Gerald D'Cunha

  “You shouldn’t expect to grow on compliments alone.” Ojingiri Hannah   T hey say, the ‘Magic Mirror’ on the wall, made popular in the endearing fable ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’, keeps shifting its position… Sometimes, it rests on the wall; sometimes, on a high stand; and, yes, at other times, it rests even closer to the eyes – in the hand! Where does the Magic Mirror rest? It’s not important. Whether it exists or not – yes, that’s important. Do we all like to look in our own Magic Mirrors – over and over and over again – and ask, “Tell me mirror, who is the fairest one of all?” If not like that, “Magic Mirror, tell me, am I the fairest of all?” If not even like that, “Mirror in my hand, mirror in my hand, tell me, if I am as fair as them?” Ah! That Magic Mirror! T he need to be complimented runs deep in our DNA. The depth may differ… And, our admission and the denial of this need – both may differ from person to person. For example, I don’t like to take ...

"And no one will listen to us until we listen to ourselves.” -       Marienne Williamson O ne reason why I took up teaching was to overcome my shyness and stage fear. The same was the reason why I started THE DAWN CLUB and have spent about three decades helping little ones and young ones to overcome their shyness and stage fear… I still teach… I still help… yes, for the same reason. What is the use of our education if we are not able to face our own fear of speaking in public? I haven’t overcome my own shyness and fear fully… I still feel nervous and anxious. But, that very state keeps me alive and going! A greater section of mankind has the fear of stage. The ones who don’t have it… well, I consider them, really, fortunate! I am nor a psychologist. Hence, I will not speak from that perspective… I will speak from my own experience and struggle. I had a childhood - and, particularly, youth ...