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Many years ago whilst nearing the end of a long day shift I was finalising some discharge letters and paperwork ready to close the ward, only three more clients to go hopefully in the next hour and then we can go home.

As we talked about the pans a clients partner popped his head out,” I’m sorry but if your not so busy do you mind taking popping in to take a look at my partner?” this was said in a calm voice and so no alarm or urgency was sensed; it could have been easy to say “ Yes I will pop in a minute” popping my pen into my pocket walking into the room to be faced by a bed covered in blood and a entry wound used for the procedure bleeding profusely. The medical emergency call was immediately issued and direct pressure put onto the sight to try to stem the flow of blood it was after all a main artery that was bleeding the rapid loss of blood would certainly lead to death.

Some three hours later I finally got to go home, tired but glad I had immediately responded to the request made and was happy later on in the week to discharge a grateful client.

Last week this incident came into my memory it had been an unusual set of events on what is usually a safe uneventful procedure. Two thoughts on this entered my head and have been making me ponder so:

1) The importance to respond to and take note of requests, on the service it could appear to be unimportant or we could beam that we are just too busy.

2) That even what is a normal procedure carries risks and just because it hasn’t happened or rarely happens doesn’t mean it wont.

I think the main reason why I am reminded of this point is that as devotees we are sometimes too busy to take time for others or too absorbed in our own service or thoughts to help others.

Several years ago when I was finding things hard only two individuals took the time to help, both the busiest devotees I know but despite this they listened offered some guidance (even though at times I was too stubborn to listen). But this helped me remain fixed on Krishna and devotional service, the eternal souls needs rather than my own physical comfort and pride.

We should never be truly too busy, even if at the time the request or the need for someone to talk to us is at a time that is not quite convenient, just like my patient if I didn’t respond or said in a minute could have meant the loss of a life, we could be dismissing or saying in a minute miss the opportunity to help the spirit soul that is suffering in the material body as they return to maintaining the material needs.

One small conversation made by an individual still haunts me to today “I love the devotees and what they do, but I don’t think they care for me or want me around!”

I never wish to hear any one make such a statement again, we must take the time to listen and help all those who are willing to and wishing to take devotee association. NEVER EVER SHOULD WE BE TOO BUSY.