Life is too short…
Smile at your heartbreaks.
Smile with tears in your eyes
Smile for being in the present,
Smile… as everything in this world Is ANITYA
-Anuradha Velagapudi
*Anitya (Sanskrit: अनित्य) means “impermanent” or “not lasting forever.”
I visited the New Zealand Maritime Museum today and came across a beautiful Māori proverb:
KO NGĀ TAI E PARI ANA
(The Flowing Tides)
Just as the tides continually flow around Tāmaki Makaurau, so do the people continue to come and go.
This reminded me of the principle of Permanence amidst Impermanence — a central theme in many traditions.
While everything external is transient, what gives life stability and meaning are the inner constants: integrity, compassion, respect, and moral strength.
People come and go, but the great land remains strong.
When I come across the concept
'Impermanence' in one of the teaching videos of Buddhism, I immediately
remembered the famous Shahrukh Khan's song ' Har gadi badal rahi hai
roop zindagi.....'😄😄
There is a beautiful art form in Buddhism called the Sand Mandala.
It
symbolizes impermanence. Buddhists spend many days creating this sand mandala,
which represents their belief in the transient nature of material life. After
spending days or weeks meticulously creating this beautiful mandala, they will dismantle it to symbolize the impermanence of existence.
Through the concept of Buddhism, we must understand that
If the current situation is not favourable or you are going through a
rough patch, just hang on for some more time. This too shall pass.
Every moment is changing; nothing is permanent, so move on without
keeping any negativity towards anyone in life. Good days are ahead.
In the famous words of Priyanka Chopra, ‘Life is all about hills and
valleys’; nothing is permanent. Just have that beacon of hope—in every
situation, there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
(Yu) meaning “subtle” or “profound” and “玄” (gen) meaning “mystery” or “darkness”. Together, they represent a beauty or experience that is felt but is just out of the reach of complete expression.
My understanding of this Japanese concept "Yūgen":
As the word suggests, Yūgen is an experience that is inexplicable to put into words. It encompasses both a joyful feeling and a sense of mystery in a particular experience.
For example, leaders might feel yūgen when they see their team working together towards a common goal and the mysterious part lies in the profound beauty of the team’s harmonious effort and their unity.
While hiking to the mountain top, I saw beautiful meadows at an elevation of 3,500 meters above sea level. It was so mesmerizing, having an incredible experience while at the same time making me wonder about the mystery of nature and its wilderness.
Nelson Mandela, lovingly called Madiba by the people, spent 27 years in Robben Island prison, located off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. It was uncertain whether he would ever come out alive. However, he proved to the world that HOPE is a powerful and irreplaceable weapon.
While reading about Nelson Mandela, I learnt two very important lessons.
HOPE: He never lost hope that better days were ahead for South Africa. Keeping this hope alive for such a long time, especially while being in prison for 27 years, is unimaginable. Truly inspirational.
SECRET WEAPON: Language as a bridge to Unity
I was so intrigued knowing that Nelson Mandela secretly studied Afrikaans, the language of his oppressors while in prison and he used this skill upon his release to build bridges and foster unity.
From prisoner to President, his journey exemplifies the power of forgiveness and unity in bringing about transformative change. An Incredible human being.
Yet another incredible story on 'Leadership'
The passerby asked the leader why he isn’t helping his team. The leader just said that he is in charge and tells his people what to do.
The man decided to pitch in and help the soldiers dig until the trench was finished. After that, he approached the commander on foot and told him that the next time their rank prevents them from supporting his men, he should notify the top command – and that he will give a permanent solution to it.
The section leader then realized that the person he was talking to was none other than the historical figure, General Washington.
The learning from this story is to adopt a progressive mindset instead of being attached to being in charge.
Source of the story: https://inspirationalife.com/
I came across a fine example of Resilient Leadership through the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton's Expedition to the South Pole.
What an incredible story of leadership!
In a nutshell, about 110 years ago, Sir Ernest Shackleton started his expedition in the year 1914 from the coast of the Weddell Sea, traversing the South Pole and ending up at the Ross Sea. His aim to cross Antarctica was halted due to the sinking of his ship 'Endurance'.
Despite the dire circumstances, Shackleton and his crew survived by camping on the ice and eventually reaching Elephant Island. Shackleton then led a small group on an 800-mile journey in a lifeboat to South Georgia to seek help. All 27 men crew got trapped for 1.5 years on Ice and remarkably were rescued without any loss of life.
Shackleton’s leadership and the crew’s resilience have made this story a legendary tale of survival and determination.
Ernest Shackleton’s leadership during the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition is a powerful example of resilience. Here are some key points on resilience leadership inspired by Shackleton:
Optimism in Adversity: Shackleton maintained a positive outlook even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. His optimism helped keep his crew’s morale high.
Adaptability: When the Endurance was trapped and eventually crushed by ice, Shackleton quickly adapted his plans. He shifted focus from the original mission to ensuring the survival of his crew.
Decisive Action: Shackleton made tough decisions swiftly, such as abandoning the ship and setting up camp on the ice. His decisiveness prevented panic and provided clear direction
Empathy and Compassion: Shackleton was deeply concerned about the well-being of his men. He ensured they were well-fed, kept spirits high, and addressed their individual needs
Leading by Example: Shackleton led from the front, sharing in the hardships and working alongside his men. This earned their respect and trust
Persistence: Despite numerous setbacks, Shackleton never gave up. His persistence in the face of adversity was crucial in keeping the team motivated and focused on survival
Effective Communication: Shackleton kept open lines of communication with his crew, ensuring everyone was informed and involved in decision-making processes
Resourcefulness: Shackleton made the best use of available resources, whether it was rationing food or improvising equipment, to ensure the crew’s survival
These points highlight how Shackleton’s resilience and leadership were instrumental in overcoming extreme challenges and ensuring the safety of his entire crew.
I am truly inspired by his unbelievable resilience!
Source:Leadership Lessons From the Shackleton Expedition - The New York Times (nytimes.com)
I must say the most beautiful place in India is visiting and experiencing the mountain villages in Uttarakhand, INDIA.
This June, we explored mountain villages, lush green forests, and meadows. After passing through all these, we caught a glimpse of the stunning Garhwal Himalayas.
Akshaj and Mohisha enjoyed the trek, plucking and eating wild strawberries and jamuns, and drinking water from the Jharnas of the Ganga River along the way. Meeting villagers and listening to their wonderful stories added to the experience.
“It was never between you and them anyway,” emphasizes the importance of staying true to yourself and to your higher purpose, even when others may not understand or support it.
Today, my early morning inspiration is the lyrics of this song which intrigued me and motivated me to be myself, no matter what the world says or thinks about me.
Wonderful lines of Alessia Cara’s song ‘ Scars to your beautiful’
“There's a hope that's waiting for you in the darkYou should know you're beautiful just the way you areAnd you don't have to change a thingThe world could change its heartNo scars to your beautifulWe're stars and we're beautiful”
Beacon of Hope😊🌞
“HOPE is the breath of life that keeps us going when everything else fails.”
“Let the light of hope guide you in the darkest of moments.”
During a summer day in an industrial town in India, Augustya, a manager in an Automobile MNC, received an unexpected email from his evening college. In his late 30s, a mechanical engineer by profession, Augustya pursued an MBA in Business Management to fulfill his ambitions, attending evening classes at a reputed local college.
The email, marked to his close friend and batchmate Ehsaan Mallik, was from the Director of the Strategy and Business department. With vague details, the email requested a meeting at 11:00 am the next day. Confused, Augustya called Ehsaan, but neither of them had any information.
The following morning, Augustya and Ehsaan arrived at the college to meet Professor Radhemohan. Without delay, the professor presented their term exam copies with an open page featuring a Harvard case study on an ordinance factory in India.
Pointing out the identical answers, Professor Radhemohan suggested that Augustya confess and implicate Ehsaan, offering a 10% penalty and failure for Ehsaan as an escape. Stressed, Augustya recalled a similar scenario from the Academy Award-winning film "Scent of a Woman" where Al Pacino's character defends a student's integrity.
Remembering the impassioned monologue, Augustya decided not to betray Ehsaan. Instead, he asserted his innocence and refused to confirm Ehsaan's involvement. Sensing the situation, Ehsaan confessed to cheating without Augustya's knowledge.
Augustya accepted a 10% penalty, and Ehsaan faced a 50% penalty. Despite this, their friendship endured, showcasing the strength of their bond. This real story illustrates a logical decision-making process while upholding integrity. Your thoughts and comments are welcome!
The transcript of the movie were as follows ---
Slade:No, I'm just gettin' warmed up. I don't know who went to this place, William Howard Taft, William Jennings Bryan, William Tell -- whoever. Their spirit is dead -- if they ever had one -- it's gone. You're building a rat ship here. A vessel for sea goin' snitches. And if you think you're preparing these minnows for manhood you better think again. Because I say you are killing the very spirit this institution proclaims it instills! What a sham. What kind of a show are you guys puttin' on here today. I mean, the only class in this act is sittin' next to me. And I'm here to tell ya this boy's soul is intact. It's non-negotiable. You know how I know? Someone here -- and I'm not gonna say who -- offered to buy it. Only Charlie here wasn't sellin'.
I come across a beautiful story reminding us of the importance of a PROMISE.
Source: Face book post by' The meaning of life'
