“Maango Useese, Baaton Khusheese, Kaho na Kiseese” is Hindi quote which says “ Ask from God, donate happily and do not tell anyone. Someone shared this quote with me on social media and it stuck a chord.

All through our life we keep demanding for things from almost everyone around us- Our parents, teachers, friends, neighbours et all. It takes time for us to realise in life that we can ask only from God and nobody else. God gives all of us and may be the carrier ,are your parents, teachers, family or friends.

Possessiveness is our second nature. We get attached to material things more than people. It starts with “my pen”, my cycle”, “my clothes” and so on ,right from our childhood. We get very upset when someone tries to use our belongings ,even if they need them more than us.

We are reluctant to share .It takes a jolt in our life to realise that the more we give, the more we get. Many a time even after a few shocks in our lives, we are reluctant givers. When elders try to tell us that we need to give more than we take from others, we question them.

But as we grow older, we realise that this is the axiom of life, irrespective of whichever religion one follows. We get everything from the Almighty, we need to learn to give generously without expecting anything in return and do all good deeds in life ,anonymously.

It may be easier said than done, especially when we are young. We throng for material things and are indeed possessive of all that we have. We do not want to share our belongings with anyone and are keen to get credit for any small things we do.

But as we experience life, we learn our lessons, living through our own life events or through the wisdom of others. During childhood or even in our growing years at home, we do not believe in the advice of our parents or elders ,in this sphere.

We live in an illusion that we earn everything in life through our own hard work and sacrifice. The day we experience that money cannot buy many things like health or happiness ,we bow before the Almighty for forgiveness. Then ,we are willing to share with others.

Even when we are giving, we tend to take credit for the smallest good deeds we do ,without realising that there are millions around us doing much more than us and their left hand does not know what their right hand is doing.

When we stand up in life as adults and sometimes face difficulties and come out of it ,with the support and generosity of others ,then we realise that life is all about sharing, giving and caring for others.

Let us learn to give more than we get. Let us realise that the Almighty give us more than we deserve and the more we share happily without letting the world know of our little acts of kindness, the more we may be blessed.

S Ramesh Shankar

13th Feb 2023