A young girl and her father were walking along a forest path.
At some point, they came across a large tree branch on the ground in front of them.
The girl asked her father, “If I try, do you think I could move that branch?”
Her father replied, “I am sure you can, if you use all your strength.”
The girl tried her best to lift or push the branch, but she was not strong enough and she couldn’t move it.
She said, with disappointment, “You were wrong, dad. I can’t move it.”
“Try again with all your strength,” replied her father.
Again, the girl tried hard to push the branch. She struggled but it did not move.
“Dad, I cannot do it,” said the girl.
Finally her father said, “Young lady, I advised you to use ‘all your strength’. You didn’t ask for my help.
Points to ponder…
Our real strength lies not in independence, but in interdependence.
No individual person has all the strengths, all the resources and all the stamina required for the complete blossoming of their vision.
To ask for help and support when we need it is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of wisdom.
Dear readers, Every one of us has the ability to create and access the strength of the interconnects within us and it can start with movements in grace of connectedness to the powers within and around us.
For it is in tune with the patterns of cosmic energy beyond physical dimensions. And as and when we learn to value the strength of the interconnects in the interdependence…every thought can be chosen to reflect a flow of hope and goodwill.
Every deed that follows then will someway reflect that very thought and that would be the strength of the interconnects amplified.
When there is harmony in our thoughts and the core intention within, peace and goodwill reigns in our hearts.
To truly understand the power of unity is to see one another through beyond their strife.
Let’s care to empower the inner spirit in every little way we can.
Uniting all in the strength of the interconnects that run common in this thread of life .
the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
There are many types of discrimination that can take place in life and living It can be direct or indirect , It can have many layers that cloud the real picture.As such all discriminatory behaviour does not come up openly to be resolved. And that is where the efforts towards nondiscrimination become futile as much as challenging.
Corporate challenges:
At work, the corporate culture needs a structural mind shift to understanding unique challenges faced by employees in terms of reducing harassment and denouncing gender bias in benefits perks and salaries and most importantly attitudes.
Discrimination is a social disease and truly a discomfort that destroys peace and productivity and make workplace a living hell.
Non discrimination along with equality are the core elements of the international human rights normative framework.
When you discriminate against anyone, you discriminate against everyone.” –Alan Dershowitz
From race, religion, disability, ethnicity, family status,gender identity, genetic characteristics, marital status, nationality, sex, and sexual orientation,discrimination at work can have multitude of factors.
Every employer must understand there is an immediate responsibility to manage and help prevent discrimination in the workplace.
A few insights on workplace implementation of non discriminatory practices…
Avoiding irrelevant personal questions like marital status, caste,or creed in application forms.
If personal information is required for processing then it must be handled with care and fairness without prejudice.
Discrimination possibly begins right from hiring assigning of job duties responsibilities , during training, as well as in the salaries compensation and perks.
Spreading awareness and educating all workers and employees about what constitutes discrimination and the methods in place as checkpoint for the same.
Encouraging an attitude of tolerance and respect for one another’s differences.
Developing workplace ethics and dealing with issues that crop up in a responsive, consistent, confidential and prompt way.
Keeping tabs on how managers and team leaders enforce and respond with the measures in place.
In all creating a culture of non discrimination and fair practice needs measures that are introduced monitored and rigourously pursued wirh stringent norms implemented for regulatory purposes.
It is a given that creating equality in workspaces is a progressive practice hence will require continuous monitoring for checking efficacy of the set norms and its adaptation for any positive transformational change in workspaces.
Savvy Raj
I came across this story and it touched my heart … do take some time to read.
“I hired a plumber to help me repair an old farmhouse.
He already had a rough and tiresome day.
* a flat tire
* his electric drill fault
* his old car broke down.
* his tiffin was spoilt
* he lost his wallet
* his bank was calling for loan repayments
In all the tension and stress he finished my repairs.
Since his car broke down, I drove him home.
While I drove him home, he sat silently, but I could mark his agony and restlessness.
On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family.
As we walked toward the front door, he paused at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands and closed his eyes.
When the door opened, he was smiling and happy.
In seconds he underwent an amazing transformation.
He hugged his two small children, gave his wife a kiss, laughed, and never even slightly made them feel the troubles that he had encountered that day.
I was astonished and curious. Seeing my inquisitive eyes he said, “Oh, that’s my Trouble Tree. My best friend. My trouble carrier for the night”.
He replied. “I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure. Those troubles don’t belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.”
He smiled and shared a secret. He said, “when I come out in the morning to pick ’em up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging there the night before!!”
Life may be a burden of worries, but there is a way to keep our loved ones untouched from these worries.
Time will heal every wound.
Whoever is tensed today,
look for a tree 🌳
Great advice indeed!
Feel like sharing a few reflections on a tree..
The tree symbolises the supportive grounding in the rootedness.
A tree is a friend for life.
Always there by you growing with you through the trials and tribulations.
A tree has few needs but gives so much.
It’s shade protects and it’s bearings nourishes.
There is much depth to this wisdom of being in touch with nature especially a tree … but more of it in my next article.
Have you ever taken the time to embrace a tree for a while . If you haven’t I suggest some time off with just you and a tree. You will certainly feel more collected in your thoughts connected in your heart with yourself in time.
So care to spend some time nurturing a tree if you can . Your life will be better for sure!
A few reflections of life and living…
Life is truly unpredictable!
Vagaries at work is part and parcel of life. Stressful living and tensions seem at an all time high. Sometimes we all need a shoulder of support.
It takes consistent effort by one and all to build a thriving atmosphere in the family.
On power equations:
A gentle reminder to those who bring home the moolah! Simply ensure you do not take the loved ones at home for granted and use them as punching bags to vent out your own frustration from work .
There are many so called powerful people who seem successful in professional and social circuit who get on by downloading their insecurities and problems to their families. Nothing wrong in it. In fact the family is your strength and support and they will truly care and pray genuinely but as long as there is no violence attached.
Often domestic violence can be traced to a failure in a profession as much as a faulty upbringing or most often triggered by influence of alcohol. And as for alcohol well it cuts through barriers the rich and poor divides.In fact the addicted know no class under its influence. Then there is remorse and regrets but the memories of deeds done cannot be forgotten. At best perhaps, they may be only be forgiven.
An angle not much talked about is of the emotional and mental wounds… for such torture is inflicted especially on the financially dependent . As in knowing that the family cannot escape because of societal pressures there is more power to the aggressor in question.
What is relevant is knowing how to steer clear of passing the baton of worries to one and all and creating chaos confusion and at times utter despair. Besides developing patience to bear the inevitable truly one needs to learn the strength of equanimity in all situations.
Time heals all.
The truth is we will get on by in time. The pain and problems of today become small matters tommorow. And new experiences will occupy our thoughts and vie for attention. Such is the circle of life.
Change is inevitable , but you are the one in charge of how the change impacts you.
Breath and Movement:
We are the sum of our individual parts
There is no heart without our mind and no action without our sensing.
No two moments of our life are alike. Our body is made of cells that are renewed in time. Emotions and behaviour that we manifest are deeply integral to how we feel about ourselves and the situation at hand … so our movements are as unique as we are.
Cultivating an awareness of our own breath can give us much needed support and inner healing through the vagaries of life and living
Just make sure to sense your inner calm and be one with your breath no matter the situation you are in. That is the way you can gradually connect with yourself on a deeper level.
The more connected you are with your breath you gradually begin to relax in the moment.
Attuning your Breath and Movement
Let your breath guide and lead your movement. Value the subtle energies of your own self that encompasses your own breath.
Sense the integration of your breath and your movements. Breath gives your movement a shape and direction. So not only can you link your breath and your movement but also practise initiating your movements with your breath.
Your awareness will gradually increase of how your own inbreath (inhale)and out breath (exhale) are being used in your movements. What powers and energizes your actions and what calms and assists relaxation. And how it can flow enveloping and encompassing, connecting and complementing each other like an elegant dance!
I wrote these words as a part of one of my lectures that I was invited to deliver at a MUN conference. But it has always been there with me as my personal affirmation .
A Few Essential Tips to Spruce Up Your Work Space.
If you are already a part of the growing population of the work from home employees, there is a high amount of organisational skills that you may already possess. Yet in the rut of routine the chances of feeling weary and disillusioned the dip in productivity increases alarmingly.
Are you feeling overwhelmed stressed and frustrated take a moment to stop and look at your space right now what you feel do you think it is cluttered and chaotic or needs a bit of sprucing up?
Do you think that your work life is a little out of control and maybe having a more manageable and productive space to work from can make all the difference to you right now?
Then maybe it is time to simplify your work area and enjoy life working from home.. here are a few tips to start you up!
Take a few pictures of the work area :
When you need perspective it often helps if you can use your camera to take a shot of your workspace to see the amount of clutter for yourself. There may be many unwanted items which are lying unused for a long time unnoticed.
De-clutter to essentials:
Check whether you are using the things laid out on your desk regularly and if not try to remove them away from your desk make sure only the essentials are placed on the desk.
If there is just too many things on your desk set a priority on what stays. Start from your desk space take a look at the clutter and if there are just too many things around to distract you try to use the principle of 1 in 1 out. So for every item that you have chosen to keep on the desk make sure to discard one out.
Get a fresh perspective :
Often it is very difficult to notice and see the clutter in our working spaces by ourselves in the pace of monotony that we are caught in.So how about inviting a few close friends over to your home… and try to take stock of their opinions and acknowledge their perspectives as you see it through their eyes.
Create an ambience that is suitable for your line of work when you start throwing away the unwanted items and minimize. You will feel lighter and your room opens up.
Setting time to de-clutter: You can try to clear your desk area as you finish your work every evening for it takes maybe about 5 to 10 minutes to straighten things up you will end up having a clean desk every morning.
Storage matters:
It is important to find a space for everything in your work area, if you have trouble in keeping things in place you will find a desk all the more cluttered and difficulty in locating things. Use the idea of small storage trays or store away the least used items in closed drawers. You can try to keep your work area clean by using magnets to mount supplies and using coloured labels as well
Extra storage options:
If you find you have too many things on your desk which don’t fit it is time to think of extra storage. In a small room, you can make space under your desk by raising the monitor a level up and making sure to use your space wisely by using by enlarging your workspace vertically and by using every inch of the space you have to your advantage.
Remember the sooner you start getting organised the better you feel at work.
Simplify work area live life well!.
Moderation is the key:
Every once in a while we all need a bit of serious organisation time but it is important to not try to overdo it for it can be a huge detriment to being productive. For sometimes there is the case of delight in disorder for some. So choose your own way to what stays and what goes!
A lot of perspectives have been shared as far as women’s empowerment measures are concerned in India. Putting the plans on paper to process for transformation is the true need of the hour.
The focal point for change and transformations in bettering women’s life is about understanding women as equal humans not simply as a pretty better half and sympathizing with them as burdened beings.
A matter of Value
The dignity of the being is when women
are seen as individuals who are capable decision makers be it at home or boardroom and respected for their opinions and valued as they are.
A matter of equality
From birth as a baby who is raised equally with pride and without prejudice to acknowledging a need for changes in schools and colleges education, to be gender neutral and not gender biased.
Non-discrimination
At work, the corporate culture needs a structural mind shift to understanding unique challenges faced by female employees in terms of reducing harassment and denouncing gender bias in benefits perks and salaries. Discrimination is truly a discomfort that destroys productivity ‘
A matter of right!
To teach that a marriage of two people is to co-inhabit and collaborate as equals without the women being considered as weaker her inferior to the man.
As senior citizens, both genders must require social security assistance equally as with age the body wears down and gender becomes insignificant again.
A matter of Sustained empowerment
Besides simply providing authority or power to empower is to make the person stronger and more confident, especially in self-management.There is a need to see self-management as a skill that needs continuous and supportive nurturing for development. More the human approach the easier and more sustaining are the solutions.
Challenges at hand
In a country like India where women are still considered second-class citizens where corruption makes change difficult. where domestic abuse be it physical social or mental is rampant, women are still subjugated regardless of the society or state that come from in different degrees.There is a need for an educational system that guides and gathers up the spirit of women and coaches them to trust their abilities as many are in a state of doubt and fear and inhibited from personal self-expression.
The masses are still a persecuted lot in terms of social stigma from being a woman who is divorced and being single to widows and a working or non-working women. From feeling unsafe in travelling alone to securing a home to stay to having a lunch or dinner alone in restaurant to wanting to watch a movie without anyone for company to driving a car alone in a journey…. all women will relate to an increase in stress levels during these normal chores and activities even in the day .Moreover, it is the right to feel safe without discrimination of gender while travelling at night or day in a bus or car or any public transport. Many will have a story of subjugation and social insecurity that they may want to tell but do not speak up due to a lack of voice and fear of being hounded by attracting unnecessary attention to themselves.
Education matters!
The true solutions are a gradual change through continued public education reforms for all ages and gender that may help in bringing forth new mindsets and reinforce an altruistic behaviour.
Setting up women-centric organisations with greater authority can work to bridge the disconnects in communication as they could be the pioneers for any planned intervention.And movements to empower one another as women in consensus and collaborative endeavour helps bridge the dividing gaps.
From I to the We
Empowering the spirit within one another is the key and it becomes easier in the of the realisation of how interdependent our world truly is in the interconnects and how this can become our biggest strength
In a globally connected world resources needs to be collaborated to help one another.No one then will feel left out and helpless.There will be less hoarding and accumulation and more sharing and utilization.
Reformed practices in education will manifest the outcomes in society through transforming mindsets
Empowerment will mean a lift in global consciousness and not be self-limiting in its connotations.Only then can we comprehend what true empowerment means and how much it matters!
Between being an asset and liability the ego drives our being.
Unmindful and ungrateful often times as such is its way!
It can interfere just as much as it can be indifferent to the being
It can alter goodwill and stall humility from expressing itself
It can change the words we were meaning to speak
It can halt a chance to commune with others
It can steer a dialogue to a monologue
It can become a bone of contention
It can rob us of cooperation and collaboration
And yet all this while a sense of ego can be a source of self-esteem
It can help a person from crumbling in a crisis
It can create a curiosity to know and acquire
It can be a strength of support in times of dire need
It can propel us to do more & achieve more
Your Ego can be your trusted aide
For it knows you more than you ever can.
It is born with you from your first breath
And plays on its course till your very last.
So the question is not about banishing but of balancing.
In striking a chord of balance between the states of being.
Mindful words from a heart full of grace,
Can be a precursor of changing ways.
A respect and regard for another’s perspective
Appreciation and value for others much as one’s own!
A few reflections on striking a balance
Accept that your ego is like your shadow
It follows where ever you go
It creates hurdles in your deeds
It can doubt and induce fear
Simply trust with your loving self
For it’s your internal guide
That leads from the heart
To let you see and know
Who you truly are!
Let your love meet your fears
It will understand the power of love
Choose to be loving and considerate
Change your track to being compassionate
Choose to avoid loose talk
Choose the virtue of generosity
Choose to be inclusive and expansive
Choose to admit your mistakes
Choose to see the world beyond the self
Choose to take your self lightly
Choose the freedom of laughter
It unshackles the chains of self-restraint
Let the self, express and entertain itself!
So allow the ego to a little space but make sure it knows its space.
Allow it to be a part of you but don’t allow it take the whole of you.
Transcending the Ego is the aspiration,
For every religion speaks of this very transcendence…
From trivial and baseline pursuits to higher consciousness.
Ego can be a tool for survival but it can be a weapon of mass destruction!
Transform it into self-improvement manoeuvre it to reconstruction.
In every deed of Giving the ego cannot be far behind for, to give itself seems so full of itself. The Giving means there is something to give an upper hand a stake a superiority if nothing else a contentment of a fulfilment. So to give seems a little egotistical in all its glorious ways.
Yet there is a transformation in every act of giving, that finds its path in the journey towards transcendence .
This morning I wrote down a few thoughts ….’On tboughts’ and shared and just a while ago I was pleasantly surprised by some lovely afterthoughts shared by my dear mother almost immediately on Whatsapp.
I share her jotted thoughts here as part 2:
On Thoughts
Thoughts are the doorways that connect our inner and outer world. As we walk along this path it leads us along the physical ,material world filled with varied emotions, feelings and desires. It connects us with our past, bring back the forgotten memories and our reaction depends on what it mirrors. It has the power to make us sad, angry, or happy. Like an expert master it rules our emotions. A happy moment can turn sour when it brings an unwanted, unneeded or unconnected memory back which is followed by a volley of unnecessary words and arguments which can make the whole scene bitter, thereby sowing the seed for another set of reactions in another time frame.
On blooming thoughts .
It is a magical weaver. It has the potential to jump from past to future in a fraction of a second. It’s speed surpasses the fastest speed known to us. It has the power to take us to the dream world idling for hours together.
In the the ocean of time it’s waves are endless. We become playing clay in its hands moulding our moods as it wants.
In short our thoughts rule us. Like an obedient slave we obey its whimsical command forgetting our true potential. The wise souls understood this.With their deep knowledge they have shown us various ways to take command of our thoughts n tame them. Like a circus ringmaster in the midst of wild animals we should be in constant awareness to lead our thoughts, and observe their moves.
Similar to a focussed traveller who never strays from his path how much ever alluring the sceneries on his way, elluding the perils in his path goes steadfast to reach his destination, we should train ourselves not to be distracted by the flow of thoughts. We can never stop its flow, as it is natural, but can train our mind not to react to each and every word. Let’s be a witness, never become a part. Let’s keep proceeding with the companionship of positivities like kindness, compassion, selflessness, humility and gratitude. Let’s make this journey beautiful.
Come, let’s walk together in harmony guiding each other positively, as we reach our individual goals and collective aspirations.
Yesterday I happened to revisit this very strong yet contemplative piece of writing by my dear mother. And I knew I just had to request her to share this because of its significance as much as the sensitivity of content which I felt is very relevant to the times we live in.
My mother writes a lot on and off and I want to share this as I feel she should put out her writings in a blog but she simply hasn’t done so yet for reasons best known to her. So while I try convincing her to write and share more, here is this post from her that touched my heart💙💚💙
Savvy
Love All!
Making someone feel badly about the way they look is the worst thing that one can do to another individual. It has the power to make someone feel unlovable. It creates so many insecurities and unwanted feelings. That is something we shouldn’t do or inflict upon anyone.
Body shaming has to stop. We have to stop tearing people down just because they don’t fit to the standards created by another in the first place. We also have to stop judging people based on their appearances. There is no meaner phase of being than hating oneself for the looks and it is not fair that we are pushing people to that point. We need to be accepting of all body types.
We need to encircle each other rather than bring each other down and we have to understand that every one is different, both physically and mentally. Anjana
We are created to be different, and we need to learn to love those differences.
Body shaming, a term that has become all too popular recently because humans are obsessed with appearances. We criticize the way that others judge us yet never hesitate to pass comments on others in a sarcastic friendly manner. We have separated ourselves into categories based on the way we look and it is wrong.
Effects of body shaming
What people don’t understand is what body shaming really does to an individual. It gradually breaks their confidence. Instead of holding their head high — they scan the floor because they don’t want people to notice them. Instead of feeling beautiful, their self worth decreases and feel like an alien in their own skin.
Body-shaming is a serious issue that’s secretly and silently ruining the lives of many out there. It’s high time we addressed it. And equally so for both women and men and children.
Those who are born fit or beautiful or intelligent didn’t do anything great to achieve it . It is the way they are born genetically.
What use is physical beauty if the mind is ugly? Let’s learn to value individuals for the values they hold, their character, their goodness and compassion, their talent and in general as a fellow human being who are all equal to one another.
As it is the society has created large gaps based on caste, creed, status and richness. On one side as educated and civilized people we are trying to eradicate them and on the other side creating new dividers between individuals.
Respect and value individuals for what they really are.
Instead if seeing others as
Being short or tall,
Being fair or dusky,
Being fit or fat,
Being beautiful or ugly
Being rich or poor
Being modern or simple
Let’s learn to see others as
Being kind or cruel,
Being adaptive or adamant,
Being compassionate or egoistic
Being selfless or selfish,
And above all
Are they humane enough ?
Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.
Nature need not have to create so many different species to co exist, it could have easily made an assembly line of similar looking robots.
Savvy Raj 
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