There is so much I want to do.. but..

There is so much I want to do. Things that can actually be done. But I barely make it in time for things. I get up exercise (sometimes), get ready for work, occasionally cook, and that's about it. I am always falling short of time. There are some people who do it all. I am just in awe with how do they manage to do so much in the little time we have.

One such person I know is a Professor at the institute I was working with as a Teaching Assistant. He is one of the most popular professors in the Institute as well as in the country. He not only teaches and does research like other professors but he also is an entrepreneur. He has a few organizations focusing on the area of education, agriculture, innovation, and patents. He has supported many entrepreneurs with their start-ups (my friend being one of them). He is also adventurous. He conducts Shodh Yatra where he walks in the remote uncivilized areas in India and is a also offered as a part of the Management Course at the Institute. Besides, he also writes and blogs very often. He is very approachable. He replies to mails very promptly. Sometimes when I walked through the campus late in the night around 11 pm I would still find him walking around with a bunch of students, discussing something. He is always available. He must be in his early 60s and I can't believe the energy he has. I wonder where this passion and zeal comes from!

I was discussing this with my friend while we were taking a walk. We both agreed that there were so many things that we want to do. We have so many ideas but we never take that step forward to begin. I said, I think we don't see the larger picture. We don't see that we can make a difference. He in turn said.. it is not really the reward of making a difference that make you want to things for others. It is more internal. People who have done it life long do it irrespective of that. I defended saying that they could see the larger picture. Why will anyone do something if they don't think they will make a difference? He said they do irrespective. It has more to do with the internal factors than the external ones. Maybe that is true.

I decided to ask him. I wrote him a mail (I write to people I don't personally don't know and ask them questions I have) and put out the question. I asked him "Please tell me what drives you to do what you do?" He replied saying the following - "Foram, I don't know if you will accept when i say this but I get a lot of energy from so many young people trying to do so many things, at this young age. I also get energy form my dreams and my habit of getting excited quickly with ideas with which i fall in love .. of course when heart breaks, i feel pain too, but then falling in love with ideas which have a promise is not difficult is it, so much should change in this world and there is only one life to live, may be". I feel humbled by his response. :)

The next day, I happened to meet another woman in the bus I take to work. She must be in her early 50s. She has been very kind to me since day one. I was new and could not figure the bus routes. She made me sit with her and briefed me with everything she knew. It was very helpful and warm. We have been exchanging hellos ever since. After about two weeks I again happened to share the bus seat with her. We generally spoke about her daily routines and how made her way to where she is. She very politely gave me tips on how girls should be very assertive. She told me I must not rely on other people. She said that the best way to learn is by observing. You can look at other people, observe what their doing and learn. She said that is how she learnt cooking. She is a Mallu married a Gujarati. She later told me about her sisters. She had 4 younger sisters out of which two died at a young age. Her youngest sister did not marry as she decided to choose the path of sainthood. She died on the spot in an accident. After her sister's death, she strongly felt like doing something for people. She is a certified trainer in yoga, reiki, and a couple of other things. For the past 14 years she has been teaching yoga to people everyday and has been curing people with various ailments through the exercises she has learnt. All her services are offered for free. Also, not only people approach her but if she finds out  that someone is sick she will approach them herself and try helping. I was amazed at how much she did. Besides, their home is also a meditation center. Anyone is welcome and everyday they practice meditation for a hour. If I did not speak to her you would not know she could do so much. She generally looks very happy and content.
There is something I have always been wanting to do i.e. teach children (specially who don't have parents) and interact with them after work hours or on weekends. But I have only been a bum. Some places were too far I thought. Sometimes, I was pure lazy, and sometimes my weekend free-time was more precious. I think I always wanted to be associated with children and do something good but probably it was never my priority. I only wanted to do it but I was not willing to take the pain. Its time I re-evaluate my priorities.