THE DAY THAT HUMBLED ME
One morning, during our clinics, a 45 year old man approached me with a big smile on his face and hugged me. I was perturbed at first because I didn’t remember him, and then he reminded me that he had had his glucose levels checked at the clinic back in February. I recalled a middle aged truck driver who had looked depressed, weak and fatigued with a distinct tingling in his feet and hands (indications of diabetic neuropathy) who had visited us back then. His blood glucose level was 500+ and we had immediately informed him that this was serious. We advised that he go to his employer and ask for health insurance since he didn’t have anything of that sort. We also provided him some health education on diabetes and information on some free clinics in the area and he was on his way.
I was looking at the face of the same truck driver today, utterly transformed. This was the same man 8 months later and it was obvious he had heeded to our advice. He was full of energy, happy, and thankful to be seeing us again. It turns out that his employer got him on Kaiser and the doctors and staff there put him on proper medications and recommended lifestyle modifications to help him live a better life. This profoundly changed his life and brought a new transformation over the past 8 months. These changes were apparent, and nothing short of amazing.
When I recognized him and he spoke to me about this, I experienced one of the most humbling moments of my life. It is a moment that I cannot forget and cannot describe. I wish I could capture that emotion and share it with you in a better way, but this will have to do. I realized that every small thing we do has the capacity to bring about profound change in the lives of others. The realization totally humbled me. Clinics like this are important, both for men like the truck driver who realized the seriousness of his disease and for people like me, who really want to help in any way possible. I want to thank all of you since a clinic like this could not be possible without you. Each and every one of you has provided me and countless others the opportunity to help others. I want to thank you all for that. They say that a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Let us continue to fan the flame of life and fully realize our potentials. Let us appreciate the gift of life that has been given to us, and let us continue to spread infinite love throughout the world.
Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh (Those that are Pure of Heart belong to the Infinite Love/Teacher, and all victories belong to that Infinite Love/Teacher)
May you have a blessed day!
Written by Apar Singh and Lakshmi Bharadwaj | July 2014
