Going Somewhere As A Guest

The vibrant experiences of those who visit their neighbours often, without an intimation or those who make a surprise visit when they are informed about a relative who is going to breathe their last breath, whom they revere yet haven’t met in a long time. 

When an eccentric yogi knocks on the door pleading alms in return of  an unexpected prediction, then promptly going away. A guest one invited, irrespective whether they come early, are punctual or walk in late—bring along a mutely expressed vibe that the guest associates with themselves.

Even a burglar who likes to alarm their host, alerting their victims about shortcomings, left unattended. A fruit or vegetable vender delivering what is awaited.

Frankly, anyone except those who live in the home come in the bracket of being defined as guests. And yet it is seen, that the greeting each of them receives is habitually different.

I’d like to question why do some receive respect whilst others get treated as insignificant, sometimes with a strong note of an unwelcome reception. Why is there such a divide?

There is an example set by one named Stephen Scoff, who in a house burglary even offered water to the burglars, with a calm and respectful composure, probably labelling him unhinged.

Why is a yogi looked upon with fear? A surprise visit sometimes treated with shock? Why does a regular guest such as that neighbour visiting every day, make the host throw the basic principles of hospitality out of their window? Why is an invited guest received with an overflowing show of graciousness—even if that guest is ungraciously late. 

Isn’t it so, that guests bring something new to the table that is not routine in the life of the host? 

Remarkably honorable it is to go somewhere as a guest no matter who you are. 

For this reason, there’s a saying . . . guests effectively are reincarnations of God because they bring a new perspective – that is good along with them. Irrespective of the social standing they adorn. 

It may be a prostitute or a police inspector; an urchin or a queen; a customer or an employee. As a matter of fact even if it is a stray cat, dog, mouse, snake, snail or any other life form who is not your pet.