Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Why I am internally happier in India


I am happier here. I miss Seattle and friends and my home there but internally I am happier in India. A blog by a friend - Watching a blind man  and my recent visit to Seattle made me realize why.

In Seattle I want. In India I have.

In Seattle I was driving out of our community –
  • past a beautifully landscaped garden – I made a mental note of the fertilizer and weed killer I had NOT bought. I would also get a few more shrubs for the backyard.
  • past a house with the man on the roof, cleaning it – Peeyush would NOT do that. Got me thinking of all the Indian guys I knew and who would get on and clean the roof, put up Christmas lights and paint the deck. None was the answer.
  • past a skinny fit woman in Lululemon joggers running uphill faster than I run downhill. NOT something I could do.
  • past a hot air balloon in the sky. I looked longingly at it. I had NOT done that before. I wanted to.

In a five minute drive I had seen a lot I wanted and did not have.

In India, I don’t drive but when I am driven out
  • past the crowd waiting at the bus stop at the end of a long day I feel thankful of the car I have.
  •  past the shack that is a store during the day and a home at night I can’t but reflect on the beautiful spacious home I have.
  • past the vendors selling cheap fried food to people that will never see a gym I think of my personal trainer, the food cooked at home and the fact that I have the time and means to exercise.
  •  past the liquor store and see the line of men getting their supply for the night, I am glad I have a husband who wants to come home and loves his family.
  • past the beggars and the panipuri wala with a plastic bag on his head ready for the rain as I walk into pub for drinks with friends. I feel lucky about the opportunities I have and the people I know.

I know you could look at a lot of this in India and be saddened by it. But internally I cannot be sad. I am just too lucky, too privileged; I have so much that it would be an insult to luck/fate/God to be sad. I don’t deserve to be sad. I just can’t be sad. 



PS:  When I was going to move here in a discussion with someone who had moved I said that I was scared as I'd be saddened by seeing some of the things here. He said a very nice thing - you can be sad or do something about it.
I volunteer full time and try to ensure that I do the best i can for people that I come in contact with. That does help me sleep better that night.
This post is about being grateful. Really now I am less wanting and way more grateful and satisfied with what I have.


3 comments:

  1. Hi..I liked this post and completely agree with your point..

    Iam also planning our relocation to Bangalore by July this year. Its during my online search on Bangalore schools that I came across your Blog..it has been an interesting read.

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  2. Asha, thank for reading and commenting. All the best with your move. You will have a wonderful time here ... if you want to have a wonderful time :)

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  3. Pls may I know where you volunteer full time in Blore. As we are going to move to blore from Redmond. Would love if you could share about your experiences in blore.
    Thanks

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