Savvy Raj

Live Life Lovingly!


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Shining through

Just having the courage to express ourselves, we open ourselves to a vulnerable and creative self that is the light in us shining through….:)

Savvy


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On Opportunity

Opportunity does not just come to you
You walk to it
And when you do
Remember, you are on a new trajectory
There are new challenges  in the changes
Know the strength of your spirit will be tested
Your balance may be tilted
To extremes of possibilities.

Yet, your patience  perseverance & passion for your purpose
Will guide you through
And somewhere along the way
in fleeting  moments
You will feel that gliding, waltzing feeling
Sensing harmony in the synchrony
To that which you truly love ❤️

What are you waiting for?

Savvy


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Somewhere in time…

Somewhere in time…

Some paths feel closer home
A river that feels cruised before
The spectre of night that feels witnessed before
Some places feel lived &  breathed in before
Memorable moments linger on
Sustained as fond memories
In the sensing  of soulspaces.

Savvy


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Gifts of Nature

Fruits and vegetables support existence . So important to cultivate gratitude for every bit that comes one’s way.

A gift of nature that was awaiting me at dawn from my terrace garden.

Gratitude and thankfulness to the fresh fruits and vegetables in nature🙏

Savvy


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Self Mastery

Self mastery is art of life living
In self control and self discipline
In discerning  for the self
In dedicated focus
In balancing  and regulating thoughts and emotions
On what matters most!

In the continuing battle
Between the heart and mind
Between feelings and logic
Of thoughts and emotions
Between expression of  emotions
And restraint in rationality
Between thinking  and doing
Often creating extreme experiences & situations. 
If one can practice self control  consistently…
One can master anything.

Savvy


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On Changes

Life presents new paths at every turn
Every now has new learnings.
The trick is to be present in this moment
To understand the evolving perspectives
To be one, with the changes that manifests
Be present. Be adaptable. Be receptive!

Savvy


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Art of Management

Irony Of Middle Management

One of the common concerns of any scaling team is that while the stakeholders ensure themselves with a great set of leadership and they in turn recruit a battalion of teams under them to do the work, there is one lacuna…the chaos and confusion in the middle management!

The disenchanted middle management scenario is a result of widening gaps in communication and connection between the managers and themselves.

Often, great work done by the team goes without credit, buried under the hierarchy structure and lack of appreciation.

Second, despite ability in the teams and readiness to accomplish good work, there is a lot of confusion about what to do as there is no clarity passed on to them from their managers.

It is clearly indicative of how important it is for the leadership team to share the purpose of why they are doing what they do…and how the message needs to be passed on with the same passion to every member of the teams, no matter the number of layers adding up in the middle.

This is how you reinstate ownership and accountability, which is paramount to the efficiency of the teams.

Unfortunately, much of what is conveyed to the managers from the top in terms of the purpose is typically withheld from teams, for the manager may not personally value the significance of the message for teams reporting to them to understand. It becomes less and less significant in their discussions.  And that is where a gamut of internal communications issues show up.

What will you do

When you do not have a purpose

You stop steering…

As there is no winds of  motivation to sail your course.

In the case of the middle managers sandwiched in between, they soon have no sense of purpose, they are frequently found working in circles without direction.

They may seem busy doing mundane chores to fill their workdays, and go back home every day a little more disengaged and disconnected with the system.

In my professional career as a Consultant & having been involved in the organizational development up close, I have encountered such scenarios where the value of transparency in teams in their shared work as well as the vision & purpose of the leader is regularly lost in the daily rut of routine. Between filling forms and answering mails, much of the work today has become impersonal. 

I believe the role of the middle management is crucial in managing change, for they can bridge the gap between expectations from the strategic objectives and key results set from the top to match with the speed and efficiency of actual day-to-day activities’ integration.

An engaged, informed, and knowledgeable middle management would mean a lot to the stability of a growing organization. It is a huge balancing act between managing to sustain through the changes and managing policies practices and procedures ensuring compliance and come away stronger.

It is important for the key stakeholders to have a conversation that sets clarity on the value for the middle management in the system and expectations from them.

They need to know how much interconnected they actually are in driving changes. They also need to become more self-aware and understand the intricacies of working beyond biases and prejudices that may come along while they understand the power structure of their respective organization.

Beyond good communication skills, they will have to develop their expertise in networking with their seniors as well as their teams.

The responsibility on the middle management is demanding as the role is expanding to include the implementation of changes in the system as well as managing the cultural changes.

This can happen best when the senior management is aware of the challenges faced by the middle management, like time in planning to execution. They can best help fasten this process by direction support and feedbacks while realizing the strategic value of the middle managers.

Every level of management is intrinsically interwoven and important to the whole. In recognizing their individual strengths as well working in the spirit of collaboration, teams begin to evolve.

What do you think of the prevailing practices at work?

Savvy Raj


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Acknowledge as is!

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.

Anjana


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On Love & Inclusion

A poignant tale of a little child sensing the favoritism by her own father was shared by my friend Ali Anani in his post….

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ali-anani-phd-15305319_love-experience-empathy-activity-6970262610063589376-9Fbe?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

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. 

Savvy


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Wisdom in humility

The soul knows the truths…
Yet the spirit is untamed.
To understand the wisdom.
It is important  to create space
To allow learning to take place.


Humility is dormant
When ego is dominant.
Humility is patience in waiting
Invoking wisdom in humility

Savvy


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Thoughts words & deeds

Our thought vibrations create a change, even a single one
Make sure to think well!
Words create waves, even a single word
Make sure it is positive!
Actions create ripples even a single deed
Make sure it’s well intended!

Savvy


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What is enough for you?

On Contentment

Life’s desires and dares

Propel you to many pathways

Each a different experience

Like chalk and cheese

It’s all in the knowing

What is enough for you!

In knowing yourself

Awareness grows

To understand more

In acknowledgement and acceptance

Do you know…
Your own point of saturation
As much as satisfaction ?
Can you sense contentment
As much as fulfillment?


Are you certain that you have enough or do you want more
And most importantly…
Do you know you are enough  for you?

Savvy


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Keep Sparkling

It’s often good to remember you are born to live.

Don’t live because you are born, don’t go where life takes you . Make life come alive where you are…

Keep Sparkling ✨️


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On Respect

Respect your self

And show respect to others

In thoughts words & deeds

No matter how deserving

In empathy & compassion

It is a reflection of your nature

It speaks much of who you are.

Others will respect you.

When you respect self effort

As well as another’s

You reinforce self discipline

And let it guide manners

When you dont allow yourself

To be disrespected

None can take you for granted

Or behave as if you don’t matter.

Care to own your space in the sun.

Respectfully…

The world will be better by it.

Savvy


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Turning of time

Being a Witness to the wonders..

The unabashed beauty of this world is but an illusion.

Marking time in the constancy of change.

Whatever good is in this moment is a gift of now

To wonder in awe and receive in gratitude…

And when reality bites as the seasons change.

It is in us to learn to witness without want but with understanding and patience.

As all is in the turning of time….

Savvy