While going through the notes on Area 3, Society, I was reminded of a very touching incident.
A few years ago, a friend of ours, Mr Chris Pegler, was driving us around the city of London. We were on a Main Road. At one intersection, Mr Pegler saw a car nearing the road to join the stream of traffic. He immediately stopped our car and asked the other driver to get move into the main road traffic and proceed. The driver did that with a smile and waving thanks to Mr Pegler. This incident touched us because what we generally see is the other way round. When we in India try to get into the Main Road from a lane, we seldom worry about the other traffic. Sometimes we may even behave rudely with the first driver we meet on the Main Road.
While talking about this to Mr Pegler, he also let us into another secret understanding with the drivers in Europe and other places in the West. That is about using the horn. He said if you hear a driver behind you using the horn, you must slow down, pull to the side and await the driver. He may have something to tell you about your car or or give you a message. In other words, the drivers there seldom use the horn.
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Towards real joy and peace ... through unconditional caring and sharing!
Towards real joy and peace...
By translating a humane thought to action - ourselves.
By bringing the humane dimension in our everyday actions.
By initiating specific actions to experience humaneness.
By sharing positive thoughts and actions with all.
Unconditional caring and sharing!
While visiting the island of Crete, NikosKazantzakis, the well-known Greekwriter, one day saw an elderly womancarrying a basket of figs. As she passedby him, she laid down the basket,picked out two beautiful figs and presented them to the writer.Nikos asked her, “Do you know me, old lady?” She looked at him in amazementand replied, “No, my boy! Do I have to know you to give you something? You are a human being, are you not? So am I.Isn’t that enough?
By translating a humane thought to action - ourselves.
By bringing the humane dimension in our everyday actions.
By initiating specific actions to experience humaneness.
By sharing positive thoughts and actions with all.
Unconditional caring and sharing!
While visiting the island of Crete, NikosKazantzakis, the well-known Greekwriter, one day saw an elderly womancarrying a basket of figs. As she passedby him, she laid down the basket,picked out two beautiful figs and presented them to the writer.Nikos asked her, “Do you know me, old lady?” She looked at him in amazementand replied, “No, my boy! Do I have to know you to give you something? You are a human being, are you not? So am I.Isn’t that enough?
V-Set: One action for every day!
I will observe my thoughts, feelings and reactions for each action and post my experiences:
Area 1 - Home
I will have at least 1 meal with all the family members during which each member shares at least one positive incident that has happened in the day.
I will spend 30 minutes of quality time with my parents and listen to what they have to say.
I will read an article containing positive thoughts or incidents (from newspaper/ books/ magazines) along with the whole family and share thoughts on it for at least 30 minutes.
I will spend 30 quality minutes with children and listen to what they have to say.
I will appreciate the good work done by the family members by providing specific details to the person as to what efforts of his are being appreciated.
I will have all members of my family observe a ‘Family Hour’ during which each one of us will just sit together and chat without getting involved in any other activities, including phone calls, music, TV, books etc.
I will spend 30 minutes of quality time in interacting with my siblings (brothers/ sisters).
Area 2 - Workplace
I will have a cup of tea with the security person or peon or office boy at my workplace, ensuring that the person is comfortable and relaxed.
I will be friendly with all the people in the workplace, just as I expect them to be with me.
I will appreciate the efforts of at least 5 colleagues (preferably juniors) in the workplace by providing specific details to the person as to what efforts of his are being appreciated.
I will have an unscheduled, friendly conversation with someone in the workplace.
I will be punctual for all appointments and in all my activities.
Area 3 - Society
I will consciously and joyously give way to other vehicles and pedestrians while driving, show all the driving signals and avoid honking (if own vehicle is being used generally) OR I will buy and share tea and snacks with at least one lesser privileged person seen in the bus stand/ railway station (if public transport is being used generally).
I will walk on the road near the house without any agenda - observe people and try to understand them, their needs and sufferings, and think about the practical ways to assist them.
I will have an unscheduled, friendly conversation with my neighbour.
I will visit an institution for the lesser privileged (such as orphanages, old age homes, institutions for physically/ mentally challenged etc.) and spend some time with the inmates. If possible, I will take something (sweets or the like) which can be offered to them and lovingly distribute them to all inmates, individually.
I will give a genuine smile to whoever I meet and see (wherever possible).
Area 4 - Mother Nature
I will watch the sunrise, listen to the birds chirping, observe the beauty of the flowers – connect with Mother Nature and its elements.
I will pick up plastic waste from the home surroundings/ public park and deposit it in the nearest waste bin.
I will plant a seed/ sapling (at home, society – anywhere) and, if possible, nurture/ nourish it regularly.
I will water the garden and spend time to connect with the plants, flowers and trees.
I will ensure that unnecessary lights and fans are turned off and no water is wasted through open taps i.e. no natural resources are wasted.
Area 5 - Any place
I will make it a point to speak only the truth and facts, and be straight forward.
I will seek forgiveness of the person whose feelings we have hurt, and pray from the depth of my heart for the peace and well-being of that person.
I will take a conscious decision about not getting angry the whole day.
I will forgive the person who has ‘hurt’ me with powerful feelings of love.
I will ensure that I speak what I think and feel; and do what I speak, think and feel.
I will listen to the viewpoints of others by setting aside my own feelings/ views.
Area 1 - Home
I will have at least 1 meal with all the family members during which each member shares at least one positive incident that has happened in the day.
I will spend 30 minutes of quality time with my parents and listen to what they have to say.
I will read an article containing positive thoughts or incidents (from newspaper/ books/ magazines) along with the whole family and share thoughts on it for at least 30 minutes.
I will spend 30 quality minutes with children and listen to what they have to say.
I will appreciate the good work done by the family members by providing specific details to the person as to what efforts of his are being appreciated.
I will have all members of my family observe a ‘Family Hour’ during which each one of us will just sit together and chat without getting involved in any other activities, including phone calls, music, TV, books etc.
I will spend 30 minutes of quality time in interacting with my siblings (brothers/ sisters).
Area 2 - Workplace
I will have a cup of tea with the security person or peon or office boy at my workplace, ensuring that the person is comfortable and relaxed.
I will be friendly with all the people in the workplace, just as I expect them to be with me.
I will appreciate the efforts of at least 5 colleagues (preferably juniors) in the workplace by providing specific details to the person as to what efforts of his are being appreciated.
I will have an unscheduled, friendly conversation with someone in the workplace.
I will be punctual for all appointments and in all my activities.
Area 3 - Society
I will consciously and joyously give way to other vehicles and pedestrians while driving, show all the driving signals and avoid honking (if own vehicle is being used generally) OR I will buy and share tea and snacks with at least one lesser privileged person seen in the bus stand/ railway station (if public transport is being used generally).
I will walk on the road near the house without any agenda - observe people and try to understand them, their needs and sufferings, and think about the practical ways to assist them.
I will have an unscheduled, friendly conversation with my neighbour.
I will visit an institution for the lesser privileged (such as orphanages, old age homes, institutions for physically/ mentally challenged etc.) and spend some time with the inmates. If possible, I will take something (sweets or the like) which can be offered to them and lovingly distribute them to all inmates, individually.
I will give a genuine smile to whoever I meet and see (wherever possible).
Area 4 - Mother Nature
I will watch the sunrise, listen to the birds chirping, observe the beauty of the flowers – connect with Mother Nature and its elements.
I will pick up plastic waste from the home surroundings/ public park and deposit it in the nearest waste bin.
I will plant a seed/ sapling (at home, society – anywhere) and, if possible, nurture/ nourish it regularly.
I will water the garden and spend time to connect with the plants, flowers and trees.
I will ensure that unnecessary lights and fans are turned off and no water is wasted through open taps i.e. no natural resources are wasted.
Area 5 - Any place
I will make it a point to speak only the truth and facts, and be straight forward.
I will seek forgiveness of the person whose feelings we have hurt, and pray from the depth of my heart for the peace and well-being of that person.
I will take a conscious decision about not getting angry the whole day.
I will forgive the person who has ‘hurt’ me with powerful feelings of love.
I will ensure that I speak what I think and feel; and do what I speak, think and feel.
I will listen to the viewpoints of others by setting aside my own feelings/ views.
Vishwa Seva Educational Trust (V-Set), Kalpetta, Wayanad, Kerala. Tel: 04936-329419 * 09349125024
Email: india@vset.org * Visit our websites: www.vset.org * www.kindlinghumaneness.org