Dr Vanita Rattan

I spent so much time consumed by anxiety—wondering if the plants would thrive, if the streams would follow their course, if the world would continue turning as it should. And if it didn’t, how could I fix it?

Did I make the right choices? Did I make mistakes? Will I ever find peace, or can I improve?

Would I ever find my voice to sing, as the little birds do, while I felt so lost?

Would my vision fade, or was it just my mind playing tricks? Would I face joint issues, a locked jaw, or cognitive decline?

In the end, I realized that my worry led nowhere. So, I let it all go, gathered my aging self, stepped outside into the dawn—and sang.

We are not the owners of this planet; we are its stewards. Our duty is to protect and nurture it, along with all life it sustains. When our time to depart arrives, we should leave it in a better condition than we found it.

A smile, simple yet so bright,
Brings warmth and chases night.
It heals and lifts, a gentle grace,
A light that shines on every face.

A smile speaks without a word,
Spreading kindness, deeply stirred.
It brightens days, lifts the soul,
And makes the broken parts feel whole.

So let your smile be your guide,
A spark of hope you can't hide.

I kindle this flame in your name, a tribute to your life.
I kindle this flame in your name, a symbol of the love we shared.
I kindle this flame in your name, to hold your memory close.
I kindle this flame in your name, to feel your spirit near.
I kindle this flame in your name, as it soothes my grieving heart.
I kindle this flame in your name, hoping you'll always know,
You were everything to me... and you always will be.