Life Tapestry.

Life Tapestries | Intentional Living, Faith, & Creative Reflection

Tag: experiences

  • What Christmas is to me!

    Today is the 23rd of December, and 18-20 years ago, my siblings and I were filled with excitement as Christmas approached. It was a time when we could celebrate at home with our parents, indulge in delicious food, and adorn ourselves in new dresses. The festivities included eagerly anticipated afternoon games where we received prizes and the frequent treat of Gur Chini (jaggery) every few hours.

    Our parents, however, were seldom present at the community ground festivities. My mom was occupied with church and community work, while my dad had his own responsibilities, making appearances during the celebration quite rare. We found solace with our second and third aunt (yet third Aunt won’t be there this year at the community ground, as she is in a better place now), who took care of us, treated us to local delicacies like Sinju, and occasionally bought special treats from the shop.

    Despite not having the opportunity to wear fancy dresses or join our friends, the bond between my sisters and me strengthened. I took on the role of the big sister, responsible for their well-being in the absence of our parents. Occasionally, our peer groups would ridicule us for not being part of the larger group or not dressing as smartly. This, along with mom’s peculiar restrictions, further distanced us from our peers.

    This Christmas tradition continued until I started my degree studies. Since then, my participation in the festivities dwindled due to exams, short holidays requiring expense savings, and later commitments in the workplace. Initially, I didn’t mind being away during Christmas, but as time passed, I started feeling homesick and longed to be with my family.

    This year, being far from home, I anticipate spending most of my time inside the four walls of my room. My prayer is that, regardless of our locations, we will welcome Christ into our hearts and let His presence dwell within us. May we learn to submit to His care and be instruments of His love, no matter the circumstances. I extend warm wishes to everyone for a Merry Christmas.

  • “Everyone is a hero!”

    In the year 2018, I listened to my students’ harrowing tales of Kerala’s devastating floods. They recounted their real-life ordeals of navigating through the floodwaters and enduring the aftermath. As I heard their stories, the distress they experienced became palpable, and I empathized deeply with their struggles. Many had endured nightmares as their homes succumbed to the deluge, forcing them to seek refuge in relief camps.

    However, my understanding took a profound turn when I watched the documentary “2018.” It dawned on me that what they had conveyed to me was merely the tip of the iceberg, and the extent of the devastation was far greater. My heart ached witnessing people grappling with the aftermath of decisions that led to such catastrophic consequences. I pondered what might have happened if certain preventive measures were taken or if they had heeded the warnings of their team members (as seen from the documentary)

    Fast forward to the end of that distressing year, the resilient people of Kerala faced yet another adversary—COVID-19. It’s remarkable how, despite these challenges, many of the individuals I’ve encountered have managed to rebuild their lives successfully. Reflecting on these adversities, I can’t help but contemplate how my own family might have coped in such circumstances and where we might be now.

    Beyond the miseries and dangers, these resilient individuals stand tall, facing the world with unwavering zeal. Their strength in the face of adversity has left a lasting impact on me, making me feel a bit stronger today.

  • Is it Truly as Simple as ABC?

    Is it truly as simple as ABC, as the saying goes? I distinctly remember struggling immensely to learn how to write the ABCs. It’s not just my own experience; observing young children grappling with the task underscores the difficulty of mastering the English alphabet. This challenge persists even among educated individuals well-versed in literature. So, why do we say “as easy as ABC” and not “as tough as ABC” or “as complicated as ABC”? The bias in this world, from the beginning to the end, is a perplexing aspect.

    As one of my college professors, particularly from the Political Science department, used to emphasize, “We are born with politics, live in politics, and carry it until our last day.” These words echo a truth about the omnipresence of politics in our lives.

    Allow me to express a few lines in my dialect, “Khipana khipali machong mei manem mei mana kachi li khipana ya chi paira? Ringkapha mirin wui shongza khangakhui hili kachipana kachangkhat eina ngakhui zatli doh? ” This underscores the challenges and intricacies embedded in existence.

    Indeed, it’s a competitive world where survival of the fittest reigns. Among billions, a handful live seemingly indifferent to the value of life. Half the population believes money is everything. Meanwhile, billions struggle tirelessly to bring sustenance home, while some grapple with the pressure of overcoming debts, and others rest beneath the weight of debts accumulated from people.

    Life, in its essence, is both unfair and just. The promises of truth prevailing, peace reigning, and justice being rewarded sound comforting, envisioning better days. Yet, are these promises mere notions one must patiently await to manifest in their lives?

    Unanswerable questions loom large, a shared uncertainty. Above all, the beacon that people ardently pursue is that of HOPE. It conquers the atrocities of life, washing away the bitterness of endless tears. I hope, one day, a brighter future will dawn.

  • Life Today: Navigating Unseen Paths

    Daily writing prompt
    Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?
    View all responses

    Is your life today the canvas you painted a year ago?
    Envisioning one path, God’s plan unfolds, a different flow.
    Opting for right turns, He guides left, unexplored,
    Places unseen, His divine design restored.

    Difficult, it is, to align plans with the divine,
    Accepting God’s will, a challenge in each line.
    Hope and faith, unseen hands to trust,
    Invisible, yet omnipresent, God is just.

    In the shadows, doubts linger, hard to bear,
    Through family troubles, a continuous affair.
    Failures stack up, a questioning mind,
    Am I doing right? Is God truly aligned?

    In the silence, where He seems afar,
    Trust wavers, like a dimming star.
    The hardships, the family strife,
    Is God present in this complex life?

    Yet, as the day concludes, a truth unfolds,
    A purpose for all, a story He molds.
    In the maze, I search for my way,
    Confident my time to shine will sway.

    For now, I dwell in a healing space,
    Reflecting on life, its every trace.
    A time to mend, a moment to heal,
    In the brokenness, a purpose to reveal.

  • How to start your Journey to self-love

    Daily writing prompt
    What skills or lessons have you learned recently?
    View all responses

    In life’s vast classroom, lessons unfold,
    Teaching wisdom, precious and gold.
    A recent chapter, a poignant tale,
    Of self-love learned, a ship set to sail.

    To love oneself before others we guide,
    A truth to embrace, not to let slide.
    For in our pain, our loved ones feel,
    Hurting them deeply, wounds that don’t heal.

    To heal oneself, a skill to acquire,
    Time, the gentle mender, the heart’s desire.
    Kindness and generosity, virtues profound,
    Give healing its time, on gentle ground.

    In this journey of self-discovery,
    No guide but self, a lone odyssey.
    Yet, in the quiet, a voice I find,
    Jesus, my solace, in whom I confide.

    So, let the lessons of life unfold,
    A symphony of growth, a story told.
    To love oneself, the foundation firm,
    In this sacred journey, a lifelong term.