Times are changing

 Times are definitely changing and so are behaviours . 

I reflect on so many people I knew as a boy- they carried  themselves with quiet grace, every movement deliberate and unhurried. Their calm demeanor and measured words exuded an air of quiet confidence, drawing others in with simplicity and sincerity. They were not boring by any chance -quite to the contrary ,  they were full of fun and  they came across as genuine, interesting , kind and empathetic, and thereby lies the difference. There are many like that around even today . 

However , I now tend to see a larger number of individuals,  whose exuberance seems to fill the room, complete with loud declarations, corny jokes, general excitement , dramatic gestures, and a seemingly endless supply of love , happiness and positivity. 

They hug, kiss, send flying kisses, jump around like cats on hot tin roofs,and  dress rather flamboyantly—often drawing attention wherever they go. 

Their conversations pulse with infectious energy, voices rising and gestures amplifying every word. Expressions shift between wonder, delight, and urgency, each moment brimming with the thrill of potential revelation, captivating all around them. 

I often wonder -  is this genuine, is it a performance?- or am I just a dull soul? 

 For some, this hyper-enthusiasm may be an expression of their authentic self—a natural inclination to engage with life wholeheartedly and that's fine . They see the world as a stage, their actions driven by passion, optimism, and a desire to connect.

But for others, this could be a façade;  a carefully constructed image to mask insecurities or project an illusion of unshakable joy and purpose. Imposter syndrome maybe ? 

Social media and societal pressures often glorify the "charged-up, life-changing" persona, encouraging people to adopt it, even when it doesn’t resonate internally- and many do ! 

 I find it a trifle nauseating and that's just me voicing a thought  .

For me , excessive positivity  feels alienating, as I  prefer subtler and more  grounded interactions. 

Life isn’t always sunshine, laughter and rainbows, and perpetual cheerfulness  comes across as insincere or rather dismissive of life’s realities and complexities.

In truth, not everyone needs to attempt to change the world in dramatic ways to make an impact. 

Quiet contributions often speak volumes, but often, those people are looked down upon as not contributing significantly enough to world progress! 

 Whether the exuberance on display is genuine or just a show is the question -  perhaps the key lies in staying true to oneself—whether that means whispering in the background or shouting from the rooftops.

As Oscar Wilde once quipped, “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.”

A leader's code

Seek guidance first, and keep your mind ajar;
The strong stay open, even when resolved.
Speak well of others; share your heart with grace,
And tell of teachers, not of what you know.

Reflect and change; let focus steer your path,
But guard against self-deception’s slow creep.
Receive correction with a grateful heart,
And stay composed when tempests test your calm.

True optimists embrace the climb as hard,
Yet trust we’ll rise to meet the highest peaks.
Give space for others’ truths to find their voice;
Stand firm with grace, for bullies show their lack.

Lead with trust, seek no gain from powerless hands,
And read—true wisdom lights in shared delight.
Embrace the mystery of leading well,
A privilege to inspire and be inspired.

My birthday is drawing near

 Pre Birthday Reflections at 4. 30 am 

My birthday’s near; I look back on the past,

On childhood days, which seemed endless and vast.

The wait for the day when my age would rise,

New clothes, party plans, and big, eager eyes.

A simple home party, close friends all around,

With cakes and sweet treats and laughter's warm sound.

Eager to see what each present would bring,

With dreams that grew larger with each passing spring.

I longed to grow older, to taste teenage years,

Those wonderfilled times, of joy and new fears.

Love's first glimmers, distractions at play,

Books forgotten, my heart led the way.

My 21st came, but passed without flair,

In quiet Allahabad, barely aware.

Then, thirty knocked, with life rushing by,

Marriage, children, the years seemed to fly.

Now decades have passed, and with grandkids in tow,

Birthdays are gentler, with a warm, steady glow.

Family gathered, hearts full of grace,

Love and gratitude in each smiling face.

For each year gifted, I thank the divine,

His blessings unending, my life intertwined.

Getting older—a privilege, rare and dear,

To cherish each moment, with courage and cheer.

So I welcome the years, both gentle and wise,

Determined to live, to seek, and to rise.

Each birthday a blessing, each day a new chance,

To honor this journey, to sing, and to dance.

Children' s day

 Dear Boys and Girls / or should I say Ladies and gentlemen !

Let me begin by wishing you a HAPPY CHILDREN"S DAY !

Children’s Day always brings fond memories of my years with you – from the iconic Boys High School in Allahabad, the unforgettable-  Bishop’s School,  Pune, The Modern High School in Dubai, to The Millennium School , Dubai  and the GEMS schools I work with across the UAE. 

My Classroom teaching , the tests and exams, the attempted cheating , the laughter, the antics, the games, the clubs, The scouts,  the functions  and yes, even the “sneaky escapes” are still etched in my mind! 

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, whose birthday we celebrate today, would be thrilled to know how the mischievous, determined young minds I saw every day - some for many years - have grown into such accomplished, responsible adults ( Hopefully ) 

Who can  forget those who attempted to “bunk” a class (of course, to rehearse for school functions or a big cricket match – or so I was told!). The Bishops boarders who slipped out at night , the sports fields and courts  where we shared countless games of volleyball, badminton, and table tennis, and those intense matches where no one ever wanted to lose! What about the Founder's days in BHS and Bishops - and let’s not forget the Bishop’s boarders who I looked  after-  as both Dorm incharge and later Boarding Suptd. – the shared meals, the camaraderie, the dorm feasts  the unspoken bonds formed over meals in the dining hall. 

I still remember so many boarders in Bishops  who helped put up the stage curtains and lights and put away the chairs after the Friday movies - while walking through a haunted passage ! 

To each one of you who lent me a hand in school activities, from organizing grand school functions, to daily class duties, thank you. Some would remember doing my attendance register for me and helping me with marksheets ! 

Our Literary club, My Debaters, the actors , the elocutionists - My House and school captains and prefects  ! Wow - memories are made of this .  

You probably didn’t know it then, but each task you undertook was a tiny building block in shaping who you are today. and I hope you see it that way .

 I definitely see it in the way you have become leaders and contributors, creative thinkers, engineers, artists, entrepreneurs, doctors, and more.

 From the school campus to social media, your success stories fill me with immense pride and joy. The fact that so many of you still keep in touch, even from all corners of the world, speaks volumes about our shared journey and the bond we’ll always have. I have met dozens of you , years after you have passed out and the joy and catch ups has been memorable. Some of our batch get togethers are etched in my memory.  

Today, you are indeed movers and shakers in society and the world at large . 

But remember, while achievements are certainly admirable, it is your character and kindness that make the lasting impact. 

Raise your own children to be the same – compassionate, kind, loving , humble, and true to their values, for, in the end, this is what matters the most. If you can do that- you are a success . 

On this Children’s Day, as we celebrate the spirit of youth and the legacy of Nehru, I want to thank you for your love, respect, and all the amazing memories. 

Here’s to continuing this journey of being good human beings together.

With all my love and blessings

Michael Guzder

Keys have a life of their own

 I truly feel that suitcase keys lead a mysterious life of their own and are masters of disappearing acts and epic annoyances.

Fully aware of their importance, they seem to vanish just when I need them most. It's as if they wait for the perfect moment to launch their disappearing act, watching me frantically search pockets, bags, and every improbable spot. They’re in on the joke, probably laughing somewhere, knowing they’ll eventually be found — but only after a full fifteen minutes of panic. 

These extremely annoying little metal minions, which have, over the years, become part and parcel of my life, seem to have signed up for some kind of chaos marathon that makes my old head spin.

 I’m not sure about my extended family, friends, ex pupils or colleagues, and how you circumnavigate this wicked conundrum, but I have two bags of keys in the cupboard, each weighing about two hundred and fifty grams, and each an enigma of mismatched locks and even worse, misplaced memory. 

And who decided that every lock, on every suitcase, should come with three miniature keys on a miniscule key ring? I now have a collection that rivals any hardware store, yet none of these “handy” keys match any suitcase I’ve ever packed. So here I am, rattling bags of keys like a portable percussion instrument, totally flummoxed, but secretly convinced that the keys are plotting their next move.

Believe me - keys are no longer just passive objects; I am convinced that they positively possess evil personalities. They seem to enjoy going missing at the most inconvenient times, hiding in the deepest recesses of miscellaneous bags and often vanishing – never to be united with their mother lock! 

Airports, of course, are their favorite stage. I’ve become a regular attraction at security checks, thanks to my not one, not two, but three sets of keys that I must carry when travelling to my hometown Pune. My wife and I have a full set each, and then we carry one extra set as a backup, in case any of us misplace our original set.  The officials must think I’m running a clandestine locksmith operation or probably something with a more sinister twist. With three sets of “Pune house" keys here, a set of Dubai house keys there, and a few suitcase and carry-on luggage   keys in the mix for good measure, it’s something of a weird key carnival, in my little leather satchel.  

I thought I’d be clever using combination locks with codes to avoid the hassle of keys, and so the last time we travelled, I purchased a few of these ‘life savers! Genius, right? Wrong. I now can’t recall the code numbers I carefully selected. Somehow, a thousand four-digit combinations are stored in my brain, none of which seem to open my locks.

 So now I have those permanently locked combination locks lying around as well. 

In the absurd theater of my life, my keys are the stars of a comedy show, and I’m just the poor audience member stuck at the door, begging for entry

A little over the edge

 Artists, poets, musicians and writers

 are often slightly over the edge.

Did I say slightly ? 

They can be eccentric to a point 

And peculiar to the core 

But that's their life

And they enjoy it .

Their little idiosyncrasies 

Are what makes them tick.

Love them

Or loathe them

But they are on the same journey

As everyone else.

When the beginnings 

And the ends 

Are the same

Stop worrying so much

About  what's in the middle.

A OUR GARDNER

 So his name is..... well let's just say it starts with the letter A.

I first met him when my daughter moved into her new premises and A was the gardener.

Short, of slight build and a million watt smile is how I would describe him. I would also add - rather talkative and a tad boastful of his accomplishments on the gardening front.  Also very simple .

My son in law and daughter seemed wonderstruck after he explained as to what  he had  planned for their garden.

I didn't need any further persuasion and without so much as a little digging into his ' previous work experience' I appointed him too.

To be fair, my daughter and son in law's garden is pretty good.

You can read those last two words together or separately. 

Our little garden is another story. 

It's green; it's clean; and quite tidy.

However here is where my story takes a tiny bend.

Bear with me folks. If you've read till here then you must read on.

A digs when in the mood.

A plants when in the mood

A tends to the garden six days a week

But I don't believe A is a Gardner.

I am laying it bare for you to be the better judge.

If he is a Gardner- then I am an astronout.

He has a large blower with which he keeps the place clean. He spends about 7 minutes from the time he enters till he leaves. 

He hates my brother in law and probably gets irritated when told that he is not doing a good job.

My wife interacts with him more than me. She gives him fruit, biscuits and sweets etc as he looks malnourished. 

My interactions are only to pay him his salary and tell him occasionally that the garden does not look up to the mark. 

Mind you , he doesn't switch off the blower when I talk to him , so I doubt he hears what I am saying , because while I am speaking , he is smiling and nodding.

When I go to pay him , he first pretends not to see me . Then when he does , he makes a sign to say ' put it on the garden table'.

I have threatened all and sundry that I will get rid of him , but that day has not come. A leads a charmed life I guess.

This morning he nearly lost his job.

I saw him entering, so went out to ask him why he hadn't brought the new plants I had asked him to.

I did this before he put on that noisy blower. 

He pointed to some miniscule plants and I almost exploded.

I then reminded him about what I wanted- the same plants he had bought for my daughter. He promised to do so.

Then came the icing on the cake.

He moved towards the tap.  

I couldn't fathom what he was doing .

(It has rained heavily for most of the night)

A connected the pipe and began watering the plants. 

I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

I walked out to confront him.

However I didn't have the heart to tell him he was being foolish and just stood transfixed as he watered every plant . 

He gave them an extra dousing to prove to me he was doing his job .

Poor plants.

Poor me

God bless A!