Vraja Bihari Das
‘Enough’ is a feast – a Buddhist proverb
In 1983, in Florida, a young man was sentenced to imprisonment for
rape and murder of a woman. He stayed in jail for 37 years, all the
while appealing his innocence and never giving up. Finally, last week,
the court declared Robert DuBoise was indeed innocent and ordered his
release. The court also said they had wronged him all these years and
finally cleared him of all his convictions. Mr DuBoise said in an
interview that he always knew this day would come- his innocence would
be proved! Besides, he held no grudges and expressed gratitude for
getting this new life.
The news astounded me for various reasons- but most importantly for
the grace this man exhibited. We all face injustice and pain, but
compare it with the magnitude of Robert’s plight. And for over three
and half decades he was deprived of his basic human right of freedom.
Yet, I now reckon he was free- even in a jail, for he used his choices
well. When Helen Keller, the legendary deaf and blind author, was
asked if she had regrets in life, she said so much has been given to
her that she has no time to ponder over that which has been denied.
Ironically we are free citizens in a democratic country, yet we may be
imprisoned by the shackles of our own minds. We might cry, fret, fume
and complain about many petty shortcomings. The mind relentlessly
cribs about practically everything. This man has humbled us!
We all have some gifts given by nature. But it’s only a thankful heart
that considers what we have as enough! Gratitude is a choice we all
have. If I can begin each day with a sincere thanks for the gifts I
have been blessed with, I am sure one day I can please God with my
attitude.
I know it’s difficult to be grateful for everything in life, but
certainly we can be grateful every moment. And here was a man who was
also willing to move beyond a serious failure by the law enforcing
agencies. He is teaching us that we can practice gratitude always.
