An old man with the support of a stick walked into the farm house, where I had gone to meet an elderly couple who are related to me from birth. The surroundings were so familiar filled with beautiful memories of childhood spending holidays in that place. Greenery was spread all around. Streams of Water flowing to the paddy fields. Cattle tied up in front of the courtyard. Children jumping around like birds starting a new day. The plants around filled the heart with hope and love. So much of positive energy in that places. Every moment spent was marvelous to be with.
The old man was panting to get the breath, as he was walking towards the house. I was seeing him for the first time. He sat on the chair that was placed outside. He was not familiar to me. I greeted him and asked whether he would like to have a glass of water. After that, I just moved around the farm land recollecting memories connected to that place. Decades have passed, since I had visited this place last.
The old man was sitting calm and looking around. He had nothing much to talk. But, he smiled at me every time I passed by him. The smiles touched my heart connecting to him. Finally, I walked up to him. “Do you know me?” that was my question to pave way to introduce myself. As we started talking, he mentioned about him and his family. Also, how closely he had been serving in Hindu temples connected to God. Years of living in those thoughts of divinity has made him so humble and serene. Every time he mentioned about God, his eyes were glowing. But, that divine heart had its own share of sadness, as he mentioned about his wife and son who left abode to heaven in recent past. He was living alone meeting daily needs with support of others nearby. He closed his long conversation saying that “Passing days, being alone is painful”. There were tear in his eyes. That remarks touched me deep inside and could feel the pain that he was going through.
A fear inside had gripped him so much, as how he will spend rest of life in this pain. Loved ones are only at far to see and hear, but none was close by to understand and care his needs. Life revolves around without love with some living selfishly, which has become predominant in most of our lives. What is there to give, is it only pain to others or joy too?
He is one among the many, who are leading a life of despair in this solitude. This includes old and young people. Being alone becomes circumstantial due to career and sometimes due to life situations i.e. either moving into old age or a separation beyond reasons. This could also happen even while living along with many people and feeling disconnected.
Loneliness is a space created around us, which helps in many ways to have a real introspection as to who we are. That space gives great opportunities to discover more about ourselves. In that process, finding a true companion within us. We are never alone.
People need people to talk to; they need people they can open their hearts to; people need people to hold hands and feel strong; they need people who can hold them and let them cry. Let’s be the go-to person for someone. Let’s learn to be friends with the friendless. Let’s let people talk without any fear. Let’s create conversations for them to share.
Walking back into the farm land, I was looking around. The greenery had dried up over the years. Only some plants and trees remained that could survive without much water. A big water well was filled with thorny bushes and not a drop of water to spot. The peacocks from nearby mountains made it as their den. Walking and dancing, as they found themselves comfortable.
I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone -Robin Williams
I found myself standing alone in this lonely land. There was no loneliness. The solitude gave me a sense of satisfaction and gratitude to have traveled a long path, since my childhood experiencing the best of life that could offer. Loneliness is a bliss, as it is a gateway to connect with oneself, where true joy
- Written by Col.Ramesh Kumar K
- Reach the author on ram@aikya-oneness.org