Category: Courage
What is courage?
Courage : The mental or moral strength to persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty – Merriam Webster
While thinking about this, the first thing that comes to my mind is my earliest recollection of fear. I remember the sun was blazing into my eyes when my mother and aunt literally had to carry me like a swing (one grabbing my feet and the other my hands) to drag me to nursery school for the first time. I don’t remember that turning into courage, school just became routine.
Another early recall is my constant fights with the apartment building bully who was a few years older and much stronger, because I did not want to give in like the others. This continued until I turned 11 or 12. Considering that I was skinny and considerably weaker, this required what seemed to be at the time, monumental courage…. Continue Reading →
How spotlights work
While sharing pictures and videos of the grand receptions and vast audiences related to our speaking engagements, I am torn between the fine balance of sharing relevant parts our lives with you, and being braggadocios. Every time I click the “Post” or “Publish” button, I tell myself that my intentions matter more than perceptions.Because they do.
When spotlights are new, the glamour and the attention can be intoxicating. However, with the passage of time, other things take priority. Anjali & I are in the business of developing and empowering leaders. This means that we have the responsibility of putting the spotlight on other people -those new and upcoming team leaders who are proving themselves through words, deeds and character.
You see, unless you have the spotlight, you cannot put it on others. You may not be an attention seeker, but you should get the necessary attention to get your message across…. Continue Reading →
Will may not be the way
“If you control your environment, you don’t have to control your will.”
I love this quote not just because it is mine. I do believe that if we put our will to test unnecessarily, it is only a matter of when, not whether we will succumb.
If you are a teetotaler, and you insist on spending every evening with friends in a local bar, it is only a matter of time before you try a sip.
A few years ago a holy man India with a massive following was caught on video in a compromising position with a movie star. Many people argued that it was a case of entrapment. My question- Why was he alone with the movie star in a hotel room in the first place?
On an earlier post, Thanksgiving, Tourniquets and Trains, I talked about how the internet can foster unhealthy relationships…. Continue Reading →
Fast and Steady
If you are walking on a tight-rope or threading a needle, then Slow and Steady will probably win the race. But in day to day living, we need momentum. Not break-neck speed, but momentum.
One of my mentors, Bill Britt, repeatedly told us that happiness comes from the process of accomplishment rather than the accomplishment itself. And the process can only be fulfilling if there is energy, choices and quick decisions to make. Without choices, we cannot set priorities.
In the story of The Hare and the Tortoise, the problem was not that the hare was fast. The problem was that the hare took a nap. He wasn’t steady. In life, moving slowly hoping that others will take a nap to allow us to win, is not a good strategy. Naps are helpful and sometimes critical, but they do not belong in a race…. Continue Reading →
My Amazing Wife
Today is Anjali’s birthday. In our family, we celebrate happy events, but on our terms. We went out to dinner a couple of times last week, and to a comedy show in New York, and decided that they were all part of the birthday celebration. Today there won’t be any special plans because it is also Karva Chauth. This means Anjali is fasting. She won’t eat a morsel until the moon shows up at night.
I would hardly classify our family as religious or ritualistic. Karva Chauth is the only ritual that Anjali follows diligently each year.
What is remarkable is her equanimity. It is one thing to read about and preach an evenness of spirit, calmness in demeanor, and a non-judgmental attitude, it is a whole different thing to implement all of this.
Anjali Kumar does this effortlessly, every day of her life,… Continue Reading →