learnings

I speak of two instances that happened recently. I happened to take a session on Emotional Intelligence to a group of 20-22 year olds. It was not surprising that the EQ is much lower in comparison to their age. It was surprising to hear from them that they would change in a few years time. Now I had the last laugh. When I disagreed they did not believe me. Well they would learn the hard way or maybe never. An individual's personality is set between the age of 2- 6 years. I have of course mentioned this in my earlier blogs too. This evening as I walked home I chanced upon three boys ( 7-8 years)from a neighboring slum. A truck whizzed past. Immediately one of the boys flung his school bag and ran behind the truck hoping to get a free ride. He couldn't catch up though. He returned only to scold the other two for not having picked up. He was literally bullying them and they obeyed submissively. I tried to intervene. He booed me out! I was amused. Also I foresaw a future gan...

Today my colleague and I were having a discussion on art and poetry. Suddenly it struck us that we are able to indulge in art and poetry when we are either feeling low or very happy. Mediocre state of mind brings out nothing. Well is it not the same in any sphere? Great artists, singers experience several such moments in their daily life. Typically the best work comes out then. This is because when we are melancholic or very happy we are totally absorbed in the mood and it helps us to get into a flow- a flow of poetry, art, music etc. As Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the eminent psychologist, has described such a state as 'flow'. This is a state when we are totally submerged/absorbed in an activity. How wonderful is our mind, our life! During such heightened moods we create! Mediocre life, mediocre output. Let us enjoy the highs and lows. Let us also enjoy the mediocre in between for the balance.

I often hear people complaining about the present generation. I have begun interacting with children belonging to Grades 6,7 and 8. To my lovely surprise I find them so vocal and so smart. Technology is not new to them. They are not afraid to voice their views. They have the 'accept me as I am, this is ME' attitude. I love this about them. They are so confident. I immediately recalled my school days where questioning was discouraged. I was deemed the rebel when I questioned or was vocal. I was named as the 'talkative' girl. It was a 'bad' name and I would get punished at home and school. When I became a teacher I encouraged questioning and I loved the talkative ones! I am so happy that the day has come where teachers have to pause to listen to the student. No longer do the students have to 'fear' the teacher. And the teacher who listens earns the respect.