Fear, Adventure, Performance, Prep, Joy...

Fear, Adventure, Performance, Prep, Joy.. all these have such a huge role in learning and growth. Recently, I had a chance to go to Delhi after a long long time. Transition from Herbertput to Delhi is like sudden beaming up from Jhumari Talayya to New York central square - for me at least. So I was a little nervous. That nice kind of feeling: You are frightened but you also are itching to go ahead! That kind of feeling.. many of you must have felt it when you raised your hand in the class for the first time. The trick is move into this feeling- instead of running away from it. You can even begin to savor (enjoy) this kind of inner tension.

OK, back to Delhi. Kundan who works in Delhi Metro had gifted me a smart card sometime back. Yes, the two things I was dreading that day, were- riding metro and calling an Ola cab! Yes, yes, I know these are the signs of old age when you set your ambitions that low..

Any way, I phoned Kundan. He assured me that that smart card is still valid. He sent me a metro map. I walked from Ginger Hotel to nearby New Delhi station metro. There was a huge crowd. I took an auto to Rajiv Chowk and entered the quiet metro station there. My card worked like a charm. I boarded a metro for Noida. Few minutes later I was calm and thoroughly enjoying my experience like Cindrella in the palace..

Then, I got off at the last Noida station, called an ola cab on my phone and began scanning the crowded traffic like Agent Bourne, expecting machine gun fire from any of the moving cars swishing around him.. After couple of phone calls, we connected and I boarded the cab. As I entered, my name was announced and I was welcomed.. !

In a nutshell, everything went well and my little sense of anxiety began to be replaced by a warm glow of "Oh, I have done it- and done it right!". I had done all this in the past too. But then, I forgot these skills due to non-use over years. Learning and relearning is dependent on couple of things: How do we interact with initial emotional discomfort and how we anchor the entire learning process into positive emotions- sense of joy, achievement etc. The last makes for deep memory.

Finally, if we have a little sense of adventure, it helps- like jumping in a pool or venturing out in the rain without umbrella. This sense of adventure can be cultivated.. This is what TISA NCs are all about: a big adventure! Those who land up there, even accidentally, discover that they always were very social deep inside. Communication is just one small part of being social. When you are social, you automatically become good communicator.

So, look at the big picture. Dont get lost in the details. And get ready for the next Kumbh (NC)...
May 2019 bring you lots of adventure and travel!

If he can do then even we can do because he is a human too !

https://in.finance.yahoo.com/news/googles-former-cio-deaf-dyslexic-191922524.html

Becoming a Google's employee is a dream for many and few people never consider Google as a dream job as they think they wont fit with their standards.

One day we will realize that because we are dreaming little - we are not achieving big !

But what this buddy has shown to this world proves once again that becoming excellent in a skill is an on-going process and so as the stammering.

Lets have bigger dreams and even bigger efforts to support our dreams, As days pass we shall become more and more stronger...Life is living and experiencing the lesson and living again with the lesson learnt in a more intelligent way..

Together we step up..together we succeed !

Embracing yourself..

Friends, here is a true story- inspiring too!
http://www.cjnews.com/index.php?q=node/137807

A little walk in the mountains

  As the alarm rang at 6.40 am, on this cold January morning, I did not want to get up for the planned hike. Then, I tried to visualize what a wonderful experience it would be – walking up the mountain, on a beautiful sunny winter morning! How nice it will be to see the distant ranges of adjacent Himachal! And the snow on the higher ranges- gleaming like a silver line! The trick finally worked. Carried by the sharp sunny images in my head, I rolled out of the bed, got dressed and got into the taxi, which was to drive me 14 km, to the starting point.

Now, this was the sudden anticlimax...

Everything was wrapped in a thick mist outside! Visibility was poor. The mist had condensed as dew drops on the gate outside and everything else besides. Should I cancel the trek? What fun could it possibly be to walk alone in a freezing drizzling mist like that? 

Turn your light on...

Inspire Me Today: How To Turn Your Inner Light On! http://google.com/newsstand/s/CBIwqY-X6ho

Holi Greetings!

TISA wishes Holi greetings to everyone! We hope and pray that we become a community of IPWS who are willing to learn from each other, who are excited to share what has worked for us and who are open to diveristy of opinions, view points and life-experinces. I share some interesting news items from around the world and finally. also a humor piece written by me for Himalayan Desk as a "Holi special".. Enjoy!
http://www.philly.com/philly/health/topics/HealthDay685685_20140314_Do_Job_Hunters_Who_Stutter_Face_Bias_.html

http://www.west-info.eu/stammer-a-source-of-discrimination-at-work/

http://www.wbtv.com/story/24947706/good-news-the-courage-to-speak

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2014/mar/15/groups-offer-support-for-those-who-stutter/

http://www.insidenova.com/news/fairfax/rep-wolf-asks-for-support-of-those-who-stutter/article_28d14428-244e-569b-8f91-8574d9a9a9bc.html

http://himalayandesk.wordpress.com/2014/03/16/ramnarayan-a-country-philosopher/

Bura na mano Holi hai...

Positive and Inspiring!

Friends, here is a beautiful true account of a police officer overcoming stammering in USA. Some of the lessons, I learned at once in this inspiring story are:
1. Ken drew his inspiration through physical fitness. Reaching a high level of fitness, boosted his self-esteem and inspired him in his "speech area" as well...
2. He had a life long dream of becoming a police officer. But in addition to "dreaming", he did a lot of hard work to realise his dream.
3. He gives credit where it belongs - his wife, Dr Martin Schwarz (who visited Chennai sometime back), other mentors, seniors, friends in his life.
4. He does not claim that he is "cured". He says he has overcome it.
5. He does not hide his stammering past- but goes ahead and gives inspiring sessions to college students about "communication", tries to help other pws..
6. Instead of being satisfied with his own success and sitting back, he gives back to society by doing various services as a volunteer.
Wow- All power to you, Officer!
Here is the ful article:
http://www.njherald.com/story/24673231/2014/02/08/newton-officer-overcame-stutter-to-reach-career-goal

Bullying...

Friends- I came across a video: Football players protect a special needs girl from bullies. It was really good- worth sharing. There are 3 more videos about identity (accepting oneself) and about bullying- how a single dissenter can change the entire game.. Each, with a deep message for us in TISA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtkHsARkHbg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikGVWEvUzNM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60iTu-en3J8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5WRpYmInQ4

Sharing an inspiring email..

Thanks a lot ... 

But i can tell you i am not the only one who is trying to break away from the chains of stammering, there are several PWS who are doing something different in their lives which in someway or the other is helping them deviate their minds off stammering and focusing on the activities they have liked to do. Someone in our SHG meet, did say it quite correctly that "stammering should just be a part of life and not the heart of life". So if we all start focusing on those things that we love to do, i am sure stammering will take a back stage and will never bother us. 

Meeting Jasbirji

Jasbirji is presently in Goa, and I had an opportunity to meet him today at the lodge where he is staying. The evening spent with Jasbirji today is a lasting memory I will cherish for my life time. Jasbirji’s smiling face welcomed me, and within no time, I was very much comfortable talking to him, even though it was our first meeting. We exchanged a lot of things, and there were a number of things to learn from him.

It's All About Doing

There is no secret to success. If you just do what you want to, there is no limit to what you can achieve. Vikas Ranga has been walking this path and on the way he keeps inspiring everybody!

Pain to Power..

Just watched this brave Indian woman on a ted video. It made me realise that many of us find communication difficult beacuse we dont really have anything worthy to say.. but not Sunitha Krishnan.. Watch and support her, whichever way you can..

सपने भलाई के लिए हो तो हर कोई साथ देता है

          पहली कहानी- सुबह का समय था| बारह साल की बच्ची भूखी थी| रात में खाली पेट ही सो गयी,उस वक्त उसे ब्रेड का एक छोटा सा टुकड़ा मिल पाया था, जो वह सड़क के किनारे पड़े कचरे से बिन कर लायी थीउसे सड़क किनारे लगे हेंडपंप से मग में पानी लेकर उसे धोया था| लेकिन वह उस वक्त भूख से बेहाल थी ,  वह अपने पांच साल के भाई को नहीं भूली| उसने ब्रेड के तीन टुकड़े करके उसे दो टुकड़े उसे खाने के लिए दिए| उनके पास नाम मात्र को जर्जर झोपड़ी,  कार्टून(खोखा)  था जिसे वह सोने के लिए जमीन पर बिछाती थी| एक फटी सी चादर थी जिसे भाई बहन दोनों ओढ़ते थे| सुबह उठने पर उसने अपने भाई को देखा और उसे ठीक तरह से चादर उढाई और पास पर ही हेंडपंप पर पानी पीने चली गयी, लौटी तो देखा की भाई उठ चूका था, रो रहा था, जाहिर तौर पर भूख की वजह से| बड़ी तकलीफ से उसके तरफ देखी, वह समझ नहीं पा रही थी की क्या करे(हलाकि जब में यह लिख रहा था तो में भी कुछ समय के लिए भावुक हो गया था)|

On Pilgrimage..

Dear Friends, I am just back from a five day solo trek in the Himalayas: Hanumanchatti (near Yamunotry) to Dodital (near Uttarkashi). It was a beautiful experience. In solitude, I met my thoughts, got a glimpse of what life could be, unencumbered by what we call "daily necessities".. and developed a great fondness for my bed, after sleeping on ground for those few nights.. (more pics)
Looked fear in the face, when I heard a wolf howl early in the morning, somewhere near Darwa ridge; appreciated Marian's cooking whenever I made campfire to make my soup and ate "sattu".. Thanked God for every day of my life.. Yes, it was like going on a pilgrimage to the Stillness within.
On return I found that many of you have been doing equally amazing stuff at your SHGs, in your day to day lives and JP has lit a TISA lamp in Hongkong..Congratulations everyone!
Just read this very uptodate article on stammering- Unfortunately, the writer makes no mention of self-help's role in recovery for many of us. For 90% plus Indians self-help is the only option, whether you want it or not..therefore it should be mentioned in such "scholarly" articles, I think. Do read it, anyway.
http://theconversation.edu.au/explainer-what-is-stuttering-9560

We Can Fly

Do watch the 10th June episode of Satyameva Jayate if you have missed it. The theme was – “Persons with Disabilities” - We can fly.

Even though Stammering is not identified as a disability in our country, and whether it should come into the purview of disability is still debated, everything that was shown and said in this episode holds great relevance to the stammering community. Some of the stories featured inspire. Some of the issues raised are worth pondering. Great lessons of acceptance and perseverance to learn. The never say die attitude and the desire to do something despite their disabilities is something we all should learn from these people.

If you missed the episode on TV, here's the youtube link to it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39SNcM99o4Q&list=PL8C199355698E815D&index=1&feature=plcp

शान से चलो !!

क्यों फिक्र गिरने की जब
बादलों को छूने का हौसला है तुम में ,
बस  निडर बनो और बढ़ चलो!

नहीं होते परवाज़ सभी के पास,
लग जायेंगे पंख पैरों में ,
उड़ने की चाह  लेकर  बस उड़  चलो !

मंजिल की फिक्र किस बात की

जब रास्ते पर है तुम्हे यकीं
हर मोड़ पर मिलेगी एक नयी मंजिल
यह अभी से मान के चलो !

साथी साथ हो तो अच्छा है
साथ ना मिले तो एकला चलो !

चले हो तुम तो फिर  ठोकर का डर क्यूँ !
चल दिया है तो फिर शान से चलो !!

Original Post: Click Here 

Speaking out!

Leave the keyboard, grab a Basket ball..

Another story of, as we mentioned earlier, excellence at one thing benefitting other aspects of life- including stammering:

I didn't stutter on the basketball court. I just destroyed people, and all of a sudden all the jokes went away, and as my confidence got better, my speech impediment, it just went away.

Read more.

Amitabh does it..

Friends- watch this episode of KBC:
http://www.setindia.com/kbc/videos_kbc_2011.php


A pws plays the game and shares his story. Beautiful.
Amitabh tries to complete his words at couple of occasions- but on the whole, the entire program was conducted very well- in a very genuine fashion. Amitabh too, is very supportive through out. The question of high fees for speech therapy comes up. When Mahendra uses "phone a friend" option- Amitabh very politely offers to do it for him. Why? was it because of tight time frame? Did Amitabh fear that there may be mis-communication? Going by the program, Mahendra could have asked the question himself..IMHO.
Letting a stammerer do his own talking, his own act, his own thing- for media to offer them such a space- is still a distant dream in India, where stereotypes rule supreme- but even this is a HUGE progress and TISA sincerely thanks Sri Amitabh Bachchan and KBC..
I think media should show more such people in such positive/ natural/ unbiased light..

Hrithik's Perseverance

Friends, this is not my compilation. Found this on the net... Thought of sharing it here...

Hrithik Roshan, who had a speech impediment in the past, recently got the best compliment he could ever receive. There was a scene in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Guzaarish that required him to give a five and a half minuite long monologue which they were going to break into two minutes each. Hrithik however, surprised the team by delivering the entire monologue at one go. 

The scene was about Hrithik, before becoming paraplegic, remembering a women from his past. Sanjy had decided to break it into three parts so as to not pressurize Hrithik much. However, before Bhansali could call out 'Cut', Hrithik kept continuing and delivering the full dialogue intensely. His performance showed that he had worked really hard on rehearsing it. Bhansali walked up to him after the shot and was speechless. 

At first, Hrithik thought he hadn't done it properly. But he was stunned to hear Bhansali tell him that he was in Bachchan's league, referencing Hrithik's speech to Amitabh Bachchan's speech in Baghban. Hrithik was overwhelmed by the compliment as it shows that his hard work to overcome his stammer has paid off.