THOUGHT FOR TODAY

GOD IS OMNIPRESENT

Learn to see God in all persons, of whatever race or creed.
You will know what Divine Love is when you begin to feel the oneness with every human being, not before.

The day I felt my oneness with all beings:

At that time I was inspired after reading the life of the blind and deaf huanitarian Helen Keller, and had written a few poems commemorating her. It was then I became more perceptive of the beauties of the natural world. I restrained my feet from trampling the tiniest wild flower in my path. I learnt humility from the lowly daisy and it is now one of my favourite flowers.

Traipsing one day along the pavement in Water Street, Georgetown, I saw this wretched creature in filthy rags lying on the dirty pavement with outstretched hand, begging for alms from the passersby, but no one seemed to heed her, perhaps her dirty appearance kept them away. I took pity on her and dropped a silver coin in her hand, but in doing so she raised her hand and and it touched my fingers. My thought then was: “where can I wash them”. Immediately I realised it was a shameful thought and regretted it. I then kissed the fingers which touched the hand. Leaving her a transformation took place – I did not wash my hand for the whole day – every one I saw that day looked beautiful. I could have embraced even the leper that day. All, regardless of race or creed were my brothers, no different from me.

Those were the days when there was conflict between the two races in Guyana. Indians were afraid of the Africans, especially the young men who would roam the streets to choke and rob. But that day when I saw two young Africans coming towards me, I was not cautious; I saw no evil in them, but two fine persons. They went to a stand to buy cane juice. I was behind them to buy also. When I saw the young lady washing the glasses, I thought “why wash them”, they are my brothers; I see no difference between them and me, I can drink from the same glass. That day was blissful. I saw “All mankind as One” and the reality in “Humanity is indivisible.”

Now I also understand how people like St. Francis of Assisi and Mother Theresa found happiness in working dedicatedly and assiduosly among the afflicted.

When I returned home I penned the poem, “The Beggar” which went on the airwaves after I was interviewed by journalists.

See “poetry” on my weblog and you can read the poem.

Randall Butisingh