Academy for Creative Training

HEART

2012-02-29T10:09:00.001-08:00

Within the confines of one’s HEART lies the key to life in its physical form but more importantly life in its emotional avatar for it Holds Empathy Appreciation Respect & Trust. The ECG can at best give an output that mimics the state of one’s heart in its physical form but the true nature of one’s heart lies in the manner and mode in which one is able to cope with the people, situations and feelings that one has to face day in and day out.

While emotions are never triggered by the heart, there is a predominately romantic feel in associating all emotions with the heart. In particular the more positive ones like love, affection, kindness etc are always conjured up as emitting from the heart while the extremely despicable ones like hate, anger, revenge etc are associated with an evil and stone like heart. Consequentially the good and the evil are both given some space in the confines of the heart; with the former occupying a disproportionately larger area.

Love is the most common emotion that the heart is supposed to be filled with. While a heart is portrayed as the most visible cliché of a romantic shade of love, what it does not fully bring to the fore are the other shades of love like love for family, friends, objects and things. What is even less evident is the reality that the heart if used as the epicenter of positive emotion holds a wide range emotions that give purpose, meaning and positive energy in relationships. Let us examine a few of these.

Empathy- it is the equivalent of walking in another’s shoes. Only then can we know where the shoe pinches and we can appreciate their view point and perhaps even experience what they go through.

Appreciation- Many of us secretly admire others but rarely do we take the initiative to express our appreciation. Pause for a moment and look back at the numerous times we have felt elated when appreciated by others. It is not that we lack the ability to appreciate but what we lack is the drive and the magnanimity to express it.

Respect – This is all about acknowledging age, experience, expertise and being humble. Only one with a strong upbringing and a pure heart can have this in ample measure.

Trust – The simple adage Trust begets trust should be the trigger to help us express our confidence and belief in others. It is possible that occasionally our trust could be misplaced and we regret our mistake. However, that should not be an yardstick to judge others for each person is an individual different from others and each one inherently must be extended your trust.

In an ideal world an ideal person with the perfect heart would be the one who Holds Empathy Appreciation Respect & Trust in his/ her HEART

Action Points:

Here is a picture of a hear with a few spaces earmarked. Can you fill it up with other positive emotions that your heart possesses?
Can you outline some other English terms associated with the heart.eg. stone hearted, hearty laugh, large hearted etc. How many of these terms apply to you?

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog

http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

GYM

2012-02-20T09:38:00.000-08:00

In today’s fast pace world, the hurly burly of everyday life has resulted in two big problems for the average to deal with; poor dietary habits (fast food, junk food, excessive eating, eating at odd hours, too much of aerated drinks and liquor etc) and stress (managing work life balance, meeting deadlines, working excessive hours, coping with tensions and pressures etc.) The awareness of these two very dangerous ills in our life is the first step to managing them. While the obvious solution is to get control over ones diet and to attempt to de-stress, the harsh reality is that the sheer magnitude of the problem is hard to cope with. The third alternative is to attempt to Get Yourself a Makeover and go to a GYM regularly.

By being regular at the gym, there are three advantages that come to the fore.

You ensure that the poor dietary habits are compensated for through a disciplined exercise regime.
It helps act as an antidote to the stress that one is subject to.
The body and mind are put in sync by the appropriate, controlled and regular exercise routine and the net result is a complete makeover of the personality.

Contrary to popular belief, body building is rarely the prime objective of anyone exercising at a gym. While many a youngster would under peer pressure and the influence of their heroes and icons beginning their gyming routine visualizing a muscular body, they often give up their pursuits for lack of motivation and their own tardiness. However for those who are more consciousness of their general physical looks and if that is coupled with the urge to keep fit the gym is the logical solution that meets their requirements.

The real change that one experiences by being regular at a gym is in the manner we perceive ourselves; we feel healthier, feel nicer about our physical features and experience both calmness in our temperament and resilience within ourselves to cope with whatever life throws up. The positivity that seeps into our psyche transcends our being and spreads it’s aura around us and often makes a sublime transition into those we interact with.

Being regular at a GYM also makes one disciplined, enables one to slowly stretch ones limits and has limitless possibilities of toning up every part of one’s physique, strengthening one’s mental attitude and ultimately Get Yourself a perfect Makeover.

Action Points:

If going to a gym sounds difficult, draw up a personal physical exercise plan and an objective to be achieved within a specified time frame. E.g. Go for a walk daily beginning with a half an hour walk and slowly increasing it to an hour. This should help me lose 1 kg in 2 months or do a set of yoga exercises that will make me feel more fit, supple and refreshed.
Make a list of exercises that one can do during the work hour and at the work place that will supplement your need for physical exercise that you may not be able to commit to due to lack of time or the availability of convenient gym.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog

http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

FUN

2012-01-29T09:16:00.000-08:00

There is no substitute to having FUN be it at work or play, when having company or when all alone, be it sunshine or rain and there is nothing as effective as a dose of fun when stressed for that is when each of us gets to Feel Upbeat Now no matter what. The old adage ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ lay stress in a subtle way on the importance of having fun in life. Of course in today’s day and age more and more enlightened corporate and organizations are ensuring that fun is a key ingredient in the work environment. No one is more blessed than one who has fun doing his daily work and enjoys equal fun otherwise too.

So how does one try to have fun and feel upbeat now? The quickest way is to stop reading this post anymore unless you are having fun reading it. If you are still continuing to read this post let me suggest 3 ways to have fun no matter what the situation.

Refocus on positives. When feeling low and depressed or if caught in an apparent vicious circle, keep in mind this one phrase ‘ this too shall pass’. Now try to see the reality as to what could have been worse? E.g. If you are stuck in what you believe is the worst job in the world, be grateful that unlike the jobless at least you have a job. Also focus on some positives in the existing situation e.g. you are diagnosed with an incurable illness be grateful that you have time to prepare for the worst unlike someone who has a sudden heart attack an is no more. Note that by refocusing on positives you are not getting rid of the problem but instead making an attempt to Feel Upbeat Now

Attract fun. Transform yourself into a magnetic personality that attracts positives vibes, exudes refreshing energy and conjures creative ways to enjoy the moment. Not for a moment am I suggesting that one takes a nip or two (which often provides a similar effect immediately) but the key here is ensuring that you are surrounded by dynamic energy, positive vibes and enthusiastic vigor. Simple techniques include reading jokes, sharing jokes, dressing well, partying, entertaining, indulging in a passion etc. You spark the FUN and be certain that you will enjoy the warmth of the bonfire you have lit.

Stay grounded. The essence of balance is to ensure one does not tilt to any side. This means that troubles should not be seen as calamities nor the joys that come one’s way as a perennial gift. Yet, one must be able to feel the real pain that accompanies any sorrow and relish the ecstasy of the fortuitous blessings. Not enjoying the moment robs one of the gift of bliss and by not grieving when one must, there will be an emptiness that can never be filled. Life thereafter will never be fun because, one will live with remorse. Being grounded merely ensures that effects of lightening are felt in all its intensity but without permanent damage to one’s self confidence and personality. FUN then is Feeling Upbeat Now because you turn yourself into the lightening rod that keeps you grounded to reality.

Action Points:

Make a list of all the synonyms for the word FUN. Now carry that list with you and also paste it where you can see it often. You can attempt to try and quickly move into one of those moods/ feelings when you are stressed, feeling low, annoyed, irritated etc.
From the list of words given below, identify 3 words that closely replicate your most negative feelings. Make a practical plan to tackle these negative feelings and improve your fun quotient.

Quick temper/ impatience/ jealousy/ sarcasm / negative attitude/ fear / spiteful/ egoistic / acidic tongue/

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog

http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

CHEERS

2012-01-08T09:56:00.000-08:00

With the holiday season just over, the one expression that underlined the general feelings of people was their cheerful mood. What reinforced this understanding was the numerous parties and get together ‘s in which everyone clinked glasses with the loud refrain of CHEERS and what was evident was that it was a Collective Happy Exuberant Expression of Rapport Symbolized . Yes young or old, friends and acquaintances, noon or night in the true spirit of fun and frolic would pour a drink and the teetotalers would perhaps make do with a soft drink, but uniformly and with great gusto and spirit would clink glasses and exclaim CHEERS.

Whatever the historic beginning of cheers, it is now the accepted norm to convey more than just bohemia and camaraderie for it encompasses gay abandon and is an inhibited expression of the beginning of ecstatic unadulterated fun time. However what makes the expression CHEERS even more significant is that it is a collective expression mostly shared in turns with a partner, thereby confirming individual affirmation to each other and it symbolically reaffirms the rapport one shares with the other. This implies that there are times when people who do not necessarily share a very close relationship or new acquaintances too can easily bond with simple cheers.

In real life everyone hopes to be cheerful all the time. However that is easier said than done. Maybe the word cheers convey the hope that at least briefly, one can hope to be in good spirits and be happy. Ironically this need to be pepped up and cheered has transcended into a whole new arena of professionally trained cheer girls and cheer leaders performing routines to keep sports audiences and players all fired up and excited. This is perhaps a far cry from the origins of the word cheers, but it never the less retains the broad spirit and message.

Cheers has also migrated to a new lexicon where sms and emails end with this small but effective closing. In part it conveys wishes of happiness both of the sender as wells as to the reader. In a broader sense perhaps it is used to take away the formal ending and making it more personalized. Notwithstanding the origins of the word CHEERS, the subtle transition of the expression, the frequent use of it and the uninhibited manner in which it is expressed, eloquently conveys Collective Happy Exuberant Expression of Rapport Symbolized

Action Points:

Do write up on one of the many write up on the origins of the word cheers by clicking this link http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/22/messages/526.html
For teetotalers the word CHEERS would be a meaningless ritual when in the company of those having a drink. However don’t let that distract you from experimenting with your ability to be a loyal fan and member of a cheer party for your favorite sporting club/ team.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog

http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

PULSE

2011-11-30T09:21:00.000-08:00

The most common act of any doctor is to study the pulse of a patient. The pulse offers a fair indicator to the doctor of the general health of the person concerned and is thus an invaluable tool to begin diagnosis of the real illness. In case of life and death situations too the pulse offers the immediate evidence of the state of the patient. The PULSE therefore Provides Ultimate Life Sustaining Evidence both for the average person as well as the specialist doctor.

The pulse is an intangible yet omnipresent evidence of the physical life that we are blessed with. What makes it special is that it is also a good gauge of not just the physical health but also the moods and mental attributes of a person. Notice how are pulse races when we are anxious and how deep breathing when angry or upset can act as an antidote and immediately the pulse slows down and resumes the even pace when we are calm. A similar reaction could be triggered when watching a horror movie or a suspense movie or an action thriller. Conversely a light hearted comedy or a romantic movie could still make the pulse race but in a more subdued manner. The pulse of the movie as measured by you subconsciously could synchronize ones pulse to the emotion that is triggered.

On the larger canvas of life, gauging the pulse of the people is a common euphemism that plays a critical role for those who depend heavily on using this understanding to influence people’s perceptions and choices. Most political rhetoric is often centered around the understanding of the pulse of the people. The advertising world and the marketing domain are past masters in leveraging their pitch based on their analysis of the pulse of the people. Political upheavals are a good example of how ignoring the pulse of the people or not having a finger on the pulse of the state of affairs brings about catastrophic consequences. For those who ignore the pulse of the people it would be painfully evident that life does not sustain if one ignores the ground realities.

While our pulse rate can be influenced by illness or trauma which could require medication, the stress and travails of life too have a major bearing on our pulse rate. One needs to introspect and understand both the personal metabolism as well as those personal triggers that can send us into panic or rage or anxiety or exasperation which have a negative impact on the pulse rate which shoots up due to stress. However a quickened pulse rate is not always negative. In times of danger the pulse rate is a trigger to take evasive action. Have you noticed the flight or fight instinct that is triggered when you come face to face with a wild animal or a growling dog or a spitting cat? The PULSE thus Provides Ultimate Life Sustaining Evidence be it by being proactive or by being reactive. provided we gauge the pulse right.

Action Points:

Observe people around you and judge for your self if they are relaxed, calm, anxious or stressed. Thereafter if you can, try to feel the pulse of these people and take the count for a minute. 70- 90 pulse beats per minute is considered the norm for an average adult. Do you think your initial assessment was right? Get someone to check your pulse too.
Feedback is good source of getting to know the pulse of the people around you regarding their perceptions about you. Pay attention to both the positive comments and particularly to the negative comments to find out your strengths and weakness. If some negative comments are bang on even if they are resented by you, work on improving. E.g. if you are constantly told that you need to improve your body language because you slouch most of the time then this painful realization should be taken seriously and efforts must be made to stand more erect.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

TOUCH

2011-11-16T10:30:00.000-08:00

An oft ignored human expression of emotion is the element of TOUCH. Be it shaking hands with someone or giving someone a hug or a pat on the back or merely holding hands, the varied emotions that come through touch are under rated because very few have realized that TOUCH is The Original Universal Connection to Heart. Ever consciously noticed how in a spontaneous gesture of affection we ruffle the hair of a kid or kiss a chubby little baby? Imagine the feeling of joy and warmth that envelops us when we extend that touch and an overwhelming emotion gets triggered in our heart.

In everyday life the most commonly used touch between adults is a handshake. It is not just a greeting but an expression of equality, acceptance, welcome and respect. In formal settings or when initial contact is made the handshake may be very ritualistic but when a camaraderie is built up and the relationship is more friendly, the handshake gets transformed into an expression of genuine warmth and delight. The handshake has and equally important role ironically in very tragic circumstances particularly at funerals when the condolences are offered to the bereaved. Baden Powell the founder of Scouts movement gave the handshake a touch with a twist. He introduced the concept of scouts shaking hand with the left hand based on his initial contact with an Indian leader in the wild west. (Check the net to find out more about this). It may also be interpreted that this gesture is special too since the heart is closer to the left hand and a left handed shake hand was both symbolic of the seriousness of intent and an appropriate gesture.

Hugs and kisses are not too far behind as methods demonstrating the power of touch. Hugs accentuate the whole body touch to convey the warmth and the closeness that exists between the parties involved. The meeting of long lost friends, family members or close relatives is a time when the hug becomes the silent but powerful communicator of the emotions. Ironically again, the hug also conveys the deepest emotion of sorrow and empathy that one conveys to someone in pain. Children in particular relish a hug for it also ensconces the security that they desperately seek at that vulnerable age. A kiss is a more overt expression of love whether it be between parents and children, between lovers or newlyweds. A kiss is in many ways is the ultimate expression of love and affection expressed as a touch.

Then there are other favored expressions of touch like walking hand in hand, ruffling the hair and fondling which are common place in daily life. The danger of inappropriate touch is a cause for concern though. What is important however, is the recognition of the reality that TOUCH as a sensation and expression of emotion plays a crucial role in the shaping our life and the lives of others we come in contact with for ultimately it is The Original Universal Connection to Heart.

Action Points:

If you have a domesticated pet or if you can observe a domesticated pet and its owner, pay attention to how the pet seeks the affection of its master and attempts to get its masters touch. Dogs in particular overtly seek the touch of its owners. Imagine how much a human being craves for the power of touch.
Next time you shake hands with a stranger/ a friend/ a long lost cousin pay attention to the intensity, duration, style and firmness of the handshake. Do you see a correlation between the handshakes and the intimacy you share with the other party?

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our Inspirational and Motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

COURAGE

2011-11-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

We experience real COURAGE when we Challenge Ourselves Utilize Resources And Get Empowered and this results in the triumph of our self belief over our inhibitions. Of course it is easier said than done partly because any form of courage requires us to overcome our fears but what impedes us most is our lack of self belief that by taking a courageous stand we can have some major bearing on the issues on hand. Another aspect that dampens our courage is our reluctance to commit ourselves and stay the course once we delve into it. Despite these obvious limitations we tend to display courage more often than we give credit to ourselves.

Broadly there are two types of courage we display – physical courage and moral courage. The former is more limited by our inability to confront the possibility of physical pain. The later thought is tougher because it involves making very conscious and possibly riskier choices with more damaging long term consequences. To understand this paradox we need to realize that we could have gone through both types of challenges to our courage when in school. Most times we wouldn’t mind taking on a bully or squaring up to a rough tackling opponent during the football matches but would be terrified of owning up to the teacher when caught for some aberration like homework not being done or copying in an exam.

How does one become courageous? The answer lies partly in our upbringing, partly on our mental makeup but largely on our sense of fair play and justice. If one is brought up with a lot of freedom and acceptance and also encouraged to be daring without being a stupid risk taker chances are that one would be more forthcoming and decisive in ones thoughts and actions. Past experiences and a bit of genetics have an important bearing on our mental makeup, but it is possible that an independent thinking person will change for the better with time and determination. However it is the sense of fair play and justice that will ultimately have a major influence on the kind of courage we display. Maintaining balance is critical to display courage in the right measure. Being foolhardy and displaying stupid bravado is not courage and that is an important thought to be borne in mind.

So why is that we lack courage? At times we do experience the sharp pain of hurt, rejection, lack of understanding and loneliness when we embark on a courageous path. Often we find ourselves in a hopeless minority when we stand up for our principles or beliefs. The pain of isolation, the fleeting thought that maybe we are wrong, the overwhelming pressures brought on us by well meaning but perhaps misplaced views of the majority and the strain of furrowing a lonely path frighten us and we succumb to our inhibitions. Then there are threats to our limb an life which are too formidable to be ignored and too treacherous to be treated casually and the net result is that we give up our original courageous path.

Does this make us cowards? If we were to list out the times we have displayed our courage it would make for poor reading and the inference could be that we are cowards. The fault though is that we prune our list and do not list the daily acts of courage we display be it in simply being polite to a boorish person, standing up for our rights when palmed off with fault goods or being over charged, taking up for someone denied justice or simply exhibiting good sense when everyone is going berserk. These acts may not add up to much on the larger scale of courage as displayed by soldiers on the battle field or someone willing to face harassment and possibly being jailed for their own personal convictions. The real measure though is in displaying COURAGE continuously, consistently and courageously for then we Challenge Ourselves Utilize Resources And Get Empowered

Action Points:

Outline 3 situations in which you would have a very very tough time displaying personal courage. Also examine the possible reasons why you think you would not be able to exhibit your courage.
Can you recollect 3 events / occasions in which you displayed personal courage. What was the feeling you experienced before, during and after the even happened?

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog

http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

STROKE

2011-10-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

For the average person, the word STROKE immediately conjures up a terrible image of a heart attack that leads to death. For the less panicky, depending on their favorite game the work STROKE can have a much more favorable image being seen vividly. The word instantly brings to mind some exquisite backhand down the line stroke or a forehand cross court stroke for tennis buffs and for the cricket enthusiast the same word could trigger images of an array of strokes executed by batsmen over the years. The golf enthusiast won’t be far behind either with some exciting and vivid imagination of his/her dream stroke. However, today we shall focus attention on a less well known but widely accepted and exceptionally useful concept of a psychological stroke which in effect could be seen as Stimulus Transferred Regularly Often Kindles Encouragement.

Broadly there are two types of stokes that one is generally aware of; the positive stroke and the negative stroke. However in real life a large number of people go around without getting any stroke. These are the unfortunate people who end up getting No Strokes and live a lonely life, walk around like lost sheep, lack self pride, feel insignificant and victimized and perceive the world to be against them. With this background we can attempt to understand how the concept of STROKEs has both relevance and utility to each one of us in our everyday life. In fact a better understanding of the topic would enable us to enrich our own life and positively impact the lives of the many people around us.

While negative strokes ( like getting slapped, shouted at, insulted, blamed etc.) are seen as the most avoidable type of stroke, the subtle reality is that getting No Strokes is perhaps the worst emotional and psychological trauma for a human being especially since we are the most evolved social animal. To appreciate this it is essential that we need to understand what a no stroke situation is. Imagine a prisoner kept in an isolation cell. This is normally done to the most dangerous and violent criminal and the idea is the break the prisoner down since as a social animal he/ she need the company of other human beings. While none of us may experience this kind of isolation, imagine the plight of a machine operator working an 8 hour shift or a bus driver seated all alone in the driver’s seat without the benefit of frequent human interaction. Some may have had the experiences of forcibly being isolated when suffering from chicken pox and apart from the suffering from the illness, the loneliness and forced rejection by others may have worsened the trauma.

When subjected to no strokes, the human tendency is to seek some stroke even if it is a negative stroke. An understanding of this reality can perhaps explain why last benchers in class are often disruptive, naughty and mischievous. This also could provide a clue to why bus a driver keeps blowing the horn or revs the engine of the bus whilst at a traffic signal provoking angry stares and possibly shouts and abuses from others around.

Ideally every one craves positive strokes. A smile is the simplest, cheapest and most effective positive stroke. A pat on the back, a word of praise and appreciation are other common means of extending a positive stroke. Positive strokes are of two types. When the stroke is freely given without any expectation it could be called a positive unconditional stroke whereas a positive stroke given with an expectation is a positive conditional stroke. An example of the latter would be a parent offering a reward for doing well in exams or a person obliging another in the hope of getting a return favor latter. Obviously the best possible stroke is a POSITIVE UNCONDITIONAL STROKE for that is when Stimulus Transferred Regularly Often Kindles Encouragement.

Action Points:

Over the next 1 week make a list of the different people with whom you had a chance to interact and who gave you strokes and classify the same into negative, positive unconditional , positive conditional and no strokes. For the same list of people and situations outline what kind of strokes you gave or times when you didn’t give any stroke. Examine your emotions for each recording.
What kind of strokes would you normally give to the following people

A widower who is considered a crank neighbor by others
Your boss or school/ college principal whom you meet on the road suddenly
Your former girlfriend/ boy friend who you unexpectedly meet at a party
The person at the check out counter who is slow, confused and obviously not well trained in his./ her job
A key team member who did not turn up for a match because of an emergency that occurred about which you are not convinced.
The person who scored first place by one mark over you.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog

http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

DANCE

2011-10-16T08:20:00.000-07:00

Every single culture is made richer by it is unique bond with music and dance. Dance as an art form is means to express emotions and the grace and movement that is integral to dance also outlines history, culture and tradition. Through dance, one can get over one’s inhibitions, give vent to ones expressions, relax and cheer up and surprisingly in the rhythm and vigor of the activity one can also Discover Amazing New Cheerful Energy

What is common to all dance forms are the following facts

- Every dance form invariably is a celebration

- There is rhythm, grace, movement and timing that binds the performance

- Involvement and enjoyment are essential requirements to heighten the quality of the performance

While the sense of rhythm, grace and movement are individual specific, learning the art is a prerequisite if one wants to get fully involved and immersed in the beauty of the dance. Unfortunately many are inhibited by the fear that one has no natural talent or ability to shake a leg. Equally damning is the reluctance to be patient, the inability to keep rehearsing to attain mastery and getting cocooned and being wary of experimenting to evolve. The beauty of dance lies in its inspiring ability to capture moods, emotions, expressions and interest of both performer and audience.

The uniqueness of dance lies in :

Its ability to keep a person grounded. Every dance form has some norms, movements and steps which are by and large predefined. It is therefore essential that anyone attempting dancing be well aware of the movements, the beat and the style if one has to gracefully execute the dance. Whether a person learns the dance form formally or by sheer observation and practice is immaterial but the discipline and rigor of the activity makes the person realize the importance and value of form and structure that holds the movements together and gives it the finesse to make it visually appealing.

The freedom it gives to express one’s creativity. While form and structure ensure that there is uniformity and conformity that makes the dance rhythmic and coordinated, the grace, style and improvisation that an individual brings to the dance floor is completely a function of ones personal style, creative outpouring and personal preference and passion. That is the reason why we tend to appreciate some people as natural dancers while others would be clinical in execution but the soul would be missing.

It allows one the to experience the exhilaration of being liberated. The joy of dancing often usurps the ground rules of form and substance. This is evident in the way little kids exude in the joy of sheer spontaneous movement when listening to catchy tunes and dynamic beats of music. The little child in us also comes out when we too join in the fun and frolic when we cannot resist the lure of the gaiety, the rhythm, the mood and the beat and spontaneously sway to the exhilarating emotions that overcome us.

In no other art form would many indulge in a public display of their inadequate abilities so spontaneously and that is when they DANCE and Discover Amazing New Cheerful Energy

Action Points:

If you had to learn dancing which form of dancing would you love to learn? What is it that you love about that dance style? Have you made any efforts to learn that dance? Outline a plan of action to learn that dance form.
Outline the various types of dance forms that you have seen or heard of. Attempt to see some of those dances that you may never have witnessed, let alone participated in. To help you get going here are a couple of dance forms that are listed for you to focus on and you can add to that list.

- Indian classical dances – Mohiniattam, Kuchipudi,

- Western classical dances – Tap dancing, tango,

- Indian folk dances – Cheraw Dance, Koli Dance,

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog

http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

WRITE

2011-09-30T11:24:00.000-07:00

It is ironic that the classic usage of the three R’s that formed the basis of schooling only had the first R being used correctly when we referred to Reading, wRiting and aRithmectic. The other two R’s shot into prominence because of the phonetics, which again was ironic considering that the English language is not based on phonetics. Despite this anomaly, the critical role that is played by knowing how to WRITE can best be understood when we realize that it is a Way to Record Important Thoughts & Emotions. History is testimony to that since we are aware of what happened centuries ago, mainly because we had paintings and writings from those eras to fall back on. A major part of the credit must go to those who took pains to write and record happenings and events of those times.

Today we have so many writing and recording options that we are truly blessed, for we can with relative ease, write on what we fancy. Yet for the vast majority of people, writing is a taxing chore that is best avoided. There are others who would have loved to write but perceive themselves too inadequate to the task. There is also a motley lot who believe that they have the ability to write and plunge headlong into frenzied writing churning out reams of material but then are aghast that they don’t seem to get sufficient readership. Having regularly written this blog and www.actspot.wordpress.com for over a year and a half, let me take the liberty of sharing a few tips to all those who would like to explore their writing talent and share their thoughts, emotions and storytelling skills.

Here are the 4 essentials to any form of writing.

Have a clear objective for writing. It is important that we visualize the audience who we are addressing for only then can we get some clarity as to what we want to write about, work on how we can convey what we want to share and ensure that our writing reaches the audience we target. Many people write randomly and then feel frustrated that they run into writers block, don’t get sustained reader attention and worse still is that sinking feeling that no one knows that I write.

Develop your own style. The writing style is not merely limited to the content, the manner of presentation or the techniques used to keep reader interest alive. Style also refers to the choice of medium, the frequency of writing, the dynamics of reaching out to newer audiences and making your writing stand out and be noticed. Also pay attention to your own strengths in visualizing and transcribing for one can be a poet at heart, a story teller by inclination, an essayist by skill sets or a philosopher by nature. Each offers an opportunity to explore one’s writing abilities and we can attempt it all and then freeze on what suits our natural style best.

Have self belief. The problem for many beginners who attempt to write is that they give up too quickly. Writing is both a skill and an art. Unless one is exceptionally talented, it takes time to be noticed, needs discipline to prolific, takes courage of conviction to keep going when recognition takes time and one has to be creative and strategic to reach out to the right audience. Not all of us are blessed with all these qualities but those who have self belief will persist with patience and optimism.

Improve the play with words. All writing in any form is ultimately a play of words. There is no substitute for a rich vocabulary, a vivid imagination, a structure and syntax when put in print and a flow that is appealing and engaging. Experiment, experience, explore are the three E’s that will aid one in playing around with language and the fine nuances of it. If required, don’t hesitate to get feedback from people who can be objective, experienced and encouraging.

Hopefully, you will be able to grasp the subtle nuances of the points I have elucidated above and be able to appreciate how to WRITE well. If I have achieved what I set out to do, you too will find a Way to Record Important Thoughts & Emotions that are yearning to be put in print.

Action Points:

Can you recollect 3 of the best articles and 3 of the best poems that you read/ studied in your language text books in school? Can you outline the reasons for still being able to recollect those articles/ poems?
Attempt to solve Crosswords, play a game called “Pictionary’ and / or ‘Scrabble’. Also find out other innovative ways to improve your vocabulary.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

VOTE

2011-09-25T09:16:00.000-07:00

While democracy has many faults, most of them relating to the difficulty of effective and impartial implementation, the one tool that upholds it, is the VOTE that each one in a democracy is entitled too. With this one tool those in power can be swept aside and a new set of people brought into power. By not utilizing this one tool, we can end up suffering the ill effects of a stale democracy for as they say ‘Bad governments are elected by good people who did not vote’. The important lesson for each one of us is that, even as individuals we have the power of one with which we can Voice Opinion Through Elections.

When viewed from a personal perspective a vote is not necessarily your opinion expressed via the ballot. As independent thinkers with the power to visualize, discern, decide and articulate, we are expected to participate in all matters that affect our daily living and express ourselves. Such an expression of our personal preferences, views, sharing of suggestions, even changing our stance based on better understanding are part of the process of us voicing our opinion and an indication of our vote. Thus the whole exercise is a participative process in which each of us has to take an active interest and preferably be proactive participants rather than articulate critics. You have opportunities to exercise your opinion and your vote in your local housing society meetings, the meetings of social service clubs of which you may be a member, write letters to the editors of the local newspapers to share your thoughts on social and civic matters.

The one issue that troubles most people exercising their vote is their inability to reconcile the yawning gap between what might be ideal and what could possibly not in our personal interest. It is possible that to tide over a crisis some rather harsh measures would possibly have to be taken but as an individual it is possible that the measures affect you the most. Increasing taxes is often the best example of such a happening. Similarly we may have to choose between someone who is very efficient and a go getter but has loose morals and / or is vindictive and ruthless and another who is clean as a whistle, a good listener, a man of his word but alas cannot get his way and despite his best intentions only has excuses to offer. This is where the personal judgment has to be exercised with caution and deliberation. It is important then to VOTE with awareness rather than endorsing an opinion that seems convenient under the circumstances.

Whatever the circumstances, be aware that a VOTE is your right and more importantly your duty. When the majority doesn’t vote, the minority gets their way and the majority merely has to play along till the next opportunity comes. To avoid such a situation be an active participant in the process, study the issues well, try to keep personal biases away, consciously give your VOTE and Voice Opinion Through Elections.

Action Points:

The next time you go to vote, ask if you are voting in a particular way because you know the issues well or merely because you have been asked to cast your vote by a friend, a well wisher or a person whom you cannot disregard.
Almost every issue has 2 or more sides to it. Do you pay particular attention to the views of those who do not agree with your views? Do you also appreciate those opposing views that have merit but do not fit into the overall scheme of things that you support? E.g. Inducting women into the infantry regiments of the armed forces.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our Inspirational and Motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

2011-09-19T10:29:00.000-07:00

Right from our childhood we are taught, disciplined and coaxed into ensuring that we SHARE whatever we have with those who do not have. It is equally true that many of us didn’t really appreciate this lesson for in our view what was ours was ours to enjoy and the idea of parting even with a small bit of it was neither appealing nor fair. Yet if we paused for a moment and asked ourselves how we would feel if we didn’t have something and the person having it did not share it with us, we would realize how hurt, and dismayed we would be. If we pondered over how we would describe the other person who did not share, we would be sure to ascribe words like selfish, stone hearted and wicked to describe them. On the other hand when we recollect memories of times we shared what we had and of those times when we were fortunate to share things that other had we suddenly recall the joy, happiness and thrill that we experienced simply because we could See How All Receive Everything when we SHARE.

It is equally exhilarating to realize the truth in the saying that ‘we double our joys that we share and half our sorrows that we share’. Perhaps as children we didn’t fully realize the implications of it because a piece of cake when shared simply reduced our own portion of pleasure and our sorrows would be eased only if someone else who wronged us was punished. However with maturity and experience, we realized that we wanted a positive, happy and cordial environment around us, the best way was to share our joys and sorrows. Our tradition of celebrating occasions be a it a religious festival, a wedding, the birth of little one or even doing well in exams or buying something substantial like a car or a house simply reinforce this fact. Similarly, the condolence meetings on the death of a loved one, our visit to the sick and the elderly and messages of sympathy and encouragement manifest as part of the process of sharing sorrows.

Real sharing must be spontaneous and genuine. It must not be done ritualistically or due to compulsion. When we congratulate someone and heartily share in their joy, the connect that we make with the people around would transcend and morph into pure ecstasy. Similarly when we reach out to another in pain, empathize with them and do all within our powers to lessen their pain, we hope to lighten their burden by absorbing a part of their sorrows and sufferings by our mere presence and support. When we SHARE in the joys and the pain, we multiply the former when everyone receives a part of the joy being spread and divide the latter by collectively joining hands to lighten the others burden. Ultimately we See How All Receive Everything when we are willing to SHARE.

Action Points:

What is the most prized possession that you would find hard to share ? What are your fears about sharing it? Do you remember something that you desperately wanted but the person possessing it did not share it with you? Would you share anything with the person who never shared his/ her possession with you?
How and What would you SHARE to ensure the following

Spread joy around
Liven up a dull party
Proactively be involved in fund raising for a charity
To keep yourself enthused and motivated
Make new contacts and relationships

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our Inspirational and Motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

ATTITUDE

2011-09-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

Each of us is fortunate to experience a variety of thoughts every moment, some happy, a few sad, sometimes positive, occasionally negative but what really matters is how those thoughts influence your actions and in turn your life. Our response to our thoughts and the consequences thereafter impact how we shape our life and our future. Our ATTITUDE largely mirrors the response we are prone to take and is therefore seen as A Thought That Immediately Turns Useful in Directing Effort. When ones thoughts are predominantly about failure, the chances of failure are very high, simply because the thought triggers a response largely designed to fail. On the other hand if success and positivity take center stage in our thoughts, then our actions and responses are focused on succeeding and we then enjoy the fruits of success.

There is emphasis on having a Positive Attitude because our thoughts are then directed towards all possibilities that will ensure we overcome any obstacle that impedes chances of success or happiness. In sports, many an upset victory by the underdog reflects the practical aspects of a positive attitude. There is also much truth about the effects of a Positive Attitude in the lines of H.W. Longfellow, in his poem The Ladder of Saint Augustine when he writes:

The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night.

Unless those who toiled had a positive attitude, they would not have expended their energies in the fond hope of achieving success.

It is imperative that one train the mind to have the right attitude. This is made possible by associating with those who display the right attitude, preferably those who are always happy, confident, exuberant, extrovert and not too emotional. Obviously this means that we need to be cautious when interacting with those who are compulsive critics, those who are often sarcastic, those who avoid responsibility and those who keep whining about life in general. Equally important is our self perception about ourselves. Appreciate the strengths one is blessed with; work on overcoming our shortcomings, begin to be more proactive and decisive, exercise more self control and restrain be it on our own temper or bad habits and be grateful for all the blessings that one has been showered with.

Does this mean a Negative Attitude is completely undesirable? At times a negative attitude is a reflection of the harsh reality as is evident to the person experiencing it. It then acts as a self preservation mechanism and our actions are then directed with such an end in mind. Retreating in war when the odds are completely stacked against us can be viewed as a negative attitude but then tactically and strategically it may make better sense to preserve numbers for a better offensive latter. In boxing, ‘throwing in the towel’ is an honorable way to allow the loser to escape unnecessary punishment and hurt because of false bravado or foolhardiness. A negative attitude must be the exception rather than the norm for it to have value and appreciation.

To improve one’s attitude it is essential that we inculcate the following:

Seek out positives in anything and everything that happens.
Learn to be pragmatic without turning to be a defeatist.
Reign in emotions so that decisions are not biased, impulsive or made out of compulsion.
Be creative, innovative and unconventional in order to harness your thoughts to see possibilities in apparently hopeless and irreconcilable matters.
Remember that ATTITUDE is not about Daring but Living, not about Avoiding but Attempting and definitely not about Winning or Losing but Trying whole heartedly.
Finally never forget that ATTITUDE is all about utilizing A Thought That Immediately Turns Useful in Directing Effort.

Action Points:

How will you react in the following situations?

You have not studied throughout the year. Suddenly one month before the exam you attempt to cram and burn the midnight oil to study. By the time the exam day arrives you are not at all confident about appearing for the exam. You then ________________________
You are traveling in a long distance train. At around midnight you hear a commotion and wake up to see a couple of ruffians harassing a lady commuter who is screaming for help. You would then____________________
You go to a friend’s newly opened restaurant for a meal. He is delighted to see you and warmly welcomes you and instructs his staff to give you the best treatment. Unfortunately in their enthusiasm to serve you the waiter spills some hot soup over you. To compound the misery the specialty of the day turns out to be a very poor dish. On the way out your friend eagerly inquires with you about the food and service. How will you respond to him? ____________________________

Find something Positive in the following situation:

Despite studying hard and doing well in the exam, when the results come you are declared failed.
You have won the lottery for a million rupees but you have misplaced the ticket and cannot find it before the deadline for submission.
Your overseas vacation with the family is all well planned but unfortunately the day before leaving a family member who is also part of the trip takes seriously ill and is admitted to ICU and you are forced to cancel the trip incurring heavy losses on the tickets and hotel booking that are not refunded.
You have won a contest in which you are to have a dinner with your favorite actor/ sportsperson. You eagerly go for the vent all excited and upbeat but are rudely shocked to know that the personality has had an emergency and cannot attend the event.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog

http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

LEARN

2011-08-28T09:51:00.000-07:00

As man developed and evolved over the centuries, the key to the progress was the effort he/she made to adapt, adjust and advance which was made possible by the ability to LEARN. Learning was a mix of being enriched by experience, progressively experimenting, acquiring new skills and developing through analysis, thinking and creativity. What made the process smoother was the realization by each successive generation that through the process of learning each once was collectively and individually experiencing that Life gets Enriched As Resources are Nourished.

When one set about to learn, there were specific competencies that we sought to improve but interestingly the learning nurtured much more than just one aspect of life. When one sought to became a better hunter, it was not the mere hunting skills that developed but the tools of hunting evolved, the styles of hunting changed and even the approach to what was to be hunted was carefully discerned. In school today, the array of subjects that a student is taught is focused on giving an opportunity to everyone to have a feel of the various hues of learning and in the process helps one to have basic skills in key areas of life be it mathematics, an idea of geography, grasp of language skills etc.

Sports as an area of learning was focused on nourishing the energy and enthusiasm that forms the core of youth. It helps one develop his/ her physique, stamina, flexibility and in addition helps one discover the hidden talent and potential as a sportsperson. That apart, team sports bring out the team spirit and cohesiveness required to succeed, the realization that there is a leader and subordinate relationship, that individual skills alone cannot guarantee success etc. The sports arena also highlights the importance of being very fit, the realization that there are off days when even the champion looks very ordinary and that competition will always be around to challenge and compete.

As one goes about living one’s daily life, the process of learning continues consciously and unconsciously. Bringing up a child, balancing a career and a home, coping with sudden changes and calamities etc. are all events that we are never formally trained in or taught about. However the learning in most cases happens unconsciously, occasionally painfully but always fruitfully. If one seeks to learn, one must have the right attitude, the willingness to pay a price for the learning and the courage to experience the learning even if there is risk and danger attached to the process. A learning attitude is all about nurturing the mindset to accept what comes our way and to hope that we get a benefit even obliquely. Every experience is an opportunity to learn and many a time the experience can be painful, distressing and demoralizing. Nevertheless the gain is in realizing that it is not the end of the road. The best learning comes from putting into action or practice what is absorbed. Despite the best attitude, the best preparation and extensive practice, the reality is always unpredictable. We then LEARN that when we are willing to be lifelong students Life gets Enriched As Resources are Nourished though our experiences, by our own experiments and our positive expectations.

Action Points:

Jot down the 3 new things you learned during the last one week. It could relate to your work, it could be something you gained from the TV/ neighbor/ children/ friend etc.
Outline some new things you would want to learn. This could relate to your passion/ profession/ whim / or as a challenge. How will you outline the way you plan to achieve this and put some clear deadlines to begin and allocate the time for it too.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our Inspirational and Motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

MIRROR

2011-07-31T11:38:00.000-07:00

Nothing can surpass a MIRROR for its faithful and unbiased feedback, candid and honest portrayal and dispassionate and calm countenance. What is equally important to note is that we often take it for granted despite liberally utilizing it to preen ourselves from the time we wake up till the time we hit the sack at night. Surprisingly, while many times we are not too pleased with the feedback, portrayal and countenance displayed, we nevertheless accept it as Meaningful Instant Reflection Revealing Original Reality.

Feedback: Even our best friend would think twice about making disparaging comments about our looks, and our expressions but the mirror has no such compunctions. The good part is that because we get such a feedback we are able to make use of the very same mirror to goad us into making the changes required be it combing our hair, putting on a dash of make up or learning to smile more and frown less.

Portrayal: How an attire looks on us, our physical features and our body language are loudly echoed back by the mirror allowing us the luxury of making adjustments without any overt or covert comment or disapproval. In fact when we seek to change based on the ungainly portrayal that is reflected in the mirror, it is the faithfulness of the mirror that we turn to seek confirmation that the changes we attempt suit us and reflect our personality.

Countenance: When happy or sad, elated or depressed, when angry or cheerful, fearful or upbeat a peek at the mirror would quickly point out the reality without comment, suggestions or advice. When the feelings are negative, we are silently urged to focus on the positives whilst we are quietly injected with even more optimism and elation when the feeling is happy, positive and vibrant.

Nothing exemplifies the role of a mirror in one’s life as much as * the fact that in Kerala, in the shrine of Bhadrakali, the female element of energy- there is no idol. Within the shrine, the worshipper finds a great polished bronze mirror, a round mirror in which his/her face is reflected: it is a long journey into the within of nature and self.

When we quietly reflect on the reflections of a mirror, we again come to the undeniable fact and inevitable truth that wonder of the mirror lies in its Meaningful Instant Reflection Revealing Original Reality.

*Quoted from Pupul Jayakar’s Welcome Address at the January 1987 seminar held by the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust on the theme’ Towards New Beginnings’

Action Points:

Not all mirrors reflect the images as a normal mirror would. If you can do make it a point to visit the crazy mirror rooms where the mirrors reflect a grossly distorted image of you. The experience would be both fun and an eye opener, for it will portray you in a manner that you can never ever imagine. Pause and ask yourself if you like any of the images portrayed or that you prefer the original image that stares back at you from your mirror at home?
To appreciate the power and fun that mirrors can provide, procure a Kaleidoscope or better still make one and enjoy seeing the varied patterns that emerge. Here is a link that shows how to make a kaleidoscope (the mirrors are substituted by glazed plastic) http://tinyurl.com/4ypfgzm
Do read the post in the following link to know how and why your closest friend is the best mirror in which to see yourself http://tinyurl.com/3puqx3e
Stand in front of your mirror at home and do the following

Comb your hair in a completely different way and see how you look
Take another smaller mirror and hold it behind your head in such a way that the image is reflected on the larger mirror. Take a good look at the back of your head. Balding men in particular can now have a completely different view of what they perceive to be a full mop of hair on their crown.
Puff your cheeks/ wink at the mirror/ try out various facial expressions like anger/ surprise/ frown/ pain/joy/ sadness etc.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

SMART

2011-07-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

What distinguishes something special and catches the eye is how SMART the appeal is to the beholder. This is true for inanimate objects as well as for people. While for inanimate objects the outward appearance plays a vital role in zooming on to something smart, ultimately it is not just the outward looks but the overall features that influences. In the case of people too, the grooming, the personality and the body language definitely influences ‘first impressions’. However it is the confidence, the knowledge and the ability to effectively communicate that ultimately determines how a Stylish Modern Approach Radiates Tastes and conveys the SMART impression.

Our focus here will be on how individuals can be SMART and reap the rewards. The key lies in aligning and balancing the key dimensions of an individual’s life and ensuring that one manages to be smart in each of these areas.

Physical : Personal grooming, dressing, manners and body language would be the major sub components that make up this dimension of an individual. The taste in clothing and accessories, the style and panache with it is carried would of course depend on the occasion and the setting but in the end they matter the most for they form the ‘first impressions’. Manners and etiquette's accentuate the first impressions and the way one carries oneself in stature, posture and demeanor could reinforce the initial judgment.

Mental: Knowledge and intelligence are two major components that make up this aspect of an individual. Being well read, updated and sharing opinions and views would enable one to display the knowledge that one has. Using the knowledge and experience efficiently and creatively at work and in everyday living could focus attention on intelligence. Judgment, discretion and decisiveness are other traits that would have a bearing on how mentally smart a person is perceived to be.

Emotional: Feelings are a good barometer of emotions. Feeling trigger emotions of anger, hope, jealously, happiness, fear, frustration etc. Managing emotions, particularly negative emotions present both a challenge and an opportunity that in the long run determines how others perceive an individual. Being optimistic, having a positive attitude, being bold and daring are traits that are much valued in an individual. At the same time display of anger, bitterness, rudeness, fear and frustration are emotions that deflect attention from the core strengths and mars another wise smart personality.

Holistic: Since no one can live in isolation, the holistic perception is ultimately formed by observing the social dimensions of the individual. The ability to gel well with others, the capacity to have strong interpersonal relationships, the seamless way one can strongly disagree without being disagreeable etc. ultimately provide the inflection point that determines how others judge an individual’s personality. A smart personality indicates that the reality is evident and that the potential is available.

In the ultimate analysis, it is obvious that all the dimensions pertaining to an individual must be well aligned and in ample measure if one qualifies to be viewed as SMART. It is then that an individual’s Stylish Modern Approach Radiates Tastes and is acknowledged by the world at large.

Action Points:

Identify one smart individual preferably known to you, in each of the following categories. Identify their 2 strongest qualities.

A teacher
A colleague
A competitor
A former classmate
A person of the opposite sex

As an individual identify 2 specifics in each of the following dimensions that you would need to work on and improve so that you can project an even more smart personality.

Physical
Mental
Emotional
Holistic

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

RUSH

2011-07-06T11:26:00.000-07:00

In most urban areas people always seem to be in a RUSH. They are always moving at a fast pace, seemingly with a deadline to meet and irrespective of the mode of transportation seem to resent anyone or anything that slows them down. Analyze their behavior and one can immediately understand what RUSH implies for it is exhibited in the form of Rapid Urgent Speedy Haste.

Rush hour traffic is an euphemism extensively used to denote the chockablock and suffocating experience that one endures early mornings and late evenings on working days. The experience is uniform be it travelling by road, rail or foot. Some interesting sidelights to this rush syndrome can be noticed as under.

Urgency seems to goad all those in a rush. Every person seems to have an agenda and a deadline to meet. The problem is compounded when there are linkages between the deadlines as would be the case when a person has to catch a variety of transport to reach ones destination. Sadly the urgency that spurs the rush is often stone walled in the humdrum of bureaucratic tangles, the lethargy of unmotivated individuals and the knots weaved by redtapism.

The speed at which others travel unconsciously propel us to keep the same pace. This has partly to do with the physical need to keep pace to avoid being stem rolled or run over. However it is the psychological compulsions of the mind, seemingly nudged by the pace of others around. that triggers alarm bells of tardiness and inefficiency. As a result breasting the tape takes precedence over smelling the flowers or enjoying the view.

The value of time suddenly becomes the focal point. The classic case are the train and bus timings around which a large number of peoples life revolves. Going a step further, even indicating chunks of time be it for pizza delivery or for catching up with someone is now fine tuned to near precision levels. Even appointments are scheduled taking into consideration the RUSH factor.

In a fast paced world, one needs to match the pace around. However, it is equally important that one understand the dangers of being in a rush all the time. It will take a toll on health and relationships, affect the quality of output if continuously churned out in a rush and one would miss the small pleasures of life that simply whizz past us while we are meeting deadlines, targets and collecting bonuses along the way. Yet in the frenzy that grips the lifestyle and work style we are wedded to, we cannot eliminate the RUSH, for mantra that spells success is Rapid Urgent Speedy Haste.

Action Points:

Make a list of 5 things that you always wanted to attempt/ do but never got around to doing. Examine the reasons for not starting them. In how many cases did lack of time become the major excuse?
To make use of RUSH positively here are a few things to attempt

- Pay of all your bills immediately on receipt of the same

- When going out for a walk as part of your exercise routine focus on increasing the distance covered rather than merely increasing the time you walk.

- Attempt to delegate more work so that you are not rushed when doing your work and you can focus on that work that is important to your job and responsibilities

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com

NEAT

2011-06-30T12:08:00.000-07:00

If asked each one of us would want to do a NEAT job no matter what the work is. From the most mundane to the most complicated work, the adjective NEAT if it precedes the effort, would show case the ultimate result a notch higher. The difference between good work and great work is often just the way the ultimate result is perceived and a NEAT job ultimately gets noticed as a Nice Elegant Appreciative Try.

Neatness is a mix of order, symmetry, balance, elegance and visual ecstasy. Invariably those getting good marks in exams have a slight edge if they have a neat handwriting because the end result gets highlighted and catches the eye of the examiner. Similarly, people who excel in art and drawing have the ability to conjure up a balanced and visually appealing product be it a painting or flower arrangement or merely the overall setting in which they operate be it at home or work. Ironically many a talented and artistically inclined thrive in chaotic and messy surroundings and perhaps they are so obsessed with the neatness of the end product that everything else is ignored.

If one wants to be NEAT it is imperative that one prunes the junk. This means all that is superfluous and unwanted must be ruthlessly eliminated. The difficulty here is that we are often obsessed by the tendency to hoard and that is why we tend to store, stock and showcase the good, the bad, the useful and the useless. The next is to develop a sense of balance, order and symmetry. If one lacks this innate ability then it is essential that we get someone else with this ability to help us. The spurt in using the service of architects, interior decorators and landscape designers reflects the move to seek professional help. Finally if one wants to be NEAT at all times, one must be prepared to take a lot of effort. The effort involves maintaining a high personal standard of excellence and this could mean not compromising on even the most insignificant detail. Continuity is the key and the one big stumbling block is the constant care, maintenance and cleanliness that taken together forms the axis around which neatness revolves.

Finally it is essential that we examine our own beliefs, attitudes and actions to determine how committed we are to being neat. Simple things like how much importance we attach to personal grooming, the seriousness with which we approach a given task, the extend of detailing we would go into with respect to any activity etc. would indicate to us our ability to meet the rigors of being neat. Perhaps we can make a good beginning by just examining our own setting at this point in time and determine if we are in a NEAT setting and tell ourselves that it is Nice Elegant Appreciative Try.

Action Points:

Every month make 2 major changes in your living room and bedroom to give you a feeling of change, newness and neatness.
Attempt at least 2 of the following:

Visit an art gallery and observe the style, shades, strokes that are reflected in the paintings on display.
Visit a car showroom of a high end brand of cars and appreciate the subtle differences that make the car so special and expensive.
Go to the major vegetable market in your city and examine reasons for dirt, squalor and untidiness there. Are there solutions to redeem the situation?
Visit the local zoo or a dairy farm that maintains its own milking cows. Ask yourself 3 reasons that ensure the place is relatively very neat.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog www.actspot.wordpress.com

WORK

2011-06-19T10:56:00.000-07:00

The one feature that acts as a great leveler for the human race is the undeniable fact that every individual has to WORK not just to earn a living but to also make the living worthwhile. There would be many who would say that the billionaires and the mystics are exceptions, but the truth is that even they have to put in that effort to keep themselves occupied and engaged for it is that WORK which is the Worlds Original Rewards Key that gives physical, moral, financial, psychological, intrinsic and extrinsic sustenance.

For the vast majority of people, the notion of work conjures and image of hard physical labor which was the true nature of work in the beginning of time. However, with the dynamic progress of the human race, the introduction of technology, the concept of leisure as a business and the with the dynamics conjured up by imagination and creativity the ambit of WORK embraces every sphere of human activity. For the spectators, watching a professional sport may be leisure as also for an audience enjoying a movie or a TV sitcom, the experience would be relaxation but for those professionals who entertain us, they have to WORK hard to earn a living. Ironically for the sports commentators and movie critics who in our myopic view get to enjoy the sport or movie free, they see themselves as professionals engaged in WORK.

It is equally true that almost everyone views work as a unavoidable evil and given a choice would dream of being a billionaire imagining that they would just sit back and do nothing. A close look at the life and style of billionaires would reveal that they work much harder to increase wealth, maintain power, maintain a work life balance and protect their turf from competition. Each of these accomplishments is seen by them as reward for their effort. Similarly, the time and effort you are taking to read the post is part of the WORK you do and the learning, the new thinking, the motivation and euphoric revelations if any that you will experience, would be the Worlds Original Rewards Key that opens up your life to varied possibilities.

The question that everyone is seeking an answer to is ‘Can I find a WORK that I never tire of and eagerly look forward to everyday?’ In this context it is worthwhile recalling the saying that’ if you chose a job that you love, you will never have to work a day in your life’. A few fortunate people manage to identify what they love and get doubly fortunate in finding their calling in that sphere. Many mystics, priests and religious leaders would often fall in this category. For the rest the alternative is to ‘try and love the job you do so that you are not burdened with work’. Be assured that no one can escape WORK in some form and so why not use WORK to be the one single key that rewards us in direct proportion to the effort and eureka you realize that WORK is Worlds Original Rewards Key to lifetime happiness.

Action Points:

While every job has dignity, due to personal bias and lack of appreciation of the job we all have our personal dislikes of some professions. To help you get a better feel of some of these jobs you have to decide which ONE of these jobs you would choose if you were forced to by circumstances and fate and how would you get to like it.

Garbage collector
Undertaker (one who makes funeral arrangements)
Butcher
Coroner (someone who investigates deaths)
Helper at a mental asylum

(Also spend 5 minutes reflecting on what would happen if someone was not available to do each of the above jobs)

What are the things you dislike in your current job/ work. (Here is a list to help you get started)

It is too monotonous
It is very stressful
I dislike the job
I hate the work environment

(Now make a list of things that you appreciate in your current job. (Here is a list to help you make a beginning)

I have a job which gives me an income
I have a great set of colleagues to work with
The job is interesting and yet not stressful
My education and talent is being used optimally

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

LAUGH

2011-05-29T11:01:00.000-07:00

One of the most distinctive features of the human race is our ability to LAUGH. Invariably a good laugh as often as possible is recommended as the best therapy for a long, stress free and wholesome life. The essence of laughter lies in its uninhibited spontaneity and its accessibility to all, no matter what the circumstance or time. Laughter is usually reserved for comic happenings, a sharing of a joke or a wit and is the best stress buster if judiciously indulged in. It lightens the mind, frees the heart of anxieties perhaps momentarily and creates a bond between those around even if they are strangers. More than anything else, the strength of a good laugh lies in its positivity, its dynamism and its ability to help people share in the happiness of the moment by the Loud Appreciation Usually Given Heartily.

Can one leverage the power of laughter? The answer to this question holds the key to the success of many people. All of us spontaneously laugh when we see a comedy movie, read a good joke or enjoy the funny antics of a clown or some clownish behavior. However successful people leverage the power of laughter to enhance our self esteem, leadership skills and popularity. You too can enhance your popularity rating, improve your interpersonal skills and accelerate the pace of your growth and success by paying attention to the following 3 mantras related to your ability to LAUGH.

Learn to laugh at yourself. There will invariably be times when you become the butt of jokes unwittingly perhaps. One’s ability to laugh at one’s self determines how others view your maturity, your ability to take criticism and your temperament. Those who have perfected the art of laughing at themselves, occasionally use this art to poke fun at themselves and thereby endear themselves to the public at large. Gandhiji for example has drawn attention to his rather shabby handwriting and his ungainly features especially his ears and thereby making himself endearing to his audience. It was Pope John XIII who refereeing to his impoverished family background stated that there are 3 ways to poverty; farming, gambling and womanizing and then he went on to add with a chuckle, my father chose the most boring method of the three.

Ensure sarcasm as a means to evoke laugher is avoided. Sarcasm is actually making fun of others and thereby evoking laughter. The trouble with sarcasm is that its intent is suspect, the target is usually someone who cannot hit back and while there could a roar of laughter, there would be at least one individual who would be seething with rage for being picked upon. Sarcasm as a means to evoke a good laugh is fraught with the danger of others becoming wary of the sharp wit, the hurt to the individual outweighing the peals of laughter and an unspoken heaviness in the atmosphere despite them laughter.

Share, spread and sprinkle laughter wherever you go. There is a popular misconception that most of us are not naturally gifted to contributing to a good laugh. The simplest thing that one can do is heartily laugh at what one finds funny. If possible even compliment the person evoking the laughter. With a little daring you can even share a good joke or make a pertinent wisecrack and lighten up things. However avoid all tendencies to share smutty jokes, forward indiscriminately sms jokes and email jokes and watch out for jokes with racial, religious, cultural overtones. It is also rude to interrupt and tell the punch line of a joke told by another just because you have heard it. Nothing spreads as much cheer and evokes an uproarious laughter as telling a joke on yourself. You can be sure that if you are the butt of the joke you share, there will definitely be Loud Appreciation Usually Given Heartily.

Action Points

Think of your three favorite jokes. Can you narrate this in an interesting way without forgetting the punch line?
Think of three people who you have a healthy respect for. Is their ability to laugh or evoke a laugh one of their strengths that endear him/ her to you? Can you think of 2 people who are really fun to be with? Can you think of why they are so popular?

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Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

MEEK

2011-05-14T09:12:00.000-07:00

One of the traits that distinguish truly great people is their ability to be meek despite the accolades, the adulation and the applause that they are generously accorded for their achievements and stature. The background, their expertise, their sophistication, their wealth, their style, their achievements all become relatively marginal when they are MEEK because it is then that they come across as individuals who Make Every Effort Kind. In the process they actually strip away the veil of power, position and pomp that others usually see in them and then they are able to be one with the masses, displaying their truly human side and emotions of caring, loving, understanding and pragmatism.

It is often mistakenly believed that by being meek one is displaying vulnerability to the softer side of the person and that this signals a weak individual who can be pushed around. On the contrary, one can afford to be meek and should be meek purely because others cannot come up to the lofty standards and position that the individual in question has attained. More importantly, by being meek a person strengthen his self esteem, does a self evaluation and reality check by remaining grounded and can imbibe learning that is direct, practical and firsthand. A fine example of this trait can be seen in the politicians who have held office for long years; for it is when they are meek and interact with their constituents that they can build bridges of trust and confidence with their voter base.

One of the hall marks of someone who is meek is politeness. This is closely followed by two more traits, respect and consideration. In being polite, we display our cultured upbringing, our ability to bite the bullet in tough situations without rancor or aggression and express ourselves without treading on the self respect of others. When we have differences, disagreements or we are disappointed with another individual, our ability to appreciate the others view point without being inconsiderate takes a lot of effort. This effort culminates in us being respectful to others. Similarly the meek make it a point to see that others are not hit below the belt, the rules of engagement are not flouted and that a sense of proportion is maintained in criticism, in dialogue and in all interactions.

Ego is the one trait that one needs to have a good grip over if one wants to come across as a meek but effective person. If we cannot get our ego harnessed, our best of intention to be kind, polite, respectful and considerate will be futile because we would unconsciously lapse into a self righteous mode and become harsh, dominant and express ourselves aggressively. Money, power and intellect are at the root of all ego related problems. Once we are aware of this, we can make efforts to consciously note the ill effects any or all of these have on our personal behavior, style and communication. Arrogance, high handedness and sarcasm could be a set of traits that would reflect the ill effect of ego and the negative effect it has on trying to be MEEK for suddenly all attempts to Make Every Effort Kind seems very tough.

Action Points:

Reflect on the thought that MEEKness could be the one quality that is unique to the Human Race and possibly not found in the animal kingdom. Does this make a good case for us to be meek in our interactions without being submissive and docile.
How would you reflect your meek but assertive side in the following situations

Giving alms to a beggar
While tackling a very agitated friend/ sibling who has had a grave misunderstanding with you
Someone subordinate to you has made a grave error and the repercussions for you are rather serious.
You have a rather quarrelsome neighbor who disturbs the peace of the night with loud music and / or keeps the TV set switched on at a high decibel late at night.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

SHAPE

2011-05-07T10:38:00.000-07:00

To give SHAPE to anything be it a concrete structure like a sculptor or a building or a painting or an abstract concept like planning for the future, visualizing the coming trends or ideating the focus is on discovering the hidden, creating something new and allowing something to sprout and grow. What is unique about giving SHAPE to anything is the evolution that we actively or passively participate in which allows us to See How Artistic Plans Emerge. It is possible that we may not entirely approve of or appreciate the end product but we cannot deny that it is the outcome of a plan that has borne fruit even if the fruits are sour or unpalatable for us.

Fashion trends epitomize this contrast between artistic talents that have maniacal following and equally vocal detractors who denounce the trends. The important lesson here is that shape is what emerges and the outcome does not have to appeal to all. The contrast between the old world poetry with its emphasis’ on rhyme, meter and beat is a far cry from the modern poetry that has shock value abstractness and disharmony as the backbone on which verses emerge. Modern abstract paintings too follow a similar trend with interpretations holding the key to unraveling the shape that one can extrapolate from the realms of creativity.

However, the shape of things to come have a major bearing on the habits, the following, the trends and lifestyle that people will succumb too. The wide range of mobile phones epitomizes this need for style to percolate into every niche that emerges in the market space. The bizarre fashion scene, the opulent life style of the rich and the famous, the emergence of new cults and the changing communication styles be it proliferation of the SMS language or the bastardisation of the original language with a mix of other regional languages are pointers to the SHAPE of things to come.

This does not mean that we cannot have our own control over the shape of things that matter in our life. To begin with, we can work on giving shape to our hopes, aspirations and dreams. Goal setting is the key to this. In the beginning our ideas would be hazy, utopian, seem to be pipe dreams and occasional seem to be of demonic proportions. Other times we fail to let our imagination soar, get stuck in our little cocoons of limited aspirations and fear of failure often puts the brakes on allowing ourselves to think big and pursue our passions. Only if you can visualize it can you hope to attain it. Goal setting will provide the initial momentum to get going. However to give concrete shape to ones aspirations and dreams requires Hard work, Persistence and Self belief. Hard work will fuel the momentum, persistence will provide the encouragement no matter what the odds and self belief measures the progress that brings one closer to ones goals. Reaching the goal also helps SHAPE your character, your destiny and your dreams and then you can See How Artistic Plans Emerge to color up your life.

Action Points:

Revisit your childhood and attempt to do the following

Make a paper boat
Make an aero plane with paper
Spin a top by looping the string around it and chucking the top
Draw a scenery
Get some clay and attempt your own clay models

Work on giving shape to the following

Your financial goals
Your career goals
Your family goals
Your health related goals
Your leisure goals
Your passion related goals

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

SLEEP

2011-04-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

Undoubtedly one of the greatest pleasures in the world that is available absolutely free is SLEEP. Roughly one third of our life is spent sleeping and that is the time we actually forget all our worries, get complete relaxation and possibly enjoy the most. The beauty of sleep is in the realty that we can indulge in it at anytime, it helps us recharge ourselves and it is an antidote for any and all worry. SLEEP is therefore Simple Leisure that Erases Every Pain.

The beauty of sleep is best experienced when one is really tired and exhausted for then rest is what one craves for. A good sleep not only relaxes us but refreshes and rejuvenates us thereby preparing us to continue our quest with renewed vigor and passion. When we are disturbed and stressed, what we really should do is free our minds of the worries plaguing us. This is near impossible because when we are awake our mind is constantly juggling various thoughts and ideas most of it centering around the problem we are trying to forget. If we manage to get a sound sleep despite our anxieties, occasionally with the aid of a sleeping pill, it still helps us gather our wits and calm our nerves. Relief from pain is best experienced when asleep and that accounts for the prescription of sleeping pills for those in pain and for those who are sleep deprived or who are prone to panic attacks and depression.

Not getting a good sleep can be symptomatic of many ills. Some could be bodily ills manifesting itself in pain and discomfort that prevents one from having a good sleep. Sleeplessness could often be a very significant indicator of worry. When we are tense, anxious and confused sleep eludes us and occasionally when we do drift off to sleep, we have a disturbed sleep which really does not give us the rest and comfort we normally enjoy in a good sleep. Ironically sleep often gives us the space and time to delve into our subconscious mind and thereby often wake up getting innovative solutions to some of our problems, answers to some vexing issues and recoups our mental faculties and charges us up to renew our tryst with ordeal that we may have been challenged by.

It is ideally suggested that each one of us must enjoy 8 hours of sound sleep. This varies from person to person but anyone who manages 8 hours of sound sleep can feel truly blessed. It is essential that we do not feel guilty of enjoying our sleep at night particularly when told that many successful people can do with much less sleep. The quality of sleep one gets matters much more than the quantity of sleep. Catnaps is a technique of enjoying sound sleep for a limited time ( normally during the afternoon after lunch) which is the equivalent of putting a mobile to charge up for then we too can be fully recharged after a catnap. However the compulsions of modern work ethics do not really permit many to have this luxury. However, those who can indulge can experiment with it to check out its efficacy and suitability for your individual needs. What is essential to remember is that SLEEP is Simple Leisure Erases Every Pain, be it physical pain or physiological pain.

Action Points:

Read up on catnaps and the famous personalities who effectively used catnaps. (Winston Churchill is one such personality). Try catnaps yourself and judge for yourself if it suits your style and requirements.
Here are the name of characters of two different stories that have sleep as the predominant theme. Read up on the same.

Rip Van Winkle
Sleeping beauty

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Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

BEST

2011-04-23T05:44:00.000-07:00

When we set out to do a task, more often than not our objective is to merely completely task. Of course completion of the task must be the prime objective but one must not forget that there are a number of other factors that come into play when we do the task. These factors also have a bearing on how we accomplish the task and how we are judged by our team members, peers and superiors. Our attitude, our competence, our dexterity, our self belief etc all come into play and if all these are well aligned then we actual give out our BEST which means that our Brilliant Efforts Stand Triumphant

To give off our best it is essential that we first orient ourselves for the same. Begin with a winner’s mindset accepting the challenge and focusing on not just completing the task but being ready to overcome any and all obstacles in pursuit of our goal. There are times when this can be a daunting prospect especially when we begin work on a long drawn out and seemingly complicated ask. It is at this point that we must begin the process of visualizing the end result, work backwards and identify the key intermediary steps, put the appropriate checks and balances in place and kick off the activity with gusto and grit. e.g. Attempting to give a competitive exam like a GMAT / GRE or Starting a new business venture.

Maintaining above par quality standards holds the key to us giving of our best. Reputation is built on consistent performance, excellent output and a no excuses policy. This effectively means that one has to adopt lofty standards which can be tough to attain, tougher to maintain and really satisfying when attained. We need to guard against any temptation to compromise on our standards, rule out short cuts to reaching our goals and be ready to pay a price to ensure that we get back on track in case we stumble or slip. One way to ensure that we do not deviate from our standards is to identify the right benchmarks to follow. E.g. Brand names build over time reflect the reputation created with quality and consistency. The IIT’s and IIM’s are a prime example of this. For individuals tags like dependability, hardworking, studious, humble etc. are quality tags that the world at large bestows based on their perception of the individual.

Get going in right earnest is the mantra that triggers us giving our best. Far too often we end up planning to give our best but most times we end up aborting our plans or merely attempting it half heartedly. While we may have chalked out lofty goals and a foolproof road map to attain it when it is time to begin the journey we find it hard to overcome our misgivings about success, our fear of overreaching, plant a mine filed of self doubts about our abilities and / or simply proceed with little vigor and even less enthusiasm thus just about reaching the goal with no feeling of ecstasy or triumph. It is only those who keep their doubts aside, fill their minds with positive thoughts, generate the spirit of adventure and throw themselves whole heartedly into the rough and tumble of the challenge who can give off their BEST and ensure that their Brilliant Efforts Stand Triumphant.

Action Points.

Write down 3 of your passions that you have not yet indulged in. Now select one of them and outline an action plan to get going on pursuing it in the next 1 year. Put time frames and cost implications to ensure that the task is well planned. One year from today enjoy the fruits of your best effort.
How will you tackle the following and give your best

You are a passionate fan of a sport and you want to ensure you get a ticket (which is in short supply) for the big finals of the game
You want to make your family happy by surprising them and doing something that they believe you won’t manage eg, improving your grades / taking them on an overseas trip
Identify the one weakness that you are constantly being a negative feedback about. Now how will you ensure that that you overcome that weakness and get a positive feedback from others about that.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com//

MOON

2011-04-11T08:53:00.000-07:00

The MOON has always been the favorite allegory of romantics and poets perhaps because it is the Mystical Optical Ode to Night. It has a feminine quality that allures itself to varied interpretations ranging from sublime passion to the mysterious power that triggers irrational responses in human beings and nature. The moon has always been the focal point of many a custom, ritual and religious practice and thus has a significant role in the beliefs and actions of very many human beings.

What is significant though, is the fact that the moon holds on to its own despite the sun being the king pin of the universe. It sends a loud message that while the heat, light and energy together pose as a formidable combination to garner attention, there is ample scope for the sublime, the calm and the subtle to make a deeper impact, draw attention to and profoundly influence those who are drawn to its virtues. This means that there is ample scope for each one of us to make his/ her mark in this world by sheer dint of self belief and focus on goals. There is no need to create a splash, jolt the environment or overtly create an aura if one has the foresight to forcefully and purposefully charm, cajole and befriend those whom we want to draw close to us.

The moon makes its presence felt when it is needed most and waits for the sun to set to make its own presence felt at night. In fact it actually collaborates with the sun and reflects the light from the sun to ensure that the nights are bathed in moonlight and thereby ensuring that there is a role for both the sun and the moon to play. We too can attempt to collaborate with those around us to meet social causes, push socially relevant agenda’s and act as change agents to improve the social, political and physical environment around us. Eg. Green environment is what the world wants and the establishment proposes through various measures. We as responsible citizens can actively practice it, propound it and encourage those in our circle of influence to also be a willing partner in the initiatives.

It is the moon that brings life to the night; toe experience it see the shimmering moonlight on the waters, the hide and seek it plays with the clouds, the varied shapes and contours it takes from full moon to no moon and the romanticism that it sparks in the hearts of many. When we are faced with some bleak moments, unbearable pain, desperation and fear, seek out the moon within you and you will be privy to Mystical Optical Ode to Night that lends a cheer and promises us the dawn without fail.

Action Points:

Attempt to answer the following quiz related to the moon

Who was the first man to land on the moon.
What was the spaceship on which the first person landed on the moon.
Who popularized the moonwalk dance.

For hardcore moon enthusiasts here is a link http://tinyurl.com/3qnznot to a more scientific quiz about the moon. Click on the start button on the page to start the quiz.

For those wanting a little fun and relaxation here is the link to the Moonwalk dance popularized by the above singer cum dancer http://tinyurl.com/3nsmrxb

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http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

7 Leadership lessons to be learned from M.S.Dhoni’s captaincy

2011-04-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

7 Leadership lessons to be learned from M.S.Dhoni’s captaincy

Magnetic Personality binds the team

Acceptance as a natural leader is perhaps the biggest strength that any leader can posses. With his down to earth approach, complete trust in his team members, personal standards of excellence and natural motivational ability MSD has enabled his personality to gain acceptance, get exceptional performance and reinforced self belief in the team.

Strategizes intelligently to gain the edge

Choosing the team is always a challenge for there are many if’s and but’s that constantly keep lurking till the last moment. Yet, MSD with his astute thinking strategises the team composition as well as game plan in consultation with the coach and senior team members. It is also evident that at times he has gone by his gut instinct to vividly visualise the end result and achieve it even if it meant taking some chances.

Dares to take risks that make the difference

Since strategies cannot be fool proof and a true leader has to be willing to take calculated risks. MSD has shown ample evidence of it when he has dared to play Nehra in the semi-finals ( much against popular sentiments and naïve logic) and took a chance with the temperamental Sreeshanth in the finals. In fact he was candid enough to admit that in the semi-finals he read the wicket wrong hinting that he did gamble in the team selection.

Humility is at the heart of his leadership style

You will rarely find MSD hogging centre stage; in fact like the perfect leader he lets his team members believe that they achieved it themselves. He has grounded him self with humility knowing very well that when the going is good he will get credit but when the tables are turned he would have to put up with the brickbats that often accompany the leaders job. In most pictures that the press published, of the winning team taken which was taken soon after the match ended, MSD is conspicuously missing or relegated to the background just reinforcing his humility in acknowledging collective team effort.

Operates unflappably to ensure that all are grounded

MSD is never animated nor excited no matter what the situation. This makes him an exceptional leader, for controlling ones emotion under stress is perhaps a rare blessing in many leaders. The calm manner in which he readily agreed to taking the toss a second time when there was a mix up in the toss, giving Sreeshanth 8 overs despite having alternatives, promoting himself in the batting order despite having a poor run with the bat are testimony to his maturity and temperament.

Never shirks from taking responsibility and giving credit

By promoting himself in the batting order he was taking a risk since he had a poor run of form but it was his belief that he had to take charge out there in the centre and lead by example. In saying that the coach endorsed his decision to bat higher up in the order, he was merely stating a fact that he respected the contribution of the coach Gary Kirsten and valued his sage counsel. Soon after winning one of his earliest statements about the victory pertained him being relieved from having to answer questions about team selection in case the team had lost thereby implying that he had a major role to play in the team selection for which he took responsibility.

Inspirational, instinctive, impulsive, intriguing style gives the winning edge.

In acknowledging Gambirs crucial innings in the finals, he was candid enough to articulate that he would have loved Gambhir to have got a century but that Gambhir had only himself to blame for getting out. Giving Sachin Tendulkar 2 overs to bowl in the finals in front of his home crowd was both a tactical move ( Tendulkar has often broken partnerships) and an impulsive move ( to let Tendulkar hold centre stage).In choosing to promote himself in the batting order was both an inspirational and intriguing move for it could have a backfired badly if he had got out cheaply.

Perhaps these traits when appreciated in the context of the competitive spirit of the game and the complexities of the evolving nature of the game would perhaps explain why M.S.Dhoni holds an iconic status as leader and perhaps one of the greatest Indian cricket captains who has put Indian cricket to a new pedestal to rank at the number one spot in all forms of cricket. Is there any more proof needed to acknowledge his contribution as a role model and leader?

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Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

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SUN

2011-03-23T10:22:00.000-07:00

When Galileo first propounded that the SUN was the center of the universe, there were few takers for his theory and in fact he was chastened by the then pope for what was then perceived to be blasphemy. Fortunately for him, and the world at large, he had both the intelligence and the courage of conviction to stand by his theory. Now that we know that the SUN is the center of the universe we realize that it is the Strongest Universal Nucleus.

By studying the phenomena of the SUN and its properties we are captivated by 3 lessons that we can learn and put into practice in our lives.

To begin with it attracts attention through the power and energy it emits. If we as individuals can harness our own abilities and strengths we too can hold center stage and actually be influencers of the world around us. We need not be path breakers or inventors to be positive influencers. All we need to do is be focused, consistent and passionate about whatever we choose to do. Sooner than later our efforts will be recognized, we would find followers and change those around us to our way of thinking, action and results. What is important is having a passion to drive you and the commitment to keep going even if there are hiccups on the way.

Its limitless energy is freely given and anyone who can channelize it would benefit immensely. When a person is passionate and committed he/ she gives freely of his/her time, effort and even money. The problem though is that if they do not channelize their largesse they would never really get a sense of complete satisfaction. Most of us are self centered when giving / sharing what we have. We give off what we don’t want so that we can reduce the clutter. We participate in social causes partly to satisfy our conscience, partly to be seen as being social and partly to exhibit our abilities for applause, recognition and self gratification. It is when we can commit ourselves as a discipline; take on commitments with no strings attached and be magnanimous enough to part with possessions without any remorse or expectations; that is when we bring sunshine to the world around us.

The sun keeps shining no matter what time of the day or what kind of weather. Can we emulate the sun in keeping up our good cheer and countenance no matter what the cost? Do we feel easily slighted, become restless at the slightest hint of trouble, carry grudges and sulk in frustration? Can we train ourselves to sport a beaming smile at all times, exude positive energy in abundance and be gung-ho even under the most adverse conditions? Life is full of up’s and down’s; the challenge is to accept the latter with equanimity and maximize the former with faith and confidence. Visualize yourself as the SUN that is at the center of your universe and then you will realize that you are the Strongest Universal Nucleus that binds the lives of all those around you.

Action Points:

To Energize your self – Try to do the Surya Namaskar which is an yoga exercise that is both wholesome and effective. It is paying obeisance to the sun. You are invited to learn the exercise and practice it daily. Click on the following link for the same http://tinyurl.com/ajmdhh
To get a feel of the power of channelizing energy -Take a magnifying glass and a small sheet of paper and focus the magnifying glass on the paper allowing the rays of the sun to penetrate through the glass on to the paper. Keep holding it till the heat from the sun starts to burn the paper.
To keep shining and smiling - Read one joke or humorous article or see a cartoon daily. If possible share the same with family, friends, colleagues etc. In addition form the habit of trying to find at least 3 good things in anything that goes wrong. You will improve your positive thinking that way.

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

SIN

2011-03-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

Our worries and troubles are often directly related to the guilt we carry around with us due to our propensity to commit sin. While many people believe that the troubles they suffer from are due to their sins from a previous birth, others believe that it is human to sin and that forgiveness is there for the asking provided we are repentant. Whatever the theory, the reality is that each one of us human beings is guilty of lapsing into sin off and on when we succumb to the lures of personal and materialistic pleasures knowing fully well that we are to avoid them. Thus SIN is nothing but Self Inflicted Nicks.

Perhaps the most common venial sin that each one of us is guilty of from early childhood is telling lies. We tell lies because we are afraid of the consequences of the act that we believe will be disapproved of and so attempt to deny any wrong doing. Unfortunately we often get caught in our own web of lies and escape severe reprimand because of the magnanimity of the elders. Sometimes this makes us embolden and we indulge in a forbidden activity hoping not to get caught and if caught hoping to get away by telling lies. Using foul language especially when annoyed and irritated is considered par for the course but the reality is that it is still a sin for we are brazen, obnoxious and rude when we are foul mouthed. As we get more worldly wise and street smart we get caught in a myriad of sins too numerous to list out and perhaps progressively more serious.

If one wanted to understand the enormity of our sinful ways we just need to focus on what is commonly referred to as the 7 deadly sins: Lust (sex), Gluttony( eating excessively), Greed, Sloth (Laziness),Wrath (Revenge), Envy (Jealousy) and Pride. Even as you read this post you would realize that in some way or the other we have been guilty of most of these sins and a more objective analysis will reveal the fact that each time we sinned, we were responsible for it. This means we have brought upon the sin by our inability to control our own senses and self. Strange as it may sound many of us get into a self denial mode and rationalize our sinful ways as inevitable. This is akin to Brutus justifying killing Ceaser by saying ‘I killed Ceaser not because I loved him less but because I loved Rome more’.

While it is clear that our human weakness manifests itself in our sinful ways, it is still possible for us to redeem ourselves. The obvious course of action is to reflect on our sins and be repentant for it. It also helps if we have the courage of conviction to acknowledge our sins and seek pardon from those whom we have possibly wronged. We would also need to resolve to control our senses and to trudge along the straight and narrow path of righteousness. This will often be painful and lonely for there are temptations in plenty and numerous distractions that we will find hard-pressed to ignore. Yet they will be the balm that will surely and completely heal our SINs and cleanse our Self Inflicted Nicks.

Action Points:

Outline the 3 most common sins you are guilty of. Can you identify why you lapse into these sins time and again? Is there something that you can do to ensure that you have greater control over yourself and can minimize and if possible eliminate these sins?
Do you think you are guilty of any of these sins? How can you attempt to overcome it?

Gossiping
Back biting
Being rude and offensive
Teasing others
Abusing your power and authority
Victimizing those whom you dislike
Taking your loved ones for granted

Power Act - from http://www.actspot.com/ is focused on -

Powering your Spirit to ACT Now.

You are also invited to visit our DAILY inspirational and motivational blog http://www.actspot.wordpress.com/

Academy for Creative Training

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The heights by great men reached and keptWere not attained by sudden flight,But they, while their companions slept,Were toiling upward in the night.

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7 Leadership lessons to be learned from M.S.Dhoni’s captaincy

SUN

SIN

The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attained by sudden flight,
But they, while their companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night.