Basil's Brain

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

i enjoy going to the weekly Farmers Market simply to take in the sights of local produce and the enterprising nature of some very talented individuals. All the traders are warm and friendly, giving detail accounts of their produce and wares. They take pride in what they sell and they are generous in allowing sampling and even throw in an extra or two of what you buy. If you are a regular at particular stalls, they even ask after you if you skipped a week!.They enquire about your health and even share current news. The Farmers Market traders charge reasonably and they even give tips on how to retain freshness of produce and sometimes even offer simple recipes to try. i love to try new vegetables and fruits, even condiments and spices, so a little help on how best to consume and create with something new goes a long way. The glorious food is worth a mention too and i am spoilt for choice. Over the years, i have learnt not to go overboard and buy all that attracts the glutton in me.

The Good Ol' Days of carefree days and easy camaraderie A melting pot meeting and melding in grace The Good Ol' days now gone... Distrust, Doubt and Deception abound The Good Ol' Days when propriety reigned and peace was prized The Good Ol' Days have disappeared... declining comradeship dominates The Good Ol' Days are long gone... when unseen boundaries were respected and known limitations left alone The Good Ol' Days can it return? in the mayhem of madness to capture the essence of true unity?

A voice soundless amidst the din...waiting Wanting to be heard Crying...to be part of the fabric of society Seeking no sympathy nor special treatment But understanding and acceptance Being on the sidelines is so much pain... Desperate, lonely and sad Take time to know me the person inside You will find no difference and cease to be indifferent Pay heed to the tugging inner voice Place a comforting hand Say kind words Lend a helping hand A twist of fate may reverse roles It maybe you on the outside at the margins... Never turn your back from reaching out Silence your tongue from cruel words Stop. Support. Share. For when you look...deep inside Each one of us is marginalised at one point in our lives Today? Tomorrow? No one knows....