Guess what? In the last 5 months, I have received 2 letters and 1 pic, from my sponsored kid in Sri Lanka! awww they were so touching, so heartfelt and so very soul-cleansing. Recently I sent him a stationary pack, some small gifts, along with a t-shirt. He had received all of that and wanted to thank me. I didn't wanna be thanked, I only wished I could do more. Something as simple as a Disney eraser pack, a box of markers, a sticker book and lead pencils which most kids over here have in abundance, seemed to have created magic in Baby-Dee's world. The kind of magic that he'd not come across in a far away rural village without the luxury of clean water or daily meals, let alone school accessories. I also sent him one of my pics, and he wrote in his letter that both his mum and he looked at my pic, and that he felt like talking to me and wished I was near him. Also, he stated that he's avoiding wearing the t-shirt I sent him, til his bday, so that he could wear it then. That brought warm tears to my eyes. It was just a normal t-shirt, nothing fancy. But to him, it was very special. Trust me, this whole experience to me is the ultimate Meditation of my life...I don't have to stand infront of a God's statue and pray, or meditate with chantings to purify my heart and soul. Sentiments expressed in Baby-Dee's letters are my Bible. I'm not saying I have attained enlightenment hell nah, I have a long way to go ;-), but I really can't understand how by going to a temple or reading the Geetha, and not really doing anything to help someone in need (be it a loved-one or strangers) that one can find some real peace of mind? I know alot of people like that in my own circle - they donate alot of money to the temples, cover the statues in gold etc etc but don't even have the time for or the inclination to help their own family and friends if the need arises. It makes me wonder why people do that. I always believed that hands that do service are holier than the lips that pray. Please note that I'm not trying to put myself on a pedestal here and feel superior...I'm just saying that praying is of no use if there's no action. You don't even have to pray, if your life itself is a prayer.
I learnt something from Baby-Dee today. We may or may not have everything we ever wanted in life. But there is always a little magic hidden somewhere in the rusty attics of our bleeding hearts. And if we are humble enough to realise them, if we are energetic enough to cast away our fears, if we are courageous enough to bury our tears, we will find them. Baby-Dee was special enough to be humble, and was humble enough to find something special out of something so ordinary. His life may not be the same as my nephew's or your child's, but his heart is very special. I just want to say I learnt something from Baby-Dee today...and that is to be humble enough to find something special in every small gesture that comes your way.
I learnt something from Baby-Dee today. We may or may not have everything we ever wanted in life. But there is always a little magic hidden somewhere in the rusty attics of our bleeding hearts. And if we are humble enough to realise them, if we are energetic enough to cast away our fears, if we are courageous enough to bury our tears, we will find them. Baby-Dee was special enough to be humble, and was humble enough to find something special out of something so ordinary. His life may not be the same as my nephew's or your child's, but his heart is very special. I just want to say I learnt something from Baby-Dee today...and that is to be humble enough to find something special in every small gesture that comes your way.Share with me stories of Humility and the contrary :). Let's learn from what's happening around us. Thanks guys!
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awwwwwww
that was so shweet
and it was way good touching post.....
oh my ..and waiting for the bday to wear the tee...it literally brought tears in me...
i guess I have to adopt one kid soon..
u r doing a good work... sis
and m proud of ya...
I always believed that hands that do service are holier than the lips that pray.” lovely said keshi, and also for both we need a mind. I wish Baby-Dee and through u we learn his mind. So sweet and touching post.
Humble is something gets us peace sometime and humble is nothing loses of mind or deliberate, it also comes in understand and love. I have a thing to follow, which mean I would even be a fool to los anything, but don’t ever deceive anybody.
Thats a wonderful message ur trying to send across Kesh.. :) Baby Dee has just opened my eyes...
God bless HIM and YOU.. :)
Nikhil
Very nice post, Keshi :)
My love to your kid, i would have loved to see him,
One of my most signifcant lessons on humility is one from Indian/Kerala history...I don't remember it too well...It is either Sardar Vallabhai Patel i think who returned a call from the British Viceroy or some one of command saying "If its an order it shall not be, but if its a request it shall be"
Humility in thought and action is very humane -- But the world --- especially the 'educated, modern' world that does not know what it means to be humble does call for stern statements such as these...
But then Keshi, its all a matter of what you are and how you develop yourself to be-- it shows,
I was one who would never give straight back-fires on some one...would hold it within me and dump on my mother or husband (not even fully with friends) but blogging has changed me ---ofcourse in the physical world I am still the same as before, except for a very occasional blurt...but this opportunity for written communication is a boon, when you can give your response in a more humble way....agree??
Now, i know the smart girl here is on a life workshop...on her quest to understand others, right??
and I love talking...when the topic is such I can open out:))
wishes,
devika
they do teach us a lot....
return to innocence is what most of us need :)
God bless him :)
take care da..
cheers...
Whoaaa!!! You seem to be on a roll Keshi posting almost everyday, and every post is as brilliant as the previous one.
I just love these intense soul-searching posts from you. Makes me wanna do more good and be more good :) Goodness is surely contagious and you're spreading it in large amounts.
Wow! I always wonder how you manage to express so beautifully =)
I always believed that hands that do service are holier than the lips that pray
Very well said.
I know alot of people like that in my own circle - they donate alot of money to the temples, cover the statues in gold etc etc but don't even have the time for or the inclination to help their own family and friends if the need arises
Thats so true!! Ppl can otherwise spend so much money but never turn up during a close one's calamity.
Baby-Dee was special enough to be humble, and was humble enough to find something special out of something so ordinary.
:) You're doing some great work. Wish Baby Dee all the happiness in the world & to you too :))
*that is to be humble enough to find something special in every small gesture that comes your way.
true girl.. and especially with so many ppl trying to find fault with ur most generous gestures, u really need to learn a lesson or two from baby Dee...
and illa ma, u arent trying to put urself on the pedestal... being a mother to someone always makes us fell so good.. thats nothing wrong with that...
rock on Girl
you really are doing a wonderful job keshi... and im touched i know someone as good as you... :) god speed.
That was such a sweet post...and yes as u said there's a lot to be learnt from the ppl around us.
In fact i often wonder how the ppl in Mumbai stay so happy and cheerful despite staying in one room houses. And what i realise is that its not necessary to be rich in order to be happy. Whoever says money can buy happiness is oh so wrong!
I can name so many so called rich families who live in utmost disharmony and keep hankering over property and other material possessions like-wise. But what they dont realise is that by the time they r done with their feuds, life has passed away....and they hav missed out on those moments which cud hav made their life special. The worst part is they dont even realise what i am saying here. I feel sorry for them and at the same time i realise the importance of giving to others and staying happy!giving to ppl gives me a lot of happiness.
I always give away my old clothes and shoes to the needy. For me these r unnecessary things which i want to throw away. but for them its what they need! And i dont want to take that happiness away from them.
Once again, i wud like to say this post was truly wonderful coz the human in u came shining across.
Kudos to u babe!!
Love,
Ria
Proud I know you, baby. Wont stretch it.
*smilez*
it would do us a world of good if people had more of humility in them.
you have rendered me speechless. What do i say, wonderful and keep up the good work.
**You don't even have to pray, if your life itself is a prayer.**--so so true.:)
all i can do is smile :)
aaawwww....swetie... dahs sooo very sweet n naaiiccee.
I can actually imagine the big smile on baby Dee's face, his sparkle in his eyes.
You knw.. that your prize. :)
I completely agree with ur point to find hapiness in the smallest of gestures.
Luv ya. :)
Hands that help are holier than lips that pray.
:)
Yes honesty of heart and simplicity of intention has won many a battles.
beautiful post!!! you're the best keshi!! i don't know if ill ever meet someone like you in the REAL world!!
just today, id been to a relative's house and she had visitors- the lady had been her maid some years back. She had brought her son along. the guy was my age, had finished his +2 in some college and wanted to study further. His mother however said she couldn't afford it and asked him to get a job. though college has started for them, the boy still wishes to study.
So my relative asked the boy to get the forms and we all decided to help him pay the fees. She actually tol him, " your mom may not ley you study, but even if i dont have the money, i would beg for it and make you study!!" that thought really really touched me. its cos she wasnt very well off herself, but was ready to help someone else !! :)
ur post made a wonderful read for me keshi.i'm down today and this post certainly cheered me up a little. may god bless baby dee...
A great bond growing between u and the child.... wud love to read more about it in the future posts too...
Blessings...
and amen to that!
It's amazing how little it really takes to make a difference in people's lives. And when we see how little effort we would have to put out to make someone happy, we should be embarrassed at how little we do.
hey dat ws so touchy...though i ws hurriedly going by all ma frenz posts bt i cud nt myself 4m leaving a signet :)
So true dear...v shud c special in evry common thng!!
Adore u 4 dis one
Your job is wonderful and your words are so beautiful and inspiring, Keshi.
And so true:
"hands that do service are holier than the lips that pray"
My best wishes to you and to your sponsoring kid!
You are doing a wonderful thing sponsoring this child I can easily relate to your happiness as I too have a sponsored child and receiving letters and hand pictures are just wonderful thing to receive.
Keep up the good work.
http://cutestangel.wordpress.com/
That was heartfelt Keshi and be proud of yourself coz as a human giving and sharing is what we have to do. But to some its being selfish u know.
We send money every year during Diwali time to an Orphanage school back home. When I visit India, I will go in person and try to do more.
awww Keshi...this post simply tells me one thing..that we should take nothing for granted..what we have in abundance and what we just dun care about can be like gold for others...ahhh...
am reely happy that i met a person like u on blogger..cos many people who have money dun use it tof a cause as such.
hugs :)
well timed post..i was bitching about what was not working..instead of being thankful for what was
hey ty Bro!
**i guess I have to adopt one kid soon..
rem recently u said u dun wanna be compassionate to anyone anymore? :)
Keshi.
ty Jeevan!
** I would even be a fool to los anything, but don’t ever deceive anybody
I agree. Well-said!
Keshi.
ty Nikhil!
*Baby Dee has just opened my eyes...
yes...he did that to me too. thats why I share his story with all of ya. it just makes u think and hits ya in the right places :)
Keshi.
hey ty Devika!
**command vs request
nice example there. loved it.
**when you can give your response in a more humble way....agree??
I agree totally. Some ppl may say Blogging is a waste of time..but I say its a Learning Centre.
Keshi.
ty Arv!
**return to innocence is what most of us need
Well-said! Most of us forget all of that as we grow up.
Keshi.
ty Rakesh :)
**Makes me wanna do more good and be more good
Thats my aim hehe...
Keshi.
hey ty Sugar!
**Ppl can otherwise spend so much money but never turn up during a close one's calamity.
There r so many ppl like that. I know bloggers like that too..ppl who talk talk talk abt Kindness and Compassion, but when u send an email, they never reply :)
Keshi.
ty Rat!
**and especially with so many ppl trying to find fault with ur most generous gestures, u really need to learn a lesson or two from baby Dee...
yep..alot of ppl r very good at fault-finding...no one appreciates the small gestures these days. Apparently its luxuries they r looking for!
Keshi.
Raka ty! :)
hey but its not abt ME...its abt BABY-DEE.
Keshi.
Hi Keshi!
Very touching post! Something similar happened in New Delhi recently. My brother in law's driver fell sick. Two and half lakhs rupees(two hundred thousand; 1 USD is 40 Rupees) were needed to buy the life saving drug.
He is just 25 and his family is so poor that they cannot even spare one rupee. My BIL, bought those medicines. Others chipped in, including I. The last of the five days dosage was administerd yesterday. He continues to be on ventilator. But we are hopeful that he will get okay. I will post of a picture of him on my blog soon.
Loved the song too.
hey ty Ria ur comment gave me goosebumps! Cos thats exactly what I meant :)
**In fact i often wonder how the ppl in Mumbai stay so happy and cheerful despite staying in one room houses. And what i realise is that its not necessary to be rich in order to be happy. Whoever says money can buy happiness is oh so wrong!
very very true! If ppl in small huts can smile, I wonder why ppl in mansions cant.
**I can name so many so called rich families who live in utmost disharmony and keep hankering over property and other material possessions like-wise.
Take MJ's family for example. They hvnt buried his body yet and r still fighting over his WILL!
**But what they dont realise is that by the time they r done with their feuds, life has passed away....and they hav missed out on those moments which cud hav made their life special. The worst part is they dont even realise what i am saying here.
OMG that is so very true! I hv living examples ard me for which this statement holds so true!
*HUGZ* ty for ur beautiful presence in my life!
Keshi.
Soul nooo dun be 'proud' to know me...just be happy to know Baby-dee thru my posts :)
Keshi.
Utopia thats right...some ppl r so proud they dun even wanna think abt HUMILITY.
Keshi.
ty Zillion!
Sorry for making u 'speechless' tho ;-)
Keshi.
Mayz Smiling is always good :)
Keshi.
ty Nidhi!
**his sparkle in his eyes
yep...those r the prayers we need answered, not an increase in our bank balance hehe..
Keshi.
ty Tarun!
**Yes honesty of heart and simplicity of intention has won many a battles.
thats all we need to LIVE.
Keshi.
Harini I think both u and ur relatives r doing a great job. Im so v proud of ya! Way to go girl. Education is v imp in life..and to aid someone to acquire it, is simply divine.
In Buddhism there's a quote that goes like this:
"Ugatha mana shilpaya mai mathu rakena"
Which means
'Education is the only asset that will remain with u forever'
** i don't know if ill ever meet someone like you in the REAL world!!
o cmon there r tonns of ppl who do MUCH MORE than what Im doing. This is nothing. I wish I cud do more. But this experience has actually GIVEN me more than I hv GIVEN to it. Thats the best part :)
Keshi.
ty Anwesa!
whenever ur feeling down, think of all the ppl who hv it worse than ya. Thats what I do and it gives me strength to carry on :)
*HUGZ*
Keshi.
hey ty Suresh :)
Keshi.
Rhapsody WC n ty!
Keshi.
ty Jay ur comment is GOLD!
**It's amazing how little it really takes to make a difference in people's lives. And when we see how little effort we would have to put out to make someone happy, we should be embarrassed at how little we do.
Very well-said there!
And yet ppl r never happy or dun wanna make others happy.
Keshi.
Arunima hey WB n ty! :)
ppl dun realise how fortunate they r. thats cos their minds r tangled up with too many worries that dun mean a thing.
Keshi.
ty Krys HUGS! :)
Keshi.
Angel then u r a real angel!
Wonderful to find another sponsor here in Blogville :)
Keshi.
hey ty Priya!
Giving is so hard for some ppl. And u dun even hv to be rich to give...cos there's always someone less privileged than u.
**We send money every year during Diwali time to an Orphanage school back home. When I visit India, I will go in person and try to do more.
Wonderful! Im so very proud of ya.
*HUGZ*
Keshi.
ty Joyce!
**..that we should take nothing for granted..what we have in abundance and what we just dun care about can be like gold for others...
u nailed it hun!
Keshi.
Lavida Im glad then :)
d u ever wonder why Keshi has to be so annoying? LOL!
Keshi.
tnxx Kulz!
ur BIL is an angel! when I read ur comment, I got goosebumps. u know wut they were? They were the vibes of Kindness and Compassion ur BIL has just spread around thru ur message.
I wanna read ur post and see his pic too. I hope he gets well soon. TY for sharing this wonderful story with us!
Keshi.
How very touching!
You made my day with this beautiful post....thank you my friend!
How very glad I am to have you in my life!
I was just thinking of you a little while ago & had a feeling you might have a very special post up...I was so right!
Life has so many blessings each day that we all take for granted.
I try my best not to take any of them for granted!
You are a blessing in my life...thank you!
God bless you & Baby-Dee!
HUGGGGGGZ!
Margie
Margie hey HUGZ! n ty so v much. :)
u know what...this experience is GIVING me so much more than Im GIVING to it. Its a blessing in disguise.
What I give in sheer perishable MATERIAL, r giving me back intangible sentiments that hv made me grow like never before.
hv a good wknd Margie!
Keshi.
Keshi
I know & understand exactly what you mean about getting back!
** This experience is GIVING me so much more than I'm GIVING to it. It's a blessing in disguise.**
I too am feeling that same way as the past 2 weeks I have been going to a very special young mother's house. (she is a good friend to my daughter & helped her so much with her wedding!)
She was so good to my daughter that I have wanted to repay her kindness so I have been taking care of her precious little girls so she can have a little free time for herself.
I can't tell you how happy it makes me to do this and I have come to adore her & her girls.
It's also a blessing in disguise for me.
I hope to keep on doing this as long as I can!
When we do good it makes us feel SO GOOD!
And at the end of the day, we can go to sleep with a smile on our faces knowing how wonderful it is to do for others!
Oh, I read your comment on my blog( thank u luv) & it made me want to come back....maybe I will surprise you before too long!
Know you are always in my heart!
HUGS!
Margie
Oh,I forgot to mention....have a most wonderful weekend...ok!
Margie:)
hey keshi its surprising how much i myself follow what you said here..praying and all is sheer waste i feel sometimes..its better to work and make this world a better place.
hands that do service are holier than the lips that pray
So true.....
That's so nice,Keshi-it's a thrill to see how involved you are with Baby-Dee, to the extent of sending him a gift from Australia. I did send him a birthday gift last year,but,it was thru World Vision and I felt that it was somewhat impersonal to tell someone else to give him a gift. But,he still wrote a letter saying that he liked the gift and so on..gives one a nice,warm feeling..can imagine exactly what you're feeling.
--
The title of the post is so apt- humility! Everytime I'm in India,I see people praying at the temple and then,coming out and arguing with their kids/spouse/spice,etc...or,even if/when I visit some people..and,I wonder'what's all the religious worship in aid of,if you can't live in harmony?...and then I think-if they're happy in their misery,so be it!ah well,that's human nature-far be it from me to try and change people.If I can keep myself on level (read-non-selfish) grounds most of the time, that's what makes me happy!
Nice post...
_Element
u hv a beautiful soul Keshi n so does Baby Dee!!!
Both of u r special for each other and nuthin can be more pretty than the bond u share with him!!!
Take care girl:)
Great post Keshi.
"you don't even need to pray, if your life is a prayer"
HOW very true, keshi... and so beautiful!
these little things, keshi... like not "expecting" to be thanked for doing what you believe you should, is what makes you a better, genuine person. pleasure to know you. really.
Hey, it's so nice of you to sponsor an unfortunate child. Once I bought a set of books for a child, that felt really good! I can imagine the kind of well deserved joy you must be getting from this.
I totally agree with you that it is better to do such meaningful service to society than to pour money into religious institutions.
Keep posting awesome stuff. :)
WOW! **Introspecting...Wondering...What's missing?**
Beautiful! 'Humility' is not the post but in each word laid down here..:)
I envy Baby-Dee for his angel who silenly wipes tears on his humbleness, rehashly reads his mails and then ponders for a while about him...:) (** a tear shed down in silence*)
God Bless people like you who do not exhibit their humbleness and generousity by acts of donation and adoption!
This is awe-inspiring..:)
I too have two kids like this under my wings but I don't know whether I will be able to do justice to these saplings like the way you do, Keshi!
I like simply taking up some clothes, going for a drive to help some strangers who look at us in surprise, in shock of receiving something so simple, original and so full of love...!
Buy some food and offer it to the little kids who cheerfully play around without attending school like normal kids... They love this belief of hope...and I love not what I do bit those little angels, themselves..:)
Keep doing what you are doing now..and let those souls wonder in time this beautiful life that they least expected, not the materials matter, but what has been put into sending those, the love, the care, the affection, the dreams for them...That matters the most!
God bless you both.. and keep writing..!
:)
Margie thats an awesome deed ur doing for ur daughter's friend. It is not something everyone WILL do. ppl r too selfish these days.
**It's also a blessing in disguise for me.
I agree totally. We've gotta REALISE em...and Im glad u do.
Keep up the good work luv :)
Keshi.
ofcourse I will Margie ty! ;-)
my wknd is a big one this time...another bday party today :)
u hv a great one too!
Keshi.
Definitely Ani_aset!
ppl pray n pray n pray, w.o. really DOING anything. I wonder if they dun get tired of it lol!
Keshi.
ty Suree :)
for whats the point of WORDS if DEEDS r too hard.
Keshi.
aww ty Amit! May I ask where ur sponsored kid is in?
**The title of the post is so apt- humility! Everytime I'm in India,I see people praying at the temple and then,coming out and arguing with their kids/spouse/spice,etc...
lol yes I know so many ppl like that right in MY family too. No point ha..they become a saadu inside the temple and the moment they step out 'u didnt do that u didnt do this ur this ur that'
HAHAHAHAHA!
Keshi.
ty Element and WC!
Keshi.
CN we all do hv a beautiful heart...just that some dun USE it enough :)
tnxx!
Keshi.
ty Gigi!
Keshi.
hey Raysh!
**these little things, keshi... like not "expecting" to be thanked for doing what you believe you should, is what makes you a better, genuine person.
spot on! u dun hv to do big things to cleanse ur soul...just doing small good deeds in ur day to day life is more than enough. the targedy is, MOST ppl find that hard to do!
Keshi.
hey Sandy!
**Once I bought a set of books for a child, that felt really good!
Welldone mate. Im very proud of ya.
some ppl may say that we should help others w.o. talking abt it...I believe we hv to talk abt it. That way we can SPREAD some inspiration and make others do the same :)
Keshi.
hey Fid ty sweetie!
**I too have two kids like this under my wings...
how very noble of ya. I'm glad that Im surrunded by such ppl here in Blogville. Alot of do-gooders...thats just awesome!
Thats why I blog. Cos in here, I find alot of good souls. Off the blogs, in my life, I find alot of CHAOS...ppl who make me think and write these posts tho ;-)
*HUGZ* keep up the good work!
Keshi.
ty Kannan! :)
Keshi.
Missed your posts coz had a busy week :)
Humility is my daily key word....and you are doing a fab job!!!!
Have a good weekend :)
Hi,Keshi-my sponsored kid is in India...World Vision is a group that looks after many such underprivileged children.And,yes,I do plan to do something more special for Manikantan(That's his name) this year..let's see.
---
LOL yes-sadhu in temple,shaitan(devil)outside it is the right phrase..might make a good title for a Hindi movie...I'm glad we're more mentally'balanced'in a way.hehe!!
keshi,
**But this experience has actually GIVEN me more than I hv GIVEN to it**
aww thats so sweet of you!
lol thats what i say about my school! :)
i just wanna say i loved it, i am on your side helping hands are the way to go, perfectly written and loved the way you said it
if only more people like you could be this helpful,
first i loved your blog, but now i respect you, (*gives a stand innovation*, sits down*) ;)
take care and keep writing......
Hello Keshi,
How are you doing? This was a warm post. Children make us realize so many things don't they? They remind us of long forgotten innocence.
May God bless Baby-Dee and his family and appreciate your deeds towards them.
Lots of love.
hey ty Shachi :)
Keshi.
hey ty Amit!
aww he's in India...how sweet. Thats a very nice name too...so unique.
ironically we went to the Hindu temple yday...twas my maternal granma's death anniv. I was lookin ard and spotting ppl...saadhus and satans I mean lol!
Keshi.
Harini lol is that cos u hate school?
Keshi.
Thousif aww tnxx mate! But I dun need no applause or glory...I wish more ppl wud do this kinda thing...so more children can hv a healthy n happy childhood, in order to grow into what they deserve to be.
Keshi.
aww tnxx Sunshine girl!
yes kids OFTEN remind us of what we hv forgotten...
Keshi.
saadhus and satans??hehehe!
keshi,
no!! i love my school but didnt study much in 12th but still managed an 86% because of what they taught me.
also its because of my school that i believe in myself and know whats good for me. its also the place that made me start writing :)
Amit yeah they all walk together! ;-)
Keshi.
true Harini, a school is a very special place...thats where LEARNING begins.
Keshi.
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