Humanity over genes

“Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” 

-Scott Adams

My childhood was all about my paternal grandparents, in my case, they were my legal parents. Giving a brief summary on this instance, my grandparents didn’t have any girl child, and when I was born, titled as a first female heir of their next-to-next generation, they immediately adopted me with abundant blessings and love. So, for me I guess the kindness gene is legally inhibited on papers as well.

If I talk about the effects of those ripples, it is undoubtedly the upbringing and the surroundings we live in. This phenomenon is just the consequences of communication and the customs of each household.

I can’t even count how many traits I have taken from them, be it as their daily routines, their approach to life’s problems and decisions, their social etiquettes, their response to growth and changes, their ability to support in need, their relationship status, their exuberant blooming personalities, their belief in Hinduism, their urge to follow ancestral customs and traditions, their vast knowledge in every field, their emotional strength, their telepathic intuitions, their perception in numerology, their initial steps in technology, their strategies on hard work and smart work and their experience to judge people

Generally genes mutate on the basis of likelihood, but when it comes to kindness, it always multiplies on the basis of observations. I was born and raised in a joint family and with time, I had to leave home for further studies and career. Before leaving home, I was very shy and just another run-of-the-mill child with zero enthusiasm towards life and the world. But after departing from nurtured care, eventually I realized small facts of kindness around me. 

Baba, me and Maa 

It’s my personal experience, and can vary with people’s perspective and feelings, but I know for sure, it will make you a cherished human being. Let’s dive in - 

• During my school time, I never faced any kind of distraction or homesickness. I was merely 14 years old when I moved out , but it never felt like I was too young to tackle the big world. I still wonder how? It must be the lessons of my grandfather, Baba. He told me - “Always be inquisitive, what’s next!” That time, it was just a statement, but with the same approach, I have always adopted a kind of zen in me automatically, with no extra effort at all. I was and am prepared for all the challenges. This curiosity helped me to enhance my skills and also made me a better version every time.
• I have seen my grandparents supporting many students for their education. Baba was a teacher, and he believed to provide the maximum help for the needy children, either by offering financial help or by caring for their mundane needs and stays. It’s easier said than done, but encouragement at a small level with no recognition at all is always appreciated at grass-root level. Like baba, I am also that kind of person who always gives preference to education over any social norms.
• Baba and Maa were religious human beings. They had a deep faith towards the almighty, and anticipated their fates on it. I am not a proper religious person, but it always makes me happy  whenever I see anyone worshiping God with profound trust. I just love those positive vibes. And that’s why I always treasure meditation, a faith with different perspectives.
• I remember the time when we were facing financial problems, and my college admission process was at its peak. Even though I knew the conditions, Baba never showed any discomfort in approaching the best college. He had just one liner for all these situation - “ऊपर वाला मुरली बजा रहा है और हम नाच रहे हैं ।बस अपना बेस्ट देते जाओ ।” I still hear his words whenever I am stuck in any problem. And the calmness that he had in him, I try to adopt every inch.
• My grandmother, Maa, was a great cook and a superior feeder with a full heart. She wouldn’t let me help in kitchen chores, but always taught me to be humble and learn everything for emergency situations. I never got a chance to cook until I got married. And when I started to cook, it was just easy-peasy stuff for me. I am not boasting, it's totally her guidance and the amount of garnished love on food which makes a meal full of gratitude. 
• The love that they shared was incomparable. And the mantra for their relationship was consistent healthy communication. Similarly, this attribute has a soft corner in my heart.

There are many stories and instances which will justify the essence of their parenting in me, directly or indirectly. Last year, they said bye together to this world, like a fairy tale story. It was a dreadful phase of my life, but I came out of that phase very quickly and happily. I didn’t want to mourn their death for  long, because somewhere I knew it was for the best.

Now if anyone asks me, whether I have the same gene, or it's just their fostering, I will surely tell that it’s all about the lessons I inherited fortunately living with them and the amount of livelihood we shared together. 

I vote for humanity over genes. I vote for kindness over inheritance. I vote for upbringing over virtual status. 

This post is written for #TheKindnessGene activity by Blogchatter.