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Showing posts from July, 2025

Less than a minute Lesson-2829 Fresh mind, Fresh Day

  Less than a minute Lesson-2829 Fresh mind, Fresh Day  A fresh day is not only about the surroundings around us, but also about approaching the day with a refreshed mindset. Each new day offers unique experiences and lessons, so it's best to greet it with an open and clear mind. Director Instivate Learning Solutions PVT LTD M.L. Narendra Kumar Director Instivate Learning Solutions PVT LTD    

Lessons from a Wind Chime

  Lessons from a Wind Chime I was taking my regular morning walk along the side of a hotel where I had checked in. As I walked, I heard a pleasant sound and decided to pay attention to it. Following the sound, I discovered a wind chime that was hung near the hotel's entrance. I changed my walking path and walked toward the sound, which stretched out over a long distance. I noticed that sometimes the sound was softer and that the chime didn't move much, resulting in no sound at all. Suddenly, a strong morning breeze picked up, and the wind chime began to play like an instrument conducted by a symphonic orchestra, reminiscent of music from Western films composed by Ennio Morricone. I dwelled on the sound, the breeze, and the wind chime for a while, and I came back to reflect on a life lesson inspired by the wind chime. The lesson goes like this: the wind chime remained calm and quiet when there was little wind, but when the breeze intensified, it truly lived up to its name. ...

Mind your Body, mend your thoughts for harmonising your life.

  Mind your Body, mend your thoughts for harmonising your life. A good day begins with good health, which is primarily determined by the food we consume the day before. If we eat food that adversely affects our digestive system, we may start the day feeling unwell. Similarly, the day can also be influenced by our thoughts; negative thoughts can lead to a challenging day. Imagine waking up with both poor health and a bad mood; this combination not only hampers productivity but can also strain our relationships with others. We should be mindful of what we put into our bodies and what we allow into our minds. While it can be challenging to control the food we consume due to external factors like contamination, we have complete control over our thoughts. Even if we are dealing with health issues that are not a result of our carelessness, we can foster positive thoughts to aid in our recovery. Those who take care of their body and mind are often the most reliable individuals, entr...

Nature and its uniqueness

  Nature and its uniqueness The beauty of nature lies in appreciating the slow movement of a snail and the quick leap of a deer. When we expect the snail to be fast and the deer to be slow, we go against the natural order. By trying to change this, we forget the very purpose of each creature's unique characteristics. The same principle applies to human beings. Each person is unique and has their way of approaching life. When we try to force them to change, claiming it's necessary, we not only alter their nature but also put undue pressure on them to abandon their originality. This can lead to stress, making it difficult for them to perform tasks they are capable of managing. Life isn't about coercing others into doing what we want. It is about nurturing their strengths and using those strengths to our advantage. By rushing people to become something they are not, we not only diminish their productivity but also miss out on the benefits of their actual competencies. ...

Less than a minute Lesson-2828 Battles within

  Less than a minute Lesson-2828 Battles within A warrior who can conquer the battle within can face challenges outside. Only a calm mind can navigate a struggle with ease. Each of us is fighting our own inner battles; unless we reduce these struggles, we will not be able to confront the world outside. M.L. Narendra Kumar Director Instivate Learning Solutions PVT LTD

Good once with Patience

  Good once with Patience In those days, we used to take photographs using film rolls. Once we finished taking the photos—typically 36 per roll—we would hand over the roll, known as the negative, to a photo studio for developing. When we submitted our roll, the studio would place it in a cover labelled with our name and ask us to specify "Good ones only." This meant that while taking pictures, some photos might be shaky or unclear, and during the developing process, the studio staff would only print the images that turned out well. Although we would lose some pictures in the process, we would still retain the good ones. Those were golden days when we eagerly awaited the prints, which usually took 2-3 days to develop. Although the wait felt long, it was always worth it. Now, let's relate photography to our lives. Not all experiences are positive, so we need to discern which memories to hold onto, just like we keep the good photographs from a film roll. Sometimes, pat...

System Maintenance

  System Maintenance There is no point in complaining about the system when you're low on storage. Instead, take a moment to check your hard drive for available space and remove unwanted files to ensure you can store what truly matters. Now, let’s relate this to our lives. There’s no sense in cursing our circumstances when we struggle to progress effectively. We should examine our minds to identify the unwanted memories that hold us back from moving forward. We need to delete these unnecessary thoughts by pressing "Control - Forgive and Forget" to make our mental processes smoother. Remember, you are the software architect of your own life, the software engineer who programs your system, the network engineer who decides who to connect with, and the hardware engineer responsible for regular maintenance. Keep your system well-maintained to get the most out of it, and ensure that your mind and body are also cared for, allowing you to accomplish your goals without str...

Let the Journey continue.

  Let the Journey continue. When you lose in your vanity and pride, you will continue to long for peace and harmony indefinitely. Don’t let your success and accomplishments define who you are; they are temporary events in life. Consequently, your identity tied to success will only last as long as your achievements do. However, when you set aside vanity and pride and embrace humility, peace, and harmony will guide your life. This approach allows you to accept success without letting it dominate you and to accept failure without allowing it to consume you. In the journey of life, nothing is permanent. Only the uncertain path continues, and you need the grit to keep moving forward. M.L. Narendra Kumar        

We are just Humans

  We are just Humans Often, we hear the phrase "We are just humans." This expression tends to come up when we lose our temper, succumb to temptation, make mistakes, struggle to forgive others, or when we decide to give up. In these situations, we use the phrase to justify our behaviour. However, when others exhibit similar flaws, we tend to react differently. We label those who lose their temper as barbaric, those who make mistakes as careless, those who give in to temptation as lacking self-control, those who refuse to forgive as inhumane, and those who give up as losers. Though the situations are the same, we tend to excuse our shortcomings while harshly judging others for theirs. It raises a question: either we should acknowledge that we are not simply humans, or we should recognize that others are indeed just humans. Regardless of the viewpoint we adopt, we would be justified in our stance. M.L. Narendra Kumar      

Purpose and Needs should define us, not wants and desires

  Purpose and Needs should define us, not wants and desires When we get carried away by the demands of the external world, we lose the peace within. It’s important to be mindful of what we truly need from the external environment and work towards fulfilling those needs, rather than chasing after our desires, which only satisfy our pleasure and lust without addressing our real requirements. In today’s world, new products and services are launched frequently, often targeted at us based on our engagement on social media. We are constantly bombarded with advertisements tailored using AI technology, which makes it difficult for us to differentiate between our wants and needs. As a result, we can easily be lured into making unnecessary purchases, mistakenly believing they are essential. These mindless expenditures can drain our finances, leaving us struggling to save for future emergencies. The key to overcoming this challenge lies in defining your life’s purpose. Identify the need...

Life is a Journey

  Life is a Journey Life is a journey Life is a journey The longevity is unknown because what lies ahead is a Mystery   Life is a Journey Life is a Journey Some set their destination and move towards it Some move towards the destiny that is destined   Life is a Journey Life is a Journey Some make it adventurous and thrilling Some make it poetic and fulfilling   Life is a Journey Life is a Journey Some travel with more baggage from the past Some travel light to ensure this too will be a past   Life is a Journey Life is a Journey Some enjoy their own company, travelling without others Some enjoy the company of others   Life is a Journey Life is a Journey Some stops to relax and have fun Some stops to cry and frown   Life is a Journey Life is a Journey It is the experience that some enjoy It is the results that some values   Life is a Journey Life is a Journey For some, it is...

Objective-Oriented Calls

  Objective-Oriented Calls Most salespeople are primarily focused on closing a sale, regardless of the prospect's objective for the meeting. Unfortunately, during the first visit, if the prospect perceives the salesperson as pushy, they tend to hold back on the decision to engage further. Here are some practical approaches to converting a prospect into a potential buyer, keeping in mind that we are discussing a B2B scenario. Understanding Objective-Oriented Calls Not every sales call results in a sale; therefore, each call should have a specific objective. Meeting this objective effectively can lead to a sale. First Call - Trust-Building When we meet a prospect for the first time, we should view this call as an opportunity to build trust. Our entire conversation should focus on establishing this trust. Key aspects of winning trust include clear communication, demonstrating our organization’s competency, showcasing our integrity, and being compassionate about the prospect...

Less than a minute Lesson-2827 Embrace Now

  Less than a minute Lesson-2827 Embrace Now The more you dwell on what you missed in life, the more you lose in the present. Instead of focusing on past losses, concentrate on what you can embrace in the now. M.L. Narendra Kumar Director Instivate Learning Solutions PVT LTD    

Less than a minute Lesson-2826 The Present is Real

  Less than a minute Lesson-2826 The Present is Real The past may have been unfavourable, and the future can be uncertain, but the present is real. Living in the present prevents you from getting stuck in the past and helps you manage anxiety about the future. Those who live in the present are more engaged and fulfilled. M.L. Narendra Kumar Director Instivate Learning Solutions PVT LTD        

Willingness makes the difference.

  Willingness makes the difference. There was a boatman who owned a boat with two oars, but he refused to transport people across the lake, due to his laziness. In contrast, there was another boatman who had a sailable boat but lacked oars and refused to transport passengers because of the unavailability of oars. One day, a young man, who had the ability and willingness to row a boat but didn't own one, saw both boatmen and decided to strike a deal. He approached the first boatman and asked to rent his oars for the day, then went to the second boatman to rent his boat for the same period. Both boatmen agreed, and the young man then transported people across the lake, continuing his work until nightfall. The next morning, he returned and handed over the agreed money to both boatmen. The first boatman smiled and remarked, "My oars can make me money," while the second boatman took pride in saying, "I can sit and make money by renting my boat." Both boatmen ...

To-do list vs Prioritisation

  To-do list vs Prioritisation A long to-do list does not always equate to productivity. Instead, it is the list of tasks that add value to our work, provide a sense of accomplishment, increase our proactiveness, help us take control of our day, and maintain good relationships that should be our priority. If our list is filled with trivial tasks, we may end the day feeling unproductive, with essential tasks continuously pushed to the next day, keeping us busy but not truly productive. What matters is not the sheer number of items on our to-do list, but rather the priorities within it. Effective time management involves not just sitting down with a to-do list, but prioritising tasks and focusing on what is most important. M.L. Narendra Kumar

Less than a minute Lesson-2825 Hurt once, but suffering is a choice.

  Less than a minute Lesson-2825 Hurt once, but suffering is a choice. Some people may experience hurt once, but they suffer from it forever. When another person hurts someone, some choose to forget the incident and move on, while others repeatedly replay the hurt in their minds, prolonging their suffering.   We have the choice to endure pain without dwelling on it, which prevents further suffering. Ultimately, our choices determine our well-being. M.L. Narendra Kumar Director Instivate Learning Solutions PVT LTD  

The Beauty We Overlook: A Lesson from Marina Beach

  The Beauty We Overlook: A Lesson from Marina Beach When we travel outside of Chennai and mention that we are from the city, those who have never visited often ask us about Marina Beach. Some people get particularly excited about it, which makes me wonder why outsiders are so enthusiastic, while many Chennai residents rarely visit the beach. This interaction has helped me realize that we, as humans, often fail to appreciate the beautiful things around us. We overlook the places and sometimes even the people close to us. We take them for granted, assuming that since they are nearby, we can visit them at our convenience. This attitude prevents us from truly appreciating the beauty around us and caring for those who are near to us. When we distance ourselves from these beautiful places and the people we love, we often find ourselves longing for them. It’s essential to appreciate what we have and cherish those close to us, so we don't end up missing them later. So, here’s my c...

A Lesson from the Ocean: Whales, Dolphins, and Human Nature

  A Lesson from the Ocean: Whales, Dolphins, and Human Nature When planning an island vacation, many countries—including Sri Lanka—offer whale watching as a highlight of their tour itineraries. These excursions often begin at dawn, requiring a long sail to potential whale-spotting locations. Though there’s no guarantee of seeing these majestic creatures, the thrill of possibility draws adventure-seekers to embark on the journey. During my visit to Sri Lanka, I decided to take part in this adventure. As our ferry cut through the waves, we were greeted by a playful pod of dolphins swimming alongside us. They leaped gracefully, their sleek bodies glistening in the sunlight, their friendly demeanor mirroring the joyful depictions we see on screen. For a while, they became our companions, their presence turning an ordinary boat ride into something magical. Eventually, the dolphins vanished into the depths, and our guide directed us toward a spot where whales had been sighted befor...

Less than a minute Lesson-2824 Job and Stress

  Less than a minute Lesson-2824 Job and Stress Not all high-paying jobs are stressful, nor are all low-paying jobs stress-free. The source of stress isn't the job itself, but rather our perception and approach to it.    If we are not clear about job expectations and how to align ourselves with them, any significant changes or challenges can heighten our stress levels. However, once we align ourselves with the job's expectations, our preparedness will enable us to handle stress more effectively. M.L. Narendra Kumar Director Instivate Learning Solutions PVT LTD