Is it our Job to Judge?
A Chance to Practice Compassion
“My wife and I have arguments every two or three days”, he says, adding that it never used to be like that. His face expresses sadness.
“Money. Every time it is about money… We already have stopped eating meat. I understand that even the price of tomatoes goes up. But what can I do?”, he sighs.
It has been quite a few years since I crossed paths with him at his workplace a few times. Upon seeing me recently, he surprised me by greeting me with a “Welcome back, Monika.”
While our conversations back in the years were mainly limited to greetings, I now stop for a moment. Remembering both my face and my name did the trick.
He tells me about the changes in the environment. His face lights up, when he shares how as a young boy he used to play in the sand of the Giza plateau. That he would spend quiet evening hours behind the pyramids under the starry sky. How the commercialization of the historical site has led to it being surrounded by fences. No longer accessible for the local people. The smile fades from his face when he mentions that his children will never be able to experience this, even though his family has been living in the area for generations.
As in many other countries, the costs of living in Egypt have more than doubled over just the past year. For the fast majority of people the rise in salary is nowhere near the inflation rate. Nowadays, for many, salaries do not even cover the costs of food for their family. Let alone the costs for housing, clothing, medical care, schooling et cetera. For an average Egyptian employee it has basically become impossible to live on one salary.
Paying the relatively small fee for locals to enter the Giza plateau with his children, to show them his childhood playground, is out of reach.
I am aware that this man has a few tricks / ‘mistakes’ upon his sleeve to overcharge people for services. While I do not agree with or justify these kinds of actions, I do understand what causes them.
It is not only greed or power that leads people away from what they know to be just. Despair does the same. To make sure the children are fed, one can easily become a modern style thief.
“One day there will be another revolution”, he says in a soft voice.
I sense that he considers it almost a fact. Unavoidable. The day may come when the people no longer accept the situation they are in.
“I will not be part of it,” he adds, shaking his head.
After the 2011 revolution, a law was passed making protesting illegal. Who would take care of his family if he loses his life or goes to prison? He won’t risk that.
He sighs, accepting that the arguments with his wife will continue and possibly become more frequent. Accepting that the ways he uses to increase his income are affecting his mental and emotional well-being. Praying even more, hoping that God will understand and forgive him. That he will be spared the karma of his actions.
His story is the story of many around the world.
Faith that walking a straight path will be rewarded has faded.
Faith in and respect for leaders has been lost.
Faith in their own capacities and abilities is gone as well.
Instead of living from the heart, they have ended up living and acting from a worried mind.
It is not my job to judge him or his path.
I can look with compassion at the man, who has gone astray to take care of his family’s needs.
May the energy of spring and the lengthening of the days contribute to more joy, love, compassion and peaceful thoughts.