"The shape of the world to come would indeed be transformed if all of us lived in a spirit of love and amity with one another" - M. K. Gandhi
The week started off with the hugely successful TEDx Chennai conference on the 30th September, 2012. Soon after, 2nd October, on Gandhiji's birthday, the Joy of Giving Week was officially kicked off. This is a great week to share and celebrate ideas worth spreading indeed.
Have always been an avid supporter of the Joy of Giving Week (JGW) in India since it began a few years ago. Have been "too busy" this time and was feeling a tad guilty. Then reminded self that all that I have been "busy" with does indeed revolve around giving. Of my resources, my abilities, my time and energy. Which are some of the better things one can actually give of, if truth be told. Not material "possessions" nor writing a cheque in the mail. The best things to give of course, are love, peace and happiness -- something no price tag can ever attempt to do justice to.
My earlier blogposts on the JGW came about from an experiment from the 1st JGW wherein we were all invited to write about ideas to share and inspire one another. It was one of the best weeks of giving and writing in my life.
Ironically, this JGW involved some of us being the recipient of someone else's grand gesture of giving! Mr. Mahadevan, owner of the Oriental Cuisine group of restaurants in Chennai, generously offered over 40 kg of a gigantic photo printed cake to CFG members. The event celebrated musician maestro, Ilaiyaraja, with depictions from all the movies he has made music for, in the form of a 1000 kg cake over a 100 metres long.
The humbled and grateful CFG members had a great time catching up at the event. In turn, most gave away their cakes to shelter homes for kids. One guy, an amazing photographer Bharani, even refused to collect his share, leaving it for someone to purchase and/or give away. Was very touched by the way he declined the offer as well as for his dedication to the cause. Thank you for the lovely lesson you taught me that day, Bharani.
Jana Stanfield is a fabulous country singer from the USA, and was one of the most popular personalities at the recently concluded TEDx Chennai conference. She sang, joked, and danced her way into the hearts of the young and the old alike. Her catchy tune is on the lips of everyone who was present at the venue, as well as the millions who watched the live feed of the event from around the world.
Her message was profound yet simple, as all the heartfelt messages usually are. The song's catchphrase/stanza was "We cannot do all the good that the world needs, but the world needs all the good we can do!" Powerful, and drives home the point in our currently preoccupied selfish existence.
If I could bring even something as little as a smile on someone's face each day, I would consider myself a worthy occupant of this planet.
The Mahatma showed us the way and did more than his fair share. What can each one of us do? More to the point, can each of us afford NOT to do whatever we can?
Ideas, News & Events of the JGW
The week started off with the hugely successful TEDx Chennai conference on the 30th September, 2012. Soon after, 2nd October, on Gandhiji's birthday, the Joy of Giving Week was officially kicked off. This is a great week to share and celebrate ideas worth spreading indeed.
Have always been an avid supporter of the Joy of Giving Week (JGW) in India since it began a few years ago. Have been "too busy" this time and was feeling a tad guilty. Then reminded self that all that I have been "busy" with does indeed revolve around giving. Of my resources, my abilities, my time and energy. Which are some of the better things one can actually give of, if truth be told. Not material "possessions" nor writing a cheque in the mail. The best things to give of course, are love, peace and happiness -- something no price tag can ever attempt to do justice to.
My earlier blogposts on the JGW came about from an experiment from the 1st JGW wherein we were all invited to write about ideas to share and inspire one another. It was one of the best weeks of giving and writing in my life.
Ironically, this JGW involved some of us being the recipient of someone else's grand gesture of giving! Mr. Mahadevan, owner of the Oriental Cuisine group of restaurants in Chennai, generously offered over 40 kg of a gigantic photo printed cake to CFG members. The event celebrated musician maestro, Ilaiyaraja, with depictions from all the movies he has made music for, in the form of a 1000 kg cake over a 100 metres long.
The humbled and grateful CFG members had a great time catching up at the event. In turn, most gave away their cakes to shelter homes for kids. One guy, an amazing photographer Bharani, even refused to collect his share, leaving it for someone to purchase and/or give away. Was very touched by the way he declined the offer as well as for his dedication to the cause. Thank you for the lovely lesson you taught me that day, Bharani.
Jana Stanfield is a fabulous country singer from the USA, and was one of the most popular personalities at the recently concluded TEDx Chennai conference. She sang, joked, and danced her way into the hearts of the young and the old alike. Her catchy tune is on the lips of everyone who was present at the venue, as well as the millions who watched the live feed of the event from around the world.
Her message was profound yet simple, as all the heartfelt messages usually are. The song's catchphrase/stanza was "We cannot do all the good that the world needs, but the world needs all the good we can do!" Powerful, and drives home the point in our currently preoccupied selfish existence.
If I could bring even something as little as a smile on someone's face each day, I would consider myself a worthy occupant of this planet.
The Mahatma showed us the way and did more than his fair share. What can each one of us do? More to the point, can each of us afford NOT to do whatever we can?
Ideas, News & Events of the JGW
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