Gerald D'Cunha

"Hurt is poison that intoxicates and kills.  Keeping heartache in the heart is a self-destructive gesture... Those who do not forgive are physically, emotionally and spiritually ill." - Pope  Francis O ne of the things I do not like to watch about myself is my angry bouts. I often get into angry bouts at home, in my classes and at times at other places. But, because most of my time is spent at home – with my family - and at my work place – with my students – the people who are directly affected by my anger – shall I call my ‘temper? – are my own family people and students… When my anger fizzles out, I look back and laugh at myself. That saves me from going insane or poisonous. I have never found myself – mercifully – ever set on a justifying trip. No, I feel very, very bad about my loss of composure… I feel sorry and resentful, even though there is a lot of scope for justification… But, the fact that, no amount of justification can ch...

F orgiving others is one of the most self-empowering, liberating and spiritual exercises available for all of us, here on this planet. Mercifully, the act of forgiving someone is totally in our hands… It doesn’t call for anyone else’s permission… It doesn’t call for even the reciprocation from the one who we wish to forgive – the one who has hurt, abused or harmed us… Yes, forgiveness is totally a private call we take to cleanse and heal our own hearts… It paves the way for peace. In every religion, forgiveness and peace assume significant importance… For us, Christians, Christ Himself demonstrated it as he battled there in pain on the cross… Just before He breathed last, Jesus looked up and prayed: “My Father, please forgive them as they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus’ words have so much meaning: Our tormentor is not aware of what he is doing… He does it in his ignorance… So, he deserves not punishment but forgiveness… mercy… A tough call for mort...

Today, THE DAWN CLUB will be starting a ten-day programme for the little ones. The age group will be from five to ten.  For the past thirty-three years or so, I have begun and ended my day with young college-students. I have taught them the Commerce subjects… and, I have also trained hundreds of young ones in Personal Growth. Call it Personality Development, if you like.  I thoroughly enjoy these sessions… Every summer, for two full months, I and some of my associates spend our time, energy, skills and talents to mould these young souls… It has been really a very fulfilling experience… Very empowering and very enriching. But, those programmes are for the youth… For teenagers and beyond. What about the little ones… the tender five-to-ten-year olds? We will be starting their programme today, and I am simply excited about it! What do these little angels expect from us, from me? How will we, I, ‘m...

If peace is what I yearn for, Peace should be my call! Peace always involves another person... And, I really wish, He too yearns for it... the way I do! I wish, He understands me - My hurt, My anger, My fear...  And my pain. Yes, I wish, He will not repeat his acts -  Deliberate or otherwise... I just want him to drop the weapons... Understand me, Apologize to me, Promise me... Love me! But then... It is my wish! Why do I yearn for peace? For whose sake - his or mine? What if he doesn't come around? Doesn't understand me? Doesn't apologize? Doesn't promise? When we drop our guns, The world thinks the war has ended... And peace has come. But, we alone know what peace is... And when does it come! If peace is my heart's thirst, Peace should be my call... And, therefore, it goes: Peace can come in my heart... Even in the midst of war! I needn't wait till he is rea...