CHRISTMAS TIME

 

LOVE GROWS AT CHRISTMAS TIME 🎶

- One Voice Children's Choir 

(Song shared from the Choir's YT page.)

CHRISTMAS IN OUR HEARTS 🎶💕

 

December is still a few days away, but I've been listening to Christmas songs already, over the past 3 or 4 weeks. New ones, which I haven't heard before; and others, which are always good to listen to every year, as the Christmas season draws closer.

I'm sharing two songs from my favourite Acapella group today, because I love so many of their Christmas songs.🎶

I am also sure, that I have posted these two songs before, some years ago; but it's always great to start the Christmas season, with tunes we enjoy hearing, repeatedly.😊

I love how each member of the band, has shared Christmas memories, from when they were children, in this video. Together with the lovely lyrics, that's what adds to the nostalgic element of the song.💕

(Songs shared from the Pentatonix YT page.)

RESTING ETERNALLY IN HEAVEN 🙏🕊

On days like today, we all remember loved ones, that we have lost over the years.😔

But when your entire family is in heaven, you can't help thinking and talking about Angels, 24/7 and 365 days of the year. 

That's just how, I still try and hold on to my family, and to all the precious memories, even so many years, after they've gone.✨️💖

May all our family members, who have moved on from this earthly life, rest in eternal peace, wherever they may be.🙏🕊

(I found these songs on YT yesterday.)

ANGELS - FOREVER AND FOR ALWAYS ✨️💖

 

(Was reminded of a memory from three years ago, posted on 2nd November '2022.)

'Somewhere up there', we all have 'Heavenly Angels', who constantly 'watch over us', from those bright blue skies. They'll always be a part of us, no matter how many years may go by, because 'Love Lives On'.🕯🕯🕯

'Somewhere out there', we all have 'Angels among us', who were probably sent to share this journey with us, and to fill our hearts with Joy and Love, like colourful rainbows of Hope.✨️❤️

'...And everywhere I am, There You'll Be'.

A lovely song 'For your Angels and mine'.😊

THERE YOU'LL BE ✨️🎶💖

- Faith Hill

(Song shared from a YT page.)

GRIEF TEACHES US LESSONS FOR LIFE ✍️

 

(Was reminded of this old post today. I wrote this 7 years ago, on 20th October '2018, just a little over a month, after my Mum passed away.

Maybe, it will help another person who reads this post, to find strength in times of prolonged sicknesses in the family; or help someone deal with their own tragic losses of loved ones, and with the unbearable pain that we all feel, during and after the death of people, who matter to us. Hopefully, it will just encourage us to try and be grateful anyway, even when it is very, very difficult.)

It's easy to have a positive outlook, when everything goes well, and when life is filled with joyful moments. 

The real challenge is to try and keep smiling,

- when there is absolutely no reason to,

- when the situations in life cause your world, to come crashing down all around you,

- when you don't know how you're going to get through, the long road ahead,

- and when your pain is so intense, that it leaves you completely heart-broken.😪

It's always a struggle to smile through the tears and hard times, when a family member is sick or when we lose them forever; because those are the times, when it is easiest to give up on everything, and to feel completely dejected, lost and upset.

Somehow though, that same God who created us and who knows every falling tear, is always there, in the form of people who care;

- to make sure that he fills us, with the courage and strength to face the future, 

- to keep moving ahead,

- and to keep living life, one moment at a time, without worrying about, what the uncertain future may have in store for us.

The greatest gift I ever received in life, was the 'Gift of a Family', and the struggles we faced together, all through our journey; because it was those very trials and difficulties, that taught me these important lessons, which will stay with me forever. I will always be Thankful to God for that.🙏😊

A RAY OF HOPE, IN A HOPELESS WORLD 🙏🎶

 

I was just listening to a few Gospel based songs on 'Light', which speak about how, we can all be 'A Ray of Hope' to people, in little ways everyday.  

Here are a few of them. Most of these, are songs written for children; but can be enjoyed by anyone who likes Gospel music.

BE A LIGHT 🪔🎶

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE 🪔🎶

SHINE YOUR LIGHT 🪔🎶

(Songs shared from different YT pages.)

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 🪔

Festivals are a time to spread the light of Love, Joy and Kindness. 🪔

Diwali wishes to everyone.✨️

(Ads shared from different pages on YT.)

TWO STEPS FORWARD, ONE STEP BACKWARD

 

An old friend asked me yesterday, 'Have you processed your grief? Have you got closure after your many life struggles, over all the pain and the loss of your entire family, at the young age of 38?  

Most people tend to think, that it is necessary to do this, in order to move forward in life. 

I guess, that is how everyone copes or deals with, loss and death in the family. Forget all about it gradually, cover it up by making new memories everyday, bury the pain underground, never to be seen again, enjoy every moment in life, because you haven't died yet, and you're still breathing.

That probably works, for a lot of people. But, I'm not one of those people. I could never ever, close the most significant chapters of my life, just because those people, are not physically present, on this earth anymore. 

A parent and a sibling, can never be replaced by anyone, even years and decades, after they are gone. It is absolutely impossible to fill in the gaps, left by the absence of a mother, a father and a brother.😪 From where do you get a new mother, a new father and a new brother, after they have died?💔...You just can't.😔

So, I will carry the memories of my parents and my brother with me, till the day I join them up in heaven. The happy memories, and the sad and difficult ones too. Those memories; even the painful ones, are what keep me connected to them...and I will hold on to every single one of them, 'Forever and Ever'.✨️💖

It's difficult to explain this concept to people. Even family and friends, don't really seem to understand. 

They may want to forget. I don't want to.

They may choose to move on. I never will.

...And that's how, I deal with Loss and Death.🤷🏻‍♀️

No two people process 'Grief' in the same way. Each one has their own methods. It doesn't make any one, the right or wrong way. They are just different people's 'unique techniques and coping strategies', of making sense of whatever situations, life takes them through.

I'm sharing a few videos that I've watched recently. I liked listening to these. Hopefully, they may help another person, to deal with their own challenging situations, one day at a time; even if it is, two steps forward, one step backward. 🙏

(Videos shared from various pages on YT.)

A PRAYER IN SONG 🙏🎶

 

(FB Memories reminded me today, that I have shared different versions of this song, on the 4th of October, over the years.)

Right through my life, I have always felt blessed that I was born on the Feast Day, of the person who wrote this beautiful prayer.🙏 

So many great lessons to learn, from St.Francis of Assisi.

If more people become instruments and channels of peace each day, in their own little corner.🕊🤍

If more people care for creation, think about the environment and make a few changes, every day. 🌳🌿

This earth would soon become, a better place.😊

MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE 🎶

(Videos shared from different YT pages.)

ON THE WINGS OF A DOVE 🕊🤍

 

The 2nd of October, which is the Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, is also the 'International Day of Non-Violence'.🕊

A few years ago, I discovered this beautiful song sung by one of my favourite singers, Olivia Newton-John and her daughter. 

If only every nation around the globe, would find ways in which to dialogue with one another, stop the violence and end the mindless and meaningless wars, our world would be a more peaceful and a happier place.🤍

I thought I would share this song today, at the start of the month of October.

WINDOW IN THE WALL 🎶

- Olivia Newton-John and Chloe

I also saw this video today, where the Pope prays for collaboration between different religious traditions, to help people realise that we are 'One Human Family'; and that we need to work together, to bring about peace and unity, in our fragmented world. 🙏

(Videos shared from the different YT pages and I found this picture on the Internet.)

BEAUTIFUL LIKE A RAINBOW 🌈

 

The rainy season has just been endless, this year. Much longer than the usual 4 months. The unseasonal showers began in May, and we're almost in October; but it doesn't seem to have finished, pouring down on the earth. It almost feels like we've been sitting under a waterfall, non-stop for so many months.🌧☔️

While we're so 'Grateful', for a more than adequate supply of water, for the year ahead; we can't help smiling, every time the sun peeps out, from behind those gloomy clouds, which are still visible.🙏

But very soon, as the monsoon ends and the weather changes again, we'll be grumbling and complaining about the October heat.🌞 

I guess, our human nature makes us behave like that.🤷🏻‍♀️ We forget to be 'Thankful for the many Blessings', which we receive in abundance, every single day.

The end of the rains, is usually the time, to look out for rainbows. I haven't seen one yet, this year. But I did think of two songs that talk about 'Rainbows', sung beautifully by Eva Cassidy.🌈

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW 🎶

- Eva Cassidy

TRUE COLOURS 🎶

- Eva Cassidy

(Songs shared from the YT page of the singer and the pictures are from the internet.)

WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR ✨️🎶

 

I've always loved the Disney songs. More than half the 'wonder and magic' of a Disney movie, is because of the memorable songs, in almost all their films. I have lots of favourites among them.😊

I found this lovely version, of one of the Disney songs that I like, today. 

- Leslie Odom Jr. 🎶

Also sharing a duet of the same song.

- Kelly Clarkson and Cynthia Erivo 🎶

This is another lovely version of the same song, which I enjoy listening to, sung with an entire orchestra.

- Sara Bareilles 🎶

(Songs shared from various YT pages.)

A SONG FOR PEACE 🕊🤍🎶

 

The Stop-Gaps Cultural Academy has been encouraging Choral Music for a few decades now, by giving different Choirs, an opportunity to sing at their various concerts. Lots of people, have always enjoyed the Stop-Gaps concerts, over the years.🎶

About six years back, they also began organising a 'Children's Choir Festival'. Every year, this event gives us a chance, to listen to the voices of children, blending together in harmony. The groups that participate, are from schools, parishes, and other choirs as well. 

Listening to the children singing, some days ago, made me remember the time, when we used to also sing in groups at various school events, as kids. The difference though, is that while we would mostly just sing the melody and some simple seconds, back then; now, children are learning how to sing three and four part harmonies, at such a young age...and I think, that's so wonderful.👍  

I love how so many schools especially, have gradually started introducing their students, to the joy of singing in harmony, by bringing in music teachers, who have the ability to train children, to sing different voice parts, in a choir. 

A few of the choirs, that participated in this year's festival, had very tiny, young children; and I was really amazed at their ability to sing harmonies, so melodiously and effortlessly, even though they are so little. Hearing them sing so beautifully, made everyone who was there, smile.😊💕

The songs chosen were all related to this year's  Theme - 'A Song for Peace'.🕊

The concert happened, just two days before the 'International Day of Peace'. So, the meaningful songs, also brought out that message of 'Peace', which is so relevant, at a time when so many places in the world, are being devastated by war and disharmony.🤍

LEAVE A LIGHT ON ✍️🎶

Many years ago, a student of ours, took his own life, when he was in Class 10. He had been sitting in my classroom, earlier that morning; and in the evening, we received news that he was gone forever, just like that.😪

I will never forget what I felt on that day, and in the days and weeks after that. How much I wished, that I had spoken to him; if I had only known, what he was going through. How often I asked myself, why I hadn't been more observant, or noticed, any visible or invisible signs, or changes in his behaviour, which may have indicated, that he was troubled.

There have been a few other instances too; when I have known young people, who have taken this extreme step. And whenever, the person is someone you know, you always end up wishing, that you could have done something; just anything at all, to prevent them, from ending their life.🤷🏻‍♀️

Unfortunately, a lot of times, there are no visible signs of deep anguish, or of emotional distress or pain; because people can be extremely good at disguising, how they really feel, behind a cheerful face or talkative chatter.

Maybe the signs are there; but friends, family and people around a person like this, need to care and listen enough, to notice minor changes in behaviour, mannerisms, and to the things they say, or maybe don't even know, how to express. 

But sadly, in this world of 'Over-Connection', people are more 'Disconnected', than ever before. Everyone is so caught up, in living their own lives; that no one really takes the time to notice, when someone begins to slowly fade away into the darkness, quietly.😔

I saw the poster below, a few days ago; and discovered that the International Association for Suicide Prevention, collaborates with the World Health Organisation and the World Federation for Mental Health, to observe a day every year, on the 10th of September, called 'World Suicide Prevention Day'. 

So I thought, that I would write something about it today, just to create a little more awareness.✍️

I'm also sharing two songs, that speak about this. 

LEAVE A LIGHT ON 🎶

(Talk away the dark) 

- Papa Roach and Carrie Underwood

YOU ARE NOT ALONE 🎶

- One Voice Children's Choir

(Videos shared from various pages on YT.)

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING OVER ME ✨️💖

 

Seven years today, since that final farewell,

How quickly the days and months, have turned into years.😔

But at every step of the way, each minute of every day, 

Your presence and affection, this daughter's heart longs for, through her tears.😪

Miss you Always and Forever.🤗❤️

A MOTHER'S LOVE ✨️💖🎶

- Jim Brickman (One Voice Children's Choir)

LULLABY (GOODNIGHT MY ANGEL) ✨️💖🎶

- Christina Perri

(Songs shared from different pages on YT.)

MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS ✨️💖

 

No one could ever take the place of a 'Mother', in the life of her 'Daughter'.😪

In a week, when there is an absolute fruit salad of a million flashbacks and questions, floating around in my mind; these lovely 'Mother-Daughter' songs, made me smile, for a little while.✨️💖

FOREVER MY LITTLE GIRL 🎶

A LETTER TO MY DAUGHTER 🎶

A MOTHER LIKE YOU 🎶

(Songs shared from various pages on YT.)

SONGS OF HOPE AND PEACE 🤍🕊🌈

 

The Stop-Gaps brought together many amazing choirs and performers, that we all enjoy listening to, in their Concert 'A Call to Peace', which happened at the Tata Theatre, NCPA yesterday.

'Bridging the World with Song' - That is what Alfred D'Souza and 'The Stop-Gaps Cultural Academy' have been doing for many, many years, at every concert they do. Each Choir and Soloist who sang last night, chose very meaningful songs, that brought out the message of 'Peace, Love, Harmony and Brotherhood'.🤍

In a world that is constantly tattered and torn by violence, disharmony, bloodshed, negativity, irrational thinking and the completely illogical loss of innocent lives; an evening like this, filled with melodious songs, that calm and soothe the heart and soul, is like 'A Rainbow of Hope'.🌈 🕊One that reminds all of us, who love music, that the joyous 'Melody, Harmony and Rhythm' of beautifully written songs, filled with positive thoughts, can truly 'Heal the World and make it a better place, for the entire human race'.🎶

It was wonderful to have a choir from Borivali 'Symphony Voices', conducted by Allan Rodrigues, performing in this concert also. They made us feel so proud, with their wonderful harmonious singing.👏👏👏

The best part about an evening like this, besides enjoying all the beautiful songs, sung by every choir and soloist, is getting an opportunity to hear many of my favourite choirs and singers on one evening, and to meet lots of music loving friends. 

A chance to listen to lots of old friends, singing in, or accompanying various choirs, to hear some amazing soloists, to feel proud of a few ex-students who were performing, and to meet many, many friends, who were in the audience too; made last night, even more special.😊💕

WHAT FRIENDS ARE SUPPOSED TO DO 🎶

The One Voice Children's Choir just shared this song, a few days ago on their YT page. I like this Choir and have been listening to their cover versions of songs, for many years.

COUNT ON ME 🎶

- One Voice Children's Choir 

If you ever forget, how much you really mean to me,

Every day I will, remind you.

You can 'Count on Me', like 1 2 3

I'll Be There;

Cause that's what 'Friends' are supposed to do.😊💕

I'm also sharing the lyric video of the original song.

- Bruno Mars 

(Video shared from the YT pages of the singer and choir.)

LIFE AND DEATH ✍️

 

I read a post last night, which shared an unbelievable experience, of a person who had to recently undergo a heart surgery, due to serious blocks, even though he had always been doing all the right things, to stay healthy, whether it was fitness, food or habits. 

Thankfully, he discovered that something was wrong, in time; and could take corrective medical action immediately...and hopefully, he will now recover and get better slowly.🙏

But this is not the first time, that I have heard about a person, experiencing a 'completely unexpected thunderbolt' or 'health scare' like this, in their lives. One, that seemed to have appeared suddenly, out of nowhere. 

A little less than 2 years ago, another friend, who was also just 50 years old, and was just as conscious about his health and fitness, had an almost similar experience. 

Sadly, he wasn't as lucky; and passed away, just a few days, after tests revealed the blocks in his arteries. His condition couldn't be reversed, even after a medical procedure; to the complete shock and disbelief, of everyone who knew him.

He was another person, who had always been conscious about health and fitness; and yet, he couldn't prevent this from happening.

At times like these, when even doctors and heart surgeons, find it difficult to offer explanations, as to what could have caused such extreme health conditions, in people who actually seemed to consciously look after their health; it becomes difficult to understand, how these things could happen to anyone, without any warning.🤔

In my many years, of looking after sick parents; I have done extensive reading and research, about health related issues, food, nutrition and other similar topics. In the process, I have become more aware and learned a lot, about how lifestyle, stress, sleep, emotions, food, nutrition, gut health, and numerous other factors, are just as important as fitness and exercise, when we talk about overall health and well-being. 

It's true that 'Death', can never be predicted, and it often comes without a warning. I've experienced that enough of times in my own life, to know that anything can happen to anyone, at anytime. Unexpected sicknesses and unforseen incidents, can cause people to just disappear from our lives forever, in a moment.😔

Very often, even when we think we are doing all the right things, we still experience 'health scares', even among young and healthy people. We try our best to take care of everything, that we think we know; but there is always so much, that we are not really aware of, that could be happening silently, on the inside, causing irreversible damage to our health.

Making little conscious and long term 'Lifestyle Changes', and focusing on our 'Emotional Well-Being', does make a difference to our health, to a large extent. I have discovered that for myself, over the last 10 or 15 years. 

But at the same time, when you have watched so many people in your family die, you also become aware of the fact, that 'Death' is one thing, that we can never really predict. It could happen to any of us, at any time; and no one or nothing could stop it, even if we tried.

So, 'One Day at a Time. 

One Moment at a Time.'

The only way to live this uncertain, unpredictable 'Life'. That's what my own experiences, have always taught me. This Life that we've been blessed with, is a Gift to us anyway. We just don't know, how long it will last.🤷🏻‍♀️✍️

SONGS TO MOTHER INDIA 🇮🇳🎶

 

During the years when I was a student, I remember learning different 'Patriotic Songs' in school, in this month, for the 'Group Singing Competition' every year.

Besides that, we would also learn a few songs, from really old black and white films, for the flag hoisting function, held in our building.

Most of those songs, were written during the freedom struggle. So, the sentiments conveyed through the lyrics, really instill a feeling of patriotism for 'Mother India', whenever you sing them or hear them, even today.

In recent decades, there have been many songs in various movies and non-film albums, that have been dedicated to the nation. I like these two, most of all.

The first one is from Aamir Khan's TV show 'Satyameva Jayate'. Ram Sampath had composed many meaningful original songs, that were sung by different singers each week. I love it, because it truly evokes that patriotic feeling, whenever you listen to it.

BHARAT BHAGYA VIDHATA 🇮🇳 🎶

- Composed by Ram Sampath and sung by Shankar Mahadevan

The next song is one of my all-time favourite patriotic songs, by A.R. Rehman. 

I remember, that back in college, when this song would play over the loudspeakers during 'Malhar' in Xavier's, which happened during this week; it just made you feel completely energised. 

The entire campus would resound with this amazing tune, and there really was something so wonderful about this song, that I would love hearing it repeatedly, in those days.

MAA TUJHE SALAAM 🇮🇳 🎶

- A.R. Rehman

(Videos shared from different pages on YT.)