Saturday, December 19, 2009

"When you see the men or women consecrated to severe tasks, or the painful office of visiting human miseries and binding wounds, remember that these beings are made like you, that they have the same needs, and that there are hours when they require pleasure and forgetfulness."

The following quote from Charles Wagner's book "The Simple Life", is such a practical word regarding placing our sympathies: the entire book is one that should be read by all.

"Offer your sympathy, also, to all who have absorbing occupations, and who are, so to speak, riveted to their places. The world is filled with sacrificed beings, who have never any rest or pleasure, and to whom the most modest interval of rest does them an immense good. And it would be so easy to secure this minimum of alleviation for them if one only thought of it.
But the broom is made to sweep with, and it seems that it cannot feel fatigue.
We must get rid of that culpable blindness which hinders us from seeing the weariness of those who are always in the breach. Lift up the sentinels lost in their duty; procure an hour for Sisyphus to breath in.
Take, for a moment, the place of the mother of a family whom the cares of the home and children enslave; sacrifice a little of our sleep to those who watch long hours by the bedsides of the sick. Young girl, whom perhaps going on a walk does not amuse, take the cook's apron and give her the "key to the fields."
Thus you will make others happy and be so yourself.
We walk forever by the side of beings loaded with burdens that we could take upon ourselves, even if only a little while. But this short pause would suffice to cure the evils, revive the joy almost stifled in many hearts, and open a large career to good will among men."

This fantastic photo taken by Anuar Patjane.



2 comments:

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Fred:)

This post makes me understand that I am blessed with several things which millions and millions of people don't have and don't enjoy. I have a decent home, regular food, transport, rest and relaxation, medical facilities etc. Yes, I have worked hard but if you really looked at it I have not worked as hard as many people on this earth who inspite of their hard work continue to be poor and miserable and don't have any savings and no one to take care of them.

In fact many people who work themselves to exhaustion are very poorly paid.

I take this opportunity to wish you and your family a merry Chirstman and a wonerful, prosperous, happy and peaceful New Year.

Best wishes Fred:)
Joseph

FCB said...

Hi Joseph,
And a Merry Christmas to you as well.
Your comments make me review my life as well, and it's true, I have had the fortune of living in a wealthy country and although not wealthy myself by American standards, we certainly have far more and work far less than many in the world.
God bless Joseph,
Fred