Little Things That Matter

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

Living In The Moment

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Photo Credit : Lalita Raman

Photo Credit : Lalita Raman

I was at the gym yesterday and two women were exchanging a rather loud conversation in the ladies changing room.  I could not help pay attention to one of the remarks made by one woman to her friend. One of the ladies asks her friend, so how was your week-end to which her friend replies ” I spent a lot of my weekend living in the moment”. I turned around and had a smile on my face when I heard that remark. I smiled because it is not often that I hear that response. The lady who had asked her friend the question, of course was confused and started asking a lot of questions at which point in time I was well on my way out of the ladies changing room and was rushing for my class.

The moment that is now and every moment that is yet to arrive will be history by the time you finish reading this statement. Be in this moment, live and enjoy this moment.

These are statements that you read in blogs, quotes , hear from your friends and read in various self-help books and possibly remind yourself at various points in your day.

Have you wondered ever so often what does living in the moment mean?

How do you practice it in your busy days filled with tasks and different roles to play ?

Don’t we spend most of our lives thinking about something else other than what we are doing right now?

 “Human beings have this unique ability to focus on things that aren’t happening right now. That allows them to reflect on the past and learn from it; it allows them to anticipate and plan for the future; and it allows them to imagine things that might never occur,” said Matthew Killingsworth, a doctoral student in psychology and lead author of the study.

Whilst I was catching up on reading over the weekend, this video caught my attention. This Polar Bear Cub Has A Lot To Teach Us About Making the most of the moment and enjoying it while we can.

After I watched this video I got to thinking which are those moments when I know I am in the now and fully present. Thinking about this lead me to writing this blog post ….

When I :

  1. Am with nature either hiking, rafting, or on a boat.
  2. Am in a garden filled with beautiful flowers
  3. See a butterfly perched on a flower
  4. Am on a roller coaster
  5. In a coaching session when I know I have to be mindful and present and cannot allow my mind to wander.
  6. Walking with a dog or the time I spend with my friends dog.
  7. Taking a test or writing an exam
  8. Physical Painful moment which consumes my entire energy at that moment or when I see someone else in pain.
  9. Am at the gym and yoga.
  10. Reading an interesting book or watching a nail-biting movie.
  11. Listening to a story that is emotional.
  12. Cooking a new recipe
  13. Am taking on a new challenge
  14. Exploring new places whilst on travel.
  15. Am Laughing or crying.

Just connecting to some of these moments helps me to tide over times when my mind starts to wander. There are possibly many other moments when I am in the now but they typically range around one of the things that I have mentioned above.

How often have you been in situations when you realize that the person whom you are speaking to, is not there with you. One of the best ways to be empathetic is to practice connective listening. We live in a complex world today and yet there are many times you feel that there is not an empathetic ear to listen to you. What you need most is a special heart that listens in mind, body and soul to you. Practicing connective listening, in my view is possible only if you are in the moment.

Mindfulness is being fully involved in the moment of being or doing no matter what the task is even if that means nothing. Meditation helps you to be more mindful in each moment of choice, to be focused and fully aware.

When are the moments in your life when you have connected in the now?

How do you treat yourself to more of these live in the moment?

Are You Living Your Authenticity?

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Lalita Raman

In this age of information and technology overload, there are many times each of us possibly feel that we are on a hamster wheel, one that we are unable to get off. We try to copy others who we think are a role model of our definition of success. We go to spas, movies and seek various avenues to run away into this so-called fantasy land.

What do we need most at this juncture?

A journey within, to follow the inner voice that has both gentleness and clarity and helps you find who you really are.  We need to be bold and courageous to follow this inner journey, to face who we are, what we are capable of, what we are uncomfortable with and be true and honest to the inner core.

When you go through adversity in your life, your real character is tested. Authenticity is who you are, how you relate to others, discovering your talents, your own energies and passions. Being who you are is when your audio, video and thoughts are all in sync. There is no mask or different strokes for different people.

I believe that authenticity doesn’t come from status, titles, qualifications, or the amount that you have in your bank account but 
authenticity is:

  • 
to Know
  • to Be 

  • to Accept
  • 
to Create

                     Yourself

Keys To Authenticity

1. Self awareness – knowing who you are and being you and finding contentment and fulfillment in that. It also relates to how you relate to others and the way they see you. If you truly know yourself, and project yourself in the same way, others perception of you will be the same as what you know “you” to be.

2. Talents – find out what you are capable of, passionate about, and what appeals to you. Discover your talents and develop them.

3. Lead with your soul – you’ll make an impact on others only if you empower yourself to lead with your soul, your inner voice and accept who you are. Your inner drive is the one that will steer you through doubts, fears and negative energy.

Throughout our life we need to question our beliefs, learnings, see around us and listen to the reality that surrounds us.

There is no point doing yoga or meditation or charity and considering yourself authentic, if you don’t know how to be courteous to your neighbor, your surroundings and respect the living space around you.

Have you asked these questions of yourself ?
1. What would you like to do?
2. When you like what you do, what does that mean to you ?
3. When you don’t have what you like what does that mean to you ?
4. Do you have passion and enthusiasm in doing what you are doing?
5. Do you have the talents and skills to do what you love doing? Are you willing to develop those talents once you have discovered them

Top 5 Places To Visit in Hong Kong

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When you travel to any place, things that most of us look for are the beauty of the place- natural or historical, good food, hotels, shopping, and warm hospitality. The below 5 spots have been chosen by me as my Top 5 favorites which encompasses these features.

As you leave the airport and either take the train or taxi, you will see the magnificent Tsing Ma Bridge, , the world’s longest span suspension bridge carrying both road and rail traffic, is the key connection between Hong Kong and its international airport on Lantau Island.

For further information please click on

http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/nt-tsingma-bridge.html

I.Lantau Island and Giant Buddha Day Trip from Hong Kong

Take a day trip to Lantau Island, Hong Kong’s largest island, and you can discover & enjoy pristine serene beaches, in an otherwise fast pace city, traditional fishing villages, lush valleys, soaring mountains (for some lovely challenging hikes) and spiritual enlightenment. A full day tour includes a guided visit to Po Lin Monastery, the Giant Buddha Exhibition Hall and a 5.7 kilometer cable car journey offering spectacular views of Lantau Island and the South China Sea.



The beauty of Lantau needs to be seen and sensed. Lush greenery, peace and serene valleys is a treat to a City that never sleeps.

For more details on Lantau Island http://www.hkoutdoors.com/lantau-island/lantau-surprises.html

II. Victoria Peak


Victoria Peak is a major tourist attraction for any visitor to Hong Kong. This is the highest point situated on the western side of Hong Kong Island with splendid views of the harbour and the city. One can take a taxi, drive , or take the peak tram from Central. The peak tram is a tram that starts from Central and is a ride that must not be missed especially on the way down. Victoria Peak offers panoramic views of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the surrounding islands and the views are spectacular especially on a clear day. There are 3 very good restaurants (with one of them with out-door seating) and some quaint shopping for souvenirs.

From there one can go to the famous fishing village of Aberdeen, Deepwater Bay, Repulse Bay and Stanley. The ride up to these places offers some spectacular views of the greenery in the concrete Hong Kong. You get a view of some of the most beautiful homes and sky rise buildings.  The sky rise apartments are work of one of the best designs of architecture.  Stanley Market in Stanley is one of the must-go places when you visit Hong Kong.  You will find an interesting array of little shops selling silk garments, sportswear, art, Chinese costume jewelry and souvenirs.  An once your are done with your shopping, you can treat yourself  with a good lunch at one of the many restaurants with some of that offer outdoor seating, which is a rarity in HK,

III. Lan Kwai Fong and Soho & Shopping

Lan Kwai Fong on Hong Kong Island is the perfect venue for a night full of fun and pleasure. Jazz clubs, bars, upmarket bistros and pleasant restaurants line the streets.  Lan Kwai Fong is a small square of streets in Central, Hong Kong. The area was dedicated to hawkers before the Second World War, but underwent a renaissance in the mid 1980s. It is now a popular expatriate haunt in Hong Kong for drinking, clubbing and dining. The street Lan Kwai Fong is an L-shape with two ends joining with D’Aguilar Street.  The crowds during special occasions such as Halloween or New Year’s Eve put the place at a literal standstill with the large numbers.

The Soho district in Hong Kong is an entertainment zone located in Central and bordering Sheung Wan, within Central. The name is derived from its location: South of Hollywood Road. Some of my favorites Casual dining places are located in Soho.

The Central-Mid-Levels escalator was built-in 1993; the now vibrant character of Soho is attributed to the creation of the escalator system, which at the time was the longest escalator system in the world. Prior to the escalator construction, the area was populated by many elderly locals, old go-downs and porcelain shops.

Perhaps considered one of the city’s stranger attractions, the Hong Kong Central-Mid-Levels Escalator is used to ferry thousands of workers between the bedroom community of Mid Levels and Central Hong Kong. Built in 1994, the Hong Kong Central -Mid Levels escalator now carries upwards of 60,000 people a day. This is one ride I would not want to miss.

No visit to Hong Kong is ever complete without the shopping. Best places to shop in Central & Admiralty are IFC, Pacific Place, street shopping at Granville Road, Mong Kok, and Causeway Bay for some street and off shoot items.


IV. Ocean Park

Ocean Park Hong Kong is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme park, situated in Wong Chuk Hang and Nam Long Shan in the Southern District of Hong Kong. Founded in 1977 by the then Governor of Hong Kong Sir Murray MacLehose, Ocean Park has now grown to about 35 attractions and rides. The park has won several awards, including The World’s Seventh Most Popular Amusement Park and 33rd Most Visited Tourist Attractions in the World by Forbes. For further details please click on

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_Park_Hong_Kong

For those of you who enjoy rides and water wold, Ocean Park is one I would highly recommend over Disney Land, Hong Kong.


V. Hikes

Hiking and Hong Kong??  You say no way… Surprisingly Hong Kong is a marvelous place for hiking. I would recommend the easy hikes of Hong Kong Island: the Peak, Mount Butler, and Dragon’s Back. Each of these offers some spectacular views of Hong Kong, Kowloon & Lantau Island. For further details, please click on

http://www.hkoutdoors.com/hiking-and-biking-in-hong-kong/hiking-in-hk.html

There are various other treks and hikes from moderate to difficult and difficult to very tough which I shall not mention for this post.

I hope you enjoyed the virtual visit to Hong Kong and will consider visiting a city that has character, attitude, and a personality.