To be born
as a human being is indeed a boon. “Aridhu, Aridhu, Manidarai Piraththal
Aridhu,” - to put it in Tamil. To live
as one is the real test, an examination conducted under the watchful eyes and
supervision of the Almighty, in which only one portion pass out successfully,
and the others fail to make it, carrying the left over arrears to their yonder
world only to come back to the earth in another birth, either in human form or
otherwise, so as to appear for the examination again. The fortunate few who
sail through this phase should possess the vision and vibrancy to clear the viva
voce on the heavenly altars and meander their way into the gates of El Dorado.
To lead a
healthy life is indeed a jackpot. This Providential Blessing smiles only on a
miniscule percentage and gives the skip to the majority. The normal prayer
is “ Orandum est ut sit mens sana in corpore sano “ – meaning you should have a sound mind in a sound body. A happy pairing of both
is very much sought and prayed for by every soul. It is also the dream of every
living thing crisscrossing the earth. Life being a game of chance, showers this
blessing on some and deprives it from many. The reasons are manifold, some
fathomable and the others not. For the ones who are blessed with this sterling
combination, life would resemble an Elysium.
Discord
between the above said two factors can lead to divorce of health from our
physical self, paving the way for a dejected mind and a sickly existence till
the end. The effects will be vice versa from the previous situation / scenario.
One has to resign to a debilitating innings, chugging miserably to the last
vestiges of life till elegy is sung.
It is a
general notion that one should be possessed of good habits to sustain a long,
healthy lifespan. Steer clear of tobacco, alcohol and other vices for a
prolonged stay, as affliction to them may hasten one’s departure. Agree that
the above universal law has its reach and applicability. They should be
imparted to children so as to make them aware of the ill effects of the vicious
pastimes. Vice Free living is
undoubtedly Wish(e)ful Living.
I have seen
instances of strict teetotalers leaving the earth all of a sudden, in haste. When the news came that they had been
catapulted from the earth to eternity, it was a rude shock, as some of them had
not exhibited the slightest signs of illness at any point of time. It was
simply like this – They were there, they were not there “. We can only draw
solace by repeating that the “ unexpected always happens “ on such occasions.
Contrarily
Vice Men are seen straddling with abundant health and energy, as they seem to
believe and adhere to the saying that “
Variety is the spice of life “. They repose allegiance to addictions, and
follow verbatim what Lord Byron said – “
Man being reasonable must get drunk. The best of life is but intoxication “.
Clean
habits, regular dietary intake, good manners - these are all general
precautions that humans can take towards preserving a healthy constitution. But
the ultimate dispensation of good health
rests with a higher judge in whose court there is no provision for
protest or questioning, and above Him there is no appellate authority. We cannot question His actions and pose a “
Why Me “ query to Him. We will not get an answer, but what if we get a “ Why
not you “ reply from the sky. So it would be better to live life in its own
route and travel with whatever experiences that come our way.
As in all
cases, you only die once. Once dead, the
good and the bad are covered by the same moss.
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* Written after the sudden, untimely demise
of two friends.
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