Thursday, November 03, 2005

Why me?

*He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has - Epictetus

How many of us have asked this question? Whenever we get hurt, when we feel low and many times when we lose out on something, if not you, atleast I have had this question lingering in my mind "Why me?!" ... There was a similiar situation, I had again lost out on something important, I had been hurt once again, once again my ego took a beating, and I felt I deserve more than this, and as many a times before, I sat down and prayed, asking HIM, the Almighty, the same ol' question "Why me?!", and this time he gave me an answer.. or rather showed me the answer.

Why is it only me?
I sit in a corner and think.
Why is it only me?
In search of a just answer I blink.

I look around to find everyone the same,
I do no different, then why only my name?
I too play fair, you too do cheat at the game
At the end, why only me is to blame?
I always did try my best, in vain,
For in the end, again, I did fail.
From where I am, I can clearly see,
Everyone's on track, only I derail.

Kneeling down to GOD, I cry,
"Why do only I suffer? Why only me?", I sigh.
Cursing my life, in which i had no pride,
"Dear God, the reason for living has died".

"Thank you God!" another voice I heard,
I looked up to see an old man beside.
Frail and weak, with a smile he murmured,
"Thank you God, I feel satisfied."

After his prayers, I went up to him,
Curious about his reason for gratitude.
I learnt that today he managed to sell some fruit,
For two days, his children were without food.
His only earning, helped him buy some bread,
Happy he was, for his children and wife ate.
I realised he was blind, for he started groping his hand,
It was for his crutches, which he needed to stand.

I looked at myself, and felt ashamed
I have everything, that he has lost.
He is all grateful, for a small meal,
And Im complaining on a trivial deal.

With tears of remorse, I saw him leave,
Limping but with a smile on,
I wanted to stop and help him in some way
Before I could, he was gone.

This episode reminded me of an old saying,
"I was crying for shoes till I saw a man with no legs."
I sat there whole night praying,
Thanking HIM for things Ive got,
Rather than grieving for those I have not.

- - - Look at your friends who are less fortunate and be thankful, rather than looking at your friends wealthier and better which fuels desire and grievance.