30 January, 2017

A Hill view !


The distant view from this hill top tells us a lot about the history of its valleys add slopes. This view of the mountains in Idukki tells that there is sparse human habitation in and around these mountains. This is rather unusual as it is common to see such serene places turn into tourist resorts, ever since tourism has become a popular and profitable industry!

What is special about such vast expanse of uninhabited area is preservation of its biodiversity!


Anna and I sighted birds, reptiles and squirrels which are special to this habitat!

On our return journey, we reflected on the struggles of tribal communities who normally live from the produce of such places, when they are displaced due to development projects. They are habitually dependent on this climate, setting, and comfort of these places. We noticed shops displaying the the produce of the mountains, honey, medicinal plants, household item made of bamboo, different food items made out of jack fruit etc. When people who live and earn their livelihood are displaced, it is a loss for them and a loss for us as well! But they are without the ability to resist when an environment development project is thrust upon them! 

It is something to ponder about! How do we contain the aggressive development for profit motive without loosing the integrity and rights of those to whom such places originally belonged for generations!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

29 January, 2017

Flower series, Jan 2017-10


A spider seems to have anchored its web on this flower!

As I watched this web stretch across couple of feet between this flower and another plant, I got a sense of the adverse circumstances the spider has to overcome to find its daily feed! I noticed that one insect was already trapped in its web!

My association with people who live and work in adverse circumstances brings me an insight- those for whom adversity is their companion are 'survivors'! Some of them have become resourceful and live their lives mindfully of others and their needs!

How good if we can move away from self-pity and turn an adversity into an opportunity!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)  

Flower series, Jan 2017-9


Some flowers need less attention and can become the star attraction of a garden!

Some of us demand a lot from others and some others manage with little!

The question, all of us have to ask is, ' Are we takers, or givers or balancers'!

Those of us look for taking all the time grow into a greedy instinct and self-promotion. Those who are giving all the time, can run dry and suffer from burn out!

There are some others who grow into the balance of giving and taking. This springs from the human consciousness that 'what we have also belongs to others' and 'we are complete only when  can receive
from others'.

To grow into a maturity of balance in giving and  taking is our call!

MC.Mathew(text and photo)


Flower sereis, Jan 2017- 8


A thorny stem bears a beautiful flower!

I met a young person, who had a 'hard' time, growing up but is engaged in caring for children who are traumatised in their childhood!

Listening to children about their early childhood is one way of helping them to recover from emotional scars due to variety of reasons.

I heard from him some outstanding stories of children when helped come out of their addiction, school avoidance, anger towards parents or others...

He told me that he was one of them, who after a journey of recovery spends all of his time accompanying young people in their journey of discovery of selfhood!

Scars or trauma of childhood can become resource to outshine the past!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Flower series, Jan 2017-7


I have found some flowers most fragile! This flowers is one of them!

It has been a struggle to learn to handle this flower delicately!

It speaks a lot about our fragile relationships!

Most of us have difficult relationships. In that category there are some who are 'sensitive' or suspicious or suffer due to traumatic events or feel let down by others in the past...!

This is a needed learning journey all of us have to make!

It is caring for those who are 'wounded', we can upbuild them to become 'wounded healers'!

M.C.Mathew(photo and text)


Flower sereis, Jan 2017-6


I have noticed that flowers retain water particles and dew for longer time, even after the morning sunshine!

That is their r biological nature! It is the way the flowers protect themselves!

I wonder whether each of us has a process protecting ourselves from giving into gossip, loose talk, angry outburst, disregarding others, imposing ourselves...

It is a challenge that I live with each day!

We can do this only with 'grace of help', for which we need to turn to God in prayer!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)


Flower series-Jan 2015-5


Flowers have different longevity!

Some flowers go on for days, more so if they are in shady places! with some sunlight either in the morning or evening!

Sunshine protects the longevity of the flowers! The shade keeps the flowers fresh!

Sunshine and shade have an equally important contribution!

Our lives are seasoned by different experiences! It is only by pondering over our experiences we can discover the meaning of experiences concealed behind the obvious!

What if we take five minutes, five times each day to make quick reflections on what is happening around us and within!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)


Flower sereis, Jan-2017-4


This is the first bunch of flowers since Anna pruned this plant about three months ago!

Pruning brings a new meaning to us form our experience in the garden!

We do the pruning to shape a plant, remove the unnecessary foliage, protect the plant form overgrowth...!

All adults need to practice self-pruning! There are speed check cameras along the high ways at some strategic places. I know where they are located ! It has been a challenge to keep the speed limit in between the spots where the cameras are located! 

I am not there as yet! But it is good for us to auto-prune attitudes and practices for our inner holiness!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Flower series, Jan 2017-3


The nature has its way of protecting plants. The day is hot with 32 degree celsius. The night temperature is around 15 degrees. Every two or three days, there is a drizzle at night!

It is a symbol of the cycle of events in nature!

This form of ecological balance is what makes our lives liable!

Therefore it is good for us to keep the balance by our deliberate consent to be proactive!

Although we have not scarcity of water, we try a lot of recycling of water! All the drainage water waters the garden!

MC.Mathew(text and photo) 

Flower sereis Jan 2017- Jan-2


Every morning I get up and come to the the veranda, I have some glowers to greet me! I have enjoyed this morning greeting!

We receive a lot from others unasked for!

We are what are are because others contribute quietly for our wellness!
Hoe much we ought to be grateful for the gifts of service we are bestowed with each day!

M.C.Mathew  

Flower series, Jan 2017-1





 A flower and honey bee!

Yesterday when we bought a bottle of honey form the outlet of a Bee farm, we realised how one bee contributes to a bottle of honey!

Each of has a contribution to the total! Whether it is in our family, work place, or other places where we join together for a common purpose, the collective is the gathering of the individual efforts and contributions!

Let us bring what we have for the benefit of others and feel grateful that each of us a place in the total!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)








26 January, 2017

Flowers are formed!



Some flowers tell us the story of their formation! Its formation is complex!

I keep wondering about human formation as I reflect over the six decades of my life! I live in a village now where I grew up for eighteen years. I left the village for further studies and returned to live here four years ago!

I meet my school friends now and then who never left the village! They lived and worked and retired in the village! Their lives are formed by their environment, relationships and ideologies!

Having been away in different places with exposures to different experiences in life, gains and losses,  I realise how each of those experiences have made me what I am!

I frequently meditate on the theme of, ' Who am I and whose am I' as I try to reflect on the way marks of journey of life!

What I discover to my surprise is what I received from others! St Paul's, question, 'What is that you have not received...' comes up all the time as a reality check!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

'Love birds'


Whenever we watch the birds in the bird house, they seem to be in 'communication' with each other with their chirps which sound special! It is a sight that can remind us about human behaviour!

Yesterday, a family who came to visit with their daughter, who has a progressive illness, spoke a lot about how they are coping with their distressing situation! The couple told me how they take time to share their feelings between themselves. They lost their first child with the same illness. The mother is expecting the third child now! Although they could be rightfully anxious, what they conveyed was ease, comfort, an anticipation. I sense that they were at a heart level communication between themselves! 

What is special about humans is this prospect of being in touch with each other at different levels of communication! The 'heart level' communication is all about being open, vulnerable and confessional! To be truthful in gentle and caring ways is the first step in this journey!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

  

Remaining still and ready!

This heron remained in this posture waiting for its catch in the marshy field for all the time my patience allowed me to watch it through the lens of the camera! What is to be still and ready! For this bird it is its need for a feed! It adapts itself to meet its need! It has become a discipline! One thought that flashed through my mind during this  St Paul's description of an athlete training to win! There is an inner call or aspiration that moves an athlete. Yesterday in a conversation with a student, I rallied that how easy it is to drift or get distracted! There are competing interests all around us and it calls for diligent attention to stay focussed on one's sense of purpose! I have a habit of procrastination, which has become my second nature!
If it is a planned procrastination to receive an inspiration to embark on what is planned, it is a welcome process ! Otherwise, it brings us into a frozen state!

We can grow in the discipline of staying alert and ready! The is what we learn from the  parable which Jesus of Nazareth spoke about five women who had their lamps burning because they stored enough oil as against the other five who did not have stock of oil to receive the bridegroom when he arrived! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
   







Blurred vision!




I was trying out a 15-200 mm lens to focus at a distance of about 300 hundred meters without a tripod! 

What surprised me was the sight of this lady, which the lens captured, while she was walking through the field! Most of the picture is blurred!

But what brought to my attention is an insight about the way we sight the happenings before us!

We are at risk of viewing things blurred!

There is an active political dialogue going on in this country as we approach election in five states on the philosophy of 'development'! There is a strong push towards economic development by industrialising in the hope that as against the original model of the yesteryears of 'self sufficiency' by involving even the weaker sections of society in development planning!

Between the two extremes there might be a middle path! I do not hear this being debated enough! 

Is our vision blurred!

If what we see is blurred, we are at risk of missing the clarity of purpose and mission!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

25 January, 2017

Architecturally unique!


This is a school building that I visited at Thiruvella belonging to the Believer's church!

Its impressive frontage is an architectural an aesthetic rarity when we think of many other schools! In my enquiry I found that this design was made to convey that children whose future is formed in this school deserve something special and unique. The design is a symbol of that mission!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo0

Something special related to ONE!


It is th only bud in the rose bud during this season! It is is plant of three years of age!

As I watched this bud for a few days, I noticed that it is taking longer time than other buds to blossom! This one flowers is going to be different form others because it has taken longer time to blossom! 

Its is just one bud, but it is different in some way!

Th loneliness of being just one is an intimidating thought for many of us. When I was the only one intern not taking part in industrial action years back to press for enhanced salary, I felt worried about being the only person thinking and behaving differently. Since then, I have been through many situations, as recent as few weeks, when I have had to be alone to uphold another point of view. 

Being just the only one is not a disadvantage! It has the potential to be distinct and even unique!

As humans we are uniquely created and called! Each person is distinct and destined for something of significance!

It is in a journey of discovery that we are involved in!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Flowers and fruits!


After four years of planting and tending Anna and I have some delightful sights in our garden!

There are different flowers and fruits, thanks to our gardener who too have been most faithful to do all the needed to take care of the plants and fruit bearing trees!

There is a season for planting and a season for harvesting! 

One of the special things of this rhythm is the need for vigilance! The plants need regular care attention!

A few students came to visit me today. This is the fourth year, when a batch of 17 students who have submitted research projects for short term student research. Anna functioned as the lead faculty to facilitate this. 

All of us are resources for others in different ways. What we become to others is what really matters because that alone would last and bear fruits! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A walk at dusk!


An avid bird watcher told me yesterday that most birds return to their territory by evening after being out in the wild the whole day. This prompted me to take a walk beside the paddy field! I did find some migratory birds!

A home is a special place for all of us. It is no exception for birds. 

There is a journey in returning. After having been in different activities and engagements, there is a rhythm of 'returning' to ourselves! We live our lives from within and return to that centre when we are ready to draw the day to close.

In this interior space, there is a twin reality! It is the reality of ourselves, out true self as much as we are aware of it. The other Reality is God, who makes His abode within us. When we return from all the external events of the day to the interior space, we find our communion with God of our lives,  who have been waiting in silence for our return!

It is the stillness of this bird that moved me to mediate on this theme! After a season of flying and finding food, this bird was relatively still and motionless! 

Th journey inward is through the door of silence for communion with God!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo) 


22 January, 2017

Bees are back!


An environmentalist mentioned to me that honey bees disappear when the climate is hot and humid and there is increased pollutants in the air. They look for honey in favourable environments. The presence of honey bees is an index of a relatively comfortable air purity! 

I felt excited to seem them in the garden, when I returned after two weeks of travel!

The Honey bees are small creatures whose presence we often fail to notice!  

Is it not true that the the small things of life can mean a lot! Any form of courtesy we show to a stranger is a revelation of our inner attitude and value system! I travelled about two thousand kilometres during the last three weeks on road driving through three states. What I found missing with some exceptions is courtesy and mindfulness of others! 

I hear a child ask his father, 'why do people drop wrappers on the ground after eating ice cream'!    

Small things matter a lot!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

14 January, 2017

A tower of cups!


When I watched a tower  which is made by inverted paper cups, I noticed the suspense in the faces of those who were watching!

The challenge was to make the tallest tower and win the competition! I observed that, not all of them were driven by that passion. In fact the steadiness of hand and concentration was better, when they attempted it with ease and for the fun of it!

The outcome of whatever we might do is influenced by how or why we do them!

A child of five years while playing with blocks would quit making a tower as soon as one of the blocks fell down. His mother helped him to make a tower of twenty blocks once. It was since then he realised that when he attempted patiently he achieved more!

We get tired while working because we keep th outcome as the measure of our ability. What if we kept the pleasure of working as our motive!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

09 January, 2017

It is evening and getting dark!


I kept looking at this bird for a while at dusk!

As darkness sets in, even the bird returns to it resting place!

I walked back home at the end of the evening walk carrying this thought of rest! 

A family told me recently that even night is not restful as they struggle with many unresolved issues of conflict and stress! 

Night offers us rest from stress!

When we sleep restfully, there is rest and renewal! 

What is to rest in sleep!


A five year is fond of his recent acquisition of an animal puzzle. He carries it with him even when he goes to school! But when he goes to sleep he hands it over to his mother and says, 'please look after it till I am awake...'

He has learned to trust his mother to take care of his concern!

We become restful when we can trust God of our lives with our concerns! Even when it is 'dark' with no light, it is trust that saves us!

M.C.Mathew( text and photo)

Planting!


Although it is already hot and there is fear of water scarcity due to inadequate monsoon rains, farmers are planting during this season.

As I watched this I realised how a farmer acts decisively in hope!

In a conversation with a farmer, I found out that no matter what the climatic conditions are his instinct is to plant!

He lives beyond the realm of logic! If he does not get water to irrigate from the reservoir, he thinks that early rains would rescue him. He considers taking a risk more logical than not painting at all! 

It opens a door for us to consider about the way we live! Does not the fear of the future restrain us from doing what we can!  In the parable of the talents Jesus of Nazareth narrated, we find one person who received one talent not trading it for the fear of losing it! 

Fear is a subtle feeling which makes us as non starters! Hope shall weaken the grip of fear upon our mind!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo) 




A different colour!


Some plants are not green but different in colour!

Yesterday, I heard the description of parents about their middle child who is different in temperament, attitude and approach to studies. Although he is highly skilled he does not seem to apply himself according to them. During a recent difficult situation in the neighbourhood, it was he who arranged all the help for a needy family. He is a debater, athlete, and an organiser. He is an accomplished guitarist. 

However he does not conform to do many things like the way others do. 

I have been a delighted to get to know children who are different from others. Often they carry something exceptional about them. Because they are different from others, they do not get noticed or complimented. 

Each person is different; the differences are potential strengths!

M.C.Mathew( text and photo) 

06 January, 2017

Transitions!


Two of our friends have moved on to using this mode of transport for their mobility! Their joints are no more strong to carry them around! It is a transition which imposes some restrictions!

However both of our friends have found joy in using them and do most of what they used to do reasonably well to keep them active and involved!

For me a transition that I would feel uncomfortable as of now is if I am not able to drive a car!

A car travel has become a symbol of freedom!

In the earlier years when I started driving it was the pleasure of driving; but now it is the pleasure of going to places to discover and explore!

Of late Anna and I have been preparing to convert part of our living space into a mausum of places and people that we have been part of for the last thirty five years! Fortunately we have an out house that we can use for this purpose! 

It is good to prepare for transitions. Yesterday, Anna and I have had a long conversations with three interns to make their transition from being students to interns real! They were thinking of having a seminar on transitions for a medical students!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)   





Changing sights in the Sky!


One of the things I do regularly is to look at th cloud formations and movements! On a windy and humid day it  can offer us spectacular sights!

The cloud formation is an active geo-physical response! For the meteriologists, the study of cloud formation is of utmost significance to be able to forecast the weather conditions! In fact, of late, such forecasts have become extremely significant to make precautions against inclement weather and cyclonic events.

However what appeals to me personally as I watch the cloud formation is its frequently changing appearance.  It is changing all the time! It is so dynamic that even between two quickly taken photographs the appearance would have changed! 

So I use it to meditate on change as a process which needs to be spontaneous, natural and easy!

There is a lot of understanding, which the management science brings to us  about change process!

Yesterday my colleagues mentioned to me that there is a lot more we can change in the way we organise our day and work! 

Such a consciousness is the first step towards change! All of us can change and all of what we are part of can also change when we consent!

I keep a diary of changes thaT I experience so that I I can keep a track of its impact on life and relationships!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)  

03 January, 2017

Traveller friendly facility!


One common sight Anna and I observed during our travels in Europe is public water sources for walkers! All along the common traveller's path it was common to find such water sources, both for humans and animals. It is less common now-a-days in the modern parts of cities! 

Potable water is a need! 

However, less than 20 percent global population has access to potable water in their immediate vicinity!

Our water reserves are decreasing and there is fear of depletion of ground water source in thickly populated areas!  

I did an experiment with the water usage! When a tap is fully open, one uses almost 20 litres for hand washing! When the tap is partially open the water used is only seven litres. If the tap is open partially only when hands have to be rinsed and not when the soap is being applied, one can mange washing hands in three litres of water!  

Small changes in our daily living practices can conserve our resources!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Transition planning !


The village where Anna and I live is rural and has been agrarian in orientation for years! But it is changing quickly! 

Even the farm workers come from other north Indian states. Farms are not cultivated for want of farm workers and high cost of production with poor returns from the sale of proceeds. 

So the farm owners turn their property in to real estate for housing purpose! This brings benefits immediately! Many rebuild their houses from the gain of sale of their property.

The rural economy is is going to be based on industrial activities! The urbanisation is an immediate outcome! During my childhood 80 percent population lived in villages and the current projection by 2020 is that only about 40 percent would be in villages!

There is a transition taking place in the demography and sociology of our society!

One question that is surfacing is: is this pace of development sustainable! The 1.3 billion people in india have many harsh challenges ahead of them!

The projection for this summer in the state of Kerala is that there would be deficit of electricity by 50 percent during summer months as most of the electricity generated in this state is water dependent. There was a deficit of monsoon showers by 40 percent during this year! 

I wish there is a collective and coherent thinking to bring wellness to our living style- to be less consumptive and more protective!

M.C. Mathew(text and photo) 



02 January, 2017

Readiness !


I like watch badminton players position themselves to take a shot and reply! Each player has few fixed body posture in response to what they anticipate! It is highly alert position with briskness to respond in few seconds. 

It is well known now that a game is won both because of skills and attitude!

At the end of a game, I like to ask a player what made him do well or loose the game! One frequent answer is that, ' It is all about how one concentrates'!  

Our inner strength is an evolving dimension! It is relational to how much we resource our inner strength!

We can cross our own boundaries set by our past experience or perception. 

In the Old Testament story of David facing Goliath, this inner attitude was what mattered for David- to trust God and be content with his resource of a sling and stones! 

We have enough and more inner strength to face the unknown situation if only we value what we already have!

Readiness is the outcome of inner attitude towards ourselves! We can be our best friend to trust our resources!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)


01 January, 2017

A hide out!


This was a discovery during my walk! I would have missed it but for Daffy, who kept dragon gem towards this unusual sight!

This 'tent' of the web is dense and thick...all created by a small spider!

A mystery, that holds our attention!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

Shoot and bud!


This is one of the oldest digital photographs I have which was taken with a 4 pixel compact Canon camera about 15 years ago! It is also one of my favourite pictures because it offers a promise in two ways- the shoot and the bud! 

The leaf symbolises the life that is already manifest. The bud symbolises all that is yet to come!

For the last 51 days since the 500 and 1000 rupees notes were declared non-legal tender in India, people who transacted their business in cash have had an intensely harrowing time. Although it was meant to curtail the black money in circulation, I wonder whether the leaders responsible for this decision have foreseen the agony it would push people into!

So we are in a difficult season economically and politically! There is anxiety and distress! So the new year  does not seem to bring in a respite or relief for many in rural India!

I too have felt disturbed over the lack of sensitivity of our leaders to do enough to address this distressing situation!

So for me, this photograph brings me a gentle reminder of the hope that we are called to live with even in difficult times!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

The dew of Grace !


The firs day in 2017!

On our way back form the new year morning service, we took a different way for our return journey to have a longer view of the sea front! As we got into a narrow lane for connecting to the high way I realised that the road was not broad enough for traffic on both directions. A few cars that came from the opposite direction stopped wherever there was space and allowed me to go on! Only when I reached at the end of the road I noticed the board that it was a one way lane!

It is a reminder of realities ahead!

Each of us can be placed in difficult situations as we enter into the new year. But help shall be forthcoming! 

When I returned home, a neighbour who is building a compound wall seems to have built in to the road, making the passage in front of our compound narrower! When I met to speak to him, he looked comfortable to make the changes! Usually boundary related conversations can be difficult!

I was reminded of the morning experience when others helped us to continue our car journey!

It is a good start for me in the new year. Be vigilant to avoid slips and when slips do occur seek help!

Th rose flower with the last drop of the dew of the night is a symbol of how the dew of Grace is there to cover us!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)