Very recently I woke up with my morning paper with a report tucked away in an insignificant part of it. The report dealt with the woeful condition of an elderly person quite at an advanced age with festering wounds and horribly malnourished and dumped on the pavement near to a state-run hospital. This ,needless to say, sent a chill down my spine! It's a true depiction of the state of affairs of the elderly people. Apathy, neglect and gross insensitivity have come to characterize our attitude towards our elderly people and their problems. The story covered in the report just does not end there and further inquiry revealed that this unfortunate has two well-established sons and a house of his own. And his unworthy sons and their wives have treated him so cruelly that he was left with no other option but to flee from them and took to begging for his survival.

But the scenario was not so dismal even some decades back. Moral values still ruled supreme and guided our actions and the existence of joint family system ensured a fair deal for the ones who tried gave their very best to their wards . They bore with all hardships and sufferings silently towards a happy and comfortable future for their sons and daughters and hoped that they would care for them at their most vulnerable stage in life only to find their hopes cruelly dashed down!

We have been following the West in may things life but accepting its materialistic culture in its totality would only aggravate this problem. Whether we accept it or not old age is an inevitable process in one's life all we are subject to. Let us not set a precedent which would be cited by our children in dealing with us when our turn comes!

Silent sitting

Sit your back straight but relaxed. Close you eyes. Think about what you like the most a lake, or a park.

We know that a good body posture is very important for healthy development of the body. How can we have a good posture? Keep reminding yourself.

Life skills

A) hold your head up

B) pull your shoulder back

C) stand straight

D) sit straight

If you remember this and often observe how you are sitting and standing, you can have a good body posture. Good posture means your back should be straight while sitting, standing and sleeping.

Posture while in the office

a) sit straight

b) See that you are seeing the computer straight without bending to the sides.

c) In case you have difficulty in seeing the screen adjust bend of the monitor. See that you get adequate light where you sit and work.

d) In case natural light is not enough then the light from the bulb or tube should fall from the left side on your key board.

Learn the right postures

1) Look straight at the monitor screen

2) So do not keep looking back, talking to your friend sitting behind you in the office room.

3) Climb the stairs properly.

4) Do not jump on the stairs, climbing up or down, two stairs at a time. Do not push others when you are climbing the stairs.

How do you pick up the flies when they fall?

a) You pick up a fallen file by sitting down on your knees. or

b) You pick up a fallen book by bending your back?

Which is the right way?

A~ sitting to pick up the file is the right way.

How do you carry the flies for your manager?

a) You help you master to carry the files- by carrying the flies close to your chest. or

b) You help your manager to carry the files –by carrying the files away from your chest.

Which is the right way of carrying the files?

A~ carrying the files close to your chest is the right way of carrying the files.

THE FOUR CANDLES

Four candles burned slowly. Their ambience was so soft you could hear them seek.

The first candle said,” I am Pease, but these days nobody wants to keep me lit”. Then Peace’s flame slowly diminished and goes off complete.

The second candle said,” I am Faith, but these days, I am no longer indispensable”. Then faith’s flame slowly diminished and goes off completely.

The third candle spoke sadly, “ I am Love and I haven’t the strength to stay lit any longer. People put me aside and don’t understand my importance. They even forgot to love those who are closest to them.” And waiting no longer, love goes off completely.

Suddenly a child enters the room and finds the three candles no longer burning. Child begins to cry, “why are you not burning? You are supposed to stay until the end.

Then the fourth candle spoke gently to the child, ”Don’t be afraid, for I am hope and while I still burn, we can re-light the other candles.” With shining eyes the child took the candles Hope and lit the other three candles.

So friends, Never let the flame of hope go out of your life. with hope no matter how bad things look and are, even dying Peace, Faith and love can brightly shine in our lives.

Your’s

S.Jayaprakash

Get your storm jacket,

swagger with the hurricane,

dance in the tornado,

do the tempest duet,

let your heartbeat like a cyclone

because very soon the sun shall

rise to the monarchy of success

Get your storm jacket,

be immune to winter chills,

visualize the coolness in the summer's

punch of heat,

because very soon the stars shall

glitter with a happiness

that show this is your time,

your time to shine

so get your storm jacket,

swagger with the hurricanes,

because your time is coming.

                                                   By Kakraba Afful