The way of peace is in heartful awareness, as much as in mindful living.
And for peace to sustain itself… We need to evolve with awareness We need to recognize the truth of our interdependence.
We need to adapt ourselves To the changing times. It will take a realization of the interconnects between individual well being & collective wellbeing.
Anf it certainly needs acceptance and aligning with the dynamics that peace brings forth … For peace needs embodiment through conscious choice & practice as a way of life.
So, true transformation too is not a one off act in the edge of things or only where you are pushed to the extremes. True change for the better lives in the middle of consistent moments of effort coupled with awareness.
Was reading an article today on how education today has become more and more transactional…and how it robs the learner of the critical thinking.
I share my musings…
When education is not a buisness
When learning is not about grades
When teaching is a passion than profession.
Where doubts, perspectives are welcomed
And not sidelined or ridiculed
When questions are not means to an end
Curiosity and wonder will find its purpose…
That I am fond of writing is nothing new after all these years of blogging and writing but as a child, I remember clearly when I was asked by a school teacher to read a famous poem and share its meaning in class I dared to share a new interpretation to it…that resonated with me.
The teacher then, was not open to a change of perspective… nor ready for a deep dive on why I saw it differently. She simply wanted to finish her work without deviation. I remember sitting down that day, without feedback.
But it didn’t stop me from wonder and writing…in fact I continued to write free verses in time till date.
I write this all, for I have shifted many schools in my childhood… as my father served in the Armed forces. I have seen upclose the good, bad and ugly side of schooling.
And the plus side is, it certainly has shaped me to be, adaptable and resilient as a person in time.
As readers and writers, we experience a dual bliss: the joy of discovering writing that deeply resonates, and the quiet fulfillment of reflecting on our own words and the connections they create.
It is a beautiful thing to share our creative gifts with the world. Yet, what is most profound is the heart of the person…reader or writer, alike who takes the moment to offer a word of kindness or appreciation. A single good word has the power to change someone’s day for the better.
Expression is a gentle pathway to healing. Whether it is a pen dancing across paper, a brush gliding with color, or feet tracing patterns upon the earth, the joy of movement is our shared thread.
Reaching out from within ourselves to share is not always easy, even if deeply fulfilling. It demands our energy, our time, and our vulnerable spirit. Yet to withhold our voices or suppress these expressions would be a tragic loss indeed. It is truly inspiring to read, to write, and to honor the transformative power of words in all their creative manifestations.
What is one “good word” or simple phrase someone once shared with you that stayed in your heart when you needed it most?
Meeting an old friend A kindered spirit Or a loved one …
The joy of uniting After being afar Speaks of interconnections… Where time and space Evaporates without a trace In the moments together.
Its often said Absence makes the heart Grow fonder… So is it the distance That makes reunion sweeter? Gibran wisely said… Let there be spaces In your togetherness
So whatever the relationship With another or with the self , the very act of reconnecting with an old hobby, that you were once passionate about, makes it truly memorable. For what is truly meaningful, is never lost … it’s simply awaiting a return.
Savvy
PS: The word Retourvaille (often spelled Retrouvailles in French) is a beautiful, untranslatable French word that perfectly captures a specific, deeply felt human experience. Literally translated, it means “rediscovery” or “the finding of something again.”
I wrote this piece earlier but it was in my drafts as I missed posting it. Better late than never they say and I hope the movie is still streaming on Netflix.
As a lover of dance and as a ballroom and latin dance educator for two decades and more, I have always been delighted to watch any good dance related movies, especially those centered on partner dancing. Having enjoyed wonderful movies like’ Shall we dance’ and ‘Dance with me’ and so many more, I eagerly await such rare kind of movies. As the love of movements runs in my blood and passion for dance in my spirit and soul.
They are truly far and few good movies in this genre. So in these holiday times while exploring Netflix , I stumbled upon 10 dances as a movie to watch and immediately set a reminder for it .
The film depicts all the Ten dances that are danced in the Ballroom & Latin dancing repertoire. I have been teaching them socially over the years. So from the first poetic sequence I was hooked.
Though the movie is set in the backdrop of the world dance competitions, at its heart is partner dancing which is my favorite of dancing forms. It captures, the sheer joy and thrill of dancing with another, matching move to move… I loved the beginning of the movie, the introduction to the dances and also the way it brought out the distinctive difference in both styles.
The movie at its core is based on competitiveness and the complexity of human emotions. The entanglement of love & rivalry in personal relationships & most of all the importance trust in and between one another. Though at times I did feel the narrative steered too much into their personal stories, that I felt it diluted the dance essence.
Yet the movie also revealed the truth of how much adaptability is the key and how challenging, it can be for different personalities who are dancing together, be it as a learner or a teacher and how difficult it is to unlearn to learn…
Someone trained in structured forms finds it so challenging to let go and dance from the heart. Whereas someone who dances with all their heart may feel stifled by excessive structures.
Over all, it was compelling to watch the changing dynamics portrayed at times, so very poetically in a dance movie to say the least. Do watch if you love dancing and especially so the magic of partner dancing.
Resilience is about nurturing what is beautiful within you,no matter, while battling the situation at hand.
Resilience is the art of appreacting the ordinary moments that you have with you.
Resilience is being able to smile from the heart, knowing your circumstances dont define you.
In your deepest breakdown there is a choice to emerge from it stronger.
While resilience is in learning from experiences and strengthening & refining the self for the better. Resilience is also about allowing life to happen…
Bending when necessary like a blade of grass without breaking like the mighty oak tree,
Resilience is creating yourself in such times without fear of the inevitable, for change is part of the flow of life.
Resilience means, you are very much present and it means you are evolving from your experiences for the better.
In times of being resilience
You become the master of your life.
You steer on in faith
no matter the rudder is way off.
Knowing you are meant to be, do all that you are ordained to.
Yet resilience m is not blind faith but a faith born out of inner self belief. In knowing that the road is yet to clear, you are ready for possibilities using the time to see options and new perspectives
You are like an artist creating something from what seems to be blank and formless. Yet resilience is full of potential.And in exercising this muscle of resilience results are awaiting you in trust & time.
Trust that this very resilience is in you and in me and it surfaces in our difficulties to tide us through in time.
What is resilience to you?
When did you last feel your need to exercise your resilience?
Do share your thoughts how you create and develop your resilience muscle.
When was the last time you felt the charismatic power of calm?
What does calm feel like to you in this now?
What is the distance between you and your sense of calm?
Where & how do you think you can find your calm?
The morning moments
My morning moments have the preciousness of calm for me.I choose dawn to intend the calm for the day ahead. In the quiet moments of dawn where the world is still sleeping, I find my creative state of flow. Although I have been able to connect with my calm through the day, the vibes of this part of the day resonate so much. The early morning sets the tone of the day for me.
This poem will resonate with those in strong relationships that stands the test of time and yet may find themselves challenged and at crossroads with differences in thoughts and opinions. Pretty much most who have experienced life together will find themselves in such predicaments time and time again.
In relationships when you are unable to see eye to eye, where past misses surfaces or future expectations sideline the precious present, perhaps this poem can be a reminder of how far you have traveled together to reach here.
All is not lost just yet… if you could only meet in the middle. For the strongest relationships survive in empathic understanding of each other through the thick & thin.
Meet me in the middle, With an open mind, Set aside differences, We’re the same kind…
Today we may be at crossroads looking with a different lens But our hearts beat as one Like it used to, years ago. The feelings just the same…
So dearest one, sense it all Memories are meant To be revisited in time. Think of how far we have come And meet me not in the past Nor in the the future But right here in the middle Of this present now.
Savvy Raj 
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