Last six months have been the most excruciating for me. There were deaths, illnesses and a wedding in the family – life was a melting pot of diametrically opposite emotions. However, as I had mentioned earlier, we should not consider the challenges of life as demons out to destroy us but as teachers to guide us in the struggle of life. The famous English poet Thomas Manton describes a bird that can sing in winter as well as in spring. Someone once said: – “Afflictions are often God’s best blessings sent in disguise.”
There are moments in life when we find ourselves confined in a particularly unfavourable setting or circumstance with no possible way out. We actually feels as though we have been taken captive like a beast caught in a snare. And particular trials leave us feeling like at our wit’s end – not knowing exactly what to do. We are supposedly given a cup to drink from – the cup of astonishment – the cup of trembling and reeling.
Know this – your circumstances are not here to stay.
The darkest hour is just before the dawn.
You will soon see the light at the end of the tunnel.
You are coming out of all of this.
You can count on it!
God’s promises are still true.
As Matthew Henry said, your sun is going to shine so much brighter after being under a cloud for so long. You can count on it.
“Afflictions are often God’s best blessings sent in disguise.”
Having said all about Almighty Allah, let me talk about the milk of human kindness, the concerned and sympathetic friends, relatives and well wishers. A time of calamity is also the best time to measure and judge your friendships.
Those who read my articles regularly, may bear witness that I’d never ever made any grouse or complaint against my friends. In fact I’d never had one. Those who had been hard upon me for whatever reasons in past were never entered in my diary as my enemies. I’ve always convinced myself that they had a reason for what they did and they were doing their job.
Today, I shall especially talk about my bosses with whom I’d worked for 32 long years. I’d been in Bombay recently and one of the son of my boss (who was also a boss even when I joined) offered me to join back is a capacity that would suit to my experience. I was moved with to the bottom of my heart. I thanked and politely expressed my inability as I’ve had discovered a new boss that is my PEN. I excused them saying that I need more than 24 hours in a day to fulfil my present assignments. I can’t give up on my last crossing half-way.
I can’t finish this write-up without mentioning one of my dearest bosses who has left the indelible marks on my life and with whom I’ve never had an easy relationship. How he managed with a tough nut like me for 24 protracted years was nothing short of miracle. I had to leave my job in 2006 for medical, personal and failing to justify (Raison detre) my existence in the new set up.
How may bosses keep in touch with their employees once they leave the job?
But, my bosses were always there on my mobile to offer any help I needed. And just a few years back when I happened to see one of my bosses in Bombay, he offered to assist with an undisclosed amount to carry forward the business venture that I’d started. No one would believe that hinted offered amount exceeded 7 digits. Again I was grateful for such a great pep but for the same reason that I’d mentioned earlier, I was not in a position to avail that.
However, I can’t forget this caring and compassionate boss ever in my life. I don’t have to wear my emotions on my sleeve but would request you, my readers, to imagine what it means to have a big heart. I found that having a big heart means that you are a little more emotional than others. My bosses had always shown big heart for me. Way back in 1976, they had booked (FREE) for me a flat in Bombay suburbs that has now become the centre of town today. I learned a lot from them. When I see someone else in pain, my heart takes the pain just as hard. I also find that having a big heart is having the ability to easily forgive and forget also. I always seem to let myself believe that people have just as big of heart as mine, no matter how many times people prove me wrong.
Very recently, when my brother fell sick and was recovering, my boss was there to support me morally and console me will his pen. How can I forget that in the practical life we both are on different platforms. He is a big big businessman and I’m just an ordinary city journalist. Yes, you my bosses have been extraordinary, kind, gentle, caring and benign. Thanks to all Khorakiwalas, especially Late Hussaini Bhai, Late Shabbir Bhai and my loving boss (May his shadow never grow less) Taizoon Khorakiwala. God bless you!
