Let Us Say Grace

As we head into another new year, the calendar has changed to 2018. But the differences in the world continue to remain. As long as the human condition prevails, these differences will always exist. These differences periodically surface as flash points in politics, economics, societies, arts and personal freedoms.

Saying Grace by Norman Rockwell (Source - Wikipedia)

There is a painting "Saying Grace" by the iconic American illustrator Norman Rockwell. It was created for the cover of the Saturday Evening Post in 1951. As is characteristic of Norman Rockwell paintings, it captures an ordinary moment with extraordinary detail. A boy and his mother say their prayers in a restaurant before a meal in a restaurant. We can also see the reactions of the other diners, some fully, some partially and some not at all. 

What is truth? What is justice? What is equality? What is morality? Before we even debate these topics, we must search for the meaning of them individually. We must accept that on these and many other topics, we sometimes understand it fully, partial or not at all. Only life can reveal the understanding to us in many different ways. And, that is a journey we all have to undertake. 

So, in the new year and beyond, like the diners in the painting let us observe and not judge harshly what we do not understand. Even if we disagree or debate on our differences, let us do so with grace. Perhaps the grace will help us come together.

Happy New Year to everyone!
Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

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