Gerald D'Cunha

  “People inspire you, or they drain you. Pick them wisely.” Hans F. Hasen   I have, regularly, used the phrases - ‘toxic people’ or ‘a toxic person’. But, I have not so regularly paused to seriously ask - ‘Who are these?” Yes, who are toxic people? Who is a toxic person? And, just as I find someone toxic, do some find me toxic, too? Thus, labelling someone as ‘toxic’ may portray me as judgmental... You see, people behave differently to different people. I try to surround myself with those who lift up my positive spirit, and avoid surrounding myself with those who make me feel low, depressed and drained. We can easily come to know who inspire us, make us feel good about ourselves. Likewise, we can, also, easily come to know who drain us, make us feel low. Therefore, to me, whoever lifts my spirit up and makes me feel good about myself is a positive soul, and whoever dampens my spirit, makes me feel bad about myself, is a negative soul... and, when someone re...

  “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Abraham Lincoln   I PL games are thrillers, action-packed. But, what I am amused most about these games – oddly, you may say – is this concept of ‘Strategic Time Out’. Presently each side – the bowling and batting side – gets two-and-half minutes as STO to reformulate their strategy, mid-game. Fans may complain, saying it ruins the flow of the game… Critics may complain, saying that’s a smart way of generating more revenue from commercials. But, whoever says whatever, I think, in Life, everything that is fast and furious needs these priceless STO’s… As kids, we called them ‘Recesses’ in our school; didn’t we? The school life was a grueling one, right? Think of the concept of sleep, siesta, cat-naps and power-naps? What are all these for? Why are there retreats in every religion and culture? Why do people take breaks… go on a vacation? Life is hectic… Fast and furi...

  “Being grateful does not mean,   that everything is necessarily good; it just means, that you can accept it as a gift.” Roy T. Bennett L ate last night, a dear friend of mine shared a PDF file. It’s a beautifully-designed Soft-skills programme (Personality Development programme) for kids from Grades KG till 10 th . As I said, it’s a very attractive brochure, and, any parent would easily respond to it. My friend, who had shared it with me, was one my real well-wishers. His intention behind sending it to me, last night, was simple and clear: “You, too, should do something on this line during the Pandemic.” On this September 10, we (THE DAWN CLUB) completed 31 years. During these years, there was nothing, that I, along with my associates, have left undone as far as ‘Personality Development’ and ‘Soft Skills’ are concerned. We have reached out to thousands of little ones and young ones through our class-room sessions, out-door sessions, books and literature. And, t...

“Bless us O Lord and these Your gifts, which we are about to receive from Your bounty. Amen.” The Grace before meal I ncidentally, two of my friends called me, last evening… Both of them with contrasting reasons. And, let me tell you this, at the outset: I have no intention to judge them… They are my normal, good friends! The first friend wanted to check, if I had any ‘bottle’ to spare at home! He knew I was a teetotaler, but occasionally sipped some sweet port-wine (For that, this friend of mine, always teased me, calling me a ‘bachha’ who refused to come out of his playschool!). This brand-conscious friend of mine seemed desperate, yesterday, and said to me, “Friend, in this time, even your port-wine is scotch for me!” Well, I joked and rewound the famous Asrani dialogue from Sholay: “Jail me pistol?” … “ Mere ghar me bottle?” No way! The other friend wanted to know, if any help was needed for our maids. He and some...