As you grow, you will hopefully come to think of your Daddy as a man who stood for what he believed in. I don't think of myself as a revolutionary or some big thinker. I was brought up in a comfortable and reassuring environment that your Grandpa and Grandma created for me. One thing that I was taught though was to stand by my principles and values. The values that taught me right from wrong.
Whatever you do in life, you must have a sense of right and wrong. There are various things which might seem right to you but are actually wrong. Search your conscience and you will find the right answer.
The was a time in your Daddy's life when he was associated with the church youth and many of them looked to him for a change in the way the youth was being handled and treated. One day I stood up for what I felt was wrong and spoke out in public against the way the youth was being treated. That day I became a bad person because I spoke my mind. Society will condemn you for standing for the truth. Those who do side with you will be forced into silence by the majority, but don't give up.
Remember you have to strike a balance here and not let your life as a whole suffer. Make compromises but only for the sake of those you love and for your own peace of mind.
There is so much more I can tell you but I would like to also learn on your own.
Love you my princess
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
Beauty is only skin deep
My Dear Danni,
I saw this post on Facebook and I'm sure you will be able to understand the meaning of it one day. I hope and pray that you stay strong and true to yourself.
One Dad’s Heart-Wrenching Letter to His Young Daughter Which Destroys Society's Definition Of Beauty
Dear Little One,
As I write this, I’m sitting in the makeup aisle of our local Target store. A friend recently texted me from a different makeup aisle and told me it felt like one of the most oppressive places in the world. I wanted to find out what he meant.
And now that I’m sitting here, I’m beginning to agree with him. Words have power, and the words on display in this aisle have a deep power. Words and phrases like:
Affordably gorgeous,
Infallible,
Flawless finish,
Brilliant strength,
Liquid power,
Go nude,
Age defying,
Instant age rewind,
Choose your dream,
Nearly naked, and
Natural beauty.
When you have a daughter you start to realize she’s just as strong as everyone else in the house—a force to be reckoned with a soul on fire with the same life and gifts and passions as any man. But sitting in this store aisle, you also begin to realize most people won’t see her that way. They’ll see her as a pretty face and a body to enjoy. And they’ll tell her she has to look a certain way to have any worth or influence.
But words do have power and maybe, just maybe, the words of a father can begin to compete with the words of the world. Maybe a father’s words can deliver his daughter through this gauntlet of institutionalized shame and into a deep unshakable sense of her own worthiness and beauty.
A father’s words aren't different words,but they are words with a radically different meaning:
BRILLIANT STRENGTH. May your strength be not in your fingernails but in your heart.May you discern in your center who you are,and then may you fearfully but tenaciously live it out in the world.
CHOOSE YOUR DREAM. But not from a department store shelf.Find the still-quiet place within you.A real dream has been planted there. Discover what you want to do in the world.And when you have chosen,may you faithfully pursue it,with integrity and with hope.
NAKED. The world wants you to take your clothes off. Please keep them on. But take your gloves off. Pull no punches. Say what is in your heart. Be vulnerable. Embrace risk. Love a world that barely knows what it means to love itself. Do so nakedly. Openly. With abandon.
INFALLIBLE. May you be constantly,infallibly aware that infallibility doesn’t exist. It’s an illusion created by people interested in your wallet. If you choose to seek perfection,may it be in an infallible grace—for yourself,and for everyone around you.
AGE DEFYING. Your skin will wrinkle and your youth will fade, but your soul is ageless. It will always know how to play and how to enjoy and how to revel in this one-chance life. May you always defiantly resist the aging of your spirit.
FLAWLESS FINISH. Your finish has nothing to do with how your face looks today and everything to do with how your life looks on your last day. May your years be a preparation for that day. May you be aged by grace, may you grow in wisdom, and may your love become big enough to embrace all people. May your flawless finish be a peaceful embrace of the end and the unknown that follows, and may it thus be a gift to everyone who cherishes you.
Little One, you love everything pink and frilly and I will surely understand if someday makeup is important to you. But I pray three words will remain more important to you—the last three words you say every night, when I ask the question: “Where are you the most beautiful?” Three words so bright no concealer can cover them.
Where are you the most beautiful?
On the inside.
From my heart to yours,
Daddy
Writer : Dr. Kelly Flanagan
I saw this post on Facebook and I'm sure you will be able to understand the meaning of it one day. I hope and pray that you stay strong and true to yourself.
One Dad’s Heart-Wrenching Letter to His Young Daughter Which Destroys Society's Definition Of Beauty
Dear Little One,
As I write this, I’m sitting in the makeup aisle of our local Target store. A friend recently texted me from a different makeup aisle and told me it felt like one of the most oppressive places in the world. I wanted to find out what he meant.
And now that I’m sitting here, I’m beginning to agree with him. Words have power, and the words on display in this aisle have a deep power. Words and phrases like:
Affordably gorgeous,
Infallible,
Flawless finish,
Brilliant strength,
Liquid power,
Go nude,
Age defying,
Instant age rewind,
Choose your dream,
Nearly naked, and
Natural beauty.
When you have a daughter you start to realize she’s just as strong as everyone else in the house—a force to be reckoned with a soul on fire with the same life and gifts and passions as any man. But sitting in this store aisle, you also begin to realize most people won’t see her that way. They’ll see her as a pretty face and a body to enjoy. And they’ll tell her she has to look a certain way to have any worth or influence.
But words do have power and maybe, just maybe, the words of a father can begin to compete with the words of the world. Maybe a father’s words can deliver his daughter through this gauntlet of institutionalized shame and into a deep unshakable sense of her own worthiness and beauty.
A father’s words aren't different words,but they are words with a radically different meaning:
BRILLIANT STRENGTH. May your strength be not in your fingernails but in your heart.May you discern in your center who you are,and then may you fearfully but tenaciously live it out in the world.
CHOOSE YOUR DREAM. But not from a department store shelf.Find the still-quiet place within you.A real dream has been planted there. Discover what you want to do in the world.And when you have chosen,may you faithfully pursue it,with integrity and with hope.
NAKED. The world wants you to take your clothes off. Please keep them on. But take your gloves off. Pull no punches. Say what is in your heart. Be vulnerable. Embrace risk. Love a world that barely knows what it means to love itself. Do so nakedly. Openly. With abandon.
INFALLIBLE. May you be constantly,infallibly aware that infallibility doesn’t exist. It’s an illusion created by people interested in your wallet. If you choose to seek perfection,may it be in an infallible grace—for yourself,and for everyone around you.
AGE DEFYING. Your skin will wrinkle and your youth will fade, but your soul is ageless. It will always know how to play and how to enjoy and how to revel in this one-chance life. May you always defiantly resist the aging of your spirit.
FLAWLESS FINISH. Your finish has nothing to do with how your face looks today and everything to do with how your life looks on your last day. May your years be a preparation for that day. May you be aged by grace, may you grow in wisdom, and may your love become big enough to embrace all people. May your flawless finish be a peaceful embrace of the end and the unknown that follows, and may it thus be a gift to everyone who cherishes you.
Little One, you love everything pink and frilly and I will surely understand if someday makeup is important to you. But I pray three words will remain more important to you—the last three words you say every night, when I ask the question: “Where are you the most beautiful?” Three words so bright no concealer can cover them.
Where are you the most beautiful?
On the inside.
From my heart to yours,
Daddy
Writer : Dr. Kelly Flanagan
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Sometimes
Danni, there will be times in your life when you feel all is lost, there will be times when you feel that the whole world is against you, when you have no one to lean on, when the weight of the world is on your shoulders. When this happens, I want you to know that the best person you can depend on is yourself. You and only you have the capability to bring yourself out of the dumps that you feel you are in.
Depending on how old you are as you read this, you would have realized that I tried to bring you up in a slightly different manner than those around you. My focus on being self reliant was more than depending on prayer or some supernatural force. Don't get me wrong. I was not an atheist. I did believe that prayer held some value in my life, but that was only when everything else failed. I believed that God helped those who helped themselves.
So my dear daughter, when you feel like there is nothing left you to live for, remember to look within yourself to find that reserve of strength. It maybe a boyfriend who dumped you, it might be something that Mummy or Daddy said, it might be a bad mark sheet, it might be a missed promotion or a lay off. No matter what, remember not to let anyone tell you that you are not capable of bouncing back. Take criticism in a positive manner. It is not easy but learn to do that and you will go far.
As I pen down these thoughts, I am forced to drift into thoughts of what you will be thinking, thoughts about what memories you have of me, thoughts about what you thought of me, thought about the influence I have in your life, thoughts about how much you value what left behind. Not the material stuff but also the mental and emotional. I always considered myself somewhat more in control of my emotions and mental state than most others. If I am able to pen down much more to explain this, in the near future I shall do that, for the time being, this statement suffices.
So my dear Danni, stay strong and healthy both physically and mentally. Till next time.
Daddy!
Depending on how old you are as you read this, you would have realized that I tried to bring you up in a slightly different manner than those around you. My focus on being self reliant was more than depending on prayer or some supernatural force. Don't get me wrong. I was not an atheist. I did believe that prayer held some value in my life, but that was only when everything else failed. I believed that God helped those who helped themselves.
So my dear daughter, when you feel like there is nothing left you to live for, remember to look within yourself to find that reserve of strength. It maybe a boyfriend who dumped you, it might be something that Mummy or Daddy said, it might be a bad mark sheet, it might be a missed promotion or a lay off. No matter what, remember not to let anyone tell you that you are not capable of bouncing back. Take criticism in a positive manner. It is not easy but learn to do that and you will go far.
As I pen down these thoughts, I am forced to drift into thoughts of what you will be thinking, thoughts about what memories you have of me, thoughts about what you thought of me, thought about the influence I have in your life, thoughts about how much you value what left behind. Not the material stuff but also the mental and emotional. I always considered myself somewhat more in control of my emotions and mental state than most others. If I am able to pen down much more to explain this, in the near future I shall do that, for the time being, this statement suffices.
So my dear Danni, stay strong and healthy both physically and mentally. Till next time.
Daddy!
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Danni Dear
My Dear Daughter Daniella
As I begin this blog, I'm not sure where I will finally get with this. I envisage a day when you are old enough to understand what is being written in this blog as you read it. I envisage a day when I am no longer there to explain to you what I meant when I wrote what I did. I envisage a day when I hope your mother might still be around to throw some light on what I might have meant.
I begin this blog on the 3rd of November 2014, 11 days before your first birthday. As I sit here at the keyboard wondering how to put across the million thoughts running through my head, the one thing that comes to my mind first is whether you will ever find this blog. I don't plan to make this blog public, after all it is for your eyes only. I won't even tell your mother about it. I do plan to leave some clue behind about this blog and I also hope you will not destroy the clue (unknowingly) before you come across this blog.
It was the 14th of November 2013 and the time was about 3:45pm. That is when I got my first glimpse of you. You will have learned that I don't get nervous or edgy very easily. I am a person who doesn't have to try very hard to maintain his calm in the event of any tension. I did not burst out crying or laughing or faint. All I can say is that my heart leaped with excitement. According to your maternal grandmother, I enveloped the little bed they brought you on and hardly gave anyone else a chance to get a glimpse of you. Somewhere I heard a voice say, It's a Girl. That's when I was so surprised. I must mention that throughout Mummy's pregnancy everyone kept telling us that she was carrying a boy. The only time I ever had a doubt was during one the USGs that mummy had gone for. It was at the same hospital you were born in and I was present in the room while it was happening. As I was observing the screen, the pictures seem to tell me that you were going to be a girl. Mummy thought otherwise and since none of us were qualified enough to debate that topic, we left it at that.
So you were there on display for about a minute and then they took you back in. Mummy came out a few minutes later but she was very groggy. Later I went to see her in the room and she was asking about you and she too was surprised to hear you were a girl. There were 4 other people that day in the hospital waiting for that first peek at you. Your Nana, Dada, Uncle Bappa and Mr Sarkar. After they took you back in, I called Grandma and Grandpa and they were so happy. They came down a few days later for your baptism. I also called one of my friends Deepti. She was the only one who told me that you would be a girl. Lots of people kept calling in between since it was my birthday as well.
I finally went home to Nana and Dada's house before going home alone. The year had begun!
It was the 14th of November 2013 and the time was about 3:45pm. That is when I got my first glimpse of you. You will have learned that I don't get nervous or edgy very easily. I am a person who doesn't have to try very hard to maintain his calm in the event of any tension. I did not burst out crying or laughing or faint. All I can say is that my heart leaped with excitement. According to your maternal grandmother, I enveloped the little bed they brought you on and hardly gave anyone else a chance to get a glimpse of you. Somewhere I heard a voice say, It's a Girl. That's when I was so surprised. I must mention that throughout Mummy's pregnancy everyone kept telling us that she was carrying a boy. The only time I ever had a doubt was during one the USGs that mummy had gone for. It was at the same hospital you were born in and I was present in the room while it was happening. As I was observing the screen, the pictures seem to tell me that you were going to be a girl. Mummy thought otherwise and since none of us were qualified enough to debate that topic, we left it at that.
So you were there on display for about a minute and then they took you back in. Mummy came out a few minutes later but she was very groggy. Later I went to see her in the room and she was asking about you and she too was surprised to hear you were a girl. There were 4 other people that day in the hospital waiting for that first peek at you. Your Nana, Dada, Uncle Bappa and Mr Sarkar. After they took you back in, I called Grandma and Grandpa and they were so happy. They came down a few days later for your baptism. I also called one of my friends Deepti. She was the only one who told me that you would be a girl. Lots of people kept calling in between since it was my birthday as well.
I finally went home to Nana and Dada's house before going home alone. The year had begun!
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