There has been one dominating factor that’s kept me single all these months. My father’s love for my mother has been so strong ever since I’ve known, that I could never imagine them both separating. As my mum’s health declined over the last decade, and as I witnessed mum’s state of health dramatically drop over the past year, I realised that when her spirit heads out into another dimension, dad would be left alone. I imagined that he would be devastated under such a situation, and that for me to avoid any pain myself, it’s best if I do not find someone to share my life with, just in case I lose her. I guessed that detachment meant not sharing my life with someone.

So mum passed away 3 and a half months back, and you know what, dad’s doing ok. Yes he misses her, we all do, but what’s important here is that we’ve all recognised the transient nature of reality. Everything changes, constantly. People come and people go. I no longer need to be looking out for ‘Miss Right’ - the permanent one who will be with me forever. No, I just need to keep an eye out for ‘Miss Right Now’ - the one who I can share my current life experiences with, the one who’s life I can enrich through my unique understanding of the world, and who can enrich my experience through hers.

So where are you, ‘Miss Right Now’? Where are you hiding? Come on out - make yourself known to me. It’s ok, now is all that matters.

It’s not often that you get the chance to sit face-to-face with yourself, taking yourself beyond reflection (the past), holding yourself back from anticipation (the future), and sitting tight with the present moment, right here, right now, nowhere to turn, nowhere to hide.

How fortunate to have had the opportunity on Tuesday 12th December 2006, to be immersed in 5.5 hours of dialogue with Darren Taylor, double bassist for Courtney Pine’s touring band, out to transform the lives of this generation’s youth, giving them an abundance of chances to develop themselves through music and do the right thing for themselves, and the communities they live within.

Darren ‘Monty’ Taylor
Double Bass Player
Courtney Pine’s Touring Band

» Continue reading “On The Reload With Bassist Darren Taylor”

Watching over you, always a birds eye view.
Every step you take, from the moment you wake.
Through the smiles you give, I will always live.
As you helping hand reaches out, my heart remains thereabout.

Though the days may pass by, be brave and do not cry.
The love which you emanate should be your pure innocent state.
Time stands not still, as the souls journey continues and will.
May the divine light of your spirit, guide you forth and forever by lit.

- Deepa M. Shah