learnings

All of us have an MBA- a mind bank account. So what are we putting into this bank account? We have a current account where thoughts keep flooding and hardly stay for long. The current account has thoughts on immediate work, mundane stuff and domestic chores. Let us look into our savings account. what kind of thoughts are we saving? What kind of thoughts are being harvested? These thoughts work best in our work-home relationships. Are we able to love, be kind, respect, trust ourselves and others on a daily basis? Let us look into the Fixed Deposit! These thoughts harbor on those who are closest or those who are the worst enemies. Are the thoughts here positive about ourselves and others? These thoughts will surface back with a deadly interest years later so beware. And what about our recurring deposit- these are those thoughts that keep recurring on various events and  people who impact our lives? These thoughts are normally harvested from the Savings Account. So update y...

It is with shock and outrage that I heard the news of this Malayalam actor who was molested by people known to her in the same industry. We hear of several incidents ofabuse. But why did this tear into my heart? it is because I like this actor. She is like the girl next door. Celebrities lives aren't private. We are so privy to their lives that we feel connected to them. Thankfully no stupid male has dared to comment about her work, dress, behaviour etc. When such atrocities take place, it is the comments of thoughtless selfish males in power, in the society that is most painful. Recently a politician commented that women ought to be like parked cars! They should be parked inside homes; if they come out they are bound to get scratches and dents! Imagine us having elected leaders like this! Why don't men sit inside the houses so that we can roam freely! When o when Will I be able To wear what I want Talk what I want Do what I want Roam where I want Just be myself ...

I knew this student some years ago who seemed so cold and calculating. It was very difficult for him to be empathetic. On meeting his parents and interacting with them I realized that he was merely echoing what he was learning. It is so important for us parents and teachers to be empathetic and teach our children how to be empathetic. Showing kindness, empathy and care has to be cultivated. As Parents we could : 1. Tell stories of kindness 2. Pick out stories of kindness from our daily lives 3. Expose children to old age homes and orphanages 4. Listen to our children. When they come to us with complaints about others, listen, take time to respond. Children will blame others easily. Examine, look at the situation from another perspective too. Do not jump to take sides with your child and come down upon others. 5. Be engaged with our children. 6. As a couple we need to be kind and caring to each other so that our children emulate us. As a teacher it is important to be the rol...

Often we hear that Opposites attract. It maybe so. Yet in a relationship, any relationship, it is more important to have 'like values' and a a few 'like interests'. In our daily lives it is very practical to have partners, spouses and colleagues who have values and interests (at least a few) similar to ours. For this means we can spend quality time together. This works out very effectively in marriages. A typical scenario in an urban marriage in my city is : the husband hangs out with his friends at least once a week while the wife is at home. She gets irritable by the minute. He watches cricket while she watches serials. He prefers a particular cuisine so she sacrifices her tastes. This applies to movie genre too. He likes to sleep early while she likes to read. She likes to surf the net while he works even at home so both are in different rooms. One likes to travel in a group while the other wants to travel just as a couple. Where is the conversation, the teasing, ...

This evening two of my Grade 7 came running to me and commented that I 'looked' very happy today. And this in spite of me wearing my spectacles! I grinned at them and shouted out that it was they who had made me so happy and that I loved them. The joy and glee on their faces have been captured in my mind's camera. One of them said that whenever I wear spectacles I looked and behaved serious! OOH a great feedback. well I cannot remove the 'spectacle look' but I could definitely lose the 'serious' look. On my journey back home I mused about children. They are sent off in a rush or in a stressed situation (early morning routine in every home). They come to school and right from the morning assembly to all the classes it is a series of tired and 'serious' teachers doling out advice, giving homework, checking tasks etc. They get back home only to be packed off to special classes, music/dance/karate classes. Phew. Then they turn to digital tools for e...