Let me tell you something I have noticed over the years.
Some people talk about their pain with a smile. They will tell you about a bad day, a worry at home or something that broke their heart, and they will laugh while saying it. And we look at them and think, how can they smile about this?
I understand those people. Growing up, I learned to do the same. When you don’t want anyone to feel sorry for you, a smile becomes the easiest thing to hide behind. It doesn’t mean the pain is small. Sometimes it means it is so big that you don’t know how else to carry it.
The children taught me this again
Every Sunday, when we reach a basti, the children come running to us. They laugh, they tease each other, they make peace signs the moment they see a camera. If you saw them for a minute, you would think they don’t have a care in the world.
But I know many of them slept on a thin sheet the night before. Some came without slippers. Some haven’t eaten properly since yesterday. They smile anyway, because that is what children do. That is what I did too.
So let’s be a little kinder
Next time someone smiles while telling you something hard, don’t judge them. Just listen. Ask them how they are really doing, and wait for the answer. How a person speaks is only the outside. What they feel is what matters.
Why helping others makes us feel better
I will be honest with you. On days when my own mind is heavy and nothing feels right, I go and sit with these children. Within a few minutes, I forget what was bothering me. I can’t even remember how I felt before I came. Sometimes I go to the gurudwara to do seva, or spend an afternoon at an old age home. People think we go there to help. The truth is, they heal us just as much.
Many people who volunteer say the same thing. Giving your time to someone else has a way of quieting your own worries.
If you have been feeling low lately, come with us one Sunday. You don’t need to bring anything except yourself. Sit with the children for an hour, and see how you feel when you leave. If you are not sure where to start, here are a few simple things you can do for society on a Sunday.
Join us this Sunday · Sponsor a meal
Questions people often ask
Can volunteering really help when you feel low?
For many people, yes. Spending time helping others takes your mind off your own worries and gives you a sense of purpose. It is not a replacement for professional help, but it can make a hard day lighter.
How can I volunteer in Delhi on weekends?
Feeding Universe holds a food drive every Sunday in Delhi. You can sign up as a volunteer and join us. No experience is needed.
Do I need to bring anything?
Just yourself. If you want, you can bring a packet of biscuits or a notebook for a child.
With love,
Harpreet
