Meena Mangalathil:

Today, my colleague and myself were talking of boarding life. You know, children being brought up in the boarding. Now its not in vogue. But in the 70s and 80s, most of the kids were in the boarding, including me. You know, the life is so pampered, with nothing to do, just learn, play, eat, sleep. No work at all. Our world, our life. Everyone have money. All needs fulfilled, everything. But there is one thing missing. We lose the freedom part. We can do everything, but in a framework, or else, you are out and my brother was so naughty, that he couldn't get a boarding. You might think, why he was naughty. Simple, he wanted the freedom of love. You know when we are with the parents, we do not need to look at rues, regulations and restrictions and that is what we call the freedom of love. But the current generation of parents, know it in full force and that is why, now-a-days, children are more at home and shoot the boarding. Now, there is a drawback which we parents are inculcati

That is a question I always ask, before I take a risk. You might think, why I ask such a weird question. Its simple. We should have something to lose, if you have a problem in taking risk, right? So putting a value to my existence, I would say zero and those goes to all living things on Earth. We all come to an end one time or other and we cannot take anything, not a single penny. Even our relationships. But there is one thing we take with us, our dreams, our actions, our reactions, which we had done in our lifetime to be passed on to the next life. These are all bank balances of our next life. If you do something good, then be sure, you have deposited a lump sum into your life account, which would give great dividends and that is what we should be worth. And the risk you take, should be for the good of others and for that you should love and respect yourself because, you do this for yourself. How come? When you do something good to others it naturally comes back to you. S

Today, it was the day of Mother Teresa, I feel because I happened to hear about her in two different places and the topic was the same. How she set out to help the poor with just Rs. 5/-. I really was awe struck of a lady, who single handedly threw out her safety and followed her call. You know, nuns have a call. Its the dialogue of all Christians, who are called for the church. Now, when this call comes. No one can control it. It so powerful that we just throw away whatever we have. In the New Testament too, there is a part where the disciples are being called by Jesus and they just drop their nets and boats and follow Jesus. This is what happens when the normal people who have the only source of hearing the call in churches, temples or mosques leave all the work and commitments, just to be with the Lord. In India, the parents, grandparents, they take their children, when they are small, along with them for worship. At that time, the children, gets the opportunity to have a walk

Do you know, that I had a problem. I couldn't remember anything. You know, we are all aware of lots of diseases, which causes this forgetfulness and my fear was for the worst, Alzheimers. And this fear was the small spark just to light the chain of fire crackers. I woke up in the middle of the night and started to rewind, what I had done the previous day, the name of the people, the dates, etc.....etc.... It was difficult, but I managed to scrape through some information, but still some were missing. Then I thought of an idea, why not write each and everything in a diary and the phone too. So that I don't forget what I had to remember. And I looked frequently into all the notes. It was a two month practice and I decided I am not going to allow my fears to overcome me and then I prayed, in the sense that I prayed literally. This I wanted to say because, sickness can catch up with anybody because, we have a physical body and there is always a cure for it. The only thing is

Today, I received the shock of my life, when one of my cousins openly acknowledged that he has lots of friends and they are friendly in every away, including sexual relationship. I really got stuck. He has reasons too. God has given a life to enjoy. We all die and at that time, all what we have will be gone. Even the beautiful would be deteriorated. Then why waste our beauty and opportunity. Hearing all these I just sat there open mouthed. I really didn’t expect him to be like that. I was very sad. What do you think? Are you of the same type? I do not want to criticise or advice you. Remember sexual relationship is not the root of happiness. It would bring the lightning sensation and that is finished for the time being and again after sometime, man would feel, it wasn’t sufficient and again the process starts. It brings a short term satisfaction, which is so short, that man would like to reliven the experience and for that he tries with other mates. But, there is one thing, which h

I am continuing with yesterday's blog, "The Joke Of Life". Now, what I have told about nothingness is true. Read the first chapter of Genesis in the Bible. There was nothing, no Universe or whatever we see now was there. It was total darkness. Then one by one, everything was created. How? By the word of God. For Hindus, they say Om (The Word). Which means, that the thoughts I went through was true. Every human being gets an opportunity to understand their root of existence. But we should have the antenna to receive it. I do not remember, my mom and myself having a long chat, but this situation rose because, it gave clarity to my existence. I had given meaning to the word of creation in another light, different angle. It might be right or wrong. But this one just clicked into place, which means, it is true. We might give reasons and explanation, but if we are not able to answer our own doubt, then what is the use of answering or explaining, the same thing to othe

Today, I do not know, but I had a weird sense of laughing out loud in the church. You might think, I have gone crazy. Yes, in a way. Yesterday, my mom and myself had a heart to heart talk, which brought something weird from it. She always quotes the Bible for each and every act. Though I'm not an expert, I too can stand up to her, for a shot or two. She was criticising me on something I did fifteen years before. So I replied, Mom, "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.(Luke 6:37) Immediately, my mother replied, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the

Today, I read a story about a man, who met with an accident. Before meeting with this accident, his situation was, he was angry because he had lost his promotion. He was fed up of his life. He was not able to keep up the expectation of his children or wife. But the moment, he met with an accident, he wished to live. Unfortunately, he got consciousness after 15 long years and sees, how his wife looked after him so devotedly, throughout these fifteen years and brought up his children single-handedly, married them off, etc..etc... The man try to recollect, how this all started and remembered the lost promotion and not able to be a good parent. He felt ashamed because his wife took care of everything without his promotion and with just his dead person. And they were happy to see him, conscious. They treated him so lovingly after this fifteen year toil. But there was a glitch in his consciousness, he would return back to the coma. So it was just a wish fulfilled, he had asked for. And it

How would you feel, when you have to carry a box full of goodies on your head. Its not easy. But if someone takes off some goodies from the very box which is still on your head, what will happen? Either it would shake and tend to fall, or it would literally fall on the floor breaking the box and the goodies. You might think, why I am saying all these. The box is your expectations, or our expectations. Its connected with people, which means, our expectation begins with people and ends with people. But there is a choice, you are creating that box. If you do not have that box of expectation, then we do not really need to rely on people. Then the chances of breaking that box is nil. Nobody has the power to break it, if we do not have any expectation in the first place. People, including us cannot fulfill the expectation of others. We would not be able to come up with their standards, then how can we expect others to fulfill our expectations. So don't ever make the mistake of cr

I do not know why, but I can't stand people criticizing others, whether, they are family or friends. Today, I literally shouted at y son, saying, "Just shut up and do not say a word against anybody. I really hate it. Do your duty and that's that. Never, ever make the mistake to talk to me like that. You know, we all have flaws and we are living in a society and not the life of a hermit. If it was a secluded life, we just have to tolerate only ourselves. But that is not what we are doing, we are facing the whole world. If you are planning not to live your life and find the mistake of others, then someone would throttle or stab you to death. Its your choice, whether you find fault for each and everything you have to face. We are here to make our self perfect, not others. Its time, we know, that finding fault with others does not make you perfect. It would highlight your flaws more, than we had bargained for. If you are planning to get the best bargain, then better criti

I do not know, whether you would believe it, but today one of my long forgotten wish was fulfilled. I wanted to visit an island, which was not very far away, but it was inaccessible to the local people. I could have created a circumstance and entered into this island. But, I had not taken the initiative and I had totally forgotten about it or I had lost interest in it. Today, I was forced to take a trip, if I had a choice, would have surely avoided. So I half heartedly started the trip in a lightweight boat, which was like a matchbox. It was a bit scaring as well as sea sickening experience. Since we didn't expect such a boat, we had to change boats in between and we embarked on a much more better boat in this island, which I thought, WoW. I just wanted to say is, if you wish for something, it will come to fruition, no matter, how much delayed it be. And you would have to fulfill all your wishes which you have wished, to take off from this world, or else, you would wait here.

I know, its not fair to say, but today I had the most incredible speech, which I rendered to my mother. It was the continuation of a dialogue, which I had told, to my friends, which my mother misinterpreted. I had a very pampered life, no work, only study, play, eat, sleep, pray. My hands and feet were always clean. I got to wear neat and wrinkle free dresses, rich toys, etc...etc... Because I was in the boarding. So whenever I have something to say, it would naturally be connected to my boarding life, which my mother feels, that I am criticizing her. So today, the same happened and I do not know, how I was able to get those words, correctly, but I did it, which made her happy. You might be impatient to know, what I said, right? "Meena, I really felt hurt, when you said that about me." "Mom, I would never criticize you for putting me in the boarding. You did me a great service. You made me a spiritual person and thank you so much. That life purified me a lot. Even i

Today, there was a christening, you know, the christians give their initiation to christianity through christening. The child is unaware of any such process, just the discomfort of having to be petted "Oh!!! Jooji Booji", Oh!!!! Nnnnnnuuu Nnnnnuuu", etc..etc.. by the whole lot of friends and relatives. But for the parents, it doesn't matter, because its a tradition passed on from generation. And the people who started, our forefathers, they knew one thing. If they hadn't take the initiative, then we would not be, what we are. People think and criticize, regarding initiating babies into a religion. They should be given the freedom to choose, what religion to take and all the reasons of not to initiate. I do not know, what would be your mentality. But I am on my ancestors side. Initiate immediately after birth. Can I ask a question? Why do our parents save money? Why do they build houses? Why do they give education, from when we are toddlers? Why do we tak

Today, I had a big talk, where we got to say about rebirth. I know, you might think it crazy and I have already spoken about it before. But I met a person, who told, she doesn't want to be born again. I was surprised because, in this day and age, no sane person would believe about rebirth and all. What do you think? Am I right? If I had not been insane, I would have been in that boat of non believers. But when you live with your heart, where you feel, when someone gets hurt or rejoice or cry, then you live with your heart and these people are not of the world. We can call them "Crazy". But believe me, they are the winners of life because, they have nothing to lose. They have everything to gain. A mother, who is a housewife, has nothing to give to her family, except her love, which would naturally be in the form of good food, clean dress, neat home and above all a shoulder to cry on. No financial perks. But all the family members comes to her and she is one hell of a p

Yesterday, while I was in the boat, I had a talk about being spiritual. When we say that word, the first thing that comes to mind is prayer or going to a place of worship regularly. Frankly speaking, are you sure, that these people are the people who are spiritual? I would say a big "No" . I have my reasons. The people who are regular pray people, who go to church and temple are a nightmare to deal with. They are inhuman, they are inconsiderate. They feel they are always right because, they have the added bonus of going to church daily and praying from dawn to dusk. But a normal person, who doesn't have nothing to hold on or no set of rules, have only . They bring out what is in them, their innate behaviour - humanity. You know, its the synonym of love. It comes from the very heart and the heart doesn't need any rules. The best of everything comes from the heart and the people who feel that they are right are always a calculating machines, which we could gu

Today, I had the opportunity to be a part of the crew, to visit the sunset and the heritage of Fort Cochin. I do not know, whether you would believe it, this is the second tine, I have been given this opportunity. The first, I skipped. I didn't feel like going. I gave 1001 reasons not to be there. But before long, the second landed on my lap, which I had no way of to say No. There is one thing, which we cannot miss here. What is for us, comes to us, no matter, how much we say " No ". When I was a kid, I have heard one of my friends grandpa saying that each grain of rice has a name written and that rice would be had only by that person and no one else would get it. At that time, I felt, that he might be joking. Just imagine a grain of rice with our name on it. But with this experience and several more, I knew, he really stated a fact. Even if we run behind any person or thing, if it is entitled to us, then, no matter, how much they try to stop coming, it would come t

Today, a most weird conversation took place at my home. A french lady was speaking about a dream she had. She dreamt, that she was in Paris and was surprised that she was in her hotel in India. So, I asked her, how she felt. "Did you feel sad or happy?" She replied, she didn't feel anything. But when she returns back to Paris, she would really have difficulty to change from Indian to Parisian. When I thought about it, I too had this problem, to adjust to the atmosphere, where we have been replanted. Everything in nature too have this problem, the plants, the stones, the animals. This situation is so precarious, that we would have a tendency to flee to our safe cocoon. But that is what we shouldn't do - flee. We are being replanted for a reason - to grow. When the child takes his first standing from the sitting position, it is a growing up and that continues with the first step, the first run. These stages are nail biting situation for the child. he might f

Have you ever been restless? I have been, several times, when I was a kid. Today I met a lady, who was restless. Her being, was deathlike, when I started speaking to her. She had lost hope, expectation. I could feel it, that I asked, "Are you OK?" She said, she was not feeling well. She was having fever and she was taking antibiotic, etc..etc... but we all know, how we feel when we are sick and otherwise. So I put the next question. "Are you happy?" Then the reply arrived, "I am restless. I really want to go from here. I have stayed too long here and there is no one to look forward to here. So I want to go." Here she has a reason for feeling restless, there is no one to say as her own, a person or persons to love her. Its innate. We all have it at one point or the other. But believe me, if you are searching for that one loving person or persons, then baby, you are doomed. You would never find it. You came alone to this world and you return alone

Today, it was not an easy day because, it was a holiday for me. You know, we tend to put loads of priorities on this day. And when all the activities take priority, we are doomed. But, have you ever thought, why we get a Sunday holiday or Friday holiday? To recharge our faculties. Its very very important. When God created this Universe, He took rest at the end of the week. So this holiday is our necessity and not a luxury. But how are we going to recharge ourselves? Eating, drinking, washing and watching movies. Right. ? But that is not what we should do. We are spiritual beings, we are not here to make ourselves smart and beautiful. We are here to become like God, to the level of God and how do we reach to that level? Through only one way can we reach that state and that is through love filled prayer. And for that, we should focus on the communication between us and God. Only then, we would get recharged. So from today, Sundays are here for a purpose fulfill that and

Today, during our family prayer, we have this Bible reading session too. So today, it was my turn to read. I got the part where St. Peter heals a lame man outside the temple. And this man had never gone until then inside that temple. It's really weird, isn't it? Because, we all go to the temple or any place of worship to fulfill our needs and the real gift is distributed outside it. When Jesus was alive, He too did the same. Why is it like that? Have you wondered? Well, I became aware of it today. There is a reason. People, who believe that they have not done any wrong in their eyes and in the eyes of the Lord are the people, who go to pray inside a place of worship and they are sure, they are entitled for a sack full of gifts. But for the people outside the place of worship knows for sure, that they are not eligible to be in the vicinity of the Divine and that is why, they stay out. But there lies the truth, no man is perfect. We all make several mistakes a day wit

I do not know, whether I should say this. But still I would like your comments on this. When we have a big fight, what is the protocol after it? Do you go and say sorry or weep your heart out or be angry with the opposite party? Well I didn't do any of the above. I do not know, how a fight ensues, but it happened and I too became a party - the center piece. Since age and experience was a plus points to my side, I tried not to bring anger after the biiiiiiiiiiig fight. There is one thing you should know, a clap could be heard only if we join two hands. A single hand cannot make a noise. So I put my mind in a blank state against the words and slanderings and decided to evaluate the reason for starting a fight. As I evaluated, I felt, I could have let a small issue pass by without getting hyped. But there are some things, which cannot be overlooked because it has been overlooked just for the cause of avoiding fights. But if we continue in that state, the other person would n

Anger is one thing, which is very difficult to control. But how does it come in the first place? Today I was so angry with my son, that I could have murdered him easily. Luckily, it didn’t happen. It was not easy. Usually, I do not get angry quickly. So when I had time to think, I asked, what made me so angry. The answer was simple, my son disobeyed me or I can put it as, he was not obeying me. Then I understood, the situation of God when He threw Adam and Eve out of Eden. How much hurt he might have felt because of this disobedience. We all are great people, as human beings, but we people feel, that we would never do wrong. That is where we do the mistake. It doesn’t end there. There is the blaming part too. When we find that we have made a mistake, we tend to blame others for our actions. Then be sure you’re doomed. We are people with limitation for sure, but disobedience can worsen our situation. Obedience can really smoothen our path. No parents want their children to fail in l

Yesterday, we were discussing that we do not have much to boast of. But have you ever thought, that human beings are the most perfect creatures in the whole of the Universe? I know you might have, but there is a very serious part. We have no role in making ourselves perfect. O. K. Who places a child in the womb of a mother? I don't know. Who decides whether it should be a boy or a girl? I don't know. Good, who decides, whether it should be a twin or a triplet? I don't know. And this child comes out to the world and grows grows to become a man or a woman and how does all the body parts come into existence both inside and outside their body? I don't know. Well, you can explain scientifically for sure, but the life part is still a mystery, as well as the death part too. Our body works so systematically and properly,that do you have any say in it? I hope not. Then what is there which we have created? Which we can say our own? Nothing, except som

Yesterday I told about the downfall of an over confident person. But today, I would like to say, that no matter, how much you have grown or developed physically, spiritually or scholastically, or successful, then you are wrong. Why don't you walk on the sea shore. What do you feel? Who are you? Do you feel like you are a great person? I don't think so. So if we do not have anything to boast of in front of the vast ocean or the sea, then the next option is humility. What does that mean? Simple, the belief, that you do not have anything to boast about. Humility is one trademark, we should cultivate in life. We can gain humility only if we know, how small we are with respect to the Universe we live in, not with the immediate surrounding or the people. I know its difficult to visualize our Universe, but when we stand on the seashore, or travel in air or water, we could feel the delicateness of our small existence, the simpleness of our knowledge. Its nothing, a zero, then w

Yesterday when I spoke of the Titanic - The Wrecked Ship. I felt sad. You know, such a master piece sunk so easily, without anything to hold on to. Don't misunderstand, I have seen the Titanic in a movie and not the real one. But we all know, that it was one of the great disasters in the history of mankind and it all happened because, the maker boasted of its strength, that " The Ship would never sink " And it sank in its maiden journey, simply like that. How can that be possible? Its simple, over confidence. If we are too confident of ourselves, we tend to overlook our flaws. That, is our downfall. There is one more perspective, overconfidence happens, when we have less exposure to the world. A frog in the well can have over confidence, but a frog in the ocean would never think of it. He is struggling keep his feet steady in the big waves of ocean. I wanted to make you aware that, if you are confident, then your downfall is imminent or else, you would be ob

I had written a very book for children, which for me was incomprehensible, which means, I couldn't understand anything or get connected to the story line. Do you know what that means? That I have still not yet become a writer. The two things that I forgot to add in my book was simplicity and innocence. So when I read that book I knew I had to dismantle it and start afresh. That is how the new book came into existence, "Why Should You Love Your Parents". This book is not a rewrite of the first book. Its only a small chapter of it - The Tip of the Iceberg In our life, we have loads and loads of things to learn and our lives are too small to learn everything. But have you ever thought, if we do not even try to teach ourselves even one thing in the basics of life, where will we end up? Simple, we would always be in the kindergarten of life making the same mistakes and going through the same experiences of life again and again. What a bore. We call it a moronic existence

The Flowers Bloom Flowers bloom early in the morning. But some bloom in the evening too. There are several flowers that bloom after several years.The beauty of the plant is in the bloom of the flower. They not only give color but also perfume to the nature around. Though the plant has life, the flowers don't have long life. Still it passes on a good memory to us all that life we have is to be shared and not to be kept in boxes. So you have a choice, either you open your heart and share your love or make yourself a bore. What do you think? Should we learn from nature or we just sit there idly without blooming at all like a flower? Anyway, the choice is yours. Hey Guys! its just a small thought to make our lives happily ever after. Just like the flowers, you have the choice to bloom at any time. So take it easy. See you tomorrow. Until then take care. Bye. Meena

I have always thought, how would we fare in life without a because. But do you know this word is a small spark which can ignite a big explosion? Its simple, when we make a mistake, we have a reason, that's for sure. So we start to get into the very depth of the cause of our mistake and it would surely be not us then naturally the first word that comes out of our mouth is 'because'. The first 'because' makes the other person feel a negativity over us and the next 'because' would make him grind his teeth and the third one a tight fist and the fourth one a smash which would have a negative impact in our life. So what do you think? Is because, good for any cause? A lawyer can use it without chaste A student with lightning haste But the lesser mortals like us, Are better off without the lot. See you tomorrow, Until then take care, Bye. Meena

Today, I was not keeping well, with high temperature, I thought I would skip today's blog. But then I knew,I should continue what I have started till this year end. So the next best quality a man should gain is perseverance. To be able to last till the very end, whether it is word or action. For those people, the inner power would guide them to success more than the weak willed because without that power, we all are zero. Want to bet? So Just think, what type of person you are and do the necessary changes until you become resilient. See you tomorrow. Until then take care, Bye. Meena

The next best thing I learned from my friend is, never expect anything from human beings. Its not their fault, they are imperfect in the physical sense, which naturally transmits through their thoughts, words and actions. But the eventual heart break is very drastic. If you want to avoid the last part - the heartbreak part. Then you should abstain from attachment. When we are attached to something or someone, we expect a lot from them or from it. And that creates heart break and we are not here to waste time breaking our hearts. Breaking, joining and healing is along process. Sometimes it takes a lifetime. The owner of the monument Taj Mahal in Agra was so obsessed with his wife, that he was a living dead after her death. And he was like that until his death. I know you would say,it is sad. But I was thinking about his obsession that he forgot to live. There are some people who would get mental imbalance or sometimes commit suicide because of his obsession. This is a very v

There are many things I learned from my friend. One thing is, we have no control of our life. Yes, we can make choices, but the outcome is not in our hands. In the case of my friend, she had no money, no certificates, no family and still found a great job, a very good and safe place to live. She was accepted into that life within no time. In a human calculation, this situation is usually concluded as a losing game. Its a lost cause situation. But look at the outcome. This I said it because, don't ever think of losing hope. It is that hope and that faith in some power, which I call God can really give you a successful outcome. Believe me, that is the only planning that is the only necessity, we need in life, faith and hope. I will conclude this with the Bible verse: Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow, or reap or store away in barns, yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? See you tomorrow. Until then take care, Bye