Food for the Soul

Those who revolve in the consciousness of the Divine are safe-guarded.

Didst thou not come naked from thy mother's womb? Didst thou not have thy soul in safety even before thy body's birth? Why art thou then fretful and anxious? One who watched over thee then, watches over thee now; one who loved thee then, loves thee now.
My mind remember this and be still.

[Swami Paramananda, Book of Daily Thoughts and Prayers, p. 186]

Prayer for the Sick

My Uncle Frankie is in hospital for three weeks now. He has undergone surgery but is not making much progress. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and our families as we hope that he will be restored to good health.

Also my niece (my Godchild) Barshni has not been well for the past two weeks, having a high temperature and headaches that doctors could not find the cause of. We are praying for your speedy recovery.

PRAYER FOR THE SICK
Father of goodness and love, hear our prayers for the sick members of our community and for all who are in need. Amid mental and physical suffering may they find consolation in your healing presence. Show your mercy as you close wounds, cure illness, make broken bodies whole and free downcast spirits. May these special people find lasting health and deliverance, and so join us in thanking you for all your gifts. We ask this through the Lord Jesus who healed those who believed. Amen.

Food for the Soul

O Lord, through Thy Grace may I overcome all egotism, pride and self-willAnd realize that Thou art all in all. I am only an instrument in Thy almighty Hand. Do Thou use my hands and feet, my heart and mind to carry out Thy great plan; And may I never forget Thy vastness and Thy glory.[Swami Paramananda, Book of Daily Thought & Prayers, p185]

Room 8 Soccer Stars

Soccer World Cup Update:
In term 2 and term 3 Kelvin Road School children are participating in its own Soccer World Cup.
More to follow...

Graduation - Victoria University of Wellington

Kanthan and I took a one hour flight to Wellington on Tuesday 13th May and spent two nights in the wonderful windy city. To my surprise, I didn't feel it as cold there as it was in Auckland this past week. On Wednesday morning we had a scrumptious hotel breakfast and then set off on foot to collect my graduation gown. We started off walking in the opposite direction to where we were going and fortunately a courier guy pointed us on the right path. We made our way up a steep hill with over one hundred steps to climb into the street above leading to Kelburn Parade. It was an arduous climb which must have taken about fifteen minutes what with all the stops I made after climbing each flight of steps. We then staggered another twenty minutes until we reached Murphy Building and collected my graduation gown, hood and trencher. I refused to walk back so we grabbed a taxi to the Law School at Lambton Quay for the graduates street parade. It was a new and exciting experience for me but I only wish I could have had more family and friends there to share in my joy like the rest of the graduates. The parade started at 12 noon and finished around 12:45 in time for ceremony 1 starting at 1pm. Luckily my ceremony was at 6pm that evening which gave us time to enjoy a delicious lunch at an Irish restaurant before heading back to the hotel for a two hour nap. With all that walking, it was a well deserved and refreshing sleep before getting dressed for the ceremony. We took the taxi to the Michael Fowler Centre at 5:25 pm and arrived there on time at 5:30pm. All the graduands looked wonderful, wearing hoods and gowns appropriate to their degree, and carrying their trenchers. We lined up according to our marshalling numbers for an unrehearsed ceremony. When we walked into the dark hall, a Maori Kapa Haka group was rendering some beautiful waita ringa. After singing the national anthem and some speeches we were capped. It was a fantastic ceremony and I couldn't help but feel so proud of my achievement. I remembered my late Dad and my mum who were at my first graduation at Springfield College twenty years ago in 1988 and gave thanks to them for my journey - not forgetting the Grace of God.

After the graduation there was a reception for everybody. Kanthan and I walked back to the hotel so I could change out of my sari and we set off for dinner.

We slept in on Thursday morning until 9am and after breakfast we spent the rest of the day at Te Papa Museum, then had a light lunch before flying back to Auckland at 4:30pm.

All in all, a fantastic and memorable graduation experience.

Elim School River Tragedy

New Zealand weeps over the tragic drowning of students and a teacher in the Mangatepopo River on 15 April. Six students and one teacher have died after being swept away on the Mangatepopo River near Turangi. It is reported that a flash flood swept down the river.
The students were from Elim Christian College in Howick, Auckland.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family & friends of these seven courageous people. May their souls rest in Heaven's Peace.

Read more

Our Celebrations

On 18 March Kanthan celebrated his 7th year of being a non-smoker - what a difference this has made to our lives. I wish every smoker reading this 'Good Luck' in kicking this stinking habit - do it for the people you love, if not for yourself.
On 31st March Kanthan & I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary, we thank God for every new year He gives us together.
Two days after our anniversary was Thanusha's sweet 16th birthday - can't believe that our baby girl is growing up so fast! Four days after Thanusha's birthday was Kaveshan's 13th birthday - at last he is a teenager although he has been acting like one for the past three years!
And all these celebrations are only through the Grace of God, to Whom we give our humble gratitude every day. Thank you GOD.
Birthday Pics

Kree's health

If you were wondering why I have not been in touch for most of this year, it was because of my terrible health. In February, I was surprised when the doctor told me that my blood pressure was 200/90 and I was put on pressure tablets again after 8 years. The Inhibace tablets prescribed caused a terrible cough and after one month my pressure was still high. My tablets were changed and the new pressure pills Felo 5er caused severe headaches. After 10 days I couldn't stand it and returned to the doctor for the third time. My pressure was 180/100 and I was worrying about my continuous periods. The doc prescribed Ferrograd for the anaemia, Provera to stop the periods and doubled the Thyroxin for my underactive thyroid. He didn't think there was any serious concern saying that I was just overly anxious and even suggested me getting a second opinion when he noticed that I was not too happy with his diagnosis.
I decided to change to a female doctor and on my first visit to her, she changed my pressure tablet to Cozaar (which is the one I had been taking in SA about 8 years ago). The tablet was miraculous and it decreased my pressure and I have not had a headache for the past two weeks. Since February I have undergone bloodtests four times, fortunately, we do not pay for diagnostic tests in NZ. On my second visit to my new GP on Monday (which makes that the 5th doctors visit in two months) I was told that I have Helicobacter Pylori infection of my stomach lining! It appears that around 75% of the world's population have this infection and 50% of patients diagnosed with stomach cancer have it! Well that means more medication for me so today I started on a triple pack 14 day treatment including Losec and antibiotics - hope it works. The doc has also booked me down for an ultrasound as my periods have not stopped in 34 days! I will be on the waiting list for 6 - 8 weeks before I am given a date for the ultrasound - the price to pay for using public health. If the ultrasound confirms a recurrence of Fibroids which I've had 10 years ago, then the doc suggests undergoing a hysterectomy. So there - now you know what I've been up to since I returned from my holiday overseas. So what's your excuse for not keeping in touch?

Food for the Soul

When we are impatient we throw away our opportunities.

Far have I travelled, Long have I struggled, Following the impulses of my restless will. Seeking! Seeking! Seeking! In quest of happiness I sought through life's mansion, But happiness I found not there. I found happiness nowhere till my self will was lost in His Will.

The real sign of a spiritually minded person is his silent, tolerant, patient attitude. He attains his end because he does not interfere with the higher plan. He moves with the higher forces. He is always in harmony with the Divine Will. Anger, impatience, calculation, quarelling and disputes; this is what we find in the world. Those who have taken up the spiritual life cannot afford to indulge in such things.

O Lord, grant unto me calmness of spirit and serenity of heart,Shield me from the entanglements of my lower nature.Help me to seek Thee with perseverence and unswerving consecration.May I never tire in my search after TheeOr turn aside and forget Thee.[Swami Paramananda, Book of Daily Thoughts & Prayers, p. 102]

Back from my holiday to South Africa & Thailand

Hi, how are you? I am sooo happy to be back in my home sweeeeet home in Papakura, Auckland. There is no place like New Zealand! We had a fantastic time in South Africa, visiting family & friends in Middelburg & Durban...it was an emotional rollercoaster ride, one minute we were so happy to be reunited with people, the next minute sad to say farewell, wondering when our paths will cross again! The weather was unbearably hot and humid, often a sticky 35 degrees! After two weeks we got really exhausted from the heat and all the driving and visiting. The last four days was spent in Thailand - we loved the beautiful temples in Bangkok and the shopping was great...so great that we had to buy two extra hand luggage bags and paid an extra $500 for overweight luggage - bugger! Will upload some of the 2000 digital photos I have so check my album for these.The weather in Auckland is to die for - such magnificent perfect summer days :-)Have a safe and happy 2008 - love & laughter always.
**Kree**

Food for the Soul

November 13th
Remember that complete surrender alone makes us clear channels for the Supreme.

Since Thou hast given me refuge and taken me into Thy safe-keeping I have lost all fear.
My long night of anxious waking is forever ended.
I sit now with contentment in my heart; I walk with free spirit,
And I sleep with surrender in my soul.

We need Divine guidance from within. There are two wills, God's will and self-will; both are active. The foolish man chooses self-will; the wise man chooses God's will, because he does not feel safe to be separated from God and His guidance. This is wisdom, but this wisdom cannot be imposed. Life has its culmination when we learn to have a true sense of God as supreme Doer. When we acquire spiritual surrender, we rise above all troubles.

I am only an instrument in Thy Hands, O Lord;
Make me an efficient instrument.
Help me never to forget that Thou art behind me in every act.
Take from me all egotism and self-importance;
May I always be a humble instrument, wholly submissive to Thy Will.

[Swami Paramananda, Book of Daily Thoughts & Prayers, p. 352]

Birthday Wishes From Shania Vala

With so much sadness in my life this year, being such a traumatic week, with the death of two close friends, I felt so blessed to receive tonnes of wonderful birthday messages and Diwali greetings. Thank you ALL for thinking about me. I would like to share the email greetings below sent by my wonderful friend Shania and her Mum, Saras, from Middelburg, SA. Your kind words really touched my heart - and they are deeply cherished. THANK YOU SO MUCH & SAI BLESSINGS to you and the family.


Hi Kree

"It’s Your birthday...and we thinking how glad we arethat You were born.You have given us so much-supported us, encouraged us,cared for us; We didn't even need to ask.We celebrate Your wonderful self!We are in awe of Your boundless generosity,Your infinite kindness-that gentle inner glowthat You so freely use to warm our lives.Your birthday is as much a celebration for usas it is for You, maybe even more…and We wish for You the Best of Birthdays,the Best One Ever.May each birthday be better than the last.Most of all, We hope You will always beAs happy as You have made us.

Lots & Lots of Love
Saras. Shania, Kapesh & Lesshika

Jay Naidoo - Sudden Death

Wednesday, 7th November, was my 41st birthday - a birthday I will never forget.

I left school for two hours to attend the funeral of my late teacher, Jay Balbharan at Manukau Gardens. What a dignified, peaceful but sad day, with his beloved family and so many friends present. Three quarters of the people must have been teachers, as Jay was so well liked and respected. Everyone was overcome with grief for the loss of such a special person who was robbed of life.

But more sad news was to arrive later that same evening. I got a phonecall that our good friend, had had a massive and fatal heart attack while mowing the lawn. His name is Jay Naidoo, he was 50 years old, his wife is a teacher and they belong to the same spiritual group as the late Jai Balbharan - such coincidences. Only minutes before, he and his family were planning his daughter's birthday party. It is shocking news to hear that a fit and happy man, with no signs of illness, could die so suddenly, especially after we had all spoken to him at Jay Balbharan's funeral only hours earlier!

I will always remember Jay since it was because of him and his other friends that we chose to live in Papakura. When we immigrated to New Zealand, in the first week of arriving in Papakura, Jay & Kay visited us every night to see how we were settling in and Jay continued to phone me everyday in that first month. Jay was a caring friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him, a devoted dad to Keshnee and Rasika and an inseparable doting husband to Kay. The shock of his death and emptiness he leaves behind will be hard to fill.

Jay's funeral will take place tomorrow, Saturday 9th November from the family home in Rushgreen Place, Pahurehure (Papakura, Auckland) from 10:30am - 2:30pm, and then at the Manukau Memorial Gardens from 3pm - 4pm.

My heartfelt sympathies to the family as they come to terms with this sudden and devastating loss. God, grant us understanding, acceptance and faith always. May Jay's soul rest in heaven's peace.

On a brighter note, yesterday/today is Diwali but we are not celebrating due to the passing away of my father-in-law, Charles Vandayar and my Uncle George this year. God's richest blessings to all who celebrated Diwali - wishing you light, love and happiness always.

Kree

"You must be willing to sacrifice human friendship to gain Divine friendship."
[Swami Paramananda, Book of Daily Thoughts & Prayers, p. 348]

Sad News - Jai Balbharan Passed Away

Monday, 05 November 2007

Those who knew an ex-teacher of Mansell Intermediate School (Auckland), Jai Balbharan, will be sad to know that he passed away today. I got the text message at assembly this morning; fortunately I visited Jai at Auckland hospital yesterday.
Jai was an energetic and wonderful person, very health conscious, a keen golfer and a dedicated teacher.
Jai leaves behind his three children and wife Devi, (who was my form teacher in Std 7).

The funeral will take place this Wednesday 7th November (my birthday) at 11:00 - 12:00 at the Manukau Memorial Gardens.

May Jai's soul rest in heaven’s peace.

OM SHANTI

Praying for Jai Balbharan

I am sad to inform you that my Afrikaans teacher from Risecliff Secondary, Jai Balbharan, who taught there from 1981 - 1997, is in Auckland Hospital, taking his last few breaths. Jai had an haermorrage on 25th Oct 2007, just 3 days before his 50th birthday. He has not regained consciousness since then and has been taken off oxygen support and drips on Wednesday, 31st Oct.
Last year August Kanthan had successful surgery to repair his mitral valve and three months later Jai underwent the same surgery but his valve was replaced with a metal valve. There was infection in the valve and due to complications with warfarin medication, doctors were unable to operate. I visited Jai in hospital today and it is just a matter of time before he is called to rest. Please keep Jai and his family in your prayers.

If you know of anyone from Risecliff Secondary, please invite them to join my group on Facebook.
Read more about heart valve repair/replacement.