A little bit fat!!

In the second half of 2010, I spent six months in Australia where I was hosted by a lovely family with four kids. The second oldest of them, Alice (name changed) was two years old. The family was kind enough to invite me to all their weekend family outings to expose me to the Australian culture. Usually, we would be travelling in one of their big vans with enough space for all of us. This one time, my hostess had an accident and was given a smaller car to drive for a week (by the insurance company). That weekend when we were going out it was me, Alice and her elder brother, James, in the back seat. Space was not enough and James was not happy. Alice tried to calm him down and told something very deep. She told, "what can Amit do, he is just a little bit fat"! Many times we are so quick to judge people and then complain. My father always says that we should try to see the "truth" about objects, persons and events. If we see the truth, we shall see the whole story and there shall be left no avenue to complain! (Please mark that we shall not have to try not to complain, it just would vanish!)

In spite of all this, I complain; sometimes a lot. At least I used to feel so. Today one of my ex-students (who is currently in Ireland)  told that he was talking to a South African origin lady (who has been working in Ireland for few years). Apparently, this lady mentioned that Cape Town is a stunningly beautiful place but the crime and load-shedding are ruining it. My student wanted to know if she was correct. He told, "you have never complained about Cape Town"! I asked, "have I ever complained about any place"? Then I suddenly realised that I do complain. But I complain about people. Never have I complained about places. I have lived in 8 cities so far and I have loved each one of them. 

I felt happy and satisfied with my progress! Out of the three things mentioned by my father (objects, persons and events) at least I have been non-judgemental towards one. Now is the time for me to try to see the truth behind the behaviour of persons as well. Why are they or their actions or their words making me inconvenient (when they do)? Once I "see" the truth I may just notice that (figuratively) they are just a little bit fat!