Basil's Brain

Do we see things and view life differently when we are older or our perspectives change with the times through necessity?.i visited my place of birth after twenty one years and the changes in the small town i was born in looked so alien to me...i was bewildered,sad,even angry that i could not recognise anything. Too much modernity had creeped up and taken hold of the little town that has practically lost all of its charms. i was looking forward to the trip so much that i had sleepless nights prior to my travel but after visiting,i could not sleep for a few days.i knew there would be changes yet i didn't expect my emotions to take such a hold on me.My dear friend of twenty seven years who also comes from the same town was my tour guide as she frequently goes back there. We had a giggling good time visiting our old school and where our friendship began its beautiful journey.i got really excited to see my kindergarten class,the assembly area in the secondary school section wher

When a sad day is upon you think of a holiday Tis really up to you to celebrate each day When sadness enters your heart recollecting the past Halt it quickly remind yourself to the here and now When you hear something sad tell yourself it's not all bad Worst could have been be glad it didn't When sadness comes cry if you want to Inhale and exhale then move forward When sadness is overpowering seek a friend to hold your hand It will ease the pain a smile you can gain When you are sad surround yourself with happy friends Your spirits will soar Your burden appearing light When sadness is caused Happiness can be made A change of thought is all it takes A courageous heart awakes filled with love and gratitude for all that is...And not all that isn't

Farewell Madiba May you rest in peace Millions the world over had shed tears Prayed and paid their last respects in words and silence, song and dance Celebrating and remembering you Farewell Madiba You have left a void so hard to heal Not easily or soon to be replaced Your smile will be missed more so your engaging persona Forever etched in hearts with fondness Farewell Madiba You came into this world and truly lived to touch lives You gave meaning to hope and belief Humanity blossomed with your essence Every soul that beat with compassion and caring connected through your vision, love and faith in unity Farewell Madiba You were the epitome of grace and dignity The very centre of justice and peace Those who knew you closely and those who didn't Equally mesmerised and inspired by your remarkable legacy An incredible way of life...We hope we can follow in our own little corner wherever we are Farewell Madiba May GOD hold you in a beautiful place for

My heart talks to me in a language only i know It's a voice like no other guiding me, warning me... Should i listen closely My heart talks to me in subtle secrecy The message is only for me act upon it i must My heart talks to me expertly solving complexity Knocking sense into me avoiding mishaps and catastrophe My heart talks to me sometimes colliding with my head A battle ensues naturally in the end my heart wins My heart talks to me There is no awkwardness Tis only when there is silence that i feel totally lost My heart talks to me i'm glad and grateful Tis a torch lighting my path My one true guide My heart talks to me telling me what's right Making me feel light But we do fight My heart talks to me and listens too That is how i get answers to my many questions

Giving your two cents worth says it all, doesn't it?. How much can it actually mean?. Do you even know what you are talking about?. In every country,community and culture, there is always a person who feels compelled to give his or her two cents worth. It is usually done very publicly at weddings,funerals and every other gathering in between. Right now, it is done on social networking sites too. Is it really necessary to comment,criticise,condemn or carelessly say something when it is unnecessary?. Clearly, people who give their two cents worth like to feel important and enjoy being in the limelight. They feel duty bound to spill out what they believe are sage words to the rest of mankind. A false belief that they are contributing intelligent thoughts and upholding some invisible moral principle which the rest of us cannot see. There are hordes of them desperately hankering for popularity and the one minute fame that their two cents worth give. Something happens elsewhere and

They are growing in numbers;small minded people. You can recognise them the second words that hold no meaning but contempt tumble out. Small minded people listen selectively to snatches of conversation and make up their own versions. No research,no verifying facts. Little cocern or none at all for the feelings of others. They talk big and it comes out so stupid, mind boggling and outrageous that one is left wondering if they are from a different planet. It amuses me no end when i come across an article written by these small minds but what shocks me is the person who gives print space and acknowledgement. How can a person who says something plainly dumb be in the spotlight?. Maybe, the spotlight is meant to single out the small mind, so the rest of us can have a good laugh?. What is worrying though; these small minds have a following who lap up every poison word unthinkingly further feeding the huge ego of this kind. The following or fans believe everything they hear without questi

Obnoxious and overeager sales people never fail to spoil an otherwise relaxing and fun shopping trip to a mall. Every service industry player ought to place emphasis on training staff to provide excellent service to customers. Complaints by disgruntled shoppers of bad mannered sales people falls on deaf ears. Profit comes first and customers be damned!. i like to browse before making a purchase and since i only indulge every once in awhile,i take my time. Along comes some pesky sales person badgering me about what i'm looking for and then tailing me as if i was going to disturb a display or worse put something into my handbag!. There is the overeager salesgirl after that, insisting that i buy what she deems is more within my spending power. Err..now when did i mention my budget or even ask for your interference?.How condescending!.i find these kind of sales people very rude and in dire need of assistance themselves in basic understanding of what good service is. The obnoxious o

Chatter, chuckles...Crying Winners, cheaters...Losers Hours go by Filled with happy shrieks Funny faces Fantastic times! Playing with friends after school, in the weekends And the school holidays Oh! Such joy and endless games Outdoors,indoors,board games,charades and a whole bandwagon more Those were the days... Carefree as only children can be Playing was the centre of the universe It defined happiness where sorrow and sadness Never allowed in Suddenly it all stops Grown ups playing games seemed silly Really? Why? Is it wrong? No answers to a questionable unspoken rule But playing games with friends makes us happy Why cease something so fun? We bcome moody There is only one best remedy Play as before...With abandon Be competitive and score with relish Support your team mates "Boo" at your opponents' loss In the name of fun, fun and endless fun Bring back the childhood games Shout, scream, cheer and chortle Remind and reconnect with

It was with utter dismay that i discovered the absence of any recognition of the recently celebrated Festival Of Lights in a bimonthly magazine published for a well known retail giant. As a card member,i'm entitled to a free copy which i diligently collect to look out for new products, articles to read, happenings and snippets that i really enjoy. In the last issue (Sept/Oct),when i didn't see any highlights for Diwali,i assumed it would appear in the following issue (Nov/Dec). Imagine my disappointment when it wasn't there in the last issue for this year. There were pages of recipes, clothing and decor ideas for the other major festivals celebrated in Malaysia but not for the Festival Of Lights. An oversight by the editor? or a total lack of sensitivity for another culture?. No excuse can compensate for the absolute disregard and dismissal of the festival altogether. It all boils down to respecting another culture and having the decency and courtesy to accord the same

i am a strong woman i know my worth i respect myself Staying true to who i am i am a strong woman i am beautiful No matter how i look There's only one UNIQUE ME! i am a strong woman i tolerate no injustice i exercise my rights So hear my voice i am a strong woman Hurdles do not faze me i focus on my goals i ace and amaze i am a strong woman i do not sit and cry i stand and try The world is mine i am a strong woman i do not crumble When i stumble i become more able i am a strong woman i work hard For all i want i know i've won

i am alone in this journey It took me very long to accept it i am alone to walk this thoroughfare There is no doubt about it i am alone No matter how many i'm born with and the millions i know Today and tomorrow i am alone To discover life's vagaries and face realities No one can teach i am alone The lessons i learn only i know There are no similiarities i am alone I should shut out the din around me Open up to the universe within me i am alone To paint the canvas of life with what i see And how i look at it i am alone i am really free There is beauty in me Peace becomes me i am alone i love this feeling To reflect,revive and rejuvenate Make my dreams come alive i am alone Tis a celebration of who i truly am A blessed soul i am alone i love my company i embrace this wisdom i am me

No amount of cajoling and chiding can get a bunch of teenagers to open their mouths and talk. They just sit and wait for answers to be given, expect it fast, no explanations needed or wanted. In the end, they learn nothing. In a Communication Class only the teacher talks; a monologue with voice bouncing off walls in a room of silence. A sarcastic remark will not yield anything either and it isn't always because they are being difficult. They simply do not know how to communicate face to face. Words intimidate them and carrying on a conversation with another human is as alien as it can get. Sullen faces, stooped shoulders and shuffling feet that indicate boredom, being clueless and distaste for real communication and connecting comfortably is very common these days. Not only among teenagers but a large number of adults too. However, when it's break time and they whip out their gadgets to check emails,updates and what not, there is a glaring transformation. They become animated

Have you had a makeover?. Makeovers are fun, refreshing and gives you a totally new look; making you feel like a different person altogether. Some though find makeovers unnecessary and superficial to being oneself. i like makeovers. The first time i had a makeover in Body Shop and walked out feeling like a supermodel, i've had my very own mini makeovers over the years. Changing hair colours and getting a highlight which made my friends run to the hair salons as well. A wardrobe change also makes a huge difference in appearance and feeling great. So,go ahead and get a makeover. You can get professional help or do it yourself through watching relevant videos on utube or even browsing through magazines and books. A makeover doesn't have to be all about your physical appearance. It inevitably boosts your self-esteem and gives you confidence to be a better you and achieve your dreams.There is absolutely nothing wrong in wanting to look your best at all times. In fact, it is ri

It happens - creeping up slowly over a span of years from disagreements unresolved, half hearted apologies and not burying the hatchet. The best of us go through affections turning sour that being in the same room requires super human efforts. Relationships aren't easy yet essential. The ties that we are born with are the most vulnerable to misunderstandings, harsh judgements and irreparable damage. Too much love?.Too much expectations?.Too much of anything is never good anyway. The carefree years of childhood filled with tears, tantrums, non stop giggles, pranks, fighting and becoming friends again was somewhat easy. One minute there would be cussing and promise of not wanting to speak forever. Then, as if nothing happened it's; 'Do you want to skip rope later?'. There was no need for explanations nor were excuses given. Adulthood changes everything. It's no more just a tight circle. Outsiders come in and not all the time does the addition click into place. T

You never see what is before you You only care about what is beyond you You never appreciate what is in front of you You only yearn for what can never be You never hear what you must You always listen to what you want You never speak what you should You talk like only you are right You never acknowledge what is most important You focus more on what matters not You never pay attention to loving, living and giving Your only aim is hating, existing and taking You never see beauty that is all around you You only watch the ugliness reflected from within you You never respect persons for who they are You only notice people for what they are You never have time for what matters most You only sacrifice seconds involving you You will never know... what you are going to lose forever You never see, listen, speak nor make time... For life's precious blessings You will never know... Because you choose not to

Roses are black Violets are yellow Satire full whack is great to follow Grass is green Cloud is white Whatever you mean tell it right The sky is blue on a clear bright day When you have no clue let your heart lead the way The moon hides on a dark night Bad times will tide everything turning out right Buttercups dance in sunlight Kids play hide and seek Laugh and feel light beats being scared and meek Daisies are pretty Bluebells are lovely Do not be petty face all bravely Sugar is sweet Pickles are sour Till we meet i'll count the hour Justice is blind Fairness a lie If you look behind you will never say bye

i wish i was uncaring... Getting hurt too heavy a burden i want to be less caring And free my heart from worry i wish i was uncaring... The ache too painful to bear i want to be less caring And release my mind from concern i wish i was uncaring... Being emotional selectively i want to be less caring And feel peace in my heart To be uncaring... Is easy Treat all as strangers and exercise indifference To be less caring i practise solitude Away from troubles protected in a bubble Tis better to be caring to a stranger than kin There is no gain nor pain Just lightness within i've learnt my lessons well And hope wisdom will protect me Ties bring misery Detached...i fly free Liberated from the shackles of CARING

i bet you and everyone else on this planet has had an encounter with an impostor. Not the one in a costume but the very real hypocrite. We need some kind of inner detector to stay far away from these fake good samaritans. Truth is; there aren't that many good people left on Earth. People who laugh a lot - it doesn't mean they are such sunny personalities. Behind that toothpaste commercial grin is a vile, vicious and venomous mortal. You could say; a split personality of sorts. They con, cheat, manipulate and lie through their teeth!. You have met them,haven't you? The smooth talkers who can carry on and on as if the rest of mankind are morons and the drama queens whose smile can in an instant turn into a sneer of disdain. Always plotting and planning to turn the screw tighter on an unsuspecting victim. The worst kind are those who cause much damage that takes an awful lot of time to recover from, appearing so slighted should you ignore and avoid them. Such nerve! and wh

This world is false i am calling its bluff It is make-believe You can be relieved The pain is not real The misery but a veil All laughter is temporary The many joys transient Rejoice! You direct your own play You are the master producer It is your call Live your life as you wish... Direct your mind Instruct your heart Butterflies that sing Roses with wings You can have what you want! Dream. Imagine. Receive. Be brave We are in a play Be the best you can be Rise above the screen Let not "MAYA" fool you Life is supposed to be fun! Respond not to unhappiness React not to unpleasantness Call the shots Jig and dance Celebrate your journey Make it your own... Beautiful. Breathless. Pay no heed to the farce Be the master of your mind And the captain of your heart Fly free. Fly high. We are taking a long walk There are distractions along Stay focused on...YOU...YOUR LIFE Remember... We are in a play So, play your best tune Soar and

My name is Trust I am fragile as glass When I give... Tis made to last I am Trust Sacred to the end Believe in me...You must to feel beauty full blast My name is Trust to earn me... Open your heart pure in essence and innocence I am Trust Betray me not... And cause my wrath fury will flame thy path My name is Trust and when I hurt... I take what I gave The journey stops I am Trust Break the bond... You have to go the door closed eternally My name is Trust I do not hear voices of hypocrisy Nor moved by sly charades I am Trust Simple and true Taint me not... I shall walk away and not return TRUST... Treat it tenderly Respect with your heart Unwise to toy with Safeguard it with integrity Treasure it...Tis a gift of love

Be quick!,Hurry!,Work faster!- You hear these words everywhere; a parent scolding a child to hurry up chewing food, an employer chiding an employee to produce work in unreasonable time, caretakers admonishing the elderly and sick to be quick. It's fast,faster,fastest everywhere,resulting in tension,stress and health is affected also quality of life is compromised. Is it really necessary?. To hurry eating and end up with indigestion?. To let your fingers fly over the keyboard only to end up with appalling grammar mistakes?. It seems being slow and steady is passe and frowned upon. If you are taking time doing something, then you are left behind. From what?...i wonder. The one who does not conform to the craziness of doing everything in speed is labelled unproductive,slow learner,probably has some medical condition and good to be cast aside. Step away or you get bulldozed by cruel remarks, spiteful critiques and degrading treatment. Quality has been pushed so far behind that it

i cannot sign and have never been in a situation where i had to communicate with a mute person. i was faced with such a situation last week and it was an eye opener. No words needed in a world of silence and a different set of problems to overcome. How do you express a joke?. How do you relate a message without causing any misunderstanding?. Having a sense of humour helps.Being patient and letting the 'silent' person 'speak' is important instead of just focusing on getting across what you want to say. i felt helpless while the person in front of me was all smiles and in no hurry to communicate with me. He was not the least perturbed and did his best to understand my fumbling finger movements and worried expression!. He just wanted to 'talk', 'listen' and enjoy my company. Eventually,i relaxed and laughed along as we both managed to understand...more or less to accomplish what we wanted - To walk to a nearby fruit stall to buy fruits. Oh!, we talked

Take a walk to clear your mind Collect your thoughts commune with nature Take a walk slow the incessant sounds Think calm,let go of chores connect with your inner self Take a walk breathe naturally Feast on serenity away from all technology Take a walk and when all is quiet Reflect on,revive yourself be relaxed,feel joy Take a walk it's good for you To compose and be centred So slow down...Take those steps

i cry a tear... For the pain i carry My heart is painful the load is heavy Step by step... i gain strength From the support i get hurt recedes, i feel relief Day by day... My hope grows to live, to laugh To have dreams As time passes... Love grows in my heart i accept the inevitable i must live my best life Unloved... Because i am sick no longer counts i've found my wings

Appreciation of kindness;thankfulness - the meaning of gratitude in the Oxford English dictionary. i didn't even know about World Gratitude Day until i read about it in the papers. Celebrated on September 21st every year for the past fifty years!. We have to thank Sri Chinmoy,head of the UN Meditation Group;the founder of World Gratitude Day. How many of us really mean it when we thank someone for help rendered or kindness shown? Do we actually feel gratitude in our hearts? or we just utter the words quickly with no feeling but exercise good manners?. Some don't even say thank you anymore because they feel the giver or doer 'owes' them. This people think "Thank You" should be used sparingly and only when they feel it is deserving. Observe this in your daily life and you will agree with me that most people from kids to adults no longer say thank you. i usually eyeball my students when i don't hear this word. i cannot understand how they don't seem t

i went to a member's day sales at a shopping mall the other day and the supermarket section was in complete mayhem. i wanted to run towards the exit and get the hell out of there. My head was spinning and i felt suffocated. i cannot be in crowded places. My first reaction is to flee-fast but i had a list of grocery items to purchase and for card members, the prices on member's day are a bargain. i stood at the entrance for a few minutes pondering if i should brave the crowd when my feet decided for me as i walked over, took a shopping cart and went in. That's when it started- full swing!, the mad rush for certain items with very,very low prices. The ugly attitude of a particular group of people and what was most shocking?. They were all grey haired seniors in their sixties and seventies!. What they did?. They elbowed, pushed and shoved everyone in their path just to grab what they wanted. There was total disregard to whether they stepped on toes or jumped queues - there

Imagine... Blue snails and pink frogs Yellow sky and purple grass Doesn't it make you smile? Imagine... You have wings to fly that take you everywhere Your spirit surges high Who says the sky is blue? It can be any colour You choose to see Close your eyes and imagine... Where is it written you must accept all that is Does not everything spring forth from imaginings? Imagine... Red lotus waltzing on a black lake and you an awed spectator Glowing...Rising up high Imagine... All that you desire feel them with love It's yours to receive

It starts... As fat droplets progressing to 'cats and dogs' Not stopping, a steady shower cooling, cleansing... Then freezing cold! Clothes don't dry Outings become a chore All you want to do is hibernate in your lair Unrelenting torrent continue for days... Causing floods and calamities Unbearable chill akin to winter! Oh! i must not complain The rains cool the Earth provide clean, crisp air A blessing for us to share Lands become fertile Crops yield abundance Animals enjoy water source Plants and trees bear fruit and flowers! The rains have come to reward and give respite Rejoice! Be thankful... For it's playing a role

Do you have a sixth sense?. It is sometimes called instinct, gut feeling, inner voice and i don't know what else. It is said that all of us are born with six senses but only the five obvious ones are acknowledged. The sixth sense is for you to discover within you...Should you ever!. i've often used the phrase, 'i'm going with my gut feeling on this.' i find that when i have to make an important decision and swarmed by well meant advice from different people, i "hear" another voice that has no name, no face but is the loudest. i also get a nagging feeling that if i follow sound advice, it will turn out wrong. On the other hand, following my instincts will surely result in what i want. i can tell you with conviction that allowing my sixth sense to guide me has resulted in amazing outcomes. Once or twice despite an inner turmoil, i acted upon advice that i thought was sound, made sense and sensible. It turned out disastrous for me!. i came to the conclusi

i don't suffer fools gladly and i certainly don't tolerate unfairness of any kind. Just two days ago, i was totally annoyed with someone who at a meeting,simply started telling others what their roles were and without missing a beat made sure he had no important role. In fact he didn't have any role to play. How convenient!. To the chagrin of the rest of us present. i'm sure everyone has come across this so called do gooder, who talks glibly and passes the buck to someone else when it comes to taking on responsibilities. There is no shortage of excuses from this person. It usually takes a few moments before others realise that everyone has something to do but not the very person who started the ball rolling. i find that the best way to deal with such persons is to ask directly what his or her role is in the scheme of things. Go further by suggesting the perfect, most important role and give no room for counter arguements. Do you have any suggestions? i mean, it

The gushing fountain is music to my ears Accompanied by wind chimes it's symphony at its best My private nook has a wooden swing With a colourful rug to sit and dream away Fishes swim in a little pond Dragonflies flit in and out foliage Delicate ferns cascade from urns and pots Bright marigolds nod in the wind The bamboo screen gives me shade and privacy Pots of burgeoning begonia beckons with grace The picnic bench strewn with jasmine blooms Lending an exotic air to match the paper lanterns A secret sanctuary An oasis of tranquillity Always charming Awakening calm and creativity

Play with children remember the child in you Act out your favourite stories give your dreams wings Play with children pure joy pulsates Happiness overflows exalt in bliss Play with children awaken your soul Embrace spontaneity laugh heartily Play with children let your imagination be the guide that shines and invigorates life Play with children be in the moment It's sheer exhilaration lighting you up from within Play with children it's remembering who you are Fun and full of love powerful and alive!

There are books and more books in my ideal world. i do nothing but read, read and read till my heart's content or i need a toilet break, food or sleep. Maybe a shower and a real good pal to share the stories with. i'm sure you too have read books that have to be finished in one sitting. A magnificent tome too precious for later. i'm so glad that i've read and continue to find gems that are hard to put down. i've got a vivid imagination, so reading a good book is much more than turning the pages to get to the end. It's savouring every word, relishing each event, feeling the emotions and totally being one with the story as it unfolds with every charm, colour and character in my mind. As the story takes hold in my heart, i feel the anger and angst, the pain and sorrow, the laughter and elation. Such is the power of words so cleverly put together by excellent writers with magical minds, offering a slice of their world. What wonder a great read does for the soul,

Splashes of Orche Green terraces Splodges of red and yellow Terracotta tiles, green moss What do you see A million images A thousand words swirl weaving a tale Rose tinted fairy tale Vermillion rhapsody Calming purple pulsates merging with black nothingness A story wild in colours Robust, rapturous and rowdy beating with vibrant life Celebrating LOVE infinite Grey pink parrots swoop in red desert grains Aquamarine sky waiting cottony pillows a lullaby A picture...New and old An angle with many facets Every twirl, dot and stain reveals a story See with the heart Alphabets will flow The mind can understand what the spirit knows

The best portion of any holiday must surely be not following a set of routine. i didn't realise how regimented i had become until my nephew pointed out to me that it was okay if i wanted to nap at 6.30 in the evening. Both he and his sister reminded me that i was on holiday, so it was no problem at all to break some if not all rules set by my own disciplined mind. It felt good not to adhere to the usual routine and i know that like me, many follow routine strictly out of habit. There is an inner mechanism that constantly reminds about completing each routine in the precise time. Failure to do so would somehow disrupt the equilibrium of the person and everything would be in disarray. Routine is essential to establish order that accounts for the smooth operation of a person's daily life yet there ought to be a healthy balance with recreation and relaxation. Taking out the rigidity from routine is crucial so as to prevent boredom and pent up frustrations. i'm glad i let

When the world ignores you live large, do cartwheels Laugh, be grateful for the world owes you...Nothing When your family ignores you live big...The life you always wanted Sing, dance, travel the world for you are the child of the universe When friends ignore you Rejoice! you're freed from bondage of those undeserving Embrace, explore and experience new paths through life's highways When everyone ignores you say, "So What?" and strut your stuff Create your magic, make your mark Soar and shine with the stars When the world ignores you It's painful...Push it away It appears unfair...Life isn't Live life your way When the world ignores you push forth with your inner beauty Fragrance your surrounding with the perfume of thy being When the world ignores you It's not the end But the beginning...Of 'The' journey of self discovery When the world ignores you your true self emerges No pretence, no more acting masks disap

i just came back from a short holiday and want to share a story about a cat named Jackie. He is a tom cat belonging to my brother and his family. i first saw Jackie in January last year, a frail kitten that had one injured eye and was ignored by its own mother and the rest of the litter. My lovely fifteen year old niece was his nurse,diligently seeking him out for the  four hourly eye drop and cleaning the wound. Jackie would run and hide upon seeing her approach but she was one persistent caregiver. Jackie had only one good eye and weak but my niece never gave up on him. She lovingly administered the eyedrops, cleaned the eye area and talked to Jackie. She tirelessly told him that he was special and she loved him. She played with Jackie and continuously cuddled his tiny body, cooing encouragement and showed empathy. Jackie is a year and a half now. He is healthy, a little chubby with beautiful striped orange fur, white stockinged front and hind paws. i was very suprised to see him

A child in all its innocence will shake your hand and give you the sweetest smile. Sometimes even a hug and play with you. A child does not know if you are black,white,brown or yellow. Whether you're young or old, good or bad. It's a joy to experience this kind of trust and bonding. All changes when a child goes to school or grows up in a household where strong sentiments are discussed openly. Differences are explicitly pointed out, caution and stern reminders about who to be friends with and whom to avoid. This turns ugly when continuous encouragement to hate and look down on others result in unwanted hurt and avoidable pain. An innocent is caught in the maelstrom of unjust treatment by virtue of his or her belief or the colour of skin. It's very depressing how joy turns sour and a child who hates is taught to do so. There are no choices, simply a decision made by adults. An old song, played over...once more. i wonder if it will ever end. Let a child be - Teach good

Words... Can soothe you wiping tears, erasing fears A salve to calm Words... Spring wonder into hearts Making you go on adventures Words... Serenade the soul bringing love and peace To live a joyful life full of hope Words... May silence you to reprimand, to ridicule, to make you think Tearing you apart leaving you bare and vulnerable Words... Harsh and sharp will send you seething Numbing sense and sensibility creating chaos Words... Spoken carelessly cause rife and pain With malice creates animosity Words... Soothe, silence or shatter Speak softly with gentleness Say nicely with compassion Talk with tact and tenderness Words... May not be retracted An apology too lame or late A repent with no strength or sincerity A wound...too deep and hard to heal Words... Must be used understanding its power Full of beauty and life to believe, to be brave Words... Should spur the spirit to rise above self to serve,share and stand in solidarity

Giving alms to the needy cleanses the soul Clears cobwebs from the eyes Giving time to orphans bring smiles and cheer Gladdens the heart Giving energy to the elderly and infirm Fortifies the spirit lifting off burdens of life A wounded heart full of grief Wants to cry and lean lend a ear and strength An eager mind full of curiosity Thirsty for learning share and pass knowledge A frail and fragile body full of experiences Anxious to tell understand with patience Give from the heart it shines through the eyes Felt by the soul a wondrous blooming Give and do not remember it remarkably comes back When you least know There's no telling...what returns There are no words no meaning...just wonder One good deed returned from the past...to begin anew Tis the magic and miracle of giving from the heart No consideration just compassion Giving from the heart flowers into an eden A gesture of care resonating loud and lasting Giving from the h

i sat and watched 'Dhoom 2' on Saturday, which left me feeling good...even now. My heart pines for the hero and i can't seem to stop humming the explosive theme song!. Anyone who watches Bolly movies will tell you how the songs are the best to dance to and i'm not talking about snap your fingers, tap your feet kind of moves. No siree, it's the booty shaking, hip swaying and whole body workout that is erotic,energetic and exciting, leaving you breathless, panting but pulsating with vigour and vitality!. That's just the dancing. The lyrics of most of the songs will pierce your heart and make you swoon or be swept away by emotions so strong, you never tire listening to them over and over.The colourful costumes,a tasteful blend of tradition and modern and the superb acting of both new and old movie stars provide feast for the senses. Storylines that stoke the heart, sending messages that make you remember, reflect and rejoice, ensuring lasting entertainment and en

The anticipation of reconnecting with family near and far over food and festivities never fails to bring joy and goodwill into many hearts and homes. The thrill begins with packing for the journey itself - the new clothes and gifts, of every kind. Nothing beats the expression on faces upon receiving and giving that warms the heart. The sheer happiness of giggling and laughing over silly childhood remembrances and new anecdotes over sumptuous spreads of old favourites and new additions. Shared chores, accompanied with whispered gossips and silent understanding always ends with a copious supply of tea and snacks. Drinking and crunching on delicious homemade treasures, the chatting never ceases. Everyone gathers for a movie or a photo session, even an announcement. Then groups form in different parts of the house - siblings, in-laws, toddlers with minders, teenagers, grandparents, but all within earshot. Tempers do flare, quarrels erupt but are quickly subdued and peace restored with

'Bloody uneducated fool!',bellowed the shopkeeper to the back of a customer who disregarded a 'No Smoking' sign in his shop. The rest of us did throw him dagger looks but it didn't deter him from puffing away in the small confines of a grocery shop. When i got home,i thought about the words the shopkeeper used- Uneducated Fool. The man looked very educated and the shop was in an affluent part of the town. What could have made him blatantly smoke?. Could he be illiterate,perhaps?, or he simply chose to ignore the no smoking sign because he was arrogant and couldn't care less about others inside the shop? Then an uneducated fellow cannot be called a fool nor can an educated fellow be fine. i've seen well educated persons grabbing greedily at free handouts while the less educated crowd stood in line for their turn. Educators in my neighbourhood think nothing of open burning and one wonders if they are even thinking about the environment. The fact is, no &qu

i'm brown What shade of brown? i do not know But i've been called dark all my life... i used to hate it in my younger days i got teased i encountered cruel remarks i was embarrassed by my skin tone i took my time... to wear bright colours pushing away pastels i embraced my beautiful appearance i'm comfortable in my skin...now i love my brown with all its black moles and warts i'm unique, i'm only one There is none like me People can stare or say speak in whispers i no longer care i take no notice of careless words Underneath...i'm special A beautiful soul like you and everyone else The colour of our blood...same i wish every person can see beyond...skin pigment It's just the surface not what lies within Shiny black Snow white Shades of any other Does it matter? Definitely not!

Fear of pain Fear of people Let it go prevent it from taking control Fear of change Fear of anything and everything Will it away do not let it hold on tight Fear is ever present to conquer to cripple Robbing you of so much...to win and gain Take stock face fear...full on It has no power Cease to treat it as such No one can be completely fearless Some fear is necessary... to keep one within parameters Halting foolish choices and pursuits Be in the know prepare, practise, pretend To beat fear the best you can you shall, believe it...and you will

So much needs to be done, so little time, too many people need help. Millions are collected, thousands are eager to volunteer and hundreds on the ready to make a change in the lives of billions. Donations and funds don't reach in time, necessities never do...leaving so many frustrated, angered and feeling hopeless. There are many who genuinely want to impact change and plain help yet the deep and dangerous divide in the form of red tape, internal politics, external pressure and influences from certain sources along with countless other reasons continue to exist to dampen spirits. The ones truly needing aid cannot be reached with the multitude of channels to cross and please!. What protocol?. What rules and regulations?. Created and enforced by an ugly, greedy and self-serving mob - to serve whose purpose?. The flash of cameras and coverage by international media gives the expectants glitz and glamour while thousands perish from lack of food?. When rank and power demand attentio

A dedication to two wonderful girls...my beautiful friends :- Hugs exchanged yearnings of the heart...met Happiness flowed Laughter bellowed Each with a tale the long...the short Filling in the gaps between funny, sad, tearful, joyful Sharing was seamless caring plentiful Concern meaningful in sincere streams Two girls...and a third have journeyed...still travelling through lifes twists and bends Together to chide and cheer Change coloured many shades Our worlds altered many ways Through it all...we still remain Best of friends

The simple mind knows no extravagance only what's ordinary No gargantuan plans less is best leaving the rest The simple mind shuns excess prefers frugality Avoids crowds,noise garish overflows mired in deceit The simple mind revels in normalcy lauds honesty Rejects feigned popularity false traps full of hollow flattery The simple mind rejoices in innocence basks in humility Seeks no glamour questions all rumour Speaks in gentle murmur The simple mind suffers no fools tolerates all goons Cares not for cunning consumerism sly intimidation The simple mind is its own master An untainted bloom

This is what my friend said and i agreed with her. Too many people are in jobs they hate and it is to feed their kids,pay bills especially the mortgage and the car...to survive really. Life's a bitch! - the working world is the worst of it and i'm sure three quarters of the people in the working world would readily agree. The remaining quarter are fortunate to be loving what they do or are loving what they do because they know who to butter up. If you can stomach it in small or big doses then the workplace won't be a hell hole. i sound extreme?.i think not. Employers these days have unreasonable expectations and even ludicrous game plans. It no longer counts if you're plain hardworking, you also have to be hard at networking ie you must have a facebook or twitter account at the very least. Huh?. You must have a great sense of humour; [Read: To laugh uproariously at your boss's lame and often stupid jokes.] You cannot be too smart and if you speak your mind, well y

i was totally touched and my eyes teared while i watched a travel show that featured the Cambodian Children's Fund (CCF) that was set up by former Hollywood celebrity, Scott Neeson in 2003.Scott is a father figure to the many slum children who live at dump sites. i wrote this to reflect what i saw and felt...and hope to emulate. Children scavenging to eke out a living not learning nor eating No shower no play Sleeping in a square with eleven others What shame such pain Ignored by all till a knight came Built a school promise with food shower and clothes To read, write and HOPE Smiles appeared belly full, mind nourished Tears amidst laughter gratitude to a stranger turned saviour He came, he saw and could not turn away A plight pulling at heart strings he chose to stay and help Reaching out wasn't easy but perseverance paid Kids fed, lessons learnt an education began A new beginning for so many From one caring being bringing meaning to

The lyrics...soothing The rhythm...mesmerising The minutes pass... in meditative magnificence Mind chatters on Soul drinks in calm Songs of silence... become my balm The heart thuds... melodiously The mind listens... to the chorus of silence Beautiful tunes making music... Songs of silence rejuvenate me Time stands... mind talks no more hears nothing Colours burst fills the heart Songs of silence and i become one... Pure magic

'This life is so cruel and I'm really sad',said a thirteen year old's facebook posting. i was disturbed to read it and wondered what could have prompted such profound words from a mere child. At that age, i experienced the ups and downs of adolescence but nothing so deep as to ponder on the meaning of life. Are children today truly leaving their childhood quickly behind to catch up with this fast paced life?. Are they being exposed to situations and circumstances that make them 'grow old' beyond their biological age? Amongst my teenage students with ages ranging from twelve to seventeen, it's common to hear laments on the unfair lives they have. They already sound defeated with the rapid changes taking place all around them. Though, there is a small percentage who are oblivious and totally naive to fundamental aspects of life, most are jaded compared to many adults!. Who is at fault here?. The parents?. The school system?. Social media influence?. The

Do you sometimes wake up with dread to face the day? or Maybe feel that everyone and the world is against you? A friend of mine greeted me two days ago with; "Do you feel out of sorts for no reason sometimes?". It took me a moment to respond for i was feeling just that!, with my monthlies just a week away. What is it with us women?. Hormones; ruling our state of mind and wreaking havoc in our daily lives? i started experiencing this 'low times' since late last year. i worried that it was abnormal to be in a state of perpetual depression. Then after a couple of months, i realised that it occurred before my menses. Oh gosh, now i've got something else to deal with. It's horrible actually, feeling this malaise....A whole gamut of emotions taking hold at the same time. One minute, you're happily chatting with a girlfriend and the next you're irritated over something petty. Later, you'd be wondering why you lost your cool over it!. Easy to fly off t

Cheer for your success Cheer to win Push yourself to soar Prepare yourself to shine Be your own cheerleader! You are smart You are sure Salute to you You are kind You are creative Kudos to you Be your own cheerleader! Cheer for your talents Cheer for your thoughtfulness Spur yourself forward Stand tall for your achievements Be your own cheerleader! You are bold You are bright Bravo to you You are compassionate You care Thunderous clap for you Be your own cheerleader!

Smoke gets in my eyes i inhale more into my lungs i smell smoke i can't see past the smoke 'screen' Neither i nor many others want to leave our homes But need arises...we cannot avoid Along with me so many are angry Putting up with unhealthy air Fearful... for children,the elderly and the infirm in our care Not taking responsibility Blaming nature No proactive measures but careless nonchalance How can we not be hot and bothered? of a neighbour like this? So much pressure from every corner... Still deafening silence is what we hear Smoke is what we continue to breathe in

The tight knot at the base of my skull throbbed painfully and my neck and shoulders ached with tension. This was days before an important meeting with my boss. Sometimes such symptoms also appear before a visit to the dentist or a doctor's appoinment. Daily life is already stressful with multitasking and playing multiple roles,so an added deadline creates unwanted pressure. i have found that distracting my mind to other more creative and fun activities help me to keep calm. The anticipation of a shopping spree for instance takes my mind off a dreaded deadline for awhile. The throbbing eases and the pain in my neck and shoulders recede. Afterall, only when one is calm that performance is at its peak and successful results are achieved. i always recall my mentor's words; 'Don't let your mind be the master. It is you who should be master of your mind'. It is so easy to let stress get the better of us but it should not be that way. We must distract the mind to mor

The wind carried a song for me of beautiful times... coming my way The wind whispered to me... Of a new journey i am to take The wind caressed my face and said to me... Love is arriving open your heart to it The wind brought to me what i must take... Boldly The wind said to me... Come soar with me to feel new heights Move with me to experience moments of delight

Black is wrong and White is right So what is Grey? Black is all bad White is all good Grey is in between? Black means wicked, cruel & evil? White means virtuous, kind & pure? Then is Grey the balance? Black is black real as night Full of mystery White is white bright as light With nothing to hide From where comes Grey? Equal parts, Black & White? More black, less white? More white, less black? Or a new equation? Which is the truth? Should we see in Black & White? or Should we look at Shades of Grey too....

You have to be tough, you cannot be soft. You cannot be gentle with such rough talking people, you have to speak like them. These are some of the reprimands i've got but each time, i question the idea of being 'tough'. Does being tough mean you get what you want?,the job is done? or mission accomplished?.i disagree and abhor rough and hard methods of getting things done and dealing with people. Equally distressing and abominable are veiled threats that come with instructions and orders. Presumably, asking someone gently or talking in a gentle tone gets you nothing and you also get a stare of ridicule. Can you shout orders and get a baby or a toddler to follow?. Surely, the baby or the toddler will imitate you and think nothing of following such an act and tone of voice. When an adult hears it however, the shout maybe interpreted as either anger or irrational behaviour. The justification is, the voice is heard and the job gets done. People follow the orders without quest

Ladoo, Jelebi, Janggeri Palkova, Barfi, Halva Rasagula, Rasmalai and plenty more! Delicious Indian delights Sugary sweets packed with nuts and Everything nice! Perfumed with rose water and spices Tantalising teasers for the tastebud Each bite; a burst of sensous suprise Luscious melt in your mouth marvels Pretty to look at Pleasure to partake Perfect as gifts for all occassions

Sometimes we choose conveniences because it is easier, faster and available but when you really sit and think about it, the suppossed conveniences turn out completely inconvenient. Take for instance, a newly opened central bus station for outstation travel that is located far from the town bus station. Although a feeder bus service is available to travellers, they still need to travel quite a distance to catch another bus at the town bus station from or to their intended destinations unless they decide to take a cab which would cost dearly for some. Imagine; having to sit for 2-3 hours at a stretch only to alight and wait for another bus ride that might take between 20-30 minutes depending on traffic to reach the town bus station. Then, waiting for another 20-30 minutes for a particular bus to take you where you need to go. Altogether, a journey that only takes about 2-3 hours becomes a 4-5 hours exhausting, roundabout, inconvenience which many especially the elderly would rather avo

Sister,Sister i may not always say it or show you just how much i love you Sister,Sister i care about you and worry for you Wishing for good things to always follow you Sister,Sister i thank GOD for you i ask for GOD's grace To protect you and shower you with infinite blessings Sister,Sister i am so proud of you i salute you i want the world to know You are wonderful Sister,Sister Thank you for guiding Thank you for being there Thank you for loving and caring Sister,Sister i cherish our laugh and giggles shared secrets as well as crazy moments Fights and squabbles fall away for we are bound by a special bond

i was browsing in a second hand book store in a mall and in the non fiction section,one book title jumped right at me-"How To Work For An Idiot". An idiot is defined in the Oxford dictionary as a stupid person. When i was young, my parents forbade my siblings and i to use the word stupid on any person. So,when the word idiot was discovered at school, we started using it but never in my parents' presence. Upon discovering that stupid and idiot meant the same, i refrained from using both words on another person. i felt it was unjust and harsh to use it just because someone lacked knowledge on something that i know. Fast forward to my working years and reality took me by shock- There were and are stupid people in our midst and it is alright to use the terms. It is neither a slight nor wrong to call someone a stupid if they are one!. i'm not referring to their lack of knowledge on a subject matter, rather an absence of basic understanding such as common courtesy!.

We are all brought up with values-good ones; to help us navigate our journey in this world by being a good human being. Values that must always be upheld and never to be forgotten. It defines who we are as a person. Then, we set foot outside in the real world and are crowded with things we see and hear, our senses and sensibilities challenged by the very values we grew up with. Good values are questioned. Doubts appear and sometimes remain unanswered. In some situations,values we are taught are breached by those who imparted them. Should values be sacrificed to suit circumstances?. Can values ingrained during childhood be compromised to accommodate new status quo?. Good values are valued no more. It is fast eroding and seen as a deterrent to the greater scheme of things. A person used to be valued for integrity, honesty and being virtuous but now a person most valued is one without scruples, cunning and superficial. Good values passed on from one generation to another acts as a

i cannot stop the hands of time To bring back merry times i cannot stall the ticking minutes To prevent pain i cannot shut out the tick tocking seconds to come in to conquer For time waits for none Time is auspicious...revere it Time is precious...value it Time is timeless...honour it You race along or you pay no mind But you cannot command it nor will it away So take it...And use it... To create magic moments To make beautiful memories To share something special To sit still and be silent To offer kind words To soothe troubled souls To heal wounds To do all that you can... And want i can stretch time by not counting... when i am with loved ones i can extend the hours for what truly matters i can have more minutes waking with the sun and prioritizing There is always time... if you know what's important Time is ever present for you to seek Time is a gift it is up to you...

Baby don't cry mummy's going to sing you a lullaby Baby don't cry mummy's going to serenade you with a song Baby come play mummy's bought some clay Let's make and mould to wipe tears away Baby come play mummy's got a picture book funny and gay To give a happy look

Miles stretch ahead step by step... What was is left behind The urge to turn around is strong and sure Yet the allure of what's ahead holds tight Tiredness take hold tempting to take control Is there better days forward? questions and doubts swirl Steps falter... determination slips coming to a standstill Casting a glance over the shoulder It would be so easy... to walk backwards on a known path But to what? Hard to walk forward and face the unknown New hurdles... yet a fresh start Decision made Determination restored Walk becomes purposeful stride solid, steady...onward march Walking ahead is never easy... nevertheless a necessity For this journey has no end till the final bend The last call... when it comes That is how walking ahead has no beyond

Waiting to pay my utility bills at the post office, i cringed at the shrill ringing of a mobile phone. Turning my head, a well dressed man answered his call where he sat next to me. The call ended but no apology came forth. He took two more calls totally disregarding a sign on the wall of the post office forbidding mobile phones on its premises. A keenly observant child was pointing at the many signs, asking his mother their meanings. The loud ringing of the mobile phone distracted his attention and i am sure i saw confusion etched on his innocent face. An adult who talks loudly yet reprimands his or her child to speak softly is clearly sending the wrong message. A parent whom i saw warning her child not to get greedy at a high tea birthday celebration, was later seen piling her plate to overflowing to the consternation of her child. A friend told me recently that her student related an incident how a professional adult male let the door slam upon entering a bank without the cour

When was the last time you laughed out loud, real hard till tears rolled down your cheeks?.i cannot remember when i did and ever so often friends tell me to 'lighten up'. i realise that i hardly laugh unless i watch something funny on cable tv or some friend cracks a joke and since i don't watch much tv and hardly meet up with friends, it is a rare occassion to hear me laugh heartily. It is just not me. People don't laugh as easily or as often anymore because there isn't much to laugh about yet it is important to laugh. Laughing makes one feel great and that leads to a positive outlook on life. Laughter is being used as theraphy to cure illnesses and promote good health. Laughter yoga which was first started in Bangalore,India is now practised everywhere in the world and even you and i can do it as it's that easy. A group of people stand in a circle and when one starts laughing either by telling a joke or relating a funny incident or just laughing without re