Unloading my think tank...

... and yes, it applies to me too. I was on train coming back from watching Russell Peters LIVE! and was casually flipping through the latest Cine Blitz. I turn around for some reason, and a smart young man says to me, "Hello how are ya?" in a tone that sounds like he knows me since a long time. I say, "Hello... do I know you?"

Young Man - Not really, but this is how we greet a stranger in the US.
Me - Oh. I know :) (He doesnt look like an American though, looks very much Indian).

YM - So you what do you do for a living?
Me - I work as a consultant in a telecom firm. (I notice he has a American accent).

YM - Oh thats great. I used to work as Wealth Manager for a finance firm.
Me - Used to? You in India on a break? :)
YM - Yea... actually... I had major brain surgery (points to the left side of his brain) 3 years back, so I am here for treatment.
Me - (aghast!) Oh, are you alright now?
YM - (smiles) Umm, how do I put it... well, the result of that surgery is that my right side is partially paralysed.
Me - (I glance at his right side) Oh. (I am at a loss for words here and I hate it when God does such things to people).
YM - I can lift my left right upto max height but right its only this much (shows how high he can lift it)
Me - You are here since 3 years for treatment? Isnt it better in US?
YM - I had the surgery there. And I am here for healing. By which I mean ayurvedic healing, trust in God, peace and tranquility - which is what is needed in my case, if I have to overcome this.
Me - I can understand (Shit, how can this happen? He seems intelligent, young - about 30 years, very cheerful - and God chooses him to suffer.)
YM - Docs in US thought I would go into depression, try and commit suicide, so tried putting me on self-help medication, but I refused. I thought, it could happen to anyone, it happened to me. And I should face it. There was a time I couldnt even feel my right side at all, but now I can even move it a little.

And we continued talking about a lot of topics. Bollywood, politics, India, US. I had to remind myself that he was less privileged everytime he used to lift his right hand with his left when it used to just slip from the handle of the chair. Yet, he was utterly happy. Cheerful. On a roll. Zestful. And made me feel ashamed of myself. Of the days I complain I need more. I could learn a lot from this guy. The kind of personality he has, he can light up a room with it! It is very important that I be satisfied with what I have. For myself, for my inner peace.

I think its good to aspire more, but know where to draw the line too.