What is a better life?
“There is a crocky here”, we should look out for him said ‘P’. ‘Crocodile’ you mean, I asked him. Oh yes, there is one crocodile here, came the nonchalant reply. “Ah, we are fine. We are sitting at quite a distance from him”, said he. His body gyrations suggested he wasn’t bothered much about a crocodile.
We had just found a place to talk! On the northern tip of the Australian coast, deep into the aboriginal territory of Arnhem land, in Northern Territory, Australia. I was in my usual cross-legged position till ‘P’ told me about the crocky. We looked around for it, and a little further down in the shallow sea, we did spot him. Strangely we were comforted having spotted him. “It is easier to have an eye on him if we can spot him, said ‘P’”. His actions did not suggest a tensed muscle. He was as calm as the surrounding ocean.
So with a crocodile as a listener, albeit at a distance, we started our conversation.
My organization had sent me there to listen to and if possible measure the work of ‘P’ in that part of the world.
We started discussing his life, his work and its impact on the community! Aboriginals, the ancestors of the land till people from Europe came colonizing the land, had lived there forever. Their population though has over the years diminished and only a remnant remains. Now there are workers like ‘P’ who are trying to empower these people to live better lives.
But, what is a better life?
How do we define a better life? Who can give one a better life? Can human beings help each other to have a better life?
‘P’ is a professional pilot. From a country and a culture completely different from his current place. All his batch mates are captains in big commercial Boeings and Airbuses these days. But he chose this place. “In the middle of nowhere”, as he defines the place. Among Aboriginals who the world doesn’t want to live with.
It suddenly dawned on me, that ‘P’ is not even facing the crocky. He had a stunning sense of calmness to him.
Perhaps there is a better life. Perhaps ‘P’ knows it. Perhaps that is where the calmness comes from. Perhaps helping others with their lives helps us become better with ours. Perhaps the ‘Ps’ of the world, will keep throwing us the light on our dark paths to the so-called ‘better life’.
Is there a better life?
