When the World leaves us behind!
By Sivaramakrishnan A, 19th May 2012 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutWritingColumns & Opinions
Life is never the same; each stage is different. We need to plan and get prepared as modern lifestyles can leave us behind before we know it. The lonely ride to sunset years is not exclusive to our species.
Life journey
We are all part of the world, feel blessed to partake in the joys even as we try to forget our setbacks and hope this life can go on forever. But soon, those around us tend to leave us behind – a sad reality that the majority goes through. These are harsh times and people have to look ahead and periodically shed their excess baggage! Even in the animal kingdom, if one becomes a burden others move on; we see the heartbreaks of mothers when their young cannot make it in life. The old and the infirm are left behind as the herd marches on. Even the mighty male lions take their lonely walk into their sunset years when younger ones take over their pride killing their offspring even! We are more civilized in this respect at least!
Stages of Life
Few try to plug every loophole in every conceivable way. Accumulate gold when currencies are suspect, bomb-proof shelters at homes, twenty-four hour surveillance to keep out intruders! But enemies, sometimes, live too close in the most unsuspecting of places! Life can take a cruel turn and the uncertainty becomes the only certainty. When we are inured of such, we are ensured a good ride!
Each has own take on life and the world around us. We also change every five years or so. When one is in the pink of health the whole world is at our beck and call, but when health is on terminal decline one has to depend on others, and our perception changes overnight! As we slip into old age, things turn sour for some. Attitudes count and independence too, but is not the world getting harsher on those who cannot run with the crowd?
We try to keep up-to-date, know the latest fads to partake in conversations with gusto, but there are limits when our time is nigh. We can put up pretences only to some extent! Our creaking bones give away and we cry out for help to tide over our days! Loneliness is daunting when others have to live their hurried lives.
Mind can steady our ride
It can get worse as the world is spinning faster. Sorry, nature is the same but we are restless in a rather negative way! The good things are mundane, not that exciting. Filling our stomachs is just ordinary and we seek the thrill outside the ordinary. These are becoming the new normal. We accept all as we baulk at questioning the direction; old is not considered imbued with wisdom anymore. Attitudes change for our species. When the stomachs are empty we have issues, but they don’t get easier when our stomachs are full either. It is all in our mind, have to anchor it!
Thank life's little mercies
We all go through phases in life. Earlier times, in traditional societies, multi-generations lived under one roof. Now independence is the clarion call, all love to call their shots; true independence and freedom at play! The old gets left behind when they are at their most vulnerable!
Each healthy day is a gift for us, able to get up and be up and about. But nothing is assured anytime. The same world and people look different soon. We can all adjust if we want to but the real experience is felt only when we go through them! We then crave for compassion, empathy and understanding. That seems to dry up among many, but with few making a valiant effort to fill the void
Choices to suit us
Everyone admires a winner. When young we admire the rich but as we get older we have to look for the kind-hearted! But are they not sprinkled amid us to come to our rescue when the few we counted upon desert us? Someone fills the void; our Creator prompts them till our final departure is confirmed!
When we run with the crowd, let us also pause whether such a race makes much meaning. Filling our time comes easy, but do our activities add to a meaningful life to savor at the end of the day? Again, it is our perception of life and the real drama could unfold when we are done with here! But still, let us take a deep breath and pause. We do not need much anyway and let the few with passion run their race! Why compete with them just to add to the numbers? We all have better choices; find and exercise them. Then we have a good ride till the end, and get better prepared!
Comments
20th May 2012 (#)
once again Siva thank you for illuminating writing...namaste
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20th May 2012 (#)
Thank you cnw for your visit and appreciation. Namaste - siva
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20th May 2012 (#)
An interesting post Siva
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20th May 2012 (#)
Thank you for your visit and comments, Madan - siva
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20th May 2012 (#)
Thank you Peter, for your support and moderation - siva
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20th May 2012 (#)
Great Siva. Your article spells wisdom. The younger generation leaves you behind when you get old and infirm. In this technologically advanced world, such a situation can be expected a bit earlier in one's life than it could be sometime before. There are new words like digital divide and all to describe this. Thank you for this nice post.
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20th May 2012 (#)
Thanks Pradeep. You had also written a great piece based on real examples. We do not know the real reason why some sacrifices are blissfully ignored by those who have benefited from them. I feel it is better to touch as many lives as possible than what the rich do in Asia; bequeath all to their children! siva
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20th May 2012 (#)
Very good article, Siva. I always admire you for what you write and for the message you relay to everyone. Thanks for sharing this article.
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20th May 2012 (#)
Thank you for your appreciation, Tess. I like to see life as it is and not avoid the negativity too as they are ever present and we should be ever prepared to face them - siva
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20th May 2012 (#)
Really it is a very innovative writing, Thanks for this sharing.
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21st May 2012 (#)
Thanks Spicy for your support - siva
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20th May 2012 (#)
You are an intelligent person. Nice to bump into you!
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21st May 2012 (#)
Thanks for the encouragement, whoisbid - siva
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20th May 2012 (#)
My grandmother always say, "when you are young, everybody sees you but When you get old nobody wants to be around you." I often wonder what might my days be like when these young years shall fade away. You have give me a lot to thing about but you have also given me light to shine on my way forward. Bless you sir.
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21st May 2012 (#)
What a compliment, Leon, thank you. Loneliness is real for many in old age especially when they lose their life's partner. There are only so much that hobbies or money can do to fill the void. But we can get prepared in our own way to find meaning till the last moments - siva
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21st May 2012 (#)
Very good article Siva.
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21st May 2012 (#)
Thanks Ms Ann for your visit and appreciation - siva
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21st May 2012 (#)
Siva, you are full of insight that you are able to express in your writings-I appreciate you!
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22nd May 2012 (#)
Thanks again Ms Ann, for your kind words that make my day - siva
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22nd May 2012 (#)
Siva, you are so full of wisdom and thoughtfulness, you even answer each individual comment. Wow
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22nd May 2012 (#)
Thank you Teila. After office work, I cannot wait to return home and log on to hear from kind souls like you. My day is not complete without this camaraderie; after all you are like family for me - siva
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22nd May 2012 (#)
Siva this is a very real and beautiful article...at one time in history our very lives depended on the help and friendship of our neighbors....we cared....and would never cast our eyes downward and pretended not to see....
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22nd May 2012 (#)
I live in a busy city, Singapore. I can understand the young are in a hurry but family should never be forgotten. The bottom line is the happiness of our loved ones including parents. But that thought is in the back burner among many. Thanks for your visit and support, Delicia - siva
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22nd May 2012 (#)
Thank you for another great and very insightful article! Although it is true that the older generation is sometimes left behind, it is ironic that we accumulate so much wisdom, maturity and patience that can only come about as we get older! I hope I said that right?? Love your work, wisdom and patience!!
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24th May 2012 (#)
Old is gold - is an "old" saying, but I wonder if the young agree with it anymore! We can act as a lighthouse guiding the young but when they are fixated on latest gadgets, we might not be seen at all despite our attempts to get their attention! In Asia, old was revered but no more. Maybe, they are considered out of date! We have traveled a tough path, made mistakes and we want those to follow us to avoid them. Thanks Judy, for your visit and comments and I agree with you - siva
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28th May 2012 (#)
You are so wise Siva!!! Great post as always
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29th May 2012 (#)
Thanks Teila, for such praise. I just reflect on what I see around me - siva
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24th Jun 2012 (#)
Yes, illuminating as usual. Keep em' comin', Sivaji. Namaste-rd
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24th Jun 2012 (#)
Encouragement like yours make me keep going to share my thoughts, dear Rama-ji. Namaste - siva
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3rd Aug 2012 (#)
Very Inspirational indeed.
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3rd Aug 2012 (#)
Thanks Shazooo for your visit and comments. Really appreciated - siva
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