Mira Matar

As you may already know when you read this, I, your Dad, studied law at university. Law and economics actually. Before going into art. Confused? It gets even more adventurous.. 😄.  I'll explain later. Returning to law.. There was a lawyer from the USA, a former Supreme Court judge, whose manner with words I typically enjoyed. His father's name bore the same name: Oliver Wendall Holmes. Father had the letters Sr (for Senior) after his name. And son had the letters Jr (for Junior) after his. Senior was a polymath, poet and physician. His use of language was also something to delight in. One of his reflections came to mind as I watched you today: "Every now and then a man's mind is stretched by a new idea or sensation , and never shrinks back to its former dimensions" The sensation element was apposite today. And it's far more frequent than just now and then at this stage of your life. You are literally getting to know the world! Exploring broccoli.. Sharing a m...

There are so many things that I would love to share with you and your sister. There are so many things that I hope will be shared by you both in due course too. The uncertain nature of life means that no guarantees exist. Every day (& every moment actually) ought to be valued & appreciated. This is one of the reasons we hop on a call with relatives in Australia so frequently.. even if only for a few life-energy giving minutes. The most regular 'guest' seen on video calls is your grandma. Captured from another angle.. Attachment builds foundations. Time-shared facilitates being. Love medicates many ailments. The conditions allow you explore; with joy. Returning to the thoughts I began with.. There is a thought (from 'Pooh's Grand Adventure') that I want to share with you and your sister. It reflects sentiments that I have previously expressed to you both. It reflects a world view that I hope will, always, sit deep inside, nurturing and supporting you both. ...

Usually, bonuses come at the end. Today, I am going to start with one. It flows on from yesterday's event; and it flows nicely into today's. Mum & I, on stages, as kids.. As you remember, yesterday there was a school reunion. Today there was an intergenerational reunion. Your great grandmother (from mum's paternal side) came to see you. Sychronized.. As if a dance.. And then those eyes.. It's funny how a partly set table can reflect a family interaction: There is a special beauty that cannot be created separately and individually, but only in unity. Every member brings a unique and differentiated set of attributes to the table. There is always a generation that is in the wings, waiting to takes it place at the table. Wishing you and sister inter-generational joy, with all sides of your family.. Especially given that you both have family not only in Belarus, but in Australia & other parts of the world. Wishing you and your sister the sense of understanding and co...

In the former Soviet countries, there exists a post-school tradition: Alumni of schools have a set date upon which they meet annually. There is no such tradition in Australia. Meet-ups back home are far more random, and far more rare. Today, in a moment of exception, my old classmates from school met up in Wollongong. We joined them virtually. And it was inspired by the person on camera with us here. We joined my former classmates, not longer after you had made the morning a divine one.. You were dressed in your cockatoo Wondersuit from Oz. Equipped with an energetic gaze. Then giving off a look that melts even the hardest heart. A reflective demeanour was also present. Back to that call.. It was with old school friends who'd not been seen for years. A bunch of photos were shared by them in the lead up to the catch up. You may find some of them fun! ..an advertisement in the local newspaper for the play Joseph & His Technicoloured Dreamcoat ..on stage as Joseph ..at school, and...

1 card, 1 present, 14 flowers. These were passed on to your sister at her school today. Three of the flowers were pot plants. Hyacinthus's. An added layer of protection from the cold. Local style. Eleven gorgeous tulips. The ultimate life present in life is shared time. That didn't happen today. Patience is called for. The door to our home, is always open to your sister. I went to a recording studio today. The intended singing didn't occur. I did manage to speak into life a few thoughts though. For Dunia's birthday. The thoughts are located here.. A cake purchased for an intended at 6pm didn't make it to Dunia. Impossible via a closed door. Another time. As I promised Dunia, the future is bright. You and your sister have taught me what love means. You have both taught me what meaning means. You have both helped me become better. Thank you. Love you. Always. Dad 💕💕💕 PS: Here is a song that was recorded for Dunia 3 years ago

You'll hear lots of interesting phrases in life. You'll perhaps even come up with some yourselves. The origins of such phrases are not just the lives of the speakers, but also the lives of those who have come before us & them. People who have passed on, but who left their lessons to be shared, have typically done so through a unique medium. It's called: a Book! Unless personal access to a person with experience is available, access to their thoughts, reflections, and best of all insights, can be gained via the medium mentioned: a Book! You are not yet to be able to read sweetheart, but you have begun to engage with the source material. Familiarity and comfort with the texture here, will perhaps proceed a relationship with the content. Asking questions based upon readings and sharing what one has encountered is a process that you can look forward to. Knowledge (and of course real-life experience with subject matter) helps one grasp "the shape" of things, and of...

You are at a fascinating stage. I sense it is a stage that will go on for a while. It's a stage where everything gets taken to your mouth 😊 ..empty 1.5 litre bottles ..shapes of foam ..& occasionally an actual meal 😇 ..buckwheat here The message that echoes out from you, is one of exploration & learning. In finding these flavours, you are finding yourself. Your responses speak of what resonates, and what doesn't. Inclinations become apparent. The magic of life, is coming to life. It is a wonderous journey; both on the outer and the inner. Wishing you and your sister wonder and joy, as you get to know the world. And, as you get to know yourselves. Wishing you both the ability to formulate positions based on facts and yourselves.. and not on the predilections, or dispositions, or preferences, of others. Wishing you both the ability to hear yourselves, and then to allow yourselves to be heard. and then to be willing to share what you hear. With love, and support, always....

You haven't yet started speaking. The time will come soon enough. When it does, remember this.. No-one is a mind reader. No-one. We need to articulate our needs, if we wish to have them met. It's true that on occasion one can make very good guesses on the basis of body language, and voice intonation. Don't rely on those alone. Take a leaf out of our book: lead with listening, and go for open communication. [..your 6 month check up today.. all good] When communication is open, love can flourish. Why? Questions are answered. Issues are resolved. People can do for the person that they love, what it is that the person wants; remember 'The Platinum Rule'? [..the measurements were comforting today] Love is a source of comfort, and of energy. Love gives us roots, and it gives us wings. I hope that you and your sister grow to have a sense solid roots, and empowering wings. I hope that you and your sister choose to have persons of integrity in your inner circle; and that you...

I was on a regular call with friends a couple of hours back. Carol & David were in the limelight talking about their book that's to be released tomorrow. It's titled "Real-time Leadership..." Your agenda was a little different today, and it was shared with grandma and mum.. Looking forward to the years that are to come, in yours' and your sister's lives, let me revert to my group chat.. and to share a few of the take-aways. First take-away.. Leaders (& don't forget that self-leadership is something that we all have to address in life) need to kick off in any situation by doing a check in with themselves. The 5C model was articulated. The 5 C's to check one's level on were, "Am I.. - Calm - Clear - Curious - Compassionate - Courageous" (As a note of respect, Dr Richard Schwartz's 'Internal family Systems' model was the original source of the thinking here)  Second take-away.. This related to situations in which we are c...

We are not born into the world alone. We are a piece of a broader picture. Akin to a puzzle. Each time you meet a family member, the puzzle begins to take further shape. So it was today. You met your maternal Uncle Vanya for the first time in person. You'd literally just woken up.. Your maternal grandma had come to visit too.. The four of you spent much of the day together. I was only around for the initial moments and a quick breakfast. It was good to learn that you took to your Uncle! Nearer to dinner time, we were in the same space again. And it was another first for you. Your first time eating rice. The cheeky grin as you enjoyed the new flavor and texture was a joy to behold. Wishing you and your sister the joy of coming together with other pieces of the family puzzle. Wishing you both the joy of new flavors and textures, both literally and metaphorically. Wishing you the awareness to appreciation & value all the good that comes your way in life, and to quickly learn from ...