Little Moments.
Kavita Bothra
Mentor of money matters | Founder - Primassure LLP | Inspiring a thousand families onto the journey of financial liberation, one step at a time. Writer -SundayReads | I write on Behavioural Finance | Retirement Solutions
Dear Investors & Friends.
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Welcome to this week’s SundayReads.
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I was sitting at a cozy café, sipping my coffee, and I couldn’t help but overhear a conversation at the neighbouring table. A couple sat across from each other, but their connection seemed distant. She glanced up from her book, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, and said, "Look at that beautiful sunset." He barely acknowledged her presence, lost in his phone, and mumbled, "Yeah, it's nice."! “OUCH!!
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While standing at the billing counter at D’Mart, I watched a frazzled parent juggling a shopping cart and a restless 10-year old. The girl tugged at their parent's sleeve, eager to share an exciting discovery—a colourful box with their favourite cartoon character. The parent, overwhelmed by their to-do list, offered a half-hearted nod and continued pushing the cart. “OUCH”!
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As I paused and sat for a few minutes to watch the sunset while on my evening walk at Nisarg Udyaan, a group of co-workers had gathered for a picnic. As one of them enthusiastically talked about a recent achievement, the others exchange distracted glances, fiddling with their phones or gazing into the distance. The speaker's excitement fizzled, and the conversation turned stale. “OUCH!”
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Then, there's me, sharing a funny anecdote from work, hoping for a smile or a laugh from my partner. But he was engrossed in the phone while I recounted my day's events. He nodded ?mechanically, scrolling through the videos of PM Modi on his social media, giving the appearance of attention but missing the opportunity to truly connect. “OUCH!”
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In each of these instances, the common thread is the missed opportunity for genuine connection. It's easy to brush off these seemingly insignificant moments, but they hold immense power in our relationships.
John and Julie Gottman, relationship researchers, have shed light on this vital aspect of human connections, revealing that people in thriving relationships, the "relationship masters," respond positively to emotional bids, while those in distressed relationships, the "relationship disasters," tend to overlook or respond negatively.
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Think about it. When we disregard these small gestures—ignoring the beauty of a sunset, dismissing a child's excitement, or failing to engage in a colleague's conversation—we erode the emotional foundation of our relationships. These missed opportunities accumulate, leaving us emotionally bankrupt when we need those positive feelings most.
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Ask yourself: Do you invest as much effort in your relationships as you do in your job? Do you extend the same respect to your loved ones as you do to your superiors? Could treating your partner, coworker, or child with the same consideration lead to stronger and more fulfilling relationships?
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Can we take the effort to change the narrative. YES!
We can start by being aware of the emotional bids that surround us daily. It's not just about recognizing our own attempts to connect but also acknowledging the efforts of those around us. Take a moment to reflect on the last time someone tried to share something with you, and ask yourself how you responded.
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Consider the child at the grocery store. What if, instead of a distracted nod, the parent had crouched down to their eye level, looked at the box, and shared in the excitement? The child's face would light up, feeling valued and heard.
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Imagine the friends at the park. What if they had put down their phones and engaged with their colleague's achievement? The conversation would have flourished, and a sense of camaraderie would have deepened.
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The truth is, these emotional bids are not confined to specific relationships—they permeate all aspects of our lives. The dynamics between parents and children, among coworkers, and within friendships all hinge on our ability to connect and empathize.
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Christmas is the time for connection, empathy, and love. Christmas serves as a poignant reminder of the bridges we can build and repair in our relationships. So, this Christmas, let's take a step forward.
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Let's commit to being present in those small moments, whether it's sharing a beautiful sunset, celebrating a child's excitement, or engaging in a coworker's conversation.
Let's listen with the intent to truly understand, not because it's expected but because we care deeply.
Let's not just exchange gifts but also exchange meaningful glances, heartfelt words, and undivided attention.
Let's weave a tapestry of love and connection that will endure long after the holiday season has passed.
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Merry Christmas & Season’s Greetings!
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Until the next week and the next SundayRead,Ciao.
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Sincerely,
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Kavita Bothra
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Helping you think thought you may not have thought before.
Certified Bank Trainer from IIBF&NIBM, Educator, FINANCIAL SUCCESS COACH, BFSI Specialist & Soft Skills Coach I Learning & Skill Development I NISM CPE , Author,
10 个月true and very important
Data-Science | Data-Analytics | Machine Learning | Artificial Intellegence
10 个月Beautiful and important part of life
International Business Development Strategist | Senior Energy Executive | Crises Management Navigator | Generative AI Specialist | Sustainability & Climate Action Advocate
10 个月Great post, Kavita Bothra! It's so true that in our fast-paced world, it's easy to overlook the significance of small moments. It's important to be present and fully engaged in order to truly appreciate and enjoy these moments. Your example of being in a crucial meeting with a financial advisor really resonated with me. It's so easy for our minds to wander and be influenced by outside factors, but taking the time to fully listen and absorb the advice being given is crucial for securing our financial future. And the reminder about family gatherings and being present with our loved ones is spot on. It's so easy to get distracted by our screens, but making a conscious effort to put them away and connect with our family members creates more meaningful and lasting memories. Thanks for the reminder to slow down and focus on the importance of these small moments!
I help young and old alike to help achieve their Financial dreams through goal based approach. Do follow my posts and contact for free session | Personal Finance Professional
10 个月Nice one Kavita
Seasoned Analytics Professional
10 个月Such a memorable moment here….