Basil's Brain

THIS blog is where i first started my writing journey at the encouragement of a former colleague and friend who has a background in journalism. We met and from colleagues became friends working in the same department of a local NGO. How it began? We were both asked by the department head to write a short article each for submission to satellite meetings at the Annual International AIDS conference in 2009. i was a nervous wreck and the fact that we had ONLY 2 days and limited stringent word count further escalated the tension and stress. My friend assured me that i'd do good as according to her i had a flair for writing. Imagine my utter suprise and elation when both our submissions were selected as approved entrants from Malaysia!. Submissions were from other NGOs in the country and the world over. i was overwhelmed by joy and a sense of achievement and accomplishment. It was a boost of confidence to continue writing and my friend suggested i start a blog. THIS blog ONLY came to be...

 i love butterflies!🦋. They've held a fascination to me for the longest time and still take my breath away!.🦋 The freedom to fly, the beautiful intricate patterns on the wings and the magic they bring!.🦋 Seeing a butterfly makes me happy and recently pictures and posters featuring them have inspired me to pen poetry and write tiny stories.🦋 i've got two here to share!. 🦋

SHE is tempestuous SHE is tender SHE is whirlpool and wonderful all at once SHE is beauty beyond compare courage and grace intertwined SHE is empathy and the embodiment of equilibrium SHE is fire SHE is fearless SHE is storm and calm together SHE is gentle SHE is compassion SHE is mesmerising and movement Poetry in motion SHE is dynamic SHE is divine SHE is chaos and caring side by side SHE is passion SHE is purpose SHE is LOVE and bliss infinite SHE is MOTHER GODDESS residing in my HEART SHE is me i am HER

i wrote THIS when an unexpected blessing came to me. A prayer answered in the midst of the craziness of the pandemic situation. i am deeply grateful.🙏🏾 This was written when i realised that wonders are all around us. We just need to look and enjoy!.🙂

 i am remembering ... A time of unbridled JOY playing with mud cakes for hours on end i recall being buoyed ... by endless wonders All around me i am reminiscing ... The countless hours of play filled with laughter Where did those care not about the hours GO?! Why am i counting minutes now?! i need to return to those moments of JOY To enjoy being in the present minutes ... THAT bring me pleasure and bliss THE carefree pockets of happiness Simple, serene escapades i do not want to know the time for it matters not It is the captured camaraderie The memories made Experiences encapsulated In the treasure box of LIFE ... ONE that i can open To let out, all over again Precious "gems" in my heart An elixir to fortify myself A nectar to blanket me My safe haven of warmth, LOVE and HOPE.

 i float through the days unthinking ... i do not ponder beyond THIS day i cannot sleep & i cannot wake Somehow i must ... to move forward this day i learn that failure can be turned around & disaster maybe salvaged To create another new ... from an end Time may move slowly but i can observe ... , i can learn ... i am not stagnant, i am not "stuck" i am growing, i am evolving ... i may not understand all ... Every unfolding within me & around me Somehow,i shall triumph over THIS times.

Feel it, Face it head on & Forge ahead anyways!. Even when you're doubtful, scared & shaking .... Accept THAT sometimes you need to do what you don't want to. Relief, reward and redemption are what you'll get, feel and learn in the end. Over the past week, i have learnt that it's my own fears which keep me from achieving and experiencing so much more. To take the plunge and do what i want to do .... It's easy to blame current conditions and circumstances in life but upon deeper reflection, i've realised that i've ONLY myself to blame for all those lost opportunities and missed chances. THIS reflection had occurred before whenever i let go of what could have been .... Accompanied by anger at being a coward and not taking risks. However, a niggling voice would temper down the feelings and thoughts with practical reasoning and justifications. We always find a reason to feel better after we have lost what could have been life changing in good ways .... S...

Be still O monkey mind! i am exhausted ... Be quiet O servant i am trying to think! Be empty O maya ... i am not thee.

Seasons have gone past she's now no longer waiting ... The jazz singer still entertains words never fail to mesmerise Magical worlds hold court bad memories fall apart ... She feels new in heart and mind THIS peace has taken its time to arrive Bidding adieu seems fine ... she knows everything's temporary.

There is nothing for me to control ... Why should i?. Isn't it going against the order of nature?. After so many years, i've realised that most things are beyond my control and i have accepted this FACT. i'm learning to; each time i find myself confronted with a problem or a dilemma,faced with making difficult choices and find myself in a situation that i cannot avoid, ignore or run away from. The tendency to be in control is strong to ensure the perfect result from an endeavour but the unexpected and unforseen can and most likely might happen.It is not from lack of preparation or lack of caution but more so because we're working and dealing with people who we're probably not always in sync with.And when we're working alone, we're up against nature and so many other eventualities that may not go along with what we've planned for. Such is the order of nature. Is it easy to accept "not being in control"?. No,it isn't but acceptance and being ...

Many out there manipulate the simple minded person. To them manipulation is a means to an end - their goal achieved at the expense of the innocents. They have the audacity to justify their manipulative ways and words and set their victims on a guilt trip. These manipulators are glib and use situations in which their victims are in difficult or dire circumstances, aligning them to their advantage. Some examples are:- 1. A job seeker will be manipulated into accepting an offer that is not beneficial at all. 2. A senior citizen will be manipulated by greedy,self serving relatives to part with life savings. 3. Consumers are manipulated into buying things they don't need. Are there many gullible people out there as well?, allowing another person to influence their minds with shiny advertisements, charming words and skillful acting? Observation is key and listening carefully. Practising caution and knowing yourself and what you want. Not letting anyone to manipulate your th...

Tis you i've been waiting for ... i never thought it could be you We're so different ... yet alike i cannot explain Tis in the warmth you generate i feel safe in your embrace ... the sense of security i've been dreaming of It's so surreal ... Tis the way you look at me ... the love emanating from you Centres me ... thank you it's a love i can return freely My heart is alive Tis your touch that has awaken in me all that i thought could never be ... i feel adored, respected and one with you A journey of two hearts meant to be A blessing i've long waited for ....

The Oxford dictionary defines normal as usual and typical;what you would expect. What is the new normal? - A term now used by everyone in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.Is there such a notion of a new normal when things haven't begun to look even remotely normal?.Most countries are discovering new strains of the virus bringing with it new cases.No deaths in some places but cases keep coming up everyday.Could there be a normal explanation to this?. Yesterday,after 55 days of being indoors,i did not know what to feel,what to think nor what to expect anymore....The question of how much longer before the all clear loomed large in my thoughts and stifling the unease of going into full panic mode,i managed to pull back and calm myself.i started self motivation and am determined to carry on with hope on a day to day principle,continue with my daily affirmations,prayers and exercise regime which are keeping me sane. i do not know what the new normal is or what it is supposed ...

Music moves the soul ... to feel like no other a chorus,a rhythm,a tune evokes many emotions ... Like a balm ... soothing Like a loving caress ... comforting Music reaches your centre taking you on a magical adventure to taste bliss, to touch joy Music pierces the heart giving it wings ... to immerse in infinity to see the divine in you ... Music conquers the mind and sets it free ... to experience wonder and beauty in unison with the indescribable To just BE ... Music feeds the spirit with love ... Powerful and priceless.

Hold onto your dreams and wishes Open your heart with belief and confidence Pray with FAITH Embrace blessings and miracles Hope keeps you afloat on the waves of insecurities Hope propels you forward in the unknown dark Hope is THAT strength ... coming from your core Hope is THE warmth which spreads from within your heart Taking your hand to guide you through uncertainties Pushing you, coaxing you To not give up, To keep going ... Hope is the mantle we need to wear as buffer against hard times Hope is the shield we have to use to walk through a storm HOPE ... hold on tightly to THIS rope.

The world stood still ... It had to, it needed to To battle the unseen To fight a strong enemy The world stood still ... Together A bond so strong An invisible mighty force to destroy THIS menace The world stood still ... Humanity must find strength for there is hope after the hail Calm the tempest within this period will come to end The world stood still ... Ties become precious too many things pointless simple shines sanguine ordinary beams extraordinary The world stood still ... Together we can overcome THIS so much to learn,plenty to prioritise There is wisdom in solitude humbling in quietude.

International Women's Day 8th March. A reminder ... to US to celebrate the beauty of womanhood to remember the strength within us to extend a hand to those in need to be kind and compassionate to help and to heal to share,to soothe,to support ourselves and others especially our sisters everywhere ... for who understands better than another sister She who knows the colours of pain, heartache and all troubles She who has gone through the darkest times She who recognises valleys and bumps Salute and cheer - Be saluted and cheered in return. Comfort and care - Be comforted and cared for mutually. Lend a hand and love - Be lifted and loved back. Everyday, everywhere ... She needs you A sister she can count on, A fellow warrior she can lean on for anything and everything. THIS sisterhood is sacred, it's precious, it's universal lest we forget to be warm and welcoming to our sisters. We each walk different paths ... We each have our own stories ... we ...

You are the colour that penetrates through the darkness ... using your brightness to chase away the gloom Burrowing into the depths of darkness destroying doom Your energy lifts the drowning soul ... enveloping it with hope and cheer YELLOW ... every shade of you blooms with joy for a better day buoys the heart with laughter and love.

A  much talked about topic everyday,all the time,everywhere by everyone. A powerful FEELING that has the miracle to heal,the magic to transform and impact,the magnitude to make humanity bloom towards goodness. LOVE cannot be described by mere words ... Many do; beautifully ... bringing tears to eyes,filling hearts with JOY! Words that give LOVE its innumerable beauty and various facets to BE alive,vibrant and continue growing amongst us. i am using THE MOON and THE STARS to convey my LOVE and fascination towards these two wonders of my HEART this Valentine's DAY. The moon said to the stars, "I envy thee Thy twinkle enrapture millions Tis the twinkling that fascinates those hearts". The stars said to the moon, "You and I are both LIGHT and spellbound humanity Your shine casts magic! encourages romance, enchanting billions!". The moon beams ... shines brighter Majestic! The stars smile ... glowing clearer Spectacular!

... i fear you not i embrace your coming when you are due for i have learnt You are the ONE certain the ONLY reality in this temporary journey. i thank you ... for i now see and feel differently i am learning to brush off trivialities accepting LIFE for what IT IS letting GO frivolity ... for that's what IT IS transient in THAT moment and nothing more. i am humbled and at peace DEATH ... you have given me freedom to be me, to fly high and be what i want to be everything i am meant to face IS but a passing phase ... i know the TRUTH that lies ahead IS the REAL beginning.

She hardly smiles dimples appear when she does compliments abound She laughs heartily... NO restrain old school chides new age applauds Good jokes unfurl her make her day and brighten views Satire satisfy her sharing "secrets" with few others... She IS funny! without effort A stand up comedian to her friends She loves a GOOD laugh guffaws with tears spilling out & falling apart! She cannot contain laughter... IT must be let OUT! fully...with abandon.

Basil's MIND: Uncertainty : Are you always certain in your decisions? How do you determine nothing will go wrong? Why does uncertainty creep in? What is the demarcat...

Are you always certain in your decisions? How do you determine nothing will go wrong? Why does uncertainty creep in? What is the demarcation between the two? i can be so certain it's a lovely day... yet a pimple can change it to uncertainty... to go out in confidence Somehow the day is marred by something on my face. Where does certainty and uncertainty come from then? My feelings/emotions? or thinking/reasoning? A reaction from an occurrence completely beyond my control? When does the transition from certainty to uncertainty begin? Is it when i lose control? Do i have control over it in the first place? i am certain as i am,as certain can be... and i am uncertain as i allow myself to be... which can be as often and frequent;i cannot say for certain. AND THAT is alright...THIS uncertainty. just like my pimple,it'll go away. It may leave a scar but that's fine. i will be fine...it's NOT a forever scar; THIS uncertainty.

Wrap me in your strength envelop me in your LOVE Cocoon me in your adoration lift me with your respect Support me with your trust i'll stand by you with loyalty Embrace you in totality comfort you with warmth Surround you with LOVE hold you in admiration.