Man and woman are wonderfully gifted and adorned by the creator. It is really a wonder par excellence. As human beings, men and women are given a place to be born, to live, to function and to find their success and fulfilment. Humans are not sent into a blank, vacuous situation. He/she is given a place to be and to function. It is a geographical place, a country, like India, China, or Africa. It is a very positive gift given to the individual and not by one’s option. It looks a bit negative as imposed upon everyone; it appears to be a humiliation and limitation. By being an Indian, one cannot be an American.  

Further, man is born at a certain time. I was born in the 20th century, in the modern world, which offers a variety of means of living and development. I enjoy the advantages of transportation, communication, contacts, etc. which were not easily available in the bygone past.  Hence, one’s life is filled with manifold graces today. This can be seen in the different cities, towns, villages, and houses.

Also, we have sexual differences. This is the most beautiful reality for companionship. To accept this reality in life and grow in communion/friendship is a wonderful gift of the creator. Here again, one cannot decide one’s sexuality as male, female or transgender but accept the sexual difference. It is not one’s option. I, being a male, cannot be a female or transgender.

Further, we have social differences. By this, we keep in contact with others, sometimes with selective options. The social area is a vast one. Whatever comes in society is a social matter or issue. Everything a man is involved in society is a social matter. Among creations, man is the only social being. From birth, humans are born into a particular religion. To be in a religion or a religious group is not an option, but a given reality. True, one may change it over time. One can also make oneself totally secular.

And we have the familial governess as traditional, progressive, religious, legal, diplomatic, political, etc.  All these are partly fixed and partly optional. There are also gifts of living in a particular manner. It may be a cultural group. There is, of course, option in this to a great extent. Humans are in and involved in the web of human culture. The community goes on creating new phases and faces of culture.

There is also a different intellectual plane in the power of understanding, academic qualifications etc. These are not always given; they are acquired through hard work. In the intellectual sphere, more than the gifts given to one intellectually, the hard work of the individual matters most. Perspiration is more valued than inspiration.

Further, we have a political sphere which is very relevant and active today. In that sphere, one may say that man is a political being. This is a growing realm in society. One may like or not, everyone is involved in politics. We have further the economic sphere, which is very relevant today. Political and economic spheres go hand in hand, often practiced by different persons and groups. To sum up, humans are gifted in many ways. We must accept our gifts and develop them to the best of our ability. This is the challenge for us, and everyone is looking at how we perform.

(Book referred: Human Existence as Home-Coming, by Johnson J. Puthenpurackal)   

(jponnan@gmail.com)