In the giving, we find our self
In the receiving, we understand our self.
In learning to give and receive well we learn about our own nature. How we feel in accepting a gift or compliment or reward or title… For many, it is a task that is confusing, to say the least, especially how to accept a gift in a graceful dignified way.
Even more so, however, is how we learn to reciprocate what we receive and how to do so.
It truly is about reflecting gratitude. A gift well received is a gift in the truest sense or else it can be perceived in many other ways. How do you receive the gift you are given and how you care to express it back can make all the difference. Although subjective to the giver and the occasion the way you acknowledge it is very important to the giver.
I remember this incident from my childhood…
Many years ago as a young kid at school, I used to carefully collect and save my pocket money so as to be able to buy small gifts for my family and friends on their birthdays. I would forgo my little sweet treats at lunch break and put it all in a little purse.
Once it was one of my dear relatives birthdays and I managed to joyfully search and buy a beautiful bracelet, a trinket actually from the saved money and happily gifted it to her. But to my dismay …in a few days she went and exchanged my gift for something else and I felt a little disappointed for a while when she told me casually about it only much later. But then gradually I let it go and accepted it as every person is entitled to their own taste of things. And I also felt, what may appeal to one may not suit the other. To each his or her own!
All is a matter of a shift in perspectives.
As soon as you adjust the way you see things the so-called issues that irk disappear on their own… but the question is are we ready to see beyond the niggling bits.
Lessons in life and living indeed!
A few more reflections on Giving and Receiving
Give with all of your heart
whenever and wherever you can
Because you truly can.
Receive by expressing the value
In heartfelt appreciation
of what you have got
Because it truly matters.
For then in the giving and receiving
Is established a full circle
of a contented connection.
And that will pave the path of grace
For more to follow along.
Give generously without any expectation
Receive generously in true appreciation.
Both are the core of human nature in action.
And all is well in the circle of interconnection.
When you give heartfully forget about it.
When you receive gratefully, remember it
Savvy
Tell me have you ever had a similar experience
What do you think about it? How would you feel if your gift was exchanged… or have you exchanged a gift for another?
Would love to hear from you, do share your thoughts…
When one share’s from the heart, the result is always a regeneration of trust confidence and love in abundance.
With increasing love, there is a decrease of needs and with that, there is greater contentment and fulfilment!
A few things to keep in mind are… share without motive, share without ego, share with gratitude!
The ones who share with acceptance writ in their hearts are the ones who know the value of letting go enough to reaps its rewards.
Rewards that cannot be measured by time or days, as they abound in the infinite wisdom of conscious connections!
In the spirit of the season you can join the dance of life in this now with all your heart and soul. And partake the pleasures of being there in both the receiving and the giving.
Creativity stems from the acceptance of your authentic self. It is a never-ending journey of endless possibilities that is much beyond the pursuit of a hobby or craft and is a habit of a lifetime. So besides being a Dance Educator as a Wellness coach, I offer a variety of Personal Effectiveness Programs for Self-development. Being a Writer and a Designer creating art gives me immense satisfaction with the infinite ways of expressing myself as I believe in enjoying the journey as much as the destination.
Care to paint, write, draw, dance, sing and smile and simply let yourself be your authentic self and you will find the extraordinary in every moment.
Ingenuity of man is fascinating indeed But when coupled with the passion it leaves quite an imprint ….
Here’s a testament of a love story finding a fixture in reality .
Have you heard of the STATUES OF LOVE
Located in Batumi, Georgia, the statue of lovers begin to move every night at 7 p.m.And the two figures represent a Muslim boy, Ali, and a Georgian princess, Nino, from a famous 1937 novel by Azerbaijani author Kurban Said. The tragic story ends with the lovers separated by the invasion of Soviet Russia. This powerful love story has been translated into more than 30 languages.
“Man and Woman” is a 8 meter (26 foot) tall moving steel sculpture by Georgian sculptor Tamara Kvesitadze.
When I shared this beautiful picture of the Jacaranda Trees on the social media yesterday this post got a lot of responses… and continues to pour in still. Perhaps it touches the chord of connectedness somewhere amidst the roots.
Am highlighting a few learnings along the way for me through this post.
My friend John Rylance mentioned about how much the beautiful work ‘ Endymion’ the poem with the opening line ….
‘A thing of beauty is a joy for ever’ by John Keats applies to this picture . In his words ..
So much of this poem reflects your Jacaranda tree picture, it could so easily be an illustration to accompany the work.@John Rylance
Sharing a few curated verses from the poem Endymion-
A thing-beauty-joy-ever…
Paths there were many,
Winding through palmy fern, and rushes fenny,
And ivy banks; all leading pleasantly To a wide lawn,
whence one could only see Stems thronging all around between
the swell Of turf and slanting branches: who could tell
The freshness of the space of heaven above,
Edg’d round with dark tree tops? through which a dove
Would often beat its wings, and often too
A little cloud would move across the blue.
Endymion is a poem by John Keats first published in 1818. It begins with the line “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever”. Endymion is written in rhyming couplets in iambic pentameter. WikipediaOriginally published:1818
I also came across the video clip about these trees there..
In response my friends Claire Cardwell and Gert Scholtz mentioned about Pretoria and Johanesburg in South Africa having huge number of these trees still.. inspite of the opposition to these so called alien invasions …
@Savvy Raj there was a very vocal minority a few years back that wanted to chop down all the Jacaranda trees as they are not indigenous to South Africa. Fortunately the majority over-ruled them! You can’t however now buy a Jacaranda sapling at the nursery to plant in your garden. I do love them, I think the best places to see them in Joburg are in Linden, Northcliff Hill and in an office block in Rosebank – looking down all you can see is purple. Thanks for the post! Claire Cardwell
@Savvy Raj Jacaranda’s are truly beautiful. They bloom this time of year and our street plus many surrounding areas are covered with bright blue-purple flowers. Pretoria is known as the Jacaranda city, but Johannesburg where I live, actually has more of these trees lining the streets. Very nice post Savvy – thanks for the video too.
And then as I happened to share this photograph with my family and here is what my mother comes up with…
“The twisted branches signify the conflicts in our wavering minds and the clarity of the sky of the blue in the background with the bewitching pink flowers assures us of the positive solutions at the end .” Anjana
This beautiful photograph of the Jacaranda Tree is a sight to behold . I have always liked to see pictures of these purple and pink and lavender blue trees .
But this particular picture … it was pure fascination!
Could I write verses on it…. perhaps! Cos it feels like serenedipity everytime I see it. There is so much pleasantness in that picture for me … I am guessing I am simply partial to all those hues and tones right there juxtaposed so delightfully. Quite like the essence of a prolific poem understated and unassuming.
Yet poetry is not on my mind today…
In fact what I am drawn to here is the delicate draw of balance of colour and composition. The brilliant blues of the sky entices the viewer as much the hints of hues of greens and pink just about show up ever so delicately amidst the starkness of the stems from betwixst and between the branches of this bewitching tree.
And thats not all … there is so much more to that tree and this photograph is just a hint of whats in the offing….
There is certain sense of ambiguity yet an attribution of knowing there is much much more beyond the visible.
In fact when you actually see, it is the beauty of the skylight seen through the canopy of pink flowers amidst those branches all captured in that one enthralling moment.
And like nothings is ever permanent and perfect, there always comes the scope of change even in so much balance in that stillness of the movement so precariously precise in the picture.
The trick is to be aware of balance
Appreciate the now for what it is
It offers much if you choose to see.
So perfect in its imperfections
A sense of the almost ethreal…
Here are a few facts on Jacaranda Tree.
The Jacaranda flowers are known to flutter down continously from the tree.The trees are native to South and Central America and now are also seen in many tropical areas of the world.
Pretoria in South Africa is known to be The Jacaranda City for the huge number the these trees planted in parks steets and gardens.So much so that when seen from the nearby hills the city is known to appears blue/purple in colour.
The word Jacaranda means fragrant in a South American dialect and depending on their species they have blue to white to lavender pink to purple shades of flowers. They are known to grow as tall as 20 to 30 metres in height in their lifetime which can span from 50 toover 70 years or so.
And because of that one picture I choose to look up and discover these tidbits … .Do share if you find some more about this tree.
This above digital artwork Titled ‘Circles of thoughts,12 is a creative interpretation of encircling thoughts, The verses that follow is the 12thpart of my series of micro poems on interconnecting thoughts.
It is beautiful to reflect and revel in joyfulness
Cos it does your body mind and spirit
A whole deal of good.
Contrary to opinion of what mindfulness is … being in the now is also about being able to witness the joys of your life in the sensing but without dependence.
Your own lifes better moments are deeply healing experience for your state of being.
The neurons that fire in the rememberance of positive experiences can bring association of memory banks long long forgotten in time. And suddenly you find yourself recharged, reinvigourated and regenerated in the wake of such moments.
Mindfulness comes to play in the simple witnessing and letting the memory move on in time naturally as it would rather than wallowing in the wake of and in the aftermath of happy memories.
So next time you find yourself in the beautiful times of the then, dont worry, a lot of healing is taking place sub consciously. Just take care to cross the bridge of the then to the now, steering away consciously and gradually from any self remorse and self pity.
This is where cultivation of gratitude comes in to help simply feeling grateful to have had some very blessed moments, and that creates space for abundance to move into your present moment.
Have a blessed day and blessed life!
You are your deepest intention.
Intend well. Live well.
Savvy Raj
Although I am no medical expert this reflection has come simply from many of my personal observations in life and living. As a dance educator and trainer, and having facilitated workshops for many seniors I have been blessed with many beautiful memories . But more specifically have been a witness to how fond recollections can be for them of a take back in time when I play music of 40s and 60s with dances from that era. Suddenly their faces light up with smiles and there is a spring in their steps.
There are so many incidents of positive reflections that come to mind and touch my heart….I particularly remember one of my senior most student at a glorious 89, mentioning to me excitedly how even a single class on a Monday evening would have them charged up with positivity for the whole week ahead . I know it is not just about the dance form but about the triggered recollections of the joyous times of the then and its associations that made their day ! The goodwill and cheer was almost palpable. Life is truly to live than just exist!
Savvy Raj
Are you drawn to the art of movement? Do you wish to dance but are confused where to begin and how to take the first step into the world of dance? Read on…
First of all it is essential to find that dance form which moves you. But before that it would be a good idea to ask yourself if you are the kind of person who is a team player or someone who enjoys solo dancing.
If you are kind who enjoys social dancing with a partner there are a plethora of dance forms you can learn, but yes the ideal situation is that you have a willing partner who enjoys dancing as much as you do!
Learning even the basics of some partner dance forms that appeal to you and your taste of music and tempo is a wonderful way to step into the world of dancing.
Its important to remember that just like our choices are not static but actually evolve with time, in an ever evolving world of movement, dances too evolve with changing trends and generations … thus it is the study and practice of the concepts and techniques that play an important role in developing your skills and enhance your dancing.
If you are interested in learning to dance ..it would be good to be aware of the depth of your interest, whether its just as a passing fancy, a fad to learn something new,or to learn because of a deeper connect that you feel every time you dance, or even as you watch other people dancing. An honest self appraisal would be helpful in deciding what the next course of action should be. If you feel the connect I am talking about, get going and start of with some dancing lessons for yourself now!
If you wish to discuss more on your dance related queries feel free to reach out here savvy@danceconcepts.in.
I sip the tea in front of me . I sense the taste engulfing my mouth proactively therefore the tea is to me a certainity but the tea is simply a matter , an ingredient dissolved in a concotion passing on the many stages of creation to purpose to dissolution and therefore so are we like the tea ourselves to a more evolved species or beings, that we may yet in time encounter .. are we all not connected matter to matter energy to energy as frequencies in the finite and the infinite of the interbeing in form and purpose.
And yet we think of ourselves so absolutely, so certain of our ingrained ways …and assume much significance through the mask of self importance. Just perhaps we also must try to sense a bit more and consider in seeing ourselves and others just like beings at different stages like the tea , each special and relevant in its own way to the whole, whatever the shape or form. For like unbrewed to the brewed tea from tender leaves that are easily blendable, and adaptable to the mature leave strengthened of flavour of experience of life and living , each evolving in the spaces between the certainity and uncertainity of life and living …. all in that one sip itself !
Just transitions of thoughts
Of the tree of life
Of leaves in the being
From human to tea
Leaving much to imagination
In the sensing .
For nothing is insignificant
When each evolves in time
To fulfill its purpose of being .
Savvy
Haha! I know this is crazy… coming from a non tea drinker but just had to share as …all came from just a sip of this fresh hot tea on a cold winters day!😊
While this trip to the Middle east, was a great getaway of sorts, between the work and pleasure, it undoubtedly became a fodder for thought and much reflections in those moments of chanced and planned connects with some amazing people living there. And some of them I met for the first time and bonded so instantly as if I knew them forever and a few who I knew for decades but didnt get to meet and connect earlier.
There were many more on my list of people who I wanted to meet but have left that for my next trip sooner than later.
Connects of empathy:
Meeting another human being for the first time is an enigmatic phenomenon. In todays age of technology although you may try to connect in so many ways online. Real time meet and greets hold their own a bag of surprises and treats in tow.
One such meet was planned … by me and my dear warm hearted friend from online. Fatima.An eloquent writer with a heart of gold and a keenly developed insight of people and their resources who draws much strength in positive reflections and most importantly a kind and brave heart following her dreams.
The heartfelt connects established in moments of our first meeting was clearly visible. She treated me to an amazing authentic Arabic dinner that evening and while catching up on our lives, in between us was a complete ease of being which we both mutually sensed in the lovely ease of conversation and strength of connection in the little time we had that day. Her warm hospitality and generosity touched me and I truly look forward to meeting her again sooner than later and wish her the best always from my heart.
Then there was this local Arab woman dressed in the traditional Abhaya worn with the hijab and those alluring kohl rimmed eyes with whom I shared a lengthy conversation of their culture and learned much but who moved me in the simplicity of her words and in sharing her heart’s deepest desires for freedom of movement and her eagerness in learning to dance…
Another wonderful woman with whom my daughter and I shared a great rapport albeit in just a few minutes of conversation was a travel guide who invited us to her home in Abu Dhabi. We got talking about so many things in such a short span of time. We bonded without reservations.
There are many more truly endearing people I met and connected some who I managed to catch up with on phone …but simply put perhaps it is just my way of seeing but I found many friendly people from across the world living there making a living thriving in the tolerance and interconnects that makes up much of Dubai’s culture in recent times.
And yes of course my visit to the traditional city of Sharjah had its own share of charm . As the people I met there were my very dear friends connecting after so long … yet the heartconnects were entrenched so deep that it felt home to me .
A short driving across the city will lead you through the Corniche where you can stay on to watch the beautiful Arabian Sunset and may be drive further on to Al Ain as well.
Will not forget the trips to the Gold and Spice Souks and most of all the Creek and the dhow cruise on the creek one pleasant evening….
Foodwise :
Being a vegetarian I thought my choices would be limited to pizzas and pastas and of course my saviour’ Subway’ besides the Indian food . But I was pleasantly surprised to find my flavour in Arabic food. Suffice to say the sumptous starters of the Arab cusine and their spiced tea was perfectly suited to my vegetarian and satvic senibilities. And I must thank my dear friends, relatives and hosts who took so much care and put so much consideration while ordering that I will hold very fond memories of dining out in this delightful trip.
Thanks to my amazing hosts I tried many dishes some which were known like the falafel and some new to me…tabbouleh and the zatar and lentil soup
‘Creativity stems from the acceptance of your authentic self. It is a never-ending journey of endless possibilities that is much beyond the pursuit of a hobby or craft and can be a habit of a lifetime. So besides being a Dance educator being a writer and a designer, creating art and writing poetry gives me immense satisfaction with the infinite ways of expressing myself as I believe in enjoying the journey as much as the destination.’
Savvy Raj 
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