Gerald D'Cunha

In November, 2008, when President Barack Obama was first elected to the US Presidential office, I was so moved by the mystique-clothed-in-simplicity of this lean and dark man – who came about more as someone who stood next to you in our crowded locals – I couldn’t hold back my tears. “Hey, that’s what the American Dream all about… That’s what determination, vision and hope all about… That’s what values and simplicity, grace and greatness all about…” I found telling myself, repeatedly. I found incredible strength in my soul to keep believing in the goodness of life… in Godliness of people… I began to dream and hope, all over again. I began to cry! That morning – on November 6, 2008 – I had published this Post: WHY DID I CRY, TODAY?    It happens, sometimes, when I read about Christ's life. Or, about the lives of my other heroes - Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr. Either I experience goose-pimples, all over my body… or, I simply cry!   I...

Just a while ago, Seema Iyer, a dear old-student of mine, who now lives with her wonderful family in North India, posted this comment on my yesterday’s Post: “You put to words what most of us think, feel, experience... You have talent Gerry sir... keep it flowing!” So, when my dear student wrote on my Time-line, from miles afar, that I have talent, how did I feel?   No matter how simple and humble I try to project myself to be before this world, the truth – which I can not hide from me, at least – is this: I felt like a mighty eagle! Didn’t I know my own talent? There was a time, I didn’t.  It was only when some wonderful people, like now Seema, came around me to remind me of it, that I actually began to believe in my own hidden talent…my special God-given gift, my endowment. Yes, yes, we need people like Seema around us – all along our way – to keep reminding us about our hidden strengths and talents… We...

“When one door slams, another door opens; But, the sound of the door slammed is so loud, That we fail to hear The gentle whispers of the door that opens.”   Helen Keller was blind, deaf and dumb.  Imagine what I just said: Helen Keller was BLIND, DEAF and DUMB! Yes, to experience her world, we have to be in it. It is ‘Black’! So, if I tell you, “My friend, don’t lose faith, there is a place for each one of us in this world… Keep hope, keep trusting… and, keep aiming high,” it will not move you… Because, I am not blind, I am not deaf and I am not dumb. My world is not ‘Black’… Helen Keller’s was… Thus, when Mrs. Keller tells you, “My friend, don’t go by the loud sound of the door that slams… go by the gentle whispers of the door that opens… Trust, see hope, get up and try again… There is a tomorrow, there is a future,”… Yes, when she tells you this, there is a different power, different beauty. When I had first come...