Originally posted by: laxmi_s
I present one experience of mine in sync with the above discussion...😛.. infact there has been a difference in the POVs here between me-husband and my MIL in this matter.... I have been brought up in an environment where charity to the needy has been addressed as the first punya karya.... then the normal poojas r done for the welfare of the family and the charity to the pandits etc.... so i have been always of this view ... but in my inlaws place ... the observation is a bit on the other side.... the priority is first charity to the pandits during the poojas and then the needy.... which myself and my husband find it a bit odd to digest....😕
I would relate an experience for the same.... my husband had brought many kellogs small packs , milk cartons and juices as were on the pilgrimage tour.... on the way...we halted for sometime .... it was pouring heavily and i saw some children of around 5 to 8 years were wandering there fully drenched possibly in a hope... expecting something from us..... at that time my son was sipping a drink .... we distributed some juices and milk packs to those kids and also some khakras and theplas which we had taken with us.... my MIL who is very very generous otherwise acted a bit selfish and showed disinterest in parting away with those juices and milk and said not to give that as there are other kids back home who will love those too...( the other grandchildren of hers) Hon. i felt very bad as just the sight of hungry, drenched children brought tears to my eyes and i could not possibly remember about anything else at that moment.... i thought somewhere people's emotions to their dearest ones grip them totally in some circumstances and the selfishness overshadows the realism....
Luckily myself and my husband share this thought of charity for the needy first while the elders in my house first believe in quenching the needs of our house people then the needy.... they believe charity begins at home and we often have our clash of views here... though i have to be on the passive side...😭... my husband voices his opinion and lands in trouble most of the time....🤣..
Good to know that your husband & u share similar thoughts.
Btw, what I mentioned about "charity begins @ home" is a totally different issue. It is about sponsoring complete education to needy children, doing some service @ old-age homes etc. As we (women) are busy for the time being with other commitments, these things may not be possible in a full-swing. And if we take up this service as a main priority, then we will be ignoring our children and family which is also not right. Though we can help those in needy (like the example given by you) regularly, we may not be able to do give majority of our time to social service now as we have some other commitments.
I know you understand what I have said before, still I have explained it again as I dont want this topic to continue till 150 pages. 😆 150 pages is good only for light-hearted comedy just like Vasindu club.
Edited by reguser - 15 years ago