Through my eyes

Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction, ends up been the biggest step in your life...AndSometimes our toughest challenges turn out to be our Greatest Blessings.

I have long been inspired by local businessman, Ashok Sewnarain and his family. It is not so much his business achievements that impress me, and he is some kind of supernatural businessman with interests all over the globe, it is more his humanitarian achievements that have touched my heart and continue to inspire me and make me want to be good and even better than I am.

For the past nine years I have been attending Mr Sewnarain's IBV VIP Children's Day, held at the International Convention Centre in Durban and each year without fail I struggle to comprehend the magnitude of his offerings.

This year was no different, 2500 children from underprivileged backgrounds, some orphans, some just underprivileged, innocent souls, attended Ashok's party and each year without fail, he clothes them, feeds them, entertains them and gives them the best time of their lives.

This year while watching the talent show and tearing up once again, I turned to Ashok's son Rahul and said; "I am so blown away by your family's generosity." To which he replied; "Its our duty"

Decades of clinical research has explored the psychology of human suffering. Yet that suffering, as unpleasant as it is, often has a bright side: compassion.

Human suffering often inspires beautiful acts of compassion by people wishing to help relieve that suffering.

What propels someone to serve food at a homeless shelter, pull over on the highway in the rain to help someone with a broken down vehicle, or feed a stray cat

For the past few weeks instead of listening to the depressing and ever increasing 'Fake News' on my TV, I switch to lectures given by Dalai Lama. Having met him and having been personally blessed by His Holiness, He is my rudder on a stormy night and on a perfectly sunny day too.

In one of His talks, the Dalai Lama said something that moved me, he said; "The development of compassion, kindness and empathy is crucial for healthy social and emotional growth."

"Research finds that compassion can activate pleasure circuits in the brain, and makes you happy. Compassion lowers stress hormones and strengthens the immune system, helps people feel less vulnerable and lonely, and even reduces risk of heart disease! And when individuals develop compassion and kindness it can lead to more compassionate societies."

"Compassion and kindness are not limited to acts for other people. In fact, extending kindness to yourself (self-compassion) is considered an important building block to being truly compassionate with others. Another avenue of kindness and compassion is towards our world: the environment, animals and cultural practices as examples."

Lets unite in our struggle to live in a better world, lets be kind and lets show compassion in everything we do. We might not get it right but believe me, if we practice we will eventually get some of it right.