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Recently, while attending a Hindustani Classical music program, I was mesmerized by the melody created by the artists. Both tabla (percussion) and sitar (string) artists were responding to each other, keeping pace with each other’s tempo, developing a raga through improvisation. When the vocalist joined to create a trio, he set the stage, “Hindustani Classical Music is so spontaneous, let us see where this takes us.” 

Indeed, each was masterful in his own execution, each was attending to the other’s rhythm, each added his own variation, creating a unique heterophony. They had the audience swaying to the music, in complete rapture.  They made eye contact with each other, listened, and performed as a team.  They were in alignment.

Continue reading “Alignment: Values in Sync”

Happy New Year!  As you usher in 2025, with new resolutions, a fresh perspective, and renewed energy, chomping at the bit to rush out of the gate, I invite you to pause.  Yes. Amidst the clamor of artificial intelligence, digital savvy, and external resources that make your heart race, take a moment to step back, tap into your reserve of internal resources and turn your gaze and attention to your true self.  Ask yourself if you wish to step out into the world bringing your authentic self forward, be it at home, work, or social settings. 

Continue reading “Authenticity: Your True Essence”

If you have hiked in the woods or been on a safari you may have seen a deer poised with one forefoot raised, ears upright and nose pointed towards the source of ‘sensed’ danger.  Its intuition tells it that there is a potential threat in the vicinity.  It may not have identified the menace, but it knows to be on guard and alert others in the herd as well. 

Continue reading “Intuition: The Hidden Treasure”

A ship’s captain is confident in his ability to navigate his vessel with expertise and proficiency.  He stays poised at the command deck overseeing his domain with singular self-assurance.  He is secure in his vast knowledge and years of accrued experience.  At the same time, he holds a healthy respect for the vagaries of nature and the unpredictability of the mighty ocean.  

Continue reading “Confident Humility”

I cannot count the sweaters, scarves and baby blankets I have knit over the years, when in the process I made mistakes: dropped stitches, cast on extra, replaced purl with knit, to name a few.  To undo the work meant unraveling yards of yarn.  You are left with chaotic spools of wool that you have to gather and wrap into a ball, only to knit all over again.  It is painstakingly laborious and demotivating.  You do it anyway to create a good product.  Others stare in disbelief, “You are doing what”?!     

Continue reading “Unravel, Unlearn, Rethink”

“The visible is yang and the invisible is yin”, is an astute observation by Dr. Joni Carley, author of The Alchemy of Power: Mastering the Invisible Factors of Leadership.  After highlighting the benefits of both tender self-compassion (yin) and fierce self-compassion (yang) in the previous blog, this dovetails nicely into shining the light on how one is internal and the other is external.

Continue reading “Yin and Yang of Thriving”

A swimmer steps onto the diving block aligning her feet, hips and shoulders in the direction she wants to go, positions both her feet firmly on the block, loosens her arms, leans forward and grabs the edge with her hands.  At the start signal, she pushes off with her hands and feet, bringing her arms overhead in a streamlined position with head tucked in neatly, to enter the water like an arrow. She creates a solid dive start to enter the water with as little splash as possible.   
 
Similarly, ‘tender self-compassion’ is your meticulous dive start, your spring board to action.  It prepares you to enter a challenging situation with both ease and sharp focus, creating minimal drag.  Tender self-compassion is the feminine energy ‘Yin’ that encourages you to lean into nurturing, loving, compassionate behaviors towards yourself. 

Continue reading “Self Compassion: Your Springboard to Success”

You might well ask, ‘What is all this ruckus about self-compassion?’  At first glance it may seem frivolous and self-indulgent, causing you to shrug your shoulders and dismiss it as being inconsequential.  But stay, there is substance here.
 
Self-compassion is not as light and fluffy as it seems.  It is hefty and flinty at its very core.  It is not a weakness, but a strength.  It is the foundation upon which rests our self-image, world-view, relationships, choices, endeavors to solve problems and achieve great things. 

Continue reading “Self-compassion: The steel behind it”

“Write yourself a love letter”, says Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, MD, in his crisp British accent. I almost stumbled on my walk when I heard this phrase as I listened to his book ‘Happy Mind, Happy Life: The New Science of Mental Well-being’ (2022). For many of us this might easily strike a note of skepticism.  Now consider his assertion, “the reason New Year’s resolutions don’t last is because they are not coming from a place of love, but a place of lack.”  A 2020 study highlights a strong connection between self-compassion and physical health. 

Continue reading “Self-Compassion: A powerful love potion”

An equestrian trains for months to participate in horse competitions, events such as show-jumping, dressage, or cross-country riding.  In these equine events s/he is showcasing the partnership between horse and rider.  Athletic skills requiring precision in horse’s balance and responsiveness, along with the rider’s harmonious connection and communication with the horse are practiced and polished.  The rider may enter the summer Olympics for such events. If his focus is endurance and horse racing, he might set his sights on the Kentucky Derby.
 
The ambition to achieve a specific goal drives the rider’s motivation and propels her through the grueling work of preparing and perfecting skills needed to attain that end.  The goal to win the coveted Gold Medal at the Olympics, or the Derby Trophy at the ‘Run for the Roses’ may be the grand ambition.  But what if she aspires for greater horsemanship?  What would shift?

Continue reading “Aspiration vs Ambition”