INVITING ROADS

If a student, recollect the first days in college. If a teacher, rewind to the early days of the new career. If working, recall the memories of fresh employment. If in business, envision the start-up to entrepreneurship. If in an organisation, reconnect with the immediate emotions when you were inducted. If in a relationship, remember when it all began!

Early days on every path are ones of happiness and hope. The happiness is born of the recognition that the opportunity is a true privilege. The hope arises of the vision of walking the path to the dreams that beckon. We are seized by the emotion of excitement because we look forward to the new challenges, fresh experiences and varied team members we will bond with.

However, more often than not, for the most of us, when we come back to the present moment, we find that excitement missing. The reason is obvious. The road seems less inviting because we have lost sight of the original invitation that the road offered us. Tediousness has set in by the mechanical approach to plod the path but lose sight of the real invitation.

In the early days, the invite was clear in all its multiple hues: the attitude of gratitude... the sensing of opportunity... the desire to acquire fresh knowledge and skills... the passion to measure up to challenges... the resolve to better the previous best... the willingness to team up with fellow travellers. The diverse dimensions of the inviting road would unite to impact our approach.

To reclaim the same excitement, we need to see that same invite, again! Then, the same emotions will revisit bringing along the original hope and happiness... the earlier resolve and willingness... the similar passion and vision... the past positives influencing the present to progress on the path to see delight in every challenge, every load!

Reclaim the earlier dimensions of the inviting road...

‘Unite to impact’ them to see delight in every load!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Together Apart

And stand together, yet not too near together:

For the pillars of the temple stand apart

– from the prophet by Khalil Gibran

The pillars stand apart but still they support the same roof. There is space, distinctiveness, and yet there is a union and combination because they are supporting the same roof. It is pertinent to note that two pillars standing apart can carry a longer beam than if they were placed touching each other.

The feet run faster when they are not tied to each other. Two hands clap better when they move apart to come together and create the momentum for the sound of applause. Two persons find it easier to carry a big box if they hold on to separate ends. Large platforms stand on props that stand apart

It is the same for human relationships. Space is needed for each to increase the capacity of the partnership. It is necessary that one is not under the other’s shadow. Otherwise, the relationship will be restrictive in allowing each to grow and glow. Bonds turn sustainable by ensuring the required space that will nurture true togetherness.

We must understand that togetherness flourishes when partners stand together, but not too near together. They unite to impact not by their proximity, but by the resolve to permit the spaces in their togetherness. After all, the maximum possible potential of any relationship lies in the fulfilling of the potential of each partner.

It is not proximity that defines closeness...

Spaces ‘unite to impact’ togetherness!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Pile-up

I like work: it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours. I love to keep it by me: the idea of getting rid of it nearly breaks my heart.

– from ‘Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome

So often, so many of us keep staring at the ever increasing pile of things that keeps building up as we allow it too. It seems to be wedded to the place where it rests. Eventually the pile-up rises to such proportions that we seem helpless in having any control over it.

Proactive persons never permit a pile-up. They keep doing things on time, thus ensuring that many small things don’t end up contributing to a big heap of many little things that have been ignored for remedial action. It is prudent to ensure that the pile-up never happens by ensuring continuous actions to tackle even the most insignificant task.

For instance, ones who clear their desk, of tasks as well as clutter, will seldom be facing a pile-up that seems menacing. Those who regular monitor the maintenance of their vehicle will seldom have to deal with major repairs. Those who keep involving in regular actions, to tackle tasks as they spring up, will eventually see them unite to impact the defeat of the pile-up, even before it has begun.

We must take on every tiny task on timely nick...

to ‘unite to impact’ the rout of the pile-up peak!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India.

Bell the Cat

In a very famous fable by Aesop, the mice gather to come up with moves to outwit their predator - the cat. Someone makes a wise suggestion, 'Let's tie a bell to the cat so that we will be forewarned of its proximity and we can flee to safety.' Everyone applauded the innovative proposal. But an old mouse interjected, 'who will bell the cat?' Everyone looked at one another and nobody spoke.

So often, so many of us can so easily propose simple solutions to the problems facing us or others. Nevertheless, the most creative solution is useless unless it can be used. Brainstorming that does not lead to norming that ensures performing is just a thinking exercise. It is pertinent that the possibilities, of implementation of the idea, should be explored before it is seen as viable.

Each imaginative solution should be further developed to identify who, how, where and when will implement what has been imagined. The idea though crucial needs to move beyond being a plan to becoming a clear, focussed plan of action with clearly defined roles for everyone including the proposer.

Since we stray from taking ownership for the actions, we end up making sterile suggestions. It is easy to suggest the cooking of a exotic dish, but it is important to suggest only that for which we ourselves can procure ingredients. It is easy to say 'bell the cat' without seeing whether we ourselves can do it. If we can, obviously others can too.  

Not just the idea, imagine self-implementation

to ensure we ‘unite to impact’ a true solution!

                              

- Pravin K. Sabnis

Goa, India