You become what you consistently think about. Would you agree?
From since I can remember I have been fascinated by movement and dance. With its power and applications in grace and dignity.
I had no plans to become a dance educator but decades into dance and training here I am still thinking and writing and dancing whenever I can.
Yes, you may have many other professional careers and experiences in varied fields but the things you are deeply passionate about, you become and becomes you.
Be it any form of art of science or anything in between yet unnamed… You draw energy and purpose from it… You feed from the very energy in reference and reflection. You transform yourself and your environment with the very same energy within in enthusiasm as you come from heartfelt abundance.
Every morning I try and spend some time in my terrace garden by myself, and I am often delighted by a gift or two from nature’s amazing abundance.
This morning I came across a refreshing sight of this plant growing right below our beautiful mango tree. I was compelled to use Google lens for more on this plant and found out it is Taro or what is commonly called Arbi in Hindi.
Here is a little bit more I read about this beautiful plant reaching out with a generous spread of leaves.
Taro is a starchy root vegetable that has a sweet, nutty flavor—a flavor and texture that seems a combination of chestnuts and potatoes. Taro can be steamed, boiled, fried, stir-fried, baked, and braised. It is often added to soups and stews where it absorbs fatty juices and serves as a nutty thickener.
It’s hard to describe taro flavor using other flavors. It is known to have a sweet taste with a hint of vanilla. People usually consume its edible corm and leaves. The corms, which have a light purple color due to phenolic pigments,are roasted, baked or boiled. The natural sugars give a sweet, nutty flavor. The starch is easily digestible, and since the grains are fine and small it is often used for baby food.
Young taro leaves and stems can be eaten after boiling twice to remove the acrid flavor. The leaves are a good source of vitamins A and C and contain more protein than the corms.
In its raw form, the plant is toxic due to the presence of calcium oxalate, and the presence of needle-shaped raphides in the plant cells. However, the toxin can be minimized and the tuber rendered palatable by cooking, or by steeping in cold water overnight (Source Wiki)
Interesting information on Taro.
Do you know more about Taro, do you have a taro plant in your garden? Would love to hear more.
Today morning I happened to read my mother’s musings… which was written back in time on life. I share it here for I think it comes across as a relevant reminder for a pause in reflection.
No one is without faults. To err is human, to forgive is divine. Perfection in our speech, appearance, behaviour & habits are all our wants. But is it possible? Being wrong, doing wrong things, saying inappropriate words,-intentionally or not -is all in our nature. Do we realise, we too can be wrong sometimes , before pointing others. Forgiving, if not forgetting is also in in our nature. But how many of us are ready to do that. It is because of our ego and pride, putting ourselves first, comes before everything. There is a proverb in Tamil. ” Even elephants can slip. ” How much ever perfect, one tends to be, mistakes happen many ways knowingly or unknowingly. If we keep this in mind , forgiving others, accepting people with their faults becomes easier. Each is born & brought up differently. Values & principles change as per their culture , beliefs, situations and circumstances. Being stubborn & sticking to our thoughts , narrows our outlook of the world. When we widen our spectrum, understanding & accepting others as they are, becomes much easier. When we shift our perspective a little & start looking from other’s eyes, our shortcomings will become visible. Let’s be true n honest in our judgements. We all need to co exist . Criticism, unless asked, distances us. Instead of accusations , appreciation & acknowledgement will bring us closer to each other. After all peace is what all of us want. Above all we all are born with different nature by birth which is hard to change. We cannot change the stripes of a zebra. Acceptance & adjustment to a certain level is the road to peaceful co- existence. So to have good relationships Forget. If not forgive Accept If not adjust. We need not be divine. But need not be fault finders too. As fellow human beings , with erring in our nature, let’s all strive to live peacefully & happily acknowledge each other as they are.
Here are my reflections on this post… which I had initially shared with him privately but then realized that perhaps it needs to be read and understood in the larger context of the trials and tribulations in life and living..
Truth has a way of baring open the wounds of the heart and mind on its path of healing the hurt. For truth is on its own path of self correction in this world. For unfairness and Injustice has to somedayfind justice Exclusion to inclusion Doubts to clarity.
When truth speaks In one way or another It is important to listen In empathy without judgements
Truth speaks as it is In all of innocence Or in wisdom of awareness.
And yet… Innocence can be daunting to handle . But addressing the truth one way or the other Leads to discoveries of how little we know or of what is sensed & perceived.
In the story that my friend shared…here are instances of lack of inclusion in a family
Where in one day there is marked difference in the way the father speaks, When the child says Why are you speaking to me…
Interesting to note that you perceived the young child as witty Whereas another may perceive it as defiance,or even an evidence of an awareness of lack of inclusion and discrimination at this household in the young child’s mind. And that she is voicing it in all of innocence.
What would be of significance is how the father addresses this brewing disconnect.
Lack of love can be a difficult phase at any age especially for a child. Let’s trust the universe to show the way for this child to receive what she is yearning for one way or another. May every life be able to sense love and live life lovingly.
In the way we think speak, in the tonality, the choice of our words, we are influencing how we come across in every communication.
In saying…
I know everything -Ego
You don’t really matter so you are not worthy of my time & attention – Indifference/ Disrespect/Seclusion
How can you come in my way? Domination
Stay silent and speak only when I tell you to.- Control
Who are you to advise me? -Pride
How dare you speak this way? – Arrogance
If we only knew The preciousness of life We will begin to realize How much of life is wasted In arrogance and egotism. In anger and doubt Over things that hardly matter In the larger plan of life Can we choose to value The preciousness of being Place value for life over things.
This world is getting indifferent Discarding truths nonchalantly For it is difficult to swallow But truth is truth It finds its way ultimately To make all the difference.
Humility is a conscious practice in awareness. Until it becomes a way of life. In knowing that there is always more Than what the eyes can see Or the spirit can do
The soul knows To reach beyond knowing It is important to acknowledge the space To allow learning to take place Humility is dormant When ego is dominant. Humility is patience in waiting A practice of humility In thoughts words & deeds, In listening to understand, In letting go in faith and fortitude, In making way for gratitude In being hopeful in trust In moderation and measure Can unlock the inner potential For humility is full of possibilities.
This post is stemming from reflections to my post by a reader on LinkedIn. I simply choose to delve a bit with the insightful thoughts.
And these verses birthed along the way.
The wall of the mind Is in each of us to forge through In valuing the space between Two thoughts two steps or two notes. In choosing harmony of synchrony In conscious awareness In discerning thoughts In response than reaction In connecting the dots In realizing the grace of unity.
In sensing the strength Of the circle of conscious connections.
Experience life as a dance A joyful one more so In all ways you can And if by chance the music changes,and you feel overwhelmed, know time only moves on…. Trust time to deliver So acknowledge the tunes And time your steps and tune in. Enjoy your dance!
Question is then how to be enthused, Into doing the same tasks differently? And break free from rut of routine. Yet make this day great! Very simple… Stay hopeful, see life’s potential Create the possibilities It’s all in the way of envisioning How you want to build your life It’s all up to you!
Savvy Raj 