Savvy Raj

Live Life Lovingly!

Category Archives: Nurturing


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What is life?

Sharing my mother’s poem today.

It is not about what we are having or doing.
It is about how we are feeling.
It is about how we make others feel.

It is not about where or how we are staying
It is about with whom we are staying.

It is not about where and what we have studied.
It is about what we are speaking.
It is about the tone of our talking.

It is not about the form or attire we are wearing.
It is about the approach & attitude we are having.

We live not with the luxuries of life
But with the state of our mind , our constant companion.

One word, or one stare has the power to change the whole state of mind, irrespective of the surrounding.
Being aware & having the right attitude in this ever changing life and making them positive ones is within one’s reach.

All it needs is the effort to make even the harsh moments to consoling n soothing moments with the right words & approach.

Yes. It needs a lot of training n conditioning to change the mind set, to walk the right path.
Yet it is worth trying as it brings peace n happiness to self & others.

Ultimately it is what we all are seeking. Right?
Ok to work. Better being silent is the best answer.

Never get hurt of insults. Take it as a way to move forward in life. It will strengthen you.

If you are not ready to adjust in life sometimes, you may have to suffer for a longer time.

Never be in awe of anyone.if you are awestuck you will be always a step behind them.

Never wish to live like others. You will loose your peace in the process.

Never compare yourself with others. It will end up in hating yourself.

Do not give much importance to other’s criticism. Then you will never live for yourself.

Being practical in approach makes life easier.

Sow the seeds of love, happiness, trust & success. They will come back in plenty. That is Nature’s Law.

If you want to know the value of your parents, live with your relatives for some.
If you want to know the value of relations live without money with them.

Never hesitate to try again. If you win it will take you to the next level. If you loose it will teach you a life lesson. Perseverance makes everything possible.

You have to cross many rejections to achieve success.

Anjana


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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 frozen 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 inspite of 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’s 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 often 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 important 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 often found working in circles without direction.

They may seem busy doing mundane chores to fill their work days 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 organisational 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 often 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 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 manging 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 conversation that sets clarity on the value for the middle management  in the system and expectations  from  them.

They need to know how much interweaved  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 need 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 interweaved 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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Its Logical!

Logically

There is always a reason

For things as they are

For people to be who they are

For time to be as is

So dont worry!

Just be happy…

Savvy


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A passionate perseverance…

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.

Savvy


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Taro

Our Gardens Gift

Taro Or Arbi in Hindi

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.

Savvy


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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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On Kindness

The blessed touch of kindness

In thoughts, words & in deeds

Can transform the moments in every now…

Choose kindness always.

The blessed touch of kindness makes an ordinary day blessedly beautiful 😊

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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On Humility

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.

Savvy


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There comes a time

The river of time is ever flowing

Where are you in this now?

Are you adrift for a reason or flowing along in purpose?

Are you sensing there is more

For you to do before you arrive

Where you want to go…

Are you feeling you are rushed

Carried through without a say

Or are you fighting alone

And wishing for some support and strength

Know wherever you are in this journey

You are meant to be and do

All that you deeply intend

For the river courses through

And finds its way to the sea…

Trust time to deliver all I’m good time

Trust yourself along the way

For you are not only in the flow

You are the flow

Savvy

O


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Joyful Dance

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!

Savvy


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Wisdom from Children

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


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Another day!

The day we learn to be light and live in lightness and not take things so seriously, we start truly living.

After all the sun will rise and set in its own course, life will flow in the river of time, why not think of living it cruising along knowing nothing lasts forever.

Whenever life feels a little too weary..

Know tomorrow is another day

And there is always a sun awaiting to shine…

Savvy


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The Soul Mender

Sharing a beautiful story that I came across. ❤️

There is a Cobbler who sits across the street in front of my Office Building.

Every day, I see that there is a stray dog who comes and sits with him as soon as he arrives at the place, and he feeds him biscuits and some times milk.

The man gets busy in his work, while the dog sits there and gives him company.

One can feel that there is a unknown connection between them, they have conversation without a word being spoken.

He also brings food for birds, which he keeps at different places on the street pavement where he sits for his work.

Many people stop by and ask him for directions, he always guides them with a smile. Even if he doesn’t get any business from them.

If he sees a homeless person going by, he offers them water and food that he has brought for himself and engages in conversations with them.

One can see and feel the peace, the conversations bring to them.

I felt to go and meet him today.

He smiled at me and said his name is Dayaram, and asked me if I would like to have tea?

Pleasantly surprised, I said, “Sure, let’s have some tea.”

Here is a man who would be struggling to make ₹ 200-300 a day, out of which he would be spending around ₹ 12 – Rs.15 on the food that he brings for the dog and the birds, and the two cups of tea would cost him another ₹ 20.

He being rich in his own way, smiles radiantly, and his calm, effortless, abundant state of being is infectious.

I told him that I have been observing him, what he does, and that I am humbled and fascinated by it.

We continue talking, and I refer to the dog, and he says “Oh! he’s just one of us – God’s Own Creation”.

Talk about non-duality!

He goes on to say that “I am not serving… it is He who is making it happen via this person. It would be egoistic to say that ‘I’ am doing it!”

I fold my hands and bow to him, and request him to accept some money, saying, “It is not I, who is giving you this money, it is He who is sending it to you via myself.”

We laugh and he obliges me by accepting it.

As I am about to leave, he says:

“Maango Ussi se, Baanto khushi se, Kaho na kissi se”

माँगो उसी से, बाँटो ख़ुशी से, कहो ना किसी से

(Ask from Him, but then don’t just accumulate it – give it away to others with happiness and gratitude, and do it silently!)

The cobbler who mends shoes, mended my soul today