Inspiring Habits of Our Elders
The biggest asset of any nation is its elders—the inheritors of rich experience, wisdom, insights and knowledge. A nation that followed the footsteps of its elders has reached the pinnacles of success. In a country like Japan, strong familial bonds, particularly between grandparents and grandchildren, are a hallmark of the society. Children here love to spend time with their elders, learning from them and actively utilize their wisdom and experience by taking various initiatives in their life. The Japanese Govt has even set the retirement age as 70, so that the country leverages the elders’ full intellect and experience to foster a strong and supportive community.
In developed nations, people prefer to imitate their elders. Kashmir valley too, in terms of elderly wit, wisdom and experience, doesn’t in any way lag behind. In every nook and corner of the region, the elders’ enduring habits are not only haughtily talked of, but they have served our society from time to time. Not a single family is in Kashmir that does not talk so proudly about the great habits of its elders like integrity, honesty, loyalty, faithfulness and more. These most admirable habits of them crave for imitation even in the present era.
Our elders carried out all the household duties and always discharged their responsibilities well. They didn’t unnecessarily involve themselves in the quagmire of evils like rivalry, scandal mongering, backbiting, enmity, envy, and malice etc. which the present scenario has so deep fallen in. They rather spread happiness, love, laughter, kindness and were filled in with deep sympathy for others. They had a divine charm, patience, and grace deep embedded in their simple lives.
They had a habit of two big things—to help, or least, to do no harm to others.
All of us know the quote, “Early to bed, early to rise; makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”. But, it was our elders who practiced it and reaped its benefits. Nowadays, we possess a tremendous knowledge about things. But the irony is that we don’t practice what we preach! However, our elders were practical.
They practiced what they preached. Their life was not merely theoretical like ours. They believed in actions more than in any kind of drama that brings disgrace. They would wake up early, take bath, offer prayers, recite holy Quran habitually, chant na’ats (poetry in praise of Prophet Muhammad, pbhu), visit their fields, and do all sorts of work at home. They believed in doing their work themselves because to them work was worship, and rest was rust. They were quite good at heart, and sympathized with each other irrespective of caste, color and creed.
It is important that I mention that our elderly were the true beacon of inspiration in society who believed in themselves.
They were real and not fake, in all circumstances. Their lifestyle was neither sedentary, nor were they indolent like us. They lived an exemplary life - having good food habits, sleeping habits, etc. They didn’t believe in showing off. To them, ostentatiousness was a sin, simply. They were truly religious, honest, faithful, gentle, helpful, God-fearing and generous despite possessing very limited resources. They were not materialistic, wealthy and tight-fisted like us. Though they had little means, yet, they always remained at the forefront to give Sadqa (alms) among the down-trodden class of the society.
Literally, our elders were the owners of rich habits. They believed in simple living and high thinking. They didn’t live in mansions like us where peace is a far-fetched dream. Their houses were modest, not luxurious and made on home loans; rather the simplest mud-made structures where one would discover unique peace, tranquility, warmth, love and happiness. They lived united and helped each other in times of adversity. Today, we have palatial houses but small families where nobody seems to belong to anybody. We sleep on A-class beds, but having sound sleep like our elders’ is totally a miracle. We have accumulated so much riches and love to be listed among the well-off people. But how ironic! When a beggar comes to us for a penny, we fail to give him anything. “Unchi dukan, pheka pakwan” (great cry, little wool) so to say. Nevertheless, our elders, though very poor, yet, were rich by heart. They understood the plight of others; helped them with whatever little they had, and didn’t dole the sermons of their generosity and kindness everywhere.
One more point was that they didn’t pollute their surroundings. In times gone by, when people lived on the banks of streams, rivers, etc; they never spread trash, littered or made the spot filthy. They rather deemed streams, lakes and rivers sacred and protected them. However, at present even if people no longer live near these streams and rivers, etc. yet when we cast a look on these streams, they are filled with heaps of garbage—emanating a foul stink that has pestered the lives of people living all over. Verily, we have lost civic sense and have failed to prove ourselves as responsible citizens.
To conclude, our elders were the architects of their own beautiful societies who lived their lives very quietly-devoid of any ill-will and illegal activities which the present scenario has so deep stuck into. Their legacy of great habits that bind like resilience, kindness, patience, experience and wisdom continue to inspire us even today—reminding us that embracing their good habits can lead us to a path of simplicity, integrity, purpose and profound fulfillment.
Manzoor Akash is educator, author and regular contributor to Senior Citizens’ Lounge
