How acts of kindness can benefit you and others!
Age is a number and Ageing (or Aging) is a natural process that never ceases from the time we are born. Every day on this planet Earth is a blessing for all. Ageing is God’s gift for good Karma in the previous life. Once born, no one gets younger yet people commonly lament growing older. I wonder why? You perhaps know people who are “old” but still feel “young,” and energetic and are busy doing what they enjoy.
This article reflects on my personal experiences and views and a call for people to engage in the ‘act of giving.’ While age is no bar, it is particularly relevant for people with means in the age group, say fifty and above, to celebrate their birthday (ageing) for a higher purpose in life.
Growing up in rural Bharat, birthday celebrations were not common. At best, it was a cause for special puja and prayers for one’s long, happy, and healthy life. With changing times and increasing affluence, birthday celebrations have become more common even in rural areas.
Who am I to question birthday get-togethers and parties if it makes friends and family happy? I do, however, wonder about the extravagance associated with milestone birthdays (50, 60, 70…). Why does anyone want to be reminded of the inevitable process of getting “older?”
Many people like pomp shows and receiving gifts while others want birthdays to be a private and personal event. There is no right or wrong. In the days of Facebook, we share our date of birth. Consequently, hundreds of greetings pour in from Facebook friends. It feels good that someone cares.
Personal Story
I personally turned seventy-five this month and quietly observed it at home with my wife. Our daughters sent Indian flavored Truffles including Mithai, Paan, and Coconut- I love dessert, particularly Indian. As a middle class, I am blessed to have had a good upbringing, education, and health. Life has been fulfilling to a large extent. Perhaps, gifts at this age are a liability to manage; instead, it is time for downsizing.
This year alone we attended several events celebrating friends’ ageing and it was wonderful. We deliberately refrained from giving any tangible gifts. Instead, we created a personalized message of gratitude for their enduring love and friendship. Right or wrong, but we chose it that way.
Act of giving
At 75, I also decided to “monetize” my age and ageing for a good cause and boldly solicited charitable giving if anyone wished. In principle, everyone can create a campaign for their celebratory events on Facebook or other Social Media sites. As we created the fundraising campaign, I decided to write this blog for others to read and comment on and also consider giving if they found it meaningful.
Years ago, we founded a charitable organization, Vidya Gyan, to give back to society. Therefore, our fundraising campaign is to continue Vidya Gyan’s mission of improving learning in rural government schools in India. We believe that “Every Child Matters,” with a goal of empowering youth, particularly girls and rural kids, through education.
Anyone reading this blog is fortunate and blessed with the capacity to give. The readers may recall that Obama energized voters with a strong message of “ Yes We Can,” and succeeded. Accordingly, we use a message, “LOVE who you can, GIVE what you can, and HELP where you can.” Everyone has the freedom to choose words of wisdom for fundraising campaigns.
When you celebrate your milestone birthday (and wedding anniversary), do invite friends and family whom you love and care deeply about. At the same time, consider “giving” to a charitable organization you trust and the cause you believe in. Your act of giving will enable uninterrupted social development with dignity and dynamism. Be daring to seek accountability from the organization for your own act of giving.
Why should one give?
Our world has numerous needs with dozens of social causes to care about. Examples include: the environment, education, health, sustainability, poverty, housing, sanitation, and more. Choose what you care about most unless you have deep pockets to do more. People with modest means and blessed lives should do what they can.
Therefore, the next time you celebrate your milestone birthday/ anniversary or when invited by a friend/ family for such celebrations, think about the act of giving. Consider your own journey and how blessed and fortunate you are and therefore consider giving to the less fortunate.
Whatever the state of your aging process and age, I hope it has been fulfilling if not perfect. Like beauty, the ‘perfection’ is in the eyes of the beholder. Consider giving for what compels you most and make a commitment to someone, something, somewhere beyond your own loved ones.
The world is too big and the humanitarian needs are too vast for anyone to do everything. But if each individual expresses LOVE through GIVING, large or small, it will help change the world for the better.
We know YOU CAN make a pledge to an NGO/ charitable organization in the spirit of Vasudeva Kutumbkam.
Note:
1. Text in Blue points to additional data on the topic.
2. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
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Formerly, a researcher in Italy, Japan, and France, he has widely travelled and came to the US in 1978. He was a faculty and academic administrator in several different universities in PA, TX, NJ, MN, WI, and NY, and an Executive Fellow in the White House S&T Policy during the Clinton administration.
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