When first introduced to the concept of JGW last year, most of us would confess to having been a little cynical about the idea. "Why devote a week to giving?", "Does giving have to stop when the week is over?", was the common refrain. I do not think many of us would have visualised that the JGW would make such a tremendous impact and captured the imagination of people from all parts of the country and in some corners abroad as well. The reason for this could be that somewhere in our fast paced and highly individualistic lives, we began to lose the ability to empathise and really connect with others. The JGW gave us an opportunity to do that and as Hussain says, we began to give not just because we had too much, but also because we know what it is like to not have. We are not talking only about material goods, but also about not having friends, to not have someone to talk to, play with, share with, spend time with. And so it was that during JGW 2009, people of all age groups and from all over India, connected and empathised and gave of themselves freely. We had students from a school in Gangtok spend time with and bathe and clean children from a school for the mentally challenged. We had students visit the elderly, visit orphanages, arrange a treat for them, and most important spend time with them. Many such events have been written about in our earlier posts.
Of all the gifts one receives in life, what is most treasured is to have someone tell us they are there for us and that they understand. Empathy is inherent in all of us. Unfortunately, very rarely do we recognise its presence. By willingly being a part of the JGW, we are in a way going back to our roots and walking in each other's shoes.
Let us mark our calendars for JGW 2010, between the 6th of Sept., and the 2nd of Oct. Let us give thanks for what we have and let us be there for each other. That is the way to a lasting peace and harmony in the world.
