Fate.

Reblogged from Nabadip's Blog:

It was past midnight.
The streets of Calcutta bore a deserted look. In a corner of Central Avenue a child cried alone in a basket originally meant for fruits. A car passing by screeched to halt on spotting the basket.Ayon and Rhea were returning from another of those meaningless parties they went to in an attempt to mask their sadness. Their first child was stillborn.

Read more… 189 more words

This is post is originally from "Nadip's Blog". This short story reflects the different trials and pains the people of this world suffer. It is a great and beautiful read.

The Humanitarian Experience: Once upon a Time a beautiful princess married her prince

Once upon a time a beautiful princess married her prince.

One of my first real acts of volunteerism, that I can truly say I devoted myself wholeheartedly to, was volunteering with the elderly. I remember the summer day that my mom signed me up to volunteer at the old convalescent home.  I can clearly remember the halls of the home, the smell and the light. There were hollers and crying, laughing and smiling, random handshakes and stone faces.

After a quick tour of the home I was introduced to the friendliest residents. The ones who swung open their small room doors with a smile and a hug ready and on occasion even a kiss. One of the very first residents I met was a small and squeaky woman. Her room was decked out in doilies and every nail on her hand was manicured to perfection. I cannot remember her name but I will never forget her story.

On the wall there was a classic 1940’s picture of a woman with a long white lace dress that was fit for a princess. The princess was standing tall next to a man with a well-tailored suit. She sat still in her chair and smiled at me as I gazed at her photo. Not knowing what to say to her I looked at the picture for a while and asked, “Is this you?”

“Oh yes, it is!” Her eyes lit and she clasped her hands. “That is my husband and that is the day we got married”.  She started to tell me about how in love they were and how the times were much different back then. She would giggle every so often and not tell me why. She must have been remembering some moment in time that could never be forgotten.  After she told me all about her serious looking husband she went on to show me her doilies.

A week later I was back, and I made a bee-line through the hallway to her room. I looked in the door and there she was sitting exactly where she was the previous week, looking out towards the door. I gently knocked and was eagerly greeted to sit. As I got comfortable she looked at the wedding photograph which hung next to the door. This time I mentioned how beautiful the lace dress was. Immediately she began to tell me her story. And as I listened, I realized it was the same exact story as the week before, filled with the same unexplained giggles. It was then that I realized that she had no idea who I was.

I sat there for an hour every week during the summer of 2001 and listened to her story of love and life. I began to prompt the story of her wedding every time I visited, because I could see the delight that it brought to her to share. It must have been Alzheimer’s that she suffered from in those days of her life. Like a thief in the night it came and stole my friend from me. As the summer came to an end and school was about to start-up again I was unsure as how to say goodbye. It is hard to say goodbye to someone who does not remember you, as it is hard to not over step your boundaries. I gave her a quick hug and nervously left that summer afternoon.

About a year later I returned and nervously walked down the hall to her room. When I got to the door there was no one there to greet me. I looked in and all the doilies were gone and no picture hung next to the door. As I think back, to how she was always staring out the door, I realize that she was probably staring at the picture of her wedding day. Constantly, reminding her self of a moment that was not to be overcome by old age. I like to think that she is with her prince charming of a husband.

Meanwhile in the Recession…

My full-time job is in the staffing and recruitment industry. With the economy in a poor state of being, unemployment is becoming a way of life for so many. The staffing industry is not short of people who need a job. This in turn increases the competition for those all vying for the dream jobs out there.

Meanwhile in the Recession..

I recently heard that 50% of college grads are either underemployed or unemployed all together. I graduated in 2010 with my bachelor’s degree and can relate to this statistic. I searched for a job for nearly a year before I got the job I currently have. It was tough. I had to stand out and prove that although I recently graduated, I had more to offer than those who already had years of experience ahead of me.

So what does this all have to do with the theme of this blog? One word, your… Resume.  You need to have a resume full of amazing abilities and accomplishments.

I am going to totally sound like your High school counselor right now, but if you’re stuck and can’t find a job, I can only suggest one thing. Volunteer.

There are countless non-profits that need FREE help, to make their programs successful. You need to first identify the field you are trying to work in, pin down your skills and give to those who need you.

In my personal example, I helped to create, develop and write a “Community Service” Club Curriculum for high school students. I used my time available to work on something that I will never get paid for, and then when I started to apply for jobs I used this act of goodness to prove my abilities. Because, I could prove that I had the ability to successfully develop programs I was recruited to do so for the company that I am currently working with.

Daily we receive inquiries from potential candidates, stating that they went to school for web design. But when it comes to proving the skills learned many fall short. You need to prove more than your ability to pass a class. Web developers are expensive, and non-profits tend to have little money to put towards this aspect of their programs. If you’re a web developer looking for work, do a free job or two. Make your portfolio shine with the work of a humanitarian.

Although I used only a few examples here of the skills that you can apply to volunteerism, there are countless others that I know you all have. Skills, that the non-profits out there would be so gracious to receive, free of charge.

To give is to receive.

The Humanitarian Experience: The Agony of the Unknown Future

UPDATE NOTE: The same day that I finished writing this post (this past Monday 4/16/2012), I was rushed to the hospital where I would undergo an appendectomy. Once you read the post below you will find the irony. I am now recovering – Razz

Don't let the life you lead be BLAND - Hospital food experience

For the past few weeks, my family has been experiencing the stressful and agonizing event of having a loved one in the hospital.

My cousin, who is in the prime of her life, unexpectedly had an aneurysm in her pre-frontal cortex. Over the last two weeks she has had multiple surgeries and procedures performed in an attempt to restore her damaged brain and body.  The brilliant minds continue to work to save her and figure out why this beautiful young woman and otherwise completely healthy person would have her most vital organ suddenly fail.  Her friends and family stand around the bed, watching in complete disbelief that this is the present. And yet despite the unwavered attempts of the brilliant, her body is continuing to fail.

One thing that has made an impact on me, is that she is in her 30’s with an 18-year-old son. She should have decades ahead of her filled with experiences, love and life. And yet today she hangs onto life with the help of a respirator and machine that is pumping her blood for her. I want so badly to see her stand tall, with her model like figure, amazing smile, sweet eyes and gorgeous hair, but for now I wait.

I know that she is not ready yet, not many of us are. When she is occasionally conscious she expresses herself as a human with the will to live, not one ready to leave the earthly consciousness.

In faith I am praying for a miracle, strength and hope, while completely understanding the risks at hand.

As you know I write about the amazing things that I have seen people do with disregard for their personal gain. The humanitarian lifestyle. Even in this on-going event I find a humanitarian. I will call her Nancy. Nancy is a friend/employer of my cousin, who through her life’s work is connected with the people who are the top of the field of medicine. She has basically given my cousin a fighting chance. She immediately demanded and provided the means for my cousin to be sent to one of the most prestigious learning hospitals in the U.S. It is there is where the brilliant minds do what they do best. The fact that Nancy would do this, leads me to understand that my cousin has made such a positive impact on the life another, that this demand for the best is the act of gratitude. Thank you Nancy.

My cousin is also the humanitarian in this story. For years she has volunteered her time and energy in the future of the youth. Over the years she has given her time to encourage and facilitate the dreams of young athletes in her area. I know that she has touched the lives of many young adults who have benefited from her volunteerism. Just a few days ago, a family who she has cultivated a relationship with from her active role in their son’s boxing career showed up at the hospital. They drove over 3 hours to see her and just be with her.

As I contemplate the fragility of life, the lack of control and the will of man, I have begun to wonder, should my life be cut short of my “plans” would I be satisfied with my contribution to this world, this experience?

If your life was to come to a sudden halt and the plans forever out of reach, which actions and accomplishments would you be most grateful that you have accomplished? Leave out the regrets and tell me what you are grateful for thus far.

Our lives cannot be mapped or charted until we have lived them. This is the Agony of the Unknown future.