Savvy Raj

Live Life Lovingly!


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Life

Life is like a book

Every page may look the same

But holds a different reason to be

Every page has its own meaning.

Layered in words and symbols

Contexts that assume clarity

Once the book is read

Messages unbound itself through words.

Peel through the layers

Life stares at you in a heartbeat

All the same.

Yet pull back the layers

Mired in perceptions

Caked in personna

Smudged in ego

Made up with assumptions

Life assumes many forms

Shaping itself in the circumstances

Each unique and distinctive

In impressions and expressions.

Neither can it be replaced nor duplicated

Nature and nurture

Have their own role to play

In the circle of life

Judge not another as you are

For every life churns out

A different truth

Of it’s own existence.

Savvy


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Making it matter

Saw this the other day… I don’t know who originally wrote it but it’s brilliant

”Every minute someone leaves this world behind.
We are all in “the line” without knowing it.
We never know how many people are before us.
We can not move to the back of the line.
We can not step out of the line.
We can not avoid the line.

So while we wait in line –

Make moments count.
Make priorities.
Make the time.
Make your gifts known.
Make a nobody feel like a somebody.
Make your voice heard.
Make the small things big.
Make someone smile.
Make the change.
Make love.
Make up.
Make peace.
Make sure to tell your people they are loved.
Make sure to have no regrets.
Make sure you are ready.”


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Love : A gift of grace


What is life if not sensed with the tenderness of the heart

What is life if not sacrificed at the altar of love,

What is life if not moved from the depth of the soul.

What is life if not loved beyond the shackles of time.

What is life if not consumed sublime by the arrow of the heart

What is love if not coached into nature of life by the nurture of love …

What is life if not cleansed through tears of yearning.

What is love if not set aglow through the embers of passion

What is life if not basked in the warmth of love

What is life if not pining in the patience awaiting

As love conquers you it blesses you in the knowing.

Make not a mockery of love

Serenade love and allow it to speak truth

Love surfaces from the depth of emotions

To mend you and this world to a better place.

As true love is eternal

Free as bird in flights of oblivion

Travelling in the abandon

Of the wilderness of the spirit

Yet bonded in the boundless infinity

Endless love a gift of grace

Acknowledge this treasure

Blending two souls in one.

As a life loved is well lived… such a rare sight!

What a blessing it truly is….A love like that!

Savvy


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Path of the Gentle

I love the power of these words.

So profoundly inspiring that I had to share.

“I choose gentleness…
Nothing is won by force.
I choose to be gentle.
If I raise my voice may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.”

Max Lucado

Truly beautiful and I deeply appreciate the profound strength of gentleness.

Gentleness is strength of the being

Rendered with softness

It is the power of compassion

That cares to bring the truth

Correcting the tone with care

So that it is well received.

Gentle are bravehearts

Without violence.

A gentle soul intends in goodwill.

Gentleness is a way of life

The path of the gentle

May not be easy

Being gentle is a choice you make.

Savvy


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An Affirmation For One & All!

I come from light
Born with the infinite in me
Learning through it all
To move from deepest insecurities to dare
To rise like a phoenix beyond fear.

To see the world in a heartbeat
To turn the tide of pain to pleasure
To awaken the dormant awareness
To hope beyond despair
To give hope to the hopeless.

And when the mood strikes
To take flights of fancy in the light of imagination
Into the world of creativity and dream on
In surrealistic idealism.

To revel, celebrate and enthuse
In the creativity of thoughts words & deeds
To be conscious of my glorious truths
To feel free and yet deeply interwoven

To the fabric of conscious intentions
To denote the goodwill in the endowment
To mark the fleeting time with grace.

To leave footprints in benevolence.
In joyous acceptance of the potential within
Of endless beginning in possibilities
Of Infinity expressing itself through me.

©Savvy Raj


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On Strengths & Weaknesses

We are all blessed with strengths

And challenged by our weaknesses.

All in different measures.

In the dance of life and living.

The question is are we strengthening our weakness or weakening our strengths .

Or are we balancing them in self awareness
And improving productivity by conscious effort.

While coming to terms with ones weakness

Or while beginning to tap into ones strengths

What is important, is to realize.

that these very qualities in their own combination

Makes the human unique.

Weakness can be turned into strengths if one is ready to step back and understand where and how one can improve and evolve.

Strengths can turn into weaknesses in the way these resources are utilized.

The perception of weakness and strength is also often case a subjective matter.

With consistency of effort and cultivation of an attitude towards positive transformation, the very thing that is a weakness can be turned around to become a strength.

After all strength and weakness

Is simply in our perceptions

All it needs is endeavour.

To intend & will to change for the better.

Savvy


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Capturing nature

Nature is a dance of abundance

Colours and textures

Waltzing in vividity

With the arising concotion

Of unique patterns

Interspersed with changes

Of Seasons in a rapturous flow

Spellbinding yet endearing

Cataclysmic yet composed

Arresting hues juxtaposed

In delicate balance of form

Distinguishing the elements

Nature expresses in all shades!

The light of it’s own being.

Savvy

Sharing a few of my captures…

Of precious moments in nature.


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3 Rules of Life & Living

Three rules to make and get the best out of life

  • Face your past without regret.
  • Handle your present with confidence.
  • Prepare for the future without fear.

Past

Past is already passed you by.

Good or bad,

They are simply memories.

Use them as a point of reference

But dwell not solely on them.

Present

Treat this now with respect

The magic is in the now.

Dare to be all that you can be

The present is meant for you to live.

Be alive to this moment.

Future

What is yet to come

Is not fretting about

Over planning messes the now

Quit worrying about tommorow

Loose not this now at hand.

Savvy


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Energy of the being.

When the spirit delves into the soul
Seeking an understanding of the self
The emerging picture reflects the true nature of every being.

The turbulence and turmoils ,
The arrogance and attitudes
The anger and greed
The hatred and revenge
Clothed in ignorance ,
Accumulated over the eons,
Vanish without trace.
When it senses the real Truth,
The transience of Nature.

Maturity and wisdom teach
The lessons of life in experiences
Peace and tranquility
Harmony and health
Inner joy and oneness
Are all one seeks
Resonances in eternal time.

Why confine the self to notions that binds.
Trapped in soul cages.
Wiser to unshackle and be free when the way appears
Untangle the chains to fly free in the unlimited space.

Channel the evolving energy in more ways than one.

Develop humility, compassion & loving kindness.

Value the learning in the letting go
Realise the potency of your own Unlimited energy.

Sharing these above reflections which originated in a deep conversation with my own mother about life. These are her heartfelt musings. I simply reconstructed her thoughts with suitable pictures.

Savvy


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Love takes all of you!

Love can happen to any of us

In a heartbeat

But it takes all of you

To sustain the love.

For true love is precious

Love takes effort and care

Love ain’t easy

Love is not a game

To play and forget.

True Love is commitment

Love is consideration

Love is expression

Love is knowing what matters

Love is challenging

Love is showing up

Love is mutual

Love is intuitive

Love is kind

Love is rewarding

Love is responsible

Make time for love.

Live life lovingly!

Savvy


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Do you dance?

This post is all about you!

Cos I would love to know more about you, my dear reader.

Would you be so kind as to share if you are fond of dancing…

Do you dance?

And if the music is right …

Would you prefer to dance solo or with a partner?

I do believe dancing from the heart has much to do with your wellbeing.

As a dance trainer over the years, I have come across many people to whom movement and music have made a huge difference in their lives.

Have always seen that it is not about the level or the intricacies of the steps or advanced techniques…

Rather it is about how you feel as you dance from within and how you make and leave another feeling even after the dance is over.

A few minutes of enjoyable dancing can leave lasting impressions on every cell of the being for the better.

Whatever the music or dance style that appeals to you the point is it integrates your healing mode and brings forth a positive transformation in the mind and body.

This is my humble attempt to bring the like-minded together and motivate you to take a step and dance some more.

As you dance you are creating health in and around you.

Do share if you feel dance has touched your life in any way…

Would be great to hear your insights and experiences.

Have shared many of my personal experiences over the years with my Dance for wellness workshops.

Here are some links

Magic of movements https://www.bebee.com/producer/@savvy-raj/magic-of-the-movements

You Most Certainly Can Dance https://savvyraj.com/2018/03/01/you-most-certainly-can-dance/

You lead I follow: I lead, you follow … Life is a dance! https://savvyraj.com/2018/11/27/you-lead-i-follow-i-lead-you-follow-life-is-a-dance/

Savvy


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A poignant tale

Sharing this is very poignant piece of writing that I came across. Although it is truly touching it does leave us with a valuable learning on living life…

Do care to read.

ONE BEDROOM FLAT…
Written by an Indian Engineer.

A Bitter Reality

As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Engineering and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come true.

Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would have earned enough money to settle down in India.

My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat.

I wanted to do something more than him. I started feeling homesick and lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two years of Burgers at McDonald’s and pizzas and discos and 2 years watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee value went down.

Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have only 10 days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight. Was jubilant and was actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I miss anyone then there will be talks. After reaching home I went through all the photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced to select one candidate.

In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in 2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays. After the marriage, it was time to return to USA, after giving some money to my parents and telling the neighbours to look after them, we returned to USA.

My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a week sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing.

After two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their grand-children.

Every year I decide to go to India But part work part monetary conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting India was a distant dream. Then suddenly one day I got a message that my parents were seriously sick. I tried but I couldn’t get any holidays and thus could not go to India … The next message I got was my parents had passed away and as there was no one to do the last rites the society members had done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away without seeing their grand children.

After couple more years passed away, much to my children’s dislike and my wife’s joy we returned to India to settle down. I started to look for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to the USA…

My children refused to stay in India… So I returned to USA with my family.

Time passed by, my daughter decided to get married to an American and my son was happy living in USA… I decided that had enough and wound-up everything and returned to India… I had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom flat in a well-developed locality.

Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me and gone to the holy abode.

Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this?

My father, even after staying in India,had a house to his name and I too have the same nothing more.

I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA BEDROOM.

Looking out from the window I see my childhood and the beautiful moments that I missed. I get occasional cards from my children asking I am alright. Well at least they remember me.

Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbours again who will be performing my last rights, God Bless them.

But the question still remains ‘was all this worth it?’

I am still searching for an answer!

START THINKING

IS IT JUST FOR ONE EXTRA BEDROOM???

LIFE IS BEYOND THIS …. .DON’T JUST LEAVE YOUR LIFE ..

LEAD YOUR LIFE HAPPILY WITH YOUR LOVED ONES AROUND.

Enjoy it with your near and dear ones

Money does not make you happy,

love of parents, children and all close to us does.

“So much pressure in today’s world to succeed at all costs, to attain materialistic desires, somewhere loses its way and all seems to go back the start.

Such is the irony of life and living

Savvy


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Seven Pieces of Advice

Lessons from Nature…
I think these Seven Pieces of Advice from Rumi. always applies as a gentle reminder and as a way of being.

  • In generosity and helping others be like the river.

Lesson: Flow from the heart.

  • In compassion and grace be like the sun.

Lesson: Emit the light of kindness

  • In concealing others’ faults be like the night.

Lesson: Wisdom of Silence

  • In anger and fury be like the dead.

Lesson: Fortitude of stillness

  • In modesty and humility be like the soil.

Lesson :Balance in grounding

  • In tolerance be like the ocean.

Lesson: Building resilience.

  • Either you appear as you are or be as you appear.

Lesson: Value Integrity & be authentic


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Space Between The Steps

chords sheet on piano tiles

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Just like the sounds of music in the spaces between the notes, there is dancing in the spaces between the steps. It is only when we become aware of the value of the spaces between the thoughts that we can truly reflect, revel and live with ease through our lives.
The pinnacle of access to our realization of the creative entities at work would actually be in the silence, in the intentions, in an emotional journey of profound fulfilment. The trick is to find that point of the immense creative surge and be able to nurture it.
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Rest and activity go together just as much as night and day… and like the yin and the yang, the pauses in between two breathes, inaction in between the action, brings forth the clarity, purity, and the intensity of that which is evolving.
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It’s disheartening that our world has become so hyperactive. Multitasking has become the order of the day, people spend time having dinner in front of televisions, reading is done with music, and very often we have mobile phone calls that cut through a real conversation. So much has there been an abuse of our bodies and mind that we truly have forgotten the importance of non-activity and quietude.
The stillness between your actions or movements are the bridges to our conscious experiences and the greater your awareness the greater the creative potency of the action itself.
Savvy
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Dancing socially de-stresses the body mind and spirit holistically. Taking a momentto value the steps you dance together, valuing the music you are dancing to, appreciating this moment & appreciating the partner you have at this moment will only cultivate the value for oneself and will help in centring oneself deeper in the action with a joyful heart and soul.

When you dance, if you still your thoughts to simply learn to flow with the partner, the atmosphere, the music you will undoubtedly enliven yourself in the process and what you have is a beautiful dance of togetherness bridging the spaces between the steps with a conscious awareness …… And that is when dancing feels like a miracle that’s happening!

photo of a man sitting under the tree

Photo by Samuel Silitonga on Pexels.com

Few more thoughts in the flow….
  • Start the day with a few minutes of silence and observing the breath
  • Take time to pause and watch nature and try to be one with it . .. Maybe a sunrise, a sunset, a beach view watching the waves, the stars in the sky, the moon, the sky, or a rose or any flower or potted plant, or maybe a tree in your garden.
  • Make sure to have moments where you are free of your cellphone, tv, computer, or any electronic appliance.
  • Make a point of actually listening and understanding as others speak and allow the other to speak as much as yourself.
  • Accept every moment in the life you have now and cherish it for what it is…cultivating an attitude of gratitude.
Savvy
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Form and the formless

Is the form you see
Exactly the form I see
Perhaps they differ
In the way we choose to interpret.

Is form the mark of reality
Does being formless makes it unreal
Is form the contention
To know the real and unreal.

Forms are shaped by intentions
In dedication & deliberation.
For forms become fleeting memories
Perishing in the sands of time.

While the formless evolve in the heart
Holding up to unfathomable faith
They may live on in the silent knowing
Of unspoken trust in the being.

Discernment of the forms
In the inner recesses of the heart and the mind
Waltzes the consciousness of the being
In States of knowing ,of the truth of light

A light of wisdom
That takes many forms
Million times over
To show the path of truth.

The path is lit
As the steps are taken
The forms manifest in the interactions
Of vibrations in resonance.

Between these Illuminating illusions
Of the form and formless
What is real and unreal
All are just reflections in the dimensions.

In the beam of even one moment of truth
Is the convergence of envisioning
Forms and formless become one
Conveying the message safely home.

Savvy