Your priorities your journey

Human mind is very powerful and can do wonders. This differentiates us from all other organisms. However we very quickly succumb to thoughts like 

• What others have that I don't?
• How better someone else is doing than me
• How much happier someone is than me
• How tough is my life than theirs
• How much more does someone have than me

The list can go on and we happily get trapped into this never ending vicious cycle.

What we forget is that as individuals our journey is unique, based on

• What stage and state in life we are in
• What we wanted to do in life
• What opportunity we got based on circumstances at hand
• What makes us happy

It is naive to model your life with someone else and regret when it does not simulate as we wanted.

Having experienced several peaks and troughs throughout my life, I have realized and believe in the following. This may or may not resonate with your experiences and which is perfectly normal. After all we are different :)

1. Focus on your priorities - What is key for me may not be yours. One needs to be internally at peace when addressing priorities. Priorities change with time and so your choices may also need to be aligned accordingly. Understanding your priorities is key to happiness - inside out.

2. You are your biggest competition - We have all it takes to make a difference in the work we do or assigned to us. We may or may not know how to do the same, but it is our zeal, persistent effort, striving for excellence that makes us better. When we compete against ourselves we improve and grow as a stronger and mature individual. 

3. Learn from your mistakes and observing others - Life teaches you lessons everyday and there is no better way to learn from mistakes. As long as we understand not to repeat the same.

Sometime it is even better to observe and learn from other's experience and mistakes, avoiding the need to fail.

Failures should also be looked as an opportunity to learn and not a dent in your career or life.

4. Being strong and benevolent - When life or situation put you in a difficult situation, it is key to be strong and face the situation head-on.

Being benevolent is a key asset as it keeps you calm, level headed and focused. You need this the most when you are successful and patience when you have nothing.

Finally the most important thought

5. Being happy - This is key, come what may be the situation. A glimpse to my blog earlier will give you some insight.

Being Happy and Why

We are individuals who have likes and dislikes, choices and wishes. These manifest emotions and key is to balance our priorities, emotions and desires.

Would love to hear from you all :)

A lifeline we often take for granted - WATER

Isn't it true that most of us find pleasure and happiness in accumulating wealth? It could be money, jewels, real estate, investments, expensive cars etc. Nothing wrong with it, everyone has their own happiness quotient.

What about clean drinking water or pollution free air or reliable source of electricity? Well most of us just don't realize the significance of these critical lifelines. Imagine a day when you have no water to drink, your home is out of electricity and the air you are trying to  breath causes more suffocation. Will the wealth help you in anyway? Possibly not.

According to World Bank, population and economic growth have placed unprecedented pressures on water resources. The following are some startling points to ponder:-

1. With current population growth and water management practices, the world will face a 40% shortfall between forecast demand and available supply of water by 2030.
2. The world will need more water for energy generation, over 1.3 billion people still lack access to electricity.
3. Groundwater is being depleted at a rate faster than it is being replenished. By 2025, about 1.8 billion people will be living in regions or countries with absolute water scarcity.

This can be scary. 


WHO has created this very interesting perspective of the Maslow's hierarchy. I think, this is something that needs to be analyzed seriously.

It is also important to know how much of this precious commodity we need on a daily basis.

Population growth in major economies are creating a lot of stress on this resource and the situation seems to be getting bleak unless we take some serious steps to conserve the same.

The rate of consumption versus replenishment could go for a toss in the next decade.

The last super cyclone which hit the eastern seaboard rang big alarm bells. With howling wind speed of more than 175 kms/hour, power lines, trees, homes, infrastructure were severely damaged. Bustling cities and towns with regular water supply and electricity went dark for weeks.

Wealth in a flash meant nothing and everyone wanted some clean water to drink and cook, electricity to bring back their lives to normal.

Today large cities like Chennai, Bangalore etc. have daunting challenge to meet the basic need for their residents - clean and reliable source of water. 

We all need to wake up and realize that it is our job to conserve and use this commodity with utmost care. Let's realize this is the most precious commodity and can be responsible for our extinction.

Conservation starts with me and not anyone else.

Imperfect in many ways - yet PERFECT - INDIA

A civilization which is as ancient as 2600 BC, a country that has weathered invasion from Persian, Turks, Arabs, Portuguese, British and many more for centuries, a country where an unique amalgamation of religious coexistence, a country with numerous languages and dialects can have imperfections when someone looks from outside. This is our country India or Bharat or Hindustan. 

Home to more than one sixth of world population, largest democracy where more Muslims stay than any Muslim country, only other country outside Iran where Parsi's live in peace is bound to have some imperfections.

Why am I talking about imperfections? Well that is because today many of us Indians don't feel proud of our heritage, traditions and culture. A country that embraced everyone who came here and never invaded anyone, gave '0' to the world of mathematics, knew about surgery and medicines centuries before the existence of the western world, finds more critics inside than the world around.


1. Young country - After centuries of colonial rule and siphoning wealth away, a seventy plus year old free country has many herculean challenges

- Rising population meaning pressure on resources
- Changing minds from being ruled to living with dignity
- Ever increasing need to create infrastructure and opportunities

2. Nation first - Our freedom fighters left everything and even gave their ultimate sacrifice to see a free tomorrow. The love and respect for the country should be unconditional. Something which we are forgetting and need to learn from the west

3. Equality and social structure - Century old social structure and systems are not easy to change. Equal opportunity and undivided society (not based on caste, religion, creed etc.) is the need of today and tomorrow. 

Imperfections are opportunities to make things better. What we need to ask ourselves are

1. Am I willing to be a hard working, honest and tolerant person no matter who else is joining me?
2. Am I willing to respect public and nation's property irrespective of who cares or not?
3. Am I willing to keep my place and area clean no matter what?

It starts with me and this is the movement that will transform this great nation to newer and brighter tomorrow.

Nothing is perfect and so is a nation. It is constantly changing. Let's look at the great things that our country has to offer. As India celebrates its 70th Republic day this quote from John F. Kennedy's inaugural address is just apt, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,”

Travel Diaries - Kingdom of Happiness - Bhutan

Bhutan also known as the land of the Thunder Dragon was on my bucket list of places to visit for two very different reasons which somewhere echoes with my views

1. A country which gives a higher importance to Gross National Happiness than GDP
2. A country that cares for nature, grows 100% organic food and is Carbon Negative

Bhu-othan (if in some sense this can be broken - Bhu meaning land and othan/uthan - meaning elevation), this land locked mountain nation sits beneath the lap of the himalayas to the north eastern part of India. A country which barely has a population of 800,000 follows a constitutional monarchy. Being a dominant Bhuddhist country, religion and consititution execution are both unified by the King of Bhutan.

Paro is the main gateway to Bhutan via air and it takes seasoned pilots to land in the world most difficult/scariest airport. Towering cliffs and steap turns along the valleys makes this a bumpy ride into the Paro valley. The fresh burst of clean air and flowing Paro Chuu (Paro river) instantly connects you to this land.

 

Clockwise - Paro airport terminal, runway, inside the terminal, Paro Chhu and Druk Air

Thimpu, capital of Bhutan also boasts of the world tallest Shakyamuni Buddha statue made of bronze sitting at 51.5 meters tall. The view of the valley from the hill can take your breath away.

Clockwise - Parliament and Admin buildings, Shakyamuni Buddha, Stupa at the entrance, Buddha, Thimpu valley below, beautiful statues around the huge courtyard

Nestled between the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu (rivers), Punakha Dzong is the second oldest and largest dzong in Bhutan. This majestic structure amongst many temples also has the sacred remains of Ngawang Namgyal aka Zhabdrung Rinpoche (the unifier of Bhutan). Bhutan has many Dzongs located across the country (which are fortress) and this is one of the most beautiful.

On the way to Punakha, one cannot get over the magestic views from the Dochula pass. On a clear day you see 10 tall peaks of the Himalayas (in Bhutan). The pass is located at an elevation of 3,100 metres and has 100 stupas that give the pass an artistic touch.

A few glimpses of the Punakha Dzong

 

Views from Dochula pass, Stupas and a small family of Yaks :)

The travel to Bhutan couldn't have been complete without being to the Taktsang (tiger's nest) Monastery. According to the legend, it is believed that Guru Rinpoche flew to this location from Tibet on the back of a flaming tigress. This place was consecrated to tame the demon. A trek upthe steep cliff from the base location was a daunting task, but the energy and enthusiasm kept us going.

Trek up Taktsang

It is just not possible to capture this mesmerizing place and its warm hospitatlity in a few pictures or words. One needs to be there and experience it.

At the end of the trip, here is what I thought

1. A country which gives a higher importance to Gross National Happiness than GDP
- The country provides free education and healthcare for all. If you need treatment available outside the country, the state has  it covered.
- Crime rate was at its lowest and sporadic issues were rare.
- Electricity and water was available to all households across the width and height of the nation.
- Monarch did not have a lavish castle nor personal jets. The emphasis was to invest the wealth back to the community and country.

The arrow mark is where the Monark stays - a lot to learn

2. A country that cares for nature, grows 100% organic food and is Carbon Negative

- The country generates 100% electricity from hydroelectric power plants.
- Exports electricity and is a huge revenue earner for the country.
- All produce in the country is organically grown. This is a nation-wide movement and they take pride in it.
- Waste recycling and reduction is key for all.
- Flora and fauna is regarded and everyone feels obliged to protect them.

This trip couldn't have been possible without the amazing team from Heavenly Bhutan (http://www.heavenlybhutan.com/). They were truly professional and made us feel at home. Kudos to Rita, Tek and Passang. We cherished each moment spent in your country and look forward to seeing more.

Until next time Tashi Delek :)

For some moments.

Bhutan Diaries - Moments captured

HOMEMAKERS - Saga of unsung heroes

Taking care of kids, doing dishes, washing clothes, cleaning the home, cooking meals, mending among countless other chores seems like work that should be immediately outsourced. These are not what most of us would not like to do on a daily basis? Wait, what about doing these with a smile and not feeling tired and complaining? Oh not done yet! you will not be remunerated for this?

This is what millions of women worldwide do everyday. I am referring to all the moms, wives, sisters, friends - Homemakers.

Many may say, so what is new? General response - they are housewives (I don't like this word personally) and that is their job. Put yourself in their shoes and just do this for one week. I am sure you will never complain in life again.

We forget and possibly never realize that their sacrifice, effort and ability to juggle multiple tasks turns a house to a home. We seldom remember that they are equally if not more talented than you and me, could have walked out to do a corporate job and left the chores to someone. They made a choice (may be in some cases did not have an option) and took care of the nest where you and I want to come back and feel loved.

Will anything change? Can we make a difference? Yes and yes we can


1. Respect - The least we could do is respect them and their sacrifice. Kind words with some love goes a long way. An acknowledgement of the work done always motivates. This BTW also applies to corporate work and life.

2. Involve - They may not be responsible for the financial needs of a family, but they are responsible for optimally running your finances and reducing cost. Involving and making them a part of home decision making process gives them a sense of pride. You will be shocked to see how many great ideas gets generated.

3. Patience - How often do you get frustrated with work and life at our workplace? Yes we all have our days. It is not easy to manage and run a home 365 days a year with nothing in return. Lending a patient ear is all that is needed to make these heroes feel heard. This helps them to get over the stress and anxiety.

4. Surprises - Try and surprise them as often you can - make the bed, cook a hearty breakfast, make a cup of tea, do something they love. We all want to be loved and pampered. Make them feel special and loved.

We remember the heroes on the border who sacrifice their lives, so that we can live free. Let's start supporting, being there for our homemakers who relentlessly work hard to make the difference in our lives. With their support we are able to reach our professional goals.

It is these unsung heroes in our lives, that have made us what we are and taught us values of life. Imagine a world where we are all free elements and did not have an anchor or fulcrum. The house would never become a home.

A big thank you to all my heroes for making me who I am today. Your sacrifice has made the difference.