You are welcome!

As Anna nd I watched a giraffe rest its head on the other, we looked at each other in surprise!

This was a message to us! It was on a day when the public rallies in Karnataka for the legislative assembly elections organized by different political parties were in aggressive and hostile mood towards each other! 

Against that background, it was a moving to rediscovery through this sight that 'we are meant for each other'! We are to 'bear the burden of others' and not tear others down. 

I have a sense of failure in this regard! I was not able to give enough space to others and stay accommodative of their ways while holding a responsibility in an organisation! I am not sure if I could have been more open! 

Staying open to dialogue is the only way forward when there are stressful situations. It is this which President Trump of the USA is offering to North Korea. India and Pakistan can learn some lessons from this! 

Welcome others however difficult the situation is ! 

M.C.Mathew( text and photo) 

Small is beautiful!

Of late I have been looking for small flowers and appreciate their richness of colour, texture and formation. 

One thing that held my attention about this plant is the number of buds in each stem!

At spring time it offers itself in all fullness! 

It is awful to hear about the police firing that killed thirteen people in Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu! The police used fire arms to disperse the gathering of people who were protesting against the copper plant that is damaging the environment!   

I wish all those in authority would be open to others to feel with those who suffer. 

When I heard that students in a college are grieved by the management imposing a uniform dress and none to listen to them, I realise how authorities fail in their role as mentors, providers, helpers and carers! 

I returned to this flower to remind myself, that our calling is to serve others and offer ourselves for their well being! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

An apple tree in spring!

A tree with more blossoms than leaves!

A tree has leaves ways, blossoms and fruits in due season!

A tree flowers and gives fruits!

Yesterday,  an intern told me that 'I wish we can be more kind to our patients'!

Our kindness is the fruit we offer to others!  

A tree, if has only leaves, it exists for itself. When it flowers and bears fruit it offers itself to others. 

I am discovering even more of late, listening tis one way of offering ourselves to to others!

A father told me that that his three year old daughter speaks loudly and often shouts instead of talking normally. I mentioned to him to pay attention to her when she calls him once to say something! Three weeks alter, he told me that by giving her attention instantly whenever she wants to say something, she has become less loud! 

It is when we offer ourselves to others we can create a comfort zone for others!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A sparrow!

Is not a sparrow sold for a farthing! This comment of Jesus fo Nazareth came to me while spotting this red breast sparrow near a coffee bar while on my travel. 

The captivating experience was how comfortable it was sitting about three feet away on a parapet from the garden table! The coming and going of people did not bother it at all! 

No wonder Jesus fo Nazareth spoke of the species of sparrow to bring out a profound truth! If God so cares for a sparrow, how much more He cares for us! 

It is the care of God and His not overcome watchfulness that makes the sparrow, rest peacefully and  anxious about its food for the day! 

While chatting over a cup of coffee yesterday with my colleagues, I realised that the demands of daily living come upon us because we are often in a helpless situation! While listening to the narration of an incident of stress from a colleague, I was reminded of the restful orientation of this sparrow!

We feel the stress often. May we also feel the rest that God OFFERS!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Beside a pool!

I watched this pigeon beside a pool of water for a long time, remaining  still!  Its body posture stilled me!

During any introduction to the practice of meditation, one thing all of us desire is a way to still our body in order to move from the body to the realm of  our mind and spirit! 

What does stillness provide!

We are action prone in thought and deed. Being still is contrary to our human behaviour. The consequence of this is that we carry a sense of impulsivity and hurry in the way we speak, hear, sense and respond. In fact in social conversations, we do not allow another person to complete what he or she has to say... we interrupt with a comment and take over the conversation without allowing a pause for others to contribute!

It is not how much we speak that matters, but how less we speak, but speak the words that arise in our hearts. 

The heart level conversations are characterised with gentleness, kindness, thoughtfulness and appreciation and affirmation of others!

I struggle a lot in this realm... but sights like that of this pigeon gives me hope..!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Bird song

Anna  and get up hearing the bird song in our garden. There are a few birds who visit us two or three times in a day. Although our attempts to domesticate them have failed, they are happy to perch in some trees for short periods and fly between the trees.

While visiting another place recently, I heard a black bird sing. It was music in my ears. While talking about it with a bird watcher, I was told that its birdsong is so distinct that it can be easily identified from far off. It is one bird who is happy to stay near the human habitation!

They are not overcome by fear, because of which they sing from within!

We have  distinct disadvantage as humans. Our fear, anxiety, or caution affect the way we see, hear, communicate and relate! All these emotions reside within us.

A three year child came to me and wished me by holding my hand, although I met him for the first time. There was spontaneity even at that age! But as we grow up, that gets replaced by fear or caution!

I have taken time recently during my travels to meditate on this! A statement Jesus of Nazareth made while talking to his followers caught my attention: Love casts out fear! 

The first step towards growing in the grace of love is to become mindful of others!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)