Be the Change Agent

You have a rupee and I have one. we exchange it with each other. We still have a rupee each. This is transaction. I have an idea you have an idea. We exchange, now both of have two ideas each, this is transformation.

In our home we enjoy great relationships, we are in a constant communication mode, we care for each other, we discuss various things about the family, and also issues outside our family, the society, the environment we prevail, the people, right up to politics and governance. While most of this part of the relationship is transformational, because we prevail in issueless moments, thought we must admit some by nature are transactional issues too. This doesn't dilute the relationship at all. We invest heavily in issue less moments, therefore we create a transformational relationship in which we all grow and so the relationship grows to make it life-bondage one.

Come to work isn't the same. Relationships @ work are merely transactional, however, there is a huge opportunity to make it transformational, if you can only volunteer to be the initiator, guide, advisor, coach and allow the other to become the executor of the task, you may be able to transform the other person @ work. Let everything that passes by you gain value, let every life that crosses your life be changed for the better. Add value to every moment. Add value to every relationship, try transforming every transaction, by adding value to it. Be an 'Alchemist' In helping others become better you become better. let everything become better in your presence. Leadership is in evolving transactional opportunities into transformational opportunities. Be the change agent. Keep going.. and keep helping people to keep growing. That's the role to grow into as HR people in an organization, because the value you add at this point of time though intangible, is absolutely valuable.

Why aren’t we like children?

Why aren’t we like children?

by TSK. Raman

Remember the days you and I were children, with little of nothing to worry about and parent taking care of us. All we had to do is to go to school, study come back play, study and that’s about it. Life was fun indeed. Despite all the distractions, by and far children still seem to have fun even in these modern days. The one’s who are stressed and make the children stressed are the adults. A major matter for consideration of adults – would you want to stress your selves or remember that you were children too once upon a time and you want to be like that.
To be like children just remember there are four ways to be more like a child no matter how old you get
What will kids do if they want to know something really badly ?

They will become curious.

Curiosity : Just by being curious children learn everything. Childish curiosity they would say, and it is really nice to learn to be curious like a child.

You're right. They will bug you. Kids can ask a million questions. You think they're through. They've got another million. They will keep haunting you. They can drive you right to the brink.

Have you ever noticed that while adults are abusing the planet, children are studying them, and are busy trying to repair the damage done?

A child's curiosity is what helps them to reach, learn and grow. When did we forget this?
2) Excitement : It’s nice to get excited like a child. There is nothing that has more magical than childish excitement. At times you can be so excited you hate to go to bed at night. Can't wait to get up in the morning. So excited that you're about to explode.

How can anyone resist that kind of childish magic?

Now, once in awhile I meet someone who says, "Well, I'm a little too mature for all that childish excitement."

Isn't that pathetic?

You've got to weep for such kinds of people.

All I've got to say is, "If you're too old to get excited, you're old." Don't get that old.
3) Faith : Faith actually is pretty childish. Faith like a child. How else would you describe it? Some say, "Let's be adult about it." Oh no!

Adults too often have a tendency to be overly skeptical. Some even have a tendency to be cynical. Adults have a tendency to challenge everything suggested to them and say, "Yeah. I've heard that old positive line before. This will not work, and that will not work.

You notice the difference?

No wonder the master teacher said, "Unless you can become like little children, your chances, they're skinny."
4) Trust : Trust is an absolute childish virtue, and it has great merit. Have you heard the expression "sleep like a baby"? That's it. Childish trust. After you've gotten an A+ for the day, leave it in somebody else's hands.

So that’s it, curiosity, excitement, faith and trust, it’s just a simple formula. Wow, what a powerful combination to bring (back) into our lives and make our lives easy, and happy.

　

What are the Kids missing these days…?

by TSK. Raman

It seems today is the birthday of the "Melody Queen" Lata Mangeskar – she turns 75. And since morning I’ve been tuned to "Farishta" on World Space and have been enjoying the wonderful songs this amazing woman has sung for us. It takes me back in time as we’ve heard most of these songs on Radio Ceylon, the binaca Geet Mala and the Vivid Bharati.

For a few days now I have been rewinding my mental tape and visit my "childhood."?? This would be the time of the year when we would have "Puja Holidays" but a lot of holiday homework to do. Apart from this at home my father would insist that we would have to write a page of English, Hindi and the local language Telugu to enable us improve our handwriting.?? All of this?? used to be like an imposition, I would crib, cry, yell and play all the pranks, but would manage to get it all through, by lunch time. We would read story books or comics in the noon and get out to the ground to play – it could be football, cricket, hockey or whatever, but playing some game in the evening was a surety. If it rained we would be indoors playing caroms, chess, badminton or Table tennis. Those were the days when we didn’t even here about the TV, nor the computer.????

Yes It gives me immense pleasure and bliss. I have made a small ‘REMIX’ attempt to capture the past in "just a few lines" and am sharing it with you. I'm sure this will lighten the "stress" most go through during a "hectic routine working day." If?? I am able to give you that little pleasure and relief, I'll consider my day as done. enjoy reading this.

I want to go back to the time when...
It was early to bed early to rise
We had a time to study, and a time to play??????????????????????????????????
We revered our elders and they showered their blessings????????????????????????
We were loved and were pulled up??????????????????????????????????????????
We were??hugged and kissed and we were crushed and??whacked????too??????????
Being a good student was a "default" expectation????????????????????????????????
We would go over to spend the weekend with our friends????????????????????????
And we were looked after as if there was no difference between us and them??????????
We had the gardens we had the rains everything was in abundance??????????????????
No one talked of any scarcity, or pollution??????????
There weren't so many motorized vehicles and so no "traffic jams"??????????????????
If anyone was caught accepting a "bribe" he would be shunned?? in the society
Decisions were made??only by??the elders and no one would dare to disobey
Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "do over!"
Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in the game called "Monopoly."
Even little things like watching butterflies?? in the day and fireflies in the evening could happily occupy any free time we got.
It wasn't odd to have two or three "best friends."
Being old referred to anyone over 20 ??????????????????????????
The only dates we knew were in the "calendar" or the "dry fruit" that came from Kabul or Arabia
The net on a tennis court was the perfect height to play volleyball and rules didn't matter.
Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a catapult.
Nobody was prettier than Mom and no one more handsome than Dad.
Falling and getting hurt was a common occurrence??????????????????????????????
Scrapes and bruises were??very common and they would nursed and made better.
It was a big deal to finally be tall enough to ride the "big people" bicycles
Getting a drive to the zoo was a dream come true.
Abilities were discovered because of a "dare-devil" attitude
No shopping trip was complete unless a new toy was brought home.
We did not know what "hijacking" was. We could go into the "cockpit" of the plane while on "land" or in air."?? We would go in ruptures to meet and speak to the flying crew??.??We would listen to them intently when they told us about the instruments and the panel????
We would love to watch the steam engine to tug along "chook, chook, chook .We would dream to be in the engine along with the driver when the train was hurtling at high speed.??
We didn't know what "terrorism" meant????????????????????
The whole nation would be shocked if the hear a murder. It would make "headlines" in newspapers. There were a few of them at that time and almost everyone would feel involved in the case, wanting the accused to be punished severely
Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for giggles.
The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.
War was the First and the Second World War which we read in history books
Water balloons were the ultimate weapon.
We didn't know what "Drugs" meant????????????????????????????????????????
And for us medicines would be some "white tablets - one BIG ONE, AND ONE small one,???? and orange-flavored pink mixture which tasted "sweet,?? or a maroon coloured one which was slightly "bitter.
We would skip anything but a "break-fast." Drink a lot of milk, and??eat a lot chocolates including spoon fulls of Bourn vita or Ovaltine, eat a tons of sweets and candies, fruits and fries, nuts and savories????
We would listen to the radio for our favourite songs and for the "hot news"????????????
We would love to read the "newspaper"??mainly the "sports page" but yes the other news as well as it gave us a lot of worldly??information"??????????????????????????????
We enjoyed reading the "sports page" particularly and would get pulled up very often for remembering only "sporting news"
Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest protectors.????????

Those were the days.. THE GOLDEN DAYS which we can call back and cherish for the rest of our lives ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Now that I have "Grown Up" in Life!!!!!!!!

I can remember most or all of these, and I believe we have LIVED!!! and really LOVED IT! If you feel you've missed out on something, remember you might also have some good moments to share when you've grown up like we have - LIVE EVERY MOMENT.????

What Can The Kids Teach us…


It is a time of they year when schools have re-opened after the summer vacation, and some kids have just entered a school for the first time. After being pampered cuddled, loved by all and sundry at home – by the parents, relatives etc., and more from the grand-parents… it is quite a task of getting them to go to school. The separation even if it is for a few hours during the week, it is quite miserable.

I do not think that all children cry, but most do, and those that do not, also begin to cry when they reach the door step of the school, which gets worse when they enter the gate. All that you can hear is shrieks and cries in chorus. ??I’ve even see parents shed tears, though involuntarily.

It wasn’t two different when my own children began schooling. The daughter who is the eldest would always wait for us to take her out and wanted to be out all the time so going to school for her was another outing. My son wasn’t to enthusiastic, but also never showed as if he didn’t like it. It was like I’ve no say, so let me listen to what the others have to say and follow it.

But no, this young kid was a very affable and a warm chap. Had a very soothing effect and displayed great abilities of connecting and making the other kids feel comfortable.

I remember an instance of a kid entering the gates crying noisily and even the parents couldn’t sort of control. The moment he passed through the gate, still looking back to his parents, and my son also walking along, held this kids hand and wiped the tears. All of a sudden the other kid stopped crying and began to walk to the class. I was watching all this, but honestly I didn’t think much of it then, but now with years added, I believe it is "magic," and I wonder why we as adults have forgotten this art.
The first lesson the kids can teach us is that they do not have a mind-set and are non-judgemental.
They do not know the difference in colour, skin, language, religion, and not even the difference in gender.
They are simple they are innocent.
They are always eager to try and are curious to try everything that meets their eye.
They are spontaneous, and do not hesitate to reel out everything they no.
They have no inhibitions.
They do not hold any grudge.
They will not argue, but will display adamancy.
They will not hesitate to ask whatever they want without any fear of being evaluated.
The do not manipulate, speak lies nor do they use any cunning means to get to what they want.
They are terrific binders, they emote love and will make you surrender to their charm.
They can be very determined.
They love being in the thick of things. They love being included, in fact, they will react if they are ignored.
They give and they take but don’t keep an account.
These are just some things that I threw up, and am sure there are still more things that can come up. For now this is enough to set the ball rolling for you all to also think. ??Wherever you go, whatever you become, you owe it all to those you love, those who loved you and people you met along the way. You are a total summation of many parts.

It has been a long gap now that I shared something with you all. It seems it’s hectic time for all – global recession, the world struggling to raise money to keep businesses alive and to protect the lives of people. Not so long ago we in India spent a fortune for the election time and money flowed like a river, and most of them in the race seem to be in contest just for "power."

The greed of some humans to acquire is reducing the natural resources and on the other side many are crying about dwindling resources, conservation of the planet earth etc. Their voice is not being heard as much as most are engaged in just seeing their life through each day and are turning a blind eye to the future. Contrasting things are happening, isn't it. While such a chaos is prevailing the world over and individuals fighting for protecting their jobs, fighting for their survival I thought it best, so share some truth. Pause for a few moments and take time to read this piece, I’m sure it will get your focus back in life.

To quote - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882) "Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be."

My memories of Holi go back to the day’s we were kids in school and then into college.

Friends would come very early in the morning to splash and smear colour’s on us, then they would apply the pink red and a bottle green paste from the face to the neck (hair and scalp included.

We would hardly be recognized, and if we were it would be by voice, noise or height. I can also recall on such Holi where a classmate came home and buzzed at 12 mid-night and started shouting for help as if it was an emergency. I rushed and opened the door. He asked me to come outside as he had something very urgent to convey. I walked out, and he came to me as if he was wanting to hug me, which he did and the next moment he drew something from his pocket and rubbed it on my scalp in between what was then curly springy hair the feeling that you might get rubbing your fingers on a sheep ( I know you are laughing away to glory because of my saying this as you just can’t believe what I say, it’s like a joke. I like to laugh at myself. Have fun but the truth is had and now I don’t have. I liked it then and I like it this way too).

He left immediately after. I could feel something pricking and irritating me. Went in straight to the washroom and poured water out of a mug on my head and pushed my fingers as if it was a brush. The result was the water dissolved what were crystals and it was red in colour and it started dripping from the top on to my face in thin lines as if it was streaks of blood. My mother just then got up and looked at me she shrieked and asked my father to rush to see what had happened. She was terrified and told my father, "did you hear the bell at the door and someone had come to meet Raman, and after that he has bashed him with a stone on his head, look how he is bleeding. Take out the car quickly we need to rush him to the doctor".

She was wailing and wooing but was also surprised that I was neither showing any pain nor anguish but was laughing. It took me a while to tell her what had happen. She broke into a hearty laugh and said, "wicked fellow, you made me cry, you deserve this every year".

I was remembering this incident even last night as I was thinking my mother, Holi, the days gone by, the fun we used to have, the love we had for each other and all that.

If you take a look at it from today’s perspective this is what I feel..

Forgive us! Oh Mighty Creatures

TSK. Raman

 

Oh! mighty creatures all of you, the ants, the birds, the cats, the dogs, the flies, the mice, we took away your space, without asking you.

You moved and sought alternatives. Some of you were lucky to become domesticated, while most of you others were left to fend for yourselves, and if ever you made an appreance, people ensure they finish you once and for all, if they can't drive you away. People do what they are known to do, and you too do what you are known to do and that it to keep coming along. This tussle goes on day-in and day-out, everywhere on this planet, but it must be given to you, you creatures have an admirable quality, in grained in your genes, and that it to 'fight' it out.

Anyway, we really admire your 'spirit.' You found alternatives and accommodated yourselves within the same space, withoout ever a protest nor revolt. It really seems, to me that you all knew your higher purpose, whereas we human beings, with our 'bloated' ego's never found ours.

We dominated the scene ever since, the mighty among us conquered space, and ruled over the weak for years and for centuries all over the world

Some who woke up fought for their rights and became independent, while we know that several others are still struggling, and we really couldn't care, for we reconcile ourselves helplessly to say, it's not our problem, it's purely theirs

Some among us turned geniuses and showed us the way to tap the resources for us to make our lives, and made an indelible impression on mankind. We have even gone outside our planet to show what mankind can do.

Many chose to carry on their lives with the 'gifts' they got and began to lead a life of peace and love, but, some unfortunately fell by the way.

We sowed the seeds of differences in all conceivable forms - color, caste, geography, language, religion and what not, as means to achieve our ends, but now I am afraid, are we nearing our end.

For those affordable and those in power, accumulation, cheating, corruption - mental, moral, physical, greed, hoarding, lies, subjugation, suppression, withholding, though even they know it's a shame, all of of this seem to have become the norms of this day, but for many a few this is not the same, however there are hounds out there waiting to exploit their weakness to live your dreams and to secure a place under the sun. These people feel they have a lot to say, but they do not know who will listen to them, for they also know that they have many other challenges that they have to stave away each day to keep their ships afloat. There is so much of evil all around and these people are innocent victims of it all for they form the mass. For those who commit crimes, and sins, are never brought to book and those who help them are never made accountable. The gap is widening ever so fast, but does anyone who matters care.

There may be some if not all. Such people still seem to care, for every thing around them too, with a Prayer that all this will end some day and sanity will be restored. The sun still rises in the morning and sets in the evening, and for all those hopeful, they live with this hope still alive, whereas for the others, it's another day in the office. Amidst all this is one more Prayer Oh! Please create the the ants, the birds, the cats, the dogs, the mice, with in built cameras in their eyes and unlimited storage in their mental systems, so that they can provide us all the hard proofs we seek to bring crime to book, as most get away as those who want to defend the law do not get much evidence to produce and seek justice. Unfortunate though some clever people will wipe away even concrete evidences by twisting it or destroying it forever. It's here that all those living creatures can give us evidences a plenty.

Forgive us once again for all our wrongs doings, but help us live like you do.

Not Again

TSK. Raman

Oh! You Cowards, you are at it again,
yesterday you've targeted a corner of this passionate city,
knowing there is crowd always,
so you made it your target,
at the tricky twilight time when the tired day light is dimming out and the anxious night hurrying to take over,
not very far away from each other,
two high intensity blasts occurred,
twenty odd innocent lives were lost eighty odd seriously injured, some very seriously,

the families of all involved shocked and shattered beyond words
there was momentary panic among the people across the city

as soon as people heard feelings started pouring in from across the world
Oh no! what happened again,
who did this? why they did this? who is behind this all?

right or wrong, suspicion and doubts spraying emotional words

setting the blame game high, and VIP's making cursory visits, wonder who gains

with their plastic appearance, wonder what they want to show, except perhaps to say

we too were there, lest you might ask tomorrow where were you,

we just want to let all know, we came, we saw, we said and we went,

we have a lot more things to worry you see, and what is the government meant for.
Anyway the government is obliged and the law will have to take control of this
but we should be on the guard
within us we have experienced, many many times before, east-west, north-south, and centre, by all possible leaks - land-high lands, sand-sea or air,
we really know in deep in our hearts,

as you have stung us many a times

we know the pangs of what it means to be separated from the near and dear
and to take the lives of innocents
even the ONE ABOVE ALL OF US will no longer tolerate.
Do for even once misconstrue
that we will forget this just like that
the today will remember this and be sure the future will never forget this either
you will have to give an account for this
that day isn't too far off
we have become tired of such dastardly acts
we were all one, we are one, and we shall remain that way
be it by color, by blood, by religion, by language,
no one will succeed in sowing any difference between us
you might think for a moment that we are ant's
but do not lie under this illusion
when your bad days come nearer you
even an an will be a mighty force
so much so that it will seem like an 'elephant'
just count your days, living in shame and guild
we pray to the Almighty
that you do not get peace of mind as long as you live
Oh! Almighty Lord just give us the strength

　

Phir Wohi...

Areey 'O Kaayron,' fir sey kiye ek aur zaleel harqat
Ek aur mohabath bari saher kay koney mey,
jahan bheed hai hi,
tho aap log banaya usey nishana banaya
shaam key waqt,
jab din ki roshni kat rahi thi aur raath chaney lagi
ek doosre ke kareeb,
do bade dhamakey huay
beeson maasoom guzar gaya aur assee sey jyada ghayal huey
logon mey jarasa hulchal machi
arey yeh kya hua phir sey
kyon kiya kisee ney
kon hai is kay pichay
khair huqumat aur khanoon tho lage gi inke peechey
lekin hamko rehna hai smbhal key
Dil sey hamarey ahsaas ham ney khi hai
ki juda hona apne waloon say kitna mushkil hai
aur aise cheen lena massom jaanon ko
yeh upar wale ko bhi nahi hogi manzoor
Ghalthi sey bhi yeh nahi sochna
ham isse yuhi bhool jayenge
yaad rakhagi, yeh zamana aur aney wala kal
es ka hisab tho aap logon ko dena hi hai
woh din jyada dhoor nahi
Aise harkathon sey ham thang aa hi gaye
hum sab ek thay, ek hai, aur ek rahenge bhi,
rang se ho, khoon sey ho, mazab sey ho, aur zabaan sey bhi,
koyi hamme daraar nahi paida kar saktha
thumko lagtha hog ki hma hai 'cheenti'
magar is galth faimi mey nahi rahna
thumhare din jab kareeb ayengey
tho ek ek 'cheenti' bhi thum par bhari padegi
lagega thume ki 'haathi' ayee thum par
jiyo ab chuup chup key, gut gut key
maangthe hai hum dua khuda sey ki
thumhe jeethey ji, cheyn na miley
Upar waley, saath do hamare
Hum jina chathe hai apne marjee sey
daar sey nahi.

You have Today in your hands which is much better than someday.

You have Today in your hands which is much better than someday.

Very often I hear people they will accomplish something someday.

Someday... I will.... and the list can run on endlessly. I know that we cannot do everything we want today. But we can dream, make a make a plan and also make an attempt — today. Postponing, procrastinating, waiting only hinders our moving forwd to meet opportunities. Delaying action can hurts us too. Reseach confirms that procrastination keeps more people from living their dreams than any other cause. Taking action today is in our hands. It is a choice we have to make. Sure there will be several obstacles that we may encounter. It will apply breaks in our progress, or make our dream pursuit even more difficult. But, not taking action and procrastinating are a sure receipe for disaster.

What really keeps us from taking action at this point of time today?
We have an inherent fear failure.
We get discourage when we think of the effort.
We wait for favorable conditions.
We are averse to taking risks
We stay within our comfort zones
We get influced by someon's experience.
Reasons can go on endlessly like this. Sit down to analyze what keeps you from away from taking action today?

Go with the feeling that today is better than someday.

Earn Time and Enjoy Work Life Balance

Earn Time and Enjoy Work Life Balance

Whoever I talk to, I hear them say, "I just don’t have the time right now. I’m too busy." It doesn't sound strange isn't it, because you too would be in the same boat. People would also advise you to look at your time management etc., which is pretty standard too. What if I tell you that there is a serious possibility of gaining a few extra hours everyday.
It could mean getting up a little early and going to bed a little late.
May be give up a little bit of television watching time. Enjoy your meal or a breakfast, however, just reduce the time you spend on it. Take up a job which is close to your workplace, you can save a lot of journey time. I would think you can easily squeeze in about three hours all told by tinkering a little bit on the aspects I've enumerated. In a week you get 21 hours, which is nearly an extra day, in a month you get 90 hours = 3.5 days more, and in a year 1095 hours = a whopping 45.6 days. That's a lot more than what you earn per year as a holiday being engaged with a company for eight hours minimum a day.
It's in your hands to make this happen. When you have then see where you can invest this extra time into - it could be for reading, for being with your family, it could be for exercising in the gym or going for a jog or a walk or to play a game of squash, or tennis or badminton etc.
And what more you will have conserved more energy too, which will all add up to enjoying good health too. 
People will advise you to save money, a good thing indeed.
Equate the time that is lost into money and you will realize how much you've gained.
I bet none of us can buy time with whatever money we have.