I had read this long ago.It is beautiful! Let us never forget what we are to our children...Let us not forget our role.. let us not force our ideas and thoughts and worse of all, our unfinished agenda on them. Let them be for what they are!
On Children
Kahlil Gibran
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Childhood memories are made of this!
Since I started working in the field of child education, I have realized that children are really the best stress busters (and sometimes also the source of stress!)(Btw, Vardan says that I am always "realizing" something or the other :))
A couple of days back, I had reached school early and happened to watch from my office window Sunay and Vardan walking in a little later. Both of them were initially walking hand in hand and I thought "Ah! Just like those life insurance-family scene kind of ads they show on TV. Modern Dad with kid! ". However, soon Vardan lost patience and walked ahead and asked Sunay to walk quickly. But this boy! He had all the time in the world! Was checking out some plants, some birds, in between, he stopped and turned back to see what was the scenery he was leaving behind (The school campus does look lovely). I was so touched seeing that scene- seeing Sunay enjoying all the sights that we manage to do only after spending lots of money and going on a vacation!
Then, yesterday morning,another similar thing but in our apartment complex. Vardan had taken Sunay downstairs to spend time while I got ready for work. By the time I was downstairs ready to leave, Sunay was busy checking out some pigeons, following them and of course, he had all the time in the world to do that while his parents were getting late for work. I thought about this incident again last night. And like a flashback, another memory came racing back- Rujuta and I running amongst the pigeons at Marine Drive with Appa and Aaji. And I thought to myself- If they had rushed us at that time, I would not have this memory with me". So, I have told myself that the next time, Sunay wants to "stand and stare", I will let him even if it means getting late by a few minutes. A beautiful childhood memory is much more precious than a harried parent's few minutes here and there!
A couple of days back, I had reached school early and happened to watch from my office window Sunay and Vardan walking in a little later. Both of them were initially walking hand in hand and I thought "Ah! Just like those life insurance-family scene kind of ads they show on TV. Modern Dad with kid! ". However, soon Vardan lost patience and walked ahead and asked Sunay to walk quickly. But this boy! He had all the time in the world! Was checking out some plants, some birds, in between, he stopped and turned back to see what was the scenery he was leaving behind (The school campus does look lovely). I was so touched seeing that scene- seeing Sunay enjoying all the sights that we manage to do only after spending lots of money and going on a vacation!
Then, yesterday morning,another similar thing but in our apartment complex. Vardan had taken Sunay downstairs to spend time while I got ready for work. By the time I was downstairs ready to leave, Sunay was busy checking out some pigeons, following them and of course, he had all the time in the world to do that while his parents were getting late for work. I thought about this incident again last night. And like a flashback, another memory came racing back- Rujuta and I running amongst the pigeons at Marine Drive with Appa and Aaji. And I thought to myself- If they had rushed us at that time, I would not have this memory with me". So, I have told myself that the next time, Sunay wants to "stand and stare", I will let him even if it means getting late by a few minutes. A beautiful childhood memory is much more precious than a harried parent's few minutes here and there!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
I am going to start blogging again!!!
A few weeks back, I was reading some stuff I had written when I was at IIMA. And when I read it, I realised how much I have grown up in the past 5-6 years!!
A few days back, I was seeing Sunay's pictures when he was 7 months old and I realised that had it not been for the picture, I would have completely forgotten how he looked when he was 7 months old. (For some reason, I cant remember vividly how Sunay looked from Jan 08- April 08)
I then realised that I need pictures and I need my writing to look back and remember! I need food for nostalgia when I am overwhelmed by life! I need some props and reference points when I want to say " Ah! Those were the days!"
So, I am going to hop on the blogger bus
Ciao...
A few days back, I was seeing Sunay's pictures when he was 7 months old and I realised that had it not been for the picture, I would have completely forgotten how he looked when he was 7 months old. (For some reason, I cant remember vividly how Sunay looked from Jan 08- April 08)
I then realised that I need pictures and I need my writing to look back and remember! I need food for nostalgia when I am overwhelmed by life! I need some props and reference points when I want to say " Ah! Those were the days!"
So, I am going to hop on the blogger bus
Ciao...
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Pareto principle!
The Pareto principle (also known as the 80-20 rule, the law of the vital few and the principle of factor sparsity) states that, for many events, 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.
The 80/20 Rule means that in any set of things (workers, customers, etc.) a few (20 percent) are vital and many (80 percent) are considered trivial.
I first learnt it in my computer engineering course. I vaguely remember it was something to do with Software Development cycle or something like that.
I revisited Pareto principle in my MBA days.
I recently re-revisited a revised Pareto Principle (90/10) when I read an article supposedly by Stephen Covey which said that "10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react."
Now, 5 months down in 2008, I realise that not only I am revisiting Pareto principle, I am LIVING it.
As 16th June approaches (the day Fountainhead School opens to 200 bright new faces), my mind is a muddle of excitement and stress. (I had a similar feeling when I was in my 9th month of pregnancy waiting for Sunay to arrive).
A lot of vital things for the school are being done in the last 20% of time. Sometimes, I wonder, was I inefficient earlier/ napping for the past 5 months? But hey! the Italian economist said this in early 1900's. So, I assure myself that it is normal and keep going on.
On some days, I am at my efficient and effective best,am productive at work and am a happy,worn out individual when I go to bed. On some days, I am stressed, panicky and move around with a sense of urgency which refuses to translate itself into productive work and I sit up in the middle of the night thinking of the work that I need to do tomorrow and what I could have done today.
I need to direct this nervous energy in productive work...
So, signing off now..
The 80/20 Rule means that in any set of things (workers, customers, etc.) a few (20 percent) are vital and many (80 percent) are considered trivial.
I first learnt it in my computer engineering course. I vaguely remember it was something to do with Software Development cycle or something like that.
I revisited Pareto principle in my MBA days.
I recently re-revisited a revised Pareto Principle (90/10) when I read an article supposedly by Stephen Covey which said that "10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react."
Now, 5 months down in 2008, I realise that not only I am revisiting Pareto principle, I am LIVING it.
As 16th June approaches (the day Fountainhead School opens to 200 bright new faces), my mind is a muddle of excitement and stress. (I had a similar feeling when I was in my 9th month of pregnancy waiting for Sunay to arrive).
A lot of vital things for the school are being done in the last 20% of time. Sometimes, I wonder, was I inefficient earlier/ napping for the past 5 months? But hey! the Italian economist said this in early 1900's. So, I assure myself that it is normal and keep going on.
On some days, I am at my efficient and effective best,am productive at work and am a happy,worn out individual when I go to bed. On some days, I am stressed, panicky and move around with a sense of urgency which refuses to translate itself into productive work and I sit up in the middle of the night thinking of the work that I need to do tomorrow and what I could have done today.
I need to direct this nervous energy in productive work...
So, signing off now..
Sunday, May 25, 2008
In double digits now!!!
Sunay boy is 10 months old today!!
In another 2 months, he will be a year old! I know its so cliched but time has really flown by..
Have planned today to plan my week ahead so that I dont get stressed out with work.
Will blog soon.. looking for some inspiration to write about..
In another 2 months, he will be a year old! I know its so cliched but time has really flown by..
Have planned today to plan my week ahead so that I dont get stressed out with work.
Will blog soon.. looking for some inspiration to write about..
Sunday, May 18, 2008
I could get addicted to this!!
One thing that I love about children is that they are so expressive, attentive and unconditional about their love! I get to witness this amazing phenomenon about children every once in a while in school.
I remember when I was back from maternity leave and was in class one day. I had a long night and looked tired. Next day,I had a good night's sleep and was fresh and energetic in class. A girl, all of 4 years, told me "kya baat hain! Aaj aap fresh aur cute lag rahe ho".
Another incident which happened recently: I was wearing a long skirt to school. This was a Wednesday, the day when children have a free choice in deciding what to wear to school. (The rest of the days, they are in their school uniform). One girl told me “Mujhe bhi skirt pehenna chaahiye tha, fir main bhi acchi lagti thi, aapke jaise).
It is such WOW ! moments that I realize how natural and instinctive children are!
Motherhood too brings its share of WOW! Moments. Whenever I reach home for lunch, Sunay almost dances on seeing me and leaves whatever he is doing and demands to be picked up! I wonder, when was the last time anyone was so happy on seeing me that he actually danced???
This kind of love, attention and compliments can be addictive!!! Especially for a person like me, who is “high maintenance” when it comes to emotions!!
Signing off now..
It’s a Sunday morning and this summer has been the most gentle summer I have experienced in Gujarat in the past 5 years. I am loving it!!
I remember when I was back from maternity leave and was in class one day. I had a long night and looked tired. Next day,I had a good night's sleep and was fresh and energetic in class. A girl, all of 4 years, told me "kya baat hain! Aaj aap fresh aur cute lag rahe ho".
Another incident which happened recently: I was wearing a long skirt to school. This was a Wednesday, the day when children have a free choice in deciding what to wear to school. (The rest of the days, they are in their school uniform). One girl told me “Mujhe bhi skirt pehenna chaahiye tha, fir main bhi acchi lagti thi, aapke jaise).
It is such WOW ! moments that I realize how natural and instinctive children are!
Motherhood too brings its share of WOW! Moments. Whenever I reach home for lunch, Sunay almost dances on seeing me and leaves whatever he is doing and demands to be picked up! I wonder, when was the last time anyone was so happy on seeing me that he actually danced???
This kind of love, attention and compliments can be addictive!!! Especially for a person like me, who is “high maintenance” when it comes to emotions!!
Signing off now..
It’s a Sunday morning and this summer has been the most gentle summer I have experienced in Gujarat in the past 5 years. I am loving it!!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Hibernation ends!!
My sis recently complimented me on how I could manage blogging when Sunay was 2 months old. Thats when I realized that I have not managed to blog since that.
So, I now officially welcome myself back to the world of blogging..!!!
While in Delhi recently, I was discussing with cousins on government, governance, poverty etc etc. That time, Vardan and I spoke about how Surat really has an efficient government and municipal corporation. Vardan also spoke about the slum rehabilitation housing schemes that we see in various places in Surat. Such schemes have been misused or unused in places like Delhi, Mumbai etc. I recently happen to pass by such a slum rehabilitation housing society close to where I stay. It was such a pleasant surprise! It was clean, well maintained, nice garden, lawn and the best part of all- a day care center. Very very impressive! I felt pretty good about living in Surat at that moment!!!
So, I now officially welcome myself back to the world of blogging..!!!
While in Delhi recently, I was discussing with cousins on government, governance, poverty etc etc. That time, Vardan and I spoke about how Surat really has an efficient government and municipal corporation. Vardan also spoke about the slum rehabilitation housing schemes that we see in various places in Surat. Such schemes have been misused or unused in places like Delhi, Mumbai etc. I recently happen to pass by such a slum rehabilitation housing society close to where I stay. It was such a pleasant surprise! It was clean, well maintained, nice garden, lawn and the best part of all- a day care center. Very very impressive! I felt pretty good about living in Surat at that moment!!!
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