Meena Mangalathil:

Since the beginning, trees have furnished us with two of life's essentials, food and oxygen. As we evolved, they provided additional necessities such as shelter, medicine, and tools. Today, their value continues to increase and more benefits of trees are being discovered as their role expands. Trees reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate the effects of climate change; trees increase biodiversity essential to human existence; trees store and purify water for agriculture and drinking; trees provide us with food, medicines and other forest produce; and trees beautify our surroundings. Ecological and Environmental Value Trees contribute to their environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, climate amelioration, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife. During the process of photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide and produce the oxygen we breathe. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, "One acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon d...

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...

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

Its a question asked several times in our life times, when we are in tears. But have you really got the answer? Its actually like asking, why do you sow a seed? You might able to answer that, right? Yes, to create more plants of the same type, ultimately creating fruits and more seeds. Likewise, we are born to create more souls like us for that we will have to bring out the very best in ourselves and we in the process, become non existent, just like the sown seed, decay and become a big tree with lots of fruits, where birds, people,children, etc. can feed freely and the birds can make nests too. That is why we are here, for others, not for ourselves, then we would gain our goal, to be a zero for that we have to be more perfect creating more perfect souls. With all the circumstances attached, it is a Hereculean task, but if you are able to bring out the best in you even in these difficult times, then you have reached your goal, just like Jesus. But I quoted Jesus, so that you re...

A day comes and the day goes and again it comes and goes and we living in it, for how long? This thought comes when we grow big, as we step into the throes of oldage. But that thought doesn't even enter into a child, even for a single moment, why? Where did we gain, this attitude? Any idea, guys? Well, I too am not sure, but, as we go into the attitude, we know, that it is caused because of hopelessness of the situation being lived, what do you think, am I right? But what causes this hopelessness. You enjoyed life, when you were young and had more than your share of the best, bold and risky experience and then, you start becoming old and your mind reined you, saying, ' Hey mr or ms or mrs. Whatever, what do you think your age is and that restrained you from taking risks or living life. Hey guys I too am not young, but, that doesn't mean, that I have done something great, no nothing of much significance. I am basically a zero person, so I am a worthless person in al...

Day before yesterday, I had to collect a money, which in normal circumstance, I'd forefeit than face those people.  The money was an advance given for a house. My cousin told them, he doesn't want the house, so he asked to refund the advance amount. The owners were so angry, that they started talking vulgarily and they promised to refund it the very day. For that, I had to go. Just imagine, my fear. I really hate fights and especially verbal assaults. But what to do, I had to go there. I went like the sacrificial lamb, ready to be slaughtered. But the reception they gave me was simply astounding. They spoke so lovingky and really wished that we had not cancelled this deal. But still, they were gave suggestions and how to search for homes and also offered me tea. Then I had this eery feeling, whether,  my cousin heard them right or not, but, its true, he heard the worst I got the best deal. But that doesn't mean, that I was good looking or spoke sense. Its because I had a l...

Today I felt very sad, because, my mom looked a little lost. You might ask, what so big deal about that. Well, her's is a well planned life. She knows, at what time to wake up, what prayers to say, which mass to go, which food to eat, where to go on which day, how much to give for charity, etc..etc.. But now, I came to look after her, when she fell sick and a month went haywire, then my son is always at logger heads with her. He a nineth kid, who is trying to flex his wings with his new found ideas and notions of teenage and my mom clipping it before it tries to flutter. And I in the middle, making my son to hush. Can I ask you guys a question, which side should I stay, my mother's or my son's because both sides are correct in their sense. Anyway, this ritual started from the day my son started to go to school after this summer vacation and it was a nightmare for me. So what I did, I have this habit of getting into the cocoon of my soul, where I chat with God. So...

How do you feel, when a long pending work is completed? Relieved,  right. That is what I felt today, Relief. You know, Whatever the job you are in, this word has more importance than any other word. Don't you think? Its like releasing the air from the balloon and when the air goes, the dance of the balloon is what we feel to do. If we do not have that feeling in life, then what would be the life of us? A nightmare, isn't it. That would be bad for our health and also to our heart. Its like we cannot find an ending to any situation. But the funny part is, in real life, we are in this situation.  For example, our great grand fathers went to school, they tried to scoot class and olay pranks on teachers, etc,. Then our grand fathers did the same and then our fathers and then we did it which again was continued by our children, our grand children. You might ask, how come, I'm so sure of it. Well, with just one simple dialogue, passed on through our forefathers,...

Today I was searching for a rented house, the broker took me several houses, big small, spacious, congested, but one thing that stuck me was, the time to decide, these guys wanted to know, then and there itself, whether  I was willing to take the house, but unfortunately, I really hated to say it on his face, that I didn't like it. But you might think, why I didn't like it. It was simple Most of them were dirty. In some places, I didn't even feel like getting in, then I knew, how much big a role cleanliness plays in our life. Yes its true, you might think foolish. For example, after bath, how do you feel? Refreshed right? And believe it, the people near you too feels your freshness, they feel like being with you. But on the other hand, if you have not taken bath for two days, how would you feel? I know you won't feel anything because you have the guts to stay without bath for two daysbut for others you are a stinker and not only that, they would run away ...

You know guys, I always liked to dream. Thinking of what lay in store, etc..etc. But the funny part is, it happens only during study time or prayer time or when the power fails and it starts from my own room or wherever I am, it goes sky high or sometimes round the world and in the end my mind returns to the place I started the dream. So now where am I? Exactly, in square one, which means, in the starting line of a dream? Do you know what I learned from the dream? Don't just dream away your life,  work on it and that too very hard, and pray for its success, only then, you can give company to your dream. You might think, why we need to pray. Do you know, when someone is very fortunate we say, ooh, he's lucky, when a batsman can score a hundred, he is lucky, when a bowler can get hatrick, we say he is lucky, this lucky part we get from prayer because it is God's grace. And I for one believe in God's grace. Today I was watching Master Chef programme on television ...

Rafael, why is it that we are like trees? Nature, is our users manual, which shows how we should live, and the tree is the pictorial representation or we can say real life representation, now we learned, the importance of sun for the survival of plants and be sure, that the plant have no choice, because its a necessity, without sun, it will not live. We too have a necessity, a necessity for survival, not by food or water, but by our inner light, without that we would be lost. Now the next quality of tree, which is very important for its survival is, steadfast commitment to the soil. What does that mean Rafael? First and foremost, it stays true to the soil whicg gave place for its survival and even after death, it would hold steadily the soil together and give the very last of its very being to its creator, the soil, which means, we should have a commitment to our creator, that too an unwavering commitment. We are not the owners of our being, it has to return back to the cr...

Man is created like a tree. Rafael,  are you kidding? No, its a fact, but the only difference is, the tree should be upside down, to become a man. But that's weird Rafael,  how can that be possible? Well, take our hair, it looks like the root of the tree, our hands and legs, looks like the, Branches? Yes, Branches And what looks like leaves? Well physically nothing because itsthe power house of the tree, which becomes our internal organs, but still we have the respiratory, digestive, circulatory, etc systems. The best thing Ifelt awed was, there are two main outlets and inlets, one is the leaves, that would come to the whole tree above the ground and the other part is the root,  which completely lies under the ground which cannot be seen and our body too has the same system, the eyes, ears, nose, skin, mouth, etc are a sort of both outlet and inlet, which can be seen, while the outlet and inlet of our internal organs are inside the body, which cannot be s...

"Rafael, which is the best job, which has more scope now-a-days? One of my cousins is sure what he wants, but his parents are knocking all doors and windows, to know the scope of each job." "But that's bad on your cousin Mark, why can't the parents understand, what he likes?" "Children, don't criticize your parents, they think only of your future, after 10 years, they should ensure, their children, would be able to sustain themselves and not have to extend their hand for help. Now you feel unfair because, they study the pros and cons of this decision. But if they do not check it now, then you would feel the unfairness after 10 years, so which is best?" "Now is better." "Good, but you can give them the confidence of your choice." "Really!!!! How?" "Remember, the perfection of the job, is what bring success to the profession, even if you are a sweeper, no matter, how many people move around the plac...

"Hi Rafael,  today I got mu results. " "Well,  that's great news, congratulations." "But Rafael,  you didn't ask whether I passed or not." "Its not necessary to pass or fail, now you are entering the next phase of life, whether you like it or not, you are there and I'm glad, you have reached here safely Ajay. Now you would have added responsibility of making decisions and if it backfires, then you are held responsible, if your choice was right, the praise would also be yours, in this phase, you have many experiences and with that, many friends and foes and a lot of explanations, etc..." "Yes Rafael,  I'm aware of it because my mom had already asked me to decide which subject to take two years back. She had asked me to put three choices and not to put too much heart on the first choice alone." "Why did she say like that? Do you have any idea?" "Yes guys, she told,  if by any chance, we miss on ...

"Rafael,  today it was really windy, wasn't it? I thought it'd rain, but the wind took away the clouds. " all nodded. "Yes Mark,  I had some casualties in my garden,  some branches were downed by the wind and all the plants have been shaken to the very root. Now it takes time to get back to normal, anyway, the vigour with which it was growing,  might not be revived but still,  it would grow just fine, anyway, the next time, when a storm comes by, it'd be much more prepared. " all nodded. Oh!!! That' terrible Rafael,  your garden was so beautiful,  the trees were the show pieces (all nodded) Yes, but what can we do, we cannot control the wind, well for that matter, when nature is hell bent to make such havoc, we just have to wait to let it do the damage. But that's unfair Rafael There is nothing unfair,  Monica, the nature is our own extension. What does that mean Rafael? Now look at the storm, it really messed lots of gardens and t...

"Rafael, today I happened to hear a sermon on television, it was about God naturally, but what got my attention was, the priest spoke, 'People search God,  when they have no hope of survival,  when he is in the deepest of gorges.' But,  I don't understand how does man know where to go, when he himself has not seen God? " "Great question Rebecca,  what does birds do, when the sun starts to set?" "Return to the nest, naturally." "Yes you're right, but how would they know where the nest is, when there are so many trees of the same type and so , many nests?" "Well, I don't know." "Yes, its complicated to answer. But one thing we know for sure, that it surely reaches and stays in its own nest, that means, it has a homing device inbuilt in it. Now for babies, they immediately recognize its mother, in a maze of other faces, how?" "The same homing device. " "Yes, Just like that, even i...

"Rafael,  our headmistress retired. She was our Chemistry teacher. She was very kind and very loving too. The whole school were crying when she bade farewell.  Why should it be sad, when we seperate from our loved ones?" "I am sorry to hear, that a good teacher retired because of age. But still you people should feel lucky, that you have had first hand experience of a good teacher,  just think of the students who are now planning to join school?" "Yes its true Rafael,  they're really unlucky on that score.  But still,  why are we so sad, heartbroken?" "Any relationship tthat's been joined with love cannot be broken,  even after years of seperation, we do have fond thoughts of them, the hurt part comes, when our mind takes over and sows the seed of fear, whispering to our intelligence,  if she goes, you would feel alone,  the person replacing her can be a militant matron, thus bringing a sense of hurt, loss and loneliness, making it a f...

"But Rafael, even though Jesus sweat blood, he had to die on the cross, then we too have to go through that, isn't it? the consequences of forgiveness, loving and caring?" "Love is an unconditional and sometimes non rewarding too and mostly it would really hurt, I remember a mother, who loved his son so much, that she used to fulfill every whim and fancy of his and along with it, she tried to give him a very education, but since she was a government employee, she used to get transfer now and then. So she decided to put her son in the boarding. But the son was very very angry. When the mother became old, he harassed her, saying, you were not there to love me, so why should I love you. Until, the son, started earning on his own, it was the mother, who spent money for his expensive day to day activities, but now, the mother has to work in her own house as servant to earn her keep. So where is love here?" "Ohhh its so sad." "That is what we say ...

"Children,  the only rule in the religion of love is,  'Love thy Neighbours as thy Self'. "Rafael, I just wanted to ask a question" "Fire away Raj." " You said the life of Jesus was role model for us, how to overcome our different life situation, which life situation which Jesus overcame touched you most, Rafael?" "Good question Mark,  the act that touched me is, 'sweating blood'. "Ouch,  that's indeed a touching situation. Its true Rafael.  But,  why did you get attracted to that specific situation? " "Once when I was young,  one of my rivals, poured ink on my home work,  I felt so angry,  that I really felt like smashing his face,  but I knew it was wrong and it would lead to more enemity. So I tried to control my fury,  by clenching my hands to fists,  grinding my teeth,  so that I don't utter a single word, which I would regret later and shut my eyes and took a deep breath,  at that time, I ...

"But Rafael,  you itself told me that God Created Jesus from His very soul, then how come, God and Jesus have any difference?" "Yes there is a very big difference Monica." "But how come this difference arrived?" "God, is complete soul, full of love. But Jesus along with the God soul has the physical body of human beings, which pulls him away from being with God or like God." "Ooooh that means, its like evil, the devil which takes us away from God, isn't it Rafael?" "Yes, exactly, both good and evil are within us children and what you choose to do is what comes out of us." All nodded. "But Rafael, there is one thing I do not understand, the teachers or the priests, who leads the people to christianity does wrong, then how will we feel to follow them?" "Never ever judge others by their action because, as I told you, when we are covered with the physical human body you make lots and loads of mist...