Matters of the mind: Crisis and teachings of Christ
While we may have gone through a period that has shaken our faith and exacerbated self-doubt, re-establishing our faith in ourselves is key. Suffering and crisis may trigger doubt, pain, and despair, but trusting the journey, the process, and our experiences build faith December 25, 2020 10:50:50 am
We need to recognise and make responsible choices in our decisions, keeping in mind not just ourselves, but compassion and service to others as well. (express photo: Ashish Kale; design: Gargi Singh)
With an entire year of a pandemic having passed, just barely seeing a glimmer of hope in vaccines, humankind is faced with another cycle of wreckage on the horizon. With news of a more deadly strain of the virus, our patience and endurance stand the risk of being shattered yet again.
Christmas 2020: Of natural wreaths and green festivities
A common way to prepare a Christmas tree is to use a branch of the locally-available pine tree or decorate potted Thuja shrubs (Mor Pankhi in Hindi), ferns, especially asparagus ferns, palms, and the indoor-friendly araucarias December 25, 2020 9:10:15 am
Christmas arrangements using succulents have gained a lot of popularity as bright, living Christmas trees. (Photo: Swasti Pachauri)
With COVID-19-induced lockdowns and restrictions spanning several months, many of us have missed the fruits of ecology and nature around us. Nature enthusiasts among us had it exceedingly tough with the new home-bound realities. Now, as 2020 finally comes to an end with Christmas carols ringing in, elements of nature could be brought home with living trees and authentic celebrations derived from our natural surroundings.