Meet Ashwin

Obsessive Learner

Technologist / Lifelong learner / Cloud, Data, API / Engineering Leader / Traveler / Habitual reader

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Making Kindness a Habit : 5 Simple Ways

March 9, 2019 by Ashwin Leave a Comment

In the age of speed dates and fast foods, we often forget the importance of kindness. The need really strikes us when we are a victim – when kindness is desperately expected.

But by making it a habit, we can give unconditional kindness to everyone around. I bet it will come back in the right form. Karma, you know!

Here are five simple ways to start.

  • Spend an extra 10 minutes every day, to talk or listen to someone who needs you. It can be your spouse, child, family member or a friend
  • Genuinely smile at 5 strangers every day. Don’t make it odd, just a gentle smile
  • Perform simple acts of kindness whenever there is an opportunity – holding the door, helping with a heavy bag, getting coffee to a coworker etc
  • Listen more than you talk. Every single time
  • But product or service from small merchants whenever possible. Sometimes it may be the only sale they make in a whole day

Life is too short to spend egotistically. Embed kindness in your daily life and enjoy the beauty of it.

Filed Under: Compassion, Good Life Tagged With: compassion, good life, Kindness

Are you Self Compassionate?

December 5, 2015 by Ashwin Leave a Comment

self_compassion

I came across this term for the first time during my Happiness Course in Coursera.  It set my thoughts rolling and I couldn’t resist penning it down.  Let me share them with you. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Compassion, Good Life, Last Five Tagged With: compassion, good life, life, self compassion

Little Secret to Develop Compassion!

November 15, 2015 by Ashwin Leave a Comment

develop_compassion

The World is becoming a tough place to live in.  There is a visible lack of compassion which leads to unhappiness and suffering.  Here is a little secret to develop compassion in your everyday life!

Selfishness is the greatest enemy to Compassion.  It is not easy to overcome selfishness.  Though a little of it is needed to make sure that you get all essentials in life, there is certainly a limit.

So what’s the secret to overcome selfishness and develop compassion?  

Realize and Accept the impermanent nature of life.

Impermanence of life is a true fact.  But our minds are trained to ignore or overlook this fact.  We believe that we will live for ever in this world.  This makes us more selfish to accumulate everything beyond the necessity.  And when all these limits are broken, compassion is gone!

So the next time you must make an non-compassionate decision, think about the impermanence of life.  It is a little secret, but it works!

Image credit: Flickr Creative Commons by Matthew

Filed Under: Compassion, Good Life Tagged With: compassion, impermanence, life, selfishness

Paris. My heart is with you!

November 14, 2015 by Ashwin Leave a Comment

peace_for_parisI woke up this morning to this horrible news of armed attacks in Paris.  As of this time, the toll stands around 150 and might go up.  I made sure that my friends in Paris are safe – but my heart sinks at the very thought of victims.  May their souls rest in peace and may He give comfort to the hearts of their kin and kith.

CNN gives the latest update on this horrific incident and Facebook has a feature where everyone can mark their safety, for the benefit of those interested.

Incidentally, last week I was reading How to be Compassionate by Dalai Lama.  It is very true and relevant at this moment!

Compassion is the dire need of society where we live in.

Terrorism is real.  Terrorism is closer to you than you imagine.  Stay safe.  Be compassionate!

Filed Under: Compassion, Good Life, Social Tagged With: attacks, gun shooting, massacre, paris, paris attacks, terrorism