A State of Just Being

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I am just now coming out of two days of “just being” as I was forced to stay in bed as a result of being sick. It was one of those things that was so unexpected, and just came on overnight. One day I felt great…and then next morning I couldn’t even walk. It was hard to be in a state where you can’t do anything and feel so bad that all you can do is just lie there and hope it passes soon. Last night was the peak as I tried to sleep, going back and forth between being freezing cold and burning hot. My wife made me some hot ginger lemon tea and gave me a homeopathic remedy. Shorty after that my fever broke to my relief. Now this morning I feel somewhat better. At least I can function somewhat and can move around, though it seems I am on to the next part of me being sick with swollen tonsils. I guess I am supposed to rest some more.The past two days seemed like eternity. As I lay in bed all I could do was try to sleep and pray that I would feel better soon. It was a humbling feeling to be in such a state where you can’t do anything but just be. I don’t get sick very often and most of the time not anything like this. I remember lying in bed in the a delirious state feeling like I was going to die (I know it’s a bit dramatic but that’s how it felt). It made me think of all those people who have major illnesses who have to deal with this type of thing every day, just struggling to be alive. So much in our lives we take for granted and it is not till we loose those things that we realize it.

I am not writing all this for sympathy or well wishes, but just to share the thought of not taking your health and everything in your life for granted. Try this exercise. Get some paper and a pen and start to write down all the things that you are greatful for in your life (personal, physical, etc., anything!). Think deeply about it and don’t overlook the simple things. When you finish take this list and post it in a place you will see everyday to remind you of the many gifts that you have. Just the act of consciously writing this down is a big step in bringing your awareness to these many gifts. So, the next time you feel some lack in your life look at this list and remember all the the many things that God has given to you.

7 Responses to “A State of Just Being”

1. manpreet kaur says:

   October 30, 2006 at 6:20 am

   Satnam!

   Hope you are better soon!

   love and blessings

2. Haridas Singh says:

   October 30, 2006 at 9:56 am

   GM,

   Since last few weeks, I have been reading sikhnet.com and mrsikhnet.com on almost daily basis. More on that later…

   Almighty God gives you gift in different ways. Whenever a human give a gift to other human it tends to be in material form and wrapped in beautiful cover. But when God give you gift, it is in the form of sickness. (Many people many not agree with this but I found this to be true).

   Cheers,
   Haridas Singh

3. Hari Avtrar Singh says:

   October 30, 2006 at 11:54 am

   I am glad you are feeling better. It is in these little trying times that we are given an opportunity to grow to become stronger in the sight of The One and to live what being a Sikh is all about, being a Lion of God.
   I read MrSikhnet daily and I thank you for this blessing.
   Hari Avtar Singh
   Los Angeles

4. Sifar says:

   October 30, 2006 at 2:12 pm

   In this material world unless a gift that can be measured on the materialistic scale is received, we do not feel its importance. We yearn for tangibles and include in our Aardas the list of such items but we forget the gifts we have (tangibles/intangibles) from the Almighty and with the want of more, we do not even enjoy what we have. We never are thankful enough for what we have and forget to notice that there are other less fortunate in this world who do not even have what we do. But due to the human nature and this competitive material world, we always look towards the people who we think have or are blessed with more than what we have and complaint. We forget that “He” is looking for everyone and providing what one needs. We also forget to differentiate between the “need” and the “want” which is one of the reasons of our grief.

   We are even ready to compromise our health in order to achieve/obtain what we want and forget that if we will be unhealthy/sick will we be even able to enjoy what we are striving to get or get more of. Sentences like “Grass is greener on the other side”, and “Food in other’s plate is always appealing” are based on thankless nature of humans. Baba Isher Singh jee said very beautifully in this context. “What you own today was not your’s yesterday and will not be your’s tomorow. It does not and will not belong to anyone. You consider it your own and rejoice. This happiness of possesion leads you to utter grief” (from Paramjit’s Blog).

5. medhavini says:

   October 30, 2006 at 3:09 pm

   I am glad you are feeling better. What you wrote is so true!

6. Baljinder Kaur says:

   October 31, 2006 at 8:31 am

   Dear Gurmustuk ji
   Hope you well.
   I can relate to what you have said.
   My father words to me are
   When wealth is lost, nothing is lost
   When health is lost everything is lost.

   In life we need to focus on what is important, sometimes we all can go off track.

7. Guru Meher Kaur says:

   November 2, 2006 at 4:27 pm

   I’ve had some of my own personal experiences in this area (especially with health issues) and it does make you truly grateful for what you have in life…every breath, every sight, every friend, every member of your family, etc. It can all be gone in a moment. Today’s quote from the Yogi Bhajan calendar says it all. "The purpose of the entire practice of all of human life is, when you breathe the breath of life, you know that you are breathing it." …Then close your eyes, and say "Wahe Guru!" and be One…"

   Get well!

   gmk