Savvy Raj

Live Life Lovingly!


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Life lessons

Life lessons
( Translated by my mother from tamil forward)
The 9 laws of Karma

  1. Whatever we do in this Universe will come back to us.
  2. Nothing will come to us by itself. We have to work to get what we need.
    3 when we learn to accept certain things then only change will happen.
    4 when we change ourselves Life will also transform.
    5 We should realise that we only are responsible for whatever happens in our life.
  3. Past, Present and Future all are interconnected.
    7 We cannot think of two things at the same time.
  4. Our behaviour should reflect our thoughts and actions
  5. If we keep on thinking the past, the present will pass without living it.

Let there be peace and happiness everywhere. Let all prosper and live a fulfilling life.


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Lightness of being

Life is full of challenges
Along the way
For each and every being
In their own unique ways…

Am reminded  of the saying…
It’s never about the weight
But the way you carry it.

Lightness of being
Is knowing how to steer
Through the hurdles
In effortless grace.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/activity-6999002048583147520-3ShF?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android

Beautiful to witness

The ways of nature

Sometimes maneuvering

At times adjusting.

But mostly thriving.

No matter the odds.

Savvy


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On Listening

To listen is to understand
Is a power of hearing well
The said and the unsaid

To listen is to remain quiet
To allow oneself  to hear
The voice of others than self

To listen is to develop patience
To be able to acknowledge
And understand the said

To listen  is an art to cultivate
Not easy always to curb speech
Listening leads to self control

To listen is not wait to speak
But to hear & understand
Care to listen or speak more?

A mark of good leadership
Good listening  is a great asset
Take time to listen more…

Savvy


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Light & Dark

Darkness is a great opportunity to discover the divine face of the light!’

I like the positivity in this quote by Mehmat Murat Ildan the Turkish novelist 


Acknowledging the shadow behind the light  is understanding the duality of creation and valuing the  balance and harmony  in every moment .

Savvy


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Blending in…

Blending in
If you visit a new place as a tourist
Would you prefer to blend in
Such that you are almost  invisible…
Or would you be someone
Who would  prefer  to be noticed,
For your differences
And draw attention of others

Being able to blend in can often be a blessing in disguise.
As you look like you have been there and are aware of their ways of life.
You don’t stick out like a sore thumb.
Or behave as if you are out of place.
You tend to draw less attention  perhaps, but there in is your safety in new locales.
You are adaptable and accepting of  the new culture.
For some  it’s really  easy
For some  it’s truly difficult
For they are by nature noticeable
Whether they like it or not!

What is your take on this…
Have you ever tried to blend in or stand out from the crowd

How has your experiences of  traveling been so far  ? Do share.



Savvy


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Dancing Soul

There is something endearing about dancing with a partner, it’s the power to attract another magnetically and charmingly interact with another’s energy  and spirit through dance movement.


A prerequisite to dancing well is one’s ability to take an emotional journey and open oneself and to share and connect to another’s energies .This is what engages the audience and keeps them enthralled. It’s beyond the physicality of steps, patterns, touch, or even the right dance hold or dance frame. It’s in the ability to dance with space, time, yet in complete awareness of one another’s heart of movement.

 I had an opportunity to experience  this just the other day when I witnessed all of this and more in Rohini  (my mother’s friend actually)  a family friend of many years .

I have known her to be a simple religious and a happy go lucky person who also may have been through much personal turmoil like so many others but yet has managed a cheerful disposition every time I met her.

Her characteristic sunny nature would never give away the strife behind the smile. The occasion was her 25 th wedding anniversary  that I got invited to , and as we reached the venue  the couple were at the dais, very understated , a picture of simplicity & composure.

The evening took off, with all their close friends having some wonderful and touching things to say about them both.

There was a small dance floor which soon got filled up with people who were initially hesitant As the music filled the air   many more of us started getting into the groove and dancing. And then I saw her, it was her in her element, dancing from her heart and soul. It was fantastic to see her energetic dancing in full display for the all to see , Her ever calm and composed husband  seemed mesmerized by all the fun moves she did .

In fact everyone was charmed by her passion and for that moment I realized just then that her joyful dancing soul had peeped out from the depths of it all. 

 Kudos to her for keeping the spirit of dancing alive in her through all these years .God bless!

 Dancing from the heart always counts more than perfection of steps. And that’s the ultimate challenge… To keep the mind open, ready, receptive, giving and simple enough, to dare to step out of comfort zones.

My salute to this dancing soul !

Savvy Raj


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And life goes on…

Looking back at life’s challenges

If you were to see things

With the element of time

Yesterday it may have mattered a great deal.

Today things are different

Perceptions change altering our perspectives.

And we learn to see the bigger picture

And then we give and take.

And learn to receive and let go.

And life goes on!

Savvy


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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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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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Truth is truth

Words have immense significance.

In the way we think speak, in the tonality, the choice of our words, we are influencing how we come across in every communication.

In saying…

I know everything  -Ego


You don’t really matter so you are not worthy of my time & attention – Indifference/ Disrespect/Seclusion


How can you come in my way?
Domination


Stay silent and speak only when I tell you to.- Control


Who are you to advise me? -Pride


How dare you speak this way?
– Arrogance

If we only knew
The preciousness of life
We will begin to realize
How much of life is wasted
In arrogance and egotism.
In anger and doubt
Over things that hardly matter
In the larger plan of life
Can we choose to value
The preciousness of being
Place value for life over things.

This world  is getting indifferent
Discarding truths nonchalantly
For it is difficult  to swallow
But truth is truth
It finds its way ultimately
To make all the difference.

 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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Conscious circles

This post is stemming from reflections to my post by a reader on LinkedIn. I simply choose to delve a bit with the insightful thoughts.

And these verses birthed along the way.


The wall of the mind
Is  in each of us to forge through
In valuing the space between
Two thoughts two steps or two notes.
In choosing harmony of  synchrony 
In conscious awareness
In discerning thoughts
In response than reaction
In connecting the dots
In realizing the grace of unity.

In sensing the strength
Of the circle of conscious connections.  

Savvy


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Changing Times

Our moments in life

Can be hell or heaven

Joyful or boring

As the way we see it

And in the way we take it.

The meter of time is on

Ticking away in its own way.

For every life.

To make use of time or lose it

It’s choice

To see hope in faith

To be accepting of changes

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