It is only a husk!

As Anna and I watch Daphne and Dulcie having a regular tussle over a coconut husk, we feel reminded about the trivial things over which we engage others in arguments or verbal gymnastics. 

Both of them would insist on getting the same husk for a solitary play. We try distracting them with another husk but both of them would return to their game! Although it is only a game between them, we can notice how gratified one feels when either of them has got the husk to herself!

There is a truth about human behaviour well expressed in this 'power tussle'! Most of us have an instinct to control! It is this instinct which gets over expressed sometimes in a team environment which causes strain in relationships. 

I am not good by habit in letting go! Of late, some events at work place made me realise that in giving freedom and space to others liberally, they have better confidence to attempt difficult tasks.  

There is wisdom in letting go. Most of what we choose to let go are least important matters on hindsight! It is a win-win situation for everyone!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Closure of another day!

Every time I watch a sunset, I feel fascinated by the rhythm of nature in closing each day with the sunset!

 Some thoughts surfaced in my mind when I was photographing this sunset!

The sunset ushers in the night which is an invitation for physical rest for all humans. The sunset brings a pleasant temperature and a cooler night. The sunset also protects the plants and trees from too much heat of the day. It is after the sunset, some creatures and animals set out searching for their food. The sunset initiates many such essential activities for humans and the flora and fauna.

This closure of the day is a symbol of the rhythm of life! Just as there is day and night with different useful functions, the peek and valley experiences are two differently valuable experiences of life!

Yesterday, a senior colleague mentioned to me that ever since, he has had less to do in planning for an institution of which he has been a part of from its inception, he felt that it is a time of closure of this involvement and to begin something else. Although he feels excluded, he views it an occasion to wait for something better! 

His words came to me at a time, when we are struggling to find professionals who have long term commitment to the department where I work!

Every closure is a transition in to something better!

When the sun sets, the moon is on the horizon with its glow of hope!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

It's happening!

The T3 ward of the MOSC Medical college is getting renovated and modified to convert it to being the Hall of Residence for the developmental paediatrics department.

The final year students of the college helped us to raise some funds. The Christmas cheer sale brought in some gains. The hospital management is most gracious to undertake this major project with their liberal financial involvement.

All being well, we hope Hall of Residence is going to be ready by April, 2016 to welcome children for short stay when they need neuro-developmental screening and assistance. 

This journey to develop different facilities for the department has  been a challenging journey!

Yesterday a volunteer dropped in offering her help to be available for the Life Skill Unit we are contemplating to begin to help the adolescent girls with special needs in their transition planning! 

I continue to be surprised the way, this journey begun three years back is an ongoing journey of much prospects for children! 

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Well done!

This group photo taken at the close of the badminton matches the present final year students organised for the developmental paediatrics unit for its christmas cheer fund, is something special because the the same team along with few others won the overall championship of all Kerala inter-medical badminton championship. 

Now all of them are seriously into their preparation for the final examination due for March, 2016. As Anna and I meet them in the corridors, we observe the same cheer and lightheartedness as seen in this photo. We admire them for their ability to live in the present moment rather carry the stress of the examination. 

We meet some of them in the college canteen now and then. They communicate warmth and affection, which mean a lot to us. 

This is the first batch of students at the MOSC Medical college, with whom we have had some regular contact! It has been pleasure to know them and keep in touch with them!

M.C.Marhtew (text and photo)  

Birds get used to humans!

Many birds who are regular visitors to our garden, often perch in trees in the perimeter of the garden, when they are new to the garden. Over a period of time they come to the shrubs and plants in the courtyard. 

I wondered about this! 

One of course is how Daphne, our dog responds to them. When she has seen some birds regularly she no more would bark at them. This increases the comfort level of the birds to come closer to the house. This bird is on a plant 10 feet away opposite Daphne's yard!

The other factor which has a bearing is the way humans respond to their presence. I am yet to fully understand how birds pick up cues of threatening and welcoming presence. I presume that, most birds  are comfortable in a less noisy and crowded setting!

I thought that our bird bath owl attract birds. But it is favourite place only for squirrels!

How to make our environment bird friendly is something that Anna and I are still working on!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Shades of Blue!

I am fan of shades of blue and my wardrobe is one of such!

I went on a journey into my memory lane to find the origin of my preference for blue shades. When I was at college, I had a favourite professor of medicine, who often appeared in shades of blue. It suited him well and he communicated gentle and caring ways. I revered him as my role model. I was in my early twenties then. In my final year, he got transferred to Bombay and since then I lost touch with him. 

Forty years later, I still carry with me my preference for shades of blue based on an impression that was formed then!

I made George and Eby pause for me last week for this photo after  complementing them for their shades of blue!

We choose our colours because of our choice, often formed early in life! It is a good practice to revisit our choices, attitudes and behaviour to discover their origin! This is one way of self knowledge we can cultivate which is a prelude to revise our life orientation if there is a need to do so!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Changing colours!

Among the several croton plants in our garden, this i sone of them that has drawn my attention recently!

The new shoots in the plant has a greenish tinge which changes int the brownish tinge over two to three weeks. So the plant has a blend of brownish and greenish hue all the time! The sunshine is its source for this change. 

This change in colour symbolises growth. When we grow we change!

Yesterday during a medical consultation, one mother told me that she is no more able to be patient and thoughtful as she used to be! She went on to share her traumatic experience in her family life because of which she has become withdrawn!

It is good to take time to pause and reflect as how life events affect our formative journey! There is more fullness and abundance resident within us. Does the environment bring them out to reveal the impact of growth or do we get subdued by our environment to live a reduced life!

We live in the sunshine of God! His presence within us is to make us more colourful and rich! A colleague narrating her painful experiences mentioned to me about new freedom and beyondness she found by trusting her future to God! She lives in the joy of that freshness she discovered in her faith journey!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Courteous CULTURE!

The drivers working at CMC Vellore, who come to pick up visitors from the railway station exemplify courtesy.

In the staff service rules of the Christian Medical College, the introductory statement is about being courteous. Somehow, it is a second nature to most people working in CMC. 

As I watch some drivers, whom I got to know from my personal experiences, there is an unusual spirit of spontaneity of courtesy. They surprise me all the time for their mindfulness!

When I was visiting Vellore two weeks back, one driver who drove the air conditioned bus for its inaugural run, mentioned to me that, 'we are cared for well at CMC and therefore we want to be courteous to others'!

'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' was a statement Jesus of Nazareth made 2000 years back! It is profoundly true inspite of passage of time!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

Skill of platform presentation!

As Anna and I listened to a five minutes presentation of students of their research findings, there was an unusual experience of observing different communication styles!

One style that was impressive was stating the observations in  a simple way with just enough details to substantiate the findings! The details did not crowd the presentation.

To state briefly is a gift in communication! Brevity makes conversations easier for listeners and would offer them a chance to participate. Some conversations become monologues and the listeners become absent mentally!

'Speak while listening' was a teaching-learning style Prof David Morely practised in his presentations during a course I attended. HIs presentations were sought after because he did not meander or seek attention to himself. But he pointed us to facts and information in a way that would capture our attention easily!

To be able to speak to arouse the interest of listeners is the mission in platform communication!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Feel used or needed!

Professor C.K.Eapen is a senior physician with over fifty years of experience as a clinician and well sought after teacher!

While making a presentation in a research meeting two weeks back, he made a passing remark, that captured my attention: 'we can use people or make them feel needed'! 

Although he did not elaborate on it, as a collaboration researcher where  his colleague also made a presentation at the meeting, I got a glimpse of what he was referring to. 

All of us have a tendency to view others as resources for our wellness, promotion and to get our work done! This is a well recognised social dynamic.

But Dr. Eapen seemed to indicate that there is another dimension- making feel needed, involved and partners!

It took me on a journey to audit my relationships! Do I leave feel needed and esteemed for who they are! When we make others feel needed, they would determine the pace and content of their involvement, which is part of the culture of creating the sense of belonging! 

Jesus of Nazareth turning to his disciples asked for food to feed five thousand people stranded away from home, while attending his discourse meetings! HE TURNED TO THEM TO COMPLETE HIS MISSION! He needed them and made them experience it!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

The stress of losing the way!

Dulce decided to go on an exploration of the backyard of our home on her down when the kitchen door was open for a short while. Six of us kept searching for her for about half hour.

When Shymala, our domestic helper found her in the lawn she looked frightened and exhausted. She was panting and her heart pounding! She licked all over us when we carried her back home. 

For the next half an hour or so, Dulcie looked dazed and stayed close to us. 

Losing the way is more than a physical experience. 

As adults we lose our way in our thoughts,  attitudes and perceptions. As I live in a village, the shopping experience is altogether different from an urban experience!  One might expect to be served in the order one came to a shop. Instead, most shop keepers recognise the regular visitors and have social conversations and would serve them first. I feel agitated by this and lose my cool. When I protested to the owner after waiting for 20 minutes he mentioned that people came to the shop for conversations and not for buying alone sometimes! 

I returned home agitated, only to realise in a sober moment that I too lost my way! I have a utilitarian approach when I go to a shop where as others have a social and relational dimension! As I reflect on this, I realise that life is a matrix of relationships which need renewal through conversations! People without this consciousness would feel stressed because, they are discordant with the social rhythm of life!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Bishops-our shepherds!

These four Bishops whom I met in a meeting gave me an insight about why the Bishops are referred to as shepherds! They revealed their caring vocation through their being and doing!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Stillness !

This daily visitor sits over the wire net of the tank in our court heard in which we have some ornamental fish! Its still presence with no attempt to gulp any fish is a sight I like watching! This is bird is only one of the several birds that appear in th court yard at the dawn. 

Daphne has got used to them and is not keen to chase them away!

What strikes me is the stillness of this bird! It can stay in one position for several minutes as if it is a statue!

Th bodily stillness is one way of preparing for interior stillness. Those who are used to meditating would know how the interior stillness is a journey we make from quietening our body!

The interior stillness is a prelude to experience the consciousness of God and feel connected with God whom we can welcome in silence! Our communicating mind needs to be stilled for us to receive the visitation of God in interior stillness. This mysterium tremendum is what desert fathers  used to refer to as communion with God in interior silence! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Fruit bearing!

It has been a fascinating experience to  watch new jack fruits appear on the tree. Between early December and now, the trunk is covered with fruits of different generations.

Everytime I notice a new fruit, I stopped to look at it just out of curiosity. The fruit appears on the trunk one by one breaking through the thick bark. 

One might wonder how the fruit overcomes the 'hostility'  of a thick bark! Even the thick bark gives way to its fruit!

President Obama in a recent speech on his determination to curb the gun culture in the United States of America, mentioned wiping his tears, that it is not legislation that would prevent shooting of innocent lives, but 'overcoming the criminal acts with loving attention'.  

It is when we live bearing fruits of goodness, kindness and mindfulness, we can turn the attention of people to doing good!

The Biblical narration is 'Overcome evil with good'. When I was eating my dinner in the train, a co-passenger put on the light, saying,'you might need some light while eating'. A thoughtful act! This  jack fruit tree in our garden reminds me of bearing fruits in plenty, wherever we are located!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Another batch of researchers!

During the research day presentations at the MOSC Medical College, students presented their research work done during this academic year. The standard of their work was commendable. Their presentations had a quality that surprised me. Considering that it is only the second year that student are engaged in research projects, it is amazing to watch their enthusiasm, clarity and determination. 

One of the students mentioned to me that this opportunity to do a project kept her occupied well. It is true that students have spare time which is not utilised well. 

When students are given direction and support they can excel in many areas. I feel that medical students do not reach their optimum potential because the faculty do not initiate dialogue with them or offer mentoring support to enlarge their vision. 

Let me suggest that students are waiting for an opportunity to excel! Give them a chance!

I was amazed the way they organised a staff-student badminton matches to sponsor the renovation of a ward for the need of developmental paediatrics department!  Now some student are involved in designing a child development resource room!

Students are a store house of resources!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)  

Dedication of Nursing Hostel!

The College of Nursing, at Vellore dedicated the undergraduate and post graduate nursing hostels on the second day of the council meeting of the Christian Medical College.

It was a colourful event. The building in the background where the students would stay has an unusual colour complexion different from the other building in the campus. To match the colour on the exterior of the building the students were dressed colourfully with matching balloons which they released it the air after the prayer of dedication.  

It was a well organised function with a spirit of festivity and celebration. The students thus far lived in crowded rooms and now they can look forward to more comfortable facilities. 

For all of us who witnessed this happy occasion it was a special event because the premier institution in Nursing education with more than one hundred years of history has added one more facility to add to its uniqueness!

The facilities the Christian Medical college provides for its students is of high standard, although fees collected is less than what schools collect from their students!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

Coffee seeds!

The coffee seeds are ready to pluck during in our garden! Some plants are already flowering in our garden!

The coffee plants receive least of attention in our garden and yet every year they produce about three kilos of seeds.

They bear fruits in their season even when they are not well cared for!

There is a lesson for us in this rhythm of nature! In due season the plants flower and produce fruit! They do not withhold flowering and  fruit bearing even when they are not cared for!

We as humans choose to be kind or helpful or considerate when we choose to do so, only if we have been treated well. 

We are called to live in a self giving way! A friend showed me this inspite of difficulty he had to undergo! He postponed his holiday to accommodate my convenience!

That was a lesson for me to revise my thinking of why we we need to do good- not because it is easy, but because it is the good thing to do!

M.C.Mathew(text an photo)

A dilemma!

All the five mango trees although only less than there years old  do show signs of flowering! But the tender leaves before the flowers appear are eaten away by pupa! I found this 1 cm pupa while inspecting the tender leaves! 

If I were to tell this to our gardener tomorrow he would certainly spray pesticides! I wondered whether I should leave it without spraying!

Is this not a dilemma we face always face! Which ever decision you take there would be some advantages and disadvantages!

I have been through a situation recently where I have had to make a choice between two equally reasonable options. I hesitated to choose. But when I finally contemplated on the choices offered, there emerged a third option, which I thought brought more advantages than the other two! But none  consented for the third option! 

Sometimes people equate their opinion to their right of choice and insist to have it that way! Our opinions are not the source of our identity! We are more than our opinions! So to revise our opinion and consent to someone else's opinion unless it is an issue of conviction, is a noble way for building relationships!

M.C.Mathew(text an photo)

In three weeks !

In three weeks, thick growth of new shoots have appeared in all the flowering hedge plants on both sides of the walkway to our cottage. With the day temperature shooting up in early January, unlike in the previous years when the day temperature usually hovers around thirty degrees of C in January, I wondered whether the late pruning would lead to a catastrophe. 

We live with many uncertain situations which take us by surprise!

During the last three weeks, two of my colleagues told me about their decision to discontinue the job and another is through many demands at home front. We have had some plans for advancing the facilities in the department in the first quarter of the new year. 

Looking at the shoots in these plants, thriving against the heat of the day I feel encouraged and hopeful that even this difficult season would bring something purposeful! 

To live above discouragement is a calling! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

A new arrival!

After a period of six months of dialogue, we welcomed a second dog to our home-Dulce about one month back. The three months old Dulcie and three years old Daphne are fortunately friendly to each other and look forward to their morning and evening time of joint play time. Daphne is accommodative and Dulcie is competitive during the play. It is fun watching them showing enough accommodation for each other!

It was Anna who once mentioned to me her thought about having a pet dog in side the house. Daphne being a Beagle is most comfortable in her yard outside our sitting room. But the house can be still especially in the nights when I am away from home on travel. 

Dulce follows Anna around in the house and she creates enough conversation subject with Anna. 

Life can become a pleasant experience if we can let go of our strong opinions.. that is what happened with the arrival of Dulcie. It was I who resisted in having a second dog! She is now a friend to us and to Daphne! A lesson in the advantages of letting go!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

The Jasmine chain!

Every time I watch the final year medical students carry the jasmine chain and lead the procession of convocation at the Christian Medical College,Vellore, it reminds me of the several convocations, I witnessed while being in the faculty. 

There is something special about the jasmine chain. The two chains each about sixty feet long is made in the early morning of the convocation to maintain freshness and fragrance the flowers. It is a work of art, the skills of which has been passed down generations of students and staff under the leadership of faculty in the community medicine department. The flowers are woven around a coir rope in the centre with twigs and leaves of Neem tree, to hold the flowers together a circular form. 

There are different expressions of symbolism in this jasmine chain procession. One thing that has stayed with me some appeal is its association with the final years. The final years at the end of four years of training, while carrying the jasmine chain and lead the convocation procession, bring in a sense of celebration. As they walk in to the auditorium keeping their steps in rhythm of music, they also announce the order and discipline with which they pursued the journey of learning over the years. They bring the good news that although the journey was long and demanding, it ends in celebration.

This celebration foretells the joy of service as health care professionals to live their vocation of, 'not to be ministered unto but to minister', which is the motto of CMC, Vellore.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A rare human story!

Occasionally one comes across rare books of yesteryears!

The story of a a woman, Hannah, living a solitary life in Yorkshire county away from all civilisation for sixty or so years made her a celebrity with TV programmes to depict her life style. This book was another tribute to the dedication of a woman to live close to nature denying all the comforts and conveniences that people were used to at that time!

What held my attention while reading through this book, although in a hurry, was the sense of thrill that one can feel about this adventure of living!

Life is conditioned by all the conveniences in modern times and we cannot live without them! It is common for us to have no electricity or internet connection at home unannounced, because we live in a remote village! When we have to put up with it for few hours or one or two days, Anna and I feel terribly inconvenienced. 

But reading the story of Hannah was a great help to view life through the optic of joy of living even when daily chores seemed to look demanding and time consuming! There is an inner dimension to our life, which is nurtured by our attitude!

If our lives are crowded by material things and our source of happiness is drawn from acquiring and possessing 'things' then we are likely to be driven by having more of them. But instead if our source of joy of living springs from a sense of call, relationships, and mission in life, then 'things' do not matter so much. 

During a conversation with a group of students this became even more clear. There are students who have created all the comforts that hey can have in their hostel rooms. But they are lonely and living has become burdensome, because of which some of them have become addicted to substance abuse. 

But there are some other students who share their resources. Between three of them, they have one computer and they spend  time together in doing things together. They even have combined study. times. They go for their shopping together and watch news in the TV room  together and discuss their thoughts and impressions. 

There is another way of living than being surrounded by material possessions! That was evident in Hannah's life- live with the contentment of inner joy springing from making life a mission! Life can become a celebration even when material comforts are not available! Hannah's life is a testimony to this!

M.C.Mathew (text and poto)

Announcement of birth !

Anna and I were fascinated by the sight of public announcement of birth of a child outside some homes while visiting a friend not far from Zurich a few months back. This is a recent practice according to our friend who has been a resident in this area for a long time now. 

Most parents have children late, in the mid thirties or later.  It is therefore a significant event in the family. Some parents choose to have only one child which makes child birth even more significant. 

But more than this, there is a return to family life centred outlook to living after many countries in Europe have been going through crisis in marital and family stability for the last four decades or so!   The birth of a child is therefore an special event in the family calendar. 

A couple whom we  happened to meet mentioned that the joy of child birth is a cementing experience in marital harmony. People seem to live gloomy and lonely lives, enclosed to the confines of their privacy! So a public announcement of the birth of a child brings a celebrant mood in the neighbourhood. It is one occasion when neighbours drop in without a prior enquiry of convenience for a house visit. 

The arrival of a child can refire us with the joy of living! A seven years old girl while looking at the album of pictures of her birth, saw the announcement of her birth and she exclaimed, 'I am glad that I brought some joy to everyone'!

The birth of the baby Jesus in Bethlehem was one occasion when this joy was most evident! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Universal Cross !

This cross made of multiple pieces of tiles, hanging on a 18th century church building at Spandau, Berlin caught my attention because of its design. Gisela who was accompanying Anna and me explained to us that this pattern of the cross was common in the ancient churches.

While visiting Pastor Koch, this came up for discussion and she threw some light into the message of this design.

The multiple pieces of the tiles in the design of the cross represent humanity, who is incorporated into God's redeeming act of salvation  through the death of Jesus on the cross. The circular design around the cross represents the global community who is being brought into this redeeming experience. The cross therefore is a unifying symbol making all of us participate in the grace of God's love!

Even as we are recovering from the shock of a terrorist attack at Pathankot, killing seven military men, during which all the six terrorists also died, the message of the cross is calling all of us to respond to the love of God that beckons us! Love is an antidote for all that make us lose our perspective of our common heritage in God of love!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A relook !

I have had reluctance to use methylphenidate(Ritalin) a neuro-stimulant to enhance attention in children who was thought to have attention deficit. Instead, I have often tried to understand the behavioural and cognitive aspirations of such children and explore if directing them to their areas of interests or abilities would give them better motivation to focus on what is necessary for their academic pursuit. I cannot claim of ratios to have been successful fully either !

So many conservative practisers of developmental paediatrics combined Ritalin and cognitive behaviour approach to attain better outcome for children!

What is now forthcoming from an array of evidence is that the is a need to make even more precise diagnosis based on the  areas of brain affected by an insult and try developing the functions of those parts of the brain which has the potential for neuro-plasticity.

A boy of 14 years who have been on Ritalin for five years confessed to me that he feels better emotionally and  socially when he is off Ritalin during the non-school days! 

There is a judicious need to revisit the liberal practice of prescribing Ritalin, because we have other behavioural and cognitive approaches which if found working would bring surprising gain for children in recovering from their attention deficit!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Flowers and dew!

One of the sights I look for in the morning during my walk in the garden is different ways the dew leaves its imprint in nature!

The flowers remain moist for most part of the morning even till mid day sometimes,  inspite of the direct sunshine on the flowers. So the flowers receive its moisture form the plant and form the dew at night.

This double favour of the nature provide longevity and freshness to flowers. 

Yesterday, while listening to a 11 years old boy, I was appalled the way he was discriminated and punished at home and school for this difficulty to tread and write. He spoke about his experiences with sorrow and grief.

Children need favour and consideration at all times. They need parental protective and supportive attitude. To have them grow up in the shadow of parental love and kindness is seminal to their formative process of being conscious of their self-worth. 

I come across children who live reduced lives on account of lack of affirmation and encouragement. There is an overdrive to correct and conform them to parental expectations!

Children are gifts- so treasure them with regard! They imbibe values and grow up in an ambience of love and care! I wish there was more generosity of love and care for children rather than being preoccupied with disciplining them!

M.C.Marhew (text and photograph)

Beyond the flying path!

When I saw this word on the same bamboo grove on the third day around the same time, I wondered whether it had its nest somewhere close by. On the next day, I arrived earlier than the previous days and waited to see if the bird would appear! It arrived and departed in about half an hour!

Most bird sighters would refer to it as one way of establishing a territorial control!

However, I wondered whether there can be other reasons as well! So I looked out for the bird in the late afternoon and I spotted it on another tree not too far from the bamboo grove. I traced the flight path as much as I could, which was between trees in the same area. 

As I pondered over this phenomenon, I realised that it is also a human instinct to choose a comfort zone and define it as the rhythm to preserve our well being!

In our drivenness to secure our comfort zone, don't we tend to live reduced lives without the adventure of exploration, experiments, adventure or risk taking!

A seven years old child told me recently 'uncle although you might not have played cricket for a while, come and play with us now. You can at least collect the balls!' So I joined in. At the end of the game, they offered me a slice of cake. One of the boys was celebrating his birthday! It was my favourite carrot cake!

It was a reminder to me that it is necessary to go beyond the comfort zone to experience fullness which sameness or routines would not be able to provide!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Wisdom better than strength!

Anna and I were at the Bilga hospital, near Ludhiana to visit Ethan, Amy and Arpit a few weeks back.

Just before the dusk, while on a walk beside the rial track, I noticed sparrows flying-in in formation  to a berry tree and flying out after a while. During this short spell when they were at the tree, they consumed the berries and left the branches almost bare of any berries.

There were at least five formation of sparrows I noticed arriving and departing after their evening meal.

While walking back home, a parable about a poor man from the book of Ecclesiastes (9.13-18) came to my mind. A king came to siege a small city and constructed fortress around it. There was a poor wise man in the city, who delivered the city form the king by his wisdom. So the writer of the book concluded that, 'wisdom is better than strength'! But he also concluded that, 'the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded'!

The wisdom of the sparrows kept coming back to me several times during the last few weeks. They needed a resting place and feed during their flight. They found it, which is not favourite spot of their predators!

Each of us is called to be wise like a serpent and innocent like a dove! This applies to how we exercise our time and talents! It calls for judicious living and vicarious service

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A flower provides!

One of the fascinating outcomes of walks  through the wooded parts of a garden is the rare sights that can give new insights !

As I kept watching this unusual sight of flowers in an otherwise barren tree with no leaves, the honey sucker flew in for its feed of honey!

A flower feeds a bird!

I was on a morning walk, after sighting another interesting phenomenon! Two dogs were sharing its meal of bones! I have often seen one dog chasing the other for a bone. This was therefore a contrast!

The nature is a story teller of its interdependent eco-system. Although there is a lot of power struggle  for dominance and control, there is a lot of giving and receiving between all the living!

This is the way of living ordained for all created beings! There is provision for everyone and we are called to live out the calling, 'freely we have received, freely we shall give'!

There are the privileged and the disadvantaged! This continues to worry us because, violence, terrorism, enmity and fighting arise out of this disparity! The privileged owe a lot to the disadvantaged! When a three years old boy gave me his chocolate when he came for a consultation, which he likes so much, he was giving it away  to share his love!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

One step enough!

The visibility of the college Hill at CMC Vellore was masked by the morning mist and cloudy sky and yet visible enough to sense the terrain!

I was at that time meditating on the new year 2016 and  what it might unfold!

During the past week with some unexpected things happening at work place I decided to take a break during the new year week end and pause to get a larger foot print to proceed into the unknown.

In a famous hymn, Mahatama Gandhi was known to have frequently meditated upon, there is a stanza, which reads, ' Lead kindly light, amid the encircling gloom, Lead thou me on; the night is dark and I am far from home, Lead Thou me on; Keep thou my feet,I  do not ask to see the distant scene, one step enough for me...'

How good to begin the new year with this certainty of a hope- the visibility of one step is the assurance of all the steps to follow!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

From our family to your family!

The joy of being together as a family during any season of the year is most refreshing. We were together during the Christmas week.

From the youngest to the oldest in our family there is a generational experience of 66 years. So each occasion to meet is special as there is lot to share and reflect together.

We come together because something draws us to be together! It is natural to attribute it to blood bonding!

If we were to go underneath this obvious affinity, each of us would realise that there is something special that connects us with each other! 

From my experience in our family there is something common between us and something which is personal with each person. This seems to enlarge and the level of relationship reaches new qualitative dimension during such occasions of get-together! 

To listen always and to encourage as much as possible are the twin keys to unlock the door to deeper relationships within a family!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

The new year!

This photograph taken on the first day of 2015 brings  back some memories.

This was the first lot of butter cup flowers we had since a few cuttings were planted. Aswathy and Anandit brought the cuttings from a garden they saw on their way from Vellore to our home. During the last one year, we were able to plant the cuttings in different places in our garden that there are hundreds of flowers adding colour to the green meadow. 

From a few to plenty!

As I meditate on this growth, what comes to me as my calling is to bear fruit where we are planted!

Each of us is older by one more year in 2016. Our growth is more inner than physical once we reached our adulthood!

This indeed is our identity that we become  more wholistic in our inner being as we grow older! The inner ambience of contentment and gratefulness would make us more forbearing and caring that we spread an aroma of healing and hope through our being and doing!

We can rejoice as we look forward to 2016 because, 'when we are weak, we shall be made strong' because God cares and provides!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)