My major turnaround in life from Corporate to Social Service
Apr 28, 2022
Story
Often people ask me how being in corporate world for more than a decade I am now getting inclined towards social service. I am one who is always engrossed in work and work and no second thought.
So, I thought let me share the story of how the seeds of social service were roped into me. So, it was my birthday and who is not excited about the birthdays? As a small kid I am over excited every year for birthday. Till the time I do not know about my gift I keep on asking everyone at home and disturb them a lot looking for an answer.
But this was the day when everyone had decided not to answer me about anything and everyone had their lips sealed lips. So the day passed, noon passed so passed the evening and till that time I was waiting for my gift. May be the year was supposed to be a turnaround for me that’s and I think it was destined that way.
Suddenly later in the night my sister asked me “Do you want your gift?” with wide open eyes; “yes”, I said. She said come with me till the parking and I was overjoyed thinking what will this be? She opened the car and there were pile of blankets kept in front of me pointing towards that she told me you distribute these and get your birthday gift. I was confused about her statement and here comes the main part; “you distribute these blankets to the people who really need them and gather the blessings and that is your gift”.
I was stunned by this statement and voila her half work was done. Now it was time for me to distribute these blankets in the chilling cold night of December to the people who are sleeping on the road, people who are sleeping in the rags, some on newspaper and some direct on the road. Her statement of blessing to be my birthday gift simply moved me hard inside. Later in the night we went out and I saw people sleeping on newspapers and shivering with cold, some are sleeping on rough sacks some just have a simple bed sheet and then when I spread blanket on the sleeping and shivering beggars; some woke up and saw me and gave me a satisfying smile with blessings; some just squeezed more like a kid when blanket was on top of them and smiled in their sleep.
With heavy heart I took two rounds of the area after the distribution and saw many smiling faces full of contentment that with this blanket they are ready to survive and fight the winters. That night the satisfaction which I got was unimaginable and I would say that was the turning point when I understood what happens when you do something self less.
After that day we decided to celebrate all our important days like this only; we buy some things which we consider can be the necessities for these people and then distribute.
I must say everyone of us at some point of time should go and spend time with the people who are staying alone and are old they are looking for someone to share their talks with. Meet them once and share some of your smiles with them and listen to them.
There is also a saying about the Tan, Mann and Dhan ki Sewa which we use every time.
Tann ki Sewa (Help with your body)
Would be when you go personally and work yourself; like going to some place and spend your time.
Mann Ki Sewa (help with your heart/soul)
This would be your prayers for needy people; your concern for everyone so when something bad happens to them you feel bad; when good happens you are happy indeed. It is also a feeling of thinking good and positive for everyone around you. You want people should be happy and they should also spread happiness everywhere they go.
Dhann Ki Sewa (help with your money)
Last would be Dhann ki Sewa when you are not able to spare your time for doing some charity but you pay to them as some places money is the most important aspect which they want in order to complete the task or any program celebration.
Currently I am working with The Pink Foundation as the back office support where the amount of time I am giving is less I know but it gives me inner satisfaction that I am able to add a value to the foundation.
With an experience of more than 13 long years in corporate i had never thought I would be a part of social service but some small incidents give you courage to be part of such initiatives.
You will understand and learn by doing it yourself and there is no age for volunteerism; I must say at any age you can give your time and be a volunteer in any area you want to.
Once we had visited an old age home as we wanted to take the old ladies we call majis out for a day picnic to a mandir and spending time with them. They just told us one thing that you give us time; sit with us for a while that is one thing we need; someone to talk to; someone to share smiles to; someone to give us their self-less time. This added a boost to us and we organized a trip for them to the Tri Mandir and the satisfaction, the enthusiasm and their dedication which we could see on their faces was something we cannot explain; it was beyond our imagination. We were so proud of the way we organized the trip, got food donor even got donor for transportation and the return gifts for the old ladies. I told my sister “Together we can make a Difference” and we did it; which we could see on their faces.
So share your time with someone needy; someone alone. Listen to them and do good for someone today; tomorrow and always. Don’t wait for the blessings or a result of your deed; if you are doing something self-less your Karma will reward you today or later.
"What goes around comes around"
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