I noticed the changes in the colour complexion of the desert roses above during the week form the time they blossomed ! It was an interesting sight to watch. The effect of the sunlight, heat and humidity of the day and the cool ambience of the night did affect the appearance and colour of the flowers.
I noticed a book in the book store which I did not pay attention initially. As I walked around in the book store, I felt a traction towards the book.
The author, an historian and psychologist revisited the history of formation of thoughts in the recent history of human beings. His premise is that 'Most people, deep down are decent' (p2). He develops the thought that, 'If we believe most people can't be trusted, that's how we will treat each other, to everyone's detriment. Few ideas have as much power top shape the world as our view of other people. Because ultimately, you get what you expect to get. If we want to challenge the greatest challenges of our times- form the climate crisis to our growing distrust of one another-then I think the place we need to start is our view of human nature' (p9).
Rutger referred to a parable of unknown origin, floating in the Internet of a conversation between an old man and his grandson to explore this thought further: 'An old man says to his grandson- There is a fight going on inside me. It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil- angry, greedy, jealous, arrogant, and cowardly. The other is food- peaceful, loving, modest, generous, honest, and trustworthy. These two wolves are also fighting within you, and inside every other person too. After amount, the boy asks, which wolf will win? The Old man smiles and says, The one you feed' (p10).
We become in our thought, behaviour and reactions what we dwell on and feed on!
The recent war between Iran and the combined forces of the USA and Israel, has been on the thoughts of the political leaders of these countries for a while. When it erupted with America and Israel bombing Iran a few days ago, their thoughts and aspirations gave an expression in this avoidable war!
The good we long to see in our children is created by the influences we offer to them during the conversations around the dining table, play time, interactive engagements, outings, reading books, and revisiting the events that shaped our civilisation. The adults form their thoughts. We feed them to behave like a good wolf or a bad wolf.
The author referring to the research by George Gerbner (1919-2005), describes a mean world syndrome, 'whose clinical symptoms are cynicism, misanthropy, and pessimism'.
When I read about the prayer vigil of small groups in different countries for peace and conciliation following the onset of war against Iran, I realise that the war, disaster, calamity and such harsh experiences awaken the conscience of many people to seek for justice, peace and welfare !
I feel inclined to think that many people hunger for goodness and wellness. They do not get media attention. Their leavening presence in troubled times is hope generating!
Our homes are places of such a hope for children to grow up with! The parenting role becomes even more critical during times, when humans loose the generosity of thought and deed towards others!
The flowers above thrived beyond the adversity of weather!
In the recently published book, Way finders-true stories of Vocational Choices, Challenges, and Turning Points, Dr Reena George recalled the biography of Dr Elizabeth Blackwell (p 89-103), who in 1845 felt called to study medicine against all odds. She became the first woman doctor who went on to establish a medical school in the USA and inspir women to train in medicine in Britain. During these long years, she was rejected admission in many medical schools. Having completed her study at Geneva Medical school, New York, she had to wait to receive her graduation, as there was resistance to have a woman doctor on the roll of the university. During her advanced training in Paris, she lost the sight in one eye due to a severe infection. None of these obstacles or travails stopped her from pursuing to be a light for women to join for medical studies. In fact in some medical colleges I know in India now, the women students exceed the number of men students! Her inspiration to study medicine came from a comment by a terminally ill woman, who said to her, 'you are fond of study, have health and leisure. Why not study medicine! If I could have been treated by a lady doctor, my worst sufferings would have been spared me' (p89).
The human becoming is a process which begins in our homes! We owe to our children to support them to grow in an ambience of the home where goodness, kindness and mindfulness form the language of communication!
M.C.Mathew (text and photo)
