CONSISTENT

Pedro did not like the response ‘sometimes’ or ‘most of the time’ when he expected a recurrent consistency. Pedro would use his strange but apt analogy: ‘you are either pregnant or not! There is no degree of pregnancy... You can’t be somewhat pregnant or sometimes pregnant!!!’

Last week on various social networking forums, there was indignation at suggestions to have a noise-free and pollution-free celebration of the Festival of Lights... a few friends asked why only ‘our’ traditions are being questioned... ‘What is wrong’, they demanded to know, ‘in letting go of pollution worries, and noise concerns, once in a while?’

So often, so many of us believe that exceptions must be excused. But, true character is seen in the consistency in actions, never mind the circumstance. Commitment to certain values and beliefs cannot be occasional emotions. Those who waver at certain junctures are likely to succumb at more situations. There are no degrees in consistency. We either are or we are not consistent.

We must ensure that consistency of steadfast actions unites the impact on the situation. Rather than become competitive and insist on comparative commitment, we must dedicate ourselves do progressive actions that are focussed on the common good.  

May we maintain consistency in positive actions

Let’s ‘unite to impact’ the negative situations!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Cheers!

Some people say ‘cheers’ instead of saying ‘thank you’ or ‘goodbye’. But, the most common use is to raise a toast while tipping drinking glasses. I had once asked my father the reason behind this practice. He told me that he had heard that it sought to unite the five senses. The drink was touched, seen, smelt, tasted and the sense of hearing was added by saying cheers! 

Indeed, the uniting of all five senses adds to the overall impact of the indulgence. In fact it completes the entire scope of experience. It is pertinent that we can in many ways unite to impact the activity or encounter by adding the involvement of more than one sense.

So often when we listen, we indulge in only hearing or seeing and thus are subjected to an incomplete exposure. However, if we use both, our ability to fathom the other person’s mind would be enhanced. In intimate relationships, touch will add substantially to the understanding that is necessary.

In fact, sensitive people go around using a combination of senses to empower better connections with the situation or the person facing them. They will refer to the receipts defined by these multiple senses to come to a truly balanced interpretation of the situation. They use the right permutation from uniting senses to lead to that success that can be underlined by saying ‘cheers’!

The combination of senses brings success near

Let’s ‘unite to impact’ the triumph, say Cheers!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Daan Utsav

India’s festival of giving began in 2009. The ‘Joy of Giving Week’ is celebrated across India for seven days starting 2 October – the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. To take the initiative from urban centres to across India, a name that would be understood by all, was coined - ‘Daan Utsav’. The ‘joy’ and celebration, inherent in a festival are captured in the name. 

In Goa, Amey Hegde initiated a discussion on a trainers group about being part of the Daan Utsav. Many trainers offered to train for free. People came up to support two free learning events. The one in Margao – called Udaan – is taking place today. The one in Panaji – called Rainbow – takes place today. Senior trainers like Les Menezes, Vaman Gaitonde, Atul Shah are part of the 15 trainers who will facilitate free learning.

As organisers, we experienced the real joy that comes from seeing generous support for propping up the event. In fact, big sponsorship was easily coming in. But we chose to ask for smaller contributions in terms of money. The need was to reach out to those who need the learning event most. To identify deserving participants, we needed many volunteers. And it was so easy to get enthusiastic support from social organisations as well as individuals.

The Daan Utsav confirms that people can generously give the gift of their time, only if they come together! The trainers, volunteers, social organisations as well as institutions have so easily joined hands. The united efforts have ensured the impact. This year, it is two free learning events. Next year we will reach out further across more communities on all seven days. For we have discovered the joy of giving that comes from coming together for a cause.

It is easy to experience the purpose of our living...
every time we ‘unite to impact’ the Joy of Giving!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.