Gerald D'Cunha

Pic.: Rachna Talreja Mukhi “Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.” -          Oscar Wilde M y elder brother was telling me, the other day, that, for all of us, there are these three ways of learning in life: 1. From the good advice from our well-wishers – our parents, relatives, teachers, preachers, friends or any other well-wishers... 2. From others’ mistakes... When we see before our eyes what happens to people around us, if they make mistakes... 3. From our own mistakes... when we realize what happens to us if we do those mistakes... “Some people just refuse to learn from others’ advice or mistakes,” my brother told me, “There is only one way for them to learn from, and that is from their own mistakes... They have to fall and learn... Fall over and over again, at times.” I was shaking my head to convey how true it was! Everyday, when I stand on this teacher’s-pedestal and go on ...

  There is a lesson I am still limping hard to learn: Not to be so adamant to correct some one, when he has just committed his mistake. As a teacher, the urge to correct someone comes instinctively to me… I get into the preaching mold automatically and try to bring to the attention of the concerned student his mistake – whatever be it – when, perhaps, he is dying to hide himself… Yes, I am, now, speaking about such a phenomenon, in retrospect. My earliest memories in school and at home, on committing my mistakes, are still fresh in my mind: I was ashamed and guilty every time I committed my own ‘little’ mistakes. And, I literally died in my heart to hide those mistakes from the public glare… I prayed that my teachers and parents did not make a mention about my mistakes when I was still under the shadow of shame and guilt… When I was scared, worried and defensive. But, then, my teachers and parents did exactly what I am doing today! Perhaps, I might be ...

Another two months... and I have not posted even a single piece... and, that's okay; perfectly okay. The sky did not fall during these two months... the wind did not stop blowing... and the Sun did not fail to rise each morning... Yes, everything went on perfectly well... including my own heartbeat. There was a kind of urge within me to write something as the 2010 came to an end... It went with out a single line from my end... Then, on 1st Jan, the urge returned... That too passed without my writing. And, I say, that's okay... Perfectly okay. Maybe, it was not possible for me to say so - "It's okay... Perfectly okay" - before. Now, I am able to experience this new perspective... Maybe, it has come with age... Maybe, with the new year. On the new year night, I attended the first communion party of one of my relative's son. The party was in a posh hotel and there were lovely guests... good music, games, dance and food. The Master of Ceremony was very v...