Making A Difference!!!

"There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world;
Those who are afraid to try themselves, and those who are afraid that you will succeed."

— Ray Goforth

This got me thinking when I saw one of them in the local trains going about their work few years back. Today when I saw one of them again, I decided to share this thought with you.

You must be wondering what I am talking about, who I saw and all the fuss about. Relax, you see them everyday if you happen to travel in the Mumbai local trains and yet they remain invisible to us as we try to make our journey and for some a nuisance. I am talking about the individuals who are trying to make a living by selling accessories or singing in trains. For most of you they may appear as ordinary people who rob you of your peace when in transit. They do that as they are trying to make a living.

They are the real heroes who try to make a decent living even when the grim realities of their lives make it easier for them to get into illegal activities.

I often hear people saying they hate their lives. Even I do that. When I think of them, all my problems gets vanishes in thin air. If I am down, then I say to myself if they can do it so can I.

Life gives us lot of opportunities and options for solving the problems of our life, but they don't have that many options to make their problems go away. The only way they can do it is by making a decent living and hoping that they can give their children the kind of life they dreamed of.

It was the singing of a young girl accompanied by her father perhaps which are still fresh in my mind. The girl sang so beautifully the song and was moving towards people asking for money. My friend took out a 5 rupee coin and handed over to her. While I was indecisive about whether I should give it or not. Though I enjoyed her singing, I was in a dilemma as I have a strict policy of not giving money to kids who most of the time happen to be beggars as I wanted them to stop doing it. I thought if everyone did this, may be there won't be any kid begging in and around the streets. I did not offer the girl the money though I kind of regretted not doing it and kind of made it a point that instead of turning them away, we should encourage them of making as they are trying to make a decent living by singing or through selling items. Living life at their level is not that easy.

I would like to make a humble request, in case you come across them, do make a point to buy from them. There are times when we waste our money on useless things, only this time you would be making a difference!!

We all wish that we make a difference. How many of you have been able to do that? or have made an attempt to do it?

The most common answer would be that it is something that you only thought about but did nothing. While some even made an attempt to do so, some succeed some don't. Some even made the difference and feel great about it.

Where do you stand among them??

Chilling Blow in Mumbai

The newspaper read that the temperature in Bombay has hit 8.5 degree celsius. Never before the weather got so chilly. In fact, the last time the temperature hit so low was in 1962 when it was 7.5 degree celsius.

The weather cycle that Bombay goes through is Summer, Rainy and Winter season. Though one can vouch for the summer and rainy season. The winter season was never felt here. It was more like summer with less heat. With global warming taking place, climates have been changing all over the world. Bombay too got sucked into this.

People are seen walking down the road wearing wollen clothes, jackets and shawls. Something never seen before. The climate has gone so cold that there is no need to put on the fans or the air conditioner. Just leave the windows of your house open, and the cool breeze would take care of your needs. Couples can be seen cozying into one shawl, making good use of the change in climate.

The floor has gone so cold that, one does not wish to walk on it. The change in climate has lead to people not going for bath for days as the water is so cold that one shivers when they pour it on their body. Such has been the effect of the winter that the city has been facing a shortage of wollen clothes.

I have been enjoying this change in weather a lot. The only season that I enjoy is rainy season (Guess, I will have to add this in my list too). With the rain drops falling from the sky and the wind accompanying it, the smell of the ground would fill a breath of fresh air. Though I have to add that to enjoy the rainy season in a city like Bombay, one has to overlook the overflowing drains and the potholes which makes it feel like a torture. The best part of the change in weather is that you do not sweat. The wind blowing across the face is refreshing. One does not need to visit a beach to experience it. I choose to walk all the way when I have the time, so that I can enjoy every bit of this weather. I wish that the winter season remain as it is now. As of now, I am waiting for the weekends to come so that I can shop for my winter clothing. Till then CHILL OUT :)))))