learnings

Throughout my life I have been sleeping late and rising late. So late that it would put anyone to shame! ( Indian housewife standards) I have been following Robin Sharma’s blogs and videos quite regularly. he speaks of the 5 am club. This is the club that all top leaders and CEOs belong to. There is a striking pattern among leaders of all ages. They are early risers. They make use of the ‘divine hours’ in planning for the day. This wisdom is ancient and one that Indians are aware of. After having watched one of Robin Sharma’s recent videos I decided I would wake up early. Somehow 5 am is daunting and scary.. Scary for what reason? Please don’t ask me.. Anyways in all good earnestness I set the alarm at 6 am on my mobile phone. I can see you smiling sarcastically! But yes 6 am is indeed early for me. I kept the mobile phone away from the bed so as to jump up from the bed and take a step or two to shut off the alarm. I woke up and followed the 20 20 20 rule. 20 minutes of exercise/ ...

I shifted house and had begun to lounge around to work with my laptop. But in lieu of my previous post Vitamin Sunshine I jumped into  crafting my standing desk once again. I pulled out the small wooden laptop table ( home made) on which I have placed the external key pad ( very economical). I placed the laptop on a small coffee table ( very economical). So now I am back to standing/ shifting on both legs to work.. Yes I do sit if I have to work longer. My time on social sites has reduced ! I am happy I am burning calories ( standing/ shifting on legs helps burn calories faster than sitting) It liberates me.. I am not tied down to a chair. I can take breaks faster and with more ease!! I realized how lazy I used to get when I was ‘sitting’. I am also aware I need to take care of varicose veins etc. Fortunately being on the wrong side of 40s my body does not hesitate to whine.. I then do pamper myself.. It is worth it..

Today I took a share auto to work. Share auto-rickshaws are a common means of public transport in my city ( Chennai). They are just more rickety and bigger than the yellow auto rickshaw. But they are far cheaper and safer. As the hot dusty air ran through my shampooed hair, a young, pregnant woman clambered in. One look at her and my heart melted. She was looking so tired, sweaty and clumsy. She was holding onto her tummy as if to protect her baby from the rough ride. Flashback : me heavily pregnant but travelling always in the cool confines of a car, looking healthy as a ripe plum! Cut to the present: I sent a thank you to the Maker for having me born to my parents and comforts. Learning : 1. To be thankful-Look at people who do not have as much as you. Result: gratitude and joy 2.To be envious-Look at people who have more than you. Result : pain and sorrow Make your choice

Often we tend to sacrifice quality for quantity. I must confess I have been there, done that!! I had purchased an electric kettle at a very nominal price in Singapore. My mother had warned me that the brand was not well known. The branded one, of course, was ten dollars more. So I blindly sacrificed the quality. Today my mother has the last laugh. Her branded kettle, that is more than a decade old is still functioning whereas mine doesn’t!  I ended up spending more on trying to get it work. Has this happened to you?

EVEN THIS WILL PASS!  We,at Chennai, are experiencing cyclone NISHA. A while ago trees were swaying wildly, the rain at its angry best and the wind at its infuriating best. Now its so calm that one wonders and blinks to confirm that all the above did happen a while ago!!! So also will life's downs give way to ups!

I met the PERSON who gave me the BEST GIFT- books! If I have tavelled into unknown realms and visited Atlantis and live in Utopia its all because of this uncle. Today if my son says he is reading books on management its because of this uncle. Today if I am kindling the passion for reading among the youth its because of this uncle.  After years I visited him for he said he was dying. With trepidation I entered his home and to my utter surprise he was as charming and witty as ever, so full of beans!!!!!!!!  He wanted a peg of rum and when I asked him why he should drink in the present condition. With a twinkle in his eye he told me,'give me one good reason why I should not? You are here and I have to celebrate!' This is a person with Parkinsons disease, severe arthiritis, cataract and a host of problems!!  He gave me the best gift when I was small, my FIRST BOOK and so many more. Today he taught me a valuable lesson- LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST, CELEBERATE LIFE!!

To reach the pinnacle.. you need to know 3 things - Persevere, Persevere, Persevere!!! A lesson I learnt today from my son. He is teaching  me to be very IT- SAVVY!!!!!!!

Two minuses make a plus. So all negative things can be made positive by our positive attitude and smart work!!!