Flow in faith
Time evolves one and all,come what may
Yesterday’s mountains have become paths today
Love of life will show the way
As you keep building bridges not walls I say!
Tag Archives: faith
Power of Possibilities
Explore the Immense Power of Possibilities!
At times we find our road has got rough
Many times we give up when the going gets tough
At such times if we muster the strength to persevere
The very perseverance leads us to new paths
Paths we may have never accessed in the fear of trying.
To try to forge ahead in spite of hopelessness
To try to discover the power of possibilities
To try to seek the connecting dots that may have faded in time
To try to find new pathways in the making
Such is the power of life in the living.
There is always a way
To make it happen
Often enshrouded in
All we need is to see beyond the looking
Envision the potential that rests within
Trust the options we have at hand,
And lo and behold!
There is so much more than what we thought was possible.
Come let us dare to explore the power of the possibilities!
Savvy
On Nurturing 5
Nurturing Hope & Care
Hope is here to stay!’
Nurturing is a life affirming process ….rooted in bettering care and creating hope for a better life. There are many experiments conducted to support how even an exposure to nature like being amidst trees and tranquil places, hearing birdsongs and watching the sky , the sea and the sand can be extremely nurturing for ones health and wellbeing. The healing element associated with nature, is in the nurture it provides to replenish the soul.
The very nature of nurturing is both very inclusive and expansive in the same breath.The scope of positive outcomes of good nurturing is deeply significant to humanity at large . For that is what is truly important to sustain our planet . Every being’s effort in nurturing the world in and around him to thrive.
At the root of Creativity is a nurtured thought process. To nurture is to nourish the being with appropriate care.
Speaking of care giving, it is often a part of nurturing which can be rather challenging to say the least. In case of elders there can be a lot of unexplained resentment the care giver has to deal with for many seniors may take a while to come to terms with the many aspects of growing old.
Patience can have its limits too and with growing intolerance in a world which is more about the sense of self importance, the need to achieve much can stifle any thoughts of pursuing time consuming and almost never ending aspects of nurturing .
It is true the world is getting a little too self centered . However the realization of the impacts of an uncaring and indifferent citizens of the world is also hitting home and that too right from the modern changes of family systems in place.
The concern for global warming and carbon imprints is touching an all time high for the world now is slowly realizing how much it needs to nurture its own living spaces to ensure it has a world left to live at all. And thus thankfully hope is here to stay!
Contd
Thriving In The Winds of Change
In a world of kneejerk reactions
And sense gratifications
It is no wonder that most of us are lost
In finding our sense of being.
In fact this very cluelessness
Is what the media manipulates
As we grapple with trust, faith
And a whole lot of values and emotions
That seem to get all juggled around
As per the conveniences of the moment.
We are living in the crosswinds of time
Where we are unable to flow in trust
As the winds of change blow hot and cold.
Life takes on a different meaning
Sometimes in path u cant identify your being.
In such moments of chaos and confusions
Put Your inner compass to test in trust
It will never lead you astray!
Savvy
Follow your passion…find your purpose… fulfill your presence.
The highest motivation that can change the way we behave for the better is always intrinsic than external factors. There have been many research studies conducted to find out if we are influenced to perform better consistently through a system of rewards and punishments. Humans, are found to decrease performance in tasks where there is only materialistic gain as a reward,but fare consistently better where there is autonomy & encouragement towards a purpose. A purpose which aligns with their innate sensibilities.
This throws the conventional and traditional approach to getting work done, up for a toss. As it is exactly opposite to the viewpoint that humans can be manipulated to a large extent to achieve better results by the so-called carrot and stick methods .
In choosing to work harder at a task or a job with passion instead of needing to comply to it lets the being feels free enough to go beyond the box . As there is free will within a wider net of required structure the creative potentialities are given a free play and thus the individual moves closer to his authentic self . The joy of self-expression results in a need to share it with others out of sheer happiness .
Highest levels of happiness are in giving a larger meaning to life whether it is in involving oneself in activities helping another, in learning and growing with another , it could be in learning a new art form ,or even simply in dancing socially with a group of people , are all wonderful for your well-being& a healthy life. Even in the simple act of volunteering towards a good deed from the heart, can make one realize the true joys of sharing….and find meaning in one’s own lives .
What is that makes us love ourselves better when we give? Is it the satisfaction in the appreciation of that which we willingly share or is it on the innate need for doing a deed with a larger good in mind. or is it in the happiness of the other that results through the actions. Whatever it may be, just remember we are truly blessed and are our most authentic self in every expansive action that we choose to do!
Travel Trails
The Mystique of the Middle East
The mystique and majesty of Abu Dhabi is well enshrined in the beautiful exquisite and holy mosque Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Mosque in Al Mushrif, a district in Abu Dhabi the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, and is considered to be the key site for worship in the country. The design of the mosque was done by a Syrian architect named Yousef Abdelky.
Breathtaking architechture combined with amazing royal blue lighting from the ornate chandliers in the evening hours gives out the feeling of heady opulence and extravagance throughout the beautiful structure as much as the keen sense of subtlety of approach in maintaining uniformity of designs and colour.
It is amazing to see the well maintained courtyard with exquiste inlay work and the beautiful waterbody along the pathway.
The magnificent splendour of intricate carvings the majestic coloumns resplendent with matching motifs continues in the gigantic green carpet splayed across the entire inner sanctum.
A visual treat no doubt but the sense of symmetry is almost meditative.. Walking along through the gilded coloumns corridors is a beautiful and zen like experience in itself.
The magnanimity of the silence space is almost alluring as much as the effects of the beautiful lighting throughout the interiors as much as the exteriors of the mosque .
What distinguishes these motifs of Islamic architecture are the use of coloumns, piers and arches organized and interwoven with alternating sequences and use of fractal patterns and repetitive radiating structures.
Standing there at dusk witnessing the beautiful moonlit sky and our dancing reflections in the azure blue waters of the pool of water in this magnanimous shrine one could feel totally inspired in even simply visiting it once for this mosque is certainly a masterpiece of Islamic architechture.
Much gratitude to my dear brother in law and family in Dubai who offered to drive us from Dubai to visit to this grand mosque. Certainly a trip to Abu Dhabi would be incomplete without visiting this beautiful Shrine!
Every shrine is filled with a vibration that is unique to the place be it a mosque synagogue a church or a temple … for the convergence of countless positive intentions energizes the space filling us with a deep sense of peace and serenity.
Savvy Raj
On Nurturing 2
Parenting: The learnings in the nurturing.
Parenting is a long term learning process. With the first born every parent is going through a variety of emotions and various stages of parenting. It is true as an infant it is entirely on the parents- be its safety, its cleanliness, understanding its cries for various needs- all done with so much love and care without prior experience. As the child grows so does its mode of expression, tantrums, seeking attention, and the parents learn to cope up with all of it like experts. Cherubic angels with devilish moods. It’s a 24/ 7 job with full focus. The teacher in the child starts teaching valuable lessons, you may have not come across so far in any university.
You have to constantly learn new techniques with every child. One lesson will not work with the other as they are different individuals teaching you to handle the same issues with various means.
You will be learning new lessons with every stage of their growing up. Infants to toddlers to kids, youngsters to teen agers, Young adults to grown up,men and women, each stage teaches you different lessons.
You will be learning new lessons on changing generations, their changing values, how to maintain the balance and be a bridge to keep up the tranquility and peace at home. Though every phase has its testing period, it is challenging period when they are in their teens with their need to balance their inner and outer worlds. Once you cross that successfully you can enjoy a momentary peace till the next one starts.
Coping up with the the new relations that springs up in their lives, and the need to understand their changing priorities, to accept gracefully and take the back seat in their life though they remain as ur priority , without regrets. Ability to know the strength of the bond though invisible still remains strong and intact. The list of life lessons the child teaches goes on till the end.
That is the way life has to go on.
And all the while we pride ourselves as parents and that we teach and guide our children!
Who is the real teacher here?
These are a few reflections from my mothers perspectives on Parenting.
There may be many styles of parenting and the nurturing they instill may be relative to what they received. There is no foolproof way to successful parenting as success is itself subjective. However the idea of nurturing abilities and giving space for evolving helps the holistic development of individual.On Nurturing
In a nutshell …can think of 5 A’s of Nurturing as parents… but the list never ends .
Acknowledge abilities as uniquely significant.
Appreciate the good qualities & its application.
Allow the potential of personal expression.
Accept the challenges as part of life
Adapt to changing nature.
What are your views on Parenting and nurturing? Do share.
The Call of the Dunes.
Desert Trails :
The call of the dunes.
The desert has a way with you.
Just sun and sand across and around you.
As much as your eyes can see in the yonder
The red tinged sands bears the patterns of movement.
Of many who walked in there in sheer amazement.
Of the eerie silence of nothingness around
Except the tunes, that the howling winds may sound.
The charm of the desert springs on at night
At the camp with carpets spread out
Surrounded by the bedouins tents
And a sheesha to indulge if you wish
Traditional Arabic hospitality peeks
And the swaying hips of the belly dancer speaks
Flowing and swivelling like the swirls on the dunes
Mesmerizing you in the alluring moves to the mystical tunes.
Bring it on you may yourself say…
You must at least for once pass this way!
Savvy
On Life Management.
Wisdom truly lies in the art of management of two principles in life : one of never giving up and the other of letting go.
On one side is a dedication, discipline and determination and on the other is the dispassionate discernment and in learning to surrender to balance the ego within. Every attempt at achieving such a state of balance can be a great tool for learning to evolve with the wisdom.
For life is to evolve and not simply dissolve
For life is to live and not simply exist.
Take the path of purpose in faith trust and belief
Flow along with the path of light in passion and dedication .
And allow life to manifest its infinite abundance.
There is an exemplary account of life lived in such a path of evolution and enlightenment
Sharing the great visionary of India Swami Vivekananda’s account of life story in his own words here ….
“When you travel on this path of shraddha, (faith) veerya, (courage ) smiriti, (that which is remembered) you have to go through three phases. The first phase is Haasya (laughter/humour). People will make fun of you. Face them. Accept them. When you are taunted, reply in the same tone of haasya. Then slowly the inner consciousness starts evolving. Then comes the second stage ‘Virodha’.(opposition/ hostility) The same people will start opposing your stance – Accept all the opposition. Don’t fight with anybody. Don’t argue. The moment you get into the argument, then you are going to suffer. If you argue while you are going through lot of internal turmoil’s, conflicts and confusions, you will not be able to convince anybody. So, during the second part of sadhana, (dedicated practice)don’t argue with anybody. Convert the negativity into a positive fragrance and give this in return. Then comes the third stage of ‘Svekaara'(acceptance). The same people who laughed at you, the same people who threw stones, will do pranams ( respectful salutation)& accept you.
In my own life, I have experienced this but I had to pay heavily. Those who taught me became my students but only after I did tapas for 10 years continuously and silently. Understand one thing. Inner sadhana is not a revolution but an evolution. Revolution requires force, vengeance. Evolution requires love, humility and a great feeling of universal love. The consciousness has to evolve. This is an evolutionary process where the bud flowers. We have to allow time for the bud to flower. It will not flower in one day. It takes time. It has to receive proteins, vitamins and the necessary energy for all petals to open out. You have to have a great patience. You have to create an environment for the petals to bloom silently. This is Sadhana. “Swami Vivekananda
Any path of passionate dedication and discipline evolves you along in the strength of persevarance
To honor your path and vision is a task of a lifetime.
To steer clear of slack and sloth, lethargy and languidity takes a consistent mastering of the senses.
To stay true to your chosen way and vision is a commitment driven by your belief and faith in your life’s purpose of being.
To know is to reach beyond the sensing of the eternal truth of ones being .
And all the challenges happening along in the journey, will resolve in time on its own as the intent and focus remains unwavered.
For life itself is a spark of the divine consciousness.
Savvy Raj
Travel Trails
Musings on the Middle East: Part 2
The Meet and Greets:
While this trip to the Middle east, was a great getaway of sorts, between the work and pleasure, it undoubtedly became a fodder for thought and much reflections in those moments of chanced and planned connects with some amazing people living there. And some of them I met for the first time and bonded so instantly as if I knew them forever and a few who I knew for decades but didnt get to meet and connect earlier.
There were many more on my list of people who I wanted to meet but have left that for my next trip sooner than later.
Connects of empathy:
Meeting another human being for the first time is an enigmatic phenomenon. In todays age of technology although you may try to connect in so many ways online. Real time meet and greets hold their own a bag of surprises and treats in tow.
One such meet was planned … by me and my dear warm hearted friend from online. Fatima.An eloquent writer with a heart of gold and a keenly developed insight of people and their resources who draws much strength in positive reflections and most importantly a kind and brave heart following her dreams.
The heartfelt connects established in moments of our first meeting was clearly visible. She treated me to an amazing authentic Arabic dinner that evening and while catching up on our lives, in between us was a complete ease of being which we both mutually sensed in the lovely ease of conversation and strength of connection in the little time we had that day. Her warm hospitality and generosity touched me and I truly look forward to meeting her again sooner than later and wish her the best always from my heart.
Then there was this local Arab woman dressed in the traditional Abhaya worn with the hijab and those alluring kohl rimmed eyes with whom I shared a lengthy conversation of their culture and learned much but who moved me in the simplicity of her words and in sharing her heart’s deepest desires for freedom of movement and her eagerness in learning to dance…
Another wonderful woman with whom my daughter and I shared a great rapport albeit in just a few minutes of conversation was a travel guide who invited us to her home in Abu Dhabi. We got talking about so many things in such a short span of time. We bonded without reservations.
There are many more truly endearing people I met and connected some who I managed to catch up with on phone …but simply put perhaps it is just my way of seeing but I found many friendly people from across the world living there making a living thriving in the tolerance and interconnects that makes up much of Dubai’s culture in recent times.
And yes of course my visit to the traditional city of Sharjah had its own share of charm . As the people I met there were my very dear friends connecting after so long … yet the heartconnects were entrenched so deep that it felt home to me .
A short driving across the city will lead you through the Corniche where you can stay on to watch the beautiful Arabian Sunset and may be drive further on to Al Ain as well.
Will not forget the trips to the Gold and Spice Souks and most of all the Creek and the dhow cruise on the creek one pleasant evening….
Foodwise :
Being a vegetarian I thought my choices would be limited to pizzas and pastas and of course my saviour’ Subway’ besides the Indian food . But I was pleasantly surprised to find my flavour in Arabic food. Suffice to say the sumptous starters of the Arab cusine and their spiced tea was perfectly suited to my vegetarian and satvic senibilities. And I must thank my dear friends, relatives and hosts who took so much care and put so much consideration while ordering that I will hold very fond memories of dining out in this delightful trip.
Thanks to my amazing hosts I tried many dishes some which were known like the falafel and some new to me…tabbouleh and the zatar and lentil soup
were just divine. Midly aromatic and
full of flavour and bursting with greens
and a dash of lime . Awesome indeed!.
A city may be made of concrete
But homes are built with hearts
And life thrives in these homes.
Savvy
Precious time spent there…
About me:
Wellness Mentor, Dance Educator & Writer, Motivational Speaker, Freelance Designer
‘Creativity stems from the acceptance of your authentic self. It is a never-ending journey of endless possibilities that is much beyond the pursuit of a hobby or craft and can be a habit of a lifetime. So besides being a Dance educator being a writer and a designer, creating art and writing poetry gives me immense satisfaction with the infinite ways of expressing myself as I believe in enjoying the journey as much as the destination.’
Travel Trails : From At the Top
Life’s lessons.
Here is another share of my dear mother’s reflections on ‘Life and Living’ with hope and the value of ordinary things like the school subjects , the primary lessons we often take for granted as we study without thinking too much about it. I am compelled to share this line of thought for its ingenuity and how it mentions the values of lessons from nature which often is the most overlooked but actually so full of wisdom.
Don’t despair
Life is the real teacher. It’s teaching methods may sometimes be playful, sometimes very harsh, and it may seem like there is truly no way of escaping them.
Profit and loss are not only money related,
They can be manifested in relations too.
The premium of love and care one invests,
Will return as interest manifold in days of need.
And certainly no scheme will tell it is too late to invest.
The more one adds smile and support
The less will be the worries and loneliness.
As they are inversely proportioned.
X and y denotes the unknown
Problems, that seem ready to pounce.
Don’t you worry,
As you are taught to get them solved.
Every single point and line
has a measure and significance.
Geometry taught us not to ignore any
and the value of boundary.
History gave the realisation,
Evil and greed perishes
How much ever strong they seem.
Always goodness stood in the victory stand in the end.
Geographic differences help too
To understand that variety is a way of life.
Your form and food is Nature’s decision.
Value the differences, to be in harmony.
Biology taught that all are one in the core after all.
Power of energies,
and laws of Nature gave the knowledge
To bow down and conquer.
Spirituality taught the most valuable lesson.
The real enemies are the ones
that are nourished
as ego, pride, vanity greed, anger and hatred.
I reap what I sow.
So none is responsible,for my pain or pleasure.
Initial years are like blue prints.
But few read them correctly,
Even less understands,
Even fewer practice.
The primary lessons…
Are professors of Life.
Each subject taught
Are the preparations
For the life to be faced in essence.
Quantity of money to be possessed
Is not the measure of life.
The quality of love and respect
Is what distinguishes from the rest.
Never despair…
The variations of Nature,
The constant changes
Makes every moment a new one.
And that can be the dawn.
New ray of hope in the horizon.
Remember the lessons
And proceed further.
Never look back in despair.
Bring back the beam of smile
To fill the surroundings with joy and light.
As the world is truly vast to explore & delight!
Anjana
Be your own best friend!
Trust the self implicitly.
Treat the self with dignity
Create your life by owning up to the person you are.
Value yourself enough to be yourself.
Care to be your own best friend!
As you heartfully accept and trust yourself,
The intuitive you already knows your path.
You will be guided to where you ought to be,
And you will awaken to what you ought to do.
So, treat yourself lovingly.
Be an ally, not an enemy to yourself.
Care to be good to yourself
Because in sifting through this journey of life,
It truly helps to have a friend in you.
There is more to loving the self than what meets the eye. The heartfelt self-centering in every step of the way of evolving, from within to the without, is a deeper understanding that the world needs kindness even more. And it needs to move from core consciousness outward and circulate in the flow.
As you feel comfortable in connecting with who you are, as you are, you feel comfortable connecting with the people around you.
Treat the self lovingly, the best you can, no matter the circumstances, and you will emanate the love that you sense from within all around you and into the world at large.
Life becomes easier and lighter to handle as you strengthen your inner spirit and move away from self-sabotaging behaviours.
Believe in yourself to be all that you can be; you owe it to the life in you. As you start loving yourself, you start to believe in yourself, and as you start to believe yourself, you begin to value your life, and as you begin to value your life, you begin to define the purpose of your being.
A few tips to being your own best friend:
Believe that you matter, and never ever take yourself for granted.
Trust your inner spirit; remember you are unique; and trust all is well.
Keep choosing positive and pleasant thoughts, and care to step out of your own way.
Behave responsibly, and choose to live your life lovingly.
Respect and take care of your body, mind and spirit.
Love yourself as you are, but care to evolve for the better.
Savvy Raj
All matters
Every beat of the heart matters
Every heartfelt intention makes a difference.
Every moment of time is precious.
Every blissful heart knows!
Savvy Raj
The Infinite Being
Infinite is the truth of our being. And Life is to live …beyond just the existing!
Savvy
An Artwork by Savvy Raj
The Journey
In the fragility
Between the dream and reality
Amidst the knowing of an impermanence of being.
In the vulnerability
Of life and living
The dancing souls inhale and exhale.
And the dance of life
Carries on taking a cue
From each moment lived…
Emerging with every now
In the freedom to be
Building the bridge of belief…
In hope and faith
Trusting the journey
Trusting the journey
To lead the way.
The seeker and the seeking
Merge into dimensions unknown
Only to transform…
Only to transform…
With the spaces between the thoughts
Creating moments that matters
In the eternal infinite plan.
Dear reader
Every step of our ‘Journey’ through time in life and living makes way for shifts in our internal compass. This is an intuitive guide on our path to create evolve and inspire the world.
As we learn to honour the steps we take
A better world we can all care to make.
Savvy Raj
Image Credits: A Digital Art and Verses by Savvy Raj.
www.savvyraj.com
Savvy Raj 
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