Something to revitalize...

all of us over 60...

Workers in the US retire on average at the age of 61.

At 67, it would seem that Janet Yellen is just getting started. (BBC News Business)

Isn't that just fantastic? Great encouragement for those who want to drop off the road of life and hide away...

The best thing is that...

every morning is a new beginning....

every morning we can start our life afresh.....

every morning we get to work on a new page...

every morning is the first day of the rest of our life...

What has gone before is of no consequence, so don't wast precious moments thinking of yesterday, or all the other yesterdays....think only of today....

The best thing is that if you fail....never mind...don't beat yourself up....for tomorrow you will get a chance at a new beginning again....All you have to do is to give today your best shot...

Unwittingly...

your parents would have passed on their hurts and prejudices to you....Comes a point in time in your own adult life when you realize that you are reacting unreasonably to some things - you are, in fact, reacting the way they do, but out of the context in which they reacted to those things. Think....for we live in an age where a great deal of knowledge is easily available via the Net on every subject. There is a lot of emphasis on right thinking....thinking that will help you lead a happy and fulfilling life (and by happiness I don't mean the he he ho ho variety of happiness, but that deep feeling of contentment that fills and warms your being)...and thinking that will bring peace of mind...

Then, discard those ways that have been handed down and that you have been blindly following, for they will only bring you grief....worse and worser...they will twist your mind into something which is not your own unique self.

Don't blame your parents....it is very easy to do so....for in all possibility they too were carrying on what was passed on to them without examining them...In your life you can examine and discard what is hurting you or blocking the real you, and choose what will help you a) create your own unique life b) create an aura of happiness or real freedom around you.

I visited my old college...

Isabella Thoburn College, a few days back. Of course she has changed from the time I was there - 1967 to 1972. It would be foolish to think she would have remained the same....indeed, while my head tells me it would have been terrible, almost retrograde, if she had remained as she was, my heart ached, for her physical appearance had changed.

Change does happen...it is the law of life. Change could be better, as in 'my' idea of better, or it could be worse - 'my' idea of worse....but what is important is whether the essentials have changed.

I will be honest - I was terrified at the thought of going to see my old College. I felt inadequate, wondering if I would be able to sync my now with my then.... I felt weak about my knees as I thought of going back to my home, as it were. For I would have to look within...I would need to examine if I had broken her trust....But, Isabella Thoburn, like a true Alma Mater (Latin: Alma "nourishing/ kind", Mater "mother") drew me to her again.

Facing her, and breathing her air, I realized that Isabella Thoburn's essentials are rock solid...they have withstood all the changes of time and administration, and have even stood up to the enormous political changes that have swept Lucknow. There is neither a scratch nor a dent in what she stood for, what she was all about, and what she had to offer her students. The Ideals she gave us and expected us to live by, remain steadfast and relevant. Isabella Thoburn's legacy to all those who passed through her portals is unblemished. This was very, very reassuring and comforting....it was also a reaffirmation - I am an indelible part of her as she is of me.

My most important and most impressionable years were entwined with Isabella Thoburn. Being there, looking at her, and allowing her to wash away the years in between, I knew without a doubt, undeniably, that she was clearly a vital part of my inheritance and heritage...and it was about time I reclaimed it.

As I stood in front of her, I, once again, felt her reaching out to me, just as I had felt when I was but a chit of a 15-year-old; her strong, calm presence as surely as ever showing me the way to go....

Thank you, Isabella Thoburn for restoring me to myself...

 In front of the College

In front of the Chapel. A bit of the new block that has been added shows up in the corner. It changes the symmetry, because the old buildings were built as ITC - the admin block and classes formed the I, the Chapel the T, and the Library the C. In style, though, the new block tries to blend in with the old...

I am pointing to the pillar that I stood in front of during our graduation exercises, to represent the Ideal of Poise (the pillar to my left).

In front of my room - there was no grill then, nor was there any number above my door - but room 51 was my room when I was VP of Naunihal. I'm trying to stand as close to it as I can! (52 was Dolly and Indu's room).

We cannot take away...

anyone's pain or sorrow or suffering...

But we can help heal the storm-swept barrenness of a person's soul with a warm hug, unconditional love, and the strength of our presence...

When we talk about decisions...

we know how difficult it is to take one. Friends say something, life has taught you something, the world requires something of you, and your family claims something...

Thing is that since we have to live with the decision we take, it is important, no, imperative that the decision is one that our conscience and we can live with...live with....not resign ourselves to...

and from somewhere the strength to do so comes....

It's that time of the year...

when we need to forget all the hurts...

remember all the good times...

clean out our minds and hearts of old memories and make way for new ones...no matter if some memories are painful...it's all part of the tapestry of our lives....