We need much less than we think we need

Satisfaction, contentment.... these BIG words are so much in talks these days.  You sit down with a bunch of guys and in some way or the other you'll end up using these words once and again. I don't have AC, it's too hot, my apartment is bad, my family sucks, neighbors are too nosy, I have no friends,  no job, no clothes, washing-machine screwed... and what not. Kvetching round the clock and trying to quench perpetual  thirst for little more comfort.

Be content with what you have;
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you.

~Lao Tzu

We  just can't get out of it, can we ?  We are stuck so deep in our self created swamp of comfort that outside world is alien for us. We feel perplexed when exposed to the glimpses of stark reality.  Do we really need all this decorum and panache to feel happy and content?  Does flaunting of leisure life and lavish habits  make us feel any better ?

Leaning against my window

oblivious  to the ever hustling world

there was so much rush-- in my midget world

in a jiff I peeked outside

d o w n p o u r , big heavy drops

gushing down, plop, plop

frantically running poor fellows

scudding to hide

HIDING, wherever they can

Muddy, soggy all soppy outside

there was this shack

dripping, all sides, lives there

a couple with three kids, drenched

felt terrible seeing this, I care

I went to doze off, only if I could

I'd go down to check on them

stop you dang  rain, you should

I went down..

Distressed, about their whereabouts

where they will lay down ?I doubt

looked furtively in the shack

still dripping, not a soul inside but me

I was in a bind, then only I saw

wide-opened was my jaw, they were sleeping

safe and sound, in the shade

oblivious to the outside world

left me astound, I just stare them :O

Next day at the crack of dawn, I was awake

that family was half done with their day

morning meal was done, they were ready to sell

balloons, all filled, ready to Go in all colors

red , green, blue, orange, pink and yellow

I think my life sucks, nobody gives a damn

now, when I think of them, so many faces

no names, I question myself and places

Questioning ???

From where I stand

they live so low, yet so poised and content

maybe they are, maybe not

but little I do know now

they demand little, need so less

peace of mind, where have you gone? when I see

mirror every day, why can't I ?

That family living in the shack is struggling every day for their survival. I guessed they needed help and I had it all wrong. They don't worry about rain, or about some status to maintain, they prepare their food wood-fired in less than an hour, they lay down on bare concrete road, watching those twinkling stars and moonlight molting their loads.

I was worrying about them, huh, now I worry about myself..

Oo Simple thing where have you gone ??