Today is the International Day of Peace. ‘Peace’ is deemed to signify an absence of antagonism and aggression. But it also represents a broader outlook of healthy interpersonal relationships in an interdependent world. Reasons for the absence of peace are primarily selfish greed, hateful prejudice and regressive discrimination.
Various peace movements have marched to the determined chorus of the peace anthem – ‘we shall overcome’. This protest song of the US civil rights movement is believed to be derived from a hymn penned by Reverend Charles Tindley in the early 1900s. Martin Luther King used it in his oratory. Joan Baez, Bruce Springsteen and many other singers have lent voice to it. Nations across the globe have created versions in so many languages.
Indeed, it isn’t enough to sing ‘we shall overcome’. Quite often peace becomes a shifty virtue that changes with situation. The cause of peace is oft sacrificed at the altar of selfishness. We may seek peace among religious communities, and yet play antagonist to our own neighbours. We may applaud efforts towards international peace, and yet turn a blind eye when destructive development seeks to disturb the peace of our people.
All this happens as we rein in our internal resolve for peace by succumbing to materialistic pressures. To be better at connecting to true peace, we must first overcome the circle of self-centredness and look beyond to the larger perspective of peace for all. Very simply, we must overcome hate, greed and injustice of all sorts. The path to peace is filled with toil, self-doubt, seclusion and even defeat. But we shall overcome, someday!
To BE BETTER at ‘overcoming’ the war someday…
Let’s commit to the true resolve of peace today!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
DANCING
“Those move easiest who have learned to dance” - Alexander Pope
For many the thought of moving body to the sound of music may not be too exciting. It takes guts to dance, especially in front of an audience. We are afraid of making fools of ourselves. More often than not, it is about being self-conscious about our body. But, what if our body was physically challenged? Would the diffidence of dancing instinct increase?
In 1996, Ma Li lost her right arm in a car accident. She was 19 and training to be a ballerina. In 2001, she went on to win a gold medal in the national performing arts competition for the handicapped. In 2005, she met 21-year-old Zhai Xiaowein who had lost his left leg in a farming accident when he was just four. Ma Li began coaching Zhai to dance.
In 2007, the dance duo – one without an arm and the other without a leg - registered as one of the 7,000 competitors in the fourth annual Chinese modern dance competition. Their act won them a silver medal and the highest number of audience votes. The video clip of their dance is a huge inspiration for many (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLVRQCjh8c) and ample proof of why they deserved to win.
So often we look at the way we are and find reasons to be de-motivated. But Ma Li and Zhai have shown that the way to live is to come to terms with what we are and yet choose to aim high. Life is not flawless but our living can be better in connecting to a lofty mission. Our body may not be faultless, but our dance can be better and full!
to BE BETTER at surviving life’s deadlock
Let’s learn dance and pull up our socks!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
For many the thought of moving body to the sound of music may not be too exciting. It takes guts to dance, especially in front of an audience. We are afraid of making fools of ourselves. More often than not, it is about being self-conscious about our body. But, what if our body was physically challenged? Would the diffidence of dancing instinct increase?
In 1996, Ma Li lost her right arm in a car accident. She was 19 and training to be a ballerina. In 2001, she went on to win a gold medal in the national performing arts competition for the handicapped. In 2005, she met 21-year-old Zhai Xiaowein who had lost his left leg in a farming accident when he was just four. Ma Li began coaching Zhai to dance.
In 2007, the dance duo – one without an arm and the other without a leg - registered as one of the 7,000 competitors in the fourth annual Chinese modern dance competition. Their act won them a silver medal and the highest number of audience votes. The video clip of their dance is a huge inspiration for many (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLVRQCjh8c) and ample proof of why they deserved to win.
So often we look at the way we are and find reasons to be de-motivated. But Ma Li and Zhai have shown that the way to live is to come to terms with what we are and yet choose to aim high. Life is not flawless but our living can be better in connecting to a lofty mission. Our body may not be faultless, but our dance can be better and full!
to BE BETTER at surviving life’s deadlock
Let’s learn dance and pull up our socks!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
Monday, September 7, 2009
Length of the road
A young but earnest student approached a Zen master with a preliminary query, "If I work very hard and with diligence how long will it take for me to learn Zen." The Master immediately replied, "Ten years."
The student then said, "But what if I work very, very hard and really apply myself to learn fast -- How long then?" Replied the Master, "twenty years." "But, if I really, really work at it. How long then?" the student persisted. "Thirty years," replied the Master.
"But, I do not understand," said the disappointed student. "At each time that I say I will work harder, you say it will take me longer. Why do you say that?" Replied the Master," When you have one eye on the goal, you only have one eye on the path."
So often, when we seek to learn something, we keep worrying about ‘when’ we would ‘reach’ the destination, instead of focusing on the purpose of the trip. The approach to learning needs an attitude of patience. Time, it is said, seems to fly slower to the one whose main occupation is to watch its flight.
More importantly, when we are seized by the length of the road we tend to let go of the exciting experiences during the journey of learning. We subject ourselves to an additional load on our mind which results in the creation of unnecessary stress that further clouds our visibility on the learning curve. It is prudent to ponder on ‘how’ rather than on ‘when’.
To BE BETTER at learning sans the load,
May we never mind the length of the road!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
The student then said, "But what if I work very, very hard and really apply myself to learn fast -- How long then?" Replied the Master, "twenty years." "But, if I really, really work at it. How long then?" the student persisted. "Thirty years," replied the Master.
"But, I do not understand," said the disappointed student. "At each time that I say I will work harder, you say it will take me longer. Why do you say that?" Replied the Master," When you have one eye on the goal, you only have one eye on the path."
So often, when we seek to learn something, we keep worrying about ‘when’ we would ‘reach’ the destination, instead of focusing on the purpose of the trip. The approach to learning needs an attitude of patience. Time, it is said, seems to fly slower to the one whose main occupation is to watch its flight.
More importantly, when we are seized by the length of the road we tend to let go of the exciting experiences during the journey of learning. We subject ourselves to an additional load on our mind which results in the creation of unnecessary stress that further clouds our visibility on the learning curve. It is prudent to ponder on ‘how’ rather than on ‘when’.
To BE BETTER at learning sans the load,
May we never mind the length of the road!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
Monday, August 31, 2009
RESPONSIBILITY
Imagine a King stripped of his kingdom and his wealth… Imagine a dog attacking this king-turned-pauper… and NOW imagine, a passer-by greeting the king… What would we do if we were the king fleeing that fearful dog? Maybe we would not even pause to respond to the greeting. Maybe, we would curse the person for poking fun at our predicament.
It is pertinent to note that a real King, (never mind the desperate situation) would accept the greeting with grace, befitting a King! A King is not a King because he is surrounded with wealth and power. A King needs to display consistent behaviour and unswerving attitude…
This attitude is put to test in the various corridors we walk… a person responds differently to different people who might wish him, say, “Good Morning”. The response ranges from a dignified “Good Morning” to a benevolent senior… an energetic greeting to a close associate… to a blank look or an irritated snub to a person whom we abhor or dislike.
Obviously, our response does not depend on us… It depends on who stands before us and on the situation that surrounds us… Not, so for a King! The response of a true King should be independent of situation or petty thinking… Such attitude is steadfast and full of conviction and a strong sense of responsibility. It is said so well that “responsibility” is the “ability” to give the right “response” irrespective of the stimulus or the situation.
To BE BETTER at leading a glorious king-size life,
Let’s display ‘responsibility’ even when in strife!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
It is pertinent to note that a real King, (never mind the desperate situation) would accept the greeting with grace, befitting a King! A King is not a King because he is surrounded with wealth and power. A King needs to display consistent behaviour and unswerving attitude…
This attitude is put to test in the various corridors we walk… a person responds differently to different people who might wish him, say, “Good Morning”. The response ranges from a dignified “Good Morning” to a benevolent senior… an energetic greeting to a close associate… to a blank look or an irritated snub to a person whom we abhor or dislike.
Obviously, our response does not depend on us… It depends on who stands before us and on the situation that surrounds us… Not, so for a King! The response of a true King should be independent of situation or petty thinking… Such attitude is steadfast and full of conviction and a strong sense of responsibility. It is said so well that “responsibility” is the “ability” to give the right “response” irrespective of the stimulus or the situation.
To BE BETTER at leading a glorious king-size life,
Let’s display ‘responsibility’ even when in strife!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
Monday, August 17, 2009
EMPTY CUP
A young professor went to meet Nan-in to discuss Zen. The professor quizzed him on comparative philosophies and the Zen master gave some brief answers. However, when the professor began to debate with him on those answers, Nan-in stopped speaking and kept smiling at him. Eventually, the professor got angry, "I have travelled a distance just to understand the relevance of Zen. But apparently you have nothing to say."
In response, Nan-in offered tea to the professor. He kept pouring into his guest’s cup even when it was full. As the tea started spilling, the professor shouted, “the cup is full… no more tea will go in!” “Like this cup,” Nan-in said politely, “You are full of your own assumptions and presumptions. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”
It is pertinent to note that fresh learning cannot really happen until unlearning has happened. In our personal, professional and social life, we need to unlearn habits, prejudices and most importantly our “know-all-attitude” that prevents fresh learning. It is necessary to inculcate humility and an open-minded attitude in our quest to further our learning processes. Without the right attitude, it is not possible for us to acquire knowledge and skills.
It is said so well, ‘Forget learning, learn forgetting’
‘Empty the cup’ to BE BETTER at true unlearning!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
In response, Nan-in offered tea to the professor. He kept pouring into his guest’s cup even when it was full. As the tea started spilling, the professor shouted, “the cup is full… no more tea will go in!” “Like this cup,” Nan-in said politely, “You are full of your own assumptions and presumptions. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”
It is pertinent to note that fresh learning cannot really happen until unlearning has happened. In our personal, professional and social life, we need to unlearn habits, prejudices and most importantly our “know-all-attitude” that prevents fresh learning. It is necessary to inculcate humility and an open-minded attitude in our quest to further our learning processes. Without the right attitude, it is not possible for us to acquire knowledge and skills.
It is said so well, ‘Forget learning, learn forgetting’
‘Empty the cup’ to BE BETTER at true unlearning!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
Monday, August 10, 2009
BIG STONES
In the late 90s, while conducting training sessions on time management, I used to carry along a plastic jar. I would put stones, one by one, into the jar. Once the jar was filled to the top, I would ask the participants, “Is the jar full?" Obviously, not yet! Then, some gravel was put in the jar, to occupy the space between the big stones. The exercise continued with putting sand into all the spaces left between the gravel. Lastly, water was poured in until the jar was filled to the brim.
Then I would repeat the process in reverse, but in vain! Once the jar was full of water, some sand can go in but only after displacing some water… In the first scenario, nothing put in earlier was displace!! Gravel cannot go beyond the top surface of the wet sand… and as for the big stones they just won’t go in… if you use the force, either the stone will break or the jar will crack up. The natural truth this illustration teaches us is: “If you don't put the BIG STONES in first, you'll never get them in at all”.
The BIG STONES are our principal priorities in life … our individuality, our family, our friends, our physical and mental health, our dreams, our cause … Remember to put these BIG STONES in first, or you will never get them in at all. If we sweat the little stuff and fill our life with little things, then we will never have the real quality time we need to spend on our most important priorities. And of course, all your principal priorities are equally important!
Let’s hold on to the big stones in the jar of life,
May we BE BETTER at connecting to the right priorities!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
Then I would repeat the process in reverse, but in vain! Once the jar was full of water, some sand can go in but only after displacing some water… In the first scenario, nothing put in earlier was displace!! Gravel cannot go beyond the top surface of the wet sand… and as for the big stones they just won’t go in… if you use the force, either the stone will break or the jar will crack up. The natural truth this illustration teaches us is: “If you don't put the BIG STONES in first, you'll never get them in at all”.
The BIG STONES are our principal priorities in life … our individuality, our family, our friends, our physical and mental health, our dreams, our cause … Remember to put these BIG STONES in first, or you will never get them in at all. If we sweat the little stuff and fill our life with little things, then we will never have the real quality time we need to spend on our most important priorities. And of course, all your principal priorities are equally important!
Let’s hold on to the big stones in the jar of life,
May we BE BETTER at connecting to the right priorities!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
Monday, August 3, 2009
BAD WORD
Last week, a 2-day Youth Leadership Development Program - Carpe Diem - was organised by Goa Sudharop Community Development Inc. USA in collaboration with Fr Agnel College, Pilar. At the valedictory, the young chief guest, Fr Feroze Fernandes (editor – Vavradeacho Ixtt) chose to teach the students some new, modern ‘bad words’… and one such bad word was ‘good’!
Fr Feroze spoke of how the word ‘good’ as a response was not good enough! So often when asked to evaluate something, we easily say ‘good’ and more often than not it probably means ‘not bad’ or it means that we may be opting to be politely untruthful. But if we really find it to be good, we are more likely to use better superlatives like ‘great’, ‘fantastic’, ‘superb’!
But this miserliness with appropriate appreciation is not just a result of an indifferent or disinterested use of language. It reflects an attitudinal disconnect with the relevance and the consequence of positive reception towards the quality of excellence. The word, ‘Good’ symbolises a plateau… to peak, we need to ‘be better’! Hence, it will be prudent to treat ‘good’ as a bad word, and opt for more exuberance in our vocabulary and our outlook!
In every situation that surrounds us, let’s strive to ‘be better’… with every person we meet, may our behaviour be better than ‘good’… may every response of us reflect our inner resolve to shake off apathy and rise above the chains of mediocrity… may we enlivened enough and proactively provoked to BE BETTER at our deed, thought and expression!
Let’s rid our lexis of the bad word - ‘Good’… now, not later...
In every act and response, may we strive to BE BETTER!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
Fr Feroze spoke of how the word ‘good’ as a response was not good enough! So often when asked to evaluate something, we easily say ‘good’ and more often than not it probably means ‘not bad’ or it means that we may be opting to be politely untruthful. But if we really find it to be good, we are more likely to use better superlatives like ‘great’, ‘fantastic’, ‘superb’!
But this miserliness with appropriate appreciation is not just a result of an indifferent or disinterested use of language. It reflects an attitudinal disconnect with the relevance and the consequence of positive reception towards the quality of excellence. The word, ‘Good’ symbolises a plateau… to peak, we need to ‘be better’! Hence, it will be prudent to treat ‘good’ as a bad word, and opt for more exuberance in our vocabulary and our outlook!
In every situation that surrounds us, let’s strive to ‘be better’… with every person we meet, may our behaviour be better than ‘good’… may every response of us reflect our inner resolve to shake off apathy and rise above the chains of mediocrity… may we enlivened enough and proactively provoked to BE BETTER at our deed, thought and expression!
Let’s rid our lexis of the bad word - ‘Good’… now, not later...
In every act and response, may we strive to BE BETTER!
- Pravin K. Sabnis
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