Spring

Happy Friday!

?Welcome to this edition on?Spring?(#215).

I have lost a couple of pounds this past week, or so it seems, but not for the reasons you think. Finally, I can walk outside without the winter gear.????Spring has officially arrived in the northern hemisphere, bringing with it positive change and renewed energy.

Loosely translated as the "Festival of Colors," Holi is a celebration that marks the arrival of spring. This year, it falls on Monday, the 25th of March. A few of the most meaningful aspects of this festival include:

Friends: Friends and family are a significant part of any celebration, but Holi is one of those rare festivals where interactions extend to total strangers. It's common for Holi festivities to be held in public areas like parks or streets, and people from all walks of life are welcomed to join in, fostering a sense of unity and communal harmony.

?Food: Regardless of your cultural background, food is an integral part of any celebration. Holi, in particular, features distinctive foods primarily leaning towards satisfying sweet cravings. Drinks concocted from milk, fruits, and nuts are also commonly served, potentially adding all the weight you've recently lost and some more.???

?Fun: As one of the most vibrant festivals, Holi involves plenty of fun activities. The main attraction is the sprinkling and smearing of a wide variety of powdered and liquid colors. In addition, traditional music instruments like the "Dholak" accompany singing and dancing.

The arrival of spring is celebrated not just in India, but almost everywhere in the world. While variations are plenty, the underlying theme remains unchanged—Friends, Food, and Fun.

Let's carry the essence of Holi into our workplace. Celebrating Holi would be less about the festival itself and more about fostering a change in the way we perceive our work environment.?

Our interactions are often limited to familiar faces at work, but rarely do we take the initiative to build new connections. Holi serves as a reminder to appreciate the diversity we have at our workplace, understand the richness that this variety brings, and learn how we can embrace it to foster new friendships and fresh beginnings.?

Food has always been a unifying factor, capable of bringing together people from diverse backgrounds. No matter your cultural roots, try bringing in a tasty delicacy and sharing your culinary traditions, thus creating opportunities for conversations usually not had. In addition, music and games can bring out the child in us. Such activities function as major stress busters while encouraging open communication and collaboration across the team.

The spirit of Holi, and of spring in general, symbolizes renewal, the initiation of new beginnings with heightened vigor, whilst bidding farewell to the winter chills of uncertainty. As the colors of Holi fill the canvas of our lives, let's channel this optimistic spirit to rejuvenate our work relationships and reenergize ourselves.?

Let me leave you with this from one of the renowned comedians, Robin Williams –?Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'

I invite you to share your spring traditions.

Thank you and have a colorful weekend.

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