We are all the waves of one sea

Thanks to a hybrid working mode availability, I’ve decided to spend the second part of my working day at my favourite cafe in Mokotów, finishing this last-year’s work and admiring the snow-covered cars perched like birds right outside the window. Winter in Warsaw could be a wonder as it seems.

Time flies, they say and so do my first months in PwC. December was full of such delightful times, full of Care. We could have open our own CTech bakery??? with all involved in Charity Cake initiative. I’m definitely out of words now (and this happens RARELY ??) to describe how amazing it is to witness so many members of our community dedicating their time to make Christmas a fully magical time to others. Observing all those (not that small) gestures of kindness is a truly heartwarming experience. Thank you.

And while people outside rush somewhere, guests come and go wishing each other a happy Christmas, for me, this is the best time to finally pause and reflect. The moment of stillness and silence I appreciate more and more each year passing by. I couldn’t be more grateful to have an opportunity to work in the environment that naturally nurtures this approach.

Time to summarise my twelve months is still yet to come and I will definitely share my thoughts with you here. This was an exquisite year, full of surprises, gains and losses, and tremendous changes. But now I would like to talk about taking space, letting go, and being present.

I was introduced to mindfulness as a part of the Psychology curriculum at Warsaw University last year. I found the metta loving-kindness meditation especially beautiful and powerful as it activates brain areas engaged in selfless, even parental-kind of love. One of Thich Nhat Hanh’s statements still deeply resonates with me: "We are all the leaves of one tree. We are all the waves of one sea". Isn’t it purely beautiful??

I have asked my dear friend, a kind and marvellous person I met years ago at PwC and now both a gifted Scrum Master and photographer, Marta Wasielewska what importance gratitude brings to her and her family. Here are her thoughts:

“There's so much we can see if we allow ourselves to look with an open heart. A falling leaf, a drop of rain, a gentle voice or human touch. Nothing in life is ordinary and everything we do can be considered as art. The stories I share are inspired by the beauty of life and mindful approach towards living. From the magical field of gold to handmade pottery, to organic cups and an artistically plated dish. All these moments carry special memories of slower ways of living as well as precious connections with beautiful human beings I met in my life.”

And here's what Beth Kempton says about the calmness of mind in her Wabi Sabi book:

“The seasons are a regular reminder that we don’t need to push all the time. Every push needs a pull. Every expansion needs a contraction. Every effort needs a rest. There are times for creating and times for seeking inspiration. Times for noise and times for silence. Times for focus and times to dream.”

With these wise words in mind, we almost enter Christmas time. While wishing you a joyful time, I keep in my heart all of those who are not fortunate enough to cherish this festive time in peace. With hearts threatened with the terror of war and cruelty. We pray for you and are waiting for the world to change.

#FridayGratitude