This incident happened with me sometime back but i do wish to share since it gave me a big lesson for life.
There was a time when I used to judge people from their appearance, clothes and the way they look. I guess this is nothing new and very common. A lot of us do this? Isn't it......
But I am glad I learnt my lessons and I am not any more of that old me.
I had just started with a very important Leadership role within my organization and that kind of had given me too much of air.
I was returning back home to Mumbai from Trivandrum after completing a Training program. Typically the people of Trivandrum region are dark skin.
On this particular day I was upset over a certain issue and I was kind of brooding.
On the flight I had a middle aged local lady of Trivandrum sitting next to me. She was quite dark and her dressing was a Saree which was shabbily draped. Her hair was also messy.
Typically in those days not my type with who I would have conversation with.
She kept looking at me and smiling. I just turned my face and chose to ignore her. I did not want to make any conversations with her, and anyways my day was not going great.
After sometime she tried to have a conversation with me and with lot of attitude I gave her one word replies and continued being to myself.
Then suddenly I felt a warm hand over me I look around and it was her, holding my hand, before I could react she asked me what's the matter my dear, why do you look so disturbed. I just replied that everything is fine with me. Actually I wanted to tell her mind your own business. It was not that I could not talk to her, but my feeling was she does not match my standards, what will I talk to her about.
Then she started further more, Look my dear you can share with me whatever you feel like. Now this gesture gave me a little shake and I felt I was being rude to her, so I decided that whatever little time of the journey was left I will be nice to her. I kind of assumed from her apoearance that she would be a typical Indian housewife who would be spending much of her time in kitchen, and looking after the family. By that time I also noticed that she was humble to everyone around and the crew. Very politely she would speak with them and I sort of liked this nature of her. Then I asked her, what does she do. The answer that she gave me left me stunned. She said she was the Secretary to the Governor of Reserve Bank of India. That's a very very big position one would hold. I was speechless for a couple of seconds, till then like a stupid thing I was talking to her in a way like I was on a CEO position. We also spoke about some of our qualifications stuff and after listening to her qualifications I was feeling like tbe most stupid person on this planet.
By that time she realised that I had got into a discomfort zone. She again hold my hand and said its ok, don't worry, I was just trying to lighten your mood. I was completly mellowed down and stunned by her humbleness.
As soon as we landed she invited me for a cup of coffee in her office, which due to some reason I could not accept. She gave me the contact of her office and invited me to the Head office promising me to take around the place.
After I reached home and for the next couple of days this incident kept running on my mind, I realised I was so wrong to judge her by her apoearance and think the way I did. And this happens with lot of people.
The lesson I learnt was that It's not wrong to feel superior about yourself but in that feeling how you look up to people is what matters. Do not look down to people just because of their dressing, or their make up, or their skin color.
As it is said by Richelle E Goodrich
Eyes, so easily deceived, might judge more rightly with lids closed, allowing ears and heart to remain wide open"
