Retirement Home – Youth & Wisdom

How often in life do we not take enough time to think about the needs of others?  We often are so busy in our day to day life to take a few minutes to reflect on the bigger picture. That quiet inner voice that is eagerly trying to grab your attention to communicate an important message, “hey YOU can I get your attention to do me a favor for a couple of hours, please”.

In the case of United StarMinds we stay as vigilant as possible so that we can “pick up on the signs and evidence” and take the necessary action if required.  Yes this may appear as an odd way of looking at life, but trust us, it works and is almost magical when you do start connecting the dots in life.

This is the story of how a few signs and action steps were picked up and resulted in an afternoon of connecting Wisdom with Youth at a local retirement home.

1) Driving home from the city near my home I noticed the following car number plate TEAM VOID.

2) Then an ambulance passed by followed by a fire engine.

3) I decided to follow the vehicles which then turned into MY street!  I was intrigued to follow the vehicles.

4) The vehicles stopped at a small retirement home behind my residential street where I normally go jogging in the morning.

5) A few days later, I decided to stop by the retirement home and inquire about the incident that occurred. I was informed that an elderly resident had passed away.  Upon observation of the residents I noticed that some elderly people were looking bored, a TV was blaring behind in the main living area and I felt a tug in my heart. “Do something” was the quiet inner voice.

6) I pulled together family children because the school holidays had just started and thought, what a great way to connect the Wisdom with the Youth and vice versa. Perhaps we could go entertain the retirement home residents and at the same time it would be an excellent opportunity for the children to spend their day away from their computers and TV. This was an opportunity for the children to show true leadership and learn from their experience. Perhaps a selfless service project that they could take back to school after their holidays as a case study to inspire others.

7) Whilst talking with my family I was inspired to create a branding called MOE (Masters of Energy). The children were taught that they are masters of their destiny and they must manage their personal energy in a constructive, joyful and loving way especially towards others.  The MOE’s first Mission was going to be the Retirement Home project. On the way home after strategizing the new brand, I saw a truck read MOE Trucking! 

8) Contemplating for ideas for the entertainment content to present to the retirement home residents, the quite inner voice inspired me to use a story I had written for Toastmasters entitled Your Wish Is My Command.  A story about a Wish Giver coming to a village and individuals could ASK for anything they desired in life.  ONLY one wish would be granted however. Obviously people were asking for material wealth, diamonds, land, horse etc.  BUT one little girl Marina asked to:

• Feed the village people
• Clothe the village people
• Educate the village people and
• Provide medication for the village people.

What did Marina NEED for this?  $$$$$$$ obviously!  But she did not ask for the money!  Marina’s wish was granted by the Wish Giver.  Full story can be read here.

The family children practiced their talent one day before the event.  We decided to dress up in Indian outfits.  We took water bottles to the home so that each child could give a spiritual water blessing to each resident.

9) Upon arriving the first thing I noticed was an Indian lady in the center of the group. I was very surprised as it is very uncommon for Indian families to put their parents/relations in a nursing home. I walked up to the woman and spoke in Punjabi and asked the lady her name. She said her name was Pritam (which means LOVE).  I was surprised because my mother was also called Pritam and she had passed away a few years earlier. I was much moved and saw it as another “sign from the universe”, that I was guided to do this and to write about my experience to inspire others.

10) The children, my sister in-laws and their children entertained for an hour and spent some time talking with the residents.  The children delivered the Your Wish Is My Command play. They sang Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and danced. They connected with the reality of Life. They selflessly gave in service. They gained words of wisdom and will now be able to share their experience with other children.

We enjoyed every moment, it was a joyful experience and a memory that I hope will inspire others reading this story to listen to the quiet inner voice and watch diligently for the signs so that you too can be of service in your community.  The most important lesson I have learned in this classroom of life is that IF SOMETHING CATCHES YOUR ATTENTION THERE IS A REASON, a higher purpose.

The United StarMinds young Masters of Energy (MOE’s) did an excellent job.  We were invited back for a possible fashion show in the fall as the residents loved our Indian outfits.

Let Go. Simply Trust Life.