Gandhiji's Talisman - Applying Thoughts

"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Source: Mahatma Gandhi [Last Phase, Vol. II (1958), P. 65].
Going through this quote again and again made me feel uneasy. The reason being the very deep meaning of this Talisman. Honestly speaking, it does make no relevance of my deeds to those hungry and starving millions. It keeps asking question to me if I m not contributing anything for the gain of these people.But then, we do have our own responsibilies and problems to be addressed. I feel things should begin from the environment you are in. First see the people who are close around you. Take one thing at a time.Help those who are near to you.Help can be in many form. Grab the opportunity to do something for others.And then the boundary of your helping hand would surely spread. The only problem being that Good things are not that infectious as its counterpart is.

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