Gerald D'Cunha

Pic.: Vinita Mantri Gopal Young Murph : Dad, why did you and mom name me after something that's bad? Cooper : Well, we didn't. Young Murph : Murphy's Law? Cooper : Murphy's Law doesn't mean that something bad will happen. It means that whatever can happen, will happen. N o matter I much I write every day – yes, on being positive in life – belly-laughing doesn’t come to me easily. Tension does. Worry does. Fear does… “Come on Gerry,” I hear some of you telling me already, “don’t’ tell me that!” My friend, I am telling you exactly that… That, I write everyday this stuff – on being positive, productive, good and giving in life – just because I want to beat my own blues all the time… Not only the blues, the blacks, the grays, the greens and those reds, too… God alone knows from which land do they come to tense my muscles, numb my heart and take the laughter out of my soul… I panic easily… and, I am telling you ...

Pic.: Chetna Shetty W hen I was preparing for my tenth-standard exams, back in my hometown, Mangalore, I remember studying at my favorite spot at home. It was just behind our house, under the large tamarind tree... I would spread a mat there, on the ground, and do my studies... For me, it was simply an inspiring spot! While in college, I remember going to a beautiful hill called Hat Hill.  I would sit there, beneath the breezy cashew-nut trees, and study along with one or two of my friends. The ambience was simply serene and energizing! Here in Mumbai, in my early years, I remember sitting alone, or with a couple of my friends, in quiet locations, such as lush lawns or at corners of large play-grounds... As little children played in the distance, and as elderly relaxed on the benches, I would stretch myself on the green patches and soak myself in Nature’s inspiration! My office, here – from where I write now - is one such place. If you see ar...

They say, "The calmness of the ocean depends on its depth." That's why, the ocean is so restless near the shore. It is, always, the periphery, the shallow shore, that is restless, agitated. This morning, my wife said something, and I flared up. The fume lasted for, almost, an hour... But, now, the ship has moved much away from the shore ... The waters are still here; there is calm. The READER'S DIGEST has sent me a small book as a gift for renewing my annual subscription. It is titled: "HOW TO WIN ANY ARGUMENT".(Publisher: JAICO BOOKS.) The author, Mr. Robert Mayer, has given the sub-title as: 'Don't raise your voice, lose your cool or come to blows.' Well, except for the blows, everything else happened, this morning! So, I thought, I would read the book again. And, Lo! This little phrase stood out: 'THE STILL CENTER'! Mr. Mayer extensively quotes ancient Masters from the East - the Indian, Japanese and Chinese. One of the quotes is of Th...