Whenever I come across a heart touching action, or a prose ,a poem or quote I will be sharing it here in this series…
Some people make the world a better place by their thoughts words and deeds...
Sharing a touching story of truths of life and living…
THE HAPPIEST MAN
When Billionaire Femi Otedola in a telephone interview, was asked by the radio presenter, “Sir what can you remember made you the happiest man in life?”
Femi said: “I have gone through four stages of happiness in life and finally I understood the meaning of true happiness.”
The first stage was to accumulate wealth and means. But at this stage I did not get the happiness I wanted.
Then came the second stage of collecting valuables and items. But I realized that the effect of this thing is also temporary and the lustre of valuable things does not last long.
Then came the third stage of getting big projects. That was when I was holding 95% of diesel supply in Nigeria and Africa. I was also the largest vessel owner in Africa and Asia. But even here I did not get the happiness I had imagined.
The fourth stage was the time a friend of mine asked me to buy wheelchair for some disabled children. Just about 200 kids.
At the friend’s request, I immediately bought the wheelchairs. But the friend insisted that I go with him and hand over the wheelchairs to the children. I got ready and went with him.
There I gave these wheel chairs to these children with my own hands. I saw the strange glow of happiness on the faces of these children. I saw them all sitting on the wheelchairs, moving around and having fun.
It was as if they had arrived at a picnic spot where they are sharing a jackpot wining.
I felt real joy inside me. When I decided to leave one of the kids grabbed my legs. I tried to free my legs gently but the child stared at my face and held my legs tightly. I bent down and asked the child: Do you need something else?
The answer this child gave me not only made me happy but also changed my attitude to life completely. This child said: “I want to remember your face so that when I meet you in heaven, I will be able to recognize you and thank you once again”.
What would you be remembered for after you leave that office or place?
Will anyone desire to see your face again where it all matters?
Think! Live your life in a manner that others desire to see your face again.
Two ways of thinking…. Familiarity breeds contempt While the absence makes the heart fonder.
One…
All seems wonderful in the beginning As time goes by time takes its toll. Straining the togetherness Cracking apart at its seams Creating distances and gaps that grow Making the memories sustain in hope Or seek a closure in forgetfulness.
Two…
In isolation and silence Seeds of thoughts find time to germinate In both exclusion or seclusion The heart longs for companionship The thoughts turn to fond remembrances Of bygone memories of the good times Life tries to recall & recreate those times. To salvage what is left and cherish Knowing the priceless treasures it brings. Hence the absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Life moves on and finds new beginnings Yet in adaptability & flexibility Nature continues its pathway All comes a full circle. Such is the circle of life.
I do believe the journey of life, broadens the mind and brightens the spirit if we are ready to acknowledge the unfolding gifts of connections. along the way.
In my journeys across the world earlier, as a Dance Educator teaching and speaking about dance applications and approaches there have been some amazing people both in the dance circuits and otherwise,who I have had very fascinating conversations with…
I want to share a bit here about some of these beautiful people from across the world who I had a chance connect with, nothing planned,yet meeting them was truly soul enriching to say the least.
Would like to begin the first in these series of posts with Emily Berry who is now a dear friend.
Emily, the beautiful intelligent woman with an Indian Soul all the way from New York … who dances with all her heart and soul 🙂
Emily Berry is the Artistic Director of B3W Performance Group, which has performed in the US, England, Greece, and Mexico...
We met in 2014 Greece, while we were representing our own countries at the World Dance Research Congress.
In her own words…
“I strive to create a safe space for students to learn, explore, question, and become independent thinkers and movers. In technique courses, I address each individual student’s unique body in order to help them develop their technique through muscle re-patterning. Students learn anatomical awareness and tools to help them move past road blocks.
In theory, improvisation and composition courses my main goal is to help student’s find their own voice. Creating a judgment free space is essential so students are not afraid to explore new movement possibilities.”
Berry’s choreography has been tackling such issues as race, the glass ceiling, domestic violence, women in prison, and war since 1995.
Today, brought in a beautiful memory of a time when I had an amazing afternoon walk with her, while at the Acropolis museum Athens.
I remember how a shared a common love for all things dance… got us interacting post our dance workshops and rest just fell in place!
We conversed like we have known each other from years ago…
To all the dancers and those who choose to waltz with life….
As dancers we are a lucky lot!
We are totally able to dance with time…
Move with it on time,
Or take the offbeat road to reverse and revel the joy of reflections in the rivers of time.
Your life is not just your own, thinking so is an illusion.
You are meant to be all that you can be.
You have a purpose that is larger than your self.
You are meant to live & reach out and be expansive
You are meant to merge and emerge in the new circles of connection.
The choice of being true to yourself is yours to make
The patterns you create help expand the universe.
The connections you make in your lifetime leave a pattern in the grid for another to sense and evolve in time.
No two patterns are alike as the patterns are unique to your being.
Your purpose then is to live your life to the best of yourself.
Reach out to make a connection and experience the realms and yet staying true to your centre.
As you learn your way back home, more will find their way back home in time and space continuum.
To be Continued.
The last seven days of verses in a flow was an interesting experience. Have tried to connect them all together here. Thank you all for your likes and support every day and those of you who cared to pen their thoughts, deeply grateful to to those who have been joining in and making it even more memorable.
If you would like to visit each of them and read some of the beautiful responses in verses… Here are the links :
I have started an experimental journey and would like to invite you to be a part of it. Everyday through this week I will be writing and sharing a few verses in flow that you can choose to continue as well. Would love to explore the connection in what evolves through the week and see the interweaves in the interconnects. Verses in Flow DAY 1 Truth