By P Mohan Chandran
In the orchestra of life, one note rings with painful consistency - the suffering of the good. The virtuous seem to pay an inexplicable price for their kindness, their generosity often used as a ladder by those with less scrupulous intentions.
It's a pattern echoed throughout history and across cultures. Mahatma Gandhi, the epitome of peace and non-violence, was assassinated. Jesus Christ, the embodiment of love, was crucified. These iconic figures, universally recognized for their goodness, faced significant hardship in their lifetimes. But it's not just the figures of yore; the narrative continues even in contemporary times.
Take the instance of Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Dinesh Karthik, a man known for his sportsmanship and amiable nature. His trust and kindness were betrayed in his personal life when his then-wife chose his teammate, Murali Vijay, over him. Here, too, the price of his goodness was pain.
In a world that often values cunning over kindness, good people are mistaken for being naive or ignorant. Their generosity is seen as gullibility, their trust as a weakness to be exploited. Paradoxically, their virtue becomes their cross to bear, their radiant goodness dimmed by the shadows of deceit.
But does this mean that goodness is no longer a virtue, that it has become a curse in today's world? Not quite. Despite their trials and tribulations, the goodness of these individuals stands out, like a diamond shining bright against a dark cloth, or a beacon of light piercing through the gloom.
Their suffering, rather than diminishing them, becomes a testament to their character. It illuminates their fortitude, their resilience, and their unwavering commitment to their principles. It's in this dichotomy of pain and virtue that the true strength of their character emerges.
Good people are often seen in contrast to the not-so-good, their virtues amplified by the presence of deceit, betrayal, and selfishness in the world. It's like a cosmic balance, the light and the dark, defining and accentuating each other.
But let's ponder over this - would we recognize goodness if there were no badness? If everyone was kind, trustworthy, and generous, would we even understand the value of these qualities? In a paradoxical way, it's the existence of those who exploit and deceive that helps us appreciate the truly good.
To those who bear the brunt of this contrast, the good, there is a strange gratitude owed to the 'bad.' For it is the darkness that allows their light to shine, it is the deceit that underscores their honesty, and it is the selfishness that magnifies their selflessness.
Some say that the good die young, whisked away to a divine realm to escape the suffering of the mortal world. It's seen as a testament to their virtue, a divine recognition of their inherent goodness.
However, such notions can oversimplify the complexities of life and death. Every individual, good or bad, experiences their unique journey, replete with joy, sorrow, love, loss, success, and failure.
Being good in a world that can be harsh is not a weakness but a testament to an individual's strength. The suffering they endure is not a punishment but a reflection of their resilience. For as Kahlil Gibran rightly said, "Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars."
So, let's celebrate the good, not despite their suffering, but because of it. Let's remember that goodness is not a curse, but a beacon that guides humanity through the shadows. Because even in the face of adversity, kindness, empathy, and generosity are virtues that continue to light the way for us all.
Do you believe the good always suffer?
Yes, good people always suffer in today's Kaliyuga
No, good people are always protected by God.
© 2023. P Mohan Chandran. All Rights Reserved.
07062023
Comments