For approximately the last eight years, St.
Xavier's Social Service Society has held an annual health-care fair to educate
people on health and on disease prevention. My self suresh, a few staff members of
the Environmental Sanitation Institute (ESI), along with a few of us volunteers
came to spread messages not only sanitation and personal hygiene as a means of
good health, but on the mental and spiritual aspect of well-being also. Thus, a
gathering of a couple thousand people from all over Ahmedabad, during the
course of two days allowed for many opportunities to share and connect over
kindness and generosity! The ESI stall was set up on one side with it's usual
demonstration equipment, various models on low cost toilets and educational
posters. However, on day two of the fair, an impromptu gift-economy style
kindness table was also laid out. This came about after Suresh-bhai the day
before in his slightly feverish state of being- cooked up the idea to step it
up the next day and really hone in one 'inner cleanliness' as well!
The kindness table was a bit hit, as people
flocked in puzzlement to understand it and how it related to health. This
included thirty plus volunteers at the fair who were students studying for
their Masters in Social Work. First off in the early morning, Suresh-bhai
explained the idea of the smile card and deck, and within minutes had all
volunteers off to tag random participants, health-care educators and kitchen
staff with small gift items and acts of kindness! Before doing so however, a
moment of silence and prayer was held to start the days intention off right. A
sight that had strangers holding hands within minutes of knowing each other and
kindness blooming big.
Later on during the day, two men off in a corner
were all smiles as the other was seemingly explaining the surprise random act
of kindness he received. The gift- a small “Be the Change You Wish to See”
flower lay, now hanging around his neck.
Small acts of kindness were spreading like wild
fire across the fair and breaking even language barriers! Caruna and Zoe, (two
inters visiting India from China), who were with us for a day, were lovingly
nudged by Suresh-bhai to go give one of the students a hug. Zoe, who speaks
very little english was asked to complete this 'kindness mission.” Initially in
shock at the request, she then hesitantly went over the group of students and
gave one of them a hug. Culturally very different for both Zoe and the student,
but within minutes the entire group along with Zoe and Caruna were laughing and
connecting over kindness!
At the end of the fair health, educators were
asked to share a few thoughts from the day. In his closing remarks Suresh-bhai
shared that when we connect with each other through kindness and generosity it
is a process of self purification. Further that our mental and spiritual health
is enlivened because through this connection we recognize ourselves as one with
each other. So I leave you with this Rx: a smile and an act of kindness a day,
will be sure to keep the doctor away!
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