Gerald D'Cunha

Pic.: Sheela Krishnamony T oday is my friend Vikram’s 58 th b’day. A while ago, I had called him to wish. “May God grant you good health and peace in the years to come,” I said. “That’s all I need at this stage of my life,” Vikram said, quite emotionally, “not the blessings from Dhana Lakshm i but from Dhairya Lakshmi .” I loved the two words… Dhana Lakshmi and Dhairya Lakshmi. Goddess Lakshmi has been kind to Vikram, all the way to his 58 th b’day, today. He has been blessed with fine education, a great wife, two brilliant children, both now settled in the US. He has been successful as a businessman, been able to earn good amount of financial status. He has been, also, blessed with a very positive attitude towards life… a great optimism and understanding of the Tide of life… that is, the ability to remain graceful, both, in good times and bad times. So, today, Vikram doesn’t need money - Dhan , success or status. He needs Dhairya – fortitude (cour...

Pic.: Chetna Shetty T he ore doesn’t become gold unless it is sent through fire. Likewise, the coal doesn’t become diamond unless it is rigorously polished… And, what about my character? I have been thinking hard on this issue: How do we become fine human beings? How do we build up our character-strength? How do we become compassionate and giving in life? The only answer I keep getting is: Through the way we respond to difficult times in our lives… As the Wise say, “It is not what happens ‘to’ you that shapes your character, it is what happens ‘in’ you.” I have seen, time and time again, that the challenges in my life can bring the best or the worst in me… They can make be better or bitter… grow up or give up. Challenges have, always, made me trust more and more in the goodness of people and life… Even in the thickest of my hard-times, I have refused to believe, that people or situations in life do not change… that, there is no hope. On the contrary, in my ...