TIME WELL SPENT

From a cosmopolitan place like Bangalore where her life was bustling with activity, Shriya had to follow her husband when he was transferred to a small place in Assam. The gated community where they resided provided luxurious living. She had many friends. Shopping, movies, outings, kitty parties kept her completely occupied. Her husband earned a fat salary and she kept  blowing money. She was obviously dejected she would be missing all the fun. Thankfully her kids had settled therefore she was relieved she didn't have to worry about their education and other needs.                  Having no option she began her new life. Her husband was completely occupied with his work and she had to sit at home the whole day. Poor network hindered her from calling her friends at Bangalore. Heaven and Hell are not geographical locations. It's our thoughts, actions and behaviour that create heaven or hell for us. Within a few months she reached the brink of boredom, was about to slip into loneliness and depression when her sister Priya visited her. It was she who observed her sister's predicament and hit upon a plan. "Let us not use our energy to worry. Let us use our energy to believe, to create, trust, grow and heal. Our energy is our greatest currency." Priya started giving her a piece of her mind. She personally visited the neighbours and publicised that her sister would start tuitions at home. Most of the families belonged to the middle class or lower too. As a social service Shriya started teaching the kids for free. Still it was not an easy task because the occupation of most of the masses was farming and fishing, therefore the illiterate parents did not pay much attention to send their children. Being a dexterous teacher she created interest and lured them to learning. Gradually the numbers increased and she became busy. Household chores, teaching, correcting books, counselling parents, she had no time for anything else. It is a human weakness and tendency that we are elated when people follow our advice. So, when the simple folk followed what Shriya said, she felt extremely happy and worked harder for the kids. She soon shot to fame and was much sought after. After a few years when they were transferred once again, Shriya was of course heart broken but this time with a difference. 

                         Before leaving the place she had to thank a sweet soul, so she called her sister. "Life itself has no meaning --- it's an opportunity to create a meaning. You taught me when I was young and you did exceedingly well. Teaching and social service were always your passion but you never got a chance. I remember a friend of mine who went from a small place to a city. With nothing to do she took to catering and earned well. There are some who tap their talents and gain financial benefits. Money is not your requirement, therefore this idea struck me. You have laid a path for the naive folk, now there will be no looking back for them. It's not a cake walk to bring about an awareness in education in remote places. Isn't it wonderful when we put our little efforts to better society !!" Priya finished off. 

                          There are multitudes of Shriyas prevalent around us, who need to either pursue their passions or brush up their innate talents. The purpose of conducting competitions from school levels is to catch them young. Therefore, isn't it the onus of parents, and teachers to help the children to recognise their natural ability. This will enable them to enrich their skills and some may even make their potential their profession. We need to remind ourselves time and again that we are not a drop in the ocean, we are the entire ocean in a drop. We can become truly accomplished at something we love. Let's not make money our goal. Instead pursue the things we love doing and then do them so well that people can't take their eyes off us. 

                            Most of us spend our lives cursing our fate, grumbling about ill-luck or crying over circumstances. Do we take steps to make good use of our abilities and to use our free time constructively ? There are many who, while away their time in gossip, back-biting, and other vices. Little do they realise this only causes mental drain-out. There are a few who realise later in life that they had mis-spent their youth, but it is never too late to rectify ourselves right ? We can't change the direction of the wind, but we can adjust our sails to reach our destination. 

                            This however doesn't mean, "all work and no play" because that will definitely make Jack a dull boy. After a hard day's work we do need time to relax to do what we enjoy to derive happiness and satisfaction. It could be playing, watching TV, reading or talking to a friend. Time well spent leads to life well lived. Wouldn't it be amazing, if we could ponder upon this -- "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me." We are born crying, let us not live complaining and die disappointed.