When sad things happen

Sad things do happen and thats inevitable, as inevitable as the rising sun and the gushing wind. However it is the sense of loss attached to those “sad events” that makes the realisation painful and difficult.

It is “human” to feel a sense of loss, to feel the pain, to feel the void. But there is something beyond it, which is far more meaningful.

I have often wondered, how do people react, or rather — how should one ideally react when such things happen. There are three possible scenarios that come to mind:

a) Stay immune and move on: It is less common, but I do see people who just move on. Thats a tribe who are either highly practical or are deeply entangled with their own worries and challenges

b) Feel the pain: A vast majority of the people feel the pain, let out a gasp and genuinely feel sorry. But like everything else, feelings are momentary, they dilute and transition out, making way for the next feeling. For some, it happens faster and for some it happens rather slowly

c) Realisation: A third group is of people who go deeper and realise the real meaning of what has happened and what is important

1. Honestly, none of us have a control on how things eventually turn out to be. The only thing in our control is to “be there”, do everything possible to care for people who need our time and attention. Knowing that this is the ultimate truth, is the biggest realisation.
2. “May we never have to face such things in our life” — but the reality is, we will, each one of us will, it is bound to happen. What’s important is to know and resolve that I will be there and I will stand by my dear ones when the responsibility comes
3. The most important realisation is that I don’t have to wait for a turning point in my life. I have an opportunity to “show up” and “be there” every day. If I can share the happiness and sorrow of daily lives and be there for my dear ones every day — thats life well lived
4. And finally, why restrict our love and attention to only our dear ones. Why not look around and every time we see someone going through a difficult time, we extend a helping hand, we show up every-time someone needs our help — irrespective of how close (or not so close) the person is to us. That really is the pinnacle of the ultimate realisation to me.

“You only live once, but if you live it right…. Once is enough”