Gerald D'Cunha

  “The chief proof of man’s real greatness lies   in his perception of his own smallness.” Arthur Conan Doyle   W ell, there are these super-wealthy, who are hailed as connoisseurs/patrons of art, and they are ready to buy a piece of art – a panting in particular – for any astronomical price. But, you see, the painting has to be a ‘original’… So, when an original painting of Picasso, Michael Angelo or M.F. Hussain goes for millions and crores, a thought hits me: “Who, in deed, is the original artist – the real Creator?” To grasp the depth of my question, just stop on your way home, this evening, and have a good look at a few stray cats… Behold the colours of their bodies, their eyes… every hair – the softness, the teeth and the paws of those little creatures. Ask: “Who made them?”… A Picasso, a Michael Angelo or a Hussain? So much for our great pride in feeling, that we are the original creators. Look, we, at best, can be the ‘original duplicators’. That’s i...

Most of my fears are just baseless! They haunt my mind because of my own assumptions, presumption, interpretations… and my unexamined beliefs. Often, it takes a hard look at my fears - a look into the eye of my fears, directly – to do away with them… Often, acceptance of some well-meant advice of a caring soul around… Often, some patience and poise in my heart not to jump to conclusions… not to declare my own self-fulfilling prophesies… Often, some trust in the goodness of Life and kindness of our Lord… Often, some simple humility to lean on someone’s shoulders… All fears are not real… They are just like ghosts… who rule only in the darkness, and, yes, only inside the unattended houses! Humans and ghosts very, very rarely live in the same houses… And, we never hear about ghosts moving around in broad daylight! My mind is my house… When bright thoughts reside there, when light of faith and prayer keep it guarded,...

Y esterday was 11.11.11. It sounded quite rare, mysterious… a bit romantic and a lot scary as well. There was a big deal – a kind of hoopla already created by the media about it. Many expected something great to happen, and many expected something sinister. The day passed. I do not think any thing great or sinister came to pass just because the date happened to be 11.11.11. Moreover, I wondered, when it was 11.11.11. for me, here, in Mumbai, it was not so for someone in the U.S. or Africa. “Hey, what the heck, all this?”… I found it all silly, stupid. A great time pass! And, today it is Saturday. My wife had left for Pune, this morning, to visit my son’s institute. At about 7.45, she messaged me: “I have boarded the bus.” I quickly replied, " Safe journey, darling.” And that was about it. Just another day… another loving thought, for some one you care for. After a while, I left home for my work. Just as I came out of my building, some one stopped his car and offered...