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Writing About the Other Side

By 04/06/2008writing

Writing about writingWriting sometimes seems so empty.

Writing about my life, my petty woes about the internet connection.

When I read something like this I almost feel guilty for the way I live. I feel guilty about living in an apartment, about having an internet connection, a computer, or even a refrigerator!

I wonder what an alien visiting this planet would think of us humans as a species, while some of us drowning in poverty, others are drowning in decadence.

I am squat in the middle, but still feel guilty about not doing more. Some people are doing though, and showing us that small beginnings are also significant in this world torn between need and greed.

Swami Vivekananda once said “An ounce of effort is better than tons of tall talk”, and I like it the best of all his quotes.

Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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6 Comments

  • damyantig says:

    Lofter, I am trying to send some help to some kids back in India, but since I have not been earning much these past months it has trickled down.

    Ely, Capisco bene che ne dici, e come tu sai, io penso sempre cosi, e provo ad aiutare quelli bambini in India che posso. Ti scrivo un e.mail cara, ciao, e grazie per venire qui cosi spesso:)

  • elybessy says:

    Just today , when my husband and I having lunch, we have spoken about it. We was eating a rich dish of pasta and tomato, meat and vegetables, when through television cruels images from Africa and starving children hit us, a punch in my stomach and obviously it isn’t the first time, but my husband told me, that only a tiny part of money goes to Unicef of other associations.LOL
    I can tolerate children obese in the most part of the world and many others starving and deprived of everything. It can sounds so hypocritical, but it’s true. What can I do? I think to deal with the question it’s too hard but, to be filled with indignation it is the least I can do.

  • Lofter says:

    What amazes me is that so many people go through life without ever noticing the stark contrast. And that to our shame.
    I work with World Vision and have got to “meet” some really great kids! If it’s something you can afford to do, it’s well worth doing! 😀

  • damyantig says:

    Darc, yes, we cannot escape these thoughts if we have a conscience.

    Mckenzie,

    You are so right. Swami Vivekananda was an example for us all.

  • Mckenzie says:

    It wasn’t until a recent class that I’ve sought to be more aware of what I am doing that impacts, not only the earth, but the people living on it. Just because, maybe, we aren’t doing big, noticable things, it doesn’t mean we aren’t doing anything. The smallest act is helpful. And a bunch of small acts put together is a change, indeed. Anyway. Nice quote at the end.

  • DarcKnyt says:

    Interesting thoughts. Something I dance with on a regular basis, too.