SOULspace

What are we afraid of? Afraid that we may not be giving our best to our children Afraid that we are not helping them realise their potential. Afraid that they will not make the right choices Afraid they will commit the same mistakes that we did Afraid that we may be judged as inadequate parents Afraid... Afraid What is fear that we use subtly and sometimes so blatantly? Isn't this the fear that raised us? Why pass it on to our future? Why make our children a reflection of ourselves? Can they never make mistakes? Should we never make mistakes? Why teach righteousness, when nothing is black and white, and everything is in shades of gray? Why this anger? Where does it come from? Who is it directed against? What is education if it cannot make a person self confident? Isn't education a system of comparison? Are we teaching/learning life skills? What use is this redundant education? Where is this pursuit taking us if we cannot live this moment in happiness?

A friend of mine in 5th standard wants a story for her story telling competition. What I enjoy about the school is all these extra activities that are conducted for the children. Read that as Story telling specifically, which is an integral part of the inter house competitions. Both Hindi and English story telling competitions are held from first to fifth. It did not take me long to select a story for my friend, and here is a link to the story I chose for her. Scroll down for "The Faithful friend". Click here This was a time when the child's character stands out so well in my mind that the process of selecting was quite easy. Affectionate, very fond of animals and friends, so this story is ideal for her. It is the story of a parrot that does not want to leave its injured friend , a Tree. Finally it rejoices when its love and concern is rewarded by an angel who gives back life to the tree. Cathy Spagnoli, from whose site I took the story is a veteran story teller.

Story telling is different from Drama or solo/mono acting...it is an interactive process where the audience is asked to move with the Teller, imagine with the Teller, and experience with the Teller. There are many others qualified to give an insight on these differences, but I speak from my thoughts/heart. For those who enjoy performing arts this is a very genteel art to pursue. I call it that because, there is no right or wrong way to do Stories. The only way is to connect with your audience. To share with them a thought, a feeling, an experience. With younger children it is important to have a story line, as they need a plot, an organized thought process, which they themselves may not have in their thoughts. While with an audience that gets older, you don't need an organized plot. You need to spark imaginations,and even give them an opportunity to make their own endings, extract their own conclusions. Yet there are some Learnings that I have gained from my own meager experiences

  We were at the Bada Imambara at Lucknow. Amazing building and amazing people behind the building. Why would some one want to build such a majestic structure? Add to that the Bul Bulaiya, that is the maze which runs through the walls and pillars, and runs through 3 levels. The guide tells us there are 1000 ways within the maze,but only 1 way is the right one to get us out of it! It appears that man will do anything for posterity and this is definitely an example of that. You and I can enjoy the quirks of the moneyed class as they leave behind monuments and minarets for future generations to explore and savor. This building brings to my mind the innumerable photos of SRK's palatial house Mannat floating around the cyber world. Then there is even our own favorite batsman's new pad...with foyer designed like the interior of a conch shell!! It's true, google around and you will find it. And what about Ambani tower? ..what about it...mmm....surely that is one monument waiting

  The Walrus and The Carpenter Lewis Carroll (from Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There, 1872) The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might:  He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright-- And this was odd, because it was The middle of the night. The moon was shining sulkily, Because she thought the sun Had got no business to be there After the day was done-- "It's very rude of him," she said, "To come and spoil the fun!" The sea was wet as wet could be, The sands were dry as dry. You could not see a cloud, because No cloud was in the sky: No birds were flying overhead-- There were no birds to fly. The Walrus and the Carpenter Were walking close at hand; They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand: "If this were only cleared away," They said, "it would be grand!" "If seven maids with seven mops Swept it for half a year. Do you suppose," the Walrus said, "That they could

Ok, Here is a no frills, no hype Love Letter. Wondering who is sending me this in my old age? Who else but my son!! He has got into this card making phase and made one for his Sister, with so many of the "Love you's" on it.. I did not recover from the shock for almost half an hour!! Subsequently when I pouted that I had no Love you's from him (he He), he landed up making this one for me. Don't ask me what a Vatapi is ..he just made it up, and doesnt know the meaning too...hahah... Children are not appreciated enough..we can find fault so easily (include me as the Primary Culprit of that), but appreciating their efforts and thoughts, we are stingy with that ... mmm...food for thought ...Yes??

Got this new widget on the left hand side..do check it out and leave your suggestions... It is taken from the skribit site...so check it out too My interests range from storytelling, stories, and life's lessons...!! So do leave your suggestions and I will do my best.

Story teller : Carmen Agra Deedy, tells a personal story with her own twists and turns. The cuban accent, the flow of words, the humour and the message at the end, truly takes us through a voyage of thoughts and imagination. She tells us a simple story of her Nonagenarian mother, taking the car out on the sly, and making her a part of this mayhem!! She holds the audience in her grip. Weaving such a vivid picture and with such humour. To Tell a story with so many nuances is really a skill! I felt the words have been delivered slightly fast, but then so are we Indians accused of talking too fast! Story telling and stories... Any one who is fascinated by both must see this..she is amazing... There are many such Tellers even in our own families. True they may not tell so precisely or with such coherence, yet Story telling is in born in most Humans. Grandmothers are known for their storytelling skill. Ask any one they will tell you that having a grandmother at home is such a boon, as Story

Travel is by itself an amazing way to connect with yourself and the world that you live in. Any one who travels and loves that feel of packed bags and constant move will understand what I say. Traveling in India is by no means easy. It is easier nowadays, yet one never knows what to expect. Bookings have to be done much ahead of time, availability, comfort, route so many factors to be looked into depending on where we want to travel, and how far. I love driving around. Don’t be mislead, I don’t do much highway driving, not so comfortable with those high speeds. I would rather have my husband drive me around (that’s the ideal situation as he drives superbly!), but a driver from the local travels will do too!! If we travel by our own vehicle, then we are better off, especially when it is done with kids…the breaks can be taken as and when they, or we wish. Driving around in your own car seeing places is the ideal way to travel! We have done some interesting travel by road, even carrying