Moving with awareness !

 This large Egret which is new to our garden. 

Few other Egrets and Heron who come to our garden come to the lawn and near to the plants at the edge of the garden. 

For the last three days, I noticed this Egret staying at the compound wall and moving on both directions with a vigilant look. With every noise in the road or bird calls, it stops and looks around with a searching eye and attentive presence. It has a way of adapting to a new environment. 

Yesterday, I met an entrepreneur, who started his own work to make tomb stones for the cemetery twenty years ago. He had to change his locations four times and for the last seven years he lives in our village in his shop, he hired for his stone carving. His family lives 200 kilometres away and he visits them once a month. During the conversation I found that he waited to find a more permanent place for about ten years and to locate, where there is cluster of churches.

The opportunities for finding self employed occupations are decreasing as larger companies and on line services take the bulk of the service load. 

The large Egret symbolised to me the psychological mind set that prevails in many, while searching a way forward to find a niche to exercise their skills and initiatives. There is an alarm bell of caution.

I listened to a talk yesterday in a web based training platform to help people to 'monetise their skills'. The two speakers in their youthful enthusiasm, quoting from their stories of successful career through web based training programme, presented a rod map  for people to venture into running courses on on-line mode and earn an extra income. 

I had the story of the man who has struggled for 20 years to establish his business to make tomb stones and two others who made a fortune through their on line business model.  

The difference seems to be that the tomb stone carver went through the  journey all alone, whereas the two who thrived on the on-line platform had  mentors to navigate them through a difficult phase in their lives. 

I pause to ask myself a question! 

There is a role for mentors. How can this mentoring process be made effective for those who are ready to move on to engage the opportunities in life!

One model is to motivate people to consider opportunities where the motive can be to serve rather  than only to 'monetise the skills'!

I wish I too can be part of this mission to enable others to live in an attitude of self giving service!

I got to think about this while, Anna and I visited a family who is about to leave the town to relocate themselves. A family whom we got to know closely and experienced cordial and supporting relationship from the time we came to live in our cottage 11 years ago. They guided us through the process of finding our moorings in our work place and made us familiar with the ways of living and adapting in a new culture. They were companions and confidants. They were only a phone call away for conversation. 

Just as the large Egret appeared cautious, hesitant and exploratory, so it is with most of us, when we have to find our way through different stages in our life. 

Each of us can offer to complement the efforts of others in steadying their boat during their journey and be open to receive similar support in our passage through transitions in life.  

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)