It's okay

                            It’s Okay

It's okay if they judge you 

And proclaim their judgment to the world.

Some people are determined to be

Judge, jury, and executioner 

And so be it. 

Learn to be okay with silence, 

For silence is a gift denied to many.

It’s perfectly okay

With the world not knowing your side of the story

 Not every truth needs the light of the sun,

Or exposure to the elements 

 Nor every heart, the weight of proving right.

 Within you lies peace- a quiet strength,

And peace is a gift denied to many.

So, learn to live your life

Both silently and peacefully.

 Not measured by the eyes of those who watch

Unburdened by the need to show,

To justify, explain, or to defend,

Thus, freeing yourself from the chains of others' thoughts.

Release the urge to prove or to persuade.

To convince or reassure. 

Your worth is not defined by what they see

What they imagine 

And what they say.  

In tranquility, find the calm that silence brings,

 For you alone can know your inner truth.

In moments serene, let your spirit breathe,

 Unburdened by the weight of others' views.

 The light within will guide your every step,

 Embrace its glow, and let your soul renew.

Value the life you lead

 While we’re busy cursing our luck and our lives,

 And blaming the Fates, the Gods, and the stars above 

For perceived and often fictitious miseries-

Probably figments of our imagination, 

Someone is out there,

Barely struggling to survive

Fighting losing battles

And envying all we have. 

Our looks, our hair, our nose, our eyes, our smile.

Our dimples, our freckles, our frowns

 Our homes, our families, our jobs, and our friends.

 These are God-given treasures that we ignore daily. 

And so very often

Perceived as irksome and vexatious.

They dream of the things we take for granted daily,

Their silent wishes echo in the night. 

For every sigh we breathe in utter despair,

 There's someone who would trade their sorrows.

 just to be in ours.

 So, let’s pause and ponder.

  On the myriad gifts we hold.

The simple blessings scattered throughout our day.

And our life…. 

 The morning light that warms our sleepy eyes,

 The laughter shared with those we dearly love, 

The meals enjoyed, 

the comforts of hearth and home. 

These are the riches many only dream.

 A thousand unseen eyes look on with hope, 

Their envy is pure- a testament to us. 

Let’s be not blind to all that we possess,

 For gratitude can turn the tide of thought.

 In moments dark, we should remember what we have,

 And know that in this world of varied fates,

 We are blessed in ways we can't imagine yet. 

The grass may seem much greener far away,

 But every blade is rooted in its place. 

So, let’s embrace the life we live. 

With pure and open hearts,

 For even in the mundane, there is grace.

 Let’s try and be grateful for the things.

 that seem so small,

 For in their light, our lives are truly blessed.

OPPEN LETTER TO CBSE PUPILS

 Dear CBSE students,

The CBSE Grade 10 and 12 results are finally out, so let me begin by congratulating all involved. No board exams are easy, and everyone breathes easier when they are finally over.

Principals, staff, and students have worked hard throughout the year, so now is the time to celebrate, sit back, relax, and let it all sink in. Parents, too, must be relieved. Often, it’s the parents who worry more than their children, both before and after the examination – and who can blame them!

The day this year’s results were declared took me back a few decades, to when I passed my ISC examination in the city of Allahabad in India. Back then, the internet hadn’t been invented yet, and when news spread that the results were out, we rushed to school to see how we had fared.

Results were always printed out and stuck up on the school noticeboard, where crowds of parents, staff, and pupils jostled to see the outcome. Luckily, I passed, but my marks were nowhere near what pupils routinely score today.

Yes, in my day, there were quite a few fails in almost all schools. A 100% pass rate was a rarity, a centum in any subject even rarer. When a pupil scored above 90% in any subject, there was genuine jubilation and exultation, and people couldn’t stop talking about how smart he or she was. If you managed to get a 1st Division, which meant 60% and above, you were considered a success. Your future looked bright. College admissions were guaranteed.

How times have changed!

Today, the media headlines are filled with the percentages and photographs of toppers – 98.6%, 98.4%, 98.3%. Such high numbers of pupils achieve a centum in one or more subjects that it’s now quite common.

When you look at the results in detail, you see that hundreds of pupils score more than 95% overall and in various subjects, and yet they get no mention in the news. After all, how many success stories can a school or newspaper cover?

The question, then, is, what about the rest of the students? Hundreds of thousands of students appeared for the Grade 10 and 12 exams this year, and clearly not all scored in the 90s.

Indeed, you may be one of the many pupils who are bemoaning the fact that you ‘didn’t fare well’. You may be one of the ones who scored 60%, 70%, 80%. Maybe you’re now despondent, demoralized, depressed even, because your friends and peers have done better than you. Perhaps you fear you may not gain admission to the college of your choice.

At this juncture, my advice is to take a breath and think of all the hard work you have put in. The long hours of study, the pages and pages of notes, the practice papers you agonised over, the extra lessons you attended.

But success comes in many forms. Your sincerity and dedication have brought you to this point, and that's something to be proud of. Exams are just one measure of your abilities, and they certainly don’t define your worth or potential.

Each of you has unique talents and strengths that go far beyond anything that can be captured on a test paper. So, use this experience as a stepping stone for growth and learning.

Remember, setbacks are growth opportunities. Reflect on everything you’ve accomplished and identify areas where you can improve – but don’t be too hard on yourself. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how big or small they may seem to you today.

If you feel you won’t get into the college you’ve set your sights on, so be it. Look elsewhere – there are always other options. Keep believing in yourself, stay focused on your goals, and continue to work hard. Your journey is far from over, and there are countless opportunities ahead.

You are unique and have your worth, irrespective of the marks you get. You have the potential to be a top entrepreneur, technician, singer, musician. A psychologist, social scientist, dancer, inventor. The possibilities and opportunities truly are endless.

And don’t let social pressure weigh heavily on your shoulders. Right now, you may feel you’re under scrutiny, under pressure to meet the expectations of those around you. But it’s essential to recognise that your family and friends love you for who you are and not just for the grades you score.

Late bloomers often feel discouraged by societal timelines and benchmarks, so typical of this day and age. Let me tell you, however, that success has no expiration date. Some of the greatest achievements in history have been made by individuals who took their time to find their passion and purpose in life. Many, if not all, faced failures along the way.

Your journey is unique and it’s perfectly okay to take time to figure out your path. Marks and percentages are but one piece of the puzzle, and while they have their part to play, they do not define who you are.

If I had given up each time I faced a roadblock or failure in my life – and there have been many – I wouldn’t be sitting here now writing this letter to you. Persistence and belief in myself have helped me succeed.

And I was never a topper.

Thomas Mathew

Lalitha Suresh

GEMS Our Own English High School, Dubai

GEMS Our Own Indian School

GEMS Our Own English High School - Sharjah - Boys

Gems Ois

 Our Own English High School, Sharjah - Girls

 Our Own High School, Al Warqa'a

 THE MILLENNIUM SCHOOL, DUBAI

 GEMS Millennium School, Sharjah

GEMS NEW Millennium school Al khail

Leadership

 LEADERSHIP 

Are you content being a member of the team, or do you want to be captain? 

Are you delighted being a player or do you desire to be a game changer? 

Are you better at carrying out instructions or would you prefer to be the one deciding on what needs to be done, and how best to accomplish the task?

Now, it is not everyone who wants to be a leader – it is not everyone’s cup of tea - some just do not have it in him or her and are just not cut out for leadership. They are others who are very happy as they are, and that is fine. 

On the other hand, there are several who aspire to become Leaders – the fire burns brightly within them from an early age.   A few succeed and others fall by the wayside or remain half-baked leaders for life. That they are not aware of their shortcomings is a different matter altogether.  

There is something I have always said – ‘Aspiring to be a leader is fine – however preparation and readiness is key.’ 

Often, when young people join the workplace, they look at the leaders in the organization and the first thing they say is, ‘How lucky they are’ .

Now let us be frank- Leadership and luck are not synonymous. Yes, there is no denying the fact that there would probably be a certain amount of luck involved – like being at the right place at the right time, hearing about the opening before anyone else, knowing the boss or doing surprisingly well in a difficult interview. Leaders usually never depend on luck, they take advantage of it if they can, but it is not part of their original strategy, it is a bonus. 

There are innumerable exemplary leaders, who have been born with a silver spoon in their mouth or have had it handed to them on a platter, and they are very successful too- Good for them. 

However, Leadership is a privilege and not a right. It is more about working smart and less about accolades, titles, bonuses and fancy, gold edged, business cards! 

 

 The majority of leaders have started from scratch, gone through the grind, risen up through the ranks, failed many times, faced rejection, felt miserable at not being able to make it and then finally one fine day, they have scaled the summit!  

I have had the opportunity to be in Educational Leadership for a number of years and this is what I have deduced.  

Most leaders worth their salt, have all been good contributors first. 

They have proven that they have the expertise, are able team players, and are reliable.

They have exhibited strong people skills and have worked on developing them further. 

They have demonstrated that they work well under pressure, are consistent and dependable. 

When assigned a task, they deliver the goods and get the job done as efficiently as possible.  

They learn to tackle problems as and when they arise, and can either find, or contribute towards finding solutions. 

They do not watch the clock, and are always ready to take on new projects, even though they may have to learn from scratch as to what needs to be done. 

They lead by example and are proactive and decisive.

They keep it simple- no needless jargon.

They display compassion, empathy and a deep concern for others.

Failure does not scare them. 

They are not intimidating in their approach, nor are they unnecessarily confrontational. 

They are kind, genial and approachable but no pushovers. 

At meetings they are not decorative pieces or just wallflowers – they contribute effectively.  

They have warm personalities and people gravitate towards them. 

They have a sense of humour and are not afraid to laugh at themselves. 

They are thinkers but at the same time, they do not unnecessarily procrastinate.

They speak intelligently & do not shoot their mouth off at every opportunity.

They are good listeners and are known to consider all angles before concluding. 

They are always eager and ready to learn.

They are proficient at multi-tasking. 

I have always found Leadership to be  exciting, challenging & something that  keeps me on my  toes. 

Lastly, it has a lot to do with Service, Humility, Respect, and Gratitude.

Silent screams

 One day you’re full of life 

Smiling, singing from the roof tops 

And determined to make every minute count 

And the next 

You don’t feel that you can see the day through 

And you’re praying to be saved from yourself.

One day you’re bubbling with excitement 

And everything looks bright and beautiful 

The flowers, the grass, the sky 

This big, amazing world.

And then those overpowering thoughts 

Come pounding the door down once again.

Tears cascade, a silent stream,

 In sorrow's grasp, dreams may seem

To fade beneath a heavy veil, 

Yet hope persists, beyond the pale.

And in the very next moment 

It’s almost a black abyss 

And you find yourself sinking into a quagmire of despair and despondency.

The light flickers 

And the pendulum stops briefly - and then starts again 

And stops and starts 

Melancholy and hopelessness reign supreme

And the confusion is overbearing 

And your laboured breath begs for release. 

Your heart pounds uncontrollably 

Tears cascade, a silent stream,

 In sorrow's grasp, dreams may seem 

To fade beneath a heavy veil, 

Yet hope persists, beyond the pale.

In the quiet passage,

 We all must tread,

 Leaving behind dreams,

 Words left unsaid.

Grandkids are special

 Grandkids are special.

In the wizardry of life, where time unwinds its tale, 

Grandchildren caper, love's boundless ship they sail.

 Their infectious laughter, echoes through time,

 As age surrenders, to their youthful climb.

Their high jinks wild, their hearts so pure,

Their comments are vague, yet love's allure. 

They mock with glee, yet in their eyes, 

A love so deep, a bond that ties.

On a pedestal, oh yes- they place you there, 

In their baby world, you're beyond compare. 

They don't see your wrinkles, just joy unfurled,

 In their tender embrace, you feel re-whirled.

"In hearts joy, we gauge" the saying goes,

Grandkids keep you young- this everyone knows.

We adore them - be they girls or boys.

Grandparents’ cherished, pristine toys.

 

In tales spun 'round, by firelights' glow,

 Grandparents’ voices, like rivers flow.

 In these moments, true magic is found,

 With grandchildren around, happiness is crowned.

So let them dance, let them explore, 

In their eyes, find youth's encore. 

Their joy becomes our cherished song, 

In grandkids' love, we eternally belong.

A Feast of the senses

 A FEAST OF THE SENSES

In the domain of meals, I take my stand,

I love good food, to be close at hand. 

From morning breakfast to dinner at night 

I taste the ingredients – I relish each bite. 

I was rather skinny – but now no more. 

I don’t overeat- just go with the flow.

Indo-Chinese cuisine,

 My heart's true desire,

 My stomach starts rumbling,

Seeing the pans on the fire. 

Kung Pao chicken, prawns divine,

 Each taste bud dances,

That’s a culinary sign.

Not too much spice, nor too much grease,

 For me, clean eating  brings intestinal peace!

 But listen bland food,

"Just  be gone, from my plate"

 For flavors bold, I do celebrate!

When in the kitchen, I hold my reign,

 Cooking up storms, with not much of a strain. 

But my daughter, oh she's a culinary queen,

 Her skills are unmatched, a winner she’s been. 

So here I stand, in food's embrace, 

A lover of flavors, in every place.

 From morning light, to the quiet of night, 

Each meal has a story, a pure delight.