Rediscovering self
- 1. Rediscovering self Parvathy S Nair MBA 650(Sumer 2014) Eastern Mennonite University
- 2. Introduction • There is no better teacher than life and just when we feel that we are well aware of everything that is happening in our world and that we can solve any problem, we find another truth which makes us think and rethink about life. I have felt many times that I am not able to judge certain situations and people and sometimes it did work and sometimes I was proven wrong. There have been many events that may look like they are insignificant or small, but they do create an impact. Hence, we are forced to change our information and perspective of various types of people, enabling us to do some self analysis.
- 3. Childhood: • Single child • Born is a traditional Hindu Family in a state called Kerala which is in the Southern tip of India, and growing up in a Convent school(catholic convent) has both influenced me in many ways. • Regular prayers in the chapel and temples. • Believes in both Hinduism and Christianity, due to the importance of both these religions in my upbringing. • I was taught that religion is a way of living and not something that categorizes people into different groups.
- 5. People who influenced me: • Mother • Father • Cousin brother • My sons Ryan(5) and Siva(1)
- 7. Education • Education is a spindle to support life. Education is a way of igniting and enlightening the thought of an individual. • But for me life was a race during days of formal education . It was all about scoring more in exams and being the topper in class. Sometimes the race got so bad that we snap. • I remember an incident that changed my outlook on life. Our school had an orphanage and those students were taught by the funding from our church .They wore the same uniform that we did ,but were taught in different classes and the medium of instruction was not English for them. One day ,i was washing my face after PE lessons and a girl came into the washroom. She asked me how i am in English and i hardly knew her ;i went on and on about the frustrating day i had with the class tests and projects and viva. She said many kind words to comfort me and also told me that its all going to be for the best. At the end ,she told me "well at-least you can go home, where your parents are awaiting you ;its better than going back to an orphanage dorm where everyone is trying to get rid of you." Till then i took things for granted, not knowing what I was living for and too indifferent to even care. • After observing other people’s hardships and living conditions, I realized what I wanted to do with my life. Very soon after a few of my first volunteer activities, I realized that my passion was in serving others. • My surroundings growing up play an essential role in the goals of my future. But in a country like India, getting funding for these activities were not an easy task. • Making money by yourself and serve with your own money is the idea i had in my mind. There are not many organizations that work with this idea in our country. •
- 8. Growing up in India • Two of the most important values you acquire when living in a developing country are appreciation and compassion. • Everywhere you go you encounter the cruel reality of those living without the most fundamental resources. Being in contact with so much poverty and need became overwhelming at times. • Not a day goes by that I don’t acknowledge how fortunate I am for having access to food, a home, and quality education among other necessities. • The continuous heartbreaking images stirred my desire to help and improve the lives of those in need. • Growing up in India gave my life purpose. • After relocating to USA 8 years ago, post marriage ;i have been actively involved in arranging finance for various organizations in India working towards women empowerment and focusing on girl child education. •
- 9. Future plans • A holistic approach to Cancer care in India, where people are not denied treatment on the basis on their financial situation. • Free palliative care for the people below the poverty life,and introducing a hospice with a home care system.
- 10. Conclusion: • When I look back ,I feel that every incident that took place in my life has influenced me.