Important Vs Urgent

This year I deliberately shifted my focus to what is important in my life – and first  thing I did was visit the doctor for a check-up  and surgically remove the additional fat that was bothering me on my left shoulder, after which I was feeling so much better and confident about myself. 

The next thing was to complete my assignments, in order to be academically sound, and I felt a big stone rolled away from my head.   Then I fixed up an appointment with the dentist, and I am in the process of getting the fillings done. Now I made a study plan for myself, in order to prepare for my exams.

At the home, I succeeded in planning the menu for a week, stock up all that I require, and also cut the vegetables and store in a container for ready use, by which a lot of time can be saved and it also reduces a lot of tension & stress.

I have also learnt to make a fixed budget for the regular monthly expenditure, paying myself first, in order to ensure that I am financially sound. I scheduled some time for my daughter so that she has no issues from school about assignments & overall progress in studies.

I work out clear plans between me and my husband to get the household chores done together, to ensure that both of us are reaching office on time, and are able to work in peace & harmony.

I am grateful to Stephen covey’s book 7 habits of highly effective people for the choice I was able to make between the important Vs Urgent.

According to Stephen covey, great time management mean being effective as well as efficient. Managing time effectively and achieving the things that you want to achieve, means spending your time on things that are important and not just urgent.  It is important for us to understand the difference between Important and Urgent.

Important activities have an outcome that leads to the achievement of our goals, whether they are professional or personal. Whereas Urgent activities demand immediate attention, and are often associated with the achievement of someone else’s goals.

Urgent activities are the ones we often concentrate; as the consequences of not dealing with them are immediate. According to Stephen covey, there are two different types of activities:  the urgent and the important matrix, which is a very useful tool to think about our priorities in life, using this we will be able overcome the natural tendency to focus on urgent activities, so that we have enough time to focus on what is really important. I like this matrix proposed by covey:

Urgent & Important

There are two types of urgent and important activities; ones that we could not foresee and others that we have left to the last minute.  We can avoid the last minute by planning ahead and avoiding procrastination. Emergency and crisis cannot be foreseen, the best thing to do is to leave time in our schedule to handle the unexpected and unplanned issues.

Urgent and Not Important

These are activities that prevent us from completing our work, such as interruptions from others in place of work; it’s ok to say NO politely or to encourage the person to solve the problem themselves. Its saying yes to the person and no to the task, one of the way to prevent this is to schedule our time for the important activities, and also respond to them when we are free.

Not Urgent, but Important

 These are activities that matters most to us in our personal life – it could goal to remain healthy, pursue ongoing learning to be academically sound, career goals, time with the family, striking a work life balance, in order to avoid stress.  This will help us have enough time to deal with unforeseen problems.

Not Urgent and Not Important

 These are unimportant activities, more of a distraction and must be avoided if possible. We can even ignore or cancel these activities.  These are expectations from others around us who want us to contribute to their own goals, it is better to assert oneself and say no politely.

Be Happy !

TREES

Today I am inspired by huge trees with a very big trunk; they look very old, as old as the university itself. 

I kept looking at these trees, which is so pleasant and a treat to the eyes, the green leaves spreading out beautifully, the blank trunk well grounded, displaying strength.

These trees are telling me to be grounded like them, to stand tall, to be steady in my life. 

I feel the touch of the divine, for they are appreciating me for having the courage to withstand the stress and the pressures of life.

I looked at the way its branches were spread across, where the birds sat and a few vehicles were parked in the shade, and I also noticed young scholars sitting and spending time with their friends, sharing lunch & snacks, some waiting – and I felt as if the branches were reminding me to branch out and be of service to those who need my help, to welcome different kinds of people who are looking for a shade, waiting for a resting place for a break, and continue their journey.

I have fallen in love with these trees, which is not only beautiful to look at, but has housed the birds and the bees. Trees have always inspired me; it takes me back to my childhood days, where I spent time playing caroms with my neighbourhood friends. 

 I remember also some very big trees that had roots hanging by, and I recall how as children we used to catch hold of those roots to hang on them and swing with joy.

One of our favourite trees was the tamarind tree, wherein I used to collect the raw tamarind, and add chilli powder and salt and make chutney and eat it with hot rice.  

The sight of trees refreshes me and triggers joy and thankfulness!

Blessed are those who have sowed the seeds, so that we may enjoy its fruits; for my heart thanks these good souls and pushes me to sow seeds of kindness for others to enjoy its fruits. 

It’s my time to give back, to return to the earth, what I had enjoyed all these years.

“Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky.  Kahlil Gibran”

BEAUTY OF TODAY !

Today the weather is lovely, it’s been drizzling, cold and I don’t really feel like coming out of the house, some hot snacks,a mug of coffee and a book is a great combination to stay indoors. But it’s a working day for all of us, my daughter needs to reach her school, my husband to his office, my niece to the college and I need to reach my workplace.

Despite the temptation, I came to the office and was happy to be working today – as I did my work, two big windows are open closer to my desk, and I get up in between to take breaks and see through the windows – a beautiful scene that makes brought me immense happiness.

I am surrounded by huge trees, the place is full of greenery and I saw a chameleon on the tree changing its colors – it was on a lighter shade, and as it climbed up a branch, it turned completely green – I stood near the window watching it closely as it kept moving, I have never seen such a sight, except as a child and so  I urged my colleague to see what I was observing, and tried to take a photograph,  but could not capture. 

The whole picture was so beautiful, with rain drops falling on our window pane, cool breeze touching me, the quietness of my centre, and the sound of the rain  brought so much pleasure to me, that  it  filled me  with awe and wonder at the creation.  

Be Happy !

Gift of Presence

"The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. Touching deeply is an important practice. We touch with our hands, our eyes, our ears and also with our mindfulness." -- Thich Nhat Hanh.

Today I repeat the above quote to myself as I find this so true, especially at my work place, where I meet every day one or two students, who come to our centre for help.  Sometimes there are more than two and they come with great hope that their problems will be solved at this centre. 

The issues look so simple – all that is required of me is to offer my presence, an unconditional acceptance and non judgemental attitude to sit with them and listen to what they are saying and what they are not saying, which can be seen from their expressions and body language.

Most of the time they are able to sort issues as they express aloud, with a little bit of encouragement, affirmation and understanding they are able to deal with the problem and take responsibility.  While I keep facilitating and reaching out - I benefit the most because while I help them to take care of their hurts and wounds, I begin to see my own hurts and wounds that are unresolved coming to the surface and demanding my attention, and I realize that I need to practice what I preach to my students.

I keep telling them to smile more, to stop blaming, and to be in charge of their lives, to always have a positive attitude in life and be grateful for everything. Thereby I end up being happy and grateful all the time.

Be Happy !

Dhola-ri-Dhani

Dhola-ri-Dhani a beautiful place, which is 11kms from Secunderabad. It’s a mini Rajasthan with its traditions and customs situated at Kompally village, Medchal Road in Hyderabad.  It’s an amusement park for both children and adults.

It’s been a desire of my daughter Maria Dorothy to visit this place, and also my friend Aparna was looking for an opportunity to take her daughter out for a day.

Together we made plans and chose this place, so that children will have a nice time to play in the park, swim in the pool and also watch puppet show and magic show.

We preferred to go in the morning around 10.30a.m. So that we could come back in the evening hours.  The timings are 10.30a.m. To 4.30 p.m. The evening hours are 5p.m. to 10.pm.  The ticket is Rs 300/- per person with lunch.  We may have to pay to swim at the pool for hiring the costume.  It’s free for children below 5 years of age.

We reached Dhola-ri-Dhani in the morning hours, and we were welcomed with a band, in typical Rajasthani style. This place was well decorated and was beautiful; especially for children it has a special attraction, with a lovely park for children to play, an ice cream parlor, a small lake with boat riding facility and a corner for the rain dance, and little more further a swimming pool and Dance floor.

We had a lovely time at this place, Dorothy, Arushi, my friend Aparna’s daughter and Rachel my niece enjoyed themselves playing in the park.  There was magic show and puppet show, we spent some time in each of these places, and had a great time in the swimming pool.

After which lunch was ready and it was served, in Rajasthani, we had to squat down and hot food was served. 

The food was delicious and rich; we ate to our hearts content, and moved around this place to find a huge function hall, extended lawn, and very beautiful looking cottages for people to stay back for holidays.

We played with the children, sang songs with them, ate kulfi and rested awhile watching children play, and there was mehandi designing, and some others dancing, getting ready for the evening dance show.

 “Do what makes you happy, be with who makes you smile, laugh as much as you breathe, and love as long as you live.” ― Rachel Ann Nunes

If you want to visit this resort, you can log on www.dholaridani.com or email:mail2dholaridhani@gmail.com.