Five wonderful ways to be "kind" to yourself

This post is written as the eleventh in the series of A-to-Z challenge and a part of #1000speak. 

My series theme is "Compassion" and today's thought is based on

Being "Kind"  to yourself

Compassion engulfs facets. Sympathy and humanity for others is a part of it. No matter how simple it sounds, it takes a lot to understand and empathize with others. The basic ingredient is your own well-being, a happy mind, and a joyful heart.  Being kind to yourself makes you a kind person for others in distress and need.

Our body needs oxygen, water and food to exist. Our mind and soul seek peace and tranquility. All these are fuel for our well-being, and wholesome joy. And a happy self will spread goodwill and cheer amongst the fellow beings.

Being kind to your self encompasses several aspects. The ones I mention below are the ones I strive and try to follow

• Worship your body

A physically fit and mentally healthy body is directly proportional to a happy human being. Good food, appropriate nutrition, physical activity and mental relaxation are essential to give your body what it deserves.  I practice yoga and love to walk. This helps me build my stamina, and I feel good about my body

• Be kind to the environment

The environment in which you live crafts a blissful spirit. Starting from your residence, it should give a feeling of home. Working towards creating a content environment at home, gives delight to your heart. For me – three things are of utmost importance 

1. A clean, dust free, stain free house

2. A well-stocked kitchen. 

3. A quiet corner, with red rugs, a table with my books and diary, and other stationary

The above conditioned fulfilled, you will see me smiling all day long.

• Guilt-free time for your self

Give yourself a break. No, not like a holiday, but a break everyday. This time will be devoted to sync in your heart and body. What your heart wants, your body does. So if you heart asks for music, you listen to music. If your heart wants to read, you read. If your heart wants to meditate, you meditate.  In my case, I write my diary and read. This is essential for my survival, to say the least. This time will be your time, the time when you free from all responsibilities and burdens.

• Think before you speak

In India, in my Hindu religion, we adore our Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. There is a saying in our religion, that Goddess Saraswati resides on our tongue, and we should be mindful of the words we speak. For the words should be full of respect and love, bearing no negative consequences in future. It is better to be quiet than be loud. This is hard to achieve, and I am working on this myself, struggling a bit. 

• Pursuit a hobby

Everyone has some or the other hobby. Many of us do not recognize it. Pursuing a hobby gives us a productive feeling, without being tired. I have always loved writing. Just after marriage, I deciphered I just love cooking!! Well, 8 years hence, quite recently I discovered that I love gardening. I can make an endless list of things which I love doing, but pursuing one is important. So I pursue writing and cooking. Now I need to learn gardening as well. What is your hobby?

What would you like to add to this list? 

What more would you like to do, to be kind to yourself? 

The Magical Hug – “Jaadu ki Jhapppi”

This post is written as the tenth in the series of A-to-Z challenge and a part of #1000speak. 

My series theme is "Compassion" and today's thought is based on

"Jaadu ki Jhapppi" (Hindi phrase for Magical Hugs)

Jaadu ki Jhappi is a Bollywood concept originated from the movie “Munna Bhai MBBS”. The protagonist is a quack who starts the “Jaadu ki Jhappi” (Magical hug) trend in the hospital where he worked. In a typical Bollywood fiction format, the magical hugs healed many including a paralysis patient.

Research conducted in 2003, by psychologist Karen Grewen with the School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, suggests that hug has medical benefits. Hug enhances the level of oxytocin (love hormone) which facilitates bonding. Hugs also reduced the harmful effects of stress because they effectively lower cortisol, (the stress hormone) and increase the levels of dopamine and serotonin (feel-good hormones). Interestingly, that people who lacked in physical contact with other human beings had higher blood pressure and heart rate than people who experienced touch often.

(Source - http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/2003-03-09-hug-usat_x.htm)

A warm hug from a loved one – mother, father or a teacher, does wonders to a child. It boosts his morale, and makes the child feel loved. This is particularly true with Vihaan (my 6 year old school going boy). A loving embrace of my spouse gives me the necessary strength to take on the demands of the world. An earnest hug from a cheerfully smiling friend, gives me self-confidence, and deep down I know there is someone who is there for me. Jaadu ki Jhappi (hug) is a symbol of support, indicating affection and care from the giver.

Sweden, my current country of residence, is a joy to live. It is a land where people live and not merely exist. With the way of living revolving around making oneself happy, and living a life of choice, happy and content Swedes live on hugs. Once you are not a stranger on the street, you get the warm Swedish “Kram”. In India, hugging is not a norm. “Namaste” (folding hands) is the normal form of greetings. Hugging is not a part of culture. Hugging is not left on your free will. It is OK to hug our child in public. But hugging our spouse in public is a taboo.

Pic courtesy: http://www.sus.su.se/en

Nevertheless, hugging your loved one is an unparalleled joy. I am grateful I have my family and friends to give me support and confidence at every step of my life. If you have your loved one around you now, what are you waiting for? A tight, warm, heartfelt “Jaadu ki Jhappi” awaits! Go for it.

Head to my fellow blogger and author, Devika Fernando posts to read insights on life during the challenge.  

Diary of an "Imperfect" child

This post is written as the ninth in the series of A-to-Z challenge and a part of #1000speak. 

My series theme is "Compassion" and today's thought is based on "Imperfection" 

I have just picked the quietest corner possible in the cacophony of my own apartment. I am totally deflated after the cousins mocked at me for being the black sheep of the family. As dad and mum elaborate on my low grades, weak physique and extremely low social skills, the guests are making fun of me.

Mother is busy in her crock-pot, dad is in deep conversations with a guy, I do not know his name. There, my cousins are creating a mess in my room. Doesn't look like mine anymore. No one is looking for me. Not even mum? Is she ashamed of me?

Dad told me the other day how embarrassed he was to introduce me to his friends at the sports club. He says I can’t even be a ball boy. I am short, but I can run very fast. No one has ever noticed it though. Dad didn't get the ball signed by Roger, my favorite. He told me I didn't deserve it. I heard him say that. I embarrassed him. Dad doesn't like my spectacles either.

The other day mom took me to a Math tutor. I couldn't believe what I saw kept on his table – a cane! Mom says that is the only way I will learn my algebra. If I do not get good grades, I will be tagged a looser. Thanks to her, I will be able to clear my tests. (Yesterday the cane was almost on my palm, but I managed to correct the equation in last minute.)

Oh, the aroma of the delicious blueberry chocolate cake. Mom followed the recipe I had bookmarked, from my own blog. I will never tell her my pen name – “imperfect baker”. I am so abashed of my own interests – baking and cooking. The meat in the crock-pot will overcook. Where is mom? She should switch it off immediately. But mom never lets me in the kitchen. I wish I could make the cocktails and mock-tails for the guests. The cocktail book in the library is incredible. I just hope no one looks under my bed, and find my hidden treasure. All my cookbooks and Ramsay, Nigella and Vikas Khanna books are in the same box. I will put them in different places, otherwise if I am caught, all will be gone in one go. I will do this later in the night, after completing the algebra chapter. 

Head to my fellow blogger, Sundari Venkatraman's posts at her blog "Flaming Sun". Her theme for this year's AtoZ is "Mythology".  

Hunger Action Month at Nielsen - Fighting food Insecurity

This post is written as the eighth in the series of A-to-Z challenge and a part of #1000speak. 

My series theme is "Compassion" and today's thought is based on "Hunger"

Statistics show that 805 million people in the world do not have enough food to lead a healthy life. The vast majority of the world's hungry people live in developing countries. Asia is the continent with the most hungry people - two thirds of the total. Poor nutrition causes nearly half (45%) of deaths in children under five - 3.1 million children each year. 66 million primary school-age children attend classes hungry across the developing world, with 23 million in Africa alone.

  

 Source: www.wfp.org

Hunger Action Month (HAM Nielsen) at  Nielsen

Nielsen is global information and Measurement Company providing fact based strategic insights to business world. Nielsen measures and monitors what consumers watch (media ratings) and what consumers buy (categories, brands, products) on a global and local basis.

Nielsen Cares is the global corporate social responsibility program. It aims towards a commitment to an uncommon impact on the various causes and initiatives. I am fortunate to be the country leader for Swedish Nielsen Cares team. We have four main focus areas –

1.  Education,
2. Technology,
3. Diversity & inclusion and
4. Hunger and nutrition.

Here we focus on talking about Hunger and nutrition. Nielsen associates around the world take action against hunger and create an impact during our annual Hunger Action Month (HAM) every September. Nielsen knows more about what people eat than anyone else, and we use our skills and capabilities to help end hunger and improve nourishment, globally. Nielsen is a collaborative partner with “Feeding America” and “World Food Program”, providing data and strategic information. Associates take part in fundrainsing activities for these organizations as well. (Read more at http://www.nielsen.com/eu/en/about-us/social-responsibility.html)

This year, Nielsen Sweden partnered with Stadmissionen (www.stadsmissionen.se) as a beneficiary. Stadsmissionen does important work to help the Stockholm homeless and needy, children and adults. We collected money and food cards, and donated them to Stadmissionen to be distributed to the families in need. The families in focus were the immigrant community, trying to establish themselves in this new country. Associates across the world participates in various activities like distributing food packets, feeding the poor children, cleaning up food kitchens, collecting food cans and distributing them to the needy etcetra.

Hunger cannot be understood till it is not felt. It is difficult to be in their shoes, to know how it feels when you are hungry for days, or famished and undernourished due to lack of food. By being empathetic towards the state of the hunger and malnutrition, we can create awareness, raise funds or volunteer by deeds and kinds.

The very moving video by Mary’s Meals below depicts how a large mass of population longs for morsel of food. How children have lost their childhood, and trying in vain to eat something, anything.

Check the following links for perusal.

www.wfp.org

www.freerice.com

www.greatergood.com

www.marymeals.com

www.feedingamerica.org

www.bhookh.com

Head to my fellow blogger, Deepa Duraisamy posts. Her theme for this year's AtoZ is "Weddings".  

Being compassionate towards the green forests - Chipko Movement

This post is written as the seventh in the series of A-to-Z challenge and a part of #1000speak. 

My series theme is "Compassion" and today's thought is based on "Greens - compassion towards our mother earth"

There is a traditional legend about Amrita Devi, who is claimed to have died trying to protect the trees that surrounded her village. The story dates back to 18^th century. The local king’s tree cutters arrived to cut the villager’s trees for wood for his new fortress, but Amrita, with others, jumped in front of the trees and hugged them.

Picture courtesy - http://saveourwoods.co.uk

What is Chipko movement?

The Chipko movement started in 1970s when deforestation of the Himalayas was at full swing. The timber, resin and pulp raked in foreign exchange. The movement started with the local women agitations, to save their economic survival, for the forests provide them with food, fuel and forage. If you have ever been to the Himalayas, you would know the beauty of mountains, and the flora adorning its majesty. Deforestation not only depletes trees, but also leads to soil erosions in the mountains. This leads to landslides and floods. In the 1970s, the deforestations policies were weak, and land was given to contractors to build their business. They started felling trees, and constructing business units and factories.

In a very famous landmark incident, a group of forest officials along with some laborers started moving towards the forests of Reni, to auction 2500 trees from the green belt in the village. Gaura Devi and 27 women of Reni village began to march towards the forests, to protect the trees. Initially they tried to reason with them and told the laborers to leave. The officials began to hurl obscenities at Gaura Devi and her group of women and told the laborers to go ahead and cut the trees. The women warned them that if they attempted any such thing they would cling to the trees. And they did, thus not only saving the forest but also fueling the fire of the movement.

Chipko, in Hindi, means clinging or sticking on to something, in this case the trees. The “chipko movement” followed and still follows the Gandhian philosophy of non-violence and satyagrah. Thee movement has a widespread impact, not only across India, but also to other parts of the world.

This post specially mentions one of the most prominent leaders Shri Sunderlal Bahuguna, a Gandhian activist and philosopher, whose appeal to Mrs Gandhi resulted in the green-felling ban and whose 5,000-kilometre trans-Himalayan foot march in 1981-83 was crucial in spreading the Chipko message. He initiated and led the Anti Tehra Dam movement. For his efforts, he was honored with Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan, and Right Livelinhoood Award, Sweden.  

 Amongst the discussions of carbon footprints and global warming, grassroot movements are required. Saving our mother earth, restoring the greenery, being compassionate towards our environment, is the first step towards a better, greener world. 

Head to my fellow blogger, Stephanie Faris's posts. Her theme for this year's AtoZ is the 80s where she makes me reminisce the childhood days.  

Sources and further references:

http://www.rightlivelihood.org/chipko.html

http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/forestry/chipko.htm

https://www.iisd.org/50comm/commdb/desc/d07.htm