Category Archives: hope
On Learning Spaces
My reflections after a chance visit to Swadhaa A Waldorf School in Pune.
In my spare time as a hobby, I enjoy visiting offbeat places and interacting with people from all walks of life to broaden my perspectives. To envision the world through the eyes of another is always an insightful experience.
When I visited Auroville in Pondicherry last year amongst the many inspirational insights I came across a bit about how Waldorf Schools started by Rudolf Steiner who was inspired by Sir Aurobindo, stands for holistic education that speaks to the soul and strives for human goodwill and integrity and instilling a sense of creativity and wonder through its unconventional schooling methods.
Besides that, I also had come across words of praise for her schooling and education received from the well-known actress Jennifer Anniston an alumnus of a Waldorf School herself.
Jennifer Aniston, Actress, former Waldorf student:
“I was always fascinated by acting, but my experience at Rudolf Steiner [school] encouraged me to pursue it as a career.” “Steiner was a free-spirited school that encouraged creativity and individualism.”
As a dance educator myself I have always felt schooling at conventional schools can be rather stifling for it focuses more on procedure and protocol than allowing freedom to explore. The root of our individuality and personal expression is often stubbed in the process of conforming to the norms and practices unless it is balanced out when there is a gateway to open communication and positive support on the homefront.
Recently having shifted my residence in Pune City and in my foray into understanding what my area had on offer as a creative educator myself, I came across. SWADHA Learning Centre. My interest was piqued that it was based on the principles of a Waldorf school.
I decided to experience the place on my own. Luckily for me the day I visited the school it turned out to be their Annual Day and there were elaborate festivities planned out for the entire day by the school for one and all.
There were workshops galore… I attended a few out of curiosity and came away heartened by the immense enthusiasm and support from the parents and children alike for this schools annual activity. I took my time to interact with some of the parents.
What I was immediately drawn to was the amount of openness that was there reflected in so many ways from children who were learning life skills experientially to how parents were so beautifully integrated into the educational activities of the children.
The pictures speak for themselves I must say!
In an era of grades and marks that decides destinies of children as future adults,
the learning concepts observed here come as a breath of fresh air. Like the lack of grading systems and adding only an individual assessment by the educator annually to ensure that each child is addressed and understood for their unique potential. And the breakdown of hierarchy which makes everyone an involved collaborator working towards positive transformations. And I believe they also help and guide a child gradually, who wants to integrate into conventional schooling system if they wish or need to for whatever reasons. The question is would we want to?
Perhaps the varied schools under the Waldorf umbrella are as unique as the people collectively managing them, but the fact remains that there is a happier learning space we can co-create for our future children if we have the willingness to come together and contribute our time and resources.
” A space that’s open yet bounded with a focus can be conducive to learning as when the process of exploration begins it is helped by a structured approach. But while boundaries may be reminding of a journey having a destination, it is the openness that reflects the never-ending source of creative possibilities.”
Savvy
An excerpt from my reflections on Learning spaces…. (read more )
10 Tips to Body Confidence
In an age of self obsession bordering on extremes of behaviour from starving to binging, from wearing those uncomfortable hip breaking harmful high heels to choosing crazy outfits that fool you in the name of fashion, to wearing outrageous clothes without it actually suiting your personality, just to fit in and feel accepted I find a lot of people youngsters especially finding themselves at odds with their natural body and having issues with who they truly are. It reflects in the clothes they wear as much as in their attitude to the fast convenience food they choose to eat.
Here in this article I address this very insecurity and deep need to measure up to the so called dictates of trends and fashion in the name of modernity and suggest ways to work with yourself to help yourself shine your best inside out. For, a comfortable and relaxed confident body is the best outfit you can wear.
Savvy Raj
A positive body image brings optimism into your life and makes it easier to manage stress.
It also helps you cope the pressures of social situations with confidence. Below, I’ve listed 10 tips to help you in owning a more positive body image and relationship with yourself.
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Be kind to yourself
Liking who you are and feeling good about being yourself begins with being good to yourself and showing yourself loving kindness.
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Respect thy Self
Move beyond a need for validation from others. Your life and happiness must never be dictated by assuming what others may be thinking of you. Avoid seeking approval from others.
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Think well and exercise the power of positivity
Keep a check on your own thoughts and steer clear of negative self-talk. See the positives in yourself and others and speak positively. See life transform for the better.
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The company you keep matters
Surround yourself with kind and positive people. Avoid those who are self-obsessed and definitely stay away from bullies.
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Cultivate a good attitude towards life
As you continue to work on your self-esteem remember body confidence is a matter of attitude and the way you carry yourself.
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Cultivate good posture and poise
Work on your sense of poise, avoid slouching and fidgeting. This can help you tremendously in boosting your self-esteem in any social situation.
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Speak well
Your body is always listening. So, speak well of yourself and others. Make it a habit to start and end the day on a positive note.
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Embrace Self-value
Try to understand your weaknesses and accept them as challenges to work on. Treat yourself well. Make sure to eat well, exercise, or take a walk. Be healthy and groomed. Make it a part of daily life.
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Take it easy
Over perfection is an obsession and can ruin your self-esteem and self-confidence. Ease up on yourself. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
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Own yourself
Embrace the uniqueness that you are endowed with. Remember you matter. You are so much more than a title, a rank, or a dress size. Don’t be desperate to fit in. Most importantly, be interested in your life and actively participate in it. Own yourself.
As you practise working on all these aspects and envision the positives, you create a positive shift in your perspectives.
Because you can!
– Savvy
What choice would you make?
Be a lamp or a lifeboat or a ladder
Help someone’s soul heal
Walk out of your house like a shepherd
Rumi
Precious words from Rumi which are empowering, to say the least, awakening in us to respect the innate potential we all possess to reach out to help another …
To help is to empower the mind body and spirit of another.
Empowerment is a powerful factor in building lives. Given the choice of transforming lives with the abilities, you own…if you are ready to help another…
What would you choose to be?
Being a Lamp :
A lamp lights up itself to light the way for another It is selfless and expansive . The light of a lamp lets you envision the strengths within the self as much as the others For to enable sight is to allow the envisionment. Being a light enables and empowers, as it throws light without fear or favour.
It is simply the quality of light to shine graciously!
Being a lifeboat:
It is the very purpose of a lifeboat to help save lives to allow another to hold on, to never fail in protecting from drowning in the voyage of life.
The lifeboat is a survival tool and is built to weather the storms without giving way. It floats on relentlessly without giving up to reach to safety.
Being a life boat in an emergency is like a godsend!. To save a life is to value its preciousness of the being.
Being a ladder:
Allowing the self to be utilized for another is the very nature of a ladder. In fact to be a ladder is to allow another to reach and aim higher to develop and evolve further.
A ladder is constructive in its very core essence, to build up another towards a goal.
Being a builder of another’s dreams and helping propel another to a cause greater than the self is the sign and strength of being a ladder. Being unmindful of the treading over of another in their attempt to reach their aspirations is a tall order indeed. The ladder provides the way without any personal gain.
Here are 3 beautiful sayings worth remembering always…
HANDS THAT HELP ARE HOLIER THAN LIPS THAT PRAY!
HELP EVER HURT NEVER.
ACTION SPEAKS LOUDER THAN WORDS!
Self-empowerment &healing :
To help transform lives is to empower from the heart and make a difference!
However, it is about healing the self-first enough to let light in that helps others to see!
A friend in need is a friend indeed! ;
Whatever is your way to reach out and help, what is truly significant is the one who helps in time and need. For such a help is a hand of God in divine grace.
So make a choice to reach out to the world in your own unique way for it needs all the help it can get!
On Faith
Flow in faith
Time evolves one and all,come what may
Yesterday’s mountains have become paths today
Love of life will show the way
As you keep building bridges not walls I say!
Bridge of Love
Bridge of love
As we stand on this bridge of love
Living life in this now by the river of time
That flows on in its own course.
How wonderful it would be to always remember …..
It’s the way of love to bridge the spaces in between
It’s the way of love to build a connection
It’s the way of love to show the way
It’s the way of love to linger in memories just as much as…
It’s the way of love to let go and move on
It’s the way of love to mend the broken
It’s the way of love to accept and allow
It’s the way of love to empower with hope
It’ss the way of love to sense pain and pleasure.
It’s the way of love to brings out words to share from the heart.
It is the way of love to shine through a smiling heart
For love is the gift of life
And its the way of love to be filled with gratitude for its beautiful ways.
Savvy
Dedicated to ‘Love’ and the ones I deeply love 💙
Circle of thoughts 14
With care and consideration
Sometimes like coaxing a unwilling mule
Thoughts can be harnessed
For each has great potential…
Savvy
This above digital artwork Titled ‘Circles of thoughts,14 is a creative interpretation of encircling thoughts, The verses that follow is the 14thpart of my series of micropoems on interconnecting thoughts.
Savvy
To be contd …
Related links to read more…
/https://savvyraj.com/circles-of-thoughts/1
/https://savvyraj.com/circle-of-thoughts-2/
https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/03/circle-of-thoughts-3
/https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/06/circle-of-thoughts-4/
/https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/08/circle-of-thoughts-6/
https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/08/circle-of-thoughts-7/
https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/17/circle-of-thoughts-8
https://savvyraj.com/2017/06/18/circle-of-thoughts-9
https://savvyraj.com/2017/07/01/circle-of-thoughts-10
#Micropoetry #PhotoFusion #Metaphysics
Artwork by Savvy Raj
Mystery Blogger Award
It is always wonderful to be acknowledged and appreciated. For the power of appreciation creates positive intentions and further channelizes creativity to flow even more meaningfully for a larger purpose.
The reason is after the first wave of elation over having received an award nomination you start realizing the responsibility of every word you are putting out there and how it can actually carry the power to transform thoughts if you want it to! And that’s truly incredible!
I would like to specially thank stylethatright for nominating me for this award.
Truly grateful to receive this nomination from her .
Do check out the blog https://stylethatright.wordpress.com/ as she shares her engaging and empowering posts on styling, beauty among st other interesting things.
What is a Mystery Blogger Award?
The creator of this award, Okoto Enigma, says “It’s an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging, and they do it with so much love and passion.
The Rules
Here are the rules for the award which I have to mention:
Put the award logo/image on your blog.
List the rules.
Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
Tell your readers 3 things about yourself.
Answer the questions you were asked.
Nominate 10 – 20 people & notify.
Ask your nominees any 5 questions of your choice; with one weird or funny question (specify).
3 things about myself:
I am a happy go lucky type of person.
I am a peoples person and enjoy meaningful conversations and always find time to actually listen.
I am an intuitive person. I believe it to be a gift and often trust my senses and am deeply grateful about it .
These are the questions which were asked to me:
1: What is your idea of a perfect life?
Will answer this question earnestly…being a dance educator, balance in the being tops my list so as much as activity and movement is important to me on a regular basis, I believe a perfect life would be about enjoying the balance of the rest and movement in our lives. For in those spaces between the steps is an opportunity to appreciate the life we have and replenish with gratitude and contentment.
2: Why you started blogging and what is your favourite genre?
I remember writing a lot of poems in my years at school which at times were even published in the school papers and college magazines that gave me a momentum and then I realized it would make sense to have them all in one place as a body of work in time, that’s when I started blogging.
Well, I do enjoy writing in any form but I find a great sense of connect, in writing my thoughts as poetry.
3:If you were to celebrate your birthday with five celebrities who would you like to celebrate with and why?
Have never had any craze for the company of celebrities of any kind. And birthdays are preferably spent amidst family friends and my students. Yet to answer the question without naming anyone, in particular, it would be nice to include for their entertainment value, one celebrity from each of these categories, a famous ballroom dancer a latin dancer, a singer a guitarist, a pianist and a drummer.
Well guess I am truly set then for my perfect party!:-))
4: What is the most funniest moment of your life?(funny)
A lot of funny moments happen every now that sometimes I feel my life is one laugh a riot…. and then some more, but to remember one funny incident. Well, I was in 8th grade and was the captain of my school’s volleyball team.I was truly passionate about the game and would regularly practice with great dedication and pretty much excelled at the game.So we were often chosen and sent to play in tournaments across the city. In one such selection process, I went to play in the tournament held in one of the city college campuses. I was passed off by my selectors as a member of a working women team. I played that game as their vice-captain. We won that match and I couldn’t help smiling to myself as I went up the dais to receive the certificate as they were all so much older than me …the whole team had a huge laugh after the match about it all! Till today I have no idea how I ended up playing that particular match in the first place!!
5: Your favourite pastime?
Besides writing poetry and drawing, dancing on one of my favourite songs.. and at times with it in my thoughts as I often find myself joyfully thinking of patterns and steps for a song when I hear music that I happen to like. So yes that tops the list of my favourite pastimes.
I would like to nominate these blogs for the Mystery Blogger Award: I wish them the best in their endeavours.
https://thinkthoughtstaught.wordpress.com
http://thoughtsofsho.wordpress.com/
http://christophermcgeownwriting.wordpress.com/
https://kishanlakhotia.wordpress.com/
https://srishtiblogspot.wordpress.com/
https://pcblogscom.wordpress.com
https://stonestoriessite.wordpress.com/
http://akanksharastogi.wordpress.com/
https://prashasti125.wordpress.com/
https://thejoyofloving.wordpress.com/
Here are a few questions for you…
1: What does your perfect day look like?
2: If you had only one match and entered a Cold and Dark room, and there was an oil heater, an oil lamp and a candle, which would you light first?
3: Can you adapt smoothly to changing realities and if so what is your biggest strength?
4: Are you someone who works well on a team, or prefer to work on your own?
5: What ridiculously fun thing has someone tricked you into doing or believing?
I would like to thank everyone who is reading following and visiting my blog. I am still learning how to be a good writer. Hope this year is wonderful for us all!!! 💙
Cheers,
Savvy Raj
Energy Matters!
Feed the Soul with love
Fire the Spirit with enthusiasm
For the body never lies!
Savvy
Power of Possibilities
Explore the Immense Power of Possibilities!
At times we find our road has got rough
Many times we give up when the going gets tough
At such times if we muster the strength to persevere
The very perseverance leads us to new paths
Paths we may have never accessed in the fear of trying.
To try to forge ahead in spite of hopelessness
To try to discover the power of possibilities
To try to seek the connecting dots that may have faded in time
To try to find new pathways in the making
Such is the power of life in the living.
There is always a way
To make it happen
Often enshrouded in
All we need is to see beyond the looking
Envision the potential that rests within
Trust the options we have at hand,
And lo and behold!
There is so much more than what we thought was possible.
Come let us dare to explore the power of the possibilities!
Savvy
Ease Into Alignment
A life lived well…
Is more about being and doing well
Than about doing much
& finding no time to be you
& all that you actually are.
Resonate with your own reserves
Reach out in the knowing
That you are enough for you.
Align your posture, let go tension.
Acknowledge your needs at this moment.
Sense the potential in this now
To alter the reality of this moment.
To make a positive difference in your ways.
To pursue your passions,
To love well, to enjoy life.
You need to create a balance between
What you can do and what you are doing.
Sometimes the tilts are unavoidable
And then life takes care of itself.
But it always helps to not tilt the balance
By overdoing, over-controlling, overindulging
Overstepping and overshadowing your own self.
Aim to balance the holding back & the letting go
With discretion and discerning
Of conscious intention in awareness.
Modern maladies are mostly self-inflicted
Due to excess of thought, action and deed.
With awareness, your own free will
Can be your best ally in the understanding
That freedom and responsibility go hand in hand.
And soon you will reach a level
Where you feel grounded
And yet light as a feather in flight.
Make sense of the choices you make in every now
Every now matters after all!
You have one life
Live it well
Because you can!
Savvy
About me :
Wellness Mentor, Dance Educator & Trainer, Motivational Speaker, Writer, Freelance Designer
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 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.
Savvy
Circle of thoughts
Thoughts may be boundless in content
A figment of imagination
Choosing thoughts is a matter of intent
To lead the thoughts with contemplation
Savvy
Contd
#Micropoetry #PhotoFusion #Metaphysics
Artwork by Savvy Raj
The Mystical Path
A beautiful morning and a fine day to all my readers.
Savvy
On Nurturing 5
Nurturing Hope & Care
Hope is here to stay!’
Nurturing is a life affirming process ….rooted in bettering care and creating hope for a better life. There are many experiments conducted to support how even an exposure to nature like being amidst trees and tranquil places, hearing birdsongs and watching the sky , the sea and the sand can be extremely nurturing for ones health and wellbeing. The healing element associated with nature, is in the nurture it provides to replenish the soul.
The very nature of nurturing is both very inclusive and expansive in the same breath.The scope of positive outcomes of good nurturing is deeply significant to humanity at large . For that is what is truly important to sustain our planet . Every being’s effort in nurturing the world in and around him to thrive.
At the root of Creativity is a nurtured thought process. To nurture is to nourish the being with appropriate care.
Speaking of care giving, it is often a part of nurturing which can be rather challenging to say the least. In case of elders there can be a lot of unexplained resentment the care giver has to deal with for many seniors may take a while to come to terms with the many aspects of growing old.
Patience can have its limits too and with growing intolerance in a world which is more about the sense of self importance, the need to achieve much can stifle any thoughts of pursuing time consuming and almost never ending aspects of nurturing .
It is true the world is getting a little too self centered . However the realization of the impacts of an uncaring and indifferent citizens of the world is also hitting home and that too right from the modern changes of family systems in place.
The concern for global warming and carbon imprints is touching an all time high for the world now is slowly realizing how much it needs to nurture its own living spaces to ensure it has a world left to live at all. And thus thankfully hope is here to stay!
Contd
ART OF MANAGEMENT : Managing Thoughts.
Art of Thought management.
Tip 2 : Choose to think well
Our thoughts can make or break us in every now.. and our life seems like a hell or a blessing in the way our thoughts unfold . Every life has a unique purpose and a perseveres on with the thoughts to fulfill its being .
A transition in thoughts is an expansive phenomenona. It courses on even in attempted conquering of thoughts through control or manipulation of its meanderings into an intentional channeling in consciousness.
Transcending thoughts is a choice as thoughts come and go ..the patterns we choose to create with, through and in them, makes one consciously or subconsciously a sculptor of one’s life. And through every exercise of such a choice we can leave a poised mark in time.
That said, yet, when we choose to make our presence felt and how we emerge will all figure out along the way in the strength of an interrelation of thoughts in interdependence. So truly choices we make matters a great deal . Think well!
Savvy Raj 
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