Appearances can be deceptive
By Shiva
@Shiva49 (26202)
Singapore
November 2, 2018 10:34pm CST
One of the rewards of long years of life is we can reflect not only on our lives but also on others. I have met some who flattered to deceive and the very few who punched above their weight.
As I stretch my legs after a long working life, I have time to not only go deeper within my mind which is supposed to be comparable to the outside universe. Come to think of it, the universe is beyond measure with the rate at which it has expanded after the supposed “Big Bang”. And it still does at increasing speed. We are having a comfortable ride thanks to the incomparable oarsman! He dodges everything in our way as only he can.
Back to my reflections on the life of others; few of my friends from yonder are incommunicado. They have sort of kicked the ladder they used to climb up and up; so be it. What matters is the very few who have gone beyond the call of duty. One has inspired me by touching many a life of the disadvantaged and the elderly who have none to fall back upon.
He is a man of few words but what he told me said it all “we should not forget we are more blessed than we give credit for”. That is a telling commentary on others who are never satisfied with their lives.
Would you share touching deeds/lifestyle of friends who went beyond the ordinary journey of life?
Image: Touching lives from Wikimedia Commons
14 people like this
14 responses
@cherigucchi (14879)
• Philippines
3 Nov 18
There are good and bad people and even life itself. But of course it is better that we make reservations on who they really are and what really life is because there are more than meets the eye.
3 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
3 Nov 18
Where I live, everyone goes about their business and avoids any sort of friendliness. So, if someone comes along and says hello and smiles at me then I think they have done something special. Does that count?
2 people like this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
3 Nov 18
There was this guy who as you said his exterior was quite deceptive in that he displayed rudeness but his deeds reaching out to the needy were beyond compare,
If I reflect more I would surely have a string to talk about.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
4 Nov 18
That reminds me of one who was sitting on the bus when I was young.
The tire of the double-decker ran over the foot of a pedestrian. When others were too shocked to react, he took charge and transformed from being an innocuous-looking person to a hero This happened over fifty years ago but replays in my mind often.
Yes, appearances are deceptive. I recall one doctor of few words but his empathy and compassion knew no bounds - siva
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
4 Nov 18
@allknowing I am guided by "What we do in life echoes in eternity".
Every life has meaning but we should give credence to our inner knowing - siva
2 people like this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
8 Nov 18
I could think of some people I met who did some extraordinary things in life .. I hope I could do something too before I leave this life ..
1 person likes this
@sofssu (23662)
•
20 Dec 18
I think I will be friends with your friend too.. I just love the depth of his statement “we should not forget we are more blessed than we give credit for” If we just did that people will never complain.. everyone will be happy, only positive approach and joy will fill the face of this earth,.
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
21 Dec 18
We both are retired now and met after forty plus years.
He volunteers at a palliative care center and it is so inspiring to see his commitment.
He feels uneasy to be away from his wards as they have none else to turn to.
That is compassion and love in action - siva
1 person likes this
@DianneN (246819)
• United States
5 Nov 18
Yes, indeed. My my father and uncle served our country in World War II. My husband's middle brother served in the Korean War. Both daughters-in-law serve their communities and those abroad to help others in need. My husband has volunteered his time for so many. I have helped by volunteering my time and talents for so many organizations in the medical field, domestic abuse, cancer, poverty, and the like. It's our job to help the oppressed, especially when we have it so good.
2 people like this
@innertalks (21024)
• Australia
4 Nov 18
My mum was a bit like that. She always awoke each morning with a song in her heart, and she was always ready then to share it with anyone else that she met that day in her life.
Mum realised that we are all blessed, and loved deeply by God. She saw nothing as either just being black, or white. Mum always saw the hand of God that was within everything too.
A coin doesn't just have two sides, it has a third side too, its rim, and it has an inside too, put there by God, of love.
Life isn't just a chance happening when we see these extra sides to life.
Mum touched others with her life, with her love.
Photo Credit:
The photo used here was freely sourced from the free media site: pixabay.com.
A song is like a flower, it brings such freshness of spirit to the viewer, or to the listener.
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
4 Nov 18
Thanks, Steve, your mum has indeed left a legacy of love and compassion.
The most potent force in us is the love though we tend to be miserly with it.
Everything in creation reflects the deep, incomparable, love of God.
We are given a chance here to reflect our creator's love and compassion.
We will be miserable when we try to hang on to our material possessions. They are temporary.
The connection to God through our soul is permanent and then we will feel the oneness of creation embellished with the uniqueness in each of us - siva
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
5 Nov 18
@innertalks So touching to know how much your mum cared for others over and above her own family.
She knew the family extends beyond the immediate members.
That reflects the essence of Advaita philosophy:
"the self is the self of all; the knower of self sees the self in all beings and all beings in the self".
She has touched others without borders, a life of selflessness.
Those in more need get the first pick; in a way, she cherry-picked according to needs.
That reflects another phrase in Hindu scriptures: "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" meaning " the world is one family".
I have personally seen greed in action even before "the body" is disposed of (sorry for this crude expression). The vultures circling above impatiently and fighting over the spoils and spoiling for a fight even before "the event" - siva
1 person likes this
@Shiva49 (26202)
• Singapore
5 Nov 18
@innertalks So touching to know about her selfless life, Steve, she will now be blessing you all.
A tough act to follow.
A life lived for others is not for most but some inspire others that it is possible.
It requires utmost faith in God. It is so tough in a world where the more we have, the more we want, is touted as the way to live and a mark of success - siva
1 person likes this
