding is going to extremes when people think that the more they feed, the more they will get good marks from God. 

This is a land which believes in Karma yet every other person does not waver to earn money by cheating. The trader cheats the producer and the retailer cheats the customer through exponential profit margins. Corporates entry into essentials has only increased the costs than decreaed. As such, despite the increasing costs, people are still finding it convenient to move in the hot sun and feed someone. Last week, i wanted to feed 6 people, got meals packed and try to find hungry people. I had gone at just 12:30 pm but found that by that time itself, all were already fed by someone. Finally, i found a few near the railway station who were very hungry and few beggar women desolate. I got them some fruits and gave them money as well. I asked them where they came from. The two women were left there by their children. Their husbands had died and their children went to cities to find better vocation and left them on the streets. The next day, i went with some sarees from my family but i could not find them there that day neither did i find them the week after. Perhaps, they had gone to some other place. 

Are we emphatizing with the humans around us or are we genuinely sympathizing at their fate. Are we doing charity or are we distributing our hard earned wealth for soul satisfaction. These questions pondered at me when i stopped in front of a aged cobbler. He looked famished. I asked him why he was working. He said he has to survive if he has to feed his wife. He didnt answer me when i asked him what happened to his children. I understood. Every now and then, i go and give fruits/food to him. He is working hard and i sometimes wonder why those working hard on the streets instead of begging do not get free food from the society. Many of us search for the lonely person who will take our food but i prefer giving to the one who is hungry, a tired rickshaw puller or a tired cobbler. I feel togetherness in talking with them, sitting with them and sharing with them. That makes my day.