Beauty Parlor For the Soul - Use'full'ness

Everyone and everything has a duty to perform. There is a design for each one of us and even if this sounds like gibberish, it cannot be debated that we are all unique to our circumstances and abilities. No single person, forget group, can be sidelined or referred to as useless. And when you are so designed, where is there scope for the self worth to be in doubt? Ever? Just like a blunt knife can be put to good use as a paper cutter, and a dead flower to potpourri, so does every human being have definite worth and use. Nothing and no one is useless. In fact, even the use of the term to refer to a situation or person is derogatory to the level of intelligence we claim.

Every phase of our lives is predetermined by previous action and part of a larger plan. When you go through a phase of good times, its there to teach you the value of reward and togetherness. Trudging through a rough patch is indicative of a learning and cleansing that happens for the best. So, whether it is experience, a person or an inanimate article, nothing is without purpose or use. One way or the other, the alternative is always there as part of a choice. And, we never run out of alternatives. Situations, things and most importantly we, are designed to fulfill a plan, to compliment and to be put to good use. Yes, nature has its way of teaching us this lesson. Resistance only makes matters worse.

The master lived within frugal means. The hermitage was created that way. Everyone had a task to do and everything was put to good use. The fallen leaves were first part of the bedding and then burnt for heat and then the ashes were used as manure. Cloth available was first used to cover the body and once worn out to either dry dust or swab or tie the bundles of twigs stored. Even the broken pieces of the damaged clay pots were used as filler in the garden. Nothing was useless here. And beyond that, every single thing was put to optimum use. One day, the master called out to the youngest boy at the hermitage. He gave him the job of bringing back water in the leather pouch, for drinking, that day. The boy took the bag and walked towards the river close by. The forest trail was always a pleasure. The birds and ants and bees made a beautiful sight against the sunlight filtering in, as if forcing a wholeness upon creation.

On reaching the river, he took one large scoop of the pure, clear water in the cup of his palms and slurped the goodness. Water from this river always tasted sweet. It was good. Then he filled the leather pouch and proceeded back towards the hermitage. It was not until he had walked for a minute that he felt a drop trickle down his ankle. He inspected the pouch. It was leaking. There was a tiny hole and all the water was trickling through. He had to hurry. On reaching the hermitage, he quickly emptied the water into the pot beside the bower and went to report the leak to the master. "The bag is useless now, shall I keep it aside and look for some other vessel or pot for whoever gets the water tomorrow?" The master smiled. He looked at the pouch. It was a tiny hole and the quantity of water brought back was enough to last them till the next morning.

"No, son. I know that the hole will get bigger, but there is time for that. The pouch is good enough for now. Even as it serves this purpose, it will prepare itself for the next". What nonsense! What was wrong with the master? He was the limit when it came to putting things to 'good use', as he called it. Nothing was ever thrown. But, now this bag...this was the limit! If he was aware that there was a problem, why didn't he fix it or discard it or put it to that alternate use? And what was that about getting ready for serving the next purpose! Taking his thoughts back to bed with him, the boy tried to put his little troubled head at ease by remembering that the tasks were reallocated regularly. The next morning however, the master called him and asked him to repeat the task of the previous day. Again the water trickled as he walked back. If the master was okay with it, why should he bother? At first he did try to pinch the hole and walk back, but the water seeped through anyways. He would stare at the bag on the way to the river – alternate use? Useless bag!

This went on for six long weeks. He seemed to be the master's target for opening his big, fat mouth. However, he decided that he would remind the master that the task needed to be given to someone else now. He wanted a switch over. And, ask - he did! The master agreed. He asked the boy to take a walk with him to the river bank that day...for the last time. Boy! What did he do to earn the master's company? The walk was slow, as the master was old and slightly bent. The path somehow seemed even more beautiful today. There was a pleasant breeze carrying the scent of a million flowers and the birds seemed quieter. As if welcoming the master in their midst and afraid that the slightest noise would disturb the calm on the master's face.

They reached the river and the boy, like he would do daily, stooped and filled the pouch with water. Then, without saying a word, as if trying to prove his point, he looked towards the trickle of water that was more like a run from a narrow spout now. Alternate use! The master pointed out to the trail of beautiful calendulas along the path. They were beautiful and seemed to run in the direction of the hermitage! Why didn't he notice them before? "The pouch has completed its initial purpose and prepares for the next. The pouch will now help us to water our plants at the hermitage!".

A transition. There is a lesson in everything and every situation. And the one truth that really needs to seep in before we go calling anyone 'useless' is that there's something that skipping the eye. You have the eyes, but do you have 'vision'? The calendulas were indicative of the alternate use that the pouch could be put to. They sprouted out of nowhere with the help of the tiny drops of water that trickled through the water pouch daily. They symbolized the transition.

"The pouch will now help us to water our plants at the hermitage!"

There are people in our peripheral who cannot really place the pulse and get lost for direction in life. They are unable to decipher where they fit into a predetermined design. Instead of declaring them 'useless' to society enquire if you have the intelligence and capacity to first find the 'alternative'. It is easy to quit, but a challenge to stand in the face of the strong winds of change. Are you up to it?

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