Life taught me to dance with joy

Stories of Role Models

Read Kavitha' story to dance past difficulties.

I would go for Bharat Natyam practice every day after school. 

Guru ji was strict and his thala stick would do his bidding, from time to time. It would come flying at you, as a reprimand, if your attention wavered. 

Dance taught me to be in the moment. To anticipate 2 dance moves ahead but not to let the mind wander.

I had a deep desire to help others and that took me to Madras School of Social Work for my MA. I wanted to do psychiatric social work. Thus I wanted to change the world.

Soon after, I got married. I had to adjust to an extended family. Not only that, my husband’s transfers kept me on my toes. 

We came to Bangalore, and I found an opportunity to conduct training programs and facilitate learning. The performer in me loved it. 

But life - like dance steps - seldom moves in one straight line.

Addition of loved ones to the family, relocations abroad - thanks hubby dear! :) - these made me dance to their steps; instead of my own plans.

In a job for about 5 years, then on my own for another 5. Then in a job for another 5 years, then on my own - this became my cadence.

In all this, I grew to understand the HR space and how learning, training and consulting can shape and help others.

I experienced this space from both sides - service consumer and provider. It was insightful.

Some insights came easy to me, some I had to pick up the hard way.

I got assigned to a key project. In our internal meetings, I noticed a problem with the decision a senior had taken. Out of deference, I kept quiet. I did not want to look stupid. 

Yet, it caused a major error in our product delivery and this person was asked to leave. 

As a result, I spent hours asking myself why I did not speak up in the meeting.

Thus, my timidity departed, but not before all this.

I learnt, I adapted, I was happy. 

Over the years, I learnt that when your own cup of joy brims over, then you have no choice but to pour it on others around you.

Yatha Pinde, Tatha Bramhande - As is the self, so is the world (around you).

I founded Learners Route in 2015 and we have blossomed into a team of 12 consultants since then - and growing every day! 

Like attracts like. Today I am surrounded by fellow minimalists who care more about making a difference than making money. Yet money just comes :)

We work with customers from around the world today, helping their employees learn and perform better.

When I was younger, I wanted to be perfect. As I am getting older, I tend to give more importance to experience than the success and failure of it.  

I would urge you also to delay in judging and spend the time consciously slowing down. The reflection opportunity that it brings is the best antidote to our furious fast-paced life-styles.