It was a usual day as I picked up my newspaper while getting ready for work. I was in a hurry so just glanced at the front page.
My eyes were struck by an advertisement, which showed a smiling man sitting in his office chair.
“Hey, I know him,” I said to myself.
I realized that he was Mohan, my neighbour for three years, and friend for ten.
The reason I took time to recognize him was because I’d never expected him on the front page of a newspaper. After all, he is just a commoner like me and an employee of a state owned bank, which he was representing in this ad – smartly dressed, and with his usual vibrant and infectious smile.
I had known Mohan as a happy man all these years. He is a hard working, family-oriented, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable person…ever ready to help others, and always smiling even in times of adversaries. In fact, he has always been like this.
At first glance and seeing him from some distance, nobody can make out that Mohan has a physical deficiency. He cannot speak and hear. But the way he is living his life, his deficiency seems just physical.
His mind is strong, and his aspirations sky high. He is supporting his family and is bringing up a smart little child (with support from his equally wonderful wife Priya, who shares Mohan’s physical agony).
Sometimes I think the biggest advantage Mohan has over me is his ability to maintain inner peace given the silence that surrounds him.
Most of our life’s problems occur because we are never at peace with ourselves. We are constantly worried about what others are saying of us. We are so busy running after the future, that we forget to live in the present. We rarely try to experience the bliss of silence as doing ‘nothing’ makes us feel guilty.
In this fast paced life, whenever I lose focus and get depressed thinking how my future will unfold, Mohan stands as an inspiration. He is the best example in front of me on why to thank life for everything I have…all the good things that God has thought me worthy to have and enjoy.
Thank you Mohan, for representing the existence of hope and thankfulness in this world…at least in the world of people who know you. And I am one of those blessed!
You are amazing!
Inspiring is the word Vishal.
Feels nice to hear about Mohan.
Thanks for writing this post. Take care.
Thanks for your comment, Priya!
I truly agree with you Vishal. I still remember, how he had come to our Dept. and I didnt know how to communicate with him. But as I started interacting with him, I slowly learnt how to communicate with him and later on, with Priya. I was amazed at the way he was living his life, in stead of his condition. He drives his car, travels around the world, does his job efficiently, and always comes to our help, when we need it.
Once he told me, ” I never knew until much later in life that sea waves have sound. I always thought it was so peaceful and wonderful to see the waves at the beach.” Whenever I am at a beach, I remember this and try to imagine those waves without sound. 🙂
Mohan and Priya are such wonderful human beings, so innocent, I have never come across anybody else like them. There are so many things he teaches me everyday, I am so lucky to have friends like Mohan and Priya. We all love them. Thank you for this wonderful post.
Hi Aparna, I share your view about Mohan and Priya. Feel lucky to have them in our life. Regards.
Mohan, Priya and Satya. great, good family.
Indeed, Nishandh!
I do agree with vishal indeed Mohan is a good friend and a excellent human being
Rahul