Reliving my Past!

Photo by  Maria Dorothy David

I am attending a National Seminar on Counseling, from 27 September, 1^st October, 2014 at St Francis Degree College, Hyderabad. The very first day I stepped into the college, I felt so happy to come to a place where I spent 3 years doing my degree.

I was filled with so much gratitude, as my visit brought in lovely memories of my college days, the classrooms, the library that is now become a seminar hall, the canteen place has now become American corner. The rocks have been broken and huge buildings have been expanded, and additional courses have been added.

The front door and the pillars remain the same.  I stood still for some time at the reception, to look at the mini portico in the centre of the building, where I attended the convocation, and got my degree. Now a small grotto is added in one corner.

I remembered al l my teachers, my gurus who taught me history, political science, public administration, the language teachers, both English and Hindi, an overwhelming happiness for my past, filled me with joy and my heart started thanking all these lovely people who gave me knowledge, and skill and equipped me with the required courage to move on, and never give up easily in life.

I looked for the place, where me and my friends played throw ball in the evening hours, I did not find the ground, the siren of the train reminded me, about our lunch time where we used to sit and eat together, whatever we brought from our homes, sharing and exchanging tiffin boxes, creating silly jokes and watch the trains pass by every day.

Photo by Maria Dorothy David

So much has changed; and I am happy that once upon a time, I was here and I utilized every opportunity given to me to study, play, read, participate in all the activities – my favourite was always the NSS (National Service Scheme that took us everywhere in the city and also beyond the city.  I loved the trips to Warangal, where helped in laying roads, planted trees at Osmania University, taught kids at kundenbagh slums involving ourselves in the literacy programme every Saturday after college hours.

The retreats were the best, because we stayed there 3 full days in the college, used to have a lot of fun, sleeping in the huge hall, telling all kinds of stories in the night, and waking up early for prayer, attending all the sessions, listening to the preacher, involve in the exercises of understanding scripture (Bible) learning to interpret and integrate the learning in our lives.  Learning new songs together with our peers, doing the action songs brought so much thrill and helped us form good friends for life.

I am reliving my past with gratitude, and it’s a joyful experience to move on with gratitude!!!

Be Blessed & Be Happy !



International Day of Peace !

September 21, 2014 is the international Peace day!

I along with my family was invited for a celebration at the University, wherein people  from varied background came together to participate and share the message of peace.

There were many who shared what peace meant for each of them.  The most important aspect was that everyone felt that peace always begins from within ourselves, when we are at peace, we bring in peace in our family, in the community we live, and also influence the world at large.

There was a video presentation of Prem Rawat, who shared the message of peace; love this quote below:

free images and quotes  Google.com

I recall and remember St Francis of Assisi who believed that nature itself was the mirror of God.  He called all creatures his “brothers” and “sisters” and even preached to the birds.  In his “Canticle of the Creatures” he mentioned the “Brother Sun” and “Sister Moon”.  

http://www.catholic.org

There is famous story Francis preached to hundreds of birds about being thankful to God for their wonderful clothes, for their independence, and for God’s care.  The story tells us the birds stood still as he walked among them, only flying off when he said they could leave.

The most popular prayer of St Francis, which is also sung in all the churches, is “Make me a Channel of your peace……..the lyrics are very inspiring and meaningful. This was one of my favourite hymn in school and also college.

Make me a channel of your peace 

Where there is hatred, let me bring love

where there is injury pardon lord

and where there's doubt true faith in you.

Ch: O master grant that I may never seek

so much to be consoled to console

to be understood as to understand

to be loved as to love with all my soul.

where there's despair in life, 

let me bring hope

where there is darkness, only light

and where there's sadness, ever joy

Make me a channel of your peace

It is in pardoning that we are pardon

In giving to all men that we receive

And in dying that we are born to eternal life.

May we be messengers of peace !

Teacher’s Day!

courtesy free  images from Google

This day was very meaningful to me, the reason being that the celebration was done in my work place, which I am part of and as a part of the celebration; 4 generations of teachers were honored.  It was a beautiful sight and also overwhelming response to see the great grand teachers returning to the university, and inspiring the students.

As I sat down and listened to them, so many images of my own teachers came to my mind, and filled me with gratitude, whatever I am today in my life, I owe a lot to all those teachers who have mentored me; who have been my guide; my help; my guru. 

I recalled my school days, the teachers who made such an impact on my life, with not only giving knowledge but also by being kind and gentle, taught me to smile at all times, to fight and never give up easily but work hard in reaching the goal.

courtesy free images from Google

In college, my life was so different, a mix of emotions happy and sad, there were restrictions as well as freedom; there were friends to motivate; dreams to achieve and faith to pursue and persist. The best part was the teachers who were always supportive, encouraging, teaching and instilling and inspiring me to believe in myself, to initiative, participate and be of service.

I feel so blessed to have so many teachers in my life, who came into my life at various times and taught me lessons that otherwise I would not have learnt, my teachers came in the form of friends, spiritual guides, gurus who lead to look into myself and challenged me to take the inward journey. 

Today I want acknowledge them in my life, and say a big “THANKS” I have learnt so much, and continue to learn even now… I have become a perpetual learner paying forward whatever I have received in life.

My love and prayers for all my teachers!