Peace Archives — NIMBLE FOUNDATION BLOG

Mastering Calmness in Tough Times

1) What is calmness?

Calmness is a state of mental and emotional tranquility. It involves being free from agitation, excitement, or disturbance. Calmness is characterized by a sense of peace, relaxation, and composure, even in stressful or challenging situations. It can be cultivated through various practices such as mindfulness, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and other stress-reduction techniques. Achieving calmness often allows for clearer thinking, better decision-making, and improved overall well-being.

2) Why do people get restive?

People can become restive for various reasons, often linked to feelings of discomfort, dissatisfaction, or impatience. Some common reasons include:

Boredom or Lack of Stimulation: When people are bored or not sufficiently engaged, they may become restless and seek something to do.

Discomfort: Physical discomfort, such as being in a cramped space or an uncomfortable position, can make people fidgety and uneasy.

Anxiety or Stress: High levels of anxiety or stress can lead to restlessness. This can be due to worries about personal issues, work, or broader societal concerns.
Impatience: Waiting for something, especially if it takes longer than expected, can make people impatient and restless.

Unmet Needs or Desires: When people’s needs or desires are not being met, they can become agitated and restless.
Monotony or Routine: A lack of variety or change in daily routines can lead to restiveness as people seek novelty and excitement.
Environment: Certain environments can contribute to restlessness. For example, noisy or chaotic surroundings can make it difficult to relax.
Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions, such as ADHD, restless leg syndrome, or hyperthyroidism, can cause physical restlessness.

3) What are reasons behind anxiety?

Anxiety can be caused by a combination of factors, which can vary from person to person. Here are some common reasons behind anxiety:

Genetics: A family history of anxiety disorders can increase the likelihood of experiencing anxiety.

Brain Chemistry: Imbalances in brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine can affect mood and anxiety levels.

Personality: Certain personality traits, such as being highly sensitive, introverted, or perfectionistic, can make individuals more prone to anxiety.

Environmental Factors: Stressful life events, such as trauma, abuse, the death of a loved one, or significant life changes (e.g., moving, starting a new job), can trigger anxiety.

Medical Conditions: Chronic illnesses, thyroid disorders, heart disease, and other medical conditions can contribute to anxiety.

Substance Use: The use of caffeine, alcohol, and drugs can lead to or exacerbate anxiety symptoms. Withdrawal from these substances can also cause anxiety.

Brain Structure: Certain regions of the brain, particularly those involved in emotional regulation, may function differently in people with anxiety disorders.

Cognitive Patterns: Negative thought patterns, such as excessive worrying, catastrophizing, or overgeneralizing, can contribute to anxiety.

Behavioral Factors: Avoidance behaviors can perpetuate anxiety by preventing individuals from facing and overcoming their fears.

Social Factors: Social isolation, lack of support, and poor relationships can increase feelings of anxiety.

Nutritional Deficiencies: Poor diet and deficiencies in certain nutrients, such as magnesium and B vitamins, can affect mental health and contribute to anxiety.

Hormonal Changes: Hormonal fluctuations, such as those occurring during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, can influence anxiety levels.

4) How to deal with people who bully?

Dealing with bullies can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can help manage and potentially resolve the situation:

Stay Calm and Confident:
Bullies often seek a reaction. Staying calm and confident can sometimes defuse their attempts to provoke you.

Set Boundaries:
Clearly and firmly tell the bully to stop their behavior. Use assertive language and maintain eye contact if possible.

Avoid Isolation:
Spend time with friends or colleagues who can provide support. Bullies are less likely to target someone who is not alone.

Document Incidents:

Keep a record of what happened, including dates, times, and witnesses. This documentation can be useful if you need to report the bullying.

Seek Support:
Talk to friends, family members, or a trusted person about what’s happening. Emotional support can make a significant difference.

Report the Bullying:

If the bullying occurs at work or school, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as a supervisor, HR department, or school administration.

Practice Self-care:
Engage in activities that you enjoy and that help you relax. Taking care of your mental and physical health is important when dealing with stress.

Learn Conflict Resolution Skills:
Sometimes, understanding how to effectively communicate and resolve conflicts can help in dealing with bullies.

Avoid Retaliation:
Responding with aggression can escalate the situation. It’s often better to respond with calmness or remove yourself from the situation if possible.

Professional Help:
If the bullying is causing significant distress, consider seeking help from a counselor or therapist.

5) What role communication skills play in maintaining your calmness?

Communication skills play a crucial role in maintaining calmness in various ways. Here’s how:

Effective Expression: When you can articulate your thoughts and feelings clearly, it reduces misunderstandings and potential conflicts. This clarity often leads to a more peaceful interaction, helping you remain calm.

Active Listening: Good communication involves listening attentively. When you listen carefully to others, you gain a better understanding of their perspectives and concerns, which can prevent jumping to conclusions or reacting impulsively.

Conflict Resolution: Strong communication skills enable you to navigate conflicts constructively. You can express your feelings calmly, listen to the other party, and work towards a resolution without escalating tensions.

Stress Management: Being able to communicate effectively helps in expressing stress or frustration in a healthy manner. Whether it’s seeking support or explaining your needs, clear communication reduces the likelihood of bottling up emotions that could lead to outbursts.

Building Relationships: Calm and effective communication fosters trust and respect in relationships. It creates an environment where both parties feel heard and valued, promoting harmony and reducing the likelihood of misunderstandings.

Thanks for reading.

INCREDIBLE INDIA !! [BLOG#31]

MAA DEWRI TEMPLE

Dewri Mandir is a mandir situated in Diuri village, Tamar near Ranchi in Jharkhand in India. It is located near the Tata-Ranchi Highway (NH33). The main attraction of this ancient mandir is, 700 year old murti of the Goddess Durga, Kali. The murti have 16 hands (Normally Goddess Durga has 10 Hands). It is an ancient Mandir and It was renovated few years back. The ancient mandir was constructed by interlocking stones without using chalk or binding material. This temple is also known as, Mata Dewri Diri in tribal Bhumij Munda languages.

At the temple devotees tie yellow and red sacred threads on bamboo for the fulfilment of their wishes. Upon the fulfillment of their wishes, they again come to the temple and untie the thread. Dedicated to Solha Bhuji Goddess, an avatar of Goddess Durga, Dewri Mandir temple is located a little outside the main city of Ranchi. Spread over nearly two acres, this old temple in Ranchi also houses an idol of Lord Shiva here. As per the Legends, whoever has tried to alter the structure of this temple, has had to face the wrath of the gods and suffer consequences. Dewri Temple is also believed to be the only temple where six tribal priests, known as Pahans, perform rituals and offer prayers alongside the Brahmin priests, who are mainly known as Pandas. Located about 60 km from Ranchi, this temple is on the right side of the Ranchi-Tata road, toward the town of Tamar.

It is said that this Mandir was built during 16th to 20th century. The doors of this Mandir is made up of stone. This Mandir’s deity’s Murti have sixteen hands. According to the media reports this Mandir’s murti’s architecture style is similar to the murti’s found in temples of Odisha state.
This mandir is of Maa (mother) Deudi Devi. Devadi Maa is Maa Kali. The Murti of the deity has 16 arms and it is 3 foot tall. Deity is holding bow, shield, flower and param in her arms. Deori Maa’s Murti have different types of Gold jewelry. This deity’s name also reported as Dewri devi.

According to a legend associated with this Mandir this Mandir was built by Adivasi king Kera. It is believed that this Mandir is 700 years old. It is said that this temple was established in year 1300 by King Kera, a Munda king of Singhbhum. Legends says that the king established, built this Mandir, when he was returning from a war after defeating. He established this temple at this very place and by the blessings of goddess Ma (Mother) Kali he got his state back.

According to anathor legend, Chamru pandas (Brahmin) use to come to visit two times in a year to the king of this region. The king asked them to live in this place to do puja, and they started to live at this place. One day these Brahmins was doing tapasya in this wild, when goddess gave darshan (visit) to them and said she wants to meet them. The Brahmins told this incident to the king. King cleared this temple’s area, during this work they found a black stone. The labours returned their respective homes after being tired, they came next day to do work when they saw a mandir formed at this place. Some peoples believes that this mandir was built by Emperor Ashok, when he was on the war campaign of Kalinga (Now knows as Odisha). The Mandir have impact of tribal culture (specially Bhumij tribes). Here tribal peoples do the work of everyday puja. The temple is situated near Ranchi of Jharkhand. Tribal pahans (prist) do the puja for six days of week and only one day a Brhamin do the work of puja at this temple. The Garbhagriha have the murti of Maa Deudi Devi.

Thanks for reading.

Who took away my peace of mind?

Nobody else did. It’s lack of understanding by you, your mind. It’s difficult to conceive the vastness of the ocean. But it is even more difficult to imagine the vastness of the mind. Sea is often very calm only sometimes it is turbulent. While an ocean is turbulence only at some occasions, the mind is at peace on only sometime. The confusion of the mind primarily arises due to the contradictions experienced in the fast paced life today. There is nothing that we can do for turbulence of the ocean. We can certainly tame our mind to achieve calmness and peace.

In fact peace of mind requires only your focus and consistent reminders to yourself. It has no tangible cost. It’s free
Nature – what it does? When it does? It remains unknown to mankind. Though there is no doubt that extensive study of nature has given us the knowledge and power to predict.
But when we talk of mind it is our choice to train it to be at peace most of the time. We have to understand the difference between peace and bliss. Peace is not bliss but peace offers you an ability to get into state of bliss when you want.
At work place, if you are doing something that you don’t like to do yet you have to do it under compulsion, your mind cannot be at peace. When you are lost in your work and you know that the work is important for you, you are a peace with yourself. Further, if you enjoy your work then every milestone that you achieve will give you bliss. There are the number of Dos and Don’ts which help you to gain peace of mind.
First, let us enumerate the don’ts:

1. Don’t get too much involved in reading the negative news. Our newspapers and electronic media are full these. You may scan through the headlines to be abreast with what is going on. Read books that will give you positivity. So many are available choose what you like and read to follow good suggestions.

Description: Image result for 2. Avoid spending too much time with people having negative attitude

2. Avoid spending too much time with people having negative attitude. Interaction with them will sink their negativity into your subconscious mind. Be always pleasant and nice. But instead of spending your valuable time, give them a broad smile and excuse four self.

3. Regard each person as an individual. They are entitled to hold their opinions. Do not be judgmental. Negative emotions like envy, jealousy, criticism of others will affect your peace of mind. So avoid these. But at the same time don’t just agree with anyone just to please humor her. Stand up for yourself.

4. Past is history. It does not have any significance except the lessons you have learnt. So don’t dwell on your past. Its human nature that your thought will hover round events in the past- unpleasant or even pleasant. Just follow lessons that you have learnt.

5. Become friends with members of your family. Children are very intelligent today and they should be treated as friends. Likewise you should be friendly with your spouse. When you talk to your family, particularly, don’t be casual taking them for granted. It’s important what you speak but it is even more important how you say it.

6. Your speech controls your relations with others including members of your family. Therefore use your words with care and discretion. The way you say something is as important as what you say.

7. Don’t be too much attached with your possessions. Practice detachment. What we have today, we may not have tomorrow.

Now about the dos!

1.Learn to focus your mind. Cut the clutter. On and average there comes as many as fifty thousand thoughts in one day. Try to reduce this number by focusing your mind.

2. Practice meditation. It will help more than one can imagine.

3. Cultivate a habit to enjoy only healthy food. Decide that you must eat slightly less than your hunger.

4. Go on vacation periodically. The cycle of routine work needs to be broken as often as possible.

5. Give yourself some quality time. Talk to yourself. Talk about what you like about you. And, further improve the same.

6. Make it your habit to consider that challenges are your opportunities. When you face these challenges with success, it gives you happiness and your mind becomes peaceful.

Thanks for reading.

Pursuit of Happiness

**Happiness is your own individual decision**

Everyone in his/her life pursues various objectives and goals with the ultimate objective of achieving happiness. ‘Pursuit of the happiness’, these words initial used by US president Jeffereson Devis. Subsequently they were made popular by Martin Luther king in his famous speech ‘I have a dream’. No doubt, everyone has a right to pursue happiness in whichever way the person likes. However, very often we are so much involved in daily routine that we are carried away by the string of events. In the process, we lose focus on what we are trying to achieve. It will be a good exercise for each one of us to reflect on these words and work out and define what is how you plan to pursue your happiness.
Firstly, we must understand that happiness is not just momentary pleasures of life. I do not say that pleasures of life should not be there. But that these should be only a part of our larger plan, which should addresses some or all of the related features of happiness. The following aspects are of immense importance in an individual’s life.
Your attitude to life. One must have a positive attitude. Life is full of ups and downs. There could be challenges, successes and failures. Positive attitude means just to accept these as a part of life. You become a witness or an observer of what is going. At the same time, use your discretion to take decisions. It’s only then that we understand that we can remain composed and maintain our poise in turbulent times. In fact, it is necessary to maintain our poise even in the happiest time. None of the two situations last forever. Like every night is followed by the day. Every day is followed by night. But in life it may not be in the same order and the duration may also vastly differ.

Importance of your Goals: In order that you pursue happiness, you must define your goals: in all of the following aspects.

Health goals. Good mental and physical health is extremely important if you want to lead a happy life. Doing what is necessary to keep good health is everyone’s duty. Regular exercise, following proper food routine and maintaining positive attitude can ensure that you are moving towards your health goals from day to day. Yet, it is a continuous process to pursue throughout the life.
Career/ financial goals. If you are successful in your career it expected that you will also do your financial and remain comfortable but you have to find tune of your objectives and follow the plan as devised.
Your family is undoubtedly equally important and should feature in your pursuit of happiness, according to our own Indian tradition. The importance of finance and family are critical in your pursuit.
Then comes to your social goals. What do want to contribute to the society and what you actually do, determines how successful you are in following social goals. Here again, you need to define and then follow your plan of action. The amount of success you achieve in your social goals will add up in your happiness. It will also determine how the society perceives and respects you. In other words, it means your reputation is reflected by what and how you contribute to the society.
For leading a fuller, complete life you must pursue some hobbies. At least one. It could be music. It could be painting .It could be some sport. It could also be travelling, writing etc. But the important thing is that you have atlaest one hobby on which you able to spend some time. It must not only for name sake.
Last but not the least your spiritual goals are also important. We all know that no one has to stay here forever. Sooner or later we must depart. We don’t know where. This uncertainty needs your spiritual pursuit. Whichever religion you may follow, you must define your spiritual goals. These will eventually define how you are remembered after your departure.

Thank you for your reading.

How to realize your Ultimate Dream? Happiness!

Happiness is your own individual decision

Total freedom to your pursuit of Happiness

Age no bar for Pursuit of Happiness

Everyone in his/her life pursues various objectives and goals with the ultimate objective of achieving happiness. ‘Pursuit of the happiness’, these words initially used by US president Jeffereson Devis. Subsequently they were made popular by Martin Luther king in his famous speech ‘I have a dream’. No doubt, everyone has a right to pursue happiness in whichever way the person likes. However, very often we are so much involved in daily routine that we are carried away by the string of events. In the process, we lose focus on what we are trying to achieve. It will be a good exercise for each one of us to reflect on these words and work out and define what is how you plan to pursue your happiness.
Firstly, we must understand that happiness is not just momentary pleasures of life. I do not say that pleasures of life should not be there. But that these should be only a part of our larger plan, which should addresses some or all of the related features of happiness. The following aspects are of immense importance in an individual’s life.
Your attitude to life. One must have a positive attitude. Life is full of ups and downs. There could be challenges, successes and failures. Positive attitude means just to accept these as a part of life. You become a witness or an observer of what is going. At the same time, use your discretion to take decisions. It’s only then that we understand that we can remain composed and maintain our poise in turbulent times. In fact, it is necessary to maintain our poise even in the happiest time. None of the two situations last forever. Like every night is followed by the day. Every day is followed by night. But in life it may not be in the same order and the durations may also vastly differ.

Importance persistent efforts towards achieving your Goals for Happiness: In order that you pursue happiness, you must define your goals: in all of the following aspects. When we are working towards achievement of our Goals, we feel satisfaction for the efforts made. Besides, persistent efforts are bound to produce desired results. This process of efforts, and achieving encouraging results of our Goals make us happy, Continue doing this and be happy. Happiness is a journey not a destination.

Health goals. Good mental and physical health is extremely important if you want to lead a happy life. Doing what is necessary to keep good health is everyone’s duty. Regular exercise, following proper food routine and maintaining positive attitude can ensure that you are moving towards your health goals from day to day. Yet, it is a continuous process to pursue throughout the life.
Career/ financial goals. If you are successful in your career it expected that you will also do your financial and remain comfortable but you have to fine tune of your objectives and follow the plan as devised.
Your family is undoubtedly equally important and should feature in your pursuit of happiness, according to our own Indian tradition. The importance of finance and family are critical in your pursuit.
Then comes your social goals. What do you want to contribute to the society and what you actually do, determines how successful you are in following social goals. Here again, you need to define and then follow your plan of action. The amount of success you achieve in your social goals will add up in your happiness. It will also determine how the society perceives and respects you. In other words, it means your reputation is reflected by what and how you contribute to the society.
For leading a fuller, complete life you must pursue some hobbies. At least one. It could be music. It could be painting .It could be some sport. It could also be travelling, writing etc. But the important thing is that you have atlaest one hobby on which you able to spend some time. It must not only for name sake.
Last but not the least your spiritual goals are also important. We all know that no one has to stay here forever. Sooner or later we must depart. We don’t know where. This uncertainty needs your spiritual pursuit. Whichever religion you may follow, you must define your spiritual goals. These will eventually define how you are remembered after your departure.

In the end I would like to say that understanding life is so important that its significance must never be undermined. Ups and downs are inextricably intertwined in our day to day life. Acceptance scores our expectations is something we must all remember in our pursuit for happiness.

Thank you for your reading.