Gratitude by coincidence

I had to make a decision, however stupid it sounds while reading, but these small decisions in Mumbai’s roads full of traffic are key decisions. The decision was – should I take Mahim or Sion route? I was in Dadar west, traveling on my nondescript two-wheeler to Tilak Nagar, while driving back home from South Mumbai. This kind of decision making happens every day with many people in Mumbai; I’m sure it must be happening daily with many people in many cities across the world.

You know, if one has to travel only 12 km (~8 miles) and it takes more than 45 mins – these small decisions of taking one road over the other can help you save about 10-15 min. These small decisions also save the headache of braking, accelerating and abusing few people on your left, right and ahead. So, I decided to take Mahim route instead of Matunga-Sion road. At first it sounds ok what is so great in this? This decision resulted in a small incident which taught me a lesson on gratitude.

So, I took the road and was at a junction waiting for our signal. A boy in a school uniform reached me and asked “Uncle can you please drop me at Dharavi depot?” I said why not. He sat on the pillion seat.

Since the kid was in uniform so I asked him – “which class you study in and in which school?” He said he is in 10th. For a class 10 student he looked too young. I initially thought he must have been in standard 7 or 8 when I offered him lift. Anyways. For school he said – “I study in SSRVM, Dharavi.” I know SSRVM school (why read it here), but he felt I might not be aware so he said its – Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir, Dharavi. I told him that I know the school. I asked him who is your teacher? He said “Renu Deva”. I dropped this kid near Dharavi Depot. The kid thanked me. He went on his way, I on mine, yet my mind was traversing the decision of taking Mahim route.

I never thought that this may happen. I never thought that I would offer a lift to a kid. Let alone he being a student of SSRVM and on top of all this – the kid being a student of Renu Didi. When I shifted to Tilak Nagar I started going to weekly follow-up of art of living in Chembur where Renud Didi is a regular teacher. Renu Di is  a teacher in SSRVM too. It was a big coincidence for me.

I was moving towards my home, my mind was not willing to move on. I was feeling a great sense of gratitude. How and why of the emergence of this gratitude in beyond me. The kid was thanking me, however I thought I should have thanked him. He might have got lift from someone else, but I reached there. We started a conversation which ended up in me thinking about Guruji (Sri Sri). Sometimes some things are beyond explanation. If you understand the feeling of gratitude for the kid and for the master (Sri Sri), you know what I am saying.

The master sees it all. Many a times the “Thank yous” are meant for the other side – that is perhaps gratitude!