Friday, December 25, 2009

Have two more posts ready for being posted on the new book but are waiting for editing. The next week it is family time at Goa and so will have to wait till scond week of new year.2010 will definitely bring new leaves to the sapling planted.

HAPPY NEW YEAR .

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Decide for your Life

IInd post on the book " Light the Lamp Within- 99 ways to build and live a beautiful, fulfilling and successful life", is placed below-






2....

IT IS MY LIFE, I CAN DECIDE WHERE TO TAKE IT



So True! This statement has been lived by all the successful men, who decided their goal of life and achieved in their lifetime. Mahatama Gandhi, APJ Abdul Kalam, , Lata Mangeshkar, Mother Teresa, Sania Mirza decided for themselves and touched the sky in their lifetime only. When they took the initiative, many might not have imagined or believed that they will be able to achieve, what they were thinking and was achievable. Yet they did it. Most of them had a modest background and their families did not have a great past to set an example, yet each one of them succeeded and built a future, envisioned by them.

Each one of us can also decide an area of life for our future and seek excellence in the field chosen .We can not only create a name for ourselves but also for our families, friends, institutions and neighbourhood too. One has to envision a future and then create it to give his/her life a purpose to justify our existence on this earth.

It is my life and I can take it, where I wish to.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

new book-1

Ist post onThe book " Light the Lamp Within- 99 ways to build and live a beautiful, fulfilling and successful life", is placed below-




1...
Light the Lamp Within


Lighting the lamp within means, attaining our potential. Potential as given in Chamber’s Dictionary means possibility of successful development. All of us have this possibility. However, we have to be exploring and finding it within ourselves. We all have capabilities, many of which ,we are aware of but there are many more, we are not aware of. Knowing these and developing these creates a lot of positive energy and enlightens us to work for and achieve all what we can in our life. This is what defines the message “Light the Lamp Within”.
The very purpose of life is attaining our maximum potential. For this, the very first thing we have to do is to “Know Self”. Knowing self means knowing my strengths, my areas of improvement, my competencies and constantly exploring and testing myself in new areas to become aware of our capabilities not yet known to me.

After this, I have to decide, where I wish to take my life; which means deciding my goals and direction of life. I keep asking in my workshops the question “ Whether you will go ,where life takes you ,or you will take your life, where you wish to take it.” The adults take time to respond but youth & children immediately say “Will take it, where I wish to take it.” Working with them makes me happy and look for hope and future, which they have in abundance. Contrary to it adults mostly have past and regrets and they often talk about these. However, giving a direction to life and setting goals will mean taking ownership of life, ownership of myself , responsibility of my actions and subsequently for the results of these actions instead of placing onus on luck, circumstances or others.
The final step is living the journey of life and taking it with passion, energy and enthusiasm and utilizing every moment, every ounce of energy and investing these happily in pursuit of my life’s goals.

pursuit of fulfillment

Have been rather happily engaged with a project near Mumbai on transformation of work culture since July'09.Have been travelling intensively and had many happy experiences.A lot of water has flown and have to catch up to summarize and post on blog all these.

Meanwhile,while travelling from Mumbai to Allahabad by train,my new book is conceived. The title is " Light the Lamp Within-99 ways to build and live a beautiful,fulfilling and successful Life".My workshops with children are titled as"Light the Lamp Within"and so am writing the book mainly keeping my friends, both youth and children, who might find some value in it.

As suggested by my son Rohit,who was excited by the idea and motivated me to go ahead,every chapter will be one pager and will appear on my blog having frequency of one per week.This is being done to seek suggestions, comments and value addition by viewers of this blog.Will positively appreciate such contribution and will also acknowledge the same in the book.

The inspiration of book is drawn from a friend ,who has been instrumental in persuading and motivating me to this journey with young friends and will be value added to by a senior educationist.
But, I look forward a lot to my young and teenager friends,who have been at my workshops for making the book meaningful by their value addition and sharing of experiences.Am sure they will make me happy.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Relationships

Some family health issues kept me diverted to taking care and investing in relationships. The trying times gave a lot of learning. Understood little deeper the impact of relationships in life, the challenge of going through trying times, the support system provided by the relationships you build and many more. Also got insight into how health care organizations function ,how little importance is given to really critical human resource ,how a casual approach can create disturbance, how expectations result in frustrations on one hand ,while how on the other hand commitment and sincerity is exhibited in unlikely places and how anything done in life with selfless motive pays back and people, whom you have not even met, help you in crisis.
Remembered the 12 attributes of happiness of which optimism is one and is described as " Greater the pain,Greater the learning" ( Dan Baker in his book " What happy people know?") . SO TRUE!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

lessons of life

Since last post, have been with the boys section of sathya sai school and learnt quite a few things. Understood that have to work hard on self and catch up with this generation fast to make friends with them.

Also the life transformation project at an orgaization near Mumbai is keeping me happily engaged.Have to share a lot of learnings .

Thursday, August 13, 2009


Again this year, we had Light the Lamp Within workshops with Class VIII friends of Sathya Sai Vidhya Vihar, Indore from 23rd to 29th July.Lots of learning and insights for me .
When asked what are the qualities they liked in their friends, the responses were: helpful, caring, sharing, kind, loving, makes me happy, optimistic, truthful, friendly, creative, humorous, active, sporting, cool minded ,supportive, encouraging, sensitive, smiling,patient, trust worthy, listens, understands etc. Similarly their response of traits not being liked by them in some of their classmates were: anger, rude, irritating, boosting, boring, egoistic, disturbing, serious, dominating, liar, negative minded etc. This gave very useful insight to all of us as to what qualities we should have and what traits we must improve upon ,if we want lots of friends in life.
Similarly, their response to a question as to what we can learn from school,which can be of value for our entire life were: good values, manners, discipline, sportsmanship, public speaking, respecting all religions, confidence building by participation, personality development, relationship building, meditation, optimism, co-operation, compassion, team work etc. Lot of learning for all of us.
Loving and inspiring feedback was received advising and motivating me to continue these workshops. Everyone committed to work for self development, living life and being happy and making everyone happy. Interestingly ,when asked to commit to leave a habit "anger" was most common. Also LOVE again scored highest as expectation from parents. Even if they are receiving it, may be they want more expression of same and small actions to reinforce this feeling.
Surprisingly, when few of the friends were not able to fully co-operate few times and I kept on requesting them to do so, the feedback of many of their classmates was with advice to me to be more strict and discipline such friends. An interesting comment was "Today's generation needs punishment and uncle should at least scold the children". Another one was " You can be a little strict so that other children do not repeat the same mistake, which was done by us."Am amused by such simple but powerful messages, though am grateful for the advice but apologise to my sweet friends that it is difficult to follow this advice.
However, my faith in these young friends , got immensely boosted by love, affection ,positive response and overwhelming support to the workshop. Thanks to all of them.






Thursday, July 30, 2009

Experiences of great value

Just finished having workshops with three lively groups of class VIII friends of Sathya Sai School.Lots of happiness, new insights, photos and memorable experiences to be shared ,when am back from Mumbai assignment in second week.

Monday, July 20, 2009

More Happiness






















Had some very happy time with new friends at NTPC at their Power Management Institute, Noida and of NHPC at Fridabad at a resort. Suddenly found in the participants a lot of enthusiasm, energy and passion and love. Everyone participated wholeheartedly and enjoyed s much so that at Faridabad on second day, we had even tears overflowing at the thought of separation. When we are in teens, we are able to relate to each other and everyone so deeply ,then why it is that we start losing this quality, thereby living sometimes a life not really making us full and happy.
Thinking about all the sweet memories of great time, I had with these young friends all in teenage, become happy and fulfilled.













Saturday, June 6, 2009

Sharing means Caring



















My LTL friend Ms Shreya Kulkarni has again sent very valuable messages given above. Teenagers ,when a desire is kindled, find ways to reinforce positive attitude.










Thursday, April 30, 2009

World as perceived by a teenager





THE WORLD AS I SEE IT

Scurrying by, to and fro,
Nowhere yet everywhere we must go.
Not looking at the world around,
No music emanating from the harsh sound.
A cacophony of sorts-pinching the mind,
Life has been thrown into a vicious grind.
We know not our destination,
But want to race-procrastination.
The paths wind,unwind, twist and twirl,
The folds of life silently unfurl.
But we are too busy to watch,
All the moments-the awesome feats we notch.
“I’m a loser” some keep saying,
Without their potential, weighing.
“I’m a matchless genius” some quip,
Beware! Putting on airs can rip:

Your destiny and course of life,
To give way to hunger and ceaseless strife.
Slow and steady yet sharp and smart,
Slowly move the spokes of the wheel of life’s cart.
So must we,stride to stride,
Not letting there appear a gap so wide;
That we cannot come through,

Our nightmares become true.
Ah! Let that fateful moment never arrive,

Let us, for prosperity, strive.
Running for jobs-here and there,
Unanswered- who?when?where?
Helter-skelter,rolling along,
A drab scruffy sound-no music, no song.
A sigh of relief-not allowed,
Only the bustle and flurry-long and loud!
The sand rising with tapping feet,
Not for tap dance or a treat;
But to trample on others who dare to rise,
Who dare to deny ill-gotten prize.
Heedless rush to win, God knows what!
Just toil,rush,toil and rot.
The calmness of the breeze,
The ice and cold freeze.
The meandering streams,
The glow and glitter of sunbeams.
The aroma of damp clay,
So much to savour- and we simply flay.
Think of life-clear and sweet,
A smiling charm for you to greet.
Think of a mind-cool and simple,
Who cares for warts or a pimple!
Think of nothing to worry about,
Think of being friendly with all the rout.
Think, for once, just think…
Let the thought, in your mind sink.
Think… think of you,me and the Earth,
Think of joy,sorrow,gloom or mirth.
Shake and stir that brain of yours,
Think of life, fiction or folklore.
Once you think enough, you’ll simply stare,
And you will have found answers to-who?when?where?

-Anujaya Krishna

( I am a proud grandfather of this sweet teenager)

Sunday, April 26, 2009

What is that we value?

My son Rohit sent me this poem-

SMART

My dad gave me one dollar bill, 'Cause I'm his smartest son,
And I swapped it for two shiny quarters, 'Cause two is more than one!


And then i took the quarters And traded them to Lou For three dimes


i guess he don't know that three is m0re than two!


Just them, along came old blind Bates And just 'cause he can't see


He gave me four nickels for my three dimes, And four is more than three!


And i took the nickels to Hiram Coombs Down at the seed-feed store, and the fool gave me five pennies for them,


And five is more than four!


And then i went and showed my dad, and he go red in the cheeks And closed his eyes and shook his head- Too proud of me to speak!



-
Shel Silverstein

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Life as a Basketball Game


My LTL friend Ishita Garg sent me her poem,which is so motivating and hence took her permission to post on blog-



"There is a basket, my ball has to reach.
No matter how high ,it is in the sky
Every time ,when I attempt to score
I throw the ball ,with a mighty force
The ball hits the ring, and falls back again.
And I am left to try, and do the same again
The basket in the sky, sways and swings
As if teasing me ,of the blowing wind
I smile at it ,and ask her to wait
The next time I come ,she will have her bait
The next day ,I was back
With a steady mind ,ready to attack
I gave her my salute ,before I could start
And then after gathering ,all my power
I shot the ball ,up in the air
And saw it ,reach there
There in the basket ,I had made the score
With nothing left ,but happiness to store......"











Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Children live in present


Am following a blog "etc." on parenting. In the recent post the author has described how a 4yr old child meets a stranger child in a park and then play together on their own. The post talked of adults inculcating this quality of children of becoming friendly with people in first meeting.

Was thinking as to why adults find it difficult, which children do so easily?

Some reasons, which came to my mind are-
-We as adults keep losing our selflessness ,which was readily available with us in childhood
-Adults live in past mostly having regrets for things not done or worry about uncertainties of future. Children live in the present moment and so are always happier, friendly and cheerful.
- Adults generally remember,what they should forget and forget, what they should remember.Thus building new relationships and maintaining existing relationships is not easy for them. Children are outgoing and value love so find it easy to build new relationships .They also forget and forgive easily and thus are able to maintain existing relationships.

Each one of us has a child in our hearts and we have to be in touch with him to be childlike.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Life as seen by a young poetess




My co-facilitator of children workshops and herself a teenager Neha pens down her thoughts on Life-





Life is about journeys......... Paths you might have never tread
Life is about failures & victories which before, you've never had

Life is but a mosaic of emotions Some felt, some hidden deep down below.

Life is like the blues of water, Deep at times , & at times....shallow!


Life is but a flamboyance of subtle times, Some nostalgic & others most cherishing remembrances.

Life is but like the beautiful hues of rainbow With the vigor of pastels & quiet of white traces.


Life is like a dream in deep slumber, Kaleidoscope of belongings & heart's desires....

Life is like the love of the fair maiden, with the soothe of ice & passion of fire

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Life is a Challenge, Meet it.

Common teenage challenges


A friend of ours, a noted educationist, has listed following challenges for teenage parenting-
Bullying and your child
Confidence building
Moods, stress and depression
Your child’s behavior
Communication with your child
Handling failure
School holidays
Your child and homework
Growing independence
Your communication with your child.

However, going through the list and meeting children of today, may be these are challenges for all parents having school going children of any age.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Friends Care and Share








The beautiful concepts were shared by Ms Shreya Kulkarni, a teenager participant from LTL workshop. Isn't it amazing that she is so aware and so thoughtful ?

Friday, March 13, 2009

Children of English Medium School, SHIRDI
Remaining Connected
Just the other day my cell rang up. Before, I could take up the call, the call got disconnected. The calling number was not familiar but I called the same. I identified myself and asked for the identity of other person. "I am your student, Jairam . How are you”. I said “ Happy . Are you speaking from Shirdi”? He said “yes. You taught us”. I asked “ What did you learn” . Jairam said “ To be happy .We remember you. When are you coming again?” I replied “ whenever I will come, will call you up”.
Have interacted with now at least more than thousand children but here was the one who was with me for ten hours only and made me feel that the connectivity happens even in a group of 60 children, with someone, who was a simple and affectionate soul. What adults find difficult to do, children just do it.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Expressions



LIVE IT YOUR WAY

When I don’t feel like talking
I want to cry out all my feelings
Cause there is no one to share with
So I just calm myself and breathe
Thinking I have exhaled all the bad
But the truth is that I still have it inside
If not full but a bit at least a part of it
Which troubles me pinches me, drives me mad
I am unable to understand the hell will I do of that
I want to shout it out aloud
So I could explain the crowd
That I have done nothing wrong
And if I have then point out
They should understand the way I feel
I am nothing more but just a teen
But then a voice I relish the most
That voice of my heart tells me be bold
It’s your life
You have to know and believe it also
Where you are the actor
Your heart director
And if you talk of people around
They are just the co-actors
So rule over it and live it your way
Cause in the end it’s the good in you, which is going to stay…………


(a poem received from one of my little friends from LTL workshop)
This shows the creativity in them ,which when nurtured and encouraged can make the world a better place to live.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Treat me as responsible person


Recently had revisiting sessions with LTL friends from Sathya Sai School.Since we met after four months,there was lot of excitement,happy mornings and murmurings.Finally they started chatting with each other and this became a bottleneck to proceeding with the agenda.Tried everything without success.Finally requested and they responded positively.This validated the truth that teenagers are growing up and if they are treated as responsible persons,there are more chances of soliciting their desired response.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Are children so different or our experience with them is different?

Had three interesting workshops with children, one for NHPC Faridabad, one for Billabong School Bhopal and third one for English medium school at Shirdi. Yes, the composition of groups were different. ,At Faridabad ranging from 10to 19 studying from class VI to even a student of engineering, at Bhopal children of class VI&VII and at Shirdi all of them were from class IX.
My experience with each group was also very different. At Fridabad , response was beautiful ,at Bhopal it was mixed and at Shirdi it was memorable. The children at Fridabad did learning and masti both, at Bhopal maximum learning was through masti and at Shirdi it was learning with love and love alone.
Trying hard to avoid labelling of children-as for me children are children only- I introspected and realized that it was me, who was different with every group. My own paradigms, my own perceptions probably made me behave and experience differently.
Insights obtained are listed below-
-Children exposed to technology and environment feel very confident about themselves but in the process are less committed to values except those whose parents are making very conscious attempts to reinforce these. On the other hand children less exposed to technology and environment are very committed to value systems and core component of their personality is very strong.
-There is a greater urge to learn about life and to get success in those staying in smaller towns.
-Competition is a strong feeling nurtured by children in bigger cities and collaboration is still the strong point of children of smaller cities.
-Love and affection are very firmly in place in children of smaller cities and children in bigger cities are very practical about these. However, from parents love is a common expectation of all children.
-Children start behaving as adults sooner in the big cities.
The observations are to be validated by more data in times to come.