A Ripple of Positivity

While doing my meditation this morning, a beautiful realisation dawned on me. One of the things I truly love about my work is that the values I strive to instill in kids through my books, workshops, and community events – are the values I find myself naturally embracing in my life. It’s a beautiful spillover effect, having a positive influence not just on me, but also trickling down to my son.

Embracing Eco-Conscious Practices

Since writing my book “City of Stars” in 2019, eco-conscious practices have become second nature to us. We celebrate festivals and birthdays with reusable decorations, avoiding balloons and other single-use plastics. We also carry our water bottles everywhere to practice sustainability in our daily lives. This commitment also extends to the products I design. I carefully selected the materials and designed the ‘Wishing and Giving Green Christmas Kit’ for a recent workshop to ensure no waste is generated, allowing children to truly experience the spirit of a ‘Green Christmas.’

The True Spirit of Giving

The insights from the workshop also inspired me to embody the true spirit of giving. This month, I’ve gone beyond traditional donations. I not only gave away gently used clothes and shoes to keep my helpers warm and comfortable but also shared nutritious food to support their well-being. I did not blink an eye before giving away my old smartphone (which I had earlier planned to sell) to a helper whose phone had been stolen. This is when I realised that I have truly embodied the spirt of giving.

I have also come to realise that while giving to the poor or needy is important and easier, we often overlook the importance of giving back to our own families. Inspired by my Christmas workshop, where most children expressed their strong desire to play with their parents, I have started making a conscious effort to play regularly with my 10-year-old son whenever he wishes. To give back, he has started helping in household chores without being asked. In fact, in all my personal relationships, I am learning to give first instead of wishing or expecting from others.

Value-Creating Festive Gifting

Thus, every workshop, book, or event I design becomes an opportunity to not only share the values I cherish but also to cultivate those values within myself. This is how – through the ripple effect of giving – the joy of my work becomes boundless!

In particular, our book ‘City of Stars’ book (available in storybook and calendar formats) and ‘Wishing and Giving Green Christmas Kit‘ are ideal gifts for kids (ages 6-11), highlighting values relevant to this Christmas/holiday season. Feel free to message if you would like to order.