33. Count your blessings not the troubles

 Count your blessings not the troubles 

In my journey of life and the lessons gleaned from personal experiences that I aspire to share in the book I am endeavoring to publish, one profound revelation stands out. It revolves around our tendency to attribute our challenges and discontent to external factors—the country we reside in, the state and city we belong to, the educational institutions we attended, or even our family lineage. We extend this blame to the very fabric of our society, including our parents and their predecessors.

Yet, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that the prosperity or adversity of a nation isn't solely determined by geographical location or available resources. Take Japan, for instance—a nation with limited arable land and abundant mountains. Despite these seemingly unfavorable conditions, Japan has emerged as a global economic powerhouse, relying on its innovative prowess rather than abundant resources. Notably, intellectual and racial differences don't play a decisive role.

What often shapes our perception of our surroundings is our inclination to dwell on problems rather than blessings. The crux lies in our attitude—whether we choose to count our problems or acknowledge our blessings. I recall a poignant real-life story from my own experiences.

The boy was born in 1954 in a small village called Aykudi in Tamil Nadu. He was the eldest, brilliant, highly enthusiastic, dynamic, and participated in all activities in school and college. He was the only person in the village pursuing engineering. With a desire to join the naval army, he completed his engineering and went for an interview in Pune. He passed all the tests and physical examinations. However, during the final obstacle—a jumping test out of 10—he slipped, landing on his head. He was immediately taken to the hospital, where it was discovered that he was paralyzed below the neck. He was then transferred to the Commando Hospital in Bangalore, but recovery proved futile. Upon waking in the hospital, he realized the extent of his condition, questioning the doctor about his missing hand. Unable to move any parts below his neck, he lost sensation in his urine bladder, making it impossible to sense urine flow or motion. People had to insert their hand daily to remove waste from his body. His sweat glands weren't functioning, requiring frequent water spraying to maintain skin temperature. He had to shift positions frequently due to pressure sores forming. After eight months in the hospital, he returned to his village feeling disheartened about depending on others for everything. His life became challenging; even a mosquito on his face couldn't be swatted away without assistance. Placed in front of the house platform, he would call out to people passing by, but eventually, they started avoiding the road due to his calls, considering it a waste of time. In this dark period, he reflected on what he could do with what he had—his ability to speak, see, and hear. He decided to teach disabled children in the village, starting with five students and eventually expanding to ten. In 1982, he founded an institute called Amar Seva Sangha, named after his doctor, Amarjith Singh. Today, it boasts more than 3000 students, the majority facing physical challenges. The institute, now on a 26-acre campus, provides employment opportunities in stitching, painting, computers, etc. The employees, all facing physical limitations, assist each other in various tasks. Seeking financial support, he approached Tata for a donation. Tata initially gave Rs 5000 and, upon demonstrating how the money was utilized, increased their support to Rs 10,000 and more. Today, he receives substantial donations from Tata, but he refuses to take any personal income from the institute. He maintains a modest salary of Rs 2500 and receives a pension of Rs 1500 from the navy, totaling Rs 4000. A woman named Chitra, impressed by his work, decided to marry him, believing that by taking care of him, he could continue caring for more than a three thousand people. His life philosophy emphasizes that it's not about what one has but what one does with what one has. Additionally, he has adopted 16 villages, where he teaches people about life and resilience.

Another tale, A man in Hong Kong was struggling to make ends meet and secured a job in the French ambassador's house as a head cook. After a few days, he got in touch with a woman who was a maid servant in the same house and they eventually got married. Soon, she became pregnant, but their earnings were insufficient to support their growing family. They decided on an abortion and consulted a doctor, who deemed it too late and a risk to the mother's life. Both parents harbored resentment towards the unborn child, with the mother cursing the pregnancy and contemplating ways to terminate it. During the eighth month of pregnancy, she experienced pain and again sought the doctor's intervention to remove the baby. However, the doctor reiterated the danger of such a procedure to the mother's life. Subsequently, they decided to wait until after the birth to find a way to end the child's life. To their surprise, upon the birth of a boy, they couldn't bring themselves to carry out their previous plan, captivated by the child's sparkling eyes and cuteness. Unable to manage the child after a few years, they made the decision to go to Australia and planned to give the child away. They sold the kid to a Judo master, who took him for doing small works in his school. The child's name was Chan Kong-sang. Fond of the ambassador's son, who was named Jockey, Chan Kong-sang was so attached to him that he used to call him "Jockey." Despite tearful pleas from the child, the parents left him. At the age of eight, Chan Kong-sang began working in the judo school, observing practices and practicing alone after work. Sometimes, he even woke up at midnight to practice. Recognizing his interest, the master asked him to join the class. In addition to working, Chan Kong-sang started learning judo and martial arts, showcasing extraordinary stunts. During film shootings at the school, Chan Kong-sang was selected as a stuntman for the movie "Fist of Fury," where Bruce Lee was the hero. This opportunity allowed him to meet Bruce Lee, sparking his interest in movies. After acting in the movie "Return to the Dragon," he faced unemployment for a while. However, a producer who had witnessed his stunts offered him a chance to play a main role in the film "Snake in the Eagle Shadow." This marked the breakthrough for the boy who would become the legendary and popular actor in Asia, Jackie Chan.

Despite facing monumental limitations, these individuals soared to great heights, becoming legends in their respective fields. These stories underscore a common thread—the ability to transcend limitations and achieve greatness by focusing on what one has rather than what is lacking. We, too, grapple with limitations, yet the question persists: why do we often fail to recognize our own potential for greatness? The answer lies in their approach—never fixating on what was absent, but rather, embracing what they had and determining what they could achieve with it. So, I pose the question to you now: where is your focus? Is it on the unattainable?

Consider this: life unfolds according to its unique design. A substantial 90% of our journey is relatively smooth, with only a challenging 10%. However, by dwelling on that 10%, by lamenting about its difficulties, we inadvertently overlook the beauty inherent in the remaining 90%. Take a moment to observe what exists in your life, what has been bestowed upon you. Acknowledge the myriad beautiful things that surround you. Recognize the multitude of blessings that grace your life. It's an invitation to shift your focus from what's absent to the abundance that is present.

Harry Abbot was miserable—his business was failing, his wife had let him down, and he was drowning in debt. Contemplating giving up on life, he walked down the road. During his journey, he encountered a beggar on skates with a smile on his face. To Harry's surprise, the beggar wished him a good morning, shared a warm smile, and exclaimed, “Wow! What a beautiful day!” before moving on.This unexpected encounter left Harry Abbot shocked, prompting him to stop for a moment. He uttered, “I was in the blues because I had no shoes until, upon a time, I met someone who has no feet.”

So, let us shift our focus. Life is not just because of challenges; it is, in fact, in spite of them. Recognizing and counting our blessings, no matter how small, empowers us to navigate the challenges with a positive mindset. As the saying goes, "Life is not because of, life is in spite of." Instead of dwelling on what we lack, realisation to me is count our blessings and cultivate the strength to face whatever comes our way.