HARMONY AND PEACE - THE EARTH AND ME 💙💚

In her poem 'Meadow Music', Garnett Ann Schultz describes the musical harmony of nature, in these words.

     I hear the meadow singing

     It finds the world complete,

     Across the valley drifts the mist

     Into the heavens sweet,

     Where green leaves meet the blue of sky,

     The mountainside so fair,

     I hear frogs piping in the marshes

     Upon the summer air.

     I held the meadow music

     So closely to my heart,

     The golden sunlight lit the world

     Such beauty to impart.

     All outdoor life about me,

     The bird notes - joyful sound,

     The meadow shared her music

     With God's world all around.💙💚

Mother Nature has a beautiful way of working and living in harmony. Every element and aspect of nature blends harmoniously and beautifully with one another, to create a wonderful melody and rhythm of life.
 
We human beings are also elements and creatures that inhabit this beautiful earth. However, are we always contributing to the harmony of the earth, by our melodic co-existance, with all the creatures that are co-travellers with us, on our journey of life; or are we the discordant notes in that melody, that distort the harmonious and melodious flow of life, in the world around us?🤔

I think sometimes, it's nice if we take a minute, to ponder on whether, we are the ones who build bridges between people; or whether we are those individuals, who cause discord and distrust among people. 

Am I a person who spreads the light of peace and harmony, in my own little space on this planet; or am I the reason for the constant upheaval in my family, friend circle, building, neighbourhood, school or community? 

Am I a bright ray of sunshine, that can brighten up any room, just by being in it; or am I that one discordant note, in a melodious choir, that can ruin the most exquisite musical masterpiece, because I choose to be, out of sync with the harmony.

Everyone prefers peace over war; but peace can be interpreted in so many different ways. Apart from having peace between nations and countries, the world would be a much better place, if every person chose to be peaceful, in their own little corner.🕊

Being a person who chooses to be peaceful, and a 'bridge-builder' at all times, and in all situations, is a choice I make. 

Being a person, who chooses to add to the harmonious melody of the Earth, is a personal choice. 

To be 'a person of peace', who chooses to peacefully co-exist, with every person that crosses my path in life, is my choice.

To be a person who stays away from fights, arguments and from using words and language, that could hurt another person, is my choice.

I think, that if every person, just trains himself or herself, to think peaceful thoughts, works hard at behaving in peaceful ways; and if every person, constantly and consciously, tries to add to the harmonious music in the meadow of life, this world that we live in, would be even more beautiful than it already is. ✨️❤️

THE SALESIAN INFLUENCE IN MY LIFE 😊

I studied in an 'all girls school' as a child; but I remember that many of my friends, in my Sunday School classes, used to be 'Bosco Boys'. Interacting with them back then, as a youngster, I probably didn't know, that I would one day grow up to be a Teacher, in the very school, that so many of my friends used to study in. I think, I was always attracted to Don Bosco School, because of my interaction with them.😊

Besides that interaction, I also remember a few of my friends going for Summer Clubs to Don Bosco, during the holidays; and I used to love hearing about, all the fun activities they had there, year after year. Of course, I didn't really imagine then, that one day, I would be seeing those activities happening right before my eyes, year after year.

I also remember interacting with, a couple of young Salesian brothers many years ago, who are Priests now. Their families lived in our Parish, and they were my Teachers, at the 'Vacation Bible Joy' classes held in our Church, while they were on their holidays from the Seminary. 

Over the years, these 'Brothers', grew from being my teachers to being my friends; and I think, that interaction was probably one of my strongest connections with the Salesians, before I actually joined a Don Bosco school.✨️

200 years after Don Bosco's birth, in the year that we celebrate the Bi-Centenary of his birth, and eleven years after I have been a part of the Salesian family, I have also begun to discover the true joy that Don Bosco brought, to the lives of so many young boys, who just needed someone to show them, that they were 'Loved'.💕

I have recently begun to experience the heartfelt joy, that working in a Salesian Boy's Home brings, through the eyes of a friend, who has the privilege of interacting with a very talented bunch of children, in one of our Boarding schools. 

Unfortunately, our school does not have a Boarding section, any longer. So, every time I hear about the work, done in other Boarding schools, I really feel like I have missed out, on a true original 'Don Bosco experience'.

However,I'm glad that the work that Don Bosco began, so many years ago, is still working 'miracles', in so many lives; and somehow indirectly, I am also a part of those 'wonderful miracles', that happen everyday.❤️

I have just embarked on, the twelfth year of my journey as a Teacher, in a Salesian School. I feel so blessed everyday, to have been Chosen to be a part of this wonderful Salesian family, in the form of an Educator, who tries to walk in the footsteps of Don Bosco and emulate him, as much as I can, and in as many ways as is possible. 

I thank God for my extended Salesian family, all over India, and the world over; and I pray that each child that is touched in the 'Don Bosco Way', may grow up to make this world, a bright and beautiful place, in their own little ways, wherever they are. 

What an Impact you have made on so many lives dear St. John Bosco! I am blessed to be one of those special ones as well, whose lives have been touched by You.🙏✍️

LIFE IS A JOURNEY AND I'M ENJOYING EVERY MOMENT.

    

"So where are you going for the holidays this year?" That has been the question, that I've been asked innumerable times, over the past few weeks.🤔 

The month of May is generally associated with summer holidays, family trips, outings with friends, picnics, etc. I remember spending long holidays in Goa as a child, year after year, during this time.

Some of my 'fondest memories', are of the times I've spent in Goa, with my grandparents and extended family. I remember so many little things, from back then. Playing around in my grandfather's huge house, enjoying the sweet fruits-fresh from the trees, collecting the dried leaves, sitting by the river and watching the barges pass by, going across the river in the ferry boat, dipping my feet in the pond and walking through the fields...

There are so many countless things that I can remember. They are the moments that made holidays during my childhood days memorable. Those long holidays in Goa are among my most cherished childhood memories.✨️❤️

Once my grandparents passed away though, my trips to Goa, were not as frequent as they were before. However, my work began to present me with wonderful opportunities, to travel and discover different places. 

It has always been my wish, to visit as many parts of India as I can, to discover the beauty and variety that exists, in our wonderful nation. 

Over the past decade, I have been extremely fortunate, to fulfill this desire. I have been blessed with so many opportunities, to travel with my boys at school, and to discover India with them. Each and every one of those trips has been a 'learning experience'. 

As I look through the photographs, from the many trips I've been on, the wonderful memories are refreshed. I can remember so many moments, jokes, funny situations, memorable incidents, the beauty of the places themselves, the journey by train, the long bus rides, games, formation of teams, camp-fires and so much more. 

I miss all my ex-students, who used to accompany us on those trips regularly. Although they've passed out of school and moved on in life, the memories of the good times, spent on school trips with them, continue to live on in my heart. I guess those memories will stay with me forever.😊

    

Unfortunately, I do not have any holiday planned for these vacations; and somehow, there seems to be a vacuum. It seems like something is missing. Even though, most of my school trips do not happen during these holidays, it still feels like something is missing.😔

And so, I've been looking through old albums of previous holidays, and re-living the moments over the past week. Every single photograph, has a memory attached to it. So many pictures, bring a smile to my face. 

I remember places, people, past Principals, teachers who've left our institution, ex-students, tour escorts from all the years gone by, experiences, situations, moments...

...and as I think of all these beautiful memories, I say a very big Thank You to God, for every single one of these experiences. They've added so much depth, colour, joy and beauty to my life. 

Each holiday has been a blessing. Every person who has been a co-traveller, has added so much to my life. I thank God for each of these experiences and I look forward to many more in the years to come.🙏✍️

TEARS ARE A LANGUAGE GOD UNDERSTANDS 😢

Right through my life, people have constantly appreciated me for my 'Smile'. I guess, it is one of God's special graces, that he bestowed on me. He has blessed me with the gift of a warm smile, that comes straight from the heart. I'm glad I can smile so effortlessly and genuinely, most of the time.😊

Of course, there have been countless occasions in life, when I have also shed innumerable tears. Apart from the moments of personal tragedy and the loss of dear loved ones, there have also been many other reasons, that have caused the dam of emotions, to just burst in a flood of tears.Little things that people say, hurtful remarks, unpleasant experiences, being accused falsely, misunderstandings - there have been so many moments, when things like these, have stung so hard, that they have caused the smiles to turn to tears.😢

I came across this video in one such moment. It was so 'Comforting', to hear the words of this song. 'Tears are a language God understands'. How beautiful to realize, that no matter how troubled we are, no matter how burdened we feel, and no matter how many tears we shed; God is always there to catch those falling tears in the palm of His hands.✨️❤️

I thank God for always being there for me, in every difficult moment of life. While I thank Him for the smiles, I especially thank Him for the tears, because I truly believe that those are the moments, when He is closest to me.🙏✍️

THANK YOU FOR THE SMILES 😊

It's not so difficult to share a 'Smile', even when you want to cry,
It's not impossible to hide your tears, even when you're asking 'Why?'.
Our lives are full of ups and downs, of countless highs and lows,
With each passing experience, our ability to cope, just grows.

I've spent many years being all alone, and cried many silent tears,😢
I've grappled with sorrow and immense pain, also innumerable fears.
But through it all, each time I stop, to ponder and think for a while,
I realize that it hasn't been so tough at all, to constantly wear a Smile.😊

I guess I've been blessed with some special grace, a Gift just given to a few,
The ability to 'Smile' despite my tears, and to give God the glory that's due.
I'm glad He bestowed and endowed me, with this wonderfully precious Gift,
Without which, I'm sure in an ocean of sadness, I'd surely have been cast adrift.
 
It is only His gentle Hand, that has guided me along,
It is only His tender Love, that has filled my world with Song.
Even in times of loneliness, I just know He is Always There,
My saddest moments in life, with only Him I constantly share.🙏

So I lost my sweet handsome Brother, when I was still a little child,
But I gained a 'Special Angel', in the vast heavens, so meek and mild.✨️
I miss him at life's every step, of that there is absolutely no doubt,
But I know he's always watching, from above where the birds head South.❤️

Strange as it may seem to some, it is the tears that have taught me to Smile,
Unreal, though it may certainly be, 'Genuine Happiness' is the contact to dial.
Every time life throws a bouncer at you, that you simply cannot duck,
Just 'Smile' at it with all your heart, and fresh Courage, right up you'll pluck. 😊✍️

200 YEARS - THE JOYFUL CREATIVE EDUCATOR - A ROLE-MODEL ✨️😊

200 long years ago

Was born a little boy,

Who would one day grow up

And fill the world with joy.

200 long years ago

Was born a loving smile,

That reached the hearts of wayward boys

And they forgot their troubles for a while.

200 long years ago

Was born a fabulous teacher;

He taught with loving kindness

And was not merely a preacher.

200 years and his dream lives on,

The vision he had, has now grown.

As we reach this wonderful milestone,

It’s a pleasure, to make him known.✨️❤️

It's the year 2015, and we're celebrating the Bi-centenary of the Birth of Saint John Bosco. I always think of Don Bosco as the ‘Happy and Creative Priest’, who constantly shared his joy with the young and taught them things, in very unique and innovative ways. 

The boys were attracted to him because 'he loved what they loved'. His Oratory was always filled with music, sports, activity, entertainment and excitement, along with learning. He truly loved the boys with all his heart; and he constantly expressed his love for them, in word and action.

As a teacher in a Salesian school, I hope I can aim to be, a little more like Don Bosco each day. I hope I can always be a 'Happy and Creative Teacher' like he was; and I pray, that I will always be able to let the boys know, that they are Loved, just like he did. 

St.Don Bosco, be my Guide on my journey, as I try to follow in your footsteps.🙏✍️