Shoshin, post pandemic

Neither I know how the post pandemic times would be nor I believe anyone would know how would it turn out to be. The new buzzword #NewNormal is trending and it is obvious now that lifestyles and survival strategies would change post pandemic. 

Our mannerisms at home, at society, during travel, at workplace, at hangouts, in social interactions, at worship places, at professional/personal gatherings and every other aspect of our life would be changing. Our lives did not pause for which one can expect it to resume from where we left it. It was a climb with no end and we slipped to it's bottom and now we need to prepare ourselves to restart the climb. But, I have an improvised angle to it too. In fact, not improvised but basic angle. 

[ Sourced the meaning of the word from https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoshin ]

Shoshin (初心) is a word from Zen Buddhism meaning "beginner's mind." It refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would. The term is especially used in the study of Zen Buddhism and Japanese martial arts. 

"in the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few." - Shunryu Suzuki 

It is a practice which you might formally pursue. I am not practicing it in a formal manner but I practice it in my own way in daily activities, enabling life long learning. 

When I learn something new, do you know how it feels ? There is confusion because I don't know whatever I am learning. I get curious and in wonder about the newness of it. That’s my mind and that's a beginner’s mind too. 

Why it matters ? Because a beginner's mind isn't clouded with assumptions, expectations or preconceptions. Hence, it gives better teachings, better experiences, better relationships, less anxiety, better time management, clearer thought processes, out-of-box thinking, enthusiasm, optimisim and a newness in each day. 

These are unprecedented times which demands new preventive, detective and corrective measures. We need to apply a beginner's mind and create a new normal. Also, howsoever these new measures would be, we need to learn and accept it with a beginner's mind. Our approach towards situations determine the choices we get and the choice we make determine the situations we get ourselves into. 

During or Post pandemic, keep your approach basic and clear. Eat right, Don't fight among yourselves, Stay in touch with loved ones, Treat the health workers and essential providers with respect and kindness, Think about safety of yourself and others around you, Sanitize / Wash your hands, Do not touch eyes, nose and mouth, Stay home, Stay safe and Shoshin ! 

#Covid19 #PandemicBlog #Blogging #WHO #India #PostPandemicWorld 

Friendship Aaj Kal

The friendship stories of Krishna-Sudama from ancient India have taught various friendship lessons. One lesson defines the meaning of true friendship- 

Sudama: Dosti ka matlab kya hai ? 

Krishna: Jaha 'matlab' hota hai, waha dosti kaha hoti hai. 

According to Aristotle (Greek philosopher and polymath), there are 3 types of friendships: 

1. friendship based on utility 

2. friendship based on pleasure or delight  

3. friendship grounded in virtue 

Having said that, it does not mean friendships based on utility and pleasure in good faith are bad. They are just an imperfect form of friendship but are vital for survival, social skills and growth. 

Friendship Aaj Kal (nowadays) knows no geographical, cultural, religious or social boundaries. It knows no age. Friendships are cross-generational too. It knows no boundaries. 

Even a nature of a friend can be varied. A friend can take a hat for you in the form of a parenting one, loyal one, a fearless adventurer, a honest confidant, a wise mentor, a polar opposite, a different culture, a neighbour, a work pal, an emotional one, an intelligent one, one who is always hungry 😋, one who is always late😅 and/or a BFF one😊. 

It is a relationship not bestowed upon by birth. Friendships are chosen.

In childhood, it was more about proximity, sharing and common activities. 

That's when Ronit, Jekin, Srushti and Ritika became my friends and stayed. 

In adolescence, it was about sharing, frankness, supporting each other and shared values. 

That's when Rutvi, Ritu, Mayank, Gurjyot, Harsh, Vatsal and Vama became my friends and stayed. 

Friendship Aaj Kal for me in adulthood is about companionship, affection, emotional support, improved health and self esteem. Here, I have 11 meaningless friendships. 😄 I mean 11 (matlabi bina ki) true friendships. They are friends from my childhood/adolescence to adulthood. I hope and wish that it continues to evolve in mid-life and senior years to the end of my life and beyond. 

To all of you, 

Keep celebrating the friends you wouldn’t trade for anything, the ones who make life’s journey so much easier, better and more interesting. 

#Friendship #Dosti #Friends 

#Aristotle #KrishnaSudama 

#BestFriends #ForeverFriends 

7 Sidelines

By sidelines, I meant hobbies. 

I presumed to grab your attention with a non-regular word 'Sidelines' rather than 'Hobbies'. 

If you are reading this, I already managed to grab your attention successfully. Cheers! 

In my previous blog http://www.aashishjain.co.in/2019/03/part-of-journey-is-end.html , I ended the hobby of writing blogs as I wanted to pursue new hobbies and skills. Well, I managed to do that and the details are for a later blog. 

I hope in times of COVID-19, you are safe and healthy! Wish you the best of it. 

Due to safety restrictions, I can only go back to my hobby of reading and writing. I am out of books to read currently. So, here I am writing again. 

WELCOME BACK TO THE BLOG ! 

Let's continue with my learning footprint. 

I will not take much of your precious family time, here are 7 purposeful sidelines you must try to engage yourself into (not only during times of lockdown but otherwise in normal life too) : 

1. A hobby to build knowledge: 

Reading is the foremost, Watching documentaries, Learning through How-to videos on YouTube and actioning it too. I understand that degree certification is paid but all one needs is curiousity. Knowledge is free or at a minimum data cost. 

2. A hobby to evolve mindset: 

Again, reading as it gives you more perspectives to a topic. Discussing and getting into healthy arguments also helps in getting more insights and evolves the thought processes. 

3. A hobby to bring peace: 

This hobby is very subjective. For me, it is cycling and swimming which helps me be at peace with myself. Music is another tool which helps me in soothing. It may or may not work for you. You need to try and find it for yourself. Let me know yours in comment section. 

4. A hobby to keep the body in shape: 

The most difficult hobby to pursue. Diet check and Regular exercise+yoga is best I know of. As a habit I do some stretching exercises every morning, however I fail to level up. I haven't been able to get this in my grooves. 

5. A hobby to make money: 

Active income stream is a must and if it comes out of your passion then it is a luxury. I am passionate about Finance and Technology. In present, professionally, my designation/profile is Asst. Manager / SAP & RPA Consultant. Personally, I would call myself as a Finance Engineer. :D 

A lot of ideas are available on internet to monetize your hobbies. Try looking out if you can chip in some cash.  

6. A hobby to bring out creativity: 

Drawing, Painting, Dancing, etc. are well-known. I prefer coding. May be it's weird, but I find creativity in Logical reasoning. It is basics of coding. There is creativity filled in designs of 'If, Then and Else'. The internet is running on them. 

Fun fact: Overdose of 'If, Then and Else' creativity without computers could be called overthinking. :P 

7. A hobby to maintain social relations: 

This is a necessity as humans are social animals. Nurturing relationships (romantic and non-romantic) by way of games, sports, discussions and conflict resolution is a good start. I try being cheerful, kind and grateful. Gratitude is the best attitude! 

I am not perfect, so are not my hobbies and my blog. However, I hope this blog inspires you to take up a hobby to achieve your purpose. 

Hope is all we have. Take care. 

Stay home, Stay safe & Stay healthy! 

Credits: I don't know the creator of this image. But thanks for the trigger of inspiration to write this blog. 

#Sidelines #Hobbies #Habits #Effectiveness #Knowledge #Evolve #Peace #Body #Money #Creativity #Social #Blogging #Covid19