I Asked Myself Three Questions: Ruben Vardanyan Releases a Recording

Ruben Vardanyan has released yet another recording, sharing a personal moment from his life. He requested that this recording be published on Sunday, as it is a special day for Christians.

“Today, I want to share a few words: First, I wish you happy moments, because only the moment, the instant, is real and closest to eternity. Today, I want to share with you a very personal story that has played a huge role in shaping me as an individual. It occurred 39 years ago in Azerbaijan. Like all young people in the Soviet Union who turned 18, I was drafted into the Soviet army. After completing my first year at Moscow State University, I found myself at the Moscow draft point at the end of June. After a long series of adventures, I ended up in early July with several hundred people at a distribution point in the outskirts of Baku, in Balajari. This was the first and only time I was in the Azerbaijan SSR.

It was there that a subofficer approached me and offered that for 300 rubles, he could arrange for me to be transferred to serve in Armenia. That was quite a significant amount at the time, and I told him that I didn’t have that much money. Three days later, when we were to be finally assigned to our units, he approached me again, apparently having found no more suitable candidates, and said, ‘Well, at least give me 50 rubles.’ I replied that I only had 27 rubles. He left dissatisfied, saying that it was impossible.

I recounted this story as a funny episode to the boys I had met during our long journey from Moscow to Baku. About 15 minutes later, six or seven guys, consulting among themselves, approached me and handed me 23 rubles, saying they would like me to serve at home. They smiled and assured me that they would only be happy for me.

I knew that none of them came from wealthy families, and three or five rubles was a significant amount for them; in reality, they were giving me their last money saved for cigarettes. Thus, thanks to these nearly unfamiliar (I only briefly knew one from the university) foreign boys, none of whom owed me anything, I moved to Armenia and served for two years in Leninakan (now Gyumri).

I have often thought about this episode and have asked myself three questions. Am I ready to give my last money or my last piece of bread to help someone else? Not a million from a billion, but really the last money. Secondly, can I rejoice that someone will go home to serve thanks to me, while I remain in an unfamiliar place and will long for my homeland, familiar places, and loved ones whom I will not see for two years? And thirdly, am I ready not to expect gratitude (we didn’t even exchange addresses) and not have the feeling that someone owes me because I have done something for them?

This story has become a reference point for me, contributing to my formation as an individual into who I am today.

Today, I would first like to express my gratitude to those who helped me; I don’t even know if they are alive or how their lives have turned out. But if they hear my story, they should know that I always remember those 23 rubles and their selfless act. I will never forget that. Secondly, I want them to know that thanks to them, I realized that doing good is not an investment; you must simply pass on the kindness done to you like a baton and be happy from it. And I am happy that my wife and I have donated almost all of our wealth to charity, and our children have understood and accepted this.

I asked Veronica (my wife) to post this message on Sunday because Sunday is a special day for Christians, just as Saturday is for Jews and Friday is for Muslims. I would like you to set aside one day during the week to disconnect a bit from your daily routine, external noise, and domestic issues to think about the spiritual, the eternal, about being yourself and with God.

I am convinced that goodness is eternal and immortal, and when you do it anonymously and have no expectations in return, it multiplies. Many familiar and unfamiliar people have done this in my life, and I am grateful to them. I have also strived to do the same as much as I can. Evil, of course, has an end, it is finite, which is why it is so aggressive and attracts attention. And when you respond to evil with evil, it grows stronger and becomes more powerful. Unfortunately, it is easier for people to discuss and remember the bad than the good: to gossip, to write books, to make films. It is more diverse and attracts more attention, even in the news. We read more bad news.

But remember: if goodness, light, and love were less than evil, the world would have long ceased to exist. It is simply that it is unnoticed, like air, and we often take it for granted. By giving everything you have, know and can, without hoarding and without becoming a slave to your passions and desires, this is, in my opinion, the meaning of life. In this way, we add goodness and light to the world—for everyone.

We come into the world naked and leave naked, taking nothing with us. Even the pharaohs have not escaped this. Forgive as we wish to be forgiven when we do something wrong. Do not seek punishment for others, but ask for forgiveness for yourself. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. This is the golden rule. Do good and be happy. Peace to us all. I love you all,” says Vardanyan in his message.