I met a friend today who has decided
to settle down in Japan. His company recently decided to close down Japan
operations but he decided to continue. When I met him, he looked pretty calm
despite the need to search for a new job as quickly as possible.
We got talking about the country
in general. He told me an interesting story. He went to the local government
office to change his medical insurance from company’s scheme to that of Government
scheme. He met the concerned official and told him about his need. The
government official made him comfortable. He was concerned about my friend being
an expat with no job in hand at the moment. The official explained him the
whole process and ensured that my friend got medical insurance cards in 15
minutes!! That itself would have been a great story but the official did not
stop there. He told him about how to make best use of the scheme and about various
other options. Then he also sat down with my friend and gave him details about
which government agency to contact for unemployment benefits! Nowhere during
the conversation, my friend felt any ‘sympathy’. It was respectful information
sharing without being judgmental or inquisitive about the past. It was just a
pure compassion coupled with efficiency!
My friend was touched. It was
heartening to see compassion shown by someone who was least expected to show
it. It nudged my friend to think positively about his situation and more
importantly strengthened his resolve to stay in the country.
It actually does not cost anything
to be more compassionate even when you do a routine job. How many times do we
really practice it with people around us?
World will be a better place if
we realize that our compassion creates courage in someone. It ignites hope and
an ignited mind always looks for solutions far more effectively. That’s all the
help that is needed most of the times!!
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