The remaining cloves are still waiting. With a gentle smile, he gave us the simplest of solution ever. He asked us to spread white sand (charal) above the coconut skin, under the plant, when it was time to harvest the cloves. The ripen cloves would fall on the sand, visible for any naked eye. This made it so easy to pick the cloves.
There’s always many ways to skin the same cat. This was a valuable lesson I learnt to address the multidimensional problems in life, this is about progression, when we reach a bend we have to turn, at a dead end we have to find ways to move forward.
“Never Ever Give UP” to find alternatives and make sure they are sustainable alternatives. Finally the grey matter in my upper storey, my soul, my gut feelings and my wits came handy to resolve every day matters and move forward in life. I started realizing the strengths of each and every one I have come across and I made it a point to learn and use them all, in my life.
Another tip was to use clove leaves for cooking, they were so fragrant and it served the purpose. Ripened and dried cloves could be given to either friends or family. I still have enough of my Amma’s stock to keep me going.
When I started travelling and living in various other countries where the population is much less, I saw glimpses of Mono Act, One Man Show every single day. The training to survive is with the right in-depth knowledge of the trade, right tools, proper infrastructure, proper procedures, instructions and schematics, right spare parts, vehicle to carry end to end material, tools for the trade and good safety practices.
When we take ownership to do on our own, we get more responsible as we have to face the consequences ourselves and we tend to think and act better.
What intrigued me growing up was the number of people that congregate for any activity anywhere in India. The dependency we have on others for even the smallest of activity is huge. Perhaps it’s a norm to keep the millions occupied.
There are more people watching an activity, passing comments and giving instructions than physically moving a little finger in our neck of the woods.
I am glad I grew up different as my parents demanded us being self-sustainable and made us do house hold chores on our own, from cleaning, housekeeping, small repairs, cooking, helping helpers, running errands and supporting the system.
I humbly dedicate my trait to Thirumeni from whom I learnt the value of passing real knowledge to the rest of the world, however little it is, if you are willing to share in full and whole heartedly you have made your life blessed. It’s a bank of blessings that can go forever; it comes handy to make you stride through tough times, that come to every human without fail.
I can very proudly say I got inspired by Thirumeni Appachen when I was in school, he practiced everything he said. He was an eloquent speaker, a linguist and a social worker, with a kind heart.
Archbishop Mar Gregorios was an ardent lover of nature. He advocated maintaining ecological balance and preservation of the natural environment. He was a staunch practitioner of cleanliness and general hygiene.
I want to take note of the various schemes he ran: Juvenile Guidance, and Maternity care, Family Planning through Responsible Parenthood, Sanitation and Rehabilitation of the Disabled, Nutrition Programmes to improve the health of the poor, Special Care for Children, Nature Cure and Yoga Treatment. (Bethany Naturopathic Center).
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