Do you sense love for yourself Do you feel respect for yourself Do you feel your sense of self esteem
Do you feel a sense of self worth
What is your self worth tied to? Is it your education Your fancy degrees Your knowledge Your partner? Or your beauty? Your abilities? Is it to your achievements? Your skills? Your bank balance? Or is it to your designation Your children Your home? Your cars? Your phone?
If you have answered yes honestly to any of the above please think again Work on your independence Free your mind free your heart Free yourself from chains Practice unshackling Try to detach your self worth From material things. Others cannot always be around We are born as unique beings We are complete in every way No one can latch on to us Nor should we latch on to another Self awareness is crucial For true self confidence Self Confidence creates self esteem Self esteem develops self worth Value the life you have Understand your truth Explore your potential You are worthy.
Unconference, the word piqued my curiosity for a while until I checked it up on the internet, only to find that the idea has gained tremendous momentum across the globe.
The idea of un-structuring the ingrained structure seemed interesting to say the least, in creating spaces and possibilities to honour the learning.
Suffice to say recently, when I came across an Unconference event in the local newspaper I decided I must make a visit.
The venue of this Unconference was the well known Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts in Pune. I reached just in time for the proceedings to untold.
A customary registration ensued and I was greeted by a few volunteers with a relaxed warm and welcoming attitude. Clearly, the Unconference had started right there.
The word Conference kind of stiffens people up. There is a formal attitude, a thick air of competition to perform at their very best. There are fees and strict rules to adhere to. There are super busy organisers scurrying through and tension is writ large on their faces and their bodies as well are stressed out with expectations of the outcome of the event. Suited men and women whizz through looking super important. And yes there would be a Chief Guest of honour and a coterie of important people who need VIP handling… Adherence to their whims and fancies and most importantly their speeches which may or may not be of interest to any. But all must endure as to get up and leave is an offence to the speaker.
On the contrary here, there was a prevalent free-spirited feeling in the first place that all were in it together. The sense of community always takes time to build so I stood in that room with a small group of people waiting for the (informal introductory practice,) the opening circle.
The Opening Circle :
Someone from the group had taken an initiative to design a pretty pattern made of flowers in the centre of the space and light a lamp there.
A few introductory rounds later which turned out to be icebreakers with a few games to let loose and get into the flow.
There was a board set up with a mention of few rooms and a time slot to boot. The participants were encouraged to choose to attend or conduct workshops or just wander around and network.
A few people got up to mention their workshops and claim their slot. On a moment’s impulse although I was not exactly in the right attire for a dance workshop I simply decided to go with the flow and offered a Dance connection workshop by me.
Encouraged by a decent number of participants I let the moment take the lead. As I began teaching I witnessed the flow of the energy in the exchange.
I spoke about the dance, hold, frame and positioning and started introducing them to partner dancing and some basic steps. Bit by bit people shed inhibitions as they were getting tuned into the moves.
The moment strangers began to hold hands and face one another… for many, there was harmony to be found in the mirror imaging. For after all the lead and follow were simply an extension of each other dancing as one unit.
The energy in the room turned up a notch with the Achy Breaky Heart country cha sounds of Billy Ray Cyrus for company.
All started sensing the tuning in to the rhthymic expression of music & movement with their partners at that moment.
After the dance workshop I asked what they felt in that moment and here is what they shared immediately…
This week for me seems to be a traveling one, for work and pleasure and I am right now in a country where it is both common and fashionable to wear a lot of black. Can you guess which one?
And while you are at it, sharing this particular poem about black and white photography and I think I am co- relating to it literally here. Read on…
An ignition to life and living this world No matter what form or species And its the breath that is left Behind that signifies the exit.
How important is this breath. That we all take for granted Gratitude and thankfulness To this driving force of life To nature for the air we breathe.
How important is this breath For in the way of the breath Lies the way of our health. For in the depth of breathing We can integrate our body, mind & spirit We can sense the synergy of being We can awaken our true potential. We can become aware of the infinite potential. For the truths of life, is in the inhale and exhale.
When you are exhausted and tired and you want to revive your mood play on
Music is therapeutic and the healing nature of sound energy can be tuned into to change your mood & manage emotions and lift your spirits.
Take some time to create an upbeat playlist that perks you up and engerizes you and get up from your chair to move arounda bit.
Take a short walk every once in a while. with some great music for company..It will bring a spring in your step and smile in your heart.
In fact for every part of the day, you can have a playlist of your own choice. Take time to create yours… if you haven’t already and do listen… The right music makes a powerful difference.
My friend Laura Bailey shared a very intriguing photo of trumpet player Joe and his wife May taken by Henri Cartier- Brenson
Henri Cartier-Bresson photographed throughout his life well-known personalities from the world of arts and science but, also many strangers.
I was captivated by it for a while as it arrested me in the moment. I went on to experience many fleeting thoughts most significant to that era of the Jazz and Blues music.
There were a number of comments below … One that got me interested immediately was
From Pam Diller ” What a picture! Pride, strength, defiance…this shows their souls, not just their faces. The way his hand rests so lightly on her shoulder–is it love or possession?”
Another was by, Shahrizan Amir Hamzah .
” With Bresson manning the lens and such gorgeous, confident subjects, you just can’t go wrong. This is a marvellous picture.”
Personally speaking …
I saw authenticity in that frame so well composed, the reality bites of the anguish of life lived in the throes of a certain creative fervour. I do not know much about Joe and his wife …other than what is perhaps evident in here to me. A photo that captures the spirit & soul of the subject.
In the face of May …
Her eyes..distant and dreamy
It speaks of pain and anguish
Of hard-hitting times
Her demeanour projects pride
Of a spirit braving against all odds.
Of inner demons as well as the outer.
Yet her face is a picture of composure in the chaos.
Of pride amidst the prejudice.
Joe speaks a different truth
There is focus and there is dare
There is a surging stillness.
That comes when rivers are a flow within
moving in the turbulence of a vortex called life.
Captured in all is the essence of brilliance
of a keen eye for that perfect moment
Stilled and canned for posterity
that speaks poignantly in the silence.
Portraying duels raging in the hearts.
Of trials and tribulations
Of hopes and aspirations
Of desires through unspoken dialogues.
No touch ups no tricks
Just a decisive moment captured with uncanny precision.
PS: I created the Black & White artwork’ Speaking Pictures’for this posts featured image ‘Speaking Pictures’ back in 2017 without any AI help. I simply wanted an older movies screen effect reflecting the era of the photo.
Looking at it now, I am still happy with the results. What do you think?
In the journey of life At one point or the other In arriving to acknowledge our truths Comes a realization of our Oneness Of how we are mere living fractals of life and longings We are simply waves of light frequencies of resonance & dissonance Dancing to the tunes Of the Ocean of Oneness
Pablo Picasso was born in Spain. And lived in France for most of his adult life. He is a prolific artist with varied interests, his early naturalistic painting gave way to his famous modern art in his adult years. He is known for his ‘Artistic Versatility’ and also for painting from imagination. He is renowned for his unconventional & radical life & art and is influential for his development of Cubist style.
A few musings…
On Art & Acceptance
If Picasso was born in the east Perhaps he would have had it tougher to touch the height of success. For he was best born in the west And live in the heart of liberalism Where his technique was acknowledged and given wings. He passionately painted his spirits strokes in freedom.
The eastern world has always been more traditional Conservative & restrained in art and life Somewhere it took a long time Catching up with the possibilities of creativity Where chaos becomes art.
In chaos there is disorder But in disorder is the arising of new creative possibilities Envisioning in the unconventional a restructuring in the flow Every stroke of the brush or ink on paper Is indicative of thoughts and emotions in the brain behind the brush. Of the development of hand eye brain integration That creates art out of simply anything and everything. And then, there is the viewer critic and the art dealer who see hope & possibilities in both the artist & his art.
Art is born in the mind of the artist
Art channels itself in the flow
Art is honed in the perspectives of critique
But art is realised and enjoyed in the acceptance of a patron
In the bowing is a prayer answered
In the kneeling to the cosmic connects
Acknowledge the grace that’s revered
And the blessings that protects
Sense the touch of the angels around
Feel the flow of divinity in the haloed healing light abound…
Embrace the moments in silence and serenity.
Savvy
Artwork Titled- ‘Blessings’ Painting by Savvy Raj
My painting ‘Blessings’, came to me almost as a flow… It spoke much to me as I brushed in serenity-of-silence with the colours it was as if it was meant to manifest itself and all along I sensed I was simply a channel.
We are an ever growing circle Emerging through our words In the sharing we have grown We have eased into each other’s hearts We may not see one another ever But we have connected in mutual respect Of each others creativity. Though the power of words Comforted and understood Accepted and appreciated One another in our own little ways. For we all know the power of words That, one heartfelt word can change a day!
Thank you all for being here and hoping for a joyful journey ahead together for us all.
A memory rushed in through the photograph I chanced upon.
A decade or more back, I remember how I passionately volunteered to train seniors to dance at the local church in Mumbai. This photograph is a reminder of them praying together on my birthday.
And we celebrated with a cake…
I knew not them beyond the Dance class.
They knew not me beyond the dance
But this motley crew of seniors
Made me feel very special
On my birthday and on every Monday too.
The day of their dance class.
Meet we would at 6 pm sharp
Without fail come what may…
These warm and courteous seniors were always on time….
These simple unassuming souls
Somehow etched their place in my heart.
Will cherish the memories forever
I thank them for trusting me & having me around.
And more importantly for the kind prayers & blessings.
Savvy Raj 
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