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)  

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) 

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)

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)