Savvy Raj

Live Life Lovingly!

Category Archives: Uncategorized


by Leave a comment

On Appreciation & Criticism

Appreciation vs Criticism

A lot happens in appreciation
And a lot is lost in criticism

We are social beings who are motivated through support and value.
Whenever there is effort, if it is noticed and nurtured it finds direction to be productive.
But if it is met with unfairness, criticism, hostility, lack of interest, disregard or disrespect it undermines the ability of the workflow or thought flow itself.

Effects on Creativity

Although Creativity needs encouragement and blooms in appreciation, yet in extreme circumstances, creativity manifests to become an act of expression and freedom of the being.

Creativity may be boosted by a shot of oxygen in appreciation. Likewise to appreciation which is supportive and encouraging, Critical thinking, analysis and feedback rather than criticism can be valuable fodder for creativity. Yet creativity becomes a let out in dire circumstances.

If something is meant to flow it will find it’s way to assert itself.

Value of Appreciation

Yet in the growing years especially, appreciation is an evolved method of correction. When children are young and they sense encouragement from parents they learn, they are supported and go on to achieve a great many things, as the parents become the wind beneath their wings.

When Appreciation is one-sided…

But as children grow up, they sometimes are so caught up in the competitive environment, not to mention the charm and complexity of a technology-driven world, that they hardly have time to take note or care of aging parents who may not have their speed and abilities anymore.

Appreciation matters for all.

Elders need patience, support & care to get by more than ever before without criticism. At this juncture of life, reality bites hard! In this phase, things are not the same, often there is dependence & helplessness. anger and irritation not to mention frustration and fear of coping alone. Age is not on their side and human frailties and aging tests even the most resilient. It’s an uphill road and the climb only gets steeper for life has changed course.

Suddenly time flies and it’s another phase of life, what was once easy to do like getting up and walking becomes the most difficult task to do.
In such times of difficulties, all the heart yearns for is a little bit of love and care.

The paradox of the Heart & Brain

The heart is ever-loving, young & hopeful and appreciative
It never ages as it keeps beating.
The brain is however twisted & contrived and critical.

It deciphers the pattern playing
It knows only too well
Everyone has their turn
For life comes a full circle!

Savvy


by 3 Comments

You are meant to flow!

These reflections are my heartfelt effort at sending some positive words of hope and resurrection to so many daring entrepreneurs who risk so much in these difficult times.

Every enterprise finds a crossroad

With unexpected constraints

When the narrative gets disrupted

Innovate to overcome Inflections

Change is the law of nature
Life is meant to evolve
But often change can overwhelm
As it shows up unexpectedly!

Inflections can be challenging
But it opens new vistas of thought
When enterprise and effort kicks in
The resolutions become crucial

At the point of inflection
Identify a pivot to circumvent the situation.
With a purposeful drive to beat the odds.

The systems need an innovative rethink
To adapt to changes realistically
To identify the key drivers of change
Instilling agility in teams to deliver.

No business is risk-free
Yet forewarned is forearmed
To smoothen critical transitions
At unexpected events such as now.

Choose to envision the bigger frame
Adopt an eagles eye view
Seek to identify values and you will find pathways.
To lead you to develop & innovate.

A few tips along the way

Listen to your teams.
Schedule a brainstorming sessions
At different intervals.
Use the collective intelligence of teams.
Allow people to pitch in, it creates cooperation, trust and builds solidarity.
Be informed and innovate.

Every milestone is a learning curve.
Reinvent ideas & strategies
Expand your vision and allow your life experiences to guide you.
You did not just go through them for nothing!
You are meant to flow!

Savvy


by 5 Comments

Art of problem-solving

The wisdom in the challenges
Is in simplifying the complexity
To turn confusion to clarity
This is the art of problem-solving.

To live in a changing world
We must equip ourselves with new skills.
That can help us navigate through
Without unexpected setbacks.

Systematically finding solutions
Is an important life skill
That identifies a range of issues
That may appear or are already there.

From gathering information, observing the symptoms,
Avoiding preconceived notions
That can obscure the truth.
And asking the relevant questions.

Searching the cause of the effect.
Noticing the details & starting from scratch.
By changing one thing at a time
To see what can work to find a solution.

Prioritizing by weighing options
With time constraints & urgency in the pressure to resolve.
Checking the possibilities of temporary solutions
To buy time for permanent resolutions.

Knowing to always respond than react.
Choosing to find the right time.
And picking the right approach.
For the best solution to the problem.

Success at problem-solving
Can be immensely gratifying
Not just for the businesses
But for oneself knowing you have made a positive difference.

These steps towards finding solutions are relevant for problems in all walks of life.
Choose to be open to changes and work realistically.
You will work your way to finding what works!

Savvy


by 6 Comments

WFH -The Global Shift

This Global Shift to Work From Home was meant to happen. The lockdown just hastened the process. With more and more work being computer-driven the approach to online meetings finding acceptance the shift was inevitable.

With increasing traffic and the associated fatigue, the rising costs of real estate, infrastructure, and equipment to maintain and sustain a physical office environment the Work From Home seems to be a more suitable effective and efficient alternative in the current scenario.

However, this will soon gain greater acceptance as employers will find although there are challenges people actually can be productive from wherever they are. And there are ways and tools as well to ensure it. So much system integration and analytics only show how it can turn the majority into adopting this method of employment. Unnecessary travel time and cost are saved, the energy can be utilized with resourcefulness.

Virtual meetings are adaptable and can even be recorded and replayed. So training modules can be conducted once and replayed.
As change is the need of the hour a series of altering and shifting of perspectives will be taking place simultaneously. In such difficult situations, we need to learn to be pliant to what’s required. Learning to be more collaborative cooperative and supportive to make the purpose worthwhile.

Virtual Work is the Future.

While this is an advantage for employees to be flexible with timing with greater time at disposal by cutting travel times and the need to get ready etc. It is also a possibility of radical shifts for Future entrepreneurs will have to learn from this experience and weigh the pros and cons carefully and cut unnecessary costs to be resourceful productive.

As for employees though the multidimensional dynamics of social interaction and sense of community in a physical office is lost, an online conversation is replete with its own tools to circumvent this.

However, with no face to face physical interaction, lesser office politics, and no watercooler gossips, it could certainly reduce the waste of unnecessary time and lead to greater efficiency.

Already with the drastic changes in the world economy and the predictions for challenging times ahead, it is time to find ways to reduce costs and increase online engagement which is already offering an array of productive resources and end to end collaborations that can change the way we work. It’s time to rethink and reinvent the way we work!

Savvy


by 6 Comments

A time to rethink

A time to rethink
Revisit your old patterns
Of being and doing.
Pause a bit and analyze.

On what you did and what mattered.
Check what worked and what didn’t
Filter them out and bridge the gaps
The process will loop in all of you.

Take a look at your self today
Search your sense of identity
That is the truth of who you are
Perhaps buried under the burden of being.

Surface the layers of life
Summon the truths of your being
And course through to chart
Sensing a new shifting in this now

Who knows perhaps
These shifts will alter and align
While turning the world over
To evolve us all for the better along the way.

Savvy


by 3 Comments

Power of Celestial Light

We are reborn every night

As the beam of sun shines upon us

Every day, we are restored with hope

And faith in the consistency.

Every night awakens to a new day

At the dawn of light

Darkness gives way even in the presence

Of a single ray of light.

Such is the power of light

To instill hope faith and trust

In the possibilities awaiting us.

To envision and uncover our undiscovered light.

To overcome the shadows

As they recede & fade away

For light makes the world more beautiful

As nature is all aglow, in its pristine glory.

So if you are feeling overshadowed in this now

Keep the faith, for your ray of light

Is just around the corner to meet you.

Keep the faith! You will step into the light!

Savvy


by 2 Comments

Settling into new norms.

A few reflections

As the world grapples with the current scenario of a pandemic, we need to support one another to be emotionally stable to deal with the challenges ahead.
Often the fear of being infected by being anywhere near a quarantine area is scary for most of us. We overthink of infections of many kinds that are looming large around us.

Our inner demons surface and we need to put to rest our internal fears of panic to survive through this all.

We are all unique individuals and are differently motivated. But in these difficult times, we need to rise above our individual perspectives and opinions and think about how we can be more responsible from where we are.

First of all we need to update ourselves of the changing times and educate ourselves as to what measures we can begin to adopt. Like home quarantine or self isolation. If so then we need to know how to effectively manage our existing resources and most importantly efficiently use our time at hand.

The initial euphoria of unexpected holidays will soon wear off as after all humans are social beings. They will begin to miss the sense of community and interaction in time.

What is important…

We need to come up with, how we plan to structure our day. Each of us in different parts of the world is affected in one way or another.
But acceptance of what is, and adapting along the way helps us tide through to be more positive and productive instead of getting depressed and demotivated.

Our immune system needs to be cared for by the intake of healthy hygienically prepared food. We need to stay hydrated.
Besides that, we also can ensure we are able to set aside some time for movement and physical exercises be it in the form of yoga pilates dance or workouts.

The importance of sleep and play in keeping us healthy cannot be stressed enough.
Exercising consideration and care in expression becomes paramount in these times.

It is necessary to stay motivated and empowered in empathy in these difficult times.

In case of lockdown situations if applicable besides working out on self-sufficiency to survive, we need to make an effort to create amicable situations at home as emotions can be highly strung in time.

If we are working from home, then a bit of forethought and planning can help better the entire experience for you as well those you live with.

If there are broken links and spaces created all of a sudden, remember light enters through them all to reset everything to alignment.

And despite all the gloom and doom that we are experiencing at this moment remember there is always something positive that springs forth in time.

In the meantime let’s be grateful enough to appreciate the blessings we already have and pray for those who need them most now.

God bless all.

Savvy


by 3 Comments

Tuning To Healing

Every day make sure to laugh, sing and dance, and see the beauty in every beat of a living heart, and that’s a step to tuning yourself to healing yourself and the world a little more.

Savvy


by 7 Comments

Life

Your thoughts are an extension of you.

But your thoughts are just a part of you.

There is infinite abundance that you are made of.

Only a part of which you may be conscious of.

The rest are within you for the knowing

To explore the potential in the possibilities

What you choose to do

With your life

It’s all up to you!

Savvy


by 1 Comment

On sharing responsibly

To write is to express life from your perspective.
To read is to understand life from another perspective.

Both interweave in the joy of expression and explorations
Of discovering the truth of life in the magic of words.
Respect to the writers & readers who can spread unspeakable joy
And leave a positive impression  through mere words.

 

 

woman in brown long sleeve shirt holding a book

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

 



To the writers who have mastered the art of story telling                                                 Keeping the world safely engrossed  in these troubled times
Gratitude to all those who write and share with care
Ensuring to share words and thoughts
And make the  world feel a little better than before
My deepest appreciation
For, in the darkest of spaces
Even a little light of positive words & verses
Leaves the place  a little more lit.
And every word can leave a lasting impression!

Savvy

screenshot_20191028-072750_wordpress5644123419952506360.jpg

 





by 5 Comments

Free the spirit Feed the soul.

How important is feeding your soul to you

Have you had moments
Where you have nothing to feed your soul
Except your own listless mind.

Have you experienced days when minutes seem like hours?
When every second drags endlessly
Have u wished you were somewhere else far away from the familiar
Just to see what that might rustle up?

Have you longed to dance with unknown
To sense the spectrum of what lies ahead.
Have you felt the days come and go
Bringing nothing but monotony?

Have you wondered if this is the will of God
That you must endure with no one to share.
Have you wanted to dance in the wind,
Be free as a feather and flow light and easy?

Without freedom we are stifled souls
With nothing to look forward
Suppressed emotions all bottled within
Rebellion bursting at the seams
A breakdown awaiting itself.

 

Feeding the soul

Begins with freeing the soul

Unshackling it from self limitations.

Of fear and repression.

Freedom is that which frees up the spirit of the soul.
Enthuses enterprise and initiative.
Values expression & creative spirit
To honor the life in the being.

Free the spirit and feed the soul.

Savvy


by

Making the most of it.

An interesting story share that conveys the importance of making the most of lifes difficult situations…. do read.

After 60 years of ideal married life , they had no secrets between each other. The wife’s only request was not to ask anything or open the wooden box she had kept in the attic. The husband respected that.

On her deathbed the wife told the husband ok. I want to tell u everything. Pl. Bring the box on the attic.

When he opened the box, there were 2 woollen dolls, his wife made and 10 lakhs. in cash.
The wife explained,when I came newly married to your house my grandmother gave a wise advice. She told never to argue with you for anything. If I’m angry she told me make a woolen doll which I was good at. I practiced that all these years.

Only 2 dolls. The husband was so happy he made his wife angry with him on only 2 occasions in theses 60 years.
What about the 10 lakhs? he asked.
Oh! That is the money I got by selling the other dolls I made.


by

Serenity of Silence

Silence is serene

There is a general consensus

That Silence is deep

So much is submerged

Between the apparent and the hidden

Beneath the layers of learnings.

Is the truth of solitude.

In the serenity of silence,

One can tap the wisdom within!

Savvy


by

Art of Dance Coaching

When dance lessons are adapted to suit the requirements of a specific group there is greater relevance in dance education and its application.

Here are 6 Valuable Tips while conducting Adapted Dancing workshops.

1. Empathetic Communication

Communication is a very important part of any dance education. Especially so in dance workshops in special groups. When addressing a session it is important to keep a clear and empathic tone to establish a sense of connection and care. Whatever the language of communication, maintaining appropriate eye contact provides the necessary connect of being spoken to in the session.

2. Simplicity of Steps

Breaking a pattern to teach by dividing it into simple steps or simplifying it all for every one by choosing easy to do steps makes it more relatable.
In case of dancers with balance issues it is necessary to initially modify / alter steps or reduce directional changes to suit these parameters and progress from there.

Ideally starting of with simply the foot work without working on the arm movements helps focusing on learning one thing at a time. The progression must be gradual in time.

Photo& Artwork credits Savvy Raj

3. Matter of Repetitions.

It is necessary to do a number of repetitive movements of the same steps in order for the muscle memory to form. Hence repetition helps more than switching to other movements.
Depending on the groups capacity to continue, taking a pause, interspersed with explanation or some motivation in between is also a good idea so that it does not get too challenging or monotonous.

4. Ease of Formations

There are different dance formations like the square circle and line etc. However conducting the dance workshop in circular formation is known to bring about a sense of community.
Adapting other dances creatively to this formation initially helps when the participants can see the instructors movements in the center.

5. Slower Music

Besides choosing appropriate songs even decreasing the tempo of the music aids in keeping up with the music Especially for new group of dancers and dancers with special needs.

6. Value of Inclusiveness

Most importantly ensuring everyone in the group is feeling included & addressed to, is positively impactful.

Coaching another and transferring skillsets is an art.

An art with responsibility!

Savvy Raj

Member International Dance Council


by 3 Comments

A life well lived!

How is life well lived asked someone to me recently.

While each of us has an answer that is perfectly tuned for our souls purpose.

Yet life is well lived…

In the letting go
Of the unnecessary
For then we experience life best
In the lightness of being.

When we persevere enough to let go…
Let go of the little niggles along the way
Those that seem to bother for the moment
They will diminish in time
Let go for the need for self importance
Remember our uniqueness
There is truly no one like another.
Let go of over stretching,
to meet up to overcommitment,
And the over expectations of society.
It is a disastrous road not worth taking .
Let go of over perfecting
Every thing said or done.
It can be truly overwhelming .

Let go of unkind and inconsiderate behavior.
One cannot and need not please them all .
We are born to do better than that.
Let of the unnecessary squabbles and arguments.
Leave it for there are others who wish to do so.

In the letting go, gratitude and contentment begin to surface
From the depths of our being.
Let us be drawn by just our vision and dreams.
For they are related to our purpose of being.
Let’s continue on our path in
perseverance..
We will have a journey well done.

Savvy