“You’ve changed so much … you shouldn’t obey her this meekly. If you don’t control her, if you keep listening to her like this, you’ll suffer like hell in future. What good life is if you don’t drink? You are coming today definitely.” Suresh obliges unwillingly though. Even elders are no exception in ‘learning’ from friends. It is very rare to come across really good people and people who are happy to see others continuing to remain good people. It is really very tough to remain determined in our policies and convictions without bothering about others. But tough things are always good things whilst easy things are always bad things. If our relationship with our loved ones demands certain sacrifices for the bond to remain firm, let us come forward and do it. The funniest thing is many men consider giving up alcohol a ‘sacrifice’ when they do it for the sake of their wife after marriage! Yet, another incident will be in place here. Ekambaram, the neighbor of Suraj dumps his household wastes at the entrance of Suraj’s house. But, another neighbor Panneerselvam empties his wastes into the bin on the platform. Once, Suraj had a tiff with Ekambaram on this issue. Panneerselvam didn’t want to intervene and distanced himself from the issue. Suraj took revenge by emptying his waste-bin near Ekambaram’s gate. We shouldn’t learn from or emulate wrong-doers like Suraj does. We should always learn from good and virtuous people only. Are elders exempted from this good practice? Here is an incident that speaks of the low quality of people who are supposed to be the head of the family: Govindan would carry papers from his bank to his home to take print-outs from his home computer. Also, he would carry pencils for his school-going son, chocolates from the box kept for the customers of the bank, New Year diaries, etc. These trivial thefts are part of his nature. Elders are no exemption in ‘small’ thefts like this.

It is really very difficult to elevate the quality of our life and mindset even if we want to emulate those who are happier and more broad-minded than us. But that doesn’t mean we need not make efforts. Once, you make it possible, you’ll realize how pleasant life is with no negative thoughts in our mind. When elders advise youngsters on matters that they themselves do not follow, youngsters would naturally ridicule them and think low of them. But, if we follow all the good values and policies, live a disciplined righteous life and bear the fruits, we can surely convince our children citing our own life as example. Children, who witness good things, who grow in a righteous atmosphere would grow into good and benevolent people. They will have good life in future. Disturbing the peace of others, back biting, adopting dubious means, creating confusion amongst family members, etc. are all things that we regularly see in the mega serials on television. Viewers who take ideas from these serials should stop watching such serials. Those who want a happy family life should cut off bad connections and give up bad habits. And, till then, I’ll not rest!