Inspiring Stories. They Inspire Me

One of the things that life has taught me is this: Inspiration does not have to come from someone who’s famous or someone who has achieved something big. Inspiration comes from every one we connect with. More often than not, inspiration has come to me from the people I meet every day. I don’t even have to know them to receive a life lesson from them. I’d like to share four of my sources of inspiration today from my ever-growing list.

Inspiring stories: They Inspire Me

The children I see every day – the uninhibited laughter and their sincerity – simply being the way they feel. If they are sad, they cry. If they’re happy they demonstrate it with affection. They get over things quickly and do not hold grudges, most of the time. Love is all they seem to need. Love attracts them like a magnet. They are ready to hug and they teach us to make every moment count. And now, I am friends with the ones I see on a regular basis. Little scoops of joy.

Happy to go home

My cable guy actually deserves a dedicated post. I admire him for his serene attitude, always polite, always courteous. From the day, ten years ago, when we started using his cable service, I’ve never once seen him ruffled. Pensive, at most. But never a rude word, never gets worked up, quick to apologize if we complain, and always responsive.

I don’t know how he does it. When he comes to collect the cable money, he remembers to follow-up on whatever we chatted about on his previous visit. If Vidur’s exams were on – he would ask how they went. Point is, he would remember. He always calls back if he is unavailable when we call. Always. That’s not a trait we associate with most service providers. He always comes through when he promises something, or at least keeps us updated if there is a delay. Sury teases me, saying that I am probably the only customer who spends the time of day with him – but 10 years is a long time to stay consistent and that’s what I am impressed about. His is not an easy job, out on the field tackling crazy customers and playing middle man between the cable company and the user – yet he is always kind and never irritated. He definitely inspires me and is an example of worry and anger never solving a problem. Definitely one of my heroes.

Then there is my roadside Grandpa. I have known him for 14 years now. I see him every day. I carry him food and clothing every other day. He lives by the roadside, and has marked himself a spot outside the church. He inspires me by his presence and making me realize that all my problems are trivial and temporary. If he can survive like that, anything is possible.

Here is one of the creeps!

And it is not just people who inspire me. The pigeons who have occupied my verandah inspire me, too. What was once a space lush with flowering plants and an almost-kitchen garden is now layered in pigeon shit in patches. Every other day, I scrape it off and wash the place with disinfectant. Yet they won’t leave me alone. They are certainly not afraid of me. No amount of “Shoo-shoo” gets me even a look from them. I suspect they think I am cleaning the place so they can mess it up again. Their constant coo-ing used to drive me nuts…but now, if I don’t hear it, that drives me nuts too. After all, do they not give me, a work from home Mommy, constant company? I like their persistence. We share a love-hate relationship. And I kind of like it. They don’t take no for an answer, you see.

Finally, I have a constant source of inspiration inside my house. My son. Always ready with a hug and a smile, no matter what. I may have scolded him for something or even – gasp! – yelled at him. But he stays serene, reacts lovingly with an “I’ll do it, Mummy, don’t worry!” Never talks back to me and firmly believes that I am justified in my actions, probably because it is quite hard to get me irritated. We just don’t sweat the small stuff! And if he has upset me, he’ll immediately compensate with a couple of unexpected household chores! What a win-win!

Dec 2012

I’d be crazy if I did not make a very special mention of YOU, my dear readers, who visit my blog every day to read what I have to say. You’ve no idea how it fills my heart with gratitude to see your insightful and encouraging comments. Thank you! ♥

With love,

Vidya

Inspiring stories I read today – please do visit them!

Touching Lives by Shailaja

One Stubborn Lady Chasing her Dreams by Eli

♥