Nicolas Berggruen is founder and President of Berggruen Holdings, a private investment company. Forbes magazine estimated Berggruen's net worth at $2.2 billion as of 2010. Having given up most of his material possessions Berggruen owns neither a home nor a car and prefers to live out of hotels. He said: “...for me, possessing things is not that interesting. Living in a grand environment to show myself and others that I have wealth has zero appeal. Whatever I own is temporary, since we’re only here for a short period of time. It’s what we do and produce; it’s our actions that will last forever. That’s real value". More at http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2008/05/19/the-homeless-billionaire/
In this Christmas season, we remember another homeless multi-billionaire - Jesus Christ. God, who had everything, came down to earth, to live as a homeless man. Rich Mullins' song is wonderful to remember at this time. While we read the beautiful lyrics below and probably sing along, let's remember, where are the homeless around us? What has homeless to do with Christmas? We only hear of multi-crore churches being built and multi-crore parish halls being built. Are lives around getting touched? Or is it only for the club members? I mean, the church members?
Sing along with Rich Mullins.
Oh, You did not have a home,
There were places You visited frequently
You took off Your shoes and scratched Your feet
'Cause you knew that the whole world belongs to the meek
But You did not have a home
No, You did not have a home
And You did not take a wife
There were pretty maids all in a row
Who lined up to touch the hem of Your robe
But You had no place to take them, so
You did not take a wife
No, You did not take a wife
Birds have nests, foxes have dens
But the hope of the whole world rests
On the shoulders of a homeless man
You had the shoulders of a homeless man
No, You did not have a home
Well you had no stones to throw
You came without an ax to grind
You did not tow the party line
No wonder sight came to the blind
You had no stones to throw
You had no stones to throw
And You rode and ass' foal
They spread their coats and cut down palms
For You and Your donkey to walk upon
But the world won't find what it thinks it wants
On the back of an ass' foal
So I guess You had to get sold
'Cause the world can't stand what it can't own
And it can't own You
'Cause You did not have a home
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Being a slave is a good thing, after-all
Moses, the great liberator and great leader of ancient days, faced major problems with the people he liberated, where they felt that they were better-off in Egypt. The years, decades of slavery made them feel that slavery after-all was what was best for them. Even if it limits you, you are still getting taken care of.
Life outside is too risky. There is too much at stake. When I have someone who I can touch and feel, providing for my needs and even well-being and security, why take a chance getting out of that?
The child who never wants to grow up.
The slave who never wants to be free.
The prisoner who does not now want to leave the prison, so he finds ways and means to get back!
The Predictable and the Limited taste much better than the Uncertain yet Opportune. These limited beliefs will end up being our conviction. These convictions become cozy. They become our cocoon, warming us up always. The shelter, the protection. Let me be a worm. Why break the cocoon to be a butterfly, only to be eaten by the bird! A worm's funeral is no worse!
Individuals live like this. Organizations live like this. They don't live. They exist. Their cocoons get revamped every now and then. But good care is taken by them that even by accident they do not become the butterfly. They do not want to listen to someone who says, Man, your organization can be a butterfly garden instead of a worm farm. Your life can fly freely smelling flowers in the garden.
No, I am proud to be a worm. I am happy to be a worm. Come-on, are you crazy? There may be some fools in my organization who want to be a butterfly. But if they break out of the cocoons, thanks to your mis-guiding them, then what about me? My cocoon? My life? My retirement? My post-retirement benefits?
Go away! You don't understand. Being a slave is a good thing, after-all.
Life outside is too risky. There is too much at stake. When I have someone who I can touch and feel, providing for my needs and even well-being and security, why take a chance getting out of that?
The child who never wants to grow up.
The slave who never wants to be free.
The prisoner who does not now want to leave the prison, so he finds ways and means to get back!
The Predictable and the Limited taste much better than the Uncertain yet Opportune. These limited beliefs will end up being our conviction. These convictions become cozy. They become our cocoon, warming us up always. The shelter, the protection. Let me be a worm. Why break the cocoon to be a butterfly, only to be eaten by the bird! A worm's funeral is no worse!
Individuals live like this. Organizations live like this. They don't live. They exist. Their cocoons get revamped every now and then. But good care is taken by them that even by accident they do not become the butterfly. They do not want to listen to someone who says, Man, your organization can be a butterfly garden instead of a worm farm. Your life can fly freely smelling flowers in the garden.
No, I am proud to be a worm. I am happy to be a worm. Come-on, are you crazy? There may be some fools in my organization who want to be a butterfly. But if they break out of the cocoons, thanks to your mis-guiding them, then what about me? My cocoon? My life? My retirement? My post-retirement benefits?
Go away! You don't understand. Being a slave is a good thing, after-all.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Economics of Morality
There is a lot of discussion in the media, mainly by the un-involved, as the chicken in the ham-and-bacon-restaurant story, about the morality of microfinancing variants and social entrepreneurship.
Morality is a consequence of economic forces by and large, whether we like it or not. Let us take the example of microfinancing.
Microfinancing is a concept of small loans, higher interests, more frequent re-payments and higher tolerance to delinquency in repayments because of genuine reasons of being unable to repay sometimes.
Who benefits in this game?
The financier defintely benefits because the interest rates are higher. The financier indeed should benefit because he needs increasing capital to invest further, and to grow his business of micro financing, and thereby cover larger cross-sections of the poor. Over time, the financier's target population spreads out further to a slightly higher economic level and hence larger coverage. This is plain law of physics anyway, since the water spreads equally across the lowest lying regions in its coverage, before the level of the water rises, and goes to wider areas.
Who else benefits?
The poor definitely benefit. The poor would not have otherwise got loans, since the larger banks cannot take such risks as giving loans to the poor, since the fundamental premise of larger banks is that of collaterals, and the poor do not have collaterals. The poor hence with the help of the microfinancing group get the money and many times expertise too, invest the money in small enterprises, and grow the money. So over time, the poor become richer than what they originally were, despite the higher rates of interest they had to pay in the process.
Now let us look fairly at the concept of IPO of microfinancing.
The microfinancier sees the benefit of the business of microfinancing, not just to himself, but to the poor at large, and he feels the economic pressures to grow this business, so he can benefit more and thereby many more poor can benefit more. So he decides to involve more people who have capital to invest in microfinancing, which is his business. And he says, what better way than an IPO to involve a large set of rich people - lock stock and barrel. The rich look at it again as an investment of their money, and of course with a desirable side effect of each of them getting a brighter halo for their indirect benevolence to the poor. Nothing wrong with that too.
Now when the rich invest in an IPO, they expect competitive returns. Hence the pressure on the business, here the microfinancing company, comes now from the market. As long as the economics of the interest rate with the available large capital, spread out across a now possible large market works, everything is fine. The problem happens when the investors' greed increases and that thereby forces the microfinancing company to charge a higher interest rate on its target population, and the pressures on the poor for repayment corresponsingly increases, thereby lesser tolerance to delinquency in repayment, thereby having to employ recovery agents, who again need to get paid. Then this goes against the original fundamentals in which the company started, and also goes outside the original economic environment, thereby the poor start committing suicides again. The government then is forced to intervene, not again out of love for the poor and because of a higher moral standing, but for their own economics of vote banks. The government thereby offers protection to the poor, introduces new schemes for the poor, and the poor withdraw from the original microfinancing company who now went IPO and shift now to government schemes, the IPO returns diminish, the microfinancier becomes a failure, the government becomes popular, they get re-elected by the poor, then get under the influence of the lobby which had still financed the large part of the campaign, starts investing in other pro-rich areas, and hence the money and generosity to the poor has to be withdrawn. The poor then suffer again, then another well meaning microfinancier comes, sees benefit to the poor, then feels why not raise larger capital to serve larger masses of poor and also grow his business, thinks of an IPO and launches an IPO. A new generation starts debating on the morality of the IPO, while the economics of morality continues to turn in its sensible pace.
Morality is a consequence of economic forces by and large, whether we like it or not. Let us take the example of microfinancing.
Microfinancing is a concept of small loans, higher interests, more frequent re-payments and higher tolerance to delinquency in repayments because of genuine reasons of being unable to repay sometimes.
Who benefits in this game?
The financier defintely benefits because the interest rates are higher. The financier indeed should benefit because he needs increasing capital to invest further, and to grow his business of micro financing, and thereby cover larger cross-sections of the poor. Over time, the financier's target population spreads out further to a slightly higher economic level and hence larger coverage. This is plain law of physics anyway, since the water spreads equally across the lowest lying regions in its coverage, before the level of the water rises, and goes to wider areas.
Who else benefits?
The poor definitely benefit. The poor would not have otherwise got loans, since the larger banks cannot take such risks as giving loans to the poor, since the fundamental premise of larger banks is that of collaterals, and the poor do not have collaterals. The poor hence with the help of the microfinancing group get the money and many times expertise too, invest the money in small enterprises, and grow the money. So over time, the poor become richer than what they originally were, despite the higher rates of interest they had to pay in the process.
Now let us look fairly at the concept of IPO of microfinancing.
The microfinancier sees the benefit of the business of microfinancing, not just to himself, but to the poor at large, and he feels the economic pressures to grow this business, so he can benefit more and thereby many more poor can benefit more. So he decides to involve more people who have capital to invest in microfinancing, which is his business. And he says, what better way than an IPO to involve a large set of rich people - lock stock and barrel. The rich look at it again as an investment of their money, and of course with a desirable side effect of each of them getting a brighter halo for their indirect benevolence to the poor. Nothing wrong with that too.
Now when the rich invest in an IPO, they expect competitive returns. Hence the pressure on the business, here the microfinancing company, comes now from the market. As long as the economics of the interest rate with the available large capital, spread out across a now possible large market works, everything is fine. The problem happens when the investors' greed increases and that thereby forces the microfinancing company to charge a higher interest rate on its target population, and the pressures on the poor for repayment corresponsingly increases, thereby lesser tolerance to delinquency in repayment, thereby having to employ recovery agents, who again need to get paid. Then this goes against the original fundamentals in which the company started, and also goes outside the original economic environment, thereby the poor start committing suicides again. The government then is forced to intervene, not again out of love for the poor and because of a higher moral standing, but for their own economics of vote banks. The government thereby offers protection to the poor, introduces new schemes for the poor, and the poor withdraw from the original microfinancing company who now went IPO and shift now to government schemes, the IPO returns diminish, the microfinancier becomes a failure, the government becomes popular, they get re-elected by the poor, then get under the influence of the lobby which had still financed the large part of the campaign, starts investing in other pro-rich areas, and hence the money and generosity to the poor has to be withdrawn. The poor then suffer again, then another well meaning microfinancier comes, sees benefit to the poor, then feels why not raise larger capital to serve larger masses of poor and also grow his business, thinks of an IPO and launches an IPO. A new generation starts debating on the morality of the IPO, while the economics of morality continues to turn in its sensible pace.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
The Simple Truth
Jesus said to the Pharisees, "You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men" (Mark 7:8). This very effectively summarizes the problems now almost all religions are facing. The teachings of God are simple and straight. However, we complicate and make them confusing, since the simple commands affect us, and will cost us. Once we complicate the matters, we can live life the way we want and exploit and confuse the simpleminded.
We all desire to live according to God's will. However God's will has been clearly written in many places in the Bible. For instance, in Micah 6:8 it is written, "He has shown thee O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of thee, but to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with Thy God?". It's simple. Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly. This does not need any major interpretation. If we touch every action of ours with these commands, we are living according to God's will. It's simple. Yet so tough to live out. Hence we complicate.
Or, we always want to know whether our job is according to God's will, or whether it is only the job of a priest which is "full-time" for God. What is job? Job is something we do to earn a living. For our needs. What does the Bible say? "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you". What is kingdom of God? Isaiah 65:17-25 describes beautifully God's kingdom. 1. "The voice of weeping shall be no more heard, nor the voice of crying". No more tears. For any reason. No hungry child. No crying orphan. No crying because of injustice. 2. "There won't be an infant who lives but a few days" - no more infant deaths. No under-nourished children, "or an old man who does not live out his years" - death will be only due to old age. Not because of sickness. Not because due to non availability of insurance someone is not able to afford a treatment! 3. "They will build houses and dwell in them, they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat". People working and they enjoying the fruit of their labour. Not for their hardwork to result in mis-proportionate wealth for individuals or corporates. They themselves will enjoy the work of their hands. 4. "The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox". The age of peace and harmony. No wars under the pretext of anything. No greed for another person's wealth. No avarice for another country's resources.
Now let's look at the question. Is my job "seeking God's kingdom" as described above? Let's analyse. First, list down the direct result/fruit of your job. Is this helping accumulate wealth in the wrong hands? Is it helping a cause that is enabling justice, or satisfying the basic needs of the world, for wiping tears? Second, list down the secondary impact of your job. Is it indirectly funding good activities, which otherwise could not have been done? Is the tax benefit going to a government who is in turn using it for the good of the world? Or are they using it for suppression, looting and conquering the world for greedy gains? Now, after listing down the primary and secondary impact of the job, classify these into two categories. A) Are these impacts helping establishment of God's kingdom? or B) Are these working against God's kingdom?
It's simple. Let's not complicate it.
We all desire to live according to God's will. However God's will has been clearly written in many places in the Bible. For instance, in Micah 6:8 it is written, "He has shown thee O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of thee, but to do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly with Thy God?". It's simple. Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly. This does not need any major interpretation. If we touch every action of ours with these commands, we are living according to God's will. It's simple. Yet so tough to live out. Hence we complicate.
Or, we always want to know whether our job is according to God's will, or whether it is only the job of a priest which is "full-time" for God. What is job? Job is something we do to earn a living. For our needs. What does the Bible say? "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you". What is kingdom of God? Isaiah 65:17-25 describes beautifully God's kingdom. 1. "The voice of weeping shall be no more heard, nor the voice of crying". No more tears. For any reason. No hungry child. No crying orphan. No crying because of injustice. 2. "There won't be an infant who lives but a few days" - no more infant deaths. No under-nourished children, "or an old man who does not live out his years" - death will be only due to old age. Not because of sickness. Not because due to non availability of insurance someone is not able to afford a treatment! 3. "They will build houses and dwell in them, they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat". People working and they enjoying the fruit of their labour. Not for their hardwork to result in mis-proportionate wealth for individuals or corporates. They themselves will enjoy the work of their hands. 4. "The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox". The age of peace and harmony. No wars under the pretext of anything. No greed for another person's wealth. No avarice for another country's resources.
Now let's look at the question. Is my job "seeking God's kingdom" as described above? Let's analyse. First, list down the direct result/fruit of your job. Is this helping accumulate wealth in the wrong hands? Is it helping a cause that is enabling justice, or satisfying the basic needs of the world, for wiping tears? Second, list down the secondary impact of your job. Is it indirectly funding good activities, which otherwise could not have been done? Is the tax benefit going to a government who is in turn using it for the good of the world? Or are they using it for suppression, looting and conquering the world for greedy gains? Now, after listing down the primary and secondary impact of the job, classify these into two categories. A) Are these impacts helping establishment of God's kingdom? or B) Are these working against God's kingdom?
It's simple. Let's not complicate it.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Spellcheck 2010
I was excited when I read Sainath's article in "The Hindu" yesterday that "In 1963, the government of Maharashtra ended famine forever in the state". Wow ! I never knew that. Maybe because of the famous green revolution in India, I thought. I have read about it. I have read about Operation Flood. Maybe because of all that.
When I read further, I realized how they achieved this was far more brilliant than that! They did it actually by passing a legislation to remove the use of the word "famine" from all the laws of the state! You close your eyes, open it again and read this. It is true. What a wonderful way, what an out of the box thinking as the modern day management gurus and corporates would say, to remove a problem. Wish the problem away and the problem goes away? Are we watching Shrek, the movie, where there is a fairy godmother to do these tricks? Or are we seeing our legislators in action?
But who among us is going to cast the first stone? A lot of my friends across the world still believe the poor are poor because they choose to be poor. Many friends and leaders across the world have their own definition of democracy. I define democracy, therefore it shall. I remove the word famine, and goest forever famine. I declare that the beggars love begging and therefore the beggars do not want to come out of their wretched lives. I believe that Iraqi's love to fight more than they want what I have defined for them as democracy, and so woe unto them.
Who are we fooling? What happened to the metaphor of the ostrich dipping his head in the sand and the cat closing its eyes and drinking milk. We love our cocoons. It is comfortable. Cozy. No heat, no cold, it is wonderful in here. What if the worm in the cocoon thought that way? Where would the beautiful butterfly come out from?
Can we nurture the various cocoons around, so that we take care that the beautiful butterfly comes out of that? Don't kill the worms around because they are ugly. Don't wish away the real issues because they are inconvenient. Because they make our world different from the shining world we want it to be.
Let us ask Microsoft to come up with a new spellcheck and grammar check that removes all the inconvenient and ugly words? Why not delete the word 'conscience' from our hearts and minds? And then we shall live peacefully ever after.
When I read further, I realized how they achieved this was far more brilliant than that! They did it actually by passing a legislation to remove the use of the word "famine" from all the laws of the state! You close your eyes, open it again and read this. It is true. What a wonderful way, what an out of the box thinking as the modern day management gurus and corporates would say, to remove a problem. Wish the problem away and the problem goes away? Are we watching Shrek, the movie, where there is a fairy godmother to do these tricks? Or are we seeing our legislators in action?
But who among us is going to cast the first stone? A lot of my friends across the world still believe the poor are poor because they choose to be poor. Many friends and leaders across the world have their own definition of democracy. I define democracy, therefore it shall. I remove the word famine, and goest forever famine. I declare that the beggars love begging and therefore the beggars do not want to come out of their wretched lives. I believe that Iraqi's love to fight more than they want what I have defined for them as democracy, and so woe unto them.
Who are we fooling? What happened to the metaphor of the ostrich dipping his head in the sand and the cat closing its eyes and drinking milk. We love our cocoons. It is comfortable. Cozy. No heat, no cold, it is wonderful in here. What if the worm in the cocoon thought that way? Where would the beautiful butterfly come out from?
Can we nurture the various cocoons around, so that we take care that the beautiful butterfly comes out of that? Don't kill the worms around because they are ugly. Don't wish away the real issues because they are inconvenient. Because they make our world different from the shining world we want it to be.
Let us ask Microsoft to come up with a new spellcheck and grammar check that removes all the inconvenient and ugly words? Why not delete the word 'conscience' from our hearts and minds? And then we shall live peacefully ever after.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Called aside
Mark Ch 7 verse 33 says "And he took him aside from the multitude". When God calls you for a special service, he calls you aside from the multitude. To be a disciple, you have to be out of the crowd. If you are part of the crowd, your identity is merged with that of the crowd. You are part of the mass hysteria, where you will be surprised in hindsight (if you ever get an opportunity for the hindsight amidst your busy life), about your own actions and reactions. How could I ever do like that, you may think. But remember, that was because you were part of the crowd. The crowd says, "This is what we all do, so what's different about you". The crowd very dangerously reminds us that you are part of the billions of people on this earth. The crowd hates your individuality. The crowd hates differences. Cults hate differences.
In yesterday's "The Hindu", Naveen Chawla has written an essence of Mother Teresa's life on her birth centenary. He writes, "In 1948 (after almost 20 years of teaching in the convent in Calcutta), in an even more cataclysmic turn of events, again entirely of her own making, she left the convent doors behind her for a vision of the streets".
I like the way Naveen Chawla has unambiguously put it - 'entirely of her own making'. There was a conscious decision she had to take. One step of faith that was needed on her part, which God would then bless.
Naveen Chawla continues "She had realized that this was where her true vocation lay, and she pursued this goal with diligence, even obstinancy".
Again, I like the choice of his word - obstinancy. Her passion was obstinate. What a wonderful privilege for the word 'obstinate' to be used in the context of the passion of this saint!
Naveen Chawla writes on, "She called 'loneliness' the 'leprosy of the West'. When asked how she could touch a leprosy sufferer and clean his sores, she said she could do it because for her that man was the suffering Jesus. 'I would not clean him for all the money in the world' said an observer to her. 'Nor would I', Mother Teresa replied, 'but I would do it for love of Him'. Her hands were always full, but comforting one individual at a time was more important than getting lost in numbers. She said later 'As long as we remain committed to the poorest of the poor and do not end up serving the rich, the work (for the poor) will prosper".
Thank God we have been privileged to have been alive while this saint walked on the earth, and in our country.
In yesterday's "The Hindu", Naveen Chawla has written an essence of Mother Teresa's life on her birth centenary. He writes, "In 1948 (after almost 20 years of teaching in the convent in Calcutta), in an even more cataclysmic turn of events, again entirely of her own making, she left the convent doors behind her for a vision of the streets".
I like the way Naveen Chawla has unambiguously put it - 'entirely of her own making'. There was a conscious decision she had to take. One step of faith that was needed on her part, which God would then bless.
Naveen Chawla continues "She had realized that this was where her true vocation lay, and she pursued this goal with diligence, even obstinancy".
Again, I like the choice of his word - obstinancy. Her passion was obstinate. What a wonderful privilege for the word 'obstinate' to be used in the context of the passion of this saint!
Naveen Chawla writes on, "She called 'loneliness' the 'leprosy of the West'. When asked how she could touch a leprosy sufferer and clean his sores, she said she could do it because for her that man was the suffering Jesus. 'I would not clean him for all the money in the world' said an observer to her. 'Nor would I', Mother Teresa replied, 'but I would do it for love of Him'. Her hands were always full, but comforting one individual at a time was more important than getting lost in numbers. She said later 'As long as we remain committed to the poorest of the poor and do not end up serving the rich, the work (for the poor) will prosper".
Thank God we have been privileged to have been alive while this saint walked on the earth, and in our country.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Before the next rain falls
Oh the rain, it brings back memories
Takes you to the past, makes you refreshed
How you played in the rain, with paperboats downstream
Oh the rain, it brings back sweet memories.
What a wonderful rain, you thought
Sipping your coffee with a book in your hand
The beauty of its pouring, oh how marvellous
Oh I wish the rain will never end!
"Oh, when will this cursed rain end", she shouted
My roof of cloth is all soaked
I'm tired of draining out the buckets of water
I've run out of my vessels, but still it pours
It's flowing down from the upper road, like an avalanche
Destroying everything that's on its way
My books and clothes all drenched, when will they ever dry?
Will my tears ever dry?
The rain keeps pouring, it doesn't care
These drops bring tears of joy to some, sorrow to others
The rain of blessings, the rain of despair
The rain of hope, the rain which comes as the end!
Now the rain stops, and I'm done with my coffee
My book's unfinished! Oh why did it stop so fast!
Let me get back to myself, my life, my all
Wishing it will rain again for my joy
Now she gathers the roof, drips it dry
The children come back from school, "Mom, what fun we had getting back"
"Come and help me dry our house", she screamed
Hoping she'll have a better roof, before the next rain falls
Takes you to the past, makes you refreshed
How you played in the rain, with paperboats downstream
Oh the rain, it brings back sweet memories.
What a wonderful rain, you thought
Sipping your coffee with a book in your hand
The beauty of its pouring, oh how marvellous
Oh I wish the rain will never end!
"Oh, when will this cursed rain end", she shouted
My roof of cloth is all soaked
I'm tired of draining out the buckets of water
I've run out of my vessels, but still it pours
It's flowing down from the upper road, like an avalanche
Destroying everything that's on its way
My books and clothes all drenched, when will they ever dry?
Will my tears ever dry?
The rain keeps pouring, it doesn't care
These drops bring tears of joy to some, sorrow to others
The rain of blessings, the rain of despair
The rain of hope, the rain which comes as the end!
Now the rain stops, and I'm done with my coffee
My book's unfinished! Oh why did it stop so fast!
Let me get back to myself, my life, my all
Wishing it will rain again for my joy
Now she gathers the roof, drips it dry
The children come back from school, "Mom, what fun we had getting back"
"Come and help me dry our house", she screamed
Hoping she'll have a better roof, before the next rain falls
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Acceptable Miracle?
"Sainthood for Mother Teresa awaits 'acceptable miracle'" - so the title of the newspaper article went about the Catholic church's stand on conferring sainthood to one of the greatest saints ever lived. Of course, let the Catholic church do its due diligence to search for the supernatural miracle. However, really, why do we have to look for evidence of a miracle in the life of a woman whose life itself was a miracle? Miracle is indeed what is improbable and what happened. And when a chain of the improbables happen which gives life to many, that is the most improbable of the most improbables. A miracle. A saint.
Her coming to India was a miracle. She was not an Indian.
Her leaving a reasonably comfortable convent teaching life was a miracle.
Her ability to touch and love the untouchables, the lepers, the beggars, the dying in filthy attires - that was a miracle.
Her ability to inspire many others to do the same as what she was doing was a miracle.
Her missionaries of charity organization getting set up near and far helping millions of the poor was a miracle.
Her ability to generate so much of funds collectively was a miracle.
Her simple ability to bring smiles on the faces of the hopeless was a miracle.
Her re-living the life of Jesus in His compassion and love was indeed a miracle.
Mother Teresa was herself a miracle, since even after her death, she is living through the many who are inspired by her and are continuing the work.
Let us praise and thank God for her life, while the church continues to search for the 'acceptable miracle'
Her coming to India was a miracle. She was not an Indian.
Her leaving a reasonably comfortable convent teaching life was a miracle.
Her ability to touch and love the untouchables, the lepers, the beggars, the dying in filthy attires - that was a miracle.
Her ability to inspire many others to do the same as what she was doing was a miracle.
Her missionaries of charity organization getting set up near and far helping millions of the poor was a miracle.
Her ability to generate so much of funds collectively was a miracle.
Her simple ability to bring smiles on the faces of the hopeless was a miracle.
Her re-living the life of Jesus in His compassion and love was indeed a miracle.
Mother Teresa was herself a miracle, since even after her death, she is living through the many who are inspired by her and are continuing the work.
Let us praise and thank God for her life, while the church continues to search for the 'acceptable miracle'
Monday, August 23, 2010
It's worth it - Let it take time !
In 1996, Madeline Albright, the then Ambassador from USA to UN, was asked about the effects of the air strikes in Iraq, which destroyed its fresh water supply, and resulted in the death of nearly half a million children which was much more than the number that died in Hirsohima, she replied saying the price is worth it for the cause of democracy. Whether she regreted the same later or not is the point. Neither is this blog an effort to demonize her. The whole point is about the perspective that any price is small to pay as long as it is someone else's children dying.
Development is worth it as long as someone else is losing their homes. Wider roads are fun to drive, and who cares whether trees had to be cut, and a few people had to move out to God knows where. A small price to pay for development.
War, is very unfortunate, but what other choice we had to put the nuclear bomb, to end the disastrous World War II. A small price to pay for peace ! And after all, didn't it help the Japanese to build up from the ashes? Maybe they should honour us!
Floods are overflowing. They say it is because of the trees we cut! Poor people. They are losing their homes. But what to do? It is a small price to pay for the dams that are giving us electricity. Let us collect donations and old clothes and send them. Thank God we are charitable!
After 14 years of Ms Albright's statement, and after 7 years of Iraqi invasion, after 1000 tonnes of depleted Uranium dumped in Iraq through US munitions (The Hindu, 23 Aug 2010), Paul Bremer III, the former Iraqi occupation administrator, said in an interview, "We can take a certain measure of satisfaction from the success in Iraq. It's not a complete success yet, obviously, but building democracy takes time". And we are satisified !
Building democracy takes time. Indeed it does.
As long as my children are safe, let it take time.
As long as I have my money coming in, let it take time.
As long as I live in mansions, let it take time.
After all, we need democracy, don't we? Let's not hurry it. Let it take time!
Development is worth it as long as someone else is losing their homes. Wider roads are fun to drive, and who cares whether trees had to be cut, and a few people had to move out to God knows where. A small price to pay for development.
War, is very unfortunate, but what other choice we had to put the nuclear bomb, to end the disastrous World War II. A small price to pay for peace ! And after all, didn't it help the Japanese to build up from the ashes? Maybe they should honour us!
Floods are overflowing. They say it is because of the trees we cut! Poor people. They are losing their homes. But what to do? It is a small price to pay for the dams that are giving us electricity. Let us collect donations and old clothes and send them. Thank God we are charitable!
After 14 years of Ms Albright's statement, and after 7 years of Iraqi invasion, after 1000 tonnes of depleted Uranium dumped in Iraq through US munitions (The Hindu, 23 Aug 2010), Paul Bremer III, the former Iraqi occupation administrator, said in an interview, "We can take a certain measure of satisfaction from the success in Iraq. It's not a complete success yet, obviously, but building democracy takes time". And we are satisified !
Building democracy takes time. Indeed it does.
As long as my children are safe, let it take time.
As long as I have my money coming in, let it take time.
As long as I live in mansions, let it take time.
After all, we need democracy, don't we? Let's not hurry it. Let it take time!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Beheaded
Jesus Christ is the head of the church, as written in the Bible. We are supposed to grow as per the head, which is Christ. The head gets the onus of the actions which the body does. If the body does not act in accordance with the head, then the body is not connected with the head. It is either a headless dead body, or a body which is connected to a different head, probably wearing the mask of the original head.
Jesus loved the sinners. He was accused by the priests and the pharisees as being the friend of drunkards, gluttons and sinners. He loved them. However, the modern day affluent church has no place for them.
Jesus lived among the poor and needy. They were part of his life. To the modern day church, the poor and needy are a means of charity, throwaway money, and at best a cheap ticket to heaven.
Jesus wept with those who wept. He wiped their tears. The church and Christians have no time for that. Or maybe, it is they who caused the tears.
Jesus spoke out against meaningless rituals in the temple of God. The church has become a repetitive ritualistic place, un-connecting to many who come there.
Jesus loved the little children. He told everyone to turn and become like little children. Children could be with Jesus. In the church, the children are the least. Who cares if the worship of God connects to them, makes sense to them! Who cares if the Sunday school is happening in very constrained setup, as long as the church is worshipping standing on the marble floor.
Jesus had no wealth. He never saved or accumulated. The church has wealth, for church building funds which can run to crores. When people around are homeless, the church buildings are mansions where no one lives.
Jesus lashed out the selling courts in the temple of God. He spoke out against power structures. The church has become the power structures themselves. Money, power, corruption - these are what you hear in many church echelons of power.
And yet we call Christ the head of the church?
Jesus loved the sinners. He was accused by the priests and the pharisees as being the friend of drunkards, gluttons and sinners. He loved them. However, the modern day affluent church has no place for them.
Jesus lived among the poor and needy. They were part of his life. To the modern day church, the poor and needy are a means of charity, throwaway money, and at best a cheap ticket to heaven.
Jesus wept with those who wept. He wiped their tears. The church and Christians have no time for that. Or maybe, it is they who caused the tears.
Jesus spoke out against meaningless rituals in the temple of God. The church has become a repetitive ritualistic place, un-connecting to many who come there.
Jesus loved the little children. He told everyone to turn and become like little children. Children could be with Jesus. In the church, the children are the least. Who cares if the worship of God connects to them, makes sense to them! Who cares if the Sunday school is happening in very constrained setup, as long as the church is worshipping standing on the marble floor.
Jesus had no wealth. He never saved or accumulated. The church has wealth, for church building funds which can run to crores. When people around are homeless, the church buildings are mansions where no one lives.
Jesus lashed out the selling courts in the temple of God. He spoke out against power structures. The church has become the power structures themselves. Money, power, corruption - these are what you hear in many church echelons of power.
And yet we call Christ the head of the church?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Paradise Lost
She was born in the verdure of her home
Midst the tall trees and the running cascades
Longed for by her parents, attended by the midwives
She came crying, dignified in her arrival
Her nurture was rich, her mother's milk for growth
Darling of her parents, joy of all around
She grew up in the richness of nature
Among the birds & beasts who became her kin
She was a delight to all, got time and attention from all around
She knew nature, she knew colours, knew the language of all
Epitome of creation, admidst all creation
She grew up, in her garden of Eden
Came then the snake one day in a Pajero
With glittering gold on his hands, his neck, his teeth
He smiled, or did he? But she heard him talking
To her parents, about giving away this land.
The snake wanted to develop this land
Cutting trees, clearing the land, building a factory
Develop by destroying, she couldn't comprehend
Building something, when everything seems perfect
The snake promised the apple, work for her parents
Showed paper he said had value
Work and money, did they need it?
The child wondered, while the elders got sold
They gave the snake their land
Instead they got some toddy, lots of it
Then started work, which took her parents away
She lost their time, their nurture, their care
The factory came up, but gone were the trees
Gone were the birds and animals, her friends
Then one day snake told the elders they are too old
Get out of the land or else they will be mowed
On she went on that long journey
The journey with her parents, her elders, her tribe
The journey to the bustle of the city
To live on the road, and then in the dirty slums
From the luscious nature one day to the slum
Her life was smeared with dirt
No money, no food, she ran between cars at the lights
Begging for money, just to be shoved away
Her childhood lost, her nurture destroyed
She became now a street child
No hope for the future, no one who cares
None really tries to understand
No litigations to help, no court-stays in favour of her
No arguments, her tribal home had to be given up
For development of others, all others but her and her tribe
She lies crucified, so we may live
Midst the tall trees and the running cascades
Longed for by her parents, attended by the midwives
She came crying, dignified in her arrival
Her nurture was rich, her mother's milk for growth
Darling of her parents, joy of all around
She grew up in the richness of nature
Among the birds & beasts who became her kin
She was a delight to all, got time and attention from all around
She knew nature, she knew colours, knew the language of all
Epitome of creation, admidst all creation
She grew up, in her garden of Eden
Came then the snake one day in a Pajero
With glittering gold on his hands, his neck, his teeth
He smiled, or did he? But she heard him talking
To her parents, about giving away this land.
The snake wanted to develop this land
Cutting trees, clearing the land, building a factory
Develop by destroying, she couldn't comprehend
Building something, when everything seems perfect
The snake promised the apple, work for her parents
Showed paper he said had value
Work and money, did they need it?
The child wondered, while the elders got sold
They gave the snake their land
Instead they got some toddy, lots of it
Then started work, which took her parents away
She lost their time, their nurture, their care
The factory came up, but gone were the trees
Gone were the birds and animals, her friends
Then one day snake told the elders they are too old
Get out of the land or else they will be mowed
On she went on that long journey
The journey with her parents, her elders, her tribe
The journey to the bustle of the city
To live on the road, and then in the dirty slums
From the luscious nature one day to the slum
Her life was smeared with dirt
No money, no food, she ran between cars at the lights
Begging for money, just to be shoved away
Her childhood lost, her nurture destroyed
She became now a street child
No hope for the future, no one who cares
None really tries to understand
No litigations to help, no court-stays in favour of her
No arguments, her tribal home had to be given up
For development of others, all others but her and her tribe
She lies crucified, so we may live
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Red hot coals
Nights, Valleys, darkness
Stillness, quietness, solitude
Absence, pressure, depression
Sorrow, hunger, pain.
Wars, famine, distress
Injustice, unfairness, death
Floods, earthquakes, volcanoes
Tears, turmoil, despair
Topics these in the school of life
Success and failure all one
But ah, through it all, what comes out
Is the rose, with fragrance so deep
Lily in the murky pool
Diamonds hidden in coal
Pearls down below in deep sea pressure
Snow in tormenting cold
Beauty out of ashes
Order from chaos
Baby through the birthpangs
Butterfly from its cocoon
Looking back, it's the pain that made
The beauty of today
But when it burns through the fire
The gold, it screams in pain
Diamonds wondering why they're chiseled
Aren't we shining enough!
Yet the craftsman sees brighter lustre
Latent within, uncut
Prayers unanswered, cries muffled
Eyes run dry of tears
Yet through it all there breaks in
A lightbeam for tomorrow
The earth turns, everyday
Nights turn in to day
Life turns, it turns all the time
Nights turn in to day.
Stillness, quietness, solitude
Absence, pressure, depression
Sorrow, hunger, pain.
Wars, famine, distress
Injustice, unfairness, death
Floods, earthquakes, volcanoes
Tears, turmoil, despair
Topics these in the school of life
Success and failure all one
But ah, through it all, what comes out
Is the rose, with fragrance so deep
Lily in the murky pool
Diamonds hidden in coal
Pearls down below in deep sea pressure
Snow in tormenting cold
Beauty out of ashes
Order from chaos
Baby through the birthpangs
Butterfly from its cocoon
Looking back, it's the pain that made
The beauty of today
But when it burns through the fire
The gold, it screams in pain
Diamonds wondering why they're chiseled
Aren't we shining enough!
Yet the craftsman sees brighter lustre
Latent within, uncut
Prayers unanswered, cries muffled
Eyes run dry of tears
Yet through it all there breaks in
A lightbeam for tomorrow
The earth turns, everyday
Nights turn in to day
Life turns, it turns all the time
Nights turn in to day.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Beggars
He was in his Audi on MG Road. He was late for the dinner appointment. That's crazy. "This dinner at Taj can be a turning point in my life", he thought. "The guy is rich. He wants to interview me to see if I can run his franchisee here. Indeed, I have the money. And the experience to run ventures profitably".
He asks his driver to go fast. "What to do sir", the driver starts the string of frustration about the slow pace of the Metro construction, and the inconvenience it causes to the people.
The traffic crawling, the great man decides there is no other way but to step out of his Audi, and walk briskly. "Sir, what are you doing? The roads are messy!" The driver can't believe the man can actually walk on MG Road. Born in an Audi.
He walks briskly trying hard to keep his blue suit in tact. He manages that reasonably well. Then there comes running the all too familiar beggar children. They touch him in their characteristic style of begging, saying "Sir, hungry. No food. Money". He angrily brushes them away. They persist. They literally grab his coat pocket. With one angry shove, he pushes them away, shouting "Beggars, get lost".
He walks faster. He is late. He prays, "God, please let this venture succeed. You know I need this desperately for securing my future". He pleads.
In the loud traffic of MG Road, the wind carried away a whisper which was meant for him. "Beggar".
He asks his driver to go fast. "What to do sir", the driver starts the string of frustration about the slow pace of the Metro construction, and the inconvenience it causes to the people.
The traffic crawling, the great man decides there is no other way but to step out of his Audi, and walk briskly. "Sir, what are you doing? The roads are messy!" The driver can't believe the man can actually walk on MG Road. Born in an Audi.
He walks briskly trying hard to keep his blue suit in tact. He manages that reasonably well. Then there comes running the all too familiar beggar children. They touch him in their characteristic style of begging, saying "Sir, hungry. No food. Money". He angrily brushes them away. They persist. They literally grab his coat pocket. With one angry shove, he pushes them away, shouting "Beggars, get lost".
He walks faster. He is late. He prays, "God, please let this venture succeed. You know I need this desperately for securing my future". He pleads.
In the loud traffic of MG Road, the wind carried away a whisper which was meant for him. "Beggar".
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Paradise is Lost
Here I dream of a better world
A world where none has need
A world where all the wealth is shared
Man has no more greed
People love one another
Hatred is no more
A world with song and laughter
Joyful noise abound
No more killing, no more grabbing of wealth
People know they'll die one day
They know they'll have to leave behind
All the things they take
People share, people give
Rich and poor, no one
No terrorist, no millionaire
Guns are things of past
God is seen in all religions
Faith and love are one
No jealousy, no hypocrisy
Nothing lasts but love
I love to dream of this better world
To give to you my child
But oh how far we've drifted away
Paradise indeed is lost.
A world where none has need
A world where all the wealth is shared
Man has no more greed
People love one another
Hatred is no more
A world with song and laughter
Joyful noise abound
No more killing, no more grabbing of wealth
People know they'll die one day
They know they'll have to leave behind
All the things they take
People share, people give
Rich and poor, no one
No terrorist, no millionaire
Guns are things of past
God is seen in all religions
Faith and love are one
No jealousy, no hypocrisy
Nothing lasts but love
I love to dream of this better world
To give to you my child
But oh how far we've drifted away
Paradise indeed is lost.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Judas in the mirror
John 13:21-30. The narrative of Jesus saying that one of the disciples will betray him. Jesus says, "Whoever I dip the bread and give to, is the one". Then he gives it to Judas. Jesus tells him, "What you have to do, do quickly". Judas goes out. But the disciples thought Jesus told him to buy something for the festival, or to get something for the poor.
A few things are very obvious. No one expected Judas to be the one who would betray the Messiah. Despite the very obvious sign from Jesus in the above passage, no one even suspects that Judas would do it. The disciples thought he was going out to buy something for the festival, or to get something for the poor (vs 29). Moreover Jesus always entrusted Judas to get stuff, or to buy things for the poor. So this was daily life for them!
Judas as perhaps a good man, a man who was better in some ways than the rest. Was it love for money that prompted him to do what he did? No. He definitely did not have to go to that extreme, that too for 30 silver coins. If that much wickedness and greed was there in his heart, to show the Lord for money, it needed only much less wickedness to steal the same money from the money bag, since he himself was the keeper, with no one even auditing it.
Did Judas do it to give Jesus an opportunity to prove He is Christ? Possible. Many times, we like to create situations for God to prove Himself. But then, at those moments, are we trying thereby make him "not-God", since we try to stage-manage these situations?
It is easy to condemn Judas. However, do we see him in the mirror?
Two verses are interesting here. a) As soon as he got the bread from Jesus, Satan entered him (13:27), and b) As soon as he ate the bread, he went out, and it was night.
We are all vulnerable to be attacked by Satan. If we are not watchful, he can enter us through the most holy interaction, as in the above verse. The nights of our lives can come any moment. When we think we stand, that is exactly when we fall.
A few things are very obvious. No one expected Judas to be the one who would betray the Messiah. Despite the very obvious sign from Jesus in the above passage, no one even suspects that Judas would do it. The disciples thought he was going out to buy something for the festival, or to get something for the poor (vs 29). Moreover Jesus always entrusted Judas to get stuff, or to buy things for the poor. So this was daily life for them!
Judas as perhaps a good man, a man who was better in some ways than the rest. Was it love for money that prompted him to do what he did? No. He definitely did not have to go to that extreme, that too for 30 silver coins. If that much wickedness and greed was there in his heart, to show the Lord for money, it needed only much less wickedness to steal the same money from the money bag, since he himself was the keeper, with no one even auditing it.
Did Judas do it to give Jesus an opportunity to prove He is Christ? Possible. Many times, we like to create situations for God to prove Himself. But then, at those moments, are we trying thereby make him "not-God", since we try to stage-manage these situations?
It is easy to condemn Judas. However, do we see him in the mirror?
Two verses are interesting here. a) As soon as he got the bread from Jesus, Satan entered him (13:27), and b) As soon as he ate the bread, he went out, and it was night.
We are all vulnerable to be attacked by Satan. If we are not watchful, he can enter us through the most holy interaction, as in the above verse. The nights of our lives can come any moment. When we think we stand, that is exactly when we fall.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Nourishing cancers
The terrible danger when apparent good co-exists with evil in the same person. When you are at the same time evil to a smaller group and good to a much larger group. The evil then gets ignored because of the majority support for the good. This gives the evil core food for growth - till the evil spreads like cancer. Then there is no chemotherapy which can stop this. Once it is cancerous, it goes out of control. But during the initial phases of this growth, the tumor should not get confused and hailed as progressive growth.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Where do I run?
A song, inspired by the psalms.
1. Where do I run from your presence O Lord?
Where do I hide from your sight?
My life ebbs away, days of suffering grip me
Night pierces my bones, my pains never end.
Do not hide your face from your servant
Answer me for I'm in trouble
Come on near me and rescue me
Because of my foes
Come redeem O Lord, you're my only helper
Come and save me, let your presence fill.
2. You know I am scorned, disgraced and ashamed
Pain and distress fill my life
My enemies mock me, turn and laugh at my faith
Comforters none can I find.
Do not hide your face from your servant
Answer me for I'm in trouble
Come on near me and rescue me
Because of my foes
Come redeem O Lord, you're my only helper
Come and save me, let your presence fill.
1. Where do I run from your presence O Lord?
Where do I hide from your sight?
My life ebbs away, days of suffering grip me
Night pierces my bones, my pains never end.
Do not hide your face from your servant
Answer me for I'm in trouble
Come on near me and rescue me
Because of my foes
Come redeem O Lord, you're my only helper
Come and save me, let your presence fill.
2. You know I am scorned, disgraced and ashamed
Pain and distress fill my life
My enemies mock me, turn and laugh at my faith
Comforters none can I find.
Do not hide your face from your servant
Answer me for I'm in trouble
Come on near me and rescue me
Because of my foes
Come redeem O Lord, you're my only helper
Come and save me, let your presence fill.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Undercurrents
The temptation of the mainstream. The ease of being in the majority. It is so easy to flow with the tide of the mainstream.
The fish in the mainstream thinks it is going somewhere. And indeed, it is going somewhere. But the mainstream decides where it is going, not the fish. The fish does not have a say. But the fish does not care. In the annual report of the school (the fish school), they can still write page after page about what they accomplished in their journey. You can never complain about inaction to them. They will be offended. They were truly busy, working hard, swimming with the mainstream, to pursue the dreams the mainstream defined. The mainstream demands hardwork, strong muzzles, and a 24 by 7 commitment. Come to work with your sleeping bags, they exhort you, and of course they have even storage shelves for your sleeping bags, since most of the time you can sleep in the night at your desks anyway. The mainstream cares for you. They have 24 by 7 coffee and food, and many times even free. For your health they have gymansium, basket ball courts (of course, basket ball is a better fad than the local football and volleyball). The food in the cafeteria is specially designed for your health. The mainstream cares for you, and is even much better equipped to care for you, than your family. Your family? We are your family, the mainstream says. They of course sympathize with your family for the sacrifices you are making for the mainstream on their behalf. For all the time that you do not get with your families, the mainstream covers all of them, even your in-laws, with attractive health-care packages. After all, isn't it also for them?
But as for the fish who wanted to go the improbable, it has to face the odds. The ridicule of the mainstream, the strong disbelief of the very family the mainstream actually isolated from you, and even the society who can't comprehend why the hell you left such an attractive lead in the mainstream. Can you swim upstream? Are you trained to swim another way? Are you crazy? Come on. Be real! What is wrong with the mainstream anyway? Afterall, isn't life also favourable to the mainstream? Do you know how to dare danger in the upstream? The still small voice says that the daring and systematic encounters with the upstream can change the direction of your life, and the lives of the others who were left uncared for in the bylanes of mainstream.
Nemo.
The fish in the mainstream thinks it is going somewhere. And indeed, it is going somewhere. But the mainstream decides where it is going, not the fish. The fish does not have a say. But the fish does not care. In the annual report of the school (the fish school), they can still write page after page about what they accomplished in their journey. You can never complain about inaction to them. They will be offended. They were truly busy, working hard, swimming with the mainstream, to pursue the dreams the mainstream defined. The mainstream demands hardwork, strong muzzles, and a 24 by 7 commitment. Come to work with your sleeping bags, they exhort you, and of course they have even storage shelves for your sleeping bags, since most of the time you can sleep in the night at your desks anyway. The mainstream cares for you. They have 24 by 7 coffee and food, and many times even free. For your health they have gymansium, basket ball courts (of course, basket ball is a better fad than the local football and volleyball). The food in the cafeteria is specially designed for your health. The mainstream cares for you, and is even much better equipped to care for you, than your family. Your family? We are your family, the mainstream says. They of course sympathize with your family for the sacrifices you are making for the mainstream on their behalf. For all the time that you do not get with your families, the mainstream covers all of them, even your in-laws, with attractive health-care packages. After all, isn't it also for them?
But as for the fish who wanted to go the improbable, it has to face the odds. The ridicule of the mainstream, the strong disbelief of the very family the mainstream actually isolated from you, and even the society who can't comprehend why the hell you left such an attractive lead in the mainstream. Can you swim upstream? Are you trained to swim another way? Are you crazy? Come on. Be real! What is wrong with the mainstream anyway? Afterall, isn't life also favourable to the mainstream? Do you know how to dare danger in the upstream? The still small voice says that the daring and systematic encounters with the upstream can change the direction of your life, and the lives of the others who were left uncared for in the bylanes of mainstream.
Nemo.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Blood Money of Paradox
We run after meaningless pursuits and "intellectual" games, knowing fully well we are being paid to solve the wrong problem, not to solve the right problem, not to even recognize the right problem, so that the higher our pay, the better it ensures our blindness to what is natural.
In the academic world, we know most of the things that we teach the children are wrong, un-established and outright intellectual frauds, yet we teach them anyway.
The children know, by their natural, God-given intuition , that most of the things they learn are intellectually challenged, yet they learn to survive the educational and professional machinery, where they are destined to live and die.
Everyone knows the harder you work and the larger you earn, the lesser you live to enjoy it, yet you work harder.
All of us know that after all the careful planning we do to amass millions, an icelandic volcano can collapse our economic ant-hills, yet we still hire the MBAs who wear the suit and tie even in our hot weather. (Iceland anyway had its sweet revenge now through nature's help for its economic collapse).
Everyone knows that the solution to salvage corporations is simple - remove the highest paid executives and officers and replace them with the practical hardworking people. Yet we pay them higher, and if that is not enough, we hire more from the market (market - a nice word to fit where they come from), to solve the problem that they themselves are.
Everyone knows that chemotherapy is a primitive and outdated form, intellectually horrifying form, of treating cancer - you did not need so much of academic foundations to invent this kind of a "cure" - yet you subject millions to that and help the promoters achieve return on their investments.
Everyone knows that faith healers always are the winners. If you get healed, it is because of their prayer, and if you do not get healed it is because of the absence of your faith. So it is a win-always situation for them. Yet millions flock after them throwing all their money to them. A nice profession.
Everyone knows that children are most impressionable by parents at their very young age, and then they will go off after less than 10 years or so into their own independent worlds. Yet we work hardest and find no time to be with them at this impressionable age, so that you can earn enough to handle the exponential consequent damage this absence caused, and you spend your life uncared by them in your lonely home or old age home!
And before we learn all these, we die, so the next generation can continue the same games.
In the academic world, we know most of the things that we teach the children are wrong, un-established and outright intellectual frauds, yet we teach them anyway.
The children know, by their natural, God-given intuition , that most of the things they learn are intellectually challenged, yet they learn to survive the educational and professional machinery, where they are destined to live and die.
Everyone knows the harder you work and the larger you earn, the lesser you live to enjoy it, yet you work harder.
All of us know that after all the careful planning we do to amass millions, an icelandic volcano can collapse our economic ant-hills, yet we still hire the MBAs who wear the suit and tie even in our hot weather. (Iceland anyway had its sweet revenge now through nature's help for its economic collapse).
Everyone knows that the solution to salvage corporations is simple - remove the highest paid executives and officers and replace them with the practical hardworking people. Yet we pay them higher, and if that is not enough, we hire more from the market (market - a nice word to fit where they come from), to solve the problem that they themselves are.
Everyone knows that chemotherapy is a primitive and outdated form, intellectually horrifying form, of treating cancer - you did not need so much of academic foundations to invent this kind of a "cure" - yet you subject millions to that and help the promoters achieve return on their investments.
Everyone knows that faith healers always are the winners. If you get healed, it is because of their prayer, and if you do not get healed it is because of the absence of your faith. So it is a win-always situation for them. Yet millions flock after them throwing all their money to them. A nice profession.
Everyone knows that children are most impressionable by parents at their very young age, and then they will go off after less than 10 years or so into their own independent worlds. Yet we work hardest and find no time to be with them at this impressionable age, so that you can earn enough to handle the exponential consequent damage this absence caused, and you spend your life uncared by them in your lonely home or old age home!
And before we learn all these, we die, so the next generation can continue the same games.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Lighted to lighten
A little child, a little flower
Freshly bloomed today
A ray of hope, a smile so dear
Bringing life again.
Fresh to the earth, fresh to dream
Fresh to create joy within
Like a phoenix, out of the ashes
Revives love's flow, restores our lives
Dream on, live life full
Hope in God, go unafraid
Conquer worlds, regenerate
Light the snuffed out lamps
Spread your fragrance, spread your smiles
Blaze the world with fire of hope
And when you die, let others see
The trail of joy you left behind
Live your life, don't just exist
Let your chalice overflow
Trust in God, Live in faith
Till the day you're home again
Freshly bloomed today
A ray of hope, a smile so dear
Bringing life again.
Fresh to the earth, fresh to dream
Fresh to create joy within
Like a phoenix, out of the ashes
Revives love's flow, restores our lives
Dream on, live life full
Hope in God, go unafraid
Conquer worlds, regenerate
Light the snuffed out lamps
Spread your fragrance, spread your smiles
Blaze the world with fire of hope
And when you die, let others see
The trail of joy you left behind
Live your life, don't just exist
Let your chalice overflow
Trust in God, Live in faith
Till the day you're home again
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Hidden gems in the Bible
Here are some beautiful verses from the Bible, largely hidden amidst more popular verses. Putting the references, in case someone wants to explore further on the context etc. , and a small note from me.
1 Kings 1:6: His father had never interfered with him by asking, "Why do you behave as you do?"
- King David, the model king of Israel, but a weak father ! Maybe a popular father, but the outcome resulted in more than one rebellious children. In our days of busy-ness, how much time do we fathers invest in our children? In that small time, we do not want to be the "bad" father. David was busier perhaps than us. Maybe that's why he was like that. Maybe that is what is in store for us too?
1 Kings 6:38, 7:1: He (King Solomon) had spent 7 years building (the temple of the Lord). It took Solomon 13 years however to complete the construction of his palace.
- An interesting note on our priorities. Is it God, or is it us?
Colossians 2:20-23: Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why do you submit to its rules: Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!? These are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
- Saved by grace, yet living captive ! What an irony!
Proverbs 3:9,10: Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new vine.
- Age old wisdom of Solomon, proven through many lives, yet how difficult to try, isn't it?
2 Timothy 3:7: Always learning, but never able to acknowledge the truth
- Isn't this what's happening in our churches, in our Bible study groups, in our lives? We are good at solving theoretical puzzles, but when applied to real lives, we fail.
1 Chronicles 1:19: One was named Pelag, because in his time the earth was divided
- And you thought it was an original concept from "Ice Age", the movie ! :-)
Numbers 9:23: At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out.
- The Lord, in every act of life.
Proverbs 16:33: The lot is cast into the lap; but its every decision is from the Lord
- Is randomness really random?
1 Chronicles 21:24: I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.
- How much of the "second mile" do we walk for others?
1 Kings 1:6: His father had never interfered with him by asking, "Why do you behave as you do?"
- King David, the model king of Israel, but a weak father ! Maybe a popular father, but the outcome resulted in more than one rebellious children. In our days of busy-ness, how much time do we fathers invest in our children? In that small time, we do not want to be the "bad" father. David was busier perhaps than us. Maybe that's why he was like that. Maybe that is what is in store for us too?
1 Kings 6:38, 7:1: He (King Solomon) had spent 7 years building (the temple of the Lord). It took Solomon 13 years however to complete the construction of his palace.
- An interesting note on our priorities. Is it God, or is it us?
Colossians 2:20-23: Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why do you submit to its rules: Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!? These are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
- Saved by grace, yet living captive ! What an irony!
Proverbs 3:9,10: Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new vine.
- Age old wisdom of Solomon, proven through many lives, yet how difficult to try, isn't it?
2 Timothy 3:7: Always learning, but never able to acknowledge the truth
- Isn't this what's happening in our churches, in our Bible study groups, in our lives? We are good at solving theoretical puzzles, but when applied to real lives, we fail.
1 Chronicles 1:19: One was named Pelag, because in his time the earth was divided
- And you thought it was an original concept from "Ice Age", the movie ! :-)
Numbers 9:23: At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out.
- The Lord, in every act of life.
Proverbs 16:33: The lot is cast into the lap; but its every decision is from the Lord
- Is randomness really random?
1 Chronicles 21:24: I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.
- How much of the "second mile" do we walk for others?
Monday, April 19, 2010
Broken cisterns
"God my purpose, God my all
Whether I live or die,
My life would ever glorify God
All through my living breath.
My desire, that I be a channel
To others who live in pain
A channel of hope to all around
A blessing to the weary"
Waking up from worship in my airconditioned church
Got out to the heat, oh how scorching!
Beggars all around, I give a ten-rupee note
And pat myself on the back - how great I am !
Young ones crawling on stumped legs
To beg for one more meal
Quietly I pass them by
Snatching away their hope.
I thank my God for my blessings
Oh what a "purpose driven life"
The pastor's rendition, oh so beautiful
In my cozy, homely church!
But for them that crawl, is living a joy
Or is dying wee better than living?
The child in dirty rags who pesters
The old woman who never stops her mumbling!
In the warmth of our homes, our lives
Dying and living, all filled with hope
But to them that suffer all around us
Can our overflowing cup pour in?
Pouring out ourselves for them
Dying, so they may live
That one more little candle is lit
To glow in their small dark corner
Empty lives, empty vessels
All around to be filled
May our fragile lives add in the least one drop
To their parched and hopeless throats.
"Purpose Driven Life" - our thoughts and prayer
We talk endlessly in the house of God
House of God? Or mansions?
Palaces, where God would dread to come?
Better marble, better ambience
Air-conditioning, and red carpets
House of God, or vulgarity of man's wealth?
When the man you can see hasn't a roof for his own?
"Living is God, dying is gain"
My life, is it another's gain?
If not, whether in life or in death
We live, we die, purposeless lives.
Purpose-driven, we think, yet purposeless
If the other is not mine own
If the other is not my own reflection
Till then, let me rest no more!
Whether I live or die,
My life would ever glorify God
All through my living breath.
My desire, that I be a channel
To others who live in pain
A channel of hope to all around
A blessing to the weary"
Waking up from worship in my airconditioned church
Got out to the heat, oh how scorching!
Beggars all around, I give a ten-rupee note
And pat myself on the back - how great I am !
Young ones crawling on stumped legs
To beg for one more meal
Quietly I pass them by
Snatching away their hope.
I thank my God for my blessings
Oh what a "purpose driven life"
The pastor's rendition, oh so beautiful
In my cozy, homely church!
But for them that crawl, is living a joy
Or is dying wee better than living?
The child in dirty rags who pesters
The old woman who never stops her mumbling!
In the warmth of our homes, our lives
Dying and living, all filled with hope
But to them that suffer all around us
Can our overflowing cup pour in?
Pouring out ourselves for them
Dying, so they may live
That one more little candle is lit
To glow in their small dark corner
Empty lives, empty vessels
All around to be filled
May our fragile lives add in the least one drop
To their parched and hopeless throats.
"Purpose Driven Life" - our thoughts and prayer
We talk endlessly in the house of God
House of God? Or mansions?
Palaces, where God would dread to come?
Better marble, better ambience
Air-conditioning, and red carpets
House of God, or vulgarity of man's wealth?
When the man you can see hasn't a roof for his own?
"Living is God, dying is gain"
My life, is it another's gain?
If not, whether in life or in death
We live, we die, purposeless lives.
Purpose-driven, we think, yet purposeless
If the other is not mine own
If the other is not my own reflection
Till then, let me rest no more!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Little carpenters
He was there in the Upper Room
Talking to his friends, his disciples, his beloved
He had taught them how to live, how to love
How to speak, and how to live.
And he said, "Take ye, this cup, and drink,
Drink ye everyone of this, this same cup
The same cup that I drink
And share, share in my suffering
Take ye this cup, and drink
Drink of this, this cup of suffering
That ye may live as I lived
And share in my life, my death, my suffering.
He lived his 30 years in peace
Loved by his home, his friends, his loved ones
He was the charm of his home, He was the joy of his beloved
Loved, loved by everyone.
He lived his 30 years in his small circle
A model in the house of the Lord
An example for everyone
And mothers said, "Sons, look at him and live".
'Cos he was just a carpenter
A real, real good ole carpenter
He did good, he loved all
'Cos he was still a nice, loved carpenter.
And his 31st year came, and he came out to the open
He spoke out against sin, he spoke out against evil
He still loved everyone, but he cleansed the temple
And cried with them, and he spoke out against sin.
He healed the sick, admonished demons
He raised the dead, questioned corruption
And they didn't like it, 'cos he was blaspheming
Healing on the Lord's day !
And so he lived all three years, He was a threat to the people in power
At worship, and in the land
Because he spoke for the sinners, spoke for the poor,
And mothers said, "Sons, He's no longer the one you wanna look at"
They arrested him, inflicted him
Tried him a mistrial
And they took him to a hill
And they crucified him, and there he died
We've lived 20 years, 30 years, 30 years in peace
Loved by our homes, our friends, our church
We are the joy of all we know, Loved, loved by everyone.
And mothers say, "Sons, look at him ... look at her".
We have lived 40 years, 50 years, 60 and 70 years
In peace, in peace with everyone
We've never talked things which they don't like
And we're loved, loved by everyone
'Cos we all are still, just a bunch of carpenters
Some real, real good ole carpenters
We do good, we love all
And we are nice, loved, little carpenters.
He said, "Take this cup, and drink
Drink of this, this cup of suffering
And as ye drink, and share of this
Remember me, oh yeah, remember me.
Talking to his friends, his disciples, his beloved
He had taught them how to live, how to love
How to speak, and how to live.
And he said, "Take ye, this cup, and drink,
Drink ye everyone of this, this same cup
The same cup that I drink
And share, share in my suffering
Take ye this cup, and drink
Drink of this, this cup of suffering
That ye may live as I lived
And share in my life, my death, my suffering.
He lived his 30 years in peace
Loved by his home, his friends, his loved ones
He was the charm of his home, He was the joy of his beloved
Loved, loved by everyone.
He lived his 30 years in his small circle
A model in the house of the Lord
An example for everyone
And mothers said, "Sons, look at him and live".
'Cos he was just a carpenter
A real, real good ole carpenter
He did good, he loved all
'Cos he was still a nice, loved carpenter.
And his 31st year came, and he came out to the open
He spoke out against sin, he spoke out against evil
He still loved everyone, but he cleansed the temple
And cried with them, and he spoke out against sin.
He healed the sick, admonished demons
He raised the dead, questioned corruption
And they didn't like it, 'cos he was blaspheming
Healing on the Lord's day !
And so he lived all three years, He was a threat to the people in power
At worship, and in the land
Because he spoke for the sinners, spoke for the poor,
And mothers said, "Sons, He's no longer the one you wanna look at"
They arrested him, inflicted him
Tried him a mistrial
And they took him to a hill
And they crucified him, and there he died
We've lived 20 years, 30 years, 30 years in peace
Loved by our homes, our friends, our church
We are the joy of all we know, Loved, loved by everyone.
And mothers say, "Sons, look at him ... look at her".
We have lived 40 years, 50 years, 60 and 70 years
In peace, in peace with everyone
We've never talked things which they don't like
And we're loved, loved by everyone
'Cos we all are still, just a bunch of carpenters
Some real, real good ole carpenters
We do good, we love all
And we are nice, loved, little carpenters.
He said, "Take this cup, and drink
Drink of this, this cup of suffering
And as ye drink, and share of this
Remember me, oh yeah, remember me.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Full circle
Slow down, you move too fast
You're a whirlwind others wish away
You go too fast, never looking back
To see the rubble you've caused
Slow down? But why should I?
Won't I fall down now if I do?
Isn't the world moving even faster?
That I'm struggling hard to keep the pace?
Won't I be left behind?
Won't I be outdated?
Obsolete, a dinosaur
Only a fossil I'd be?
Huh! Won't you be left behind?
You? Or those you leave behind?
Who grow distant day by day
Who give up keeping pace with you?
Who say there's no point trying
He is just too fast
You hear them say, you pretend not
But inside you're feeling proud
You're excited you're the fastest
In your pack, in your tribe
You're deaf to the still small voice
That says you're tearing down!
Your fastest sprint to loneliness!
Too tired, you faint, you fall
You try to get up, then you fall
Too tired even to crawl back.
Crawl back to them who still love you
Trying hard still to keep pace with you
You wake up when the tear drops fall
From the eyes you left behind
They've caught up with you after years of toil
Years of loneliness
Yet they still have the strength to lift you
You who outpaced them so long ago!
You're a whirlwind others wish away
You go too fast, never looking back
To see the rubble you've caused
Slow down? But why should I?
Won't I fall down now if I do?
Isn't the world moving even faster?
That I'm struggling hard to keep the pace?
Won't I be left behind?
Won't I be outdated?
Obsolete, a dinosaur
Only a fossil I'd be?
Huh! Won't you be left behind?
You? Or those you leave behind?
Who grow distant day by day
Who give up keeping pace with you?
Who say there's no point trying
He is just too fast
You hear them say, you pretend not
But inside you're feeling proud
You're excited you're the fastest
In your pack, in your tribe
You're deaf to the still small voice
That says you're tearing down!
Your fastest sprint to loneliness!
Too tired, you faint, you fall
You try to get up, then you fall
Too tired even to crawl back.
Crawl back to them who still love you
Trying hard still to keep pace with you
You wake up when the tear drops fall
From the eyes you left behind
They've caught up with you after years of toil
Years of loneliness
Yet they still have the strength to lift you
You who outpaced them so long ago!
Song of the rainbow
I have seen your tears
Felt them in the palm of my hand
Tears of sorrow, loneliness
Tears of inside pain.
I have seen your tears
I see why you hurt
Uselessness, insufficiency,
Reflections fill your thoughts
Tears behind your laughters
Your smiles are soaked within
Struggles that you hesitate
To bring out in your tears!
I see your heart, its lonely beat
Beating on, not knowing why
Dampened by your weariness
Unseen to the eye
I have seen your tears, my child
Let me wipe them now
Wipe them out with mine own tears
A shoulder for your cries
Let me keep my pace with you
Walking by your side
So I can touch those tears to sparkle
Rainbows from your eyes
Wipe a tear today, my friend
Heal a hurting soul
Life is just too short to rush
You'll reach the end too soon
Let those tears now be your prize
When you face the Lord
Let it glow out heavenly rainbows
In that glorious light.
Felt them in the palm of my hand
Tears of sorrow, loneliness
Tears of inside pain.
I have seen your tears
I see why you hurt
Uselessness, insufficiency,
Reflections fill your thoughts
Tears behind your laughters
Your smiles are soaked within
Struggles that you hesitate
To bring out in your tears!
I see your heart, its lonely beat
Beating on, not knowing why
Dampened by your weariness
Unseen to the eye
I have seen your tears, my child
Let me wipe them now
Wipe them out with mine own tears
A shoulder for your cries
Let me keep my pace with you
Walking by your side
So I can touch those tears to sparkle
Rainbows from your eyes
Wipe a tear today, my friend
Heal a hurting soul
Life is just too short to rush
You'll reach the end too soon
Let those tears now be your prize
When you face the Lord
Let it glow out heavenly rainbows
In that glorious light.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Dance of the Bubbles - A poem
Here is a poem I wrote 20 years ago, sitting in a boring mechanical engineering calass (for an electronics student! - you can imagine the pain), staring at the face of the lecturer who went on an on about some thermodynamics lesson. Dedicated to him and thermodynamics (whatever that deeply means :-) )
Dance of the Bubbles
The water is cold, emotionless and dull
Filled in a vessel, which is equally cold
Who can ever make it dance with joy
Fire says, "I will, this task is mine!"
"How?", everyone cries, "it's herculean,
'Cos as cold as cold can be, this guy is dull"
"Leave it to me, warm kisses are mine
I'll kiss him and kiss him and make him dance with joy"
"Show us", they cried, "fire eased his way
Right beneath the cold pan with the coldest water in
Fire started smiling in light yellow and blue
Tinged with red, its kisses of warmth
Water seems to be adamant, "I won't budge
Let alone dancing, I won't even smile."
But the warmth is filling every single moment
Till one bubble inside shouted, "Here I come!"
The little bubble came out from beneath all the cold
It was shy and slow, but smiled and came up
The other bubbles couldn't resist, they followed its path
Dancing and singing with enflamed joy
Now the bubbles are dancing, filled with ecstacy
They beckoned the water, "Come buddy, let's dance"
Water couldn't resist, 'cos deep inside
It was bubbling with joy, Oh! the kisses of fire!
Dance of the Bubbles
The water is cold, emotionless and dull
Filled in a vessel, which is equally cold
Who can ever make it dance with joy
Fire says, "I will, this task is mine!"
"How?", everyone cries, "it's herculean,
'Cos as cold as cold can be, this guy is dull"
"Leave it to me, warm kisses are mine
I'll kiss him and kiss him and make him dance with joy"
"Show us", they cried, "fire eased his way
Right beneath the cold pan with the coldest water in
Fire started smiling in light yellow and blue
Tinged with red, its kisses of warmth
Water seems to be adamant, "I won't budge
Let alone dancing, I won't even smile."
But the warmth is filling every single moment
Till one bubble inside shouted, "Here I come!"
The little bubble came out from beneath all the cold
It was shy and slow, but smiled and came up
The other bubbles couldn't resist, they followed its path
Dancing and singing with enflamed joy
Now the bubbles are dancing, filled with ecstacy
They beckoned the water, "Come buddy, let's dance"
Water couldn't resist, 'cos deep inside
It was bubbling with joy, Oh! the kisses of fire!
Child Sacrifice
There is a news item which comes once in a way about the father or a witch doctor in a remote village who sacrificed a child, expecting great bounty from the gods. We shudder at that news! How un-civilized, we say ! We lament that after 60 years of independence, certain parts of India are still in darkness.
There is news everyday of modern day heroes who started successful companies and have amassed wealth. They are honoured with premium awards, recognitions and positions. The stories of how hard they worked to reach there, inspire us. Millions of young professionals across the country dream to be like them. We are proud that our country has become extremely hardworking in 60 years of independence, and that we are making it real big in our lives. Work indeed is worship!
What a contrast between the two images! Yet how sadly similar!
We are busy at work. Deadlines, payhikes, promotions - aren't all these very crucial to a secure future of our children? Don't these ensure them better education in premium universities around the world, in an age where money can buy everything?
We are so excited when our American or British boss answers our phone call during his vacation. We tell everyone about his commitment to work! How foolish of us not to realize that we have not taken a break, leave alone a vacation with family, in years!
In vain we fight Valentine days saying it is an assault on our civilization. We fight the silly ones. That's easy. The deadlier enemies are already part of our own genes. Deeply engrained within us. In search of the high salaries every month in our bank accounts, we have surrendered our time, our health, our energy, our society, our families, our children - all to companies all around - within India and without - who make profit.
Our children are growing up un-nurtured in the cities. We are not around to answer their questions. We are not around to spend time with them, to watch them play, to watch them grow up. We feel they will grow with the tremendous knowledge that they gather from the Television and the Internet. If only good gardens grew with good soil, rain and sunlight alone!
While we are away at work, our children are idolizing the TV soap role models. If we ever get time to watch our children play in the parks of our apartments, we'll see teen soap operas live there. The accent, the dress, the manners - oh how proud we are to be part of a globalized world!
We are sacrificing our children, our country's future, on the altar of globalization. The gods of the flat world will not come to our rescue. Cardiac arrests, strokes, wayward children will be our own retiral benefits, and we wil have all the time to enjoy it all till our death.
There is news everyday of modern day heroes who started successful companies and have amassed wealth. They are honoured with premium awards, recognitions and positions. The stories of how hard they worked to reach there, inspire us. Millions of young professionals across the country dream to be like them. We are proud that our country has become extremely hardworking in 60 years of independence, and that we are making it real big in our lives. Work indeed is worship!
What a contrast between the two images! Yet how sadly similar!
We are busy at work. Deadlines, payhikes, promotions - aren't all these very crucial to a secure future of our children? Don't these ensure them better education in premium universities around the world, in an age where money can buy everything?
We are so excited when our American or British boss answers our phone call during his vacation. We tell everyone about his commitment to work! How foolish of us not to realize that we have not taken a break, leave alone a vacation with family, in years!
In vain we fight Valentine days saying it is an assault on our civilization. We fight the silly ones. That's easy. The deadlier enemies are already part of our own genes. Deeply engrained within us. In search of the high salaries every month in our bank accounts, we have surrendered our time, our health, our energy, our society, our families, our children - all to companies all around - within India and without - who make profit.
Our children are growing up un-nurtured in the cities. We are not around to answer their questions. We are not around to spend time with them, to watch them play, to watch them grow up. We feel they will grow with the tremendous knowledge that they gather from the Television and the Internet. If only good gardens grew with good soil, rain and sunlight alone!
While we are away at work, our children are idolizing the TV soap role models. If we ever get time to watch our children play in the parks of our apartments, we'll see teen soap operas live there. The accent, the dress, the manners - oh how proud we are to be part of a globalized world!
We are sacrificing our children, our country's future, on the altar of globalization. The gods of the flat world will not come to our rescue. Cardiac arrests, strokes, wayward children will be our own retiral benefits, and we wil have all the time to enjoy it all till our death.
Parable of the Talents - A non-theological view
Luke 19:11-27: In the story of the talents, the man who had one talent was afraid of the master and of his accountability to him. Because of this fear, he did not want to deviate even a little bit from his understanding of his master. Looks like the master himself was surprised at his servant's misunderstanding about him. The ones who multiplied their talents did not seek the master's opinion or the master's will in every step. Instead, they were clear about what they had received. They identified their own ways to multiply the talents they got, and submitted the returns to the master and the master was pleased. Aren't we like the servant who got 1 talent but did not use it since we would have liked to ensure that we are pleasing our master in every step? Is this also hence a story of self-decision making at the various steps involved in multiplying the talents, and being accountable to God primarily for the end result?
My First Blog !
My First Blog ! So used to writing good thoughts, need to get used to getting the right side of the brain work while the hands are busy typing !
Let it Rain ! What a refreshing thought ! Rain blessings, rain emotions, rain thoughts, rain songs - abundance of everything nice - may this blog rain down !
Let it Rain ! What a refreshing thought ! Rain blessings, rain emotions, rain thoughts, rain songs - abundance of everything nice - may this blog rain down !
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)