Little Things That Matter

Learn From The Past, Live The Present and Have An Open Mind to Face Tomorrow

Little Things That Matter In Life.

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I received a text from a friend of mine asking me how I was doing and specifically on something that I had discussed with her that was worrying me. I felt thrilled on receiving the message from her. Another friend of mine who was with me, while I received this asked me why I felt so thrilled with the message. I told her that I felt thrilled because it is the thought that counts.

A simple wish, a message or phone call asking you how you are or wishing you for your birthday or good luck means much more than someone who does not bother to wish you or ask you how you are. Most of us have friends or relatives who rarely think of us and may be buy us a gift once in a while and make a big ado about this. Yet, there are others who with their simple thoughts and kind deeds make your day. It is not the big or expensive gifts that necessarily count but a gift or thought no matter how small, is much more precious because at least that person has made an effort to think of you and is doing it with their heart and soul.

Life is made of moments and every little thing counts because it these little things that make up life’s moments. Significant and big things are important to each of us and yet it is the little things that make each day and give us that pleasure and joy. Let us learn to recognize it, feel it, sense it and appreciate it

Life is what we make of it and there are many things which is beyond our control. When life throws you a curve ball and she does throw this ever so often, you can build your resilience by the attitude you take to life’s challenges. It is appreciating those little things in life which will enable us to see the positivity in the negativity that may surround us.

Here are some things which I appreciate in life:

1.Gratitude 

Reminding myself of things that went right no matter how small even on a day which felt horrible because of the events that happened on the day.

2.Exercise

Taking time consciously in a day to do gym and yoga. It is these moments which energizes me and helps me de-stress and live in that moment.

3.Nature

Time with nature when I do have the time to hike. Being with nature helps me find myself and provide clarity to me.

4.Appreciate  

The special people in your life, the thoughtful things they do for you, the good wishes they send your way.

5.Grounded

One of my yoga instructors made a great comment recently. While we were seated, she said, feel the grounding of any part of your body that is in contact with the ground. When she said that I immediately felt a gratitude for my hands and feet that work and is able.

6.Cooking

Preparing a dish or several dishes and letting your creativity flow.

7.Walking

Walking and feeling the air around you.

8.Thank you

A #thankyou from your heart ever so often not only cheers you up but brings #joy to others.

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9.Thinking and reaching out

Reaching out to your friends or family and sending them good wishes.

10.Listening

Thank people who give you the gift of their time and sincere ears.

Give the #gift of your time to #listen with your ears, eye, heart and soul. #communication

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Give your undivided attention to your family, near and dear ones and to your team.

11.Remembering names

“Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.” -Dale Carnegie. How do you feel when someone addresses you by their name? Each of us feel good when people remember our name. Let’s give that joy to someone else.

12.Asking About Personal Interests

Get to know a colleague of yours at a deeper level. What are their interests? Asking questions or commenting on such interests before or after a meeting or at lunch or after work builds a bridge of connection. This connection helps you to make that relationship stronger.

Little things matter because they help you to #appreciate #life and what you have. #gratitude

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What are some of the things that you appreciate in life? Please feel free to share it in the comments box.

Please consult me for one-on-one coaching, facilitating work shops on communication, transitions, diversity or leadership.

The Essence Of A Simple Life

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Photo Credits : Lalita Raman

Photo Credits : Lalita Raman

The sun shines brightly, the sky is blue, the wind blows gently on your face and November – March is the best time to have several dates with nature. I enjoy hiking and being up, close and personal with nature.

I went on a hike on Sunday and it was up one of the shortest but steepest peaks in Hong Kong. The path was gravelly with the downhill more challenging than the uphill.

With each of these hikes along a gravelly downhill path, I can’t help but think about life and the challenging moments she throws at us.

I tread the path downhill with care, caution yet overcoming the fear that I will go tumbling down. That is where focus, mindfulness and believing in myself helps a lot. How similar is this to life in the down and out moments?

I have also observed that people whom I meet in these hikes are friendly, smiling, willing to help and appear more relaxed and filled with eagerness to reach the top of the hill and explore their own fitness or new routes or adventures. You’ll most likely have an exactly opposite experience in the hum drum of the city if you were to bump into the same person on a week day near the office.

How can we bring this human touch to a manic day ?
How do we live life and enjoy the moments that she blesses us with ?
What has each reconnection with nature taught me ?

  1. Saying “please”, “thank you”, “sorry” honestly, sincerely and spontaneously. Smile because you don’t need a reason.
  2. Give honest and sincere appreciation to people whom you work with and to your near and dear ones.
  3. Replying to emails or returning phone calls because you care and you can show you care.
  4. Walking away when a negative emotion arises and not falling prey to that vulnerable moment.
  5. Forgive even when someone has hurt you not for them but for you to heal.
  6. Challenge yourself, step out of your comfort zone, grow and develop but learn to be compassionate with yourself.
  7. When you are alone watch your thoughts and when you are with others watch your words.
  8. Being committed to your word to others because you care for your character.
  9. Recognizing your ideal self and invoking essence of hope and compassion.
  10. Doing a random act of kindness to another human being or creature.
  11. Reading a good book as a regular habit.
  12. Spending time with Nature in the form of hikes, treks, swimming, rafting, sky diving and various other outdoor activities.
  13. Spending quality time with family and friends and doing it often.
  14. Lighting aromatic candles in your home and decorating your home with bright colors.
  15. Listening to understand and not to respond.

Each downturn or challenging moment in work or life although similar to the gravelly narrow path downhill seems to be more stressful. Whilst what life throws at us is not entirely within our control the attitude we take is entirely within our control.

I remind myself of some of the 15 points that I have mentioned, in my down and vulnerable moments.

→Resonant leaders are those who are emotionally self-aware, socially intelligent and have the cognitive intelligence.
→What do you do to not fall a victim to your moment of stress ?
→How are you becoming resonant leaders?

For Coaching, Facilitating and Speaking Connect. About Lalita Raman

Life : 30 Little Things That Matter

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Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things – Robert Brault

If you observe children, you realize that they are overjoyed by jumping into the pool and feeling the splash of water on their feet, their body, they are so happy with a kiss, a hug, a small piece of chocolate. We have all been in those exact same moments and feelings. As children each of us have taken pleasure and been overjoyed with playing in the sand, building sand castles in the beach, making a snowman and breaking it, going on a merry-go-round, birds, dogs, a pool of water, the sea, the bright colors around us and many more things.

As adults, however in our quest to accomplish big things we often forget that life is made up of little things. The happiness of life is in small things – gratitude from the heart, a smile, helping somebody in need to cross the street, holding the door open as a matter of courtesy for the person behind you. In today’s modern age and technology surrounded world why do we as so-called grown ups forget that it in these acts of trivialities that the seeds of joy are there forever.

We build big houses surround ourselves with gadgets and other luxuries and yet find no time to enjoy the small pleasures of life. How many times have you walked or gone for a run and forgotten to appreciate the beautiful weather, the less polluted air for those who live in big cities, the chirping of birds, or a smile from a stranger.

Most of us long for the weekend and fail to enjoy the week which may be filled with a lot of beautiful though small things like a compliment, a smile, a hug, a kind word, a cheer, feeling fit and fine, rising to a new dawn. We choose to concentrate and discuss about the rude boss, or the work load or some other person who may have been rude or showed a complete lack of etiquette.  Yes, those acts do spoil the moment and we can choose to get irritated, but best to get over it and move on to appreciate the beautiful things around us.  Nature is beautiful and yet we ignore her.

So what are these little things that matter in each of our lives during a day be it a work day or holiday or a vacation.

1. Smile – a smile from or to a stranger or from or to someone you see in the elevator quite often.

2. Walking bare feet on grass and yes this is possible even in cities. I know I’ve lived in 3-4 cities which is filled with concrete buildings and yet I have managed to walk bare feet on grass.

3. Listening to music either at work or after work.

4. Hearing the chirp of birds if you really pay attention.

5. For those who enjoy workouts, being able to go to the gym or yoga.

6. Meditation and the clarity that one achieves with this simple mind exercise.

7. Enjoying waterfalls or walking bare feet on sand in the beach.

8. The sound of waves hitting the shores.

9. If your meals are made for you, enjoy it, because not many are blessed with the grace of the same.

10. Learn to appreciate the two or three meals that you have on a daily basis and if you are blessed with variety on a daily basis, be thankful and enjoy it.

11. Being able to have a hot shower or bath.

12. Feel of water running down your fingers or feet and the tingling sensation.

13. Having access to clean water 24 by 7.

14. Appreciate the aroma and beauty of flowers.

15.I love colors, they brighten my day and whenever I’m feeling low I make sure I either wear a bright color or at least surround myself with bright colors.

16. A coffee just the way you like it and enjoy.

17. Sleeping in for an extra 15-30 minutes after the alarm has gone off on days you choose to.

18. To admire and enjoy the sunrise and or sunset.

19. Enjoying the greenery around you or getting to a place where you can be surrounded by the beauty of mother nature.

20 Lighting a candle of an aroma that you enjoy once you get home and allowing yourself to breathe in the beauty of life.

21. To have a long conversation with a friend.

22.A stretch or a massage which just feels so good and perks you up.

23. Doing something wild that you have always enjoyed. For me it is going on a roller coaster ride or sky diving or even venturing out on a difficult hike.

24. Striking conversations with strangers, obviously with someone whom you feel comfortable.

25. Reading a book and enjoying every moment as you turn the pages.

26. Watching one of your favorite TV shows by cuddling yourself up in bed or on your couch.

27. We often buy gifts for others, and praise them for good work done but we forget to treat ourselves when we have achieved something which we had set a goal on. Pat yourself on the back and enjoy your achievements no matter how small they may be.

28. Take the time to feel your surroundings, to enjoy that cup of coffee, savor the chocolate, feel the hug, or relish every sip of wine.

29. Laugh out loud and enjoy the feeling.

30. Count your blessings no matter what they are, make it special for yourself and it does not matter if it is important to anyone else or not.

We all cherish some of our bygone moments as memories which is great but let’s be mindful and cherish the moments as they happen.

The list can go on and on.  What are the little things that matters to you that you would like to share?  Please feel free to share in the Comments Section.

9 Essentials To Integrity

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When we are born, most of us are given a suitcase full of standards, acceptable behavior, things to learn, emotions, values & a whole load of do’s and don’ts. As we grow and progress in life we keep adding or throwing away some contents of this suitcase. Each of us thus become a product of the choices we have made or that we have consciously decided not to make.

In my case, when I was growing up, one of the principles in my house was that we had to tell the truth and that was one of the standards set as part of my suitcase. Lying, was something that was not acceptable no matter how painful it may be to speak the truth.

Children need rules to learn the difference between right and wrong. To a child, the difference between truth and lies is as crystal clear as the difference between black and white. However as we grow older, the concept of truth many times attains a different connotation and stating a small white lie or not stating some key facts might be considered appropriate in our own minds.

However, the problem is that each of us have different standards on why, what, when, and how we choose to state the truth or shade it.  Integrity thus is sacrificed many times, though each human being may consider it as part of their integral values.

What is Integrity – To me it is the Congruence of I Believe, I Value, I Think, I Feel, I Say, I Do.

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I N T E G R I T Y is:

Inner realization– There is a self-awareness of each of our actions and these actions are not just to please the outside world but one which satisfies our inner conscience.

Natural – To be You rather than someone else artificial and manufactured and be comfortable in your own skin. I stay true to myself and my style & I am always pushing myself to be aware of that & be original.

Trust– can be built and earned only if our audio and video is in sync. We have to walk the talk rather than talk the talk. Trust is a plant of slow growth and built over time by being consistent and reliable.

Excellent – Be outstanding in whatever  you do. Setting standards in all we do and consistently following these standards.

Good– Be Kind, show gratitude and spread the good word and deed.

Respect- The measure of a man’s real character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out. It is better to be respected than liked

Involvement – Let your Actions speak louder than words and be inspiring. Each of us must lead by example.

Thoughtful– Treat everyone just like the way you would like to be treated.

Yes to each of the above

It is important to nurture and maintain integrity in whatever we seek to believe, value, think, be, and do just like when you make the decision to plant a new seed and water it daily and take care even after the seed grows to a plant

Bottom-line Integrity once lost or compromised beyond recognition is very difficult to rebuild.

What does Integrity Mean to You. Please feel free to add your point of view in the comments section below. Thank you.

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Top 5 Reasons to Hike

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I. A Good Workout– If you are a fitness maniac like me, treks and/or hikes provides one of the best forms of workout. Climbing up hills and any steep slope increases the heart rate and I believe there is sense of fulfillment  at the end of a trek up a mountain. Calories burnt and a fitter you, is the ultimate result. 

II. Serenity of Nature-Treks provide an opportunity to be up, close and personal with nature. I have always admired nature’s beauty-the greenery, the mountains standing tall in all their grandeur, the beautiful shapes of different rocks, and waterfalls gushing with full force. Every walk or trek clears my mind and some of my best ideas have emerged whilst walking amidst the greenery and waterfalls.

III. Teaches you about life–“Life is full of ups and downs. The trick is to enjoy the ups and have courage during the downs.”

Yes, a trek up a hill is exactly the same, climb up a hill seems more difficult than  running downhill.  However, to me, I enjoy climbing up a mountain, it is difficult but the fruits of that hard work is immense.  I don’t enjoy downhill as much since it is a challenge to my bad back. Recently, I fractured my left foot and just about on the recovery path. Over the weekend, I ventured to do a relatively easy walk since I was eager to get back to my normal fitness routine.  Downhill was indeed a challenge on my foot, my back and my calf.  However, downhill teaches me to be cautious and take each stride carefully.

In Life as well, we all like uphills and hate downhill. Climb uphill comes from consistent effort towards one vision. However the various challenges that life poses on each of us makes us stronger.  It teaches us to balance and appreciate life.


IV. Connect – Yes hikes are the best time to connect with a friend, with a sweetheart, with your spouse or even form a new relationship. I have met some wonderful people during my hikes organized either by common friends or some community drive event.


V. Support a charity – I have done several hikes where I have joined an event organized by a Non Profit Organization. These organizations organize a trek and the participants have to collect money from their friends and well wishers. The money that is raised is used for several good causes which includes for the aged, for cancer, for the Blind , etc.

The best example I can think of here is the Trek being organized by @paul_steele where Tweeters from around the World will climb a mountain for charity, to raise funds for charity water .

No better way to unite  in doing what one loves to do the most.

I hope this post has inspired you try a hike and discover a new you and be with nature.

Earth Hour.. What does it Mean, What Can each of us do?

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“There must be a reason why some people can afford to live well. They must have worked for it. I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things that we could use.” Mother Theresa

I have had some interesting discussions in office as well on Twitter re: Earth Hour, after the Earth Hour , Power Shutdown voluntarily, on Mar 27. Most of these discussions were with people who thought Earth Hour was a waste of time, it achieved nothing & the whole thing was a farce. Bottom-line message from most of these discussions was that 1 hour of Earth Hour is not going to achieve anything nor save this planet. Some others in India had a grouse that there is a daily power cut for several hours and they have an automatic & forced Earth Hour… so what is the big deal of this 1 hour “show” annually??

To all these discussions my response was a simple message. ” Rome was not built in a day” and ” Every drop in the Ocean counts”.  Here are some simple things which we all can do. This list is by no means exhaustive and most of these are based on what  I try to do on a daily basis. I am still trying to add to this list as each day progresses….

1. Close the tap when you are brushing your teeth. There is no necessity to keep the tap open and let the water run till one finishes brushing their teeth. The same applies to whilst one is having a shower or washing dishes or  food.

2. Put off the light or fan or air-conditioner or TV and music system if you step out of the room, even if you intend to return within couple of minutes.

3. Do not order food more than you need and if you happen to make that mistake or sometimes unable to judge each one’s eating capacity amongst colleagues or friends, doggy bag the left over and make use of it.  This applies to cooking food at home as well.

4. Don’t  leave the engine of your car on, whilst waiting for somebody.

5. Wherever and whenever possible make it a point to walk or take the public transport rather than use one’s car.

It is not possible to feed every mouth, or donate to every charity or cause that seeks to bring food to the hungry, clean water to every village in India or to every affected part in Haiti.  But what we can seek to do is to conserve resources while using the same. Unfortunately nature’s resources is not a bottomless pit.

In my view all that Earth Hour tries to do every year, for the past 3 years or so is to create awareness re: nature’s resources, and how every person’s effort counts. Imagine if each of us conserved resources in our own small ways, and saved 1 hour’s worth of water, energy and food on a daily basis…. millions of people could be saved from the lack of these basic necessities.

Think!! and Please Act. Every effort, no matter how small counts and we can save our Earth and our Planet.

Is Mother Nature revolting… there have been one too many natural calamities this year ??? High time I, you and us started doing something…