Gerald D'Cunha

I t was a busy narrow-street. On both sides of the street, there was hardly any space left for people to walk. Everyone was maneuvering his way through the chaos, and so was I. Just then, a friend of mine, who happened to pass by on his motor bike, sighted me… He spontaneously parked his bike on the side and crossed over to my side to talk to me. Even before I could remind him to park the bike little away, where there was some open space, the motorist behind him yelled, “Akkal nahin hai kya?” I instinctively knew it would provoke my friend… Yes, it did. “Tameez se baat karo,” my friend pointed his index finger. “Gaadi hatao ,” the motorist screamed… “Nahin hataunga,” my friend challenged. By then, the motorists from all sides were honking incessantly… I pressed my friend’s hand and gently whispered, “Let’s take your bike a little ahead and talk… It’s better for all of us.” Luckily, my friend did not show any resistance… He crossed ove...

“You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can't control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.” ―  Marcus Aurelius ,  Meditations T he ability to remain calm and composed in all situations in life is called ‘Equanimity’. Well, I have a long way to go before I can reach there! But, I am trying my best… Along my way to this place called ‘equanimity’, I have recognized some of my roadblocks… At times, I tend to take others’ problems on my shoulders… At times, I worry about ‘outside situations’ which are beyond my control – wars, earthquakes, plane crash, hurricanes, riots, gang rapes and gang wars, elections, political and religious discord… At times, I take praise to my head and abuse to my heart… I take them personally… At times, I fall prey to propaganda… It makes me take sides, become biased...

M any years ago, a 17-year-old girl was speaking in one of our Public-speaking sessions. She hailed from a family that ran one of the well-known hospitals in Mumbai. So, while introducing her, I, unwittingly, made a remark without a hint about what I would have to hear after that. I said to the audience, “They own one of the top hospitals.” The girl felt a lot embarrassed on hearing my words, “No sir… That’s my dad’s hospital. I have to earn my own place.” Mr. Ramakrishnan, our senior trainer, was so impressed by what he had just heard, he asked the audience to give her a standing ovation… The girl was even more embarrassed… When the ovation ended and all sat down, she said with equal grace and confidence, “I would rather earn a standing ovation for my speech than for that one remark I just made.” I do not know where this girl – now, a full-grown lady – today is… But, I do know this: wherever she is, she must have earned her own place und...

I don’t watch tennis matches much. But, I get inspired by the great tennis legends a lot. True to what I said, I did not watch yesterday’s Wimbledon Finals between Roger Federer and Marin Cilic… but, I have been hugely inspired by Roger Federer on winning his eighth Wimbledon title, which makes it his nineteenth Grand Slam… Nobody in tennis history has done it so big and at such advanced age… Federer has done it at 36! I don’t understand a lot about the tennis game. But, that doesn’t prevent me from admiring its legends… I grew up admiring Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe… These legends were two of a kind – extremely opposites in their temperaments… Bjorn Borg looked like a sage, full of poise… while John McEnroe looked like a volcano, full of lava! But, I loved them both… The same way, there were these two women legends… Chris Evert Lloyd and Martina Navratilova… completely with contrast temperaments… Chris was beautiful and serene… Matina was manly and aggressive…...

Pic.: Chetna Shetty Y ears ago, when I had decided to do something about my poor English, one of the things I did – and found very effective – was telling a nice story in two tenses… the Present and the Past. Over the years, I have helped hundreds of people, who were earnest about improving their English, with the same method… Yes, write a nice story down in both the tenses… and, then, tell it to someone… I had first come across this mystical (Chinese) story in Fr. Anthony de Mello’s book – ‘THE SONG OF THE BIRDS’. Reportedly, this story used to be the late Jesuit’s most favourite story. I have shared it in my training sessions and Blog umpteen times… It is simply timeless… a classic. Yes, it is my favourite, too… GOOD LUCK OR BAD LUCK… WHO KNOWS? PAST: T here lived, in a Chinese village, a wise old-man. He had a great horse and everyone in the village thought that the old man was the most fortunate one.  Then, one day, the horse fled in...

Pic.: Anima D'Cunha GIVEN THE SPIRITUAL UPBRINGING, I HAVE STRONG FAITH IN POWERS THAT GUIDE US AND GUARD US - Jayapraksh Rajangam (Chartered Accountant/Consultant/Speaker) C onfidence is a chosen state of mind. Hence, it is an attribute which needs to be cultivated. For confidence to build, it requires continuous and conscious efforts. When Gerry approached me and asked me to share my thoughts on the topic - “What makes me confident”, it set off a process of introspection. “Am I confident?” There are so many doubts, apprehensions and inhibitions which cloud my mind about every aspect of life. In this background, I am still perceived as ‘confident’ by Gerry.  Introspection over couple of days led me to the realization that the confidence I exude is attributable to the fact that I am ‘FIT’ - Faith, Intent and Trust. Couple of lines will elaborate the ‘FIT’ principle. Given the spiritual upbringing, I have strong faith in p...

Pic.; Aparna Khanolkar Sheth W hile Kannan was paying, yesterday, his monthly fees to our Tai Chi teacher, I couldn’t resist from asking our teacher a question, which I have been wanting to ask him for a long time: “Sir, how do you remember who has paid you and who hasn’t?” Our teacher never ever bothered to remind us about the fees… We paid on any date we liked… and, he accepted it, gracefully, without noting down anywhere… Our teacher only smiled… and, that, I knew, was the answer! But, then, I had one more question, which I had been holding back for quite some time. “Sir, how come the ‘number’ doesn’t affect you?” “The number?” the teacher wanted to know what I meant by it. “Sir, I have watched you conduct the class with equal poise, focus and commitment whether, on a particular Sunday, we are four or forty in number… I have never heard you complain about it… Many of them, who you help with such attention, do not turn up after a session or...