The Teen Brain: A Revealing Look at Adolescence

 I had the opportunity to attend the screening and discussion of a short film "The Teen Brain".

The Teen Brain," a 10-minute documentary directed by Tiffany Shlain, packs a punch in its concise exploration of adolescence. Produced by actress Goldie Hawn's MindUP program, the film aims to debunk stereotypes and shed light on the fascinating science behind teenage behavior.

The documentary opens by emphasizing the incredible transformation taking place in the brains of teenagers. It highlights their heightened emotional intelligence and capacity for learning, framing these qualities as strengths rather than weaknesses. Experts featured in the film counter the trope of teenagers as reckless by explaining their natural tendency towards risk-taking as a crucial part of development

"The Teen Brain" doesn't shy away from the challenges teens face. It acknowledges the struggles with impulse control and decision-making that can stem from an underdeveloped prefrontal cortex. However, the film empowers teens with practical tools for navigating this period. Getting enough sleep, taking breaks from technology, and developing self-regulation techniques are all presented as ways teens can take charge of their well-being.

Here's what makes "The Teen Brain" a success:

• Science-Backed Insights: The film relies on expert opinions and research to deliver credible information.
• Positive Framing: It emphasizes the unique strengths and capabilities of the teenage brain.
• Actionable Tips: Teenagers and parents are offered practical strategies for coping with the complexities of adolescence.

While the film's brevity is a strength, some viewers might wish for a deeper exploration of certain topics. Additionally, the focus on individual strategies doesn't delve into the broader societal factors that can impact teenage mental health.

Overall, "The Teen Brain" is a valuable resource for teenagers, parents, and educators. It provides a clear and informative look at the adolescent brain, fostering understanding and offering valuable tools for navigating this transformative period.

~ Dawn

Thoughts...!

 

Life is yours, live it in your own way,

Never should one adopt someone else's path!

Issues are often straightforward,

So much is left unsaid in mere gestures!

Decisions made in the course of time will endure,

In reality, there's no need for excuses to escape!

Who were we? What were we? Proud of ourselves,

Today, looking at oneself, who are we to know!

A woman changes at every turn,

Yet, why does hope still linger in that breeze? Unfathomed!

~ Dawn

From Dawn's Desk

It's been quite a while! The urge to write has been lingering, but work has been all-consuming. Whether drafting a brief document or a lengthier six-pager, my mind kept drifting to thoughts of my neglected blog. The inability to find time for writing when the inspiration strikes feels like a formidable punishment.

In these moments, it seems as if time itself is an adversary. There were instances when thoughts of giving up crossed my mind, but the concept of quitting was never something I embraced. I resisted that notion staunchly, determined to keep it absent from my personal dictionary.

Each day brought forth thoughts and topics that urged me to write, yet I confined them to my mind. The frustration was palpable, but I persevered, focusing on tasks with looming deadlines and anticipating reviews that seemed incessant. It felt like an endless cycle.

I couldn't help but think that this was a futile expenditure of time. The desire for clear, straightforward communication, easily understandable and implementable, was overshadowed by the meticulous scrutiny of every word and sentence, requiring constant justification.

There were instances when it seemed like a deliberate setup to ensure my failure and demonstrate an inability to meet deadlines due to the never-ending feedback loop.

I came to the realization that frustration was overpowering me. The workload compelled me to work even on weekends, rendering the notion of work-life balance obsolete.

Engaging with my family and opening up about things at home provided me with a moment of respite. This allowed me to step back and view myself objectively, leading me to consider that the issue might be with me.

Upon revisiting the document, I dedicated time to rework paragraphs, incorporating feedback and attempting to perceive it from a reader's standpoint. Recognizing that impactful words require supporting metrics and numbers, I aimed to let the figures speak the truth rather than constructing a narrative.

This became a valuable learning experience. Initially, negative thoughts surrounded me, and I allowed them to persist for a while. However, immersing myself in the writing process and accepting feedback objectively helped me understand that everyone involved was invested in enhancing the document.

Following this realization, the process became smoother, and the document was prepared for presentation to leadership. Taking a deep breath, I faced the review, which went well with only a few questions—mostly aimed at providing examples to help them connect with the message I was conveying in the document.

To be honest, releasing that heavy burden was a profound experience, and the sense of relief penetrated deep into my mind and heart. I now feel a genuine sense of relaxation. It's akin to understanding sweetness only after tasting bitterness. As the year concluded, I recognized the value of the lessons learned, marking the completion of my second innings at work.

I made it!

I trust that my post will assist you in discovering answers within yourself if you are facing similar challenges in life.

~ Dawn

Don't worry, be happy!

I am coming here after 9 months approximately. It's not that I have not thought about it. Everyday I think of writing because everyday something or the other comes to my mind which I could put it in words here but then...!

"All problems are illusions of the mind." ~ Eckhart Tolle

As a kid I started writing my diary and then when I started using computer for work, writing in a diary stopped and blogging took over that space. It's a habit and not just habit but a way out for me. I feel good when I talk to my blog, it's like talking to your trusted buddy.

At times, mind wants to be that buddy and it takes over the space. I have often realized how in my mind I am dictating and mind would absorb it all. I felt good for a while because I got busy hence mind-blogging worked out. 

"The mind is its own place, and in itself, can make a heaven of Hell, a hell of Heaven." ~ John Milton

There is always a juggle between blogging and mind-blogging just like how one wants to hold a book to read versus audio book listening. One goes back and forth and I feel that is what has been happening with me all this time.

"All the things that truly matter, beauty, love, creativity, joy and inner peace arise from beyond the mind." ~ Exkhart Tolle

Let's talk about present since we are in 2023. The new year started well with family and friends. I was in Vegas on 1st January 2023. I have come to an understanding that life is not all about taking stress but being stress free. We all work hard to earn our living and one should but there is also something called self-care which I feel our generation is catching up now.  I am really grateful for my good genes for good health but it is very necessary for all ages to take care of self not just physical well being but mental too. 

"The mind can calculate, but the spirit yearns, and the heart knows what the heart knows." ~ Stephen King

Often in the rat race we forget, job, position, money, promotion all this is meaningful only if you're alive and healthy. One should be in present and enjoy the moment that is my mantra but I also don't take stress unnecessarily. I do used to worry to prevent things but with time realized that we can only save what we can rest we are not sure, so why worry?

Don't worry, be happy!

~ Dawn

There is no later!

The year came with harsh realities

Something we all see everyday

The sun rises and sets in the evening 

To every start, there is an end but

Sun rises again and again yet

We don't!

It's okay to be motivated,

Nature does that to us but

The fact is that it is real,

We come and go and 

we don't wait for anyone,

No matter how close one is,

No matter what relation you have,

We live only once and 

we don't rise again!

But still, we try to extend 

Our stay on this planet,

By hook or crook and 

Hope that it will remain

Forever!

Don't wait for special day,

Make every moment special and real,

Live it, Love it, because

There is no later!

~ Dawn

 

The best things in life are rescued

Every person grieves in their own way and yes, we as a family did too. It was during that time when one of my blog friend  Keithkenny , who's comment in my previous post made me think.

"At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer, we remember them."  ~  Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Reimer 

I must say, Thank You Keithkenny for your kind words of wisdom. We started thinking about rescuing another one just for our Reyna's sake and then we started looking online shelters to rescue with an open mind.

We made an appointment on a weekend to visit Humane Society Silicon Valley and here we are looking at all the animals that were brought in here one or the other way. l mean, somewhere brought from another shelter because it was a small place and they couldn't accommodate or somewhere just stray in the Central Valley and they were brought in. I have been to this shelter in the past as a volunteer and all I felt was there's so much cruelty around and as much we humans are intelligent animal, we tend to think we can do anything and to prove that power sometimes some harm others and that can be their own family members and, or their pets.

"All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on." ~ Henry Havelock Ellis

My heartaches always when I go to a shelter because I read their eyes and I feel each one of them are talking to me. Why I feel they are screaming through their eyes, please take me home!!!!!!!!

I never like to go in when it comes to choose one over the other, hence I told my family you all decide because for me, I am okay to rescue any. I remember when I was a high-schooler, I used to say I want to adopt all the animals, stray and the ones in the zoo and take care of them.

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France

We saw there were so many puppies this time and when we asked, we were told during covid lot of people got the pets but returned it because they felt they cannot take care of them.

"Should you shield the valleys from the windstorms, you would never see the beauty of their canyons." ~ Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Such a sad thing. Well, we looked at some who were in the room but people visiting them so finally we got to meet Ginger a border Collie and German Shepard puppy who was that time ten weeks. Ginger was with her sibling Sue and the way she was sleeping on Sue ( a complete black in color with white fur on the paws as if wearing socks), made us feel that it was a stuff toy until we entered the room.

Ginger was very social, as soon we got in the room she came running to us and started kissing and she won everyone's heart. Sue, was not interested and she was sleeping. We discussed among ourselves and decided to get Ginger home.

Today Ginger is eleven weeks and happily adapting us as much as we have made her part of our family.

I often accidentally call Ginger, Reyna but then quickly correct it as I tell my kids that no one can replace Reyna and Ginger is not a replacement for Reyna. We are very thankful for Ginger to help us through this time as these days our world revolves around her.

Her schedules, her food, her toys and trainings and in all her cute gestures, her puppy barks and playfulness. 

Life moves on while we create more and more beautiful memories which we cherish until we live.

"God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December." ~ J.M. Barrie

~ Dawn

I may regret the way we ended, but I will never regret what we had!

This is my first post of this year. New Year twenty twenty two as much I thought is exciting and hopeful, it just went exactly opposite and it's only the first week of the New Year and I am terrified and sad because we had to put our dear and loving furry baby Reyna down yesterday (January fifth).

We rescued a five year old Cocker Spaniel female dog who comes from a puppy mill. As much we loved her, she also adopted us dearly. Slowly our life started revolving around her and we lived happily ever after until this New Year when she started having diarrhea and the Vets couldn't figure out what it was as all the blood reports came normal and x-rays didn't show anything concerning and in days she lost so much fluid from her body that we had to take her to emergency.

We tried our best to get her cured but in the ultrasound the Vets found gut disease which is incurable and hence surgeries would not help either and hence putting her down in sleep peacefully was a decision that probably I have taken in my life for the first time.

Yes, tough decisions sometimes bring the results immediately and may be good in the long run but probably has a bigger impact.

Life will go on but it will never be the same without Reyna the queen of our family.

"But nothing makes a room feel emptier than wanting someone in it." ~ Calla Quinn

I am hoping time will heal my family and we will rebound back.

Let's see what else is stored in twenty twenty two!!!

I hope the world becomes safer for everyone around.

~ Dawn

Because of you, I laugh a little harder, cry a little less, and smile a lot more...!

This year has been a bit different than last year for sure. Because last year we were all 'stay at home' and some countries were in lockdown situation. This year at least we got a breather with vaccination doses and then the booster shot.

I hope you all have taken the right precaution for your and your loved one's health sake. Only we can bring that change by practicing it and that means everyone must take the vaccination as covid variants are getting tougher on us.

"Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today." ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

SO, this year it was all about meet and greet friends and family. I think this year after my two doses of vaccination I am partying all the way till now. It's wonderful time of the year but with proper care and precautions!

Yes just after Halloween, I got busy with Thanksgiving celebration with friends and in no time the plans for Sagittarius birthday celebrations and then Christmas.

It feels good when every day is a celebration day and its true. We often forget all our miseries when we see others happiness and be part of the celebration. 

I personally have so many reasons this year to be thankful and show my gratitude. 

I lived in Canada for almost ten years and being a big fan of ice hockey team #Mapleleafs from Toronto, I never had a chance to watch this game live, sitting in the stadium because of expensive tickets and those struggling days as an immigrant, I was only able to enjoy the game by watching it on television. This year I had the opportunity to watch the game live in SAP Center in San Jose California. 

When my daughter said can we go? She also knew the answer before even I responded to her. I cannot tell you my emotions and frankly speaking how can one even write about emotions? Those are different for every individual and so is for me. 

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." ~ Mae West

As we were walking towards the stadium everyone was wearing Shark jersey and me and my daughter were in Maple leaf jersey and imagine how we must have walked from parking lot to the stadium which was full of Shark fans and few here and there Canadians who were supporting by wearing the jersey of their team.

I remember when we were just getting into the stadium one guy drove yelling F*** Maple Leafs and I only said in my mind, I hope we win this game and guess what ? After all that humiliation from guys sitting at the back who were talking loudly bad about Maple Leaf teams and how they will cry and go after losing to Shark, team actually won the game. That day Shark didn't play good.

I was cool, I think life has taught many things and one of them is not to get too excited even when things are going well for you and believe me I am not saying not to be happy if your team is winning but I am saying, don't degrade your opponents ever.

Its like that turtle who focussed on his pace and won the race against the bunny. 

"When someone disrespects you, beware the impulse to win their respect. For disrespect is not a valuation of your worth but a signal of their character." ~ Brendon Burchard

Life teaches us to be humble and calm in so many ways as while all this was happening around the world due to climatic conditions. So many families were suffering either losing someone or losing everything in flood, volcanic eruptions, and of course covid cases to be frank, is on the rise but we hardly get to see the true numbers these days.

It's small things that we see to embrace and be happy. Imagine last year we were not even able to shake hands with friends or families who are not living with you. And now we are not loosing any moment that gets us to be together to laugh and be merry.

"Keep the ones that heard you when you never said a word" 

These are all small blessings telling us be humble, be considerate, help others wherever and whenever you can. What I love about this season is that there are so many voluntary effort taking place either it is for the homeless people, or orphan people or cancer research and cure related charity programs - all this is to help those who are in need at such time when everyone is having their holiday times with family.

Life can be sometimes full of surprises and some of them can be wonderful too.

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

It is our choices…that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities

 

I want to talk about bully! As far as I remember when I was a kid, there were times when I was bullied but we never knew there is something called bully. And even if you share it with someone that you're being bullied, people will look at it as your inability to handle things of your own - so you have that pressure too. 

I remember when I was in first grade and there were these three kids who would scare me and just before lunch time they would sneak out my lunch box, eat everything and leave the lunch box near my desk. For many days I didn't know who is doing that even. Anyhow, one day one of them teased me saying we are the ones who eat your lunch and you don't even know till now. I was really very upset but didn't had the guts to even react there. 

My Dad used to drop me to school every morning and evening I used to walk home with my neighbor. That day I went home and told my Mom about the lunch issue. My Mom was upset and I think she told my Dad, because next day when Dad was dropping me he straight asked me who are the kids that eat your lunch and don't even ask you for? 

I gathered a bit of a courage when Dad was inquiring and I looked around, one of them was playing on the slide and I showed it to my Dad.

Dad straight walked with me towards the slide and the kid for some reason figured out and as soon my Dad reached there he asked the kid can I talk to you and the kid came and said sure. My Dad said, do you and your friends sneak my daughter's lunch box everyday? The kid just looked down and my Dad said don't do that. If you ask her she will definitely share with you and he left.

I was scared wondering what will be the reaction and just like I expected, when all three came together they again came to me and said things and I heard they saying, my Mom is more stronger than her Dad and I will bring her tomorrow. 

"No one heals himself by wounding another."

Anyhow, that first grade was terrible for me though I was a good student and was a favorite of all teachers. Those three kids were always trouble makers and were expelled what I heard.

Anyhow, these kinds of things did happen in later part of the school and in High-school. I remember one of the classmate would be always trying to put me down - I never figured out what did I do to deserve that?

"Knowing what's right doesn't mean much unless you do what's right."

When I am reading a chapter in my English class, I hear whispering how come she can read so well. When I get my test marks even though they have scored higher than me still they would be after me asking, how much did you get? and I would say, less than you.

One time it so happened, very openly this classmate said when we grow up - I will be an engineer from a prestigious college, the other person will be a doctor since they want to do medicine and will have their own clinic, the third person will be a government officer as they aspire to be and when it came my turn, the person said, I will be a housewife cooking food. 

"I would rather be a little nobody than to be an evil somebody."

I felt I was way matured by then because I didn't get angry then instead smiled and said good at least someone will have to cook so that's fine. Now when I think of it, makes me feel how much the person was jealous of me ? or hated me? but for what? I am never rude to this person even today but they always try to put me down all the time. The funny thing is cooking we all do and I am working too !

"Imagine a world where the words you speak appear on your skin. Would you be more careful of what you say?"

But what I want to say is that such things do make an impact on mind otherwise I wouldn't be writing about this here on my blog after so many years...!

So friends, please don't bully anyone and say NO to bully!!!! 

"You never look good trying to make someone else look bad."

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Today I am going to talk about an incident that took place while I was in tenth grade. Some mischiefs that we do when we are young, and it puts an impression for life long. I remember it was our inter-school field hockey competition and we were actually visiting the other school this time.

We caught the Pune Municipal Corporation public transport bus and along with the team our sports teacher Mrs. Bose was also accompanying us. Mrs. Bose told us before leaving the school ground, that if we win the game with other schools, then she is going to take us to a big expensive restaurant for lunch and everyone got excited. This was teams first trip to go out of the home ground and play otherwise, usually our school is always the host.

We reached the host's school ground and got introduced to the scorer, selector and coaches and teachers of other schools and went back to our seating area. After looking at the lists and exchanging the team players names with the main scorer and selector, our teacher came and said, girls are you ready to win? and we all roared in one chorus yeah!!!!!

Everyone took their position, I was at left center half position and we played like a team. Team was very good in passing and I was always the one who was fast in hitting the ball so as soon the ball came to me I hit it and it was a goal!!!! Everyone cheered us and we team hugged and back to work, our opponent team was not happy and they started playing foul by hitting with the hockey stick left and right. Some got the warning and some got out of the team but we did get injured. I still remember after that win when we gathered and my school teacher said to me you have been selected as I saw your name on the list, I was on ninth cloud and suddenly my teacher said where's that blood coming from, on your shoe? It was a white colored shoe and a drop of blood fell on it and I didn't realize that I was hit by that hockey stick and the blood was coming from my right hand thumb. 

"Grown ups are complicated creatures, full of quirks and secrets." ~ Roald Dahl 

Immediately first-aid was arranged and everything was taken care. We were done here and were supposed to be out for lunch so everyone was happy. After a great lunch at the restaurant we headed to go back to our school and then home. As we all were excited everyone was happy and felt as if we rule the world. It's that age and the win and the appreciation, it was all that effect and we ran to sit in the bus on the last seat. 

"Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to error that counts." ~ Nikki Giovani

We all sat and were talking loud and suddenly there was a guy who got into the bus and sat in front of us. He was big and the two-seater seat was fully taken by him and in a funny way I said, who's this elephant? I was not expecting that he would be able to hear me but the moment he turned back I, immediately apologized as suddenly I felt that's not me.

"You have to make mistakes to find out who you aren't. You take the action, and the insight follows: You don't think your way into becoming yourself." ~ Anne Lamott

It seems the guy also recognized that, because the way my face expression changed and I apologized - he said its okay but you shouldn't say that to anyone. I thanked him.

That day and till now, I have never made fun of anyone. I don't judge anyone. I have come to the understanding that everyone has their own story and we are no one to pass judgement to anyone. Let's live and let other's live. Life has so much to offer just enjoy and share your happiness if you can and move along.

"You need to give yourself permission to be human." ~ Joyce Brothers

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

The purpose of our life is to be happy !

 This post is dedicated to my blogger friend @keithakenny 😊 as in my previous post he replied and brought something which reminded me of something from my bramhacharya days!

According to the ancient Hindu scriptures a person's life is categorized into four stages, first Bramhacharya, second Grihastha, third Vanaprastha and fourth Sanyas. Life revolves around these four stages.

Bramhacharya provided guidelines for childhood and adolescent stage and certain basic values to follow during that time such as to train the children, to exercise control over the sense organs, that I remember is indriyas the root cause of all undesirable behavior so one needs to control that. In school our teacher was teaching about this when I challenged myself to control indriyas (sense organs) and I practiced it all during my childhood and adolescent stage without telling anyone. It was something that I wanted to see if I can and when I was able to control it was actually a big relief and sense of freedom, though it's a form of discipline which anyway was part of my life while I was growing up in National Defense Academy, in Pune, Maharashtra India.

"Like a muscle, the more you exercise self-control on a consistent basis, the stronger you get."

The second Grihastha stage is where I am right now where I am enjoying the married life, I have kids and I work and earn to make life prosper and ultimately that helps to progress the society.

"Most important thing in the world is family and love." ~ John Wooden

The third Vanaprastha stage is something that we all look forward, for me yet to reach there. Because this stage one reaches after fulfilling all the duties of the family life, which is bringing up a family to rearing children and them preparing them to face the world and take the responsibility of a family life as if you're giving the baton to the next generation to continue and this also teaches about the change aspect that it comes with time.

"Retirement is not the end of the road. It is the beginning of the open highway." 

Thus the gateway to the final stage is Sanyasa the fourth stage which can lead to nirvana or liberation after living a full life.

What I like about it is that it puts one into discipline such that you were prepared by your parents and now you're preparing the future generation to play their part in this world. The modern living is that people don't realize the importance of Vanaprastha  which is to retire gracefully. When to pave way for the next generation is a difficult question to answer in the modern times where people don't want to give up, whether it's the power or money.

Vanaprastha provides useful guidelines for peaceful departure from this world where I often say we come here with a limited time and with a specific purpose. It's ones duty to pass on the baton to the future generation without any attachment to one's own position. I am sure we see this a lot in this Silicon Valley - how one CEO steps down and the next takes over but often it's not the future generation.

That's why when we talk about preserving this planet -we have not inherited but borrowed this from the future generation and hence we have a responsibility to preserve it for them at least 

My thoughts were random today and I loved walking through them, thanks to @keithakenny !

"Life is the best teacher."

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

Today only happens once.. make it amazing!

 I wanted to ask today what motivates you? I mean pre-pandemic or post-pandemic this question is always there as what motivates you? and now its even more because no matter what we are stuck at home though in California it's not that bad but still we work from home and are kind of getting used to it.

How do you charge yourself ? I mean don't tell me that you listen to a motivational speaker and it works for you because that doesn't work for me at all!!!!

I like to do something that makes me motivated and so what I did last year while we were stay at home, besides hiking was something that I am going to share today.

Yes, even though we were working from home and were able to be with family all the time and enjoy the backyard still you need something more that will excite you isn't it?

"Don't limit your challenges. Challenge your limits."

It was last year same time when the Indian festival Navratri that I recently wrote about was happening. We were not able to meet with friends so I started the trend of wearing saree on those nine days of Navratri. Each day has a significance to a color that relates to the Goddess and for me it was more of the saree love which strike the idea to wear each day based on the color significance. At least for those nine days I was making sure that my work was planned well such that I could take time out to wear saree. 

Dressing up is something that at least excites most of the women and this is me who used to be a tom-boy, now loves saree so much that I enjoyed wearing each day. Some liked my determination, some liked my saree and some liked me all this was fun. By the way this year, again I continued and tomorrow is the ninth day 😍!

"You will never always be motivated, so you must learn to be disciplined." 

Similarly, I opted for learning an instrument. Guitar being my favorite I picked it up and feels so good when I played Happy birthday on guitar for my son's birthday this March and April for my daughter, and Bob Marley's three little birds and then the Bollywood song and so forth...! It's a good distraction from the chaos of life.

"Try to find that motivation in your life which only you can create it no one else." ~ Dawn

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

Priorities over conveniences

Do you ever feel that twenty four hours is not enough? Yesterday was one of those days for me and I am sorry I couldn't blog yesterday.

Yesterday being Tuesday, I know my morning till noon are busy with meetings. And when these meetings are about the work items that need to be delivered by end of this month, I had to do more drilling with the team so that I know exactly how much work is remaining and if we are still going to make it or not.

I am also working with two different teams to prioritize the interdependencies and hence the time was too less to get everything done. On top of all this, I have to do my self-evaluation and you know how that goes because you have to remember all the work you did last year until now.

"Be ambitious. Get things done. Keep your priorities straight, your mind right and your head up." 😜

Health and family comes first for me always, so my five mile hike is something that I never miss and cooking healthy food in case I am able to make it to the kitchen before my husband gets in there 😊! Because if he gets in then I don't have to worry he will take care of the dinner.

But I had some other assignment work that came in and it has writing exercise and need to be submitted by next week.  Because it needs lot of research work, I wanted that frog to be eaten first so that I have a draft ready minimum so that I could work on it later.  I have a course which is two days per week and yesterday was the first day so I couldn't miss that one as I needed to complete the first exercise on the console and I didn't want to be behind from class.

"Like it or not, the world evolves, priorities change and so do you." ~ Marilu Henner

By the time I finished all that, it was almost midnight and I went to bed.

I consciously decided I will skip writing the post and yes, I did feel a little bad but yesterday was something I couldn't do all of them.

This morning, when I got up I decided I will write it down things to do and follow that sequence. I have noticed these days I get easily distracted and I was trying to make sure I stick to my 'to-do' list and not get carried away with social media and other news.

I am sure we all have those time-management and priority list and I used to be a mentor for the interns at work and other places helping on these topics. But I realize lately I am getting distracted a lot.

I realize making a daily to-do list puts me into discipline and hence that's my goal now on.

"Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters." ~ Margaret Peters

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

Let your child play with dolls: boy, girl, gender neutral or all

 

Today is International Girl Child Day and to talk about the challenges and discrimination that girls go through daily in entire life span around the world - it will be tough one.

International day of the Girl Child acknowledges the importance, power, and potential of adolescent girls by encouraging the opening up of more opportunities for them. At the same time, this day is designated to eliminate gender-based challenges that little girls face around the world, including child marriages, poor learning opportunities, violence, and discrimination.

There are privileged one's where the girl survives and gets raised with love and affection. She gets education and still there will be something that she would not be able to do, or say because she is a girl. So we cannot say that girls are treated equally in a patriarchal society where boys have more right for everything.

I remember when the calling out for the rights of women and girls was first achieved by the Beijing Declaration in 1995 at the World Conference on Women in Beijing - I was giving an interview in the Maharashtra Labor Welfare office in India. A question was asked to me - if I get married, will I change my last name to my husband's last name or will I keep my last name that is given by my family. It was a tough one those days, because I was sitting in front of two men who were already talking about what's happening in Beijing and were saying it's crazy!

"When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous." ~ Michelle Obama

I didn't respond the way I wanted to then because I wanted to be selected for the Labor Welfare Officer's position as I stood first in Maharashtra for my Masters and hence I said, it is individual's choice. If I feel like adding my husband's last name then I will add and if I don't want then I will keep everything same because either way I will be a wife to the man I am married to.

Both men laughed and one guy who looked more senior in age, said she meant she will keep her husband's last name and she is not getting carried away with this Beijing thing. I was shocked but I only smiled at this and further moved on with rest of the questions. I came out of that office and later got the letter about my selection. It's a different thing that I migrated to Canada exploring that side of the adventure but wanted to share a glimpse of it here. Though the Beijing world conference on Women was the first- ever blueprint to have identified the need for addressing issues faced by adolescent girls all around the world.

"Achieving gender equality is about disrupting the status quo - not negotiating it." ~ Phumzile Mlambo

I remember my parents telling me when my Mom was expecting me, she wanted a girl child and those days there were no gender identifying machines and hence she prayed to have a baby girl. She went to her Mom's house for delivery as my grand father was not keeping well. And that time my Dad sent her a letter saying if you have a baby girl name her Dawn and if baby boy then you can decide what you want to name. This incident clearly reminds me how they were looking forward for me to come into their life. But in India and around the world, there are incidents where as soon they come to know it's going to be a baby girl either they kill the baby in the womb or just after the birth of the baby.

"Girls and boys have similar brains with equal math ability".

Now imagine, if that killing is unsuccessful what this girl who will be born will go through her entire life, until she becomes strong to say No, yet keep fighting for her basic survival. It's a tough world and who makes it?

I was raised by my parents with equal rights but my Mom was always worried about my outspoken nature, because she knew how the world is and hence, I have often seen her giving justification for my nature to others - because she want her daughter to be accepted in this world. And I always listened to my Dad who tells me, do what you like as long as it's not hurting others. Live your life as don't listen to society because they never come for your help when you need one.

I wish to see this world as shown below: where a girl and boy are equal and counted as two people and not one girl and one boy. Equality matters to everyone, not just to boys!

Every day is a happy day with a girl child around. Wishing you a very happy international  day for a girl child.

~ Dawn

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time

Spiritually, life is a festival, a celebration :-)

It's Indian festival season, and it's called Navratri (nine nights) in the honor of the divine feminine Devi Durga. This festival usually falls in September or October based on the Hindu Calendar. It is celebrated in different ways in different regions of India.

Anyhow, for me festivals meant more or less understanding the culture, food, gatherings, dance and fun overall. I know it will sound strange that it is religious festivals and how come I am not bringing any of those here.

"To celebrate a festival means; to live out, for some special occasion and in an uncommon manner, the universal assent to the world as a whole." ~ Josef Pieper

I have always been attracted towards the cultural aspect of it and not by any religion. I come from a secular country and hence I have always believed in humanity. As a kid growing up, I had my neighbors who were Christians - Catholics and Pentecostals, Hindus, Muslims, Sikh, Jain, etc,. My parents never forced me into any religion, in fact when my neighbor was alone I used to give company to her, sometimes read Bible for her or go to church with her. It was never considered as wrong.

Being there I have read Old Testament and New Testament and I have read Quran, Geeta, Gurugranth Saheb and all religion teaches to love one another. But I love these festivals for its main outcome where we all gather and celebrate life.

During these times, women get to dress up in Saree and being a saree lover I always love these nine days. These nine days has it's own significance for each day. And one of the days is celebrating Durga, where women play with red powder - kind of holi festival. Instead of color here it will be red colored powdered which women will apply to each other and celebrate Devi Durga. Though it is said only married women are supposed to play with the red powder but I believe every women has the right to play with this red colored powder, there is no discrimination. But yes, in the olden days people had their ways how to discriminate the windows verses married women. It's patriarchy that dictates and hence married women has more power. There is lot of orthodox believes that come with it too and some really believe and follow these. I am only scared for them for thinking and believing like this. 

When religious festivals bring us together then why fight with each other for religion? 

"Religion is like a pair of shoe..find one that fits for you, but don't make me wear your shoes." ~ George Carlin

I thought religion, festival all these are for us to come together and share the culture, food and company. So, enjoying these nine days by wearing nine different colored saree's each day based on the preference for that particular day. The best thing during these days is about the food and sweets and getting dressed up and enjoying with friends.

Life is short so enjoy every moment 😍 instead of spending time in hating each other.

~ Dawn 

Note: Now you can listen to the audio version of my blogs in Hindi on the UshaDawn Hindi Podcast on Google, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Check it out and new episodes uploaded every day 3 AM Pacific Standard Time