Most of us miss out on life’s big prizes.

The Pulitzer. The Nobel. Oscars. Tony. Emmys.

But we are all eligible for life’s small pleasures.

A pat on the back. A kiss behind the ear. A four pound bass. A full moon.

An empty parking space. A crackling fire. A great meal. A glorious sunset.

Hot soup. Cold beer.

Don’t fret about copping life’s great awards. Enjoy its tiny delights.

There are plenty for all of us…..

When was the last time any of us stopped by anywhere to smell the daisies? Do we have the time to take our feet off the gas to stop and enjoy the sudden rainbow? I do not want to look back on my life with regrets many years later….. I could’ve done so much more…. I love daisies too much for that. Life is too short…. And rainbows are rare enough for me to miss out on any.….

More on missed opportunities…..

Have you ever watched kids

On a merry-go-round

Or listened to the rain

Lapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight

Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don’t dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won’t last.

Do you run through each day on the fly?

When you ask “How are you”

Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done,

Do you lie in your bed

With the next hundred chores

Running through your head?

You better slow down.

Don’t dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won’t last.

Ever told you child

We’ll do it tomorrow

And in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch

Let a good friendship die

‘Cause you never had time

To call and say “Hi”?

You better slow down.

Don’t dance so fast.

Time is short.

The music won’t last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere

You miss half the fun of getting there

When you worry and hurry through your day

It is like an unopened gift….

Thrown away….

Life is not a race.

Do take it slower.

Hear the music

Before the song is over.

LET THE TRAVEL BUG BITE….

I have recently discovered many many joys. One has been road travel. My husband and I have developed this craze for driving long distances. And it has been an absolute joy driving on Indian roads, given their superb condition. We started with a 1000 mile drive in Scotland a couple of years ago, along the highlands and the Isle of Skye. In 2003, from Bangalore we set off on a discovery of Karnataka and drove over 1000 km in three days, covering some of the most beautiful coastal and hilly roads of the state. The latest in this is a trip in April 2005 through coastal Maharasthra covering lots of hidden beaches on the way - including Harihareshwar, Ganpatiphule and Tarkarli...

Of late, photography has been an all-consuming interest - I pretty much point and shoot, but I am learning. I have a series on fotolog called Windshield Views which is a collection of photographs on and of the road… I am particularly fascinated by the sky and the various hues and shapes clouds can take on in front of your eyes. My attempts at photography are all recorded on my roadblog on flickr. Do take this journey sometime…

MY VIRTUAL JOURNEY….

Another recent passion has been my blog. Have been blogging for over two years now, and it has opened up new worlds for me. Have met so many interesting and perceptive people from across the globe through my blog. Do drop in sometime for a conversation...

I also have a travel blog - Itchy Feet and another blog focussing on my work areas - qualitative research, design and innovation - MindSpace

AND OH, FOR A LIVING…..

I am a researcher by profession; I suppose having a naturally inquisitive mind helps! And after years of training and experience, I cannot let a statement or new idea pass by without wanting to get deeper into it.... The same goes for people - what makes them tick? How are people across cultures different? And how are they similar? What do they like and dislike? Why do they say what they do? Why do they buy what they do? As a market researcher, these are a few questions I try to answer for my clients.

In commercial market research, I work mostly in the area of qualitative research. Although increasingly I am beginning to realize the truth behind the statement 'methods are as as methods does'. Which means that I am getting more and more interested in exploring new research techniques such as ethnography, story-telling, observations, participant research and so on. Market research in India is very exciting, given the fact that India is an evolving market and there is always something new happening. And the best part of my work is the fact that I am always working on something new and different with each project. Foods and beverages to skin care products to banking and insurance to engine oils to photographic films to contraceptives to automobiles and paints.... The journey has been exciting and continues to be so.....

Even as a researcher, there is another hat I wear - which reflects in my work in the social / developmental sector. Using research to make a difference to other lives..... And what makes a difference? Confers the power of knowledge? The power of choice on people? 

I believe the answer is EDUCATION....

As Rabindranath Tagore said, education is a right which enables individuals and communities to act on reflection

Loads of myths..... was comfortable believing them.... still waking up to the truth.....

For instance : 'poor' parents are not interested in sending their children to school.... an extra pair of hands at work never hurts....

Fact : parents (and in many cases children themselves) do not see any point in children spending time at school. Not because of the actual cost and the opportunity cost as we believe, but because they have no faith in the ability of the system to impart learning that is of any value to them.

Value ? How much of what our schooling system teaches (note I say schooling, not education) is actually relevant to a child’s life? Comprehendible ? Or is most of it removed from the realities of life as the child knows them?

A for Apple : one square meal a day for the family or one A for Apple ? What IS an apple? what does it look like? 

Listen to R.K.Narayan on his own school days Among fruits, we were familiar with the mango, banana, guava, pomegranate and the grape but not the apple (much less an apple pie). To our eager questioning, the omniscient one, our English teacher would just state, it must be some stuff similar to our idli but prepared with an apple. This information was inadequate and one popped up to ask, but what would it taste like? Sweet or sour? We were left free to guess……

AND MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP....


 

Assuming that children want to go to school and learn..... what will motivate them ? Is a hot mid-day meal enough ?

Creating ‘Joy of learning’ is the answer, say experts - what would make education a ‘joyful experience’ for children…. An experience that children actually look forward to….

I for one, do not remember ever 'liking' school... if I did look forward to school, it was for all the wrong reasons.... certainly not for the 'learning experience'.....

I am keen on researching different aspects to this such as : teaching methods, syllabus content, learning environment, community, environment etc.

Along this journey, I have discovered the power of using ICTs in the field of education... the difference it makes to the motivation and interest levels of the teachers and the taught....

I am just at the beginning of my voyage of discovery.....

I have not yet come to terms with the enormity of the issue…

Often, overawed at the thought of ‘what can I as an individual do’….

I have to make a beginning somewhere…. Any thoughts ? suggestions ?           
 

Look at this statistic for some cheer: the proportion of ‘never enrolled’ children has been declining steadily : from 50% in 1986 (6-14 years in the most backward states) to 20% in 1996. More and more parents who cannot strictly afford this are willing to give education a chance. What can we as the ‘educated privileged’ do to make them feel that their effort is justified ?

PAY-IT-FORWARD

I was reading about the Pay-It-Forward movement on Flemming Funch's weblog. (Thanks, Flemming)

Quoting from his post

In brief, the idea is that you pay "forward" (as opposed to paying "back") spontaneous acts of kindness you've received. i.e. instead of doing something in return for somebody who did something unexpected and helpful for you, you will do the same for a stranger you run into later. Like random acts of kindness.

Such a beautiful thought.... Acts of kindness that are passed around the world as a chain.....

That spread from person to person, the way a ripple moves on when you throw a stone into the water....

And who knows what difference a simple act of kindness, even a smile can do to another person's life....

And on what distant shore these ripples will end....

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