Sacrifice of the Owls, Silence of the Hyenas 

and the Smoked City of Cats !

Hyenas are pre-dominantly hunters and can even kill lions. Lion are popularly known as the King of the Jungle, but fails to live up to their reputation because they are lazy and even scared from a pack of hyenas, mostly results in hunting a single lion down. Pride of lion disappears when a pack of Hyenas attack. Every Lion thinks of its safety first and climbs up the trees and watch injured lion being killed.

 Surprised? Well, I am shocked, as we perceive ourselves to be humans, in reality exhibit Animal traits more than the real animals do. Hence, Hyenas are the Rulers; their ugly side can be seen in the outcome of riots that took place today at Panchkula and other places in Haryana, Punjab and Delhi.

Owls on the other hand are mostly silent but always perceived to be scary especially because of their big round eyes. Though they are harmless as they are blind during the day when everyone else can see. These owls are directionless, gets influenced by their perceived God man 'Gorilla'.

Well both Gorilla and Hyenas are dangerous for the owls. As Owls are blind and ignorant to the fact that they are going to die due to the materialistic vision of the rulers and to save themselves from the Law of the Jungle which they never cared for.

Egoistic Cats are mostly comfortable alone, busy with their routine and are famous for cat fights. Cats are selfish by nature. They only get united in dire situations, when their life is at a stake. They are united as spectators because that is the best they can do as they selected Hyenas as rulers and ignored the exploitations of Gorilla on other species.

Cats cannot develop their kittens into a Lion who had Inner Conscience. On the other hand, Hyenas were clear about their cubs as their successors .A kitten can grow up to become a cat only. So, becoming Lion is impossible task and also it is selfless act which Cats cannot think of achieving until they get the reality check through a horrifying experience and tragic end to the riots which took place in North India and the small city of Panchkula becoming the epicenter. Now, Cats must look within and define themselves, not with their limited abilities but with unlimited inner self.

Without this realization, The Cities will burn one after another, Owls will sacrifice themselves and Hyenas laughing behind us, will be silent during these tough times. It times, that we as cats become a Lion with great strength and broader selfless vision, to fight hyenas and take back what belongs to our pride and nurture our cubs to become the Pride of Future.

                                                   ___________________________

A Gorilla can never become a God-man. So, find a true Guru. Before you believe him or her, use your wisdom and understand everything about your Guru and evaluate the content of their ideologies. DO NOT have blind faith on anyone, if you have started staying in Ashram, Dera and Similar Centers, and you are getting free meals and free stay. It does not mean that you are at the right place.
First, take a break from the Center, go out for few days, now think with a calm mind about the core intention and your experience with permanent officials at these Centers. It will help you to come out of the influence of people and after talking to your near and dear ones, family and wise friends. Now, you will understand whether you were brain-washed by them during this time or  if their behavior was genuine.
You cannot meet God and achieve eternal happiness by killing or harming your brothers and sisters, irrespective they are rich or poor or belong to different communities, states & countries. You belong to the same Human Race. There is no less human or more human, every one has positive and negative emotions.Terrorism and the terrorists are created by Gorillas and Hyenas in Power, for their selfish interests. Innocent Owls and Cats are brain-washed , shown a wrong perspective towards society and each-other. Cats blame Owls and influenced Owls kill Innocent Cats and get killed in riots, terrorist attacks and police encounters.
We lose thousands of lives every year because of Hyenas and Gorillas, because they are in Power. That's why , if we don't become Lions of justice and spread the right ideologies, being aware about phenomenas happening around us, wise upbringing of our children, follow the Correct Guru, befriend genuine people, practice honest living and not live a life of greed, anger and foolishness.We must bring a positive change in ourselves and then only the society will transform.

Pankaj Sehjowalia

SUCCESS COMES WHEN YOU STRETCH YOUR LIMITS

He was a normal American computer programmer but using his creative skills, experience in technology and team work, to design an unconventional online networking site the user base of which has grown to more than 250 million people. Yes its Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of the social networking site Facebook and one of the world's youngest billionaires at 28 years.

Learning is at the very core of what it means to be human. Even before we are born, our senses are already at work as we process information from the outside world. A stimulus to our inner self starts through thought, emotions, and self-regulation, and our outward self through perception, speech, and behaviors.

The 21st century will comprises education that constitutes significant contributions to the understanding and improvement of educational processes combining holistic growth and human development at all educational levels. This needs to be done in both formal and informal settings with a wide range of academic disciplines and using a wide range of research methods.

The team at 'The Creative Compass' aims exactly at these agendas that instill confidence, teach life skills while helping children to focus more and relax ahead of any exams. Moreover workshops will be organised in various schools as encouragement sessions to enhance dialogue amongst students with their teachers and parents. These projects have been designed to engage children in authentic tasks relevant to their daily lives. The Creative Compass(TCC) team's focus is to bring out the individuality and talents of the children and helping them discover their strengths and weaknessses and working on them alike.

Moreover TCC does not believe in the 'One size fits all' theory. So students will be provided with custom made modules to suit the childs need. something that are current education system lacks.

The workshops and modules at the TCC inculcate games and varied activities through which special skills, behaviour and attitude of the child will be highlighted. It will instil not just confidence to overcome aversions to various subjects taught but also infuse a sense of responsibility, defining ones goals based on interests and team building and leadership spirit. Children will be encouraged to forge ties with nature and our activities have been designed to help students realize the role of sustainable development. With that Yoga sessions and nutritional guidance is an important part of our modules as body awareness increases through regular yoga and balanced eating to keep a child focussed, alert and calm--all being indispensable pre requisites to any exam. Extensive study on child behaviour on how to relate the latest research in child development, cognitive psychology, and sociology to school learning and their implications for teaching practice has gone in designing the workshops and modules at TCC.

Today success requires fluidity in skills, concepts, problem solving, decision making, and judgment that are daily applied in the realms of the sciences (including mathematics), engineering, technology and design. Its like a web of skills and ideas where as an example an engineer in a hotel needs to have food sense and a designer in the gaming world needs to know technology to stay updated.

Both absolute and explicit familiarity with and understanding of the human-designed world (i.e., the world of technology) is fundamental knowledge essential for life and active participation in the world as an entrepreneur, leader, economic, spiritual, and social contributor to society.

We at TCC aim to holistically guide, mentor and propel a child to empower them and create leaders for tomorrow. The focus is on challenging the students to explore new ideas and hone their capabilities and skills. We believe in teaching our students “how” to think rather than “what” to think so that they can make informed choices to create a stimulating and engaging atmosphere which will enhance a child’s latent potential.

Kanika Nikhanj

Personality Development/Medical Counsellor

TCC

Seen v/s Unseen Dilemma (NID Entrance Exam 19th,20th Jan 2013)

Seen v/s Unseen Dilemma (NID Entrance Exam 19th,20^th Jan 2013)

From few months to few weeks to few days to few hours. NID entrance is approaching as fast as the time can pass. Students have their own thinking pattern and ideas about their performance and prediction of results before even sitting for the NID entrance exam.

Seen Dilemma 1 : First and Foremost thing common among all students, is that there are others better than me and my chances are weak as I am not that good.

Unseen Dilemma 1 : The catch here is that we always compare our abilities and many a times develop low-self esteem. Such mental thought hinders our performance when we prepare and appear for any competitive examination.

Seen Dilemma 2 : I am not good in this. I can’t do this (“Mere se nahin hotha yeh”). This is so difficult (“Yeh to bahut mushkil hai”).

Unseen Dilemma 2 : If you have decided that the given task/subject is difficult, it becomes all the more difficult for us mentally and physically to perform better. Where as, If you tame yourself and remind that no matter if the subject is difficult, I will make sure to practice/study sincerely and openly to change my perception from difficult to easy.

Seen Dilemma 3 :  Seats at NID are just 100? Am I joking that I can be among Top 100 kids in India. I should go for some other institute.

Unseen Dilemma 3 : Giving Up before any preparation or even fighting the battle for 1 Seat at NID?

Are we so dependent upon number of seats/competition?

To break these conditioned thoughts, 

We at The Creative Compass successfully completed consecutive sessions on “Self and Environment Interaction”, to balance the intensity of dilemmas and make students realize their inner abilities and get empowered with right skills before the Exam Bell rings.

FINAL TIPS:

1. Read Every Question Carefully (Spend quality time in understanding WHAT QUESTION WANTS YOU TO DO).
2. Answer every question with SMART, CLEAR & SPEEDY RESPONSE.
3. Gauge and make justifiable answers to match the marks allotted for each question and finish it in less/reasonable time. (DO NOT OVER DO ANY ANSWER, KEEP JUMPING TO NEXT QUESTION).
4. Do not bother what others are doing, Believe in your ability and attempt every question confidently.
5. KEEP TRACK OF THE TIME and answer each question completely as per your understanding.

WISHING ALL THE NID ASPIRANTS TO ENJOY AND PERFORM TO THEIR BEST ABILITIES FOR NID ENTRANCE EXAM,2013.

Pankaj Sehjowalia, Wellness Counsellor 

THE UNCLAIMED ART!
I was out of station, when my cousin and his family visited home. His daughter saw the empty white board in my studio and started drawing lotus. My younger brother clicked her, she did get disturb, looked back curiously i

n search of the source of flash which kept coming every time she drew a line.She could not find anything in my brother's hand and continued sketching.
At her age, I don't think that i could have made better lotus than her.
Though, she left the marker open and it dried and when i returned i did not even see anything on the white board. But, on seeing her stills while sketching, made me learn small small joys which i used to experience during my childhood.

THE GREAT HUMAN REVOLUTION

The other day, I went to Gandhi Smarak Bhawan at Chandigarh. My journey right from the entrance was memorable as I was reading Mahatama Gandhi's quotes placed on the sides of the pathways and enjoying the site of lush green surrounding.I was moved by the profound meaning of every message.

In the memory of the Father of the Nation "Mahatama Gandhi". It is important for us to understand why is 2nd Oct, 15th Aug, 26th Jan considered National Holidays. The Significance today of these 3 days is nothing but rejoicing on the fact that these holidays relieve us from the boring routine of work & study.We can spend sometime with the family, may be buried in the bed, watching TV, going out for shopping and movies.

Do we stop and think the relevance of these days in our lives as individuals as fathers, mothers, vital organ of the society or largely as the citizen of our country or the world. As I think of this day, I realise that A GREAT MAN was born to change the destiny of our country and take charge of many lives. A man who was extremely sensitive, compassionate, sincere, diligent & responsible. If this one man wouldn't have been born, India wouldn't have been breathing in the air of freedom.

One Japanese Thinker has described 20th century as the century of regrets.

Technology has, of course made extraordinary strides and the distances has become short. Knowledge floats in the air.The world has become small. We are bombarded with information and learning facilities. We have not yet freed ourselves of all that creates differences between parents & children, neighbors, bosses & employees, exploitation of the week & innocent, the law of jungle prevailing in outstanding proportion in comparison to what we carry as a heritage of faith and spiritual abundance.

What was the role of Mahatma Gandhi in Independence?

Freedom from Britishers?   or 

Freedom from our conditioned mind which makes us feel helpless and we crib about situation and blame others?

Do we need to change the definition of Freedom?

Do we need to change something in ourselves which we always felt, is outside somewhere or created by someone else ?

Who is to be blamed for Eve-Teasing (the media subject of last week at Chandigarh) ?

Who can empower us?

Can our parents, friends, colleagues, boss empower us, free us, make us happy ?

When the answer & solution lies within. Then what are waiting for.

Mahatma Gandhi Ji used to sit silent for hours to contemplate, realise & reflect.

His actions redefined the way Indian Ideologies were practiced and the revolution which we will remember for eternity was the initiative of ONE MAN.

"A great human revolution in just a single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a nation and further, will enable a change in the destiny of humankind" Daisaku Ikeda

Today, the contribution of Dr. Daisaku Ikeda in empowering people all across the globe as a Buddhist Philosopher is immeasurable. He followed the footsteps of his mentor " Josei Toda" and showed the highest potential that can be attained by a Great Human Revolution.

Gratitude!

Today, Looking back at the board in our studio. Apart from my work,what brings smile on my face is the sketch from Sara, a 2nd Class Student (Vinita Mam's Daughter, future designer for sure). It also reminds me about my experience with professional mentors like George Mathews,Sunil Sudhakaran, Usha Gergan, Sapna Behar & the entire Icarus team.

Unlearning 'n' Learning at every step @ NID. With Ups: b'day parties, dating, interaction, bhangra, sleeping, night outs, movies, poster war, work, fun, group modules & Downs: mistakes, fights, emotional attayachaar, viral, bla bla bla.  

After academics, I started with research in the schools and culminated into Wellness Games for Kids. Our initiatives (with recipe queen Nidhi Nikhanj) at NID specially the launch of healthy sandwiches "Aahaar". Interesting projects with NGOs & Corporates as well.

I take this opportunity to thank all my near dear ones, friends at NID, that includes Faculty at NID. My heartfelt gratitude to all of you, for knowingly /unknowingly making me learn so much with your every gesture, support & presence!

The Creative Compass

Dear Friends,

Wishing everyone "Happy Teachers Day."

We all learn from each-other and that's a healthy co-creation.But,We also keep advising each-other what to do / what not to do. We find ourselves worried about our kids, friends and families.Alot of stress builds up for Parents when their children are studying in 9th,10th,11th and 12th. Ever heard Mother's whispering "Bhagwann, Bus Mere Bache Ka Future Bann Jaye" (Oh God, I wish to see my son's bright future).

In India, alot of stress evolves in the minds of parents. If you ask so called trouble makers (children), they don't understand any bit of parents' concern. They are happy watching TV, movies, playing games and...... Some hate school and tuitions, some like studying, some can balance, some are just flowing with the wind.

Are you wondering, Why am I getting into it?

Well, As I shifted to the TriCity. I am back home and my younger brother has 6 months to finish 12th and simultaneously gear up for Entrance Exams in 2013. As a bouncing ball, I come right in middle of  the Parent/Kid meta-communication. Unlike Chinese Whisper, the communication get elaborated and enhanced with every person entering into the chain. My work starts with making my brother aware about his graduation options as per his interest and skill set. He is already occupied with school, tuitions, basketball, TV, FB, PC games and friends. Here, I used little bit of professionalism and started counselling and preparation sessions for him. Gradually, Children increased and now they are enthusiastically preparing for NID Entrance.

This was the inception of THE CREATIVE COMPASS, an educational initiative which guides children to learn creative skills to become responsible youth, equipped with three virtues of courage, wisdom and compassion. We don't use terms like teacher/student.We are facilitators to strengthen their own potential.

We intend to dye them with creative colors, to validate "Blue deeper than Indigo".

Pankaj Sehjowalia

The Creative Compass Team
Nidhi Nikhanj, Leena Khaneja, Mallika Khaneja, Aritik Sehjowalia & Pankaj Sehjowalia.