Sunday, February 3, 2008

CAN'T DO - CAN DO

There is always something that we can do for what comes into our life. It may be in small or huge measure but no matter -- still something we can do. Many of us think that to do some good it has to be in such a grand or dramatic way or presentation. Well, some are lucky to have it that way but most of us are not that lucky. In our small world we do small things..BUT with a big big heart. That in my book is a grand thing to do.

A stranger not even a friend came to the wake of my late husband and came to me and said... 'I am just a small woman living a humble life but your husband has been good to me.. giving me a job and good advise on coping with my family problems. What I can only offer you is my prayers for his journey home to God and for God's strength to carry you through.' Then she went back to her seat and silently sat there for how long I didn't notice. But when I gazed at her face (as I snatched a few minutes away from the flurry of other guests)... I noticed and believed she already had began her prayers. Prayers -- that means all the world to a grieving family. Prayers which storm the gates of heaven in behalf of someone is all that God awaits for Him to pour down His grace and blessings and even more. Bless her gentle soul.


One good friend of several years came on one of the other nights there and without further ado wrapped a warm knitted shawl around my shoulders and said... 'it's cold here, this will keep you warm'. It felt like her heart wrapped itself around me. How I needed something like that in that rare moment.


A group of nuns, about 8 of them, came one night. They were acquainted with one of the community projects of my late husband. Their spokesperson stood up and said to me that they would like to offer a song. They did. They sang a beautiful song with angelic voices that tugged at everybody's heart I could sense and see... as it did mine. Music is indeed the language of the heart and soul.


A new friend doctor of my youngest daughter did something grand and quite unexpected... something which he needn't have done and yet did when we were at the hospital then. I mention it here now because it deserves to be here. And I know when he sees this blog he will know what I mean. ----My youngest daughter's ninong came and without any fuss gave her an envelope as many of them did that night all through the wake. A tradition of our culture. But this was a small gesture which generated a huge bang... and I mean BANG! When we opened the envelope late that night after all the guests had left... lo! a check gazed us straight in the eye in huge numbers. I felt my eyes grow big yet my heart melted with deep joy appreciation and thankfulness. ---- Love comes from the most unexpected places.


People have their limitations. We all do. There are things which we can't do even if we wanted to for reasons real and perhaps necessary. But if you persist to do what you feel you should or must despite restrictions or limitations...because it is what your heart dictates.... then you have succeeded to stand 10 feet tall and reached the skies with your heart. And there you will see a very pleased God smiling back at you. Oh what I mean is this.... that a God smiling at you and what you do or did is felt in your heart.... always. It is a wonderful feeling!

Do not let what you cannot do
interfere with what you can do.

-- John Wooden

11 comments:

  1. Hello mam,
    I truly love your convincing ways of writing and you made me think again on women’s status. Although I just wanted to say that I understand this beautiful ability of women to identify with the even delicate needs of everyone but she has to undergo critical analysis all the time…Correct me please if I am wrong.

    And thank you very much for motivating me for my blogs…I need that appreciation…

    Take Care

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  2. Hi Ellen,

    Saw your reply on orkut and without much ado, I decided to come here :-) I just can't think of disappointing a dear friend!!

    Your post is quite touching.. and every word of yours is inspiring and teaches a lot..

    Hope you are doing well otherwise.. Luv n best wishes to ur family!! Take Care.

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  3. Hi Rashmi,

    I know what you mean. Sometimes it's the culture that does that to women. Here in my country, the local culture is both conservative and modern. So you can understand the possible conflicts with that. But the women are learning and are becoming secure in who and what they are in the order of things.

    You see, if a person man or woman is quite secure in his/her beliefs, self-knowledge, and self-esteem.. nothing can shake that person no matter the criticisms or taunting by others.

    It's your life, you live it the way you want it... not by what others want you to be. But you must have firstly a good understanding of your role in creation - predestined and preordained by God. Then you pursue whatever else besides which will help you grow mature and develop as an individual. That too is what God wants from every person he created -- to rise up to his/her fullest potential.

    These are my own insights on the matter, Rashmi... and of course I could be wrong too. :-) But what is lovely about our 'chat' is the exchange of ideas and opinions. That is wonderful, I enjoy it a lot.

    With regards to your blog, pursue the writing... put down your honest thoughts without fear or embarrassment. As long as you are careful not to offend anyone (manners should be observed on the internet too) and you write in a decent honest sensible manner... you'll be read and appreciated by many.

    I wish you all the best.
    May God bless you and your loved ones. :-)

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  4. This is so lovely seeing you here, Kamesh! :-) Love it when you do that. Thank you too for appreciating what I write in the blog. So sweet of you, dear friend!

    We are fine, thank God.
    My warmest regards to your family too. May our good God bless your kind and gentle hearts.

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  5. Dear Ellen,
    thanks for visiting o3family...ur post is nice, lovely, inspiring as usual..may GOD give you more strength for this work....best wishes for family
    shrawan

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  6. Hello Shrawan,

    How wonderful to see you here. I'm glad that you took time off your very interesting o3 blog to come and do a lovely message. Thank you. :-) Take care pls and I pray that God bless you and your family with peace joy and prosperity all through your lives.

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  7. Hi Ellen,
    How are you doing..? Really nice blog !!! There are few things that we don realise unless someone conveys it to us in such a beautiful way as you did....thanks again...!!!

    Luv,
    Sneha

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  8. Hi Ellen,
    As always you have sent out a beautiful ray of hope and love with your blog post.
    Some of God's biggest acts of love are in the small things that people do for one another. It never ceases to amaze me how people can sometimes exhibit such love towards each other, those are the times when Hope springs eternal...
    Blessings!

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  9. So delighted to see you here, Sneha. Missed you! :-) Everything okay at your end? I hope you're less of a workaholic now lols. Thank you for your lovely message..it warms the heart so.

    Always take care, okay?
    My prayers go with you wherever
    life takes you. God bless!

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  10. Regina! you never fail to bring warmth to my heart with your encouraging messages. I'm glad to have found you here in blogspot... my blogspot angel. :-) Thanks for dropping by, glad you did. Always take care. I wish you blessings more than your gentle heart can hold. :-) God bless!

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  11. Hi Ellen...everything is going fine at my end...so hows life ? Actually, I was kind of caught up with personal issues...but things have now fallen in place...will write to you in detail regarding the same...take care dear...keep smiling !!

    Luv,
    Sneha
    "There is no security in this life. There is only opportunity " -
    Douglas MacAurthur

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:-) Here's where I warmly welcome you and where you leave your footprints behind with fond memories attached to it of wonderful chats and friendships. Thank you for your comments. Or send your comments to ellen622@gmail.com. Will be seeing you in your blog too. God bless you!