2369: The Core

During my recent visits to the physiotherapist, I found myself in a classroom of a different kind. As she treated me, she explained the importance of the "core" to her students and interns, using the simplest terms for a non-medico like me. She spoke of a strong core being like the trunk of a tree the sturdier it is, the taller and more balanced it stands, bearing sweet fruits and wide branches.

As I listened, I began to see it through a broader lens. To me, a strong core isn't just a physical necessity; it is something that must be steady, powerful, sturdy, and ultimately indestructible. This core is our base, our root, and our ground. If the root is powerful, the entire structure remains upright and meaningful, never skewed. Building this sturdiness requires more than just physical movement; it demands a combination of mental, spiritual, and emotional exercises where consistency is key.

There is no such thing as being "too experienced" to work on the base. Even at this juncture, I realize that learning is a continuous cycle from everyone and at all times. The new lesson I carried home wasn't just about building strength, but about the habit of checking in randomly to ensure the core remains powerful enough to support and maintain all that has been built.

2368: The Quiet Gift

Forgiveness is a solid, strongly known concept that has served itself in front of me once again. I was enjoying my regular routine of watching a Christmas movie, "Christmas at the Amish Bakery" by Nicely Entertainment, based on the culture of a small town and community. Near the end, there was a statement about forgiveness that triggered these thoughts.

According to me, forgiveness is not based on calculations, and it is not something to feel proud of. It is not a transaction where you weigh who was right or wrong. Forgiveness is given to everyone for your own peace of mind, not for the sake of others.

We should not dwell on whether others were wrong or if they behaved wrongly toward us. In their way of looking at things, they believe they were correct and absolutely right. In their minds, others are the ones who are wrong, as is usually the case in human nature. There is no need to get into this cycle at all.

Things happened in the past for many reasons, some known and some unknown. You felt bad at that point in time, and you acted or reacted. That is okay it happens. But you should not store that garbage inside you. Throw it out. Forgive without comparison.

The goal is to work on it: to forgive so that you can forget. This allows you to concentrate on what is in your hand today, at this very moment. This shift will not happen overnight, but the effort needs to start quickly.

2367: ताव का ताबा

  मी आत्तापर्यंत बरेच जणं पहिले आहेत पण आज पुन्हा एकदा बघण्यात आले म्हणून लिहावसं वाटलं. केस पांढरे व्हायला लागले कि काळा रंग लावण्याची पद्धत आहे, अर्थात तरुण दिसण्यासाठी, वय लपवण्यासाठी, सोय आहे म्हणून, फॅशन म्हणून, लोक म्हणतात / सांगतात म्हणून, लोक काय म्हणतील म्हणून आणि अनेक वर्ष त्या रंगाची सवय झाली असते म्हणून. तर काही महानुभव असे आढळले कि ज्यांची त्यांच्या मिशीवर देखील ताव मारला होता, रंगवली होती. अर्थात मिशी त्यांची,पैसे त्यांचे, मेहेनत त्यांची, इच्छा पण त्यांचीच असो. हेच ते महानुभव जे उठसुठ येणा जाणाऱ्यांना लांबलचक सल्ले देत असतातच, त्यात कधीच ते मागे नसतात, जसे कि हे त्यांचे आदी कर्तव्यच आहे किंबहुना त्यांना सगळे समजते, त्यांनी जास्त पावसाळे बघितले आहेत, प्रचंड अनुभव गाठीशी आहे आणि अशी इतर अनेक कारणे आहेतच. अनेक पावसाळे आणि पांढरे केस म्हणजे वयस्क किंवा प्रगल्भ, जेष्ठ ई. नाही का? माझ्यामते एक काहीतरी निवडा मंडळी, मिशीवरचा ताव किंवा जिभेवरचा ताबा. दोन्ही कसे चालेल? एक पवित्रा निवडा? एक पात्र व्यवस्थित सादर करा, जेष्ठ समजत असाल तर ते तुमच्या वर्तवणुकीतून दिसू दे, बाता मारण्यातून नाही, वायफळ सल्ले देण्यातून नाहीच नाही, विचारले तर निश्चित मदत करा पण वेळ जावा म्हणून नाही, किंबहुना तो सत्कारणी लावा. अहो इतकी वर्षे तो काळा रंग जपलाय ना? (त्यांनी तुम्हाला जपलंय बरं का हे ध्यानात ठेवा), मग आता तो निखळ पांढरा रंग परिधान करून तर बघा बदल दिसेल, घडेल आणि हो तुम्हाला कदाचित बदलायला भाग पाडेल, अर्थात हे सगळं फारच वयक्तिकच आहे, मी फक्त इथे माझे निरीक्षण मांडले आहे.  

2366: Who Educates the Educated?

I recently found myself in a discussion about rural health specifically, why village families feed tea and biscuits to their children. The group was quick to cite iron deficiency and health risks, speaking with a clinical detachment that felt like a judgment. I couldn't resist reacting. As a mother, I admitted that I, too, had given my children tea occasionally for comfort during a cold or simply for a shared moment of fun. The room suddenly went cold; I felt their gaze shift as if they were conversing with the most "illiterate" woman on earth.

But I didn't stop there. My counter-question was ready. If we are so concerned with health, why do the most learned individuals doctors who know the human body better than anyone occasionally indulge in smoking, drinking, or processed fast foods? Why is it acceptable to consume expensive, synthetic protein powders and eat out at restaurants, yet "horrible" when a villager shares a cup of tea?

We are quick to say we must "educate" the villagers, and I agree. But who is going to educate the learned? Before we crib about the habits of the poor, we must look at the "sophisticated" toxins we choose for ourselves. You must be the answer you are looking for.

2365: Finding Your Core Tool in a Sea of Options

In my signature AI workshops usually a week-long journey followed by a reflective Saturday "Masterclass" I cover 35 to 40 different tools. As we conclude, the most frequent question I face is: "Out of all these platforms, which one should I choose?"

My answer lies in the arrangement of a grand orchestra, much like the one I watch on Indian Idol. Notice the two synthesizer players at the front; they are consistent, permanent fixtures for every song. Then come the guitarists, the tabla players, and the drummers, who shift gears or join in only as the melody demands.

Choosing your AI toolkit is no different. You must find your "Synthesizer" that one core platform you trust implicitly. As they say on the show “Say Yes to the Dress,” (on TLC) the most important thing is that the dress must like the bride.

Pick a primary tool and build a friendship with it. Master the art of the prompt so that the platform truly "likes" the Researcherful You. Other tools are just supporting instruments; they will come and go based on the narration of your research story and the needs of the hour.

2364: Signature Sweetness

It began at a Ganapati Mela a simple stall of homemade chocolates that caught my daughter’s eye and mine. That stall belonged to a neighbor, Rupali, who would soon become the "silent partner" in my professional journey. Without realizing it then, a beautiful tradition was born: I eventually refused to enter an industrial MDP or an academic FDP without a box full of homemade magic.

Rupali was more than a chocolatier; she was my creative sounding board. I remember with such warmth how she had the immense patience of the entire world as she sat with me, listening to long, detailed descriptions of my upcoming sessions. I would discuss at length:

• The nuances of the topic and the participants' backgrounds.

• The exact number of participants and the duration of the event.

• The "overall face" and energy I wanted the session to project.

She breathed life into my wildest ideas, never saying "no" to my requests for unique flavors, shapes, or sizes.

I still vividly remember my sessions for Western Coal Fields, where we distributed "gold medals" chocolates meticulously tied with red ribbons. The participants didn't just learn about data; they felt celebrated. Every single treat was:

• Wrapped with Love: You could feel the affection in the precision of the packaging.

• Tailored with Thought: She would include one-liners, quotes, and research tips specifically chosen for the audience we had discussed.

Now, I have uprooted and rerooted to a new location. My sessions are still high-energy, filled with AI tools and storytelling, but I feel a profound void. Entering a workshop without my "tasty buddies" feels like showing up without my soul.

The AI and the eithcal research shortcuts are all there but the heart is missing. I find myself wishing for a bit of magic to bring that "Signature Sweetness" back to my work. To say I miss her is an understatement; it is something "beyond."

Miss you, Rupali.

2363: Internal growth

While surfing YouTube, I came across a video by a very senior, self-proclaimed "spiritual and renowned" person exploring a famous pilgrimage site. I had seen his work before (with stationary camera though), but this time, I was taken aback not by the location, but by the lack of discipline in the delivery.

The camera movements were beyond irritating. The speed and randomness were so chaotic that any sense of purpose or calmness was lost. Here is a person who claims decades of experience and spiritual depth, yet his video reflects a "messed-up" state of mind.

Spirituality is supposed to build steadiness, stability, and acceptance over time. If your camera is scrolling so fast that the viewer’s eyes are physically pained, where is that "spiritual calmness" in your deeds? If you are not good at the craft, have the humility to hand the lens to someone who is. A senior expert should know that it takes a few seconds to truly look at what you are showing. Stability isn't just a word; it should be visible in every frame you post. External deeds should reflect internal growth