Small mercies

Have you ever heard the idiom, ‘Thank God for small mercies’? Well, I recently had the opportunity to put it into practice.

It is currently May, the month when the Indian summer is at its peak. Most of the north and west of the country are experiencing scorching heat, with temperatures ranging between 35 and 47 degrees Celsius.

To make matters worse, there is construction in progress in my building. Safety nets were being installed around each section that was undergoing repairs. I was eagerly waiting for the net to be put up around my windows, hoping that it would block the direct sunlight and make the house cooler. I was getting slightly agitated as it was taking time to reach my window.

Once the net was in place, I felt happy. However, this happiness was short-lived as I soon realized that the nets had completely blocked the airflow to the windows, turning the house into an oven. Coupled with the peak heat wave in my area, it was sheer hell for four days. Fans and ACs were running at full blast all the time.

I eagerly awaited the removal of the nets, counting the hours. When they were finally taken down, the temperature inside immediately dropped by about five degrees, bringing me great relief.

It was then that I noticed the workers who had put up and removed the nets were still working. They were exposed to the searing heat, working high up on ladders all day long. Without any AC or fans to cool them, they were talking and joking as if it was normal to be perched on a bamboo pole, eight stories high, in 37-degree Celsius temperatures.

In life, we often overlook what we already have. We tend to focus on what we lack and yearn for more. Perhaps, every once in a while, we should take some time to count our blessings and appreciate the life we have. Let’s cherish the time we have on this little planet.