“Thank you for the offer, we are grateful.”
The auntie and uncle were telling me, in a slight bow position after I offered to buy them coffee. I responded with a bow. I had learned a lesson of humility, strength and gratitude from the elderly couple, and I am grateful to them.
I was at Clementi Mall for lunch and I met this elderly couple, the uncle was selling tissues, and his wife was beside him, giving him the support. I had earlier on, promised a busking uncle who had mobility issues to buy him his drink and thought of buying the drinks for the elderly couple too. The elderly couple declined and we had a although short but good conversation, the uncle told me he had to decline my offer because he had to go for dialysis the next day and he is trying to earn a little by selling tissues near the mall, and his wife is here to support him. The auntie added on, by saying she is grateful for my offer and there is no need for it. I was touched by the conversation, by their resilience, their support for each other and their appreciation of others.
In contrast, I was reading how the lack of empathy of people who are in a better position, to attempt to understand and help others in our society. Perhaps, individuals who experience suffering, understand suffering and are in a better position to empathize with others who are suffering.\
As they say, poor people are often the most generous because they know what it is like to be poor. Perhaps, people who does not know transcend their ego can’t empathize with sufferings of others; they can’t be grateful for what they have and bring happiness to others. They doesn’t know happiness themselves, they too, are suffering and didn’t realize the way out of it.
I am grateful for the good conditions that I have, for the opportunities to meet with conditions and individuals who taught me what happiness is.
And to the elderly couple, thank you for the experience, I am grateful.
May all be well and happy
With Metta
Simple Bear 25.04.2013.
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