We Will Overcome, One Day At A Time

It's been some time now since I last wrote. Honestly, I was wondering what to write as I don’t believe in just ‘another’ article. When I write, I picture each of you reading each word that’s written. There was so much to write about and there is so much to write about.

I have decided to write today because I believe that most of us, if not all of us, have in some way or the other been affected by the global meltdown. I am affected. Added to this, each of us is dealing with challenges on the personal and family front. Yes….it’s pretty tough out there and I wouldn’t like to pretend otherwise. I know of many people and families who are actually trying to survive and believe you me, I am not trying to be dramatic here.

For those of us who are not yet affected, we have to be so very grateful. Yet, I’m pretty sure there is the ghost of uncertainty that keeps creeping up in our head from time to time.

What can one do at times like these? My humble advice…..

It is said that ‘many hands make light work’. Likewise, I am confident that many positive words, deeds, thoughts and hands that reach out to help our neighbor(s) will help make our strife lighter. Yes, you read that one right, our strife lighter. So reach out and extend your hand to meet your neighbour’s. In fact, actually open your ears, heart and mind to members of your family. It’s important to keep things simple, ‘believe’ and take one day at a time. Hang in there….there is always the morrow. And even if tomorrow is worse off than today, there is the day after. Eventually, each of us will overcome, one day at a time.

For those of you who believe in God, God be with you always. For those of you who don’t, the universe will take care of you.

You are free to email me at ivanrodrigues777@yahoo.com. I can promise you one thing – I may not be able to offer much, but I can definitely offer you my time. And a smile and prayer from the bottom of my heart.

I wish you positive energy coupled with abundance and love.

ivan rodrigues

Life is in the Details - Subscribe Now!!

The above quote rings very true when I reflect on life, especially mine. For me life exists in the details and in every moment; in the little things that are actually the big things, strange as it may sound. Life is about living, it is about the here and now. It is about the waking up each morning and looking at your wife’s face, as sweet as honey, which makes you smile. It is about me wanting to kiss her on the cheek, but refraining from doing so because you are afraid you might wake her up…she really looks beautiful in her sleep!

Life is about watering all my plants in the morning and enjoying the beauty of the poinsettas as also the aroma of a leaf from the tulsi plant. It is about my wife slowly creeping up behind me as I stand near the window and holding me tight around the waist as we silently watch the beauty of the morning sky. It is the opportunity to read the newspaper in the morning as also not shaving because it’s the weekend, giving my skin it’s well-deserved and much needed rest. It is about being driven to work and savouring the taste of apples and papaya which comprise my breakfast. It is about enjoying the positive feedback the people at the office give you on the t-shirt and corduroy combination you’ve worn and then me calling up my wife immediately to tell her this because she was the one who asked me to wear the particular combination in the first place!

Life is about walking out of your cabin and bumping into a lady colleague who recently had a miscarriage….and the two of us sitting and talking. It’s about sharing the “Surrender Prayer” with her and her smile staying with you as she leaves the cabin assuring you that she would start saying this prayer today.

Life is about sharing a few laughs with your colleagues at work as also laughing at the ‘nicknames’ your friends have used to describe you on Facebook. It is about logging on to Facebook in the evening and receiving sea gardens, elvish wisdom, roses, pokes, super pokes, growing plants, glitter, hugs and kisses online! It is about the people in the positivism group who have posted new items for discussion, reading the replies to existing posts and about the four new people who want to be added to your friends list.


Life is about reaching home and being greeted by a warm smile and hug from narrating all that happened during the day including how excited our niece Rhea was when she spoke with my wife over the phone as she is going for her first overnight school picnic in a few days (she is only five!!). It is about being invited by mum and dad to spend the weekend at their place and us finalising the menu over the phone. It is about going for a late evening walk with my wife…..

Life is about making an appointment with yourself and enjoying every moment.

Ask yourself this question - Are you alive because you breathe? Or do you breathe mindful of the beauty of each breath and consequently, the ‘life’ you are blessed with?

Enjoy each moment, each breath, each detail. If you are not doing that yet, ‘Subscribe Now!!’

God bless…. ivan rodrigues