Author: Rhea

In a two different conversations yesterday, we landed on particular words, in this case, Love and Discipline, and then for some time could not move. And the conversation almost got heated up. Ironically in the one with love, that very word seemed to have left momentarily out of the tones. And the conversation about discipline , got quite out of hand. I have and continue to have my share of frustration with words. They often don’t convey what I am feeling, my intentions, limitation etc. and then don’t always go the way I imagine, to the other side. Words yet…

Nine is an Intriguing Number. The Number Nine is everywhere. One need only look just under the surface. Today as I sit, and see Day 69, it brings a smile to my face.The universe winking again. I am always intrigued at how the Mystical, Mathematics, Myth and Metaphysics come together. 3M don’t stick as much. Mathematics: In numerology, the number nine represents completion, as it’s the last of the single-digit numbers and the highest in value. That said, it symbolically represents a culmination of wisdom and experience, and Integration. and buzzes with the energy of both endings and new beginnings. Amongst…

Growing up, My grandma insisted that I play with my friends, without shoes, so that the soil touches my feet and hands –“Soil will oil” she would say. I would then come home every evening and shower. That habit continues. It’s amazing how these things get so deeply  etched. And I also remember the other parents looked at me, often in poorly disguised disapproval. Tsk Tsk . I didn’t mind. Soil is such a symbolic thing in so many ways. A lot of Soil (not soiled) memories come up When I used to be in sports before a race or…

Last couple of days, I have been caught up in a kind of “mediation” role, for a friend. It’s a family situation with their children involved. I love all of them and hence it was really tricky to come in. Relationships are quite a slippery slope, especially when there is history, and there always is, and hurts and things at stake. This is our everyday day reality, because relationships are people, and people are everywhere, personal and professional really is not different. The degrees of heat and entanglement may differ. In listening to different ‘parties’, I felt as if my…

One of the things, I am often preoccupied by is the Idea of a Tribe. How are tribes and communities formed, why do they from, how do they stick together, how do they move as one etc. In conversations with three different clients, recently, I noticed there one common theme is “communication” of the leader. It is as simple and as misleading as it sounds. The “Context” by and large for these Leaders is  New to the RoleThey have to “Communicate” with different stakeholders on a large scaleThere is an expectation that they drive, inspirationally “Everyone towards ONE common vision”…

I friend who lost his dad to Covid, called yesterday, distraught. Unsure of what he had called for. At a loss for words. He is a journalist, a really smart guy often articulate. It was very disturbing for a couple of reasons. He said, he was not feeling anything, and his numbness was scaring him. This was a person, who in 2008, November terrorist attack in Mumbai, was in one of the suites at the Taj with his mom and came out to share his story. He did not know how to feel and understand this “grief” he said, and…

Couple of days ago I had gone for a meeting to an old client. In the waiting room, I ran into one of the leaders who we had worked with few years ago. There was a happy exchange, he excitedly told me how he has turned over a new leaf and all the amazing things he is doing. He is one of those who is always in the fore front of “Achievement” and has a track record to back it. After some time, he suddenly asked me in a changed subdued tone, completely out of the blue with no reference…

My singing teacher and me were in a conversation, like we often are, and just like the songs she chooses for me, the conversations topic is also quite diverse and yet meaningful. She was teaching me the Urdu ghazal by Medi Hassan, I have heard this and often thought it was difficult to comprehend and even more to sing. Ranjish hi sahi dil hi dukhane ke liye aaAa phir se mujhe chod ke jaane ke liye aaLet it be anguish, even to torture my heart, comeCome even if only to abandon me to torment again. Radhika, my teacher will often tell…

Last few days, my son and I have been playing chess. It the first time we have. Of course I lost all the matches. And it felt good. But, it has been a very curious experience. We never played because my son always said, he was not good at it. I have not played since I was 10 yrs. So never really know. I used to love playing chess as a child. It is one of my favourite grandma stories. While growing up, I had to study till 9.30 pm. And my reward for studying till that time was a…

Last few days I have been spending time at my favorite Taj tea house, in Bandra. I love its vibes, its goan tea and Brun mask, its open windows with white lace curtain softly fluttering. But most of all I love, its aesthetic beauty. Its décor is simple and tones are warm. I can sit here for hours and still don’t get tired. The strains of tabla in the background are helpful. All my senses , visual, auditory, touch, smell and taste are triggered favourably over here. And that is how I feel at home. I am struck by just…