Image from https://archive.sssmediacentre.org/journals/Vol_06/01NOV08/07-Mani.htm . At some point of time, I think in 1990-91, I had a photo of this image autographed by You with a green "sketch pen" belonging to some primary school student, I guess. Maybe this was signed on my 16th birthday. It was in our home for many years. When parents shifted to an apartment in 2007, there was a mix-up with the boxes meant for disposal and the boxes meant to be kept, and that photo was probably lost in the confusion.
When I pass the link to my "drastic change in daily routine" post to people, some ask: That was in 2021. How about now? Have things improved?
The glass is half-full. Mother has slowly improved, she can even walk for 5 minutes a day with the help of a walker. She reads, she writes, she's able to do many simple tasks with her hands by herself. The ashram has opened to the public, meaning that I go to "the office" every morning. The carer who currently helps my mother is very affectionate, and both of them are happy with each other.
A new development on the "glass half-empty" side is Father's slow decline. Physically, he's currently doing better than in 2021 - going for two walks a day, able to even climb stairs without losing his breath. But age-related cognitive decline has now become quite noticeable. My understanding is that it is stage 2 of the three stages, judging by the symptoms. With the help of MitraZ.org, we've got someone to help him go for a walk in the mornings, and I walk with him in the evenings. But sometimes he alternates between being demanding and being difficult.
When people tell me, "May God bless you", or something similar, I usually say, "He already has!" Writing down this post is yet another reminder to me on how I should practice what You have lovingly taught again and again and again.
- Give up attachment - I had to give up attachment to "my way of doing things" at the workplace. This lesson had to be hammered in with multiple instances, but hopefully I've taken it to heart with the right attitude, not "I don't care", but "I don't care for the results, will do what is right".
- Speak not what is unpleasant - Sathyam Brooyaath, Priyam Brooyaath, Na Brooyaath Sathyam Apriyam - the last injunction is what I have found difficult to follow. Mother demonstrates this daily in the masterly way she deals with Father. Hopefully I can learn some of this "knack" from her.
- Do your best and leave the rest (to God) - This attitude is more and more needed as things get "tougher". But the man in a railway car analogy mentioned by Mother - he need not continue to bear his burden once he is inside the railway car, he can keep it down - applying this is still "work in progress".
Next: Dream Padanamaskar
Comments
Post a Comment
Comments will be moderated. If you wish to contact me, you can email me at hn_88 at rediffmail dot com.