Channelising Intuition to Live A Better Life

Recall that sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach that you get when you aren’t sure about doing something? Or a vivid dream that you have on the eve of an event premonizing the turn of events that play out? Or a sudden feeling that grips heart foretelling an impending event? Every person is intuitive! Did you know that? Yes! Even you! What may differ is the extent to which one channelises it. Intuition is but a myriad of senses that work together and guide us toward our highest good. Some are naturally inclined with being more sensitive and perceptive with their intuitive energy.  

The good news though is that it is never too late! With practice, anyone can get in tune with their subconscious to channelise their energy and develop it over time. Being intuitive can help one trust one’s instincts unconditionally fostering self-reliance, compassion and kindness - towards oneself and others. Making decisions will be relatively stress free and life more peaceful! This ultimately leads to approach life and react to situations in a different way. One tends to be more faithful, hopeful with a more developed sense of self belief which isn’t mired within the traditional constructs. Many successful people swear by the way they have been able to hone their senses to be more trustful, empathise and be at peace.  

Here are some ways highly intuitive people approach situations differently -

Trust - Highly intuitive people trust themselves from an understanding that the instincts guiding them are beyond what the mind can fathom. They approach situations with a lack of fear even if not necessarily a lack of doubt. Their decision making skills are pointed and lack fear. The best choices one makes in your life if you notice, will be the ones devoid of fear and guided by your instinct. To develop an unconditional trust in yourself, start becoming aware of how you trust your judgement in daily life starting with the simplest things. Do you counsel many people before going in with a decision? Have trust in your abilities to take a decision and stick to it, even if you need to begin small.  Make a note of the times when a judgement paid and perhaps when it didn’t. Try to gauge the influences that triggered you into making that decision.

Empathy - Intuitivity also helps in building empathy which in turn also helps in understanding the environment around and being more centered. It develops your sensitivity and helps in getting in touch with it. Intuitive people instantly are more aware of the energies around them and know which energies to absorb, reflect and avoid. The more intuitive you are the less tolerant you become to negative energy. However, you also learn to discern between people that elevate your energy and in turn become an energy elevator yourself. With more awareness, the more sensitive you become and you maintain to function at a higher vibration. Getting in touch with our chakras will be a great way to understand more about energy and how our bodies react to it.

Peace - Intuitive people are more at peace with themselves and the surroundings. They listen to and follow their intuition on a consistent basis. There is an innate sense of trusting self and experience of trusting our judgement. It is in the belief that the intuition has no agenda in itself but to guide us towards the best option for us. There is no conflict between the heart and the mind and this brings peace. Meditating daily for 15 minutes daily early morning or just before sleeping can help you get in touch with your inner being.

These are but some of the key ways intuition can be channelised to achieve long-term gains. Do you have any interesting anecdotes to share? Would love to hear from you!

Demonetisation and Education

Inarguably, there has hardly been any issue as widely debated and conjectured than the government’s recent demonetisation drive of 500 and 1000 rupee notes.  And the one that has impacted the daily life of the common man as well as the trade and industry to such an extent. Personally, apart from being bedazzled by the move, it was the intent behind the move that held me captive like most Indians. The idea of wiping out black money and corruption, which plagues our system, needn’t any selling, especially to the common man who grapples with its demons every day. Needless to say, this move has impacted all sectors and education is no exception. The move will impact institutes taking donations or capitation fees. Some key monumental changes that we should witness due to demonetisation are -

1. Transparency - The biggest bane in the education sector and every parent’s nightmare. It is no secret that from kindergarten, schools, high schools and professional institutes, the practice of giving exorbitant amount of money in donations is rampant across the country. Many private education institutes take donations nearly 50% of the course fee and in cash.  This will stop and parents of students should get some relief even if the course fee may be upped marginally.  

2. Meritocracy - Meritocracy should get an impetus since seats in colleges and  

institutes won’t be found in bargain basements for sale. Medicine and engineering  

colleges will be most impacted. Some seats in these professional institutes fetch as

high as 50 lakhs to a few crores. Management seats should increasingly land in the  

lap of meritorious students.

3. Quality of Education - While there is some debate that some negative impact on  

quality of education will be felt due to a restriction of funds, it may be temporary. Fee   

structures could get realigned and may only lead to greater accountability.

Needless to say though that the government should focus on complementary and strategically planned initiatives/measures at the policy and grassroot level in the education sector to accentuate the benefits.

While the overall sentiment pertaining to demonetisation has been positive, it is pertinent to note how the media, influencers and opinionators which applauded the move almost unanimously have begun showing a marked shift in the narrative relaying pictures of how it may not look as good as it sounded then in terms of impacting the economy from the grassroot level due to the gaps in implementation.

Of course, the long term impact is what remains crucial in terms of sustained holistic  measures to curb corruption and that remains to be seen. The role of education in curbing corruption can’t be overlooked since there is no equaliser like education- a panacea to remove disparities and pockets of imbalance, reduce the gap between the have and the have-nots: the primary reason for corruption to thrive. Like all educationists, I eagerly look forward to the day when education will be given its due and along with health care be taken seriously enough.

Aadat Se Mazboot!

Children don’t just inherit our genes, but also our habits! The habits that are inculcated in a child especially during the formative years of his life will go on to define not just his physical health but also his emotional and mental well being. Here are some that will prove to be  really helpful in ensuring your child’s all-round well being when he grows!

1. Ditching the burgers and the soda - You are what you eat. Fast foods and sodas now rule almost every mealtime where it used to be an occasional indulgence earlier! Inculcate healthy eating. Make it a habit to check food labels, and maintain a healthy eating pattern for the rest of the family as well. Begin with a nutritious breakfast to get the day running.

2. Physical activities & Playing Outdoor - With electronic gadgets ruling our lives, the parks and playgrounds wear a deserted look like never before. Encourage your child to play outside. Seek play-buddies of the child’s age group since young and set a fixed time to outdoor play at least thrice a week. Further, once the child is five, enroll the child into a sport or a sporting programme. Alternatively, you could begin taking your child in physical activities.

3. Inculcate Positivity -  The mind is a powerful weapon. Small deeds and habits that impart generosity, hopefulness, inspiration, joy, kindness need to be looked at regularly for a well developed self esteem. Parents must also be aware that they are role models for their kids and to cultivate habits like meditation, expressing gratitude go a long way in nurturing positivity in their atmosphere.  

4. Limiting screen time -  We need to relearn how to connect with our surroundings and people and one another by disconnecting from the virtual world and television. Apart from developing health problems like eye disorders, poor posture, too much screen time is known to cause behavioral issues and impact academic.

5. Inculcating Hygiene - Inculcating good hygiene habits is a crucial part in maintaining health. Inculcate the habit to brush twice a day and floss their teeth once older. Washing and keeping dry private parts daily, taking bath daily and washing hands before every meal is rather important. It is also important to make them realise the importance of keeping their surroundings clean.

6. Sleep -  A good night’s sleep is critical in the overall development of the child. It ensures the child is rested and energised for the day ahead. A set bedtime cutoff and routine also inculcates good sleeping habit and helps prevent sleeping disorders. Limit screen time as much as possible and avoid it just before the bedtime.

7. Family Time is Sacrosanct -  A family ought to stay connected and what better way than to do so in a fun way! Set aside family rituals that are sacrosanct to build bonds and encourage children feel confident to share their feelings and apprehensions. Keep the communication channel open, always. Listen to your child attentively when he is young so he knows you take him seriously and will not think twice about approaching you in the future.

8. Read everyday - This is one of the most rewarding habits you can inculcate in your child. Reading a book just before bedtime enhances the bond between you and you child. It also improves vocabulary, diction, and the creative side of your child. Set aside a reading hour and curl on the sofa with your child and enter a magical world together!

9. Using the Golden words - Sorry, Please, Thank You - these golden words not only help set a tone of kindness, respect and compassion in your personal interactions it also grounds an individual. In order to be successful you must be able to influence people and these golden words work like a charm when used sincerely.

10. Saving money - In this age of commercialisation and bombardment of marketing messages propagating it, never before has it been more imperative to help make children realise the value of every penny. Perhaps one of the biggest lessons we can impart to our children is that things are to be used and people and moments to be cherished.

Remember not to force children to develop these. For any habit to get inculcated, it is a  gradual process. Of course, you are the best role model your child can have so make it an endeavour to raise yourself first. Children learn most effectively by example!

Inspiring Journeys of Their Own

Maya (name changed) is a dear friend of mine and mother of a 11 year old, ‘strong willed’ daughter, Zara. Zara is a typical 11 year old, with oodles of confidence that may come across as aggression and with amazing will power and zeal. She excels in subjects and activities she likes. However, she hardly cares about electives she doesn’t like. Maya was at her wits end coaxing Zara into paying attention to all subjects and making her involved in extra curricular subjects she didn’t enjoy much, but  Zara disregarded all of it. Her older brother on the other hand is an all-rounder, an obedient and disciplined child which often sparks off unfair comparisons between the two at family dinners and parties. Zara has extremely strong opinions and preferences and wasn’t shy of asserting them. ‘Well-meaning’ relatives would often tell Maya as to how she should look at enrolling her in boarding or day boarding schools to put her wayward child into before she completely lost control. Am sure we are all acquainted with such little Zaras.

Up until very recently strong willed children were the ones society labelled as stubborn, rebels, wayward, in short, the untamable. They were to be dealt with punitively - either physical or emotional threats were made to conform them to the set mould. Unfortunately in the process, many of these children’s spirits would be crushed, some would run away from home and others would end up rebelling. However, now, slowly mindsets are changing thanks to parent counselling, and awareness. Strong willed children may be quite a handful to handle but they are blessed with an enormous will power and sense of determination which needs to be tapped and directed. When Maya approached me with the problems she faced she was an anxious mother. Here are some simple tips to make raising such wilful spunks who want to live by their rules -

1. Identify the negotiables and non-negotiables - Set them apart from the negotiable ones. Know what is sacred to your little one. Understand if it can be done their way and why it may be important to them. Even if it can’t be done their way you must understand why it may be important. Once you acknowledge that, there are chances they will feel as if they have been seen and heard. Try to chalk a middle path. However, also firmly identify the non-negotiable components. They need to know it has to be done regardless.
2. Focus on the positives - Instead of only focusing on the difficult behaviour, make it a point to focus on positives and initiate a reward system. Have a stars or smiley system or assign points to tasks completed and have a routine reward point acknowledgement every week. Also, set aside the child from the behaviour. There’s a difference in letting child know what comprises bad behaviour and pulling him down. Never make the mistake of crushing a child’s spirit. S/he may never forget nor forgive you for it.
3. Environment adjustment - if they have siblings, try not to interfere much and encourage the children to sort the battles amongst themselves. Also,fights with friends need to be tackled by them; refrain from interfering into their affairs. You may get a lot of ‘complaints’ from parents and while you need to pay heed to them, never admonish a child or berate him/her in front of others.
4. Be willing to unlearn - This will be one of the biggest parenting lessons perhaps - to let go and to accept your child for who s/he is. A lot of times, children will challenge you or set beliefs of how ‘nice’ children are supposed to be. Remember, though they may pretend not to care, they do! They may challenge you but also try to recognise your tipping points - why is something so important to you; or why would a behaviour upset you. Don’t try to seek validation of your being a good parent to what others feel about your child’s behaviour or how they perceive your children. Don’t treat your child as a project, doing so, will only push him/her further away.

Remember, the key is simply to shape the will of the child while guarding the spirit. So they may inspire their own journeys.

School Assemblies : Assembling Student Spirit through Mindful Moments

What is that one daily school ritual that most would even remember now? School assemblies! It is hard to forget those early morning sessions at the school grounds (a privilege now , unfortunately, due to the space constraints in bigger metros) as our coordinators and principals addressed us as most of readied ourselves for another day of studies and fun (well, hopefully!)? Did you know though that a well planned school assembly in fact is an important aspect of the school curriculum? Its potential in establishing a positive school ethos and in building intrapersonal intelligence of students often get overlooked.

Often, the more seamlessly it integrates within the school curriculum the more effortless it may seem. What may come across as just a routine session, actually is a powerful tool, which if planned meticulously, encourage students to imbibe universal values like respect, love, tolerance, cooperation. This in turn triggers development of the child in the moral, social, spiritual aspects. At Billabong High International School *(BHIS), we have our assemblies intricately connected with the school’s curriculum.

Now, what are so special about assemblies? Assemblies come closest to community building within the school. Often the entire school or part of schools like entire grades or sections of schools with their students, teachers, come together and experience the sessions together, as a unit. On a daily basis, such rituals of sharing experiences, become a history of shared experiences and automatically a flow of imbibed culture and intuitive learning comes to the fore. Such shared experiences passed from a generation to the other, slowly build and color the fabric of the entire school community - how it absorbs and reflects.

We regularly conduct our assemblies with a broad theme in mind. Take for example a recent one we had -  “Everyone’s a hero in their own way”. Our grade 3 students showcased tiny acts and conveyed how each one is unique and popular. This was to convey the message of not only understanding your own potentials but also using your talents to help others grow. The acts were followed by a heartwarming video which showed simple acts of kindness towards others can also make you a hero. You need not be popular or a celebrity to be one! We inspire children to leave with an outstanding thought. We make it also a point to acknowledge every child and his contributions every year.

Also, as a school principal, the importance of 'connect time' with all children together cannot be stated enough. I recall one particular assembly wherein a Grade 1 child, presented the school with beautiful framed message on 'cleanliness and Toilet rules and that was huge message for all children as well as for the child who was recognized and this was a positive reinforcement for him & others.

Such sessions leave a huge impression on young minds and is crucial in developing a healthy sense of self esteem. It also enables school teachers and authorities to notice anomalies that may appear in such gatherings like bullying. At Billabong High we talk of 'Mindful moments' to tackle bullying and little acts of just 'laughing and screaming their hearts out for 30 seconds' relieves children and successfully conveys a message that it’s okay to vent out and we can work out a proper channel. We also encourage  kids to centre themselves, calm them before they start a day for themselves. It was just last month when a teenager’s suicide due to bullying in school made international headlines. He had left behind a heartbreaking letter how he was let down by the school who didn’t do much to help. His parents were shocked and didn’t even know or was informed of what was happening. At the end, the little soul thought the only way out was to snuff out his life. Apart from his shattered family I wonder how this also must have impacted the kids who were bullying him and also those who knew it saw it happen yet chose to keep quiet. Such incidences change you to your core. One such can dent the entire fabric of school ethos, and initiate a ripple effect of sorts.

We don’t just assemble students at schools randomly - we enable them to assemble and be mindful of their moments, be present fully with their minds, their spirit. Now, can you imagine any other profession facing such an enormous task? Would love to know and hear from you’ll about any interesting anecdotes that you’ll look back now from your school assemblies!