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One in Seven Billion

Some time ago, I came across a story  in which a girl loses her interest in life because she realizes that the wonderful times she has with her friends are experiences that are neither unique nor special, because they're shared by millions of other schoolgirls all over the world.

A similar thought struck me a few years ago. A vast majority of the experiences we have, both good and bad, have already been or are being experienced by millions of others.  However, my reaction to it was rather different. I was awestruck. There really isn't any other word for it.  There are over seven billion people  leading their respective lives all over the world. So here's how I see it, there is not one, but seven billion universes out there, with a person at the centre of each! (I'm neglecting other living organisms here for the sake of simplicity, just as one neglects air resistance while analysing the motion of a body in free fall- so animal lovers, please don't take offense =) )
Coming back to my original point, each person you see out there on the street- from that man in a suit driving a car and talking on the phone, to that security guard just sitting there, watching people go past- has a story of his (or her) own; has friends, family and worries of his own. For a few seconds, their lives intersect, as  the man pauses at the gate. And then, once again, they go their own ways.
Every time I see a stranger, especially when he or she is in a vastly different occupation, I try to imagine what his or her life would be like. What they'd do when they got home that day, what their goals might be...
Do you think it's a crazy hobby? It's a fascinating one, at the very least, and it's best side effect - something that makes it all worthwhile-is compassion.

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  1. C.P. Ravikumar8 June 2013 at 22:18

    Wordsworth wanted to get away from it all
    And thought the World is Too Much with Us
    But this wordsmith wants to stay connected
    "Take life easy, what is the rush?"

    ReplyDelete

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