Sometimes I feel like I have lost all desires to pursue this physical world, and sometimes I want to become the wealthiest person on this planet that has ever lived. In the past eight years, I have jumped quite a few ships, leaving my Ph.D., doing all kinds of jobs, and then making my career in the technology Software Industry, but I can still see myself as someone who has learned so much jargon, but far from the expertise or real skill of the trade. Anyway, here I am, pursuing the dream of life. I guess this year, I have achieved what I set out to prove and made my exit from Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, that I can make more money and I need not wait till 50 years of age to surpass what today, some of the not so good professors make. But now, there is a much bigger question ahead of me, was my ego that I took that decision, or was I not made of the material which can pursue the challenging track of Ph.D. and blaming others?
Anyway, let’s start with stories; as I have mentioned in my professional profile, I am a good storyteller, so I have some experiences that I want to share, and I also try to figure out the next course of action in my life.
What makes a human being beautiful? Is it bodily, visible features, the color of the skin, tone of voice, body size, shape, what exactly? Or is it just our perception?
I used to travel via bus to my bachelor’s degree college at Delhi University, I don’t exactly remember the exact year, but I guess it was any year between 2005-2008. Those days when Corona was not there to decide our outside moves, we were still in the illusion of having self-control over our time and life. How innocent we were during those days. So for Delhi University students in India, the government used to provide free bus passes, and we caught any damn bus going to our college way, and we used to jump in. Then one day, I experienced this, what makes someone beautiful? There was a very tall man, powerfully built, easily in the mid-40s, with long hairs and big mustaches and not so shaved face. His eyes looked red, and his complexion was dark. I was sitting at the window side, just near the ticket collector, when I saw that guy taking quick steps and noticed him entirely because of his unique characteristics and not-so-ordinary physique. I am pretty sensitive and somewhat inclined to observe his surroundings and people, and as usual, just like others, I start judging the person. I thought he must be a dangerous person, and for sure, by his appearance, he was trying to reach somewhere, and wherever he was trying to get, he would create havoc there. I was around 20 years, and by looking at him, his cruel-looking features and glasses of my judgments, I was kind of scared and thought that he should not be able to catch the bus, the bus slowly started moving, and there was a typical Indian rush at the entry doors of the bus.
He got his foot on to the door, and no one on the bus could come in his way. Everyone looked like a joke before him, and those memories are still fresh. Since I was sitting on the seat next to the ticket conductor on the bus, I was following his every move and silently hoping that this guy must not create an issue here now. Then something shocking happened, which shook me at that very exact moment.
That tall, scary guy with red eyes pleaded to the conductor in his very pitiful voice, “babuji, oo babuji, bus driver ko kahiye 1minute ke liye rukenge, meri beti aa rahi hai piche or uski tabiyat kharab hai, or hume jaldi pahunchna hai, badi der se khade the is bus ke liye”.
In English, that translates to requesting the conductor to ask the bus driver to take a tiny break as his sick daughter is trying to get into the bus. They were already late to reach their destination. When he made a signal to the small girl, who was almost at the entry doors of the bus, my heart sunk. I saw a girl around age 14-15 in a typical Indian dress with a hijab on his forehead trying to climb the doorsteps. I couldn’t stop myself from literally shouting at the driver to stop the bus for a moment so the girl could get in. In the meantime, again, that tall guy requested the conductor. His daughter was able to get into the bus by that time, and that tall guy, who was no more looking scary to me, asked his small daughter in the most loveable voice.
“lado, meri lado, aa, aaja, baith ja, ab bus thodi der me pahunch jayenge hum.”
In English, it translates to, he said to his daughter, darling (Lado word is used in India to call daughter with love), come to sit on this seat, and we will soon reach the destination.
I cannot describe how much guilt I felt on that day.
My throat choked with the sudden burst of emotions, and that tall guy’s feelings now made me look at that guy with so much pity, respect, and grace.
That tall guy appeared to be the world’s most innocent guy, and his eyes were full of tears. He was pressing his daughter’s head slowly while standing beside his daughter’s seat. I was ashamed of my judgment, and I realized that day that it is not only the physique that makes a person beautiful, but it is the emotions and nature of that person that makes them beautiful. Caring for fellow beings and pity for animals, and care for nature and society make you attractive. No matter how god made you, maybe you don’t look good, you don’t have a head full of hairs, your teeth line broken, you are fat, not athletic, and your color tone slightly darker. Still, you can be beautiful, sweetness in your nature, the goodness of your thoughts, and all the love you carry in your heart. At the exact time, the reverse is also accurate and applicable. You may look beautiful, but your words and your indifference towards fellow human beings’ feelings can quickly turn you into an ugly-looking person everyone wants to avoid.
In short, emotions make you beautiful and loved by everyone. Your beautiful words and care can make this society and world much better. All the hate crimes didn’t appear during the day. They are the result of someone looking physically, socially, and financially beautiful, hurting someone who wasn’t so privileged. Your once upon said bitter words might have ruined someone’s beautiful day. That resulted in the butterfly effect of spoiling the harmony of society.
Please be good, do good, and take care of the world around you, and in other words, BE BEAUTIFUL!
Yash
