A Meal time !

A female and male tree pie took turns to feed on the papaya fruit. While they waited for each other to have a turn, both appeared patient.

This discipline of waiting for each other was a striking part of the behaviour of these two tree pies.

I have seen the opposite with squirrels. One squirrel was preventing another from sharing a meal.

I was pleased to watch the bird behaviour. It was the female who had the first turn. That too is striking. Although the male bird is the one who leads in the bird call, it looks alike that it was the female who had the first opportunity to feed. 

A lesson in mindfulness!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Lesser Goldenbacked Woodpecker !

This is a woodpecker with a black-rumped flame back, commonly seen climbing up coconut trees singly or along with its pair. It works up stems in jerky spurts, directly or in spirals, occasionally moving downward.  Tis one is a regal visitor to our garden.

I have watched it tapping on the trunk and chiseling away parts of the bark to find insects or wood beetles hiding in the crane. It feeds on black ants, pulp of ripe fruit and flower nectar.

The flame-back appearance  with its reddish maroon glaze stands out! Some birds have a decorative cat and that is what make the photographers to look for them.

As they nest on the hollow of a trunk, I am looking out to find a rest.

As I watch the wood peckers, what beholds me to them is their ritualistic daily rhythm !

The woodpecker comes to the same place around the same time in the morning and evening almost everyday and follows the same routine of climbing the coconut tree spirally!

I fail to have a regularly set routine ! Birds teach us a lot!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

  

M.B.B.S Batch of 2019

After two sessions of engagement with the MBBS batch of 2019 at MOSC Medical college during the month long orientation programme, I felt enthused by their openness to look at the ways they can make their learning interesting and insuring. Anna too felt similarly after her session a few days back.

Good wishes friends of batch of 2019, for all the efforts you would put in to make your time at MOSC MCH a time of growth and professional and personal formation for you. 

After four and half years when you turn back, may you have the satisfaction of having ordered your lives based on the insights received during this orientation programme!

Anna and I send the batch our regards and greetings for a fulfilling experience of learning and becoming!

I get a sense from the feed back that the unhurried transition to the medical school through the leisurely organised orientation programme covering an array of subject provided an overview of what to expect in the course and from the life in the MOSC campus. 

Anna and I look forward to stay in touch with some of those who want to have conversations about  thier experiences during the years ahead.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

50th Hospital day, 2019

There are many sports, games and cultural  events taking place in connection with the golden jubilee hospital day on 15th September, 2019 at MOSC Medical college Hospital.

I went to watch the 'step climbing' event which gave me a fright as I saw people ascend and descend steps in great speed.

I found watching the badminton games sobering. I marvelled at the kinaesthetic and artistic skills the players displayed. It was a display of high calibre of skills of the players. Well done!

It was an occasion many people whom I do not meet otherwise.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

A departure!

All of us at Developmental Paediatrics and Chill Neurology would miss Dr Hanna Angel, who proceeds for her higher study in neurology.

We remember her for her gentle presence, sound clinical skills, leadership abilities, friendly disposition and interest to take initiatives. We would miss her immensely. You leave plenty of happy memories with us.

I feel grateful for support and initiative in organising the fortnight inter-departmental clinical meeting, overseeing the clinical services and planning for the school health examination about to begin

As Hanna has a flair for writing, she composed letters, communication documents and project proposals.

Thank you Hanna, for giving the pleasure of knowing you... good wishes as you move on... You have a lot of good experiences in store for you !

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)  

An apology !

I spent an afternoon with the doctors in training of the batch of 2019 at MOSC Medical college, Kolwncherry yesterday. 

I found the batch interactive, responsive and reflective. I was refreshed by their friendliness, thoughtfulness and kindness. 

Let me wish them a joyful and stimulating journey experience studying medicine! You have all what it takes to make your learning experience colourful! 

Friends in the  batch of doctors in training 2019 at MOSC Medical college, let me apologise for not being able to upload the group photograph, as the picture is out of focus due to low light.

Please allow me to take another one and upload it for you.

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Non fiction for doctors in training!

 A collection of stories, poems, and essays on topics such as 'what is it like to be sick, to be cured, to lose, or to triumph'R

Let me recollect from the introduction of this book. "In this era of managed health care, when medicine is becoming more institutionalised and impersonal, this book recaptures the breadth and the wonder of the medical profession".

Every rider would find this book illuminative and provocative as you find the issues facing patients, doctors, families. The reader has a collection of experiences to prepare himself or herself to practice this noble profession.

The book i published by Simon  and Schuster, Rockefeller centre, New York.

A book worth treasuring!

Anything that Ruskin Bond wrote is for easy reading and and is inspirational in nature.

This book he wrote after he turned eighty is a vivid story of, 

In his words, this book is a 'Mist of Himalayan valleys, and monsoon rain sweeps across the ills. Sometimes, during the day, a bird visits me- a deep purple whistling thrush. She perches on the window sill, and looks out with me at the rain'.

It is a book of short narrations in language of elaborate of descriptions which is a tribute to his observational and insightful writing. 

A book that would take you to the heart of nature, people and situations which bring meaning and delight!

Published by Speaking Tiger publishing, New Delhi, available in usual book shops. 

Mitch Album, an author of considerable repute decided to visit his mentor and teacher, who was failing in health. The weekly    visits on Tuesdays led to an insightful  recollection of life and its meaning when the mentor and his professor, Morrie Schwartz was facing the challenges of living a dependent life.

After Mitch got himself immersed in the business of life since he left the college, he took time to to return  to have one 'final class' with More became a turning point for Mitch on the issue of 'How to live'!

Professor Morrie talked to Mitch about love, work, community, ageing, forgiveness, and finally health.

This is book is all about meaning of life and the purpose of staying connected with oneself and others. 

You would want to finish the book in one sitting just because of its flowing thoughts which capture the rider instantly. 

Published by Doubleday, New York, available from leading book shops and online.

This book is a challenge to any health professional or public health professional or news reporter or policy maker.  It is collection of information about the  trends in health and economics far beyond the superficial information of statistics we often hear from the usual sources. 

It describes the goalbal trends on several burning issues. 'What percentage of people around the world are living in poverty, why the global population is increasing, how many girls finished school- we systematicallyget the answers wrong. So wrong a chimpanzee choosing answers will consistently outguess journalists, Nobel laureates, and investment bankers'.  

This is book of facts before you form your opinions, published by Sceptre, Great Britain.

'Have you ever felt you are not getting through to the person you are talking to or not coming across the way you intend! You are not alone' Although that is a bad news, we can do something about it. 

Th author narrated in this book  insights and proposals to make a new beginning in our approach to ourselves and others.

The author is a social psychologist elaborated on the dynamics that exist behind human behaviour, Trust, Power and Ego. 

We carry lenses within us because of which we perceive subjectively. Once we are aware of this, we can set ourselves free and build relationships with openness and mutuality.

This book i all bout becoming authentic.

Published by Harward Business ReviEw Press, Boston, USA.

' Imagine meeting someone for the first time and within minutes-without a word being said- having the ability to tell what that person is thinking'.

This book is a book designed to give an introduction to 'interpret and respond to no-verbal signals of friends, loved ones, and even strangers'.

In the practice of medicine a lot can be learned about patients by observing their posture, mannerisms, expressions, communicating style, which would be asset to know more than they would want to reveal verbally. 

Each of us has a evolved our style of verbal and non-verbal communication. This book would invite us to embrace social manners when we present ourselves to others.

A book that tells a lot about ourselves and others, published by Rupa Publications, New Delhi. 

This is an unusual book is a practical book, which helps to say yes to ourselves and prepares us to say yes to others. 

Many of  us struggle with accepting something or other we do not feel comfortable with ourselves or others. What appears to be a conflict is usually based on our perceptions. If only we can change perceptions about ourselves and others, and accept ourselves and others then conflict becomes less intense. 

The author is an experienced negotiator of international reputation, who helps the readers in 'achieving the inner satisfaction that will in turn, make your life better, your relationships healthier, your family happier, your work more productive and the world around yo more peaceful'.   

Published by Harper-Collins, UK.

'This book is wonderfully intelligent, step-by-step guide on how to be professional. Filled with lively, real-life examples from all around the world, Bagchi's The professional takes the reader on a thought-provoking journey that links professional's life to his or her personal life and values'.

This books give us an insight about the need to live our professional life intelligently and with integrity.

We can be inspirational in our life and work if we can live with  a sense of loyalty and deception to serve and make others experience the dream of their lives.

This book shares the heart and wisdom of an outstanding entrepreneur of recent times, who was instrumental in creating Mind Tree, a company of humanitarian values. 

Published by Penguin books , India.

Let me invite the doctors in training belonging to the batch of 2019 at MOSC Medical College, consider making reading their habit. It is reading that would make your life richer and fuller!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo) 

Resident or a visitor!

When I spotted a White winged Black Tit in our garden, I felt that more sparrows might be around in our garden. The white winged black Tit is different from the grey Tit, that it has a grater musical quality to its bird calls, with a whistling tone, 'tee who whee'. Their nesting season is from May to August.

That is why I wondered whether it was just a visitor and not a resident in the garden!

As they are small in size, it is the movement of the leaves in a tree which helped me to spot it. Later it   rested on a dry stem between its flight stations, which gave me an opportunity to take its photograph in a cloudy morning from a distance a bout 200 meters.

The well groomed feathers with the contrasting colours and a glistening body makes it a beautiful bird to watch and listen to!

The garden is a place of plenty of new experiences.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Light, colours and Life!

It is the sunlight that brighten up the leaves and the buds in these two rose plants. The colours without the sunlight look dull and casual. With the sunlight the leaves and buds receive a new appearance. The life of the plant is protected by the sunshine, which make the photosynthesis possible for its survival. 

A reflection on this sight has generated within me a growing consciousness the gift of light! 

The kind words we speak, acts of thoughtfulness we share with each other, mindfulness we offer to those who are strangers, etc become the sunshine in the life of others. It is we who can brighten the lives of others with meaning, hope and direction.

I engaged with a family yesterday, who have two of their children in developmental departure. Listening to them gave me a sense of the burden which they have about their future. Their questions are not forthcoming with an answer. I felt that life is devoid of charm, delights and celebrations which   make life rich and enlivening.

At the end of an hour of listening and conversation,  all what I was able to offer was offer of my availability to listen! 

Listening is one way of helping others to feel unburdened and lighter, which in itself is likely to bring a new level of consciousness about the prospects ahead. 

Listening is a way of feeling, receiving, and participating with others which make them feel valued and accepted. It is not the answers which we provide that would make the difference, but the attention we offer in listening! 

We become the light in the lives of others when we free ourselves from our personal pursuit an are willing to include the needs of others in our consciousness. 

What is life worth unless it is a 'light and lamp' to others!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A night sight!

I watched this dragon fly on the electric cable restfully perched in a moon lit night in our courtyard!

Day or night, the dragon flies spend a lot of time in this restful position, sometimes the wings down and other times spread out ready for flight.

I know now from sighting many dragon flies in our garden, that they are the feeds for sparrows, flycatchers, Barbets, etc.

Having watched these birds hunt for them, I an delighted when I spot a dragon fly in our garden who has survived the predators.

The design of their body and the filamentous wings with their exquisite art work create within me  sense of wonder! 

Nature is a paradise for those who have 'eyes to see and ears to hear'! The sights and sounds around our cottage give us a feeling that we are surrounded by hosts of friends, who visit and and sing for us!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Bulbul and Barbet !

I have a storm suspicion that the same red whiskered Bulbul, a small green Barbet and a Drongo, come to the pulpit almost every day and announce their presence with their bird calls. 

While other birds are infrequent during this rainy spell, these three keep coming to their flight stations regularly. 

It is  a delight to watch the single birds as their bird calls are amazingly tuneful and reaching out for their mates. They are stationed in one site for a good period of time waiting for responses. I feel sorry that they do not often get reciprocal calls or friendly visits from the female birds. 

Life for birds is often extremely difficult even for finding their feed during monsoon. But they survive the season singing and waiting!

I have not still got everything right to get good pictures when it is cloudy with poor light. Till then, I keep learning more about photography. 

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Spotting sparrows !

I heard a whee-chichi bird call around 6 am and looked at the pulpit in our garden where most residents in our garden come in the morning for grooming. 

What a surprise it was to sight a pair of Grey tit, approximately 13 cm long sparrows with 'glossy uncreated black head, glistening white cheek patches, grey whitish below with a broad black central band'! It was almost after a year, I was able to get a photo of them, although the cloudy and poor visibility obliterated their true complexion in these photos.

Soon a red whiskered Bulbul joined them and all of the three formed a party with their distinct bird calls. 

It is not common to find sparrows in gardens now a days, may be because they feel threatened by larger birds. 

I remember sighting a white winged black tit too in the garden few weeks ago. 

Some birders have mentioned to me that sparrows look for nesting places in the hollow of a trunk or in creases on walls during the winter begins. 

They would even nest in wooden bird nests hung in a garden, once they feel safe and secure.

Sparrows are friendly and feel comfortable to be near human habitation. 

Make the garden sparrow friendly !

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A spider

My camera accidentally captured this spider and its web at a distance, while I was focussing with the telephoto lens to sight a bird.

Even after a heavy down pour the web and the spider survived.

There are some awe inspiring secrets in nature!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

A difference !

I was walking in tiger garden after  down pour today. 

The chiknoo fruits did not appear to have been drenched in the downpour, but the guva fruits had water drops hanging from them. 

Two different responses to water falling on them.

It might a have a lot to do with the texture of the surfaces. Some surfaces repel water and others absorb water.

It is truth that set me thinking. 

Each fruit has a way of responding to water. 

Each of us has a way of responding to events in our lives. Some of us receive difficult experiences with composure an some others stressfully.

I have dwelt on this theme a lot recently. Most of what we go through each day can have an effect on us. 

A personal debriefing is a good exercise at the end of each day to audit the the way we feel over what we have gone through. That is how we pay attention to nurture our inner life to stay sober and alive towards God, who heals and forgives!

M.C.MaTHEW(text and photo)

Still and restful!

I watched this dragon fly resting on a slender leaf, from which a drop of water was hanging! During the fifteen minutes I observed this curious sight, the water drop was still hanging from the tip of the leaf. 

For a drop of water to fall, very little movement was enough. But the dragon fly was still! 

It is the habit of dragon flies to stay still on the surfaces they rest for a long time. Its habit of stillness is its second nature. 

The bodily behaviour of stillness is the way to move into the stillness of mind, which is often referred to as meditation. 

The habit of stillness is a virtue, which enables one to live with a sense of presence and attentiveness. The interior silence springs form the habit of stillness of body and mind.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A hanging leaf !

I watched this leaf hanging from its stem today, as it was rotating in clockwise and anticlockwise directions in the wind.  When it turned it revealed more than what was evident from watching just one surface of the leaf. But for the breeze I would not have noticed the leaf. It was the sight of the dancing movement that captured my attention. At first sight, it was just a leaf. But these three photographs reveal that a leaf too can have different visual effect. 

The first impression is only a preliminary impression of what we hear, see or think. That is often superficial and limited. The first impression can only be tentative or subjective. And it does not represent the whole.

How does one get used to exploring the whole before we form our opinions! 

I have been sued to reading four newspapers most days of the week for several years now. Often the editorials in the newspapers discuss important current events in the society. The editorials often give a flair of many shades of opinion on the topic under discussion. Sometimes another newspaper might discuss even more giving further insights. 

The current information about the daily happenings in Jammu and Kashmir after the state has been bifurcated and article 370 dismantled, is one sided. The media and the government seem to suggest that people live normally. But stray reports from various sources give us a contrary picture.  

People have a fascination to think and promote one sided version fo a story. 

To me this leaf, suspended in the air, gave me an opportunity to appreciate the wisdom in being open to look for truth beyond what I am already aware of!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Book of the week-1

I have been in the habit of trying to read one book every week. 

Let me introduce this book, A book of simple living, which is a 'gift of beauty and wisdom from India's most loved and understated writer'.

It was the text in the back cover that prompted me to buy this book: "This personal diary records the many small moments that constitute a life of harmony-with the self, the natural world, and friends, family and passersby. In these pages, we see wild plum blossom, and the moon come up between deodar trees; we hear redstart whistle and the rain drum on tin roof; we recognise the aftermath of loss and the consolation of old companions".

Ruskin Bond, while writing this memoirs was past eighty years, and told us in the introduction of the book that ' I know that for the most part I have followed instinct rather than intelligence, and this has resulted in a modicum of happiness.. All that this book can do is to show you that there was fellow traveller'. 

He loved his life passionately, and  he wished that  it 'could go on'. But he referred to his life journey with a sense of ease and freedom, 'But all good things must come to an end, and when the time comes to make my exist, I hope I can do do with grace and humour. But there is time yet, and many small moments to savour'! 

Ruskin, of British descent lived in Landour, Mussoorie, with his Indian adopted family. 

This book is all about his experiences, observations and stories of life events which he watched and became part of during his long years in his cottage. 

There is imagery, facts, fiction, play of language, humour, values, personal reflections on culture and beliefs... no wonder as a writer he distinguished himself and received awards and recognition. 

If you want short stories to let your mind relax and come away with a bagful of insights, this is the book one ought to read slowly over a few days. His pencil sketches would impress you of his artistic skills. Only 150 pages, but it is abundant with life experiences that would awaken our consciousness about the art of observation and imagination! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)  

Accessing honey!

I decide to watch how this honey sucker finds honey from the long slender flower. It took a while for me to watch the process from a  distance. Its method was by tearing off part of the filamentous part of the flower to suck the out the honey. That is why some flowers have a filamentous portion hanging from the flower.  

Birds too are ingenious! A small bird, but has enormous practical know how!

M.C.Mathew 

Gareden's invaders !

A garden has visitors and invaders.

The recent invaders are the caterpillars, who eat the leaves and flowers. 

The garden looks normally visually attractive. But with leaves, buds and flowers partly or mostly eaten, the garden looks bereft.

I have refrained from using insecticides to spare a space for the caterpillars that survive on tender leaves and buds. The invaders do not show similar regard.

This is a lesson about all that happen in our lives. 

We would come across those who regard us and those who do not feel that way. 

Sometimes, one might feel drained by being regardful without a reciprocal response. But even in that situation, as much as possible, it is necessary to be mindful of others, even when there is a loss. 

But if the damage is beyond was can be restored, a counter response is needed. So I clip all the leaves where I find insects or their eggs. May be there are other options of using other deterrents. 

Bu then, should not the insects also have a space for themselves!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Multiple generations of leaves!

Every tree has multiple gratin of leaves. 

In some families in the state where Anna and I live now  would have three or more generations of family members living together. I met one such family recently. Three generations of people who live in that house share their lives and experiences intimately. They have a common Kitchen, common table, common living room,..etc.

There are five school going children in that home, the youngest being three years and the oldest being fifteen years. I was curious to find the dynamics of relating to children in their home. The great grandfather who is still alert and active starts the day with story time for the children in two batches. He engages the three younger ones together and the two older ones in another group. The conversations when they have meals together is about children. Each child is encouraged to share some experience or information. The adult conversations at the table are mainly to promote children to share. I was fascinated to hear that this practice  is strictly followed regularly.

What fascinated me even more is the family time the adults have involving all the three generations. They meet around nine at night regularly after children retire for the day. About forty five minutes of conversations is around the adult experiences of the day and some planning about family activities, events or celebrations of birthdays, etc. When there is a disagreement, the issue would come up for revisiting on the next day. The couple who shared this with me told me how the grandfather and grandmother are caring and thoughtful that they feel loved, affirmed and accepted. It is most fascinating that three daughters-in-laws feel free and fully alive in this setting relate harmoniously.

The secret of nurturing children by giving them attention at designated times is a one way of recognising their needs. The adults making an effort to live mindfully of the aspirations of children is an encouraging example. The grandparents create space and recognition for their children and their spouses. In fact, the lady while talking to me that her husband’s home is her second home after her home where she grew up. She spoke so warmly that it was almost unbelievable. 

Th leaves of the tree are held together by the stem. 

What is that which can hold a family together! To me it is family times of affirming the belonging to each other with tokens of expressions of acceptance and mutual regards. 

When I walked past homes during my childhood, in the evening, I heard hymns from most homes. They had their regular family prayer times.  Now when I do , it is the Television sound that is entertaining the family! 

The families are soaked in entertainment, but lost the family times of conversations or prayer!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Hidden accompaniment!

Every violinist while performing solo would prefer to have an accompaniment on the piano. 

At a recent funcion, the pianist was hidden to our sight in the auditorium unless you went to the side of the auditorium. It was the violinist's position that hid the pianist. What made the violinist make his electric violin come alive was the accompaniment in the piano. Yet he masked the pianist from visibility, probably unintentionally. 

In human resource practice, mentoring or accompanying or coaching has acquired significance in the recent years because most people would need a trained person for unfolding of their skills. The task of the mentor is to enlarge and equip the person seeking to be mentored. The mentor is a significant person, but the one mentored is the fruit of that mentoring. When that happens, the mentor fades into the background having fulfilled his or her mission. 

A mentor is a hidden person in the life one who is mentored. But is that the role we end up with, when we have been involved in the lives of some people to help them blossom!

There is struggle I have faced within myself sometimes of feeling not valued by others whom I reached out to support. 

John the Baptist, who referred to himself as the forerunner of Jesus of Nazareth, referring to his role when Jesus began His public mission after John baptised Jesus was, 'He must increase and I must decrease'! What a statement of profound reality! 

The pianist remained hidden while helping the violinist to perform!

Those of us in the helping profession, look for recognition, validation and approval. But if helping others is our mission, that in itself is good enough reason to do what we do. To remain hidden is not easy or generally comfortable to most of us. 

To remain hidden would also mean the possibility of being forgotten. 

Even in the midst of that really,  the 'music' we witness performed by those, whom we were able to be part of, at some time or other ought to be the true source of our fulfilment. 

Whether hidden or forgotten, the significance of our calling to be enablers, ought to inspire us to continue caring for others. I have reflected on  this recently. The natural tendency is to withdraw when others forget us. If they have outgrown the need for us, it is a sure sign that we did enable that person to grow into his or her full stature. Is that not a joyful state to be in!

To choose to remain hidden is a vocation in itself. When that can happen, we too have moved on to live freely of the burden of expectations we carry in our lives!

The metaphor of Jesus of Nazareth about human lives is, 'you are the salt of the earth ..You are the light of the world'

The invisibly of the salt while making food tasteful and the visibility of the light showing the way, are two experiences we too would encounter in different seasons in our lives. 

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)