These were words I saw in a mosque in Fatehpur Sikri: “The world is a bridge, pass over it, but build not your dwelling there!”
The great Fuller was one day taken to the Bank of England, where one of the clerks showed him some gold bars. He took one in his hand, examined it with some care, then laying it down, remarked to his friend, “How much better to have this in the hand than in the heart!”
Another famous man who had striven hard to get a knighthood lay on his death bed when the news of the distinction and honour was brought to him. Turning a cold glance at the royal paper, he said with a sigh, “Alas! This is a very fine thing in this country, but I am going to a country where it will be of no use to me.
I know a man who decided to base the secret of happiness upon the things he did from which he got the deepest sense of inner joy. He found for example that he enjoyed going out to a charming restaurant for a delicious dinner and a delightful evening with friends. But when he went out of his way to do something generous and kind and unexpected for someone in deep trouble, he felt so good inside that he could sing for joy!
I sang for joy a few years ago: Having a business background, I love a good bargain, and after my mother-in-law’s death, we gave most of what she had to others, except an unused wheelchair still in its plastic covering. “Let me sell it online!” I said to my wife and put an ad on a website.
A call came yesterday from someone in a far away suburb, who asked me for pics. I sent them. Measurements. I gave them. Then his wife came on the line, explaining it was for their invalid daughter of twenty years. She asked me for a discount as the price seemed high. I refused, and they reluctantly agreed and thanked me when I told them my driver would bring it to the station for them to take away.
But as I sat to write that day, something told me to call and tell them to take it free. I did, and the joy I’ve felt from that small act is far more than the pleasure of the bargain. Much, much more, I tell you!
Pleasure lasts for a little while, it is like a flash of lightning, there, for a moment and then gone forever. Whereas joy is like a flood that engulfs your heart and soul and etches its mark on your life!
The giving of a wheelchair made me taste that joy that day, and when you enjoy your walk over a bridge called earth, and don’t try to possess it and make your house on it, you taste joy..!
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Robert Clements is a newspaper columnist and writes a daily column, which has graced the pages of over 60 newspapers and magazines, from a daily column in the Khaleej Times, Dubai, the Morning Star, London, and in nearly every state in India, from The Statesman in Kolkata, to the Kashmir Times in Kashmir to the Trinity Mirror in Chennai.
It is the greatest feeling to have when you see need around and are able to fulfill that need with a bit of sacrifice. Hoping to see the government stop doing just the opposite in the North East.
The Joy of Giving. Nobody can take away this from you. Especially the time u spend in the company of an old man or a special child. God alone sees that n gives u Joy hundredfold.
Felt the same flood of joy , when I somehow drove alongside a man pulling a push-cart with a heavy load, sweating and struggling under its weight, and gave him a cool drink bottle!
I’ll never forget the look in his eyes, which changed from utter misery to such a look of joy and gratitude !!
That was a very touching article. My prayer is that I too put it into practice on a regular basis. Keep touching hearts and souls around for the glory of God!
Beautiful and generous act that’s an inspiration to the youth of today , of the past generation’s love for needy people rather than to gain monetarily! Thank you ????Bobby.My dad’s new water bed, walker etc. were given away not sold.We watched and learnt watching our parents give away not sell things when we moved to new cities with transfers my dad had every3rd year.