SOULspace

    Why do I post my crochet?  To bring awareness to the process From ideation, to choosing of yarn, needle and design, until the last slip stitch completes and closes the design...we must stay committed and enrolled in the task at hand. We envision how it will turn out (of course this is not original design) but as the needle follows a set pattern, some parts may be changed and altered and so it becomes our own... We then see the end result with satisfaction (or dissatisfaction). The advantage in doing crochet is that one can unravel and redo it anytime (if we have patience for that!) ... and so on... This is truly encapsulating Life as we live it. How beautiful each pattern is...a pattern we make of it! ~~ White is the chosen colour and lends to so many metaphors : White is the colour I see when I close my eyes to meditate - a radiant white. White is the colour of the robes worn by God's Son and the dervishes as they spin in the moment. White is the rose that blooms uno...

 Once there was a girl who got her feet wet and cold.  How could this happen when it was a bright sunny day?  Her mother undressed her and made her lie down on the cosy bed with some warm ginger chai (tea), having added a dash of turmeric, pepper and lemon grass. (Mother's feel better to add everything that will make us feel better!). Just then there came a knock at the door. It was the old man,(who they called Dadaji), who lived upstairs. He lived all alone, his children having moved to another country and his wife too deciding to take an early departure to the the other world. He was fond of children and often came down to chat with the little one. He loved to talk and chat and tell funny little stories that always kept the little one enthralled! "Now drink your tea, and then perhaps there will be a story in that for you"! said Mother "Yes! perhaps a new story will come to me today!" said the kind old story man from upstairs. "But tell me how did ...

  Video : https://youtu.be/t5ostmROJ3U  (Links to an external site.) Story 14 – The Artist - Folktale from Gujarat Taken from the Collection of Folktales by AK Ramanujam Story Based Reflection – Why do you think Saralatha’s took this mission or purpose? What is a passion of yours that doesn’t let you sleep?    ~~   Knowing IKIGAI: IKIGAI is a Japanese word that can be translated as  Iki – Life   Gai – realisation of what one hopes or expects. In other words, it is the Reason for Being . Watch this Video: Click on link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ5Srezh190  (Links to an external site.)       The Japanese believe if we are fully engaged in activities we love or enjoy doing, then we lead a life of fulfillment. This concept closely aligns with the Greek idea of Eudaimonia or the idea of a well lived life. Ikigai closely relates to the concept of “Flow” as named and explained...

  Video : https://youtu.be/AFsilk1VsN0  (Links to an external site.)       Story 12:       Nasiruddin and the coat                   Nasiruddin is a teacher               Nasiruddin on the pumpkin patch   Story Reflection Task :  1)  What kind of humour do you enjoy - slapstick or wordplay? 2) What does it tell you about yourself?  Knowing Humour :  “The human Race has one really effective weapon and that is Humour”– Mark Twain Humour is that which makes you laugh. In ancient Greece, it was known that the word Humor , which meant body fluid in Latin, was the fluid that controlled one’s health and emotions! Humour has been identified as one of the top 24 Character strengths and is classified under the Virtue of Transcendence. It  is a strength that helps make connections with the larger meaning and purp...

 Wabi Sabi Video : https://youtu.be/eYrQXUkOVtY  (Links to an external site.)       Story 10 –The Cracked Pot - Indian Folktale Story Reflection Task: Who is the water bearer in your life? A person who sees your flaws but accepts you unconditionally. Are you a water bearer in someone else's life?   ~     Knowing Wabi Sabi :                                                                                   Forget the bells that still can ring                                                             ...

Resilience : Video : https://youtu.be/Qs3gNn8ZuJ8  (Links to an external site.)       Story 9 – Story of the Bird and the Hunter - Retold from the version The Freedom Bird by David Holt.   Story Reflection Task:  Who does the Hunter represent? In your life what or who are the Hunters (adversities) challenging you? What resources does the bird have? Imagine beyond the story to think of all the resources the bird has.   ~ Knowing Resilience: Dictionary definitions of Resilience is the ability to recover from difficult situations, toughness, also the ability (for inanimate objects) to spring back into shape. Psychologically: Resilience is having patterns of positive adaptations in the face of adversity or risks. Resilience is a way to manage stress. It refers to our ability to cope with whatever life throws at us. Some people are knocked down by challenges, but they return as a stronger person more steadfast than befor...

 Forgiveness: Video : https://youtu.be/krqvU73vRFo  (Links to an external site.) Story 8 : Crossing the Bridge of Forgiveness     Story Reflection Task : Draw a river to represent your life. Identify moments when you forgave yourself. Draw a bridge for that moment. (use one colour) Draw a bridge using a different colour for a Person you need to forgive ( there can be more than one), use a different colour for a Situation that requires your forgiving. How many bridges have you drawn, how many more do you think you need to draw? Knowing Forgiveness: Forgiveness is the conscious act or decision to let go feelings of resentment or vengeance towards an individual or a group that has harmed you, regardless of whether they deserve it or not. Dr. Robert Enright from the University of Wisconsin-Madison initiated Forgiveness studies and set up the International Forgiveness Institute. He developed a 20-step process for Forgiven...

 Character Strengths & Virtues Video - https://youtu.be/-aCKzuIGp2g  (Links to an external site.) Story 7– The Boy and the Star Fish     Story Reflection Task: What do you think is the greatest strength of the Young Boy?   VIRTUES: Virtues is considered as the quality of being morally good. The word Virtue comes from the Latin root of Virtus, which refers to all the excellent qualities of man. The study of virtues is seen extensively in almost all ancient cultures. Plato, Aristotle and the Romans discussed and classified Virtues. The Tamil poet and philosopher Thiru Valluvar has described Virtues as Aram ( dharma) or divine virtue. Living by our virtue in Tamil culture is considered as "a way of life" and "not a spiritual observance". The Kural literature gives many definitions and explanations for living a virtuous life through poetic couplets that in traditional Tamil culture was learnt by heart.  Fredrich Neitzsche and Im...