Back to December

It's Boxing day - December the 26th. I would have ideally been in Chiba by now sipping a glass of Shochu - a healthy concoction derived from the ever healthy sweet potato. Instead, I find myself in Bentota in our sunny isle sipping Dilmah Green Tea. Didn't turn out to be bad at all - and Paradise is calling.

This year has been one heck of a ride. My dad came back from almost reaching the Pearly gates and it was funny that I could have a glass of wine with him on Christmas eve. From what I went through only a few months ago thinking I would lose my most looked up to human, to the fact that I get to laugh and joke with him now - I consider a tremendous blessing. He also bought me Turkey for Christmas. God has been kind.

Work's been the same - we went through a colossal change and had some up's and down's. I've taken up some additional areas - some which I'm experiencing for the first time - exciting and lots to learn!

Through all this, I've learnt some life lessons. Things can change in split seconds - sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. We need to change perspectives and adapt. Sometime even change our beliefs, principles and also theories or hypothesis we've built through years of thinking, experiencing and conceptualizing. It's hard to let go of them and think differently. It's hard to unlearn.

I've read Adam Grant's book twice over now - just to reflect on how I can "re-think" my perspectives to life, family and work. After all, everything around us can change, our beliefs and accepted norms! They can turn out to be totally redundant and one needs to be brave enough to challenge them continuously. Easier said than done. A usually stubborn individual like me - can find this quite overwhelming on the face of it.

I've found a few things that seems to be working for me:

1. Surrounding myself with people who think differently - I've found myself a challenge group. People from different generations, different ideas and perspectives. They challenge my thinking and I enjoy it. Unlike before, I go and find them - so that I get thrown off by design and develop more intellectual humility. I also have found a Coach and a Mentor who shows me my strengths and helps celebrate myself for who I am. He is one of my biggest cheerleaders. Thank you - you know who you are. Nice Sleigh you were on this Christmas!
2. Reading and Reflecting - this has always been a source of inspiration. I don't consider myself a naturally creative person. When I think and conceptualize, it is the references that I've formed in my head (through reading) that act as stars that form a constellation. I almost visualize it! Recently my friend Ashika introduced me to "Audible" - and I started listening to "Leadership and Self Deception" - by the Arbinger Institute. Thank you Kaushik for the book reference. Previously I would have rejected the idea of listening to a book - like who listens to books?? But hey, I explored it :-)
3. Staying Curious ( a little longer) - I borrowed this from Brene Brown - one of my favorite authors and my friend Mariam who loves the concept. I've learned to listen more, stay curious to understand better and think differently. I'm blessed to mentor and coach some wonderful people who I have been learning a lot from. I consider it a two way process. I am awed by an inspirational leader that I am lucky to work for who constantly displays a child like curiosity and tries to learn from everyone in every situation - to become best in class. I watch and learn and get blown away.
4. NIPP : New Interests , Places and People - I've taken a new interest in "Savage chickens" by Doug Savage. It's funny - but gets me to think differently. (See pic below). This is in addition to Peanuts and Garfield, of course. I love to travel to new places - I also like historical sites and Cemetaries - in different locations. (you probably think I'm mad by now). This gets me to re-imagine what people could have lived like years ago - what their families were like and what their lifestyles have been. I spent 2 hours at a Scottish cemetery and 3 hours at a Tomb site in Cyprus just exploring and thinking. Weird, right? I've got myself into new people / friend groups - some really whacky ones - which has helped me see what other people go through in life.
5. Projects - I just love these. The opportunity to make a difference, contribute to others with knowledge and experience together with some awesome people. We are currently working on a one of a kind community leadership development project - which I am looking forward to!

I'm glad I came to Bentota and I sat down to write this. I'm glad to be sharing Doug's Savage Chicken Christmas tree with you. May you all have a Blessed Season and a Happy new year!

#dflections