unconditional acts of kindness | हमदर्द

"Happiness is only real when shared."

One of my favorite quotes from the book and film, Into the Wild...something that stayed with me over the years..

Perhaps it's one of the grand mysteries of the universe that no matter what one has in the material sense, the true experience of warm happiness is often felt when we're seen for who we are.

The little acts of sharing our joys and grief, of unconditional kindness - I truly feel, these are the greatest and the most beautiful acts of care in this vast expanse of the universe. 

For, in the end, we're all in it together - the shared human experience of existing amid the chaos, the joy, the mess, the rush, the loneliness, the camaraderie, the traffic jams, our fears, the city din, cold breakfasts, busy streets, the dog-eared book you're reading, the undying hope to live another day, the choices we make, and what we turn to, when we feel lost and more...

A few unconditional acts/experiences of kindness that I've seen, heard or felt -- cheers to them..

Cheers to the हमदर्द in all of us...

A random list of unconditional acts of kindness:

• That someone who refills earthen pots of water and spreads grains for birds to feed on, early in the morning
• That lady who comes without fail, every night to feed community dogs 
• The dad whose act of love is cooking and peeling pomegranates for his daughters 
• The sibling who instinctively holds her sibling's hand when crossing the road 
• The loyal community dogs who playfully follow you for some hearty pets and hugs 
• The one who saves the last bite of food for a loved one 
• The son who brews chai just the way his maa likes it 
• The grandparent who hugs you with all their heart as you leave your hometown 
• The relieving, cool shade of the banyan tree on a scorching summer noon
• The unexpected cassia tree with its flaming yellow flowers looking down upon you, as if smiling at you, saving you on a day when your heart was sinking 
• That person who told you the exact words that you needed to hear on a certain day when you were at the verge of giving up on yourself 
• That silent prayer you offered for those who you want to see happy, fulfilled and healthy, always 
• That transgender who gave you a blessed one rupee coin to you on a day when the world was crashing down on you  
• That poem, that piece of literature that you found randomly, that seemed like the voice of the universe itself .........

Remembering some of my favorites lines by the poet, Kedarnath Singh who so beautifully talks about the warmth and kindness the world needs: 

उसका हाथ अपने हाथ में लेते हुए मैंने सोचा

दुनिया को हाथ की तरह गर्म और सुंदर होना चाहिए.