tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79944011219367726022024-02-20T23:03:44.688-08:00Indulge in AwarenessTo be born in a better world is your fortune. To leave behind a better world is your choice.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-70964120413663117252014-10-02T22:10:00.000-07:002014-10-03T03:29:55.413-07:00First Count On Yourself<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">It was a typical single-storey village primary school
constructed in "L" shape. The courtyard had a big Banyan tree to the
left of the entrance flanked by few other trees.</span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">Every morning the kids would assemble under the shade
by forming straight parallel queues and sing a prayer. This would be followed
by a pledge and National Anthem. The shrillness of their sound would
reverberate across their village homes and fields where parents, busy in daily
chores, would nurture the hope that one day their wards would land a good job
in life. </span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">Alas! The dreams would soon shed their wings. Many of
these dreams would die in their infancy unable to survive beyond middle-school.
Why? Because of the lack of skills in English language. Yes, English. Just
another language!!</span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">And who would be responsible for this? The Teachers,
that's what is told. For decades now!!</span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">The Universal Choice</span></b><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">I used to think there were only three choices if someone
were to be in a situation that he disliked:</span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">(a) Accept the situation (b) leave the situation or
(c) do something to change that situation</span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">Apparently I was unaware of another option that in
fact is the most prevalent one – Expect someone else to change the situation
for you. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">It has in fact permeated every sphere of our lives.</span><span style="color: #595959;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">We are happy simply passing over the buck to someone
else. In the office, if I am not getting a pay hike then it is because my boss
is biased and doesn't like me. At home, if I can't give time to my family then
my office work is to be blamed for. If our kids get low grades then it is due
to ineffective teachers. If they no longer listen to us then they have lost all
kinds of manners. If our city is not clean then it is to due to the useless
municipality or fellow citizens. If there is unruly traffic on the road then
others don't know how to drive. If there is corruption then it is due to the
system.</span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">It is always THEM. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">Are we responsible for something?
Ever???</span></span></div>
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</div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">The Victim</span></b><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">We are brilliant actors. The role we play the best is
– playing a victim. We love to play a victim because it absolves us of any
responsibility. The blame never stains our dress. It also grants us the permit
to brag about what we might have been able to achieve otherwise.</span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">The Buck Starts With You</span></b><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">For any positive change in circumstances, one must first own the responsibility for change. If you ever tend to blame someone/something for a situation,
first have a peek into your own SELF. Reflect upon your own role. Then, and
more importantly, reflect upon what you could do to change it because nothing will change unless you strive for it. After all, going through
life expecting others to change things for you won't take you far.</span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">Step up. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">Start counting on YOURSELF!!</span></span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;">As for the village school, only if few educated
parents could come forward, improve their own English and then help the kids. They
just have to count on themselves first.</span><span style="color: #595959; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-themecolor: text1; mso-themetint: 166;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-46445788029393202052014-05-23T21:18:00.000-07:002014-07-06T01:19:07.287-07:00A Voyage Around the Sun<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On 16th May 2014, the largest democracy in the world -
India - witnessed the remarkable emergence and installation of a new Government.
Close to 551 million voters (more than 60%) went out to vote and exercised
their right to choose among available options (candidates). They decided and
acted on what they wanted.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What was the outcome for those who didn't vote? Since
they CHOSE not to act, they received the "Default" outcome decided
by others. Whether they like the outcome now or not, they are stuck with it for
next 5 years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Default outcome" is what you receive when you
don't act.</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>At the Speed of Earth</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't aware of the word "Default" until my
college days. Later, it turned out to be one of the most commonly used words in
my professional life. Of course most of us know what it means. But have you
ever considered what it potentially could reveal and convey when applied to
your life? </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are like me then your New Year is ushered in with
a bang of "Happy New Year". The night brims with life and bliss as we
dance, drink and celebrate the first dawn of every New Year. In hindsight, the
year in the rear view almost always seems to have cruised past us. We wonder
and even remark how quickly it slipped by. Leaving behind an ever-growing pile
of "Dreams and Desires"!! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now on the first morning, as the hangover subsides and
the eardrum vibrations diminish, we step into the New Year only to plump down
in the lap of routine-life moments later. Consumed by its perennial rut, we
embark upon yet another trip around the sun, just like dozens or scores before,
hurtling at an amazing 30 km/sec in space. The destination? Of course no clue!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Next Default Trip </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a moment close your eyes. Imagine you are standing
above and outside the earth in space. Pause your journey and think about what
"Default" means for your life as you watch the blue marble. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What default results would your life lead to at the end
if you don't act on your dreams? Is that what you desire? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is what Cambridge dictionary states DEFAULT means:-
"The thing that exists or happens if you do not change it intentionally by
performing an action". Another dictionary states: "Failure to act;
inaction or neglect".</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you want a DEFAULT outcome </span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;">–</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> an outcome not decided by
you?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAu0GjVkGheXzAe_J4FGmV3-W4QhsI0YGW5q0MEdIc-N_E5f5jEwHuoY85JeIZKUeSDqgLlI4ErxwZvLJxNYQseDK8jaCZoo8Pkz_prGhKrYeAOthpHVc3le5fcwD61hzwvV1zvC0aG__Z/s1600/Sun-and-Clouds.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAu0GjVkGheXzAe_J4FGmV3-W4QhsI0YGW5q0MEdIc-N_E5f5jEwHuoY85JeIZKUeSDqgLlI4ErxwZvLJxNYQseDK8jaCZoo8Pkz_prGhKrYeAOthpHVc3le5fcwD61hzwvV1zvC0aG__Z/s1600/Sun-and-Clouds.png" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If no then the time to act is now. Challenge the DEFAULT, the status quo in your life. Otherwise, you are
just 7 months away from another trip around the sun. The Next Hurrah or rather
The Next Default Trip!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome Aboard??</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-35564538271200505082013-10-09T09:43:00.000-07:002013-10-09T09:43:25.864-07:00The Bright Sunshine<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good Morning!! Aren't these wonderful words? In fact, these might be the first two words your loved ones get to hear from you every morning. And so does the rest of your universe - colleagues, friends and customers. On the flip side, these also are the first words you get to hear from them.</span><br />
<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></b>
<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Joy of Being Welcomed</b><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The big 'checkered-floor' training room on the 2nd floor was full of computers that were arranged along its three sides. A projector lay in the middle facing the fourth. For next one month, this would be the seating and training area for a batch of 30+ young professionals raring to dive into the corporate world. And I just happened to be one among them. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On our very first day, as I swung open the door, a brisk animated voice greeted me from the far end of the room. "Good Morning, Vinod". It caught me completely unaware (or rather like a deer in front of the headlights). It was so unique and invigorating simply due to its joyful tone. Somewhat startled, I looked up in its direction to spot the person. It was Sanil, Sanil Pillai, with a twinkle in his eyes that were fixed on me. He had a big smile on his face while his fingers continued playing with the keys.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWSRwIHQYyRDGpNKru8qaQlbyU-75Sy49oEk9oCiR9UNrQXihyphenhypheniR6hqOyTdABqxs-H45PRisWUh0OsWNAKbGDTR2xuqF1nV3uZV-8SX2fuayqVA9nJcx8yK59bHY3XXxzy-gZXwqS70Kc/s1600/Paris+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWSRwIHQYyRDGpNKru8qaQlbyU-75Sy49oEk9oCiR9UNrQXihyphenhypheniR6hqOyTdABqxs-H45PRisWUh0OsWNAKbGDTR2xuqF1nV3uZV-8SX2fuayqVA9nJcx8yK59bHY3XXxzy-gZXwqS70Kc/s320/Paris+071.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had never been 'accorded' such a welcome-greeting before to a day in my life. I really didn't know how to react and could barely muster a soft response. It took me few days to get used to such an energetic and lively 'welcome'. For next one year, until he quit, Sanil would welcome everyone with the same zeal and zest. But by then, it had rubbed on me too. The fact that I remember the moment even after a decade and a half shows how much it has impacted me. Besides, it also pushed me to respond with equal zest.</span></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bright Sunshine </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have you ever observed HOW do you greet another person into a new day? A day of their life that they are about to spend with you? </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you greet them with a DRY welcome - engrossed in your preoccupation, no smile, no eye-contact and the words stretching themselves hard to reach the person? OR Do you greet them with a WARM welcome - shine in your eyes, a smile on the face and exuding LIFE. Does your "Good Morning" play like a subdued-note OR sounds like a chime? Does the tone of your voice cheer them up? Does it fill them with energy and excitement? </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you still don't know then just think about this - How different is your "Good Morning" from your "Good Night"?</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bright Sunshine - that's what "Good Morning" stands for. Wish them abundance of it. With your complete presence! The way Sanil does!! Until next morning!!!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-58682477217561376842013-09-07T20:29:00.000-07:002013-09-07T20:31:34.503-07:00Out of Order Show<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The band struck the chords and drums to tune up and their
beats reverberated briefly through the auditorium. We were at the fag end of
our marathon half-day session. The starving crowd, which had already queued
itself next to the dinner tables, turned their heads in anticipation. They,
however, were disappointed as no sound bite followed for next few minutes. As
the minutes ticked by, there were occasional guitar, drums, keyboard beats and
they were largely ignored. The wait was appearing to be agonizingly long and
few persons had already left.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At last, the band played. And what a show it turned out to
be! For next 30 minutes, they belted out one hit after another sending shivers
down everyone's spines. They captivated their small audience and held them
spellbound. The effect probably was magnified due to smaller size of the
auditorium and familiar faces in the crowd and the band. It felt like being in
a college fest after ages.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later that night, while driving back home, I couldn't
resist thinking about "The Band". They had a very peculiar name – Out
of Order Band. If this was what Out-of-Order meant then I was for it every
single moment of my life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Noise or Music?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A band, in essence, produces sound that sounds like
phenomenal music because it is produced in a certain pattern and order. How can
they do it? Because its members understand and complement each other. They come
together to play in unison, not in isolation. They do not compete with each
other and neither any one plays to outdo the rest. Every member acknowledges
and respects the contribution of others. Occasionally and intentionally, they
allow one of them to take over and hog the limelight for a while. Why? Because
that's what the music demands sometimes in order to propel the audience
experience and that member to a higher level. And what do other members do?
They simply raise themselves up to meet and match them all in that higher
orbit. This is one of the ways how tempo is built. At its peak, it is beyond
words and can only be experienced. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Sounds of Life</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, life mirrors a musical band. Whether its sound bites
seem like music or noise is controlled by us. What instruments and how many
does your band require is decided by you. After all, it is your band. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In general, the instruments we struggle to synchronize
across would fall under these 4 categories (rather they are the instruments):
Personal, Professional, Family and Social.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We must recognize and respect contribution of our band
members and ensure they play in unison. If they compete with each other every
single moment, you will only feel stress and hear noise. Of course occasionally
one or the other will hog the limelight for a while. Only for a while! Because
if you allow one member to play for far too long, you run the risk of ruining
the show. Your very own "SHOW"!!</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-8858591330688869132013-08-07T23:44:00.002-07:002013-08-11T00:30:26.277-07:00The Selfish Faith<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;">Has your GOD ever spoken to you? Really really spoke? What if HE could utter words, just like you? What would happen? </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><b>The Bitter Truth</b></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;">A person returning from temple, with smeared forehead and a small copper vessel in hand, was caught in a 4-way traffic junction. With no traffic signal and cop in sight, motorists were having a field day from all directions. When the devotee dared to cross this maze, a car driver blared the horn almost tripping him. He lost composure and started moving frantically back and forth. If he steps forward to cross, the driver in front blares again to dare not cross. Now if he retreats, he finds no space since the vehicle behind him has already inched ahead. So he hops further along the road to another empty passage and yet another driver forces his retreat. This ruthless game almost sucked the life out of him. After 15-20 nightmarish seconds, he eventually regained composure and managed to cross somehow. Phew!!</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;">Of course all these motorists would have prayed to their respective Gods before leaving homes. In fact, many of them may even have God 'parked' permanently on their dashboards. But they failed to notice HIM since a convenient, fearful and selfish belief does not lead to logically, or even humanely, expected behavior.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<strong><span style="color: #444444;">Play the Game</span></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;">Imagine yourself as an independent observer who is observing a group of persons harboring three distinct mindsets:</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;">a. A subset of them is indifferent to you. They know that they have to fend for themselves anyway. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;">b. A subset of them is fearful of your presence. Their true self is revealed when you are not present.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;">c. A subset of them love your existence. They are fond of you and, therefore, find you everywhere. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPPszZdb_F3dfhCD2V7x85VL1_DMj236AC8HjBxaCSWDQV0ziLYc7n17CWBVfECFAeX2A1nMgyUEboytJhelIjcQrEkptlMiNmVsnfXdOBqG9cgZRwAfQAscXUf4i5JQ3u5REf3PsHsBv/s1600/Rajasthan+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPPszZdb_F3dfhCD2V7x85VL1_DMj236AC8HjBxaCSWDQV0ziLYc7n17CWBVfECFAeX2A1nMgyUEboytJhelIjcQrEkptlMiNmVsnfXdOBqG9cgZRwAfQAscXUf4i5JQ3u5REf3PsHsBv/s320/Rajasthan+045.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;">Now if you are asked to arrange them in the order of your admiration, what would be your pick? If set (b) gravitates towards the bottom then that is because rarely someone likes such inconsistent individuals. They lack something very basic - "Integrity". They are neither true to you nor to themselves. They wear masks. They deceive.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;">God, an independent observer like you, must be staring constantly at these three sets. No surprise to realize which set do most of us belong to.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<strong><span style="color: #444444;">The Genie of God</span></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;">For us, God is like a Genie. Confined to our homes and places of worship, HE appears only when summoned at a particular time everyday to listen to the list of our wishes pertaining just to us and near/dear ones. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666;">Though we believe HE resides in our hearts and every being but that's exactly the place where we do not want HIM to be. Instead we carry HIM along on the dashboard of cars, our wallets or even around necks and wrists conveniently failing to notice HIM in billions of beings surrounding us. Even when we pray or beg HIM, we look at HIM outside us. The truth is we look for HIM ONLY in inanimate objects. Why? Because they cannot speak! If they could then we would have been rendered speechless by our very own actions. For us, God lived in the PAST. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<strong><span style="color: #444444;">The Reason for Belief</span></strong></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;">Ever wondered why do you believe in God? More importantly, would you still have faith in HIM if he was believed to fulfill none of your wishes? If still yes then WHY? If out of love for HIM then why ignore billions of HIS forms? The fact is Fear rules our Conditioned Mind and Heart. Our faith is convenient, fearful and selfish.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif;">
<i><span style="color: #741b47;">Just behold your SELF and peek within to get your answer. May be you can catch a glimpse of HIM too!!</span></i></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-68923794949855510592013-06-21T10:50:00.000-07:002013-06-26T06:04:23.898-07:00The Puddle of Memories<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A hot brown trickle streaked down the brimming cup of tea
as I gently placed it on the small glass table. Sprawling on a cane chair in
our 7th floor balcony, I stared down across the wet podium-garden area. The
early Sunday morning was wet and quiet. The occasional gusts of playful mist
forced a slight retreat of the furniture, and its occupant, which in turn
forced a soaked vigilant pigeon, perched atop the balcony railing, hop along to
settle farther to the right corner. The two ever-dry small ponds in the garden
were sprung to life by unabated week-long monsoon rains. The four glass roof
pillared-shelters too had thin layer of water on top to cushion the falling drops.
With every sip, I was observing thus-far neglected simple wonders of nature.
Somewhere along this passage, the downpour turned into glimpses from childhood
immersing and indulging me, leading to even more discoveries...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In the lap of Nature</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The long tin roof sloping down the thick first-floor
walls of our semi-pucca home had produced a short distinct familiar sound. The
metal had just been hit by the first drop from the heavens heralding the onset
of monsoon. With subsiding distinctiveness of successive sounds, the family
dashed out into the large brick-paved courtyard to clear away the clothes line,
drag in jute-rope beds, collect sun-drying strewn around grains/spices and even
herd the cattle into their shed. By the time commotion ended, the scent of
first rain had permeated the surroundings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soon, we, the carefree kids, were playing barefoot in the
rain. Jostling for few moments beneath the roof-drains, we pushed each other
hard. Lying in the rain, we felt the droplets prick our bodies as we battled to
keep eyes wide-open. Later running down the dirty flooded village streets, we
drove bicycles and their worn-out tyres and splash-sploshed. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In those moments,
we probably were closest to ourselves, The Nature.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The act would repeat year after year while we would also
watch our ELDERS scurrying around for a shelter from the rain, looking out for
an umbrella and instructing us to get inside fast. That was unimaginably
abnormal!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Back to the Future</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EVt6m1-3Ex-MXf9Aq760OcjNaWPpeinPsGhMkQh0AIzOuU-qNJ2amQNFG5BEte-RtjOf2OH8ZSOHx5-RUqT5wtM48W_bmS6bLGAJvZzJOzLlPYyEXJyj1w-5AZ8MLwaEAYMxQsLatmU6/s1600/Luzern+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-EVt6m1-3Ex-MXf9Aq760OcjNaWPpeinPsGhMkQh0AIzOuU-qNJ2amQNFG5BEte-RtjOf2OH8ZSOHx5-RUqT5wtM48W_bmS6bLGAJvZzJOzLlPYyEXJyj1w-5AZ8MLwaEAYMxQsLatmU6/s320/Luzern+001.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The empty cup hit the glass-top with a clink. The pigeon
fluttered and flew away. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was back in the 'future'.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Decades had whizzed past
in a jiffy. In these intervening years, I had joined college, landed a job, got
married and had kids. Overwhelmed yet still lazing around, I strung those
moments together to realize something strange. I found that I had become like
my 'ELDERS'. In fact, I was an elder. Unknowingly, I had grown accustomed to
seeking shelter from rain. Getting soaked in it now was no more a spontaneous
act. Worse, it rather was a frequent resentment. Barefoot? My foot! Even the
thought was an alien. Mind labored to replay the sound of a droplet. Too dim to
hear!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Timeless Travel</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reflecting further, I questioned if I wasn't delighted
with the rains any longer. Of course I was. The problem was my perspective. It
was skewed. Over the years, it had embraced and latched on to the illusion of
continuous 'fast life'. Wading through the relatively short-periods of
recurring frenetic activities, it was conveniently ignoring the lulls. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To be
with Nature, it demanded A PRICE</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - free time (vacation), planning and potential
travel. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oh boy, I was missing something profound, something as
natural as me. Tens of monsoons had glided away from right in front of my
wide-shut eyes. So on that misty Sunday morning, I 'woke up' to walk down the
deserted lanes again. Confounding my partner, who had just woken up, about my
morning adventure, I headed down to the podium garden and let myself loose.
Within next 15 minutes, my son (7 yrs) woke up too and joined me. Few minutes
later my daughter (3 yrs) joined us. In the lap of nature, this was how we
spent those 60+ minutes of our collective childhood:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Walked barefoot on the grass, pebbles, soil and water
puddles</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Watched the droplets create short ripples in the water
on the glass roofs </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Knelt to the ground, with an ear next to a puddle, to
hear the 'plop' sound and its bubble formation</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Stood under the palm trees (with fan-shaped wide
leaves) to hear the distinct rain drops</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Enjoyed the rain-drain from the glass roof</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Observed rain-drops hanging precariously on tender
buds and flowers</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Held an open-umbrella on a palm raised high above the
head, tossed it up and caught back</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. Splash-sploshed</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. Knocked at the door of one of our close friends and
surprised them with a Good Morning</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. Received a paper drifting through the air reading -
'Happy Father's Day'</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Back to the Future </b></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #444444;"><b>–</b></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> Returns</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An hour later, we were wrapping up our unplanned,
timeless and travel-free time-travel. Ready to take the next flight, the elevator,
BACK TO FUTURE!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><i>There is much more to Monsoon than a hot cup of
tea/coffee and snacks. Only if you could let your heart express itself by permitting it to relive
the memories!!</i></span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-17035638317821794862013-03-16T04:21:00.000-07:002013-03-16T04:46:00.676-07:00Moments of Choice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sula Vineyard restaurant was dimly lit. As I entered, I couldn't spot my already seated family easily. Landing on my chair,
I noticed a group of about 12 men, colleagues in their mid-40s on a Night-Out
in the vineyard, seated next to us on two joined tables. With 5-6 wine bottles
already down, they had plenty to share and gossip about. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, there was a
problem. They were loud, really loud. My spouse, who asked for a quieter table,
was informed that the group was about to leave. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moments later, to our disappointment, couple of them
ordered more dishes and their party continued. Soon some more groups and
families trouped in and the place was now super vibrant (noisy?). By then, we
had also adjusted our ear drums to high decibels.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the cacophony was about to reach next level, suddenly
a deathly hush fell over the place. One of the men in the loud group, a Sikh,
instinctively pushed his chair back hard and sprang up. The waiter just froze
in his place. The well-dressed manager turned speechless and confused. Finding
his friend standing in the midst of eerie-silence, one of the men from the group, who
was loitering outside, walked in menacingly. Other guests, including us, had
their eyes popping out and glued at the scene waiting for the next expected
action to unfold.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The waiter had spilled finger bowl water all over the Sikh. No one uttered anything for few seconds. That's
when the Sikh looked into the waiter's eyes and said something -
something abnormal for that situation, "Gentleman, I am alright. I am
fine. Don't worry." Turning back to his friends, he spoke thus, "Come
on guys, mistakes happen. When we work, mistakes do happen. It is normal." </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The menacing friend stopped in his steps. The waiter rushed to grab a cloth napkin. The
manager pulled another chair. The guests turned to resume their dinner.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>What a sigh of Surprise!! Moment of Choice, Presence of
Mind and Profound Impact!! Awesome!! </b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, there was another surprise in store for him. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minutes later, a stranger walked up to the group interrupting their now-again animated discussion. "Excuse me gentlemen". Everyone looked up except the Sikh who had his back to the stranger.
"Excuse me sir", the stranger repeated tapping his
shoulder. The Sikh, visibly taken aback, turned around. The stranger continued,
"Sir, I want to commend you on the way you reacted and responded to the
incident. It was exceptional, graceful and respectful. I loved it and was
inspired by your conduct." </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgKexEeA8KiTefW4-ZrVY-8Y6ctUYt3rZSRV2Xk3I_4y_JHDIfbyFD2Eu6FXw2D3kfMtPfKptD7jK68qREE5kTtuLzXxgp6Ii9wpJJk0mxwasLdTBY8vG2hl9IsZrrWiO9zuoXFPcdUgC/s1600/General+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #999999;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgKexEeA8KiTefW4-ZrVY-8Y6ctUYt3rZSRV2Xk3I_4y_JHDIfbyFD2Eu6FXw2D3kfMtPfKptD7jK68qREE5kTtuLzXxgp6Ii9wpJJk0mxwasLdTBY8vG2hl9IsZrrWiO9zuoXFPcdUgC/s320/General+016.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"What is your name sir?",
asked the Sikh with a sense of humility and embarrassment. "My name
is Vinod", I replied. "Where are you from, Vinod?", he asked
politely. "I am from Mumbai." "Vinod, so nice of you. I sincerely
appreciate your acknowledgement and sharing with me. Thank you very much."</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wished each other good night and I proceeded to my
hotel. Walking back, I couldn't ignore the bounce in my steps. He also would surely have
slept a happy and peaceful night. Our brief interaction will inspire and encourage us both
for rest of our lives. And it may rub off on others too who were part of that
eventful evening, physically. Or through this post!!</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #999999;">--------------------------------------------------</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Weeks later, we were in the Town of Strawberries,
Mahabaleshwar (India). Strange enough, in our one full day's stay thus far, we
hadn't tasted even a single one. As we entered the lunch area in the hotel, all
our three kids went wild. There was an unattended box of strawberries on our
lunch table (probably hand-picked). I tried to explain that it wasn't ours. But
who cared?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I quickly called the waiter to inquire about the box.
Before I could ask, a heavy voice ordered him, "Mr., open the box,
empty it out on a plate and hand over the strawberries to kids." As I
turned around, the man addressed the kids, "Kids, now they are yours. Eat
them and have fun." Soon the kids were biting into the pink fruit, blissfully
ignoring my pleas to at least say thank you. The man and his family were smiling. For next 5 minutes, I gestured toward their happy faces
at least 3 times as our friends trickled in curious at the sight of
strawberries. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That evening, the couple would celebrate their 34<sup>th</sup>
wedding anniversary and share the cake with kids and us!! </span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>--------------------------------------------------</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>-Life is lived in moments, not days. Definitely not years!!</i></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-46464835672928130262013-01-26T00:16:00.002-08:002013-01-26T00:27:22.540-08:00The Blue Marble and its Summer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In early Jan' 13, my son
returned with 10 'Save Water Tickets' from his school. As part of the awareness
campaign, they were playing an interesting 'game' wherein every child received
10 tickets with a goal to save the most. The rules are simple: water usage
during snack or lunch break is 'free'. Usage during any other time requires one
to spend a ticket. Its impact? He hasn't spent even a single ticket thus far.
They also created reminders and posters for the campaign and my home now has a
'Save Water' reminder stuck near the kitchen tap.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Blue Marble</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blue_Marble" target="_blank">Blue Marble!</a> That's how earth appears from far above in
space. Of course we know this blue is 71% of the earth surface under water. Few
among us may know that <a href="http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/earthwherewater.html" target="_blank">oceans hold 97%</a> of the total water leaving only 3% fresh
fit for use. Even fewer will know that 69% of this fresh water is locked in
ice-caps or glaciers. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lost? Don't worry as knowing these stats won't help to
resolve the problem that my or your city is about to face again this summer -
<b>water scarcity</b>. There is, however, one piece of data that could truly help but
we are unaware of it. Amount of water we waste in a day!! Do you know it for
yourself? Why not? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the tap at your home runs dry this summer then you too
have to own the blame.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> An average tap runs down about a litre in 6-8 seconds.
Whenever we let it spurt directly into the drainage pipe, we contribute to our
own problem. If you think you never do it then just observe yourself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do I use every drop of water effectively? No, I don't but
I actively monitor my usage to save it, without sacrificing anything. </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now is
the time to act and save it for the summer. Few months down when you will hear
'Save Water' slogans all around, it will have little impact.</span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Digging a well to
put out a raging fire, does it work?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My Core Themes</b></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what do I do to save water? Nothing extraordinary. In
fact there are already plenty of practical and exotic suggestions on the web.
Though we may not relate to some of them but they do give us an idea.
Personally, based on my lifestyle here are the four core-themes I stick to
(with basic examples):</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Reduce-Reduce-Reduce</b> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">–</span></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">is the most basic and effective step. </span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Turning the tap ON is never a problem. But opening it
fully every time or for extended period or even when avoidable indeed is.
Amount of water discharged from a tap depends on its flow and duration. Observe
how every time we not only turn it fully but also let most of it drain directly
into the sink.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So either open it only a little or turn it off early.
Soon you will be able to do both. In fact, I discovered that I rarely had to
turn it fully. This new found awareness further led me to even stop it while
soaping hands or face, rinsing mouth and utensils. I also started noticing
others e.g. our domestic help would use the tap like a fire-hose and
occasionally keep it running while cleaning utensils. All these 'leaks' have
now been plugged. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strangely, you may also feel a strong 'resistance' to act
especially when water is being used for personal care. Notice your reluctance
even when opportunity is obvious. That's the precise moment when you must
not back off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soil Less </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">– </span></span></b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In kitchen, do you ever think before using an extra plate, bowl, spoon or picking another glass? Note that they all need to be
cleaned eventually. Same applies for clothing too. If you soil less, you need
less water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I find ample opportunities to avoid soiling articles at
home. In office, I now use water-bottle instead of hard-plastic glasses from
the pantry that are washed for reuse. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #666666;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Reuse </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">– </span></b></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This comprises of two main action-areas:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a. Reuse of water - Here the emphasis is on reusing it. A
simple example is collecting water used for washing vegetables or fruits and
using it to water plants. Another reuse could be while rinsing lightly-soiled
utensils. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCSeE4aEMhGR7G_fK_LfJ9YAPPlDlGNU3xgT5GygKpRX2coBRbQ49VGEOlP3v-x1lTXFYbUGphTgcc6jGsjpYodHZHXAEHW50UyhSZDxkfEtxeVJ1T0s0U6V7piKJJzMQ51Bwjv_eo8NC/s1600/Save-Water+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBCSeE4aEMhGR7G_fK_LfJ9YAPPlDlGNU3xgT5GygKpRX2coBRbQ49VGEOlP3v-x1lTXFYbUGphTgcc6jGsjpYodHZHXAEHW50UyhSZDxkfEtxeVJ1T0s0U6V7piKJJzMQ51Bwjv_eo8NC/s320/Save-Water+003.JPG" width="291" /></a><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">b. Reuse of Articles - This involves reusing articles or
utensils before eventually washing them thus reducing the number of
soiled-articles that would need cleaning.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Share </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">– </span></span></b><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without rallying others, your tap will still run dry.
Share your initiative, spread it wide and create awareness. While we can't
'manufacture' water but we surely can control its utilization. This is
critical. Now is the time to act. So wake yourself up, and others, before it is
late.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I intend to save at least 2000 litres this year. This
would be more than the drinking-water needs of my family for the WHOLE YEAR.
Besides, I shall progress on my <a href="http://thatwhitespace.blogspot.com/2012/05/have-you-felled-any-tree.html" target="_blank">goal of 100 trees</a> and digging trenches for
water conservation as part of Hariyali NGO association through my office. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My Wish</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This summer too, on a sweltering day with few trickles of
sweat down your head and body, your dry throat will be soothed by a chilled
glass of fresh water. As your hands will pour it gently on the thirsty tongue,
your eyes will close involuntarily before you gulp it all down. With a deep
sigh, you will keep the emptied glass back on the table. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May this glass of water you drink be saved by ME!! Will
YOU wish the same for me too?</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-12248472480267149952012-12-24T23:07:00.000-08:002012-12-25T05:25:22.303-08:00The Key to Million Smiles - II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the last post on <a href="http://thatwhitespace.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-key-to-million-smiles.html" target="_blank">touching lives</a>, we explored how a slight shift in perspective could bring a huge difference to </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">countless 'Ordinary Lives'. Now we shall analyze the necessity of another 'tweak' concerning 'Sharing Experiences' and </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">its power in further broadening our horizon of impact. Here our theme will be 'the under-privileged', one of the reasons for our belief in 'Make a Difference'.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Among a staggering 7.1 billions of us on earth, have you ever wondered how many you know reasonably well i.e.
having spoken to multiple times? My own guesstimate is around 2000 persons
(max?). That includes extended family, friends and acquaintances, colleagues,
college-mates and so on. Think for a few seconds to have your number before you
proceed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>The Mirror</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a drizzling
July-weekend morning in Mumbai when I bumped into Thiru while heading out for a
cup of tea. He was a colleague form Chennai on deputation for 3 months in MY
city. Slowing down my drowsy steps further, I casually remarked about his morning
adventure. “On a trek?”. "No, to the train station", he said.
"Oh, on a city sight-seeing tour!," I declared confidently. "I
am going to Central Mumbai for teaching computer to kids", and he went on
to narrate his experience, upon my probe, with humility and a touch of
contentment. He spoke about his association, a smart kid, their excitement and
chocolates.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was numbed. Here I was,
staying in Mumbai for 5 years, thinking of making a difference but didn't know
where to start from. With a sheepish smile, I also expressed my desire to do
"something". Honestly, an attempt to shed my guilt - finding solace in
mere expression. How easy and effortless!! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For next two months, we would
work in same project, lunch together and board the same bus. But I just COULD
NOT lead myself to accompany him. Didn't I want to make a difference? </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I truly
wanted to BUT probably on my own terms.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Without any discomfort,
without losing my weekend and depriving myself of the blissful early-morning
sleep! His SHARING of experience, however, did stir my world and later helped
me step out of my 'comfort' zone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Horizons of Impact</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is no dearth of people
with such a gap between their desire and actions. When eventually we do make an
effort, our actions unwittingly limit the very impact we set out to create.
Based on how we operate, there could be different horizons or categories with
the degree of impact and its sustenance varying dramatically across them. Higher
the horizon, broader is the impact. All higher levels of course carry the characteristics of lower ones.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">1. The 'Unawares' </span></b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">–</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> They are oblivious, or even indifferent, of the
need for them to get involved. However, I would presume their number to be a
bit low. They are busy in their world grappling with their seemingly endless
troubles. To them, it is a problem for the authorities to address. They may
also have a feeling that nothing much can be improved anyway, a gross
under-realization of their potential.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">2. The 'Sympathizers' </span></b></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">–</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> If you often think of giving-back to the
community but unable to then this is your group. Find peace in the fact that
majority of us reside here. Despite their intentions, they don't take steps due
to perceived scarcity of time, lack of guidance and easy-opportunities (don't
know where/how to start), mistrust of NGOs/org and many other good reasons. In
nutshell, they are the fence-sitters who need a nudge or two to get rolling. I
was also part of this group until Thiru shared his experience.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This group is so large that it
can tilt the whole scale if moved even a notch up. But who will prod them?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. The 'Donors' </b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">–</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> This probably is the second largest group. Donors
act in an individual capacity and form the backbone of every social uplift
effort. Though they help sustain a movement, their behavior constrains the very
change they intend to usher. They DO NOT share their contribution openly. They either are overly humble or feel uncomfortable. Consequently,
their efforts do not inspire others thus limiting its impact just to them and the
needy. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is what needs to change.
Only if they can open up and start sharing, the whole game will change.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Judge it for yourself if you are a donor. Did you ever share the experience
beyond your family or group that accompanied you?</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSwm8X6Nyn2TyuBSKnQ4ECb2N3p4QlnR7pKDU9cok6q_-HUVyX_knec5BrBmTB1aMx2HDgGWEIrQFnmC2gvNkfeZPGx6rUSBAdZQ5rkN6xbklY7dCqZpGPlN3G39PlPYEOYhpGtwuKKUt/s1600/Key-to-Million-Smiles-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdSwm8X6Nyn2TyuBSKnQ4ECb2N3p4QlnR7pKDU9cok6q_-HUVyX_knec5BrBmTB1aMx2HDgGWEIrQFnmC2gvNkfeZPGx6rUSBAdZQ5rkN6xbklY7dCqZpGPlN3G39PlPYEOYhpGtwuKKUt/s640/Key-to-Million-Smiles-2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4. The 'Advocates' </b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">–</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> An advocate is a donor who has stepped out of
his comfort zone. They speak up for the cause with passion and proactively,
encourage people and rally them. Realizing the constraints of otherwise
individual-contribution, they spread awareness among ‘Unawares’ by sharing
their experiences. They nudge the sympathizers into donors or even push them
higher. Such a perspective is critical to broaden the support, sustain the
efforts and bring a lasting change.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, few people
operate at this level. The day Donors turn into Advocates, the world will
transform into a more livable planet due to their enormous impact. Arun is one
such advocate. If Thiru helped me become a donor, Arun pushed me even higher by
highlighting the difference in extent of change created by a donor and
an advocate. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>5. The 'Anchors' </b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">–</span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As the name suggests, they hold the fort. They
create opportunities for others. Donors or advocates will be lost without them.
They either manage events/org professionally or volunteer to manage from time
to time. They also hook into wider events by organizing similar ones locally.
They create the biggest impact - acting as a channel for all others and
channeling the combined energy to the needy. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They impact everyone!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interestingly, people don't
move into this level owing to an internal conflict - a misconception about fall
in effective individual contribution. This is removed when one looks at the
overall objective e.g. in a tree plantation drive, do you wish to see 10 saplings
planted by you or 500? At the end, does it matter who planted them? </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Which level is the best to operate at?</span><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every level above 'Unawares'
is important. They all make a difference though results vary. In fact, an
individual rarely stays just at one level. He plays different roles on
different occasions and that's the beauty of it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Having said this, Advocates
and Anchors are still critical.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> To realize their value, imagine the world if
everyone were to be Sympathizers or Donors. There wouldn't have been a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohandas_Karamchand_Gandhi" target="_blank">Gandhi</a>,
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr." target="_blank">MLK</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother_Teresa" target="_blank">Mother Teresa</a>.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Path to a Better World</span><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, how many in my circle are
above the level of Sympathizers?</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Among the 2K, may be 50? But is that the real
number? I don't believe so as I know there are many more who are just Donors.
The day they start sharing, the count will rise and they will inspire many
more like me to move up a level thus expanding the support for the objective
we all care about though buried deep in our hearts-</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #444444;">To leave a world more beautiful than what we inherited!!</span></b><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Do not contribute in isolation. Share your experiences, exhort and inspire others. That is the only path to a promising future!!</span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-78063155219672830532012-11-28T07:31:00.001-08:002012-11-28T07:31:06.194-08:00The Key to Million Smiles<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many a times all it takes is a slight shift in perspective to follow through with our intentions and fulfill desires. Otherwise the robotic everyday life and its whirlpool of regular chores never ceases to consume us every moment.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One intention we all harbor is 'Making a Difference or Touching Lives' but unable to act due to perceived lack of time. This planet, the world, poverty, the underprivileged, the elderly and the homeless cross our mind frequently. We do grab sporadic opportunities to contribute our bit but the results are a mere fraction of our true potential. Besides, it isn't sustainable unless we dive in leaving everything aside. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, how do we maximize and sustain the impact we so dearly intend? The answer again lies in our perspective. We must 'tweak' it to do two things:</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>(i) Dissociate 'Make a Difference or Touching Lives' from 'People-in-Distress'</i></span><br />
<i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(ii) Spread awareness and inspire others to help sustain the change. This topic is for next post.</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span>
</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>i. Change the way we look at 'Make a Difference' </b></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we analyze aforesaid thoughts crossing our mind, and many more like them, they have a pattern. They mostly relate to problems, unfortunate people, their misery and even helplessness. But is touching lives just about helping people-in-distress? </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can and must do it in everyday life with ORDINARY people too</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - family, friends, relatives, colleagues and customers. It is with them we spend most of our life and hence can make the biggest difference. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How we approach and engage ourselves in everything we do creates profound impact on the world around and in us. </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end, how well we have lived our lives will also be defined by this simple fact.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Lack of time is not the constraint, lack of perspective and attitude is.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPx8U2sfT3bbSFGBIcYKZc5AtZTMZS-RRXYfSmVpJNmWKY4WVJOK5VtoTxjwLGfS3q3REC_wG4tV4xH_xzzGLI_wHCs83x1eX9NuSMOxM-AlBPO7aOxiGrdtEVxgQgDsklldztACG02dUS/s1600/Making+a+difference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPx8U2sfT3bbSFGBIcYKZc5AtZTMZS-RRXYfSmVpJNmWKY4WVJOK5VtoTxjwLGfS3q3REC_wG4tV4xH_xzzGLI_wHCs83x1eX9NuSMOxM-AlBPO7aOxiGrdtEVxgQgDsklldztACG02dUS/s320/Making+a+difference.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPx8U2sfT3bbSFGBIcYKZc5AtZTMZS-RRXYfSmVpJNmWKY4WVJOK5VtoTxjwLGfS3q3REC_wG4tV4xH_xzzGLI_wHCs83x1eX9NuSMOxM-AlBPO7aOxiGrdtEVxgQgDsklldztACG02dUS/s1600/Making+a+difference.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The short true story here is all about how 'Perspective and Attitude' help touch countless lives. Sometimes we won't </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">even realize the extent of its impact. </span></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tale of Young Ordinary Lives</b></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the monsoon of 1992, I, among a flock of over 300 youngsters, had landed on the outskirts of a small town in </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Southern India to earn our Engineering degrees!! Travelling 1000s of miles away from home, many of us had left the </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">security of family for the first time in our lives.</span></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In last two decades, whenever I have dusted that 4 year-window for a quick peek, a person has always smiled past it </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">vividly reminding me of his impact in my life, and probably in lives of thousands others!! </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Acknowledgement</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was my second week in college. Ragging had already crushed our excitement. With fear in the heart, weary eyes, </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">disturbed mind and occasionally red cheeks, hell couldn't be worse than this, so I thought. One afternoon, as I was </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">leaping up the curved stairway of our hostel floors, there he was, dressed in khaki uniform, descending one step </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at a time. Wearing plastic 'rain-shoes', black-framed (or brown?) glasses and no cap, he was in his 50s. Oozing </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">incredible calmness, his wrinkled eyes and </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">soft </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">smile seemed to acknowledge the storm in my world. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Any letter for me, room 63?", I asked hesitantly. Pausing in his steps, he dug into a hand-held bundle and took a </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">while before signalling with a polite shake of the head. "Can you check the bag?," I pointed to the one suspended </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">around his shoulder. "No, it isn't there either", was the quick response before his voice was buried in the cacophony </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">of others who, like me, had surrounded him by then. Until that moment, I had never realized the value of a postman. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A Glimmer of Hope(s)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the following years, the way he would interact and serve us, his customers, it seemed as if this was the only thing </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">he ever wanted to do. He merrily walked the campus with our load and would often be stopped for inquiries about mail. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I never saw him declining such ad-hoc requests. In those early 90s, when even land-lines, let alone mobiles, were </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">true luxury in small towns, he was our hope. And he never let it dim by happily flipping the bundled-letters for us, </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">even if we had received one the day before. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Somewhere along our journey, we voluntarily started 'tipping' him upon receiving a check or money-order. If we collected it from post office after a missed delivery, we would leave the tip for him with his colleagues.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He seemed to understand and realize what we all longed for. It wasn't a piece of hand-written paper but a subtle assurance that, yes, it would arrive one day. And that he communicated splendidly without words - a smile followed by his polite shake of the head. Indeed a man of few words!! He was living up to his job - Deliver Letters - in a way that would make thousands like me cherish his memories for rest of their lives. </span>
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Last Day</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The whole college knew about it. He arrived in same slow steady steps, smile and happiness of contentment. This time, </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">however, we were shaking hands with him, for the the first and last time ever. There wasn't even a hint of today being </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">his last day. Few good Samaritans ran collection-campaign, a gesture of our collective THANK YOU.</span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another postman replaced him for remaining few months (or an year?). He too lived up to his job description - Deliver </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Letters. I have no memories of him. None whatsoever.</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Knock at the Door</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had graduated now and was based in Mumbai with already an year into my job. Hopping through TV channels on a hot Saturday afternoon, the noise and my frustration was interrupted by shrillness of the bell. Dragging myself to the door, I opened it to receive someone whom I had never seen all year round. </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I am your postman, Diwali Baksheesh please". </span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to Mumbai, and this World!! This is how we live!!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-295384830404655972012-09-21T03:39:00.002-07:002012-09-21T19:39:22.759-07:00Wholesome Living and Health<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three golden rules drive longevity and health of cars
universally: (a) Regular Service (b) Drive at least once a week and (c) Good
quality fuel. For our owned cars, we follow them almost 100%. For rented cars,
however, we flout them 100% and don't care. The very same rules govern the
longevity and physical health of humans too. How far do we go in
following them for ourselves? Is our concern for our health a reflection
of an owned or a rented car? </span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Body - The Trigger for Change</span></b><span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Body is what we think of when
the topic is health. Though it is the most common trigger for our lifestyle
change, we give a damn to the golden rules. For years, we drive it from
one parking place to another with least effort and discomfort, never
really mindful of what we eat. Only when it breaks down or warns us (medical
reports), we pause and contemplate some 'action'. And what do we do? We
enroll in a gym, make advance payments (for commitment) and try altering
our eating habits. Body, accustomed to luxurious living, is now dragged
ruthlessly to gym and is deprived of its favourite delicacies. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
'punishment' style of ushering a change works by forcing it into submission.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
Does it last beyond a month or two? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Sustaining the Change -
Will Power or Love?</b></span><span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The problem is our approach and source of motivation (WHY). While our motivation/WHY is to fix reports fast, the approach is like one time project. Initiating lifestyle change is easy but sustaining it is a challenge. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We rely on our will-power to keep going. It does propel us out of inertia but how long can it support something we don't love?</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Sound health is not a onetime task. Inactivity of a period can't be compensated by hyper-activity in another. </span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For lasting change, we need to weave our plans around what we love</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to make it a routine than a strenuous effort. A good plan respects body, has variety and emphasizes on awareness/check-ups. It starts slow and builds on, eventually engaging for 20+ minutes at a stretch. Does it mean our short walk or taking stairs is a waste? No. Our 'WHY' is an active lifestyle. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We don't turn into an active human being at the stroke of 'T' hrs every day.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Such activities help internalize the change and develop a passion for good health. So go for them. Few other tips are:</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Don't rely solely on gym.
It is just one of the alternatives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Don't push yourself too
hard. Skip a day or two if feel like. Don't feel guilty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Adopt different forms of
exercises - dance, climbing stairs, jogging, cycling, skipping, sports, playing
with kids, brisk walk, swimming and many more. Learn a skill, if you don't
know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Choose an exercise partner. It will keep you going. I was inspired and encouraged by my college friend Rohan and I still follow his words more than a decade-and-half later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A fixed exercise time is
helpful but not critical. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Welcome Healthy Food</span></b><span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Body is as healthy as the food
it digests. </span><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An active lifestyle can't undo the harm of regular unhealthy food
we indulge in</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> at parties, office, malls or even home. Avoid the swing from
addiction to complete abstinence as it also relies on will-power and won't
last long. To develop healthy eating habit:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> A mindful occasional indulgence is OK. Complete <o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">abstinence is cruelty to taste buds.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Become aware of the quality
of your eatables, what is and is not healthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Observe your eating
patterns and their occasions/context. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Pre-empt your indulgence or
its impact by eating healthy snack before such occasions. You won't eat
something, however delicious, when you are not hungry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5.</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Consciously adopt regular
light meals/snacks to minimize the opportunities to slip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regular exercise and healthy
diet keeps our body fit. But is that enough?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mind and Heart</span></b><span style="color: #444444;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mind and heart are the other
two aspects to wholesome living. Mind controls our thoughts which impact how we
feel. By clinging to experiences, it creates illusion of busyness, lack of
time, conflict in priorities and feelings of stress. Exercise is a stress
buster and cleanses the mind. <a href="http://thatwhitespace.blogspot.com/2012/08/ability-to-let-go.html" target="_blank">Ability to 'Let Go'</a> opens it up to new
perspectives and unlocks time. Learning new skills, self-belief and being
creative even in mundane tasks keeps it abuzz with healthy thoughts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heart refers to the
relationship we share with loved ones and others around us. Our loved ones are
our support and wish two things from us - TIME and ATTENTION. So, organize
your exercise schedule involving them. <a href="http://thatwhitespace.blogspot.com/2012/08/appreciation-and-gratitude.html" target="_blank">Express gratitude</a> regularly for
their love and concern. Think beyond self and adopt <a href="http://thatwhitespace.blogspot.com/2012/06/welcome-greatness-it-lives-all-around.html" target="_blank">conscious kindness</a>. Indulge
in <a href="http://thatwhitespace.blogspot.com/2012/05/have-you-felled-any-tree.html" target="_blank">good causes</a> and make a difference to your world. Such
practices keep the heart brimming with fulfillment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiMZIlB7UyaVkHxdchMvqwgrtysCHXaN1fNvJotdb915xa_4x3r8Y0bshCfJ7dVdhS-8FLrwAIq1hGeCpJd3XgFX4ncsH7WrniX0J8RfHB0JFCIWh895DTm_NilhqvCEH7-9eXAtCVI4a/s1600/Canvas-Colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Colors on a canvas matter more than its size." border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtiMZIlB7UyaVkHxdchMvqwgrtysCHXaN1fNvJotdb915xa_4x3r8Y0bshCfJ7dVdhS-8FLrwAIq1hGeCpJd3XgFX4ncsH7WrniX0J8RfHB0JFCIWh895DTm_NilhqvCEH7-9eXAtCVI4a/s320/Canvas-Colors.jpg" title="Colors on a canvas matter more than its size." width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Beautiful SELF</b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wholesome living and being
healthy is not just about our body. It is about the delicate balance among
body, mind and heart. Your SELF, and even others around you, are chirpy
and healthy when these three are in balance. It is about indulgence in everything in moderation, not </span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">abstinence</span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To live forever is another
fantasy but living more each day can be a reality. In a long journey, a healthy
car does matter. But who sits next to you, how thrilled you are in each
other's company and where all you go matters even more!! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Is it possible to pursue happiness if the pursuit itself
does not make you happy? </i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>- Deepak Malhotra</i></span></span></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-70688586436041109842012-08-25T21:29:00.001-07:002012-08-25T21:29:54.232-07:00Appreciation and Gratitude<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Your
smile touched ears, body developed goose bumps, heart paused to savour the
moments and mind didn't care interpreting the true words. Or you were left
somewhat embarrassed too. Every word was about you – just about you – soaking
your being and energizing the soul. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Showers
of genuine appreciation and gratitude! When did you last experience them? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">When
The Stream Dries Up</span></b><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">As
we go about our day, our actions and behaviour impact the world around us. When
the impact is not to the liking of others, it is always noticed. This is due to
our strong affinity for dislikes. They spring to life instinctively at the
slightest sign of uneasiness, inconvenience or unpleasant experiences and are
often shown too. We don't get used to them. Remember how we are unable to get
away with our mistakes, flaws or irritating-yet-harmless actions, be it at home
or outside? When repeated, people quickly run out of patience and don't
hesitate to give us a piece of their mind. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Now,
on occasions when we do manage to showcase something good, stream of their
words dries up. It produces a mere trickle - "Thank You". They
quickly get used to it, start taking for granted and its recurring display
generates no emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>The
Occasional Speakers</b></span><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Things
are not that bad either. Others do indulge in wishing, congratulating and
showering us with occasional droplets. On a personal level, we are 'entitled'
to couple of special days in an year when we are pampered and made to feel
special. These are our anniversaries - weddings or birthdays. In office, when
we switch projects/jobs, 'farewell-speakers' grab that opportunity to explain
how extra-ordinary we were, list our 'supermanic' abilities and how much we
would be missed. Annual appraisal is another ritual. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Is
that all? Think about it. Are we really NOT doing anything worthwhile
throughout the year for persons around us? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Flipping
the Coin</b></span><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Flip
the coin now. How about this-<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">When
was the last time we showered someone with genuine appreciation or gratitude?</span><span style="color: #666666;">
Try recalling. Spend a moment about persons in our lives and what they mean to
us. Think about their favours, gestures, executing daily chores for us and
living up to our expectations. Or helping us in pursuit of our dreams,
shouldering our load. Or inspiring and changing our lives. Or giving us
memories we cherish even today. Or standing up for us in our absence. Or
smiles, lighting up our mood, wink of eyes. Or giving us company and listening
to our ramblings. Or simply being there. And many more. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Why
do </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">WE </span><span style="color: #666666;">forget them? Why do </span><span style="color: #a64d79;">WE </span><span style="color: #666666;">wait for special days or even for them to leave us
before we realize their worth? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPPszZdb_F3dfhCD2V7x85VL1_DMj236AC8HjBxaCSWDQV0ziLYc7n17CWBVfECFAeX2A1nMgyUEboytJhelIjcQrEkptlMiNmVsnfXdOBqG9cgZRwAfQAscXUf4i5JQ3u5REf3PsHsBv/s1600/Rajasthan+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPPszZdb_F3dfhCD2V7x85VL1_DMj236AC8HjBxaCSWDQV0ziLYc7n17CWBVfECFAeX2A1nMgyUEboytJhelIjcQrEkptlMiNmVsnfXdOBqG9cgZRwAfQAscXUf4i5JQ3u5REf3PsHsBv/s320/Rajasthan+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Even
our own indulgence in appreciation remains occasional. Our unawareness -
"It never occurred to me" - is a big reason as we too take others for
granted. Some of us actually feel embarrassed expressing gratitude (too formal)
while others have "They know it" attitude. Sometimes, we may lack the
courage as it would require acknowledging our own shortcomings. Worse is the
case when we look for "What is in it for me?" and nourish
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Habits_of_Highly_Effective_People" target="_blank">"Mentality of Scarcity"</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>The
Walk Beyond Regret</b></span><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">In
many simple every day scenarios, we actually get to choose between an expression
of regret-and-gratitude or just regret. Sadly, all of us choose to express mere
regret and then stop just there. One such recurring scenario is-<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">What
do we say on being late for an appointment? A "Sorry" or "I'm
sorry for being late" or its numerous variants? They all express just our
regret and miss something very basic. They do not appreciate the generosity of
the person who waited for us. We never go on to add, "...and THANK YOU for
waiting for me". How unfortunate that we feel lighter just by shedding our
regret and fail to appreciate others' generosity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Color
the Lives</b></span><span style="color: #666666;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">People
rightly believe that their presence and actions make difference to our lives.
When we express gratitude, it validates and reinforces that belief. It
strengthens our bond, brings a sense of fulfillment, joy and freedom. By taking
others for granted, we are being insensitive and <a href="http://www.thatwhitespace.blogspot.in/2012_06_01_archive.html" target="_blank">unkind</a> to them. The least we can
do is express gratitude.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Let
us not wait for an occasion to celebrate their presence. Rather create one to
surprise them, embarrass them, overwhelm them and share their goodness stories
with others. Color their lives. Make them feel special. Make them glow. Don’t
just be farewell speakers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">People
don't remember what you said. However, they do remember how you made them feel.</span><span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">- <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Maya Angelou </span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-21362162183575951062012-08-01T03:55:00.000-07:002012-08-20T10:03:39.926-07:00Ability to 'Let Go'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Long ago, a mighty capable lion ruled a forest. He would leap hard, chase down animals and</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">relish fresh kill. One day he fell into a trap and was bundled away. Tied to a post in zoo, he would still leap hard but couldn't move beyond tether end. It had curbed his free movement, restricted fresh kill and crushed the spirits. His unawareness of the tether and inability to cut it weakened him mentally and physically leading to his eventual decline. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For us humans, the tether is our frequent indulgence in stressful thoughts relating to everyday experiences that sap our energy, time and peace. If we don't let them go, this recurring chatter creates a false sense of busyness, stagnation and stress. Stagnant thoughts turn us into an irritating giant suffocating us and others around.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dawn to Dusk - The Flood</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Flashing with incredible randomness and speed, flood of thoughts never abates.</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Reality strikes with the sound of morning alarm. As we rub sleep out of eyes, mind starts scurrying through our universe leaving behind a slush of anticipation, reluctance, joy, anxiety or similar thoughts. Before we even kiss the warmth of our morning tea, storm has already started brewing in our cup. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #666666;">Day arrives and we again hop-on its roller coaster to ride through the same park, experiences and people creating even more thoughts. At dusk, consumed by resultant feelings, grudges, fears or worries that hold no value in the long run, we finally hop-off to sleep in the stillness of night. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Drought </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Like breathing, thoughts are natural too.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The problem, however, is not their consistency but dearth of new ones.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Most of them are stale yet continue to reappear. Unfortunately, </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">positive thoughts don't follow this pattern. They honor our space and melt away fast. We don't replay them continuously as it needs a new listener every time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #666666;">Stressful thoughts, however, have high repeat-value. </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">They are the ones keeping us engaged most of the time. When</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #666666;"> left unchecked (often), mind rapidly amplifies them, dramatizes the context and delivers high-octane stressful performance. The listener? We rarely look out. Instead we unwittingly slip, </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">get sucked </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #666666;">and start identifying </span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">with their stories of victimization, worry or helplessness. </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Repeatedly!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Falling into The Trap</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Thoughts like "what if"(future), "should"(present) or "should have"(past), when overdone, consistently produce the result we already arrived at.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We have expectations from everything</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> - animate-inanimate, known-unknown, far-near, even from a newborn baby. </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When they don't live up to it, we can't accept it.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> First we build expectations by weaving future threads in present. And when future fades into past, we replay it, again in the present, as if it would produce a result to our liking. The irony here is our constant absence from the present. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Unawareness of our impatience, </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">fear, intolerance, </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">excessive need to win, mistrust of others, jealousy, micro management, control and perfectionist attitude also fans thoughts that not only </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">bog us down and </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">create stress but also </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">eat up our time</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">No wonder then we don't seem to have any time for our passions or even </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">to discover them. </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Wriggling Out</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Our recurring slip is so subtle that we can't always avoid it. Instead, how quickly we become aware of it, let go and wriggle out is what matters. Steps to help in recovery or even prevent the slip may include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Take a leap into the future. Will it matter in a month/year from now? If no then what is the fuss all about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Stop blaming others always. All of us are not born only to cause you trouble. Honestly scrutinize your role. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Be mindful of your indulgence in 'victimization' or 'helplessness' stories with fellow 'victims'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Avoid generalizing - "I or he ALWAYS behaves like that". That's rarely true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Confront the situation if possible. It is a better option than being hammered by 'helplessness thoughts' later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">6.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Choose your actions. "I choose to surf net than work on my task" is different from "I should be working on my task" (while still continuing to surf).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">7.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Fear of forgetting tasks/points causes periodic bouts of anxiety. Unload them from mind to your smart device. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">8.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> When in dilemma between personal or professional friendship, stick to one else you risk losing both.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">9.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Practice <a href="http://thatwhitespace.blogspot.com/2012/06/welcome-greatness-it-lives-all-around.html" target="_blank">conscious kindness</a>. It will provide you with more reasons to be happy with yourself.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkaUsojHikG2osVpOVxTtcLE-GFfNwm7hmYaxhCUPYoHVWQr3ZT7d67US_wxBqT34oax_FPujUgl3ZOCzbX4mNe4uT4N7PnyW7308pTHFTW_ko4fEexEHC_6nugNGkIoH14MAatymAp3T/s1600/BeachBoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkaUsojHikG2osVpOVxTtcLE-GFfNwm7hmYaxhCUPYoHVWQr3ZT7d67US_wxBqT34oax_FPujUgl3ZOCzbX4mNe4uT4N7PnyW7308pTHFTW_ko4fEexEHC_6nugNGkIoH14MAatymAp3T/s320/BeachBoat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We can build this awareness with practice, identifying our triggers and looking out for them. Watch and learn from others. In college, I was fortunate to meet and learn 'let go' from Sandeep, now my close friend. Another way is to 'designate' objects - like </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">a ring, bangle or watch etc -</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> that may remind us of our current thoughts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #666666;">Expectations are good until they turn into baggage. Planning is good too, not over/under-planning. We must strike a balance and, on times, even not let go e.g. when our rights or principles are at stake. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Before the Stillness Reigns</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We are fortunate to be free. Our thoughts, however, tether us to our everyday experiences - the side posts on our journey. If we don't cut it in time, we can't progress despite our hard leaps. </span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Our awareness and ability to 'Let Go' enables us keep moving.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> So, serve something new and good to your mind to chew on. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Life, or whatever is left of it, is for us to choose. 'Letting go' simply creates that space and, more importantly, the time to indulge in it.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> Choose, before the lights dim.</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> And stillness reigns, FOREVER!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Life is the sum of all your choices.</span></b><span style="color: #666666;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>- Albert Camus</b></span></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-73382730823430066472012-06-10T02:26:00.001-07:002012-06-10T21:29:21.322-07:00Welcome greatness, it lives all around you!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial;"><em>How many times in our lives shall we get to save someone's life or help a challenged person or even offer our seat to a deserving person?</em></span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial;"><strong>The Gulf</strong></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimFNqbu8YQompHaTSaNUWjh6c4ZpzXFdWwfcggp2iyvuPiVhVmxC1kNES_EV6hDX_WgpI4vo2ukZvLGM6UWwN_YiHYCln7ij3LZCzQ20wWWnAbmGUz9Tp1pPZ6ajycH6LJstDW-4JGToi/s1600/Flowers+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="B'day return gift, a flower pot, from one of our small friends" border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimFNqbu8YQompHaTSaNUWjh6c4ZpzXFdWwfcggp2iyvuPiVhVmxC1kNES_EV6hDX_WgpI4vo2ukZvLGM6UWwN_YiHYCln7ij3LZCzQ20wWWnAbmGUz9Tp1pPZ6ajycH6LJstDW-4JGToi/s320/Flowers+003.JPG" title="B'day return gift, a flower pot, from one of our small friends" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Walking across the road, I noticed an appraoching car and hastened to cross. Soon finding myself alone on the median, I turned around. My acquaintance, who owned multiple vehicles, was still walking at a leisurely pace. Later he grinned while showering this advice with a sense of pride, "Sir, you don't have to run. The driver will slow down". I asked in return,"How do you feel if someone slows you down like this?".</span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><br /></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The gulf between our actions and expectations could not have been more palpable.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Dredging up the Ocean</strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes a simple ordinary question flummoxes us. Our mind unlocks years of experiences striving to dredge up at least some semblance of an answer from its ocean of memories. Faced with the prospect of responding without conviction, we tend to resort to clarifications or definitions.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">"When and what was your last selfless act of kindness?".</span> The question drew a smile and raised eyebrows at first but left me wondering eventually. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your last selfless act of kindness! <strong><em>Think about it before proceeding.</em></strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Easy enough", mind whispered before plunging into its ocean. As it waded back and forth across time, seconds were slipping into minutes with no glimpse of a 'kind' experience. Memory bubbles were bursting everywhere. The few glittering 'kind ones' that I could cling to were pricked by 'selfless' test. It was not an easy question. Though I managed to dredge up something but the intense consuming quest left a tinge of disappointment with the self. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How about others?", I wondered, as if it would make a difference (or soothe my ego). </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the next few days, I had many of my friends embark upon their individual 'treasure' hunt. Navigating back in their oceans, they reported experiences dating back to months or even years. Some of them were interesting while others brought new perspectives. Few among us had the courage to admit bursting all. There was only one response narrating an act from previous day!! Just one!! </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This, however, doesn't imply we aren't kind. We believe ourselves to be one. But then where are our bubbles?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">A Case of 'Selective' Kindness</span></span></strong></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc;"><br /></span></strong><span style="color: #666666;">We relish being recipients of kindness or even expect it from others. Look at few of these everyday situations and our wish from a stranger:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">1.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">In a supermarket the person ahead of you, with overflowing trolley, starts paying. You, with few items, wish he had offered you to go ahead first.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">2.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">You are on the slip/side road waiting to enter main traffic. You wish incoming driver slows down slightly allowing you to merge in.</span><br /><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">3.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">In a common area like canteen while you are waiting for an empty table, people, having finished their lunch, are chatting literally ignoring your presence. You wish they had vacated tables without your request.</span><br /><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">4.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">You are in lobby when a person enters and starts the elevator. You wish he had waited for you. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">5.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">It is raining. Everyone has umbrella but you. You wish someone offers to drop you to your car.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">6.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">You are at the door when a person, who just crossed, releases it without looking back. You wish she/he had held it for couple of moments more.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now how ironic it is that our own circle of kindness normally excludes strangers. In fact, sometimes we act in a way diametrically opposite to how we 'wish' others should have acted in a situation. We shall rarely act like 'that' if the other person were to be our acquaintance. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another 'natural' filter is our perspective - relating to kindness as an act for the one really in need of help. While 'real/big' opportunities are rare, 'small' ones are all around us but go unnoticed on most occasions. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Situational vs Conscious Kindness</span></strong></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></strong><span style="color: #666666;">Though kind at heart, our kindness, however, lives in a 'dormant' state. It needs an external trigger - an event or situation - for activation. While most triggers never reach our ocean, few do manage to create ripples of thoughts. The act, however, still remains a rarity. Some of the situations might have inconvenienced or even annoyed us, and would challenge others too, but our action is mere expression of frustration. We don't feel it beyond ourselves or even hope that 'someone' will address it anyway, a case of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion_of_responsibility" target="_blank"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><em>"Diffusion of Responsibility"</em></span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">Conscious kindness, on the other hand, is an already active state, self-activated. It is a way of life and works inside-out. It is an awareness of feelings, needs and emotions of living beings. And that includes self too. It helps register even the faintest of triggers but doesn't solely rely on them. <em><strong>How does one self-activate it?</strong> </em></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #c27ba0;"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Just let yourself slip into other person's shoes. Empathize for them and opportunities will unveil themselves</span>.</span> Act and then watch how bubbles form in your ocean. It is that simple. Our 'selective' and 'situational' kindness is rarely intentional or selfish. Rather it stems from our lack of active empathy - unable to promptly slip into others' shoes - and that builds unawareness.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">The Beautiful Strangers</span></strong></span><span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br /></span></strong><span style="color: #666666;">What does overwhelm you more - a kind gesture from a known person OR a stranger? Here are some of the unique situations and acts of kindness that were shared with me. You may want to think about your response in each situation before reading the act too: </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">1.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">In sweltering 40+C summer, you slow down and stop your AC car near a traffic signal. All sorts of unruly motorists and pedestrians are being frenetically directed by traffic cops. Worse, drivers in the perpendicular lane have blocked half your lane. What goes in your mind?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #999999;"><em>-The person crosses the signal, parks the car and returns with two chilled water bottles for the cops leaving them amazed with smiles.</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">2.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">We have encroached on their natural habitat. Twig and feather homes on trees are now concrete glass boxes on RCC columns. Little 'natives' do visit us once in a while. What do they want on a hot summer day?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #999999;"><em>-Check this "</em></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqPcZf_U3rk&feature=channel&list=UL" target="_blank"><em><span style="color: #3d85c6;">video clip</span></em></a><em><span style="color: #999999;">" from the person</span></em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">3.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">Last few weeks have been taxing you/team hard leaving everyone stressed. You feel like taking a small break. What do you do next?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>-The person takes a break and gets water/coffee for the whole team.</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">4.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">A street lamppost fence is broken with a part protruding from its edge. You must maneuver your car to avoid damage. What do you do?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>-The person steps out of the car, pushes the fence back inside and then moves on.</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">5.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">You spot a visually challenged man attempting to cross the road. What do you do next?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>-The person doesn't just help him cross but walks him to his destination 20 minutes away.</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong>6.</strong></span> <span style="color: #666666;">You are in a mall and have shopped extensivley in a store that also provides courtesy parking coupons. What do you do?</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>-The person requests two coupons and uses the second one to pay for the car behind.</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">7.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">You graduated from the university and have books not commonly available.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>-The person donates them to library than keeping with self or selling or giving to friends.</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6;">8.</span></strong> <span style="color: #666666;">On your way to building's parking lot, you find people relaxing post dinner in the late evening breeze and chatting animatedly.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>-The person dims car headlights to avoid them the glare.</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Do you still think there are not enough opportunities? </strong></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial;">Welcome greatness, it lives all around you. - Jim Rohn</span></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7994401121936772602.post-44232771455187577412012-05-01T07:12:00.000-07:002012-06-22T09:06:13.716-07:00Have you felled any tree?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>When we cut trees, soil becomes loose, temperature rises and Earth cries!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"> </span><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-small;">-as taught to my 5 Yr old in Sr KG</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a sunny morning in Bishnoi village on the outskirts of Jodhpur, about 22 KM from the blue city. We had just plopped on the bed in our hut after a 14 hr long journey. Little did I know then that we were in the midst of a place and community that had such monumental historic significance - first Chipko Movement. Later that evening, a casual, and rather quick, narrative of Khejarli village from the camp owner flashed fleeting memories of my high school history lessons. But the reference, and its acceptance, was too matter-of-factly to generate any real curiosity.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Khejarli village witnessed first Chipko Movement when 363 persons, led by Amrita Devi, sacrificed their lives to save sacred Khejri trees.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Golden Days</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Until last year, my most 'recent' memories of tree plantation dated back to carefree childhood days (aaah.. a quarter century ago). Village panchayat had initiated the drive to plant 100s of young trees along the main pucca road that run through our village. It was a noble act with eventual success rate in 20s/30s. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trees were also fenced to prevent passing cattle feasting on them. We would count trees on that road while 'driving' our local BMW - a worn out tyre - with a stick. In hindsight, I recollect 'young green trees' decorating the road while most old trees often dwarfing the nearby houses. Later, the count was focused on 'young survivors'.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My 'False' Belief</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my early years, I believed that I had never felled a tree. After all, 'Nature care' had always been my noble thought.... mere Thought!! Planting a tree never crossed the mind. Though the 'belief' was shattered long ago but the thought never 'empowered' my hands enough. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZuR8YNvkb__iHJRDSu0BVSFz2wK0Qe8M46BbcUkKhMxbmmKeOepw-DazE1zKQ03pamTfyym8yDb18xobbTjMU8C6E4UhGn7ONR4onZa9TdpZ4rT85nK1_LCwzcEfL6MWh9HOTNXmcrDk/s1600/Vicky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZuR8YNvkb__iHJRDSu0BVSFz2wK0Qe8M46BbcUkKhMxbmmKeOepw-DazE1zKQ03pamTfyym8yDb18xobbTjMU8C6E4UhGn7ONR4onZa9TdpZ4rT85nK1_LCwzcEfL6MWh9HOTNXmcrDk/s320/Vicky.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Things changed only last year when I participated in my first tree plantation drive and I realized how fulfilling an experience it was.</span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We consume and use 10s of products daily without sparing a thought about replenishing its source. 'Replenish' never appears as one of the key 'R's among Reduce-Reuse-Recycle hierarchy. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A study, based on NASA data, says that there are 61 trees per person in this world as of 2008. It is then fair, albeit on a lighter note, to ask whether I have already consumed my allocation. Or even lighter, whether I am felling your trees.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Seed Collection Drive</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last Saturday, 28th April, I participated in Hariyali Seed Collection drive (thanks to MS association) in Maharashtra Nature Park, Mahim. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNxLVdqFS6LDWNxEQIKsr01QzFA1Ox_aNfGJPkBxjq5iZHvTLYrOelyzvCUdH_fDdmwymFPYIWtBvs7AGmbaFMzha7CNQ66eZKsSZP2AasaObOBwdC0OqF66cMXarbLYHB3HmnoVHwWcl/s1600/Seeds+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNxLVdqFS6LDWNxEQIKsr01QzFA1Ox_aNfGJPkBxjq5iZHvTLYrOelyzvCUdH_fDdmwymFPYIWtBvs7AGmbaFMzha7CNQ66eZKsSZP2AasaObOBwdC0OqF66cMXarbLYHB3HmnoVHwWcl/s320/Seeds+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a 4 hour event starting at 8 AM and we spent good 2+ hrs in collecting seeds of various species of trees. </span>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were a group of about 45 persons and formed 2 teams marching in opposite directions. At the end, total collection amounted to an impressive 4.5 kgs of seeds (approx). What next?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These seeds will be distributed across nurseries to be grown into saplings. Come Monsoon and saplings will be ready to venture into this world and grow into young tender trees.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>My Goal</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Goal is to plant at least 100 trees. Current count stands at just 7. I will push it into tens in coming July when I participate in my second green drive.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is your goal? Are you self-sufficient or felling others' trees? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">July is the month when we, together, can plant few (more), convert that 'noble thought' into young trees and paint The Earth</span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b> <i>'Green'</i></b></span><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now".<span style="font-size: x-small;">-Chinese proverb</span></i></span></div>
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694873043008949601noreply@blogger.com2