As of 9.00 PM, Pongal day, 2010, my association with the SAI Youth Mission, Dubai, came to an end.
From the year of inception, 1995 to 2010, we have come a long way. And I have come a long way as well. Right from the early days in Pooja's house, to our Youth Home in Priyanka's house, to our Suri sir's house, back to our Youth Home, to our Centre, to our Mandir, I have had the time of my life!
I got drawn into the Sai fold through the youth, and it is through the youth that I have seen genuine Love for God. In many ways, the Youth Wing of Dubai laid the foundation of my spiritual life. But life must go on, and attachments must die. For man is born through attachment and lives through attachment, but has to leave detached.
The anguish of the last couple of days is amazing, even for my usual standards. Sometimes, you don't realize how much you value an association till you are asked to grow out of it, and by when you reckon that your Gmail inbox will never be the same again.
When I look back and realize that it's over, it dawns on me the enormity of Swami's words, when He says that let us do what we can while we can. I realize how I could have done more, done better, helped more, helped better... how I could have been more kind, less harsh, more gentle, more humane, and more considerate.
I now realize more than ever, how one should never waste any opportunity to do good, be good and say good. I really hope anyone who reads this realizes that they should never think twice about leaving their Anchor Wing(s), even if the going gets painful.
For, there will come a time when there will be no more time, and we will be able to only look back and ask ourselves why we could not have been better than we had. Never bid Farewell before making it a better place.
Never bid Farewell before you have to.
Yes, the journey has to go on, Praveen. As your wellwishers we notice you have done very well in your role as the Head of the Wing you belonged to. People may cavil or carp at the somewhat candid approach and observations of yours but such forthrightness is required for the otherwise predominantly, yes sir yes sir, "sychophancy" prevalent in the organisation. "Even a young boy's words are to be accepted if they are words of wisdom; else reject it like straw even if uttered by Brahma the Creator" says a 'Maha'scripture- We need to drill this in our fellow brothers and Sisters in Dubai.
ReplyDeleteThe true litmus test of Leadership is not found in the number "followers" that are created but in the number of "Leaders" that he has helped emerge. It is our role- yours and all of us in the Organisation to help Ramakant and his men take the mantle of leadership seriously. One of your best quotes of Swami during your tenure as Convener is "Commitment is Character". We need to help all the Youth to show commitment- to themselves, to their life, their development and to the cause of Swamy. It is our duty to help them fill their life with joy, harmony, beauty, grace, human excellence and lasting happiness- This is one of the principle objective of the SAI Organisation which has somewhat, by design or default we do not know, been relegated and transferred from RAM to the far corners of the Hard Disk of many of us in Dubai. Good luck to your future endevours in the SAI Life and May you always remain blessed by the Avatar!
Hi Praveen,
ReplyDeleteYour words of wisdom seem to flow all the time, wonder whether you google the same from the net.(kidding) Honestly you have done a great job. Keep up the spirit it will take you to greater hieghts in life.
JS, it has got to be you! No one in our particular Centre has this command of English. More importantly, the sophistication shouts out softly even through words! Only you can manage this!
ReplyDeleteBeside the compliments, I really thank you for looking beyond the uncouthness to see where I am coming from. Your comment on the ultimate litmus test of Leadership, is so profound that it becomes an inconvenience. But, that is the essence of it all. My personal choice for succession would have passed the test hands down. But such is life. And thankfully, he is beyond the puerile pleasure of designation. Therein lies spiritual maturity, and true Leadership.
I thank you once again for your kind words and pray that Our family someday becomes One in spirit and substance.
Hi Anonymous! You, I have not figured out yet. Is it Kiran, if so, thanks for the generosity of thought and the kindness of words. If not, still the same.
ReplyDeleteBTW, the thing I usually google is.. um well, let's say, 'information'! Also, please return to the fold. The YW needs you! You will know, when you do so.
Praveen, It is better you do not try to figure out who Anonymous is. Mysteries are to be experienced not solved. Will you ever find out where time and space begins and ends. Consciousness is in circular spherical dimension which mortals wrapped in 3-D cannot comprehend! I also object to "No one in our particular Centre has this command of English"
ReplyDeleteYour personal choice to be the successor was the best. What is in store for him is really something very very big....let us not burden with mundane chores- No disregard to the work you did or to the one your successor will be handling