A Senior Executive retired and shifted from his palatial official quarters to the Housing Society, where he owned a flat. He considered himself big and never talked to anyone. Even while walking in the Society Park every evening, he ignored others, looking at them with contempt.
One day, it somehow transpired that an elderly person sitting beside him started a conversation and they continued to meet. Every conversation was mostly a monologue with the retired Executive harping on his pet topic. “No one here can imagine the post and high position I held before retirement. I came here due to compulsions…” And so on. The other elderly person used to listen to him quietly.
After many days, when the retired Executive was inquisitive about others, the elderly listener opened his mouth and said, after retirement, we are all like fused bulbs, it does not matter what a bulb’s wattage is, how much light or glitter it gave; after it gets fused it gets thrown into a dustbin.
He continued, “I have been living in this Society for the last 5 years and have not told anyone that I was a Member of Parliament for two terms. On your right over there, is Vermaji, who retired as General Manager in Indian Railways. Over there is Singh saheb, who was a Major General in the Army. That person sitting in spotless white is Mehraji, who was chief of isro before retirement. He has not revealed it to anyone, but I know. Everyone here in this Society has been in seat of power much higher than the post you held but now have reconciled to their retirement and so are content and happy.
All fused bulbs are now the same, whatever its wattage was — 0, 7, 40, 60, 100 watts — it does not matter now. Neither does it matter what type of bulb it was before it got fused. When one goes to purchase a new bulb, depending on the brand, wattage, make etc., one has to shell out money but once fused, all bulbs from 0 watt to a costly halogen costs nothing and that my friend, applies to you too. The day you understand this truth, you will find peace and tranquillity, even in this Housing Society.
The rising sun as well as the setting sun are both beautiful and adorable. But in reality, the rising sun gets more importance and adoration and is even worshipped whereas the setting sun is not even given the same reverence. Ironically, even doctors recommend the morning and afternoon sun for getting your daily dose of vitamin D !
It is better to understand this sooner than later. Our current designation, title and power are not permanent. Keeping lot of emotions with these things only complicate our life. Remember in chess, when the game is over, the king and the pawn go back in the same box.
Amen