Lip service

The Latin phrase, ‘Acta non verba’ means ‘Deeds, not words’. It is used to make it clear that you don't kindly suffer those whose behavior doesn't match their words. It is an easy way to make it clear that you won't stand for lip service.

Lip service is ‘something proffered but not performed, service with the lips only. It is an insincere profession of good will. Offshoot terms in same sense was ‘lip-labour’, ‘lip-wisdom’ (the wisdom of those who do not practice what they preach), ‘lip-religion’, ‘lip-devotion’ (prayer without genuine faith or desire) and ‘lip-comfort’.

The term ‘lip service’ is first recorded in ‘A treatise against witchcraft’ by Henry Holland. The second instance is found in ‘A Saint or a Brute. The Certain Necessity and Excellency of Holiness’, by Richard Baxter. In the Introduction, he quotes Jesus from Gospel of Matthew: ‘This people draweth near me with their lips, but in their hearts are far from me’

It is deeds that truly reflect true intentions and convictions. Mere statements mean nothing if not backed by aligned actions. Often people agree and concur but they may not walk the talk. It is clear hypocrisy of refusal to practice what we preach. We must keep away from the pretence of lip service.

Walk the way about what you say…

Lip service is integrity gone astray!

- Pravin K Sabnis

Parity

 Today in 1973, an unique battle took place on the tennis court… the Battle of the sexes! An advocate for gender equality for women from a young age, Billie Jean King accepted a challenge to play a match against former number 1-ranked tennis player Bobby Riggs.

 Riggs, a top men’s player in the 1930s and 40s, was now a 55-year-old self-described hustler and male chauvinist. He claimed the women’s game was so inferior to the men’s game that even someone as old as he was could beat the current top female players. He challenged and defeated Margaret Court 6–2, 6–1.

 Billie Jean had previously rejected challenges from Riggs but accepted his challenge and beat him in straight sets, 6–4, 6–3, 6–3, and earned the winner-take-all prize of $100,000. In doing so, she launched her fight for parity into the worldwide limelight.

 Parity is the quality or state of being equal or equivalent. Women have fought and continue to fight for parity with men in the workplace and elsewhere. The Battle for Parity await the deniers as well as the aspirants. And it must be fought to dispel the unfair disparity.

 For our world to overcome disparity

Get set ready for the Battle of Parity!

 - Pravin K Sabnis

 

Pretext

Pedro visited his friend in the village for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. He was aware that the road was all broken, but he did not want to break his commitment to the annual visit. His friend was happy to see him but he said, ‘I would have understood your reason if you were not to make it like the many others who did not come due to the bad roads!’

Pedro retorted, ‘No! You do not understand! Announce a big party next week and see how many avoid it due to bad roads. Those who do not come for the lucrative occasion are consistent in their reason, the rest are just offering a pretext!’

 A pretext is an excuse to do something or say something that is not the real reason. Pretexts may be based on a half-truth or developed in the context of a misleading fabrication. Pretexts have been used to conceal the true purpose or rationale behind actions or words. Pretexts are exposed when motive or purpose is changed.

 It is pertinent to note that pretext is a false, contrived, or assumed purpose or reason; a pretense. Pretense is a more overt act intended to conceal personal feelings. While pretext is often used to hide the truth, pretense is commonly used to stretch the truth. When we use a pretext, we delude ourselves into a position that cannot be stuck to.

 Remember commitment is the real context

Let go of the pretense, let go of the pretext!

 - Pravin K Sabnis

 

Educating

‘Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel’- Socrates

Our personalities are moulded by valuable lessons that we learn from various educators. These include parents, formal teachers at school, skill teachers who teach music, sports, as well as peers and even students. But the roles of parenting, educating and mentoring generally come into two types.

Many see the role as one that moulds the personality, akin to a potter shaping a lump of clay into a magnificent creation. However, each child is a living being with infinite potential and is a future tree waiting to grow and bloom. Hence effective educators choose to be gardeners to the seed of potential that lies in the learner.

While the potter breathes life into dead clay, the gardener has to take care about not stifling the very life of the seed. In their professions, the potter and the gardener assume appropriate roles. However in educating, gardener’s approach can shape a personality and script a destiny, potter’s path can result in tragedy or cause a mutiny.

However, the role of a gardener is not as easy as it looks. It requires us to be better at tolerance, facilitation, allowing space and empowering the learner’s right to make a choice. William Arthur Ward said it so well: that ‘a mediocre teacher tells, a good teacher explains, a superior teacher demonstrates and a great teacher inspires!’

Heed the need of the worthy role of educating

The learner is a seed nurtured like gardening!

- Pravin K Sabnis