Top 7 Blog Picks Of 2015

Seven Blog Post picks in chronological order of posting: 
(to read the post, click on the Links)

There's Magic In The AirThere's magic in the air!
Is that just a saying with flair?

I can feel it, sense it, I swear
All around me in the air

Am I not making sense?
Can't you see with my soul's eyes? Read on..

We Are All ConnectedIt was predawn and I was walking barefoot on the beach, the sea to my left and ahead was a long stretch of inviting white sands for me to explore, the cool early morning breeze caressing me. 

The scenic surroundings made me stop and I was compelled to drink in the abundant beauty. I held out my right arm and cupped my hand, as if to catch rain water. If I drank from my hand, what would  I actually be drinking? Wasn't my hand empty?



And Then She Smiled
It was a pleasant evening as an old lady walked aimlessly in park, all by herself, lost in thoughts..eyes tracing the ground, not having the energy to take in the surroundings.
Oblivious of the hustle bustle of the kids at play.

All of a sudden, she was jolted out of her reverie by a softball that hit her on her back. As she stooped to pick it up, a five year old boy ran to her and apologised profusely.
"I am so sorry! I hope I have not hurt you, Aunty?"

"No you haven't, dear."

"May I have my ball back then?"

Yoga And MeMy Yoga journey began sometime in the late nineties. My induction into Yoga practice happened more

out of necessity than choice. I was a chronic, acute Asthmatic all my adult life and the asthma attacks were assuming life threatening proportions (I had been hostipalised in emergencies in intensive care twice.) It was then that my Doctor, Late Pramod Niphadkar virtually forced me to adopt Yoga and other breathing exercises to supplement my medical treatment.

It then began as a daily ten minute routine and along with my other regimen, it turned my life around. Even after Asthma was well under control, I maintained my routine since it had become a part of my system.

The Value Of Mentors

Change is a fundamental principle of life and so is learning.

From the wisest of Mentors I have been learning what to learn and how to learn.
And of course, implement the learning effectively!

Over the last decade, one of my earlier Gurus was, Jigish Bhatt​. Beyond our professional relationship, he remains one of my most trusted friends. Always there when needed, always there to offer solutions where none is in sight, last to seek credit. A gem of a person. After having been a book worm until my early twenties, Jigish reintroduced me to the habit of reading after a long hiatus. What a wise and valuable gift that was!

How Much Does It Take To Dream?                                                                                           
Began by Writing quotes
Guess what, people got inspired.
I thought I was a Blogger 
Needed much more than a few thoughts
The fluency grew, a writer found his voice
Wait a minute, could I write a Book?





Ode To The Indian Woman

                           You are dignity

You are resilience

You personify elegance

So sensual are you

Tolerance are you

Resourceful are you

Confidently you seek
Your own space in a man's world

************************************************************************************************************

Ode To The Indian Woman

You are dignity

You are resilience

You personify elegance

So sensual are you

Tolerance are you

Resourceful are you

Confidently you seek
Your own space in a man's world

So tough are you

Yet suppressed are you

Discrimination dogs you

At home, at work and in society

Opportunities are few 

To express your view

Yet, you rarely whine

Slog on nevertheless

In temples and churches, worshiped

Desecrated outside it

You venture out in fear

is danger lurking somewhere?

No, not safe at home either

Your own are your tormentors

I wonder, I wonder,

Yes it confounds me

How do you still manage

To smile that beautiful smile

Proud of you, lady

You are a true hero!

They call me brave, 

But you know what?

I am not brave enough

To step into your dainty shoes.

When a Village Spoke to Me

"I love my work so much that I am always on vacation" is what one often hears. If you reflect on this, work is work. A creative person's mind is always ticking, brimming with ideas. And the mind as well as body needs time to rewind, reflect and rejuvenate.

Had been carrying a worrying chest illness for many months. As an asthmatic this was nothing new, however, this time around I had developed drug resistance. My Doctor finally put his foot down, "Off you go this Diwali for a break." Yes Diwali spells horror time for me and many others who have breathing issues, what with ceaseless bursting of firecrackers.

So, off we went for a four day mini vacation to a small hotel in the middle of nowhere (discovered by me online). A comfortable, simple place without the trappings sought after nowadays such as a pool, discotheque or spa.
What it had going for it though, at least for people like our family, was its sheer simplicity. Set amid farms and vast open expanses, it felt like being in a world without walls around it. My pre-dawn morning walk was blissful. This was the real India and did I love it!

The villagers were so friendly and despite their obviously challenging lives, they all seemed happy! I was inspired by the story of the hotel's caretaker, Manek. A local of the nearby village, what he shared with me with great pride left me astonished. His daughter had studied at the UWC Mahindra College and her sterling record had won her a Scholarship for advanced studies in the U.S.! His other children were also well educated and headed towards success in their lives.

How easily do we underestimate people! That aside, what did I do? Walk, listen, look around for the sounds of nature. And people who merged with it rather than destroying it. I could now breathe easy. Breathe in air untouched by pollution.While I was having the time of my life, my camera rarely rested!
On a trek to the Mulshi river (1.5 kms from our hotel) another pleasant surprise awaited us. A farmer not only dropped the work he was doing but took the effort to guide us across fields because we seemed lost. On our way back, with all the narrow dirt tracks appearing similar, we veered slightly off the track and were stopped by a fence in our way. He gallantly offered to escort us to the right path once again.

And those kids! A couple of small huts housed largish families with children playing by the roadside. When I asked their parents if I could click their picture, after hesitating, I got the nod. What a memorable capture that was.
Meanwhile my daughter asked me, "Papa, what's the big deal about coming here?" I smiled and said to her, "While Mumbai is a chemical factory, this place is a gigantic Air Purifier."

Surprise, surprise. My health improved drastically the day we landed there and on return my meds have been halved. Of greater importance is how my mind has calmed down, giving birth to a burst of ideas. The joys of merging with life, once in a while..

Raring to go.

Vijay Nallawala is an Author, Personal Branding Coach, Storyteller
and is actively propagating the Cause of Mental Health Support in India.
Let's Walk Together

When A Hero Falls Down

He was a no-hoper to the brim

All odds were stacked against him

It was a hopeless race

Racing against his own fate

Guess what worked in his favour?

The crowds love underdogs!

And he was a misfit if ever there was one

Egging him on seemed a lot of fun

And then he began running

The feet got going

The crowds were cheering

That had him believing

Was I really made to win

Or is this a fancy whim?

He pulled abreast of the front row

And you should have heard the roar

He was now panting

His lungs were screaming

"Come on, Come on!" they chanted

He knew they'd feel cheated

Win he must, he knew it

And win he did, would you believe it!

As everyone stood agape

At the crowds he waved

The underdog was now the hero

And he was full of bravado

Won the next race

It happened in a trice

He had not counted on this

Then the hero lost his fizz

They rooted for the next underdog

The hero was not one of them

At the crowd he scowled

Thought that he had been fouled 

When the wins dried up

Life was worse than before

For the underdog had tasted glory

His had been a turnaround story

This loss of face

He could not take

A loser he could not now be

They looked at him with pity

What a rise, what a way to go

"There goes our fallen hero"

How Much Does It Take To Dream?

Began by writing quotes..
Guess what, people got inspired.

I thought I was a Blogger 
Needed much more than a few thoughts

The fluency grew, a writer found his voice
Wait a minute, could I write a Book?

On my own you mean, are you serious?
All of fifty thousand words, man!

How much does it take to dream?
To own a slice of joy from tomorrow?

The excitement got the better of me
Midway, I realised that this was indeed a big deal

Was the bite more than I could chew?
Had to save face, no turning back now

Decided to keep writing and I kept writing
Shall try to make sense of it later..

Had more than seventy thousand words now
My word, that's a heck of a lot to chop off!

Somehow, I began to fall in love with my baby 
Yeah, it wasn't so difficult after all!

It always seems challenging, doesn't it?
Until you go ahead and actually do it!

Now that the tiger's tasted blood
Where's his next plot hiding?

My YoUniverse

Meditation and contemplation have led me on new paths of discovery. Reflections on self and my connect with the universe.

As I sit meditating today, I let my mind wander before I enter the deep stage of 'no thought zone' (yes, this actually happens). Keeping routine thoughts at bay is hardly a challenge anymore, it is this inquisitive, seeking mind that prods for answers from my sub-conscious. I am rarely disappointed. And so, my mind takes me on yet another journey..this time trying to evaluate what I have learnt in the past few years.

Acceptance is one attitude that has been so unburdening for me. 'Resistance versus acceptance'. Not for a minute am I talking of a meek surrender to circumstances or persons. It is a subtle shift to being an observer, of purging emotions that hold me back. This change has been of great help during my tumultuous past decade and has helped me deal with challenges more philosophically. I now have the ability to look at the larger picture.

I am here for a reason.
What's happening to me in the now has basis in the past (Karma).
Everything is as it should be.

Appreciation of what I am endowed with, of how exciting life is. We take so much for granted, don't we? As children we grew up in wonderment ~ taking joy in little things such as bubbles, a dragon fly or shapes we 'saw' in clouds. In recent years, I have started reliving these smaller joys. The sound and sight of birds is one thing that immediately connects me to nature. Birds are a symbol of freedom to me, of adventure. I love the greens, the great outdoors, long walks on a beach and the hills. My recent ability to live my life more mindfully has facilitated this ability to live life in the moment, savour small joys of life. After all, they make for a grand life!

Gratitude ~ Aha! the magic mantra of these times. Admittedly, I was introduced to it after reading The Secret. However, I have moved on from this process of expressing gratitude as in the 'Ask, Believe, Receive', formula. It now means being genuinely thankful for just about everything~ my challenges that made me more resourceful and resilient. The thorny people who made me adapt and still ended up helping me in some way. For all my ailments which are considered crippling..I'd have never grown as a person without them. For all the goodies in my life~ from small things to my occasional indulgences. The ability to enjoy them. For the capacity to be of help. For all the fabulous people who surround me~ family, friends and Mentors who have helped shape my path. Actually, when one comes to think about it, there's so much to be grateful about, mind you, without any motive behind doing so.

God, Oh God, I ask You, aren't all these your gifts?

This incredibly complex and beautiful Universe that scientists are still trying to fathom.. I am such a tiny particle in the vastness of things. My mind stops its meandering as I settle deeper into my sub-conscious.

You are the Universe, God..the Universe is in You. You are its Creator.

A few moments later a new insight takes birth. God, You are seated in my Soul, which means the Universe is also in me...my consciousness has the capability to span the entire Universe.

By Your Grace, God.

In Gratitude.

When Will That Promising Sunrise Be?

When mediocrity is replaced by excellence galore
When 'will do' makes way for that one yard more

Where creativity is not bridled by fear of failure
Where innovation is unafraid of ridicule

When social interest precedes personal gains
When we reach out to reduce each others' pains

Where integrity sets the benchmarks of quality
Where each one can vie, flourish in equality

Where every child and woman is safe, is free
Where every woman expresses herself freely

When will my country that morning see?
When will that promising sunrise be?

Are you inspired to convert those 'wheres' into here?
Don't you sense that transformation is near?

Let's change the 'whens' into nows
Let's make it happen India! Let's make India 'Wow'.

The Value of Mentors

Change is a fundamental principle of life and so is learning.

From the wisest of Mentors I have been learning what to learn and how to learn.
And of course, implement the learning effectively!

Over the last decade, one of my earlier Gurus was, Jigish Bhatt​. Beyond our professional relationship, he remains one of my most trusted friends. Always there when needed, always there to offer solutions where none is in sight, last to seek credit. A gem of a person. After having been a book worm until my early twenties, Jigish reintroduced me to the habit of reading after a long hiatus. What a wise and valuable gift that was!

Dale Carnegie, The Secret and such books were part of that period. The timing was just right for me to take inspiration from these fine books and for sure, they had a profound impact on me at a time when when I my personal progress had stalled. I assumed these books encompassed all the knowledge that the other books from the 'Self Help' genre had.

Then, The Bhagavad Gita came my way and transformed my life. I have now read it five times. As I read glimpses from it everyday, a new revelation inspires me each time. I thought this was the the epitome of knowledge and wisdom.

The Gita seemed to say to me,
'Life is your greatest teacher. Through it you'll learn from people, books and circumstances~ both joyful and tragic, walk on, taking all that comes in your stride, with equanimity.'
Thus my journey continues..I keep reading, yes, I have had to deal with cataclysmic events as well as cherish moments that brought great joy. Each is a teacher in its own way.

And on this explorative journey, I met some people who helped shape my life.
"You are born for writing. You have the ability to change people's lives" said
Puneet Bhatnagar​ when I was a green behind the ears Blogger. An Innovation Coach, man on a mission, Puneet  has vast experience in the Advertising industry where he was involved in highly acclaimed campaigns. He has the knack of instantly sizing up a person's strong area and then developing it. By setting up BipolarIndia, he set me free. He actively mentors me in my Book project as well as other initiatives.

DrAmit Nagpal​, is a vibrant, kind and highly evolved Business Storyteller and Keynote speaker. He made me believe I could be a fine storyteller and also a personal branding coach, a career which was not on my radar at all. With great dexterity of a masterly coach, he has developed flair in my writing. A person of ready wit and radiant positive energy, it easily rubs off on me! Having a thought leader like him as a mentor in my Personal Branding and Storytelling career is a blessing.

Amitji's largesse did not stop there..he introduced me to someone whose generosity is difficult to put into words. Thousands of kilometres separate India and the US, our cultures differ vastly, however how well she has understood me, is testimony to her coaching abilities.

Jennifer Sertl, Business Strategist, Keynote speaker and Global Social Media Influencer, has been a huge influence on my journey over the last year or so. Since she supports the mental health awareness cause, she relished coaching me on my pioneering and challenging path~ that of a Bipolar who sought to reach out to his community through his website and Book.

She pours in all her energy, insights and wisdom to light up my path~ my word, it caught fire! Jennifer, Soul Sis, your selfless, wholehearted commitment is worth its weight in gold.
The impact you have had on my journey cannot be described.

All I can say is that 'A Bipolar's Journey~ From Torment to Fulfillment' has your soul involved in it. Our community as a whole owes so much to you!

Deepest Gratitude to all my Gurus, also to those I have not named.

Let's Walk Together..Onward, with purpose and zest!

Life is Beautiful

Life is beautiful

Fall in love with it.

Life flows in a rhythm

Flow along with it.

Life is full of colour

Bask in the spectacle.

Life is a miracle

Trust its magic.

Life has its own cadence

Breathe along rhythmically.

Life has plans for you

Have faith in its intentions.

Life is joy

Enjoy it!

Life is generous

Live in abundance.

Life is selfless 

Express gratitude to it.

Life is lived in this moment

Cherish it in the now.

Yoga and Me

My Yoga journey began sometime in the late nineties. My induction into Yoga practice happened more out of necessity than choice. I was a chronic, acute Asthmatic all my adult life and the asthma attacks were assuming life threatening proportions (I had been hostipalised in emergencies in intensive care twice.) It was then that my Doctor, Late Pramod Niphadkar virtually forced me to adopt Yoga and other breathing exercises to supplement my medical treatment.

It then began as a daily ten minute routine and along with my other regimen, it turned my life around. Even after Asthma was well under control, I maintained my routine since it had become a part of my system.

In May 2003 something more dramatic happened and life was never the same again. Bipolar Disorder struck and it made me dig deeper, explore all resources available to me in order to regain normalcy. I learnt a few more specific yoga asanas and breathing techniques to alleviate my new set of problems.

Serendipity brought a new twist in this journey. I was introduced to the Bhagavad Gita in circumstances strongly suggesting it was meant to be~ it had a profound impact on me and I realised that what I believed was Yoga all these years was not the real thing at all! The physical asanas which have become hugely popular in many parts of the world are erroneously termed as Yoga, instead of Ashtanga Yoga. No doubt, it does help balance the mind and body and has proven health benefits.

The other elements are Karma Yoga (doing one's duty  without any expectation), Dhyan Yoga (Meditation), Gyan Yoga (Knowledge) and finally Bhakti Yoga (Devotion and surrender to God).

Yoga is not just about asanas, it is a way of life. I would add, joyful living.

I had learnt to meditate almost two decades ago. My practice of it, however, was infrequent. Reading the Gita changed all that. Even meditation got a new purpose, a new meaning. I began introspecting a lot more, asking myself questions, seeking answers to them. I now began to understand why Yoga is described as a way of living rather than a physical practice.

As for Ashtanga Yoga, my health challenges motivated me to reach higher on the fitness scale. Last year my wife and I took our Yoga practice a step further. We engaged a trainer who taught us a whole range of new asanas. Being in our 50's, some were challenging, however with regular practice, we have mastered them all. The body's ability to adapt and regain flexibility is amazing!

My day begins with half an hour of meditation followed by fifty minutes of ashtanga yoga

mixed with a few exercises. A day without this feels incomplete. While this might sound repetitive and boring, it is not~ I can meditate for hours without feeling the need to come out of the blissful state it takes me to! As for asthanga yoga, the asanas we have learnt are so many that not all can be fitted in a session. Each day we schedule different asanas which also means that we go through the whole gamut of what's been taught to us on a rotation basis.

Ashtanga yoga and meditation are the foundation of one's path to self discovery. One can hardly go on a spiritual quest without a calm, balanced body and mind. Meditation stills the mind and prepares it for advancement to the next level. It gives us access to an infinite reservoir of wisdom and bliss.

My moment in my journey came with the realistion that there was a higher being than me seated in my Soul.

And bowing down to Him.

Surrendering to Him.

This is what truly freed me.

Touch this moment, set yourself free.



(Me in Meditative stance~ Photo Credit: Meenal Jaiswal Photography)


 

And Then She Smiled

It was a pleasant evening as an old lady walked aimlessly in park, all by herself, lost in thoughts..eyes tracing the ground, not having the energy to take in the surroundings.
Oblivious of the hustle bustle of the kids at play.

All of a sudden, she was jolted out of her reverie by a softball that hit her on her back. As she stooped to pick it up, a five year old boy ran to her and apologised profusely.
"I am so sorry! I hope I have not hurt you, Aunty?"

"No you haven't, dear."

"May I have my ball back then?"

"You can have it back only if you sit down with me for a while and speak to me for a few minutes. Then I promise to give it to you."

"I am Rohan, I live in a bungalow nearby, my Mom is a teacher at a school. Papa is a doctor who fixes bones..I love drawing and playing in the mud..Who do you live with, Aunty? Do you come here every day? My School reopens  next week..."

The old lady was amused by the cute little boy's innocent and endearing mannerisms. He so easily opened up to a complete stranger! His implicit trust in her, in the goodness that life holds for him.
This is what childhood is about, she mused.

He spoke animatedly until the lady ran her fingers through his curly mop of hair and told him,
"Thank you for brightening up my evening, Rohan. May God bless you."
She then handed back his ball to him.

"Thank you Aunty. Shall we meet again tomorrow?"
He said before he ran away to continue playing.

When she had walked into the park she had come with a heavy heart.
There was every reason for her to grieve. It was the death anniversary of her grandson, who had been tragically killed in an accident when very young.

Her spirit had now been lifted and there was a purpose in her gait. She also noticed the soft green grass beneath her feet, the colourful blooms around her, the beauty of it all..

The little boy had taught her such a wonderful lesson, on a day normally spent in mourning all by herself.

Life is about moving on..
Life is about embracing the new..
Life is about living it..

She actually managed a smile on her wrinkled face.

3i's of an Icon

She calls me the 'lighthouse of hope'. Guess who is the light?

Some people have the ability to light up a room by their mere presence. The rarest of rare have the precious gift of lighting up a soul and setting it free.
Yes, some mentors have that kind of impact. Without being overbearing, she makes each step of mine easier. Mine was a cathartic journey. What an inspiring influence to have to light up the path! It was an important juncture of life when I had begun writing my first book, a book that has considerable social significance. She too is committed to the cause and graciously volunteered to coach me during this crucial period.

Jennifer Sertl is an internationally reputed Author, Keynote Speaker and business strategist.

She is a thought leader in the emerging field of corporate consciousness and a recognised influencer in social media.Jennifer is President and Founder of Agility 3R which helps leaders become more resilient, responsive and reflective.

If she focuses on the 3R's in course of her coaching, what do I make of her as a person? I have the great fortunate of being coached, cajoled and lovingly coerced too, at times in course of video conferencing sessions. These sessions are worth their weight in gold- at a time when the mind is tentative, this brilliant soul has stood by my side to guide me.
It is her coaching that germinated the three magical mantras of 'Authenticity','Vitality' and 'Compassion' for my path forward. She is nothing short of an icon to me, and shall remain so well after the mentoring is officially done with. Well, wisdom gained is a long term asset which appreciates over time, isn't it? I attempt here to describe what I find so special about her as a mentor.

I would replace the '3R's' with '3i's' for my 'i'con.

intellect: rarely does one come across a woman (no I am not being sexist) of such intellect. Her capacity to incisively analyse like a surgeon operating with a laser, cut through the confounding fuzz of facts and get to the essence is remarkable! I found that to be her single most amazing quality. As in a surgery, this happens in real time during the sessions, not after much deliberation. She also has the uncanny 'dual focus' ability, so rarely found in leaders. This rare gift helps her to scan the horizon as well as take in the smaller details almost simultaneously. I have benefited immensely from insights: truly path-breaking thoughts and ideas. 
"Sometimes, it is better to be wise than to be nice."
This gem of advice by her was when I was torn between choices I had to make and it nudged me into taking that troublesome decision.
'Navigating Complexity- Hold onto your Core'
integrity: a mentor's integrity must be beyond reproach. Only then can one fully trust the advice and guidance received as well as intentions behind them. That kind of person has to be herself sure of her identity and be in alignment with her authenticity. Adhering to one's pure, authentic self and to one's chosen path unaffected by the alluring distractions of the manipulative world calls for an inner conviction of the highest caliber. 

I benefit hugely from these sterling attributes of hers. Her reflective nature has also empowered her with the wisdom of thinking beyond herself, of realising that she has so much to offer to causes dear to her. Being a private person, to my knowledge, she hasn't publicised these contributions. She does all this with staggering humility and grace, so rare in today's times.I had first hand glimpses of her sensitive and empathetic side too. 
'All Hallow's Eve & Identity'
intensity: I wonder how she juggles around with time to get so much out of it! I say this because her speaking and coaching assignments entail globetrotting and if those were not challenging enough she is well connected with thought leaders spread across the world and actively engages in collaborative initiatives. It could well be that she is so well sorted out 'within' that she puts in everything in her interactions..it appears as if there are no doubts tugging at her, so sure she is of herself! This is why probably, her enthusiastic brainwaves rubbed off on me and had me so committed to them. With her sharp focus and sense of priorities, Jennifer manages to balance personal and professional calling beautifully. I am myself privy to insights on this front in course of my coaching. 
'Ode to Teachers & Celebration of Learning'
As I write this, I cannot help but wonder how much of the Book, which is now ready for publishing, is written by me and how much have you contributed to it with your insights! I would not sully our friendship by saying that I shall forever be in debt, Jennifer, but grateful, yes, to have experienced the magic. I end this with a small gift for my soul sis. 

I owe our friendship to a common friend and equally noble soul,
Dr. Amit Nagpal: Gratitude!

Yes, God has been kind to me!

(This was first published by me on Linkedin and has been modified)

3 Key Elements Of Personal Branding

It is well known that a strong presence across Social Media platforms is vital in building one's Personal Brand. What and how we communicate gives a sharp focus to the way we are seen by the world. In my view there are three key elements that are integral to each person's brand.

1) Authenticity
It all begins with understanding 'Who am I', 'What do I stand for' and 'What is my deepest passion'. To round you off as a person, you could add 'What are my interests'. Some people are very sure about almost everything in life. If you are not, reflection is a great way to find out what your essence is. Being a deeply spiritual helped me in separating the essential from the superficial. It gave me clarity of thought.
Being yourself helps shed the flab of being what you are not.

Interaction with mentors whom you respect and trust is a great way of knowing more about yourself. They often spot hidden strengths and give you invaluable insights. (Honestly, I have liberally used this thanks to the generosity of my mentors). It is like somebody else holding a mirror to your soul.
Now you have the ingredients to prepare a strategy that helps build your brand.

You'd also do well to develop a 'voice' of your own. To rise above the clutter one needs to constantly be innovative, creative and speak up without appearing to be an attention seeker. While it is important to say what you really mean to, not hurting the feelings of others is also of equal importance.
One has to learn to make this shift from 'Personal EgoSystem' to Social Ecosystem. After all, we are all intricately connected.

2) Vitality
Whether it is a product, service or a corporate brand, it has to vibrate with energy. A personal brand is no different. Coming across as a person brimming with positive energy (which you are, or else no amount of branding will ring true) helps you communicate your message with conviction.
You might have noticed that posts that have positive or cheering content are liked and shared the most on social media (research backs this). Don't people get enough of bad news from their newspapers? That's not to say that you share only feel good stuff, however being a permanent town crier is not such a bright idea.
Your brand, therefore, needs to reflect the energetic, positive and confident you. This strategy should be in in sync across all forms and interactions. Whether digital or your emails or how you come across in person.
Also, your brand should make the desired statement without you having to make a song and dance about it.
3) Compassion

As large corporations and brands are shifting their strategies from B2B and B2C to H2H, it is time we realign our strategies accordingly. There is a decided advantage in doing so, too. 
For example the advertising tagline of a luxury sedan a decade ago would have typically read " Now you can tell them you have arrived." It is more likely to be on the lines of "When you don't need to make a statement any more"~ there is a subtle shift from emphasis on brand aspiration to acknowledging the rise in customer's stature.
When the focus is on connecting to the heart (instead of head), there is a decided shift in communication content and form too. For instance storytelling works brilliantly in creating a lasting impact as it appeals to emotions and is more memorable~ facts and excessive information on the other hand, lead to monotony.
The same principle applies in one's Personal Branding communication, since storytelling works very well and inspiring storytelling even better! Depending on the platform (Twitter/Facebook/Google or Blog) one can use quotes, couplets/visuals or longer stories.
Another aspect of H2H is coming across as a person who cares on Social Media- all interactions, comments and posts should reflect this facet. Leaders are known to be always ready to be of help. People look up to people who care.
We could take this a step further. What elevates you as a compassionate being like nothing else does, is a genuine, no strings attached commitment to a social cause. Whether it is by means of contribution of time or resources or acts of philanthropy. The billionaires of the Western world have already shown the way and the Indian Tech tycoons are no laggards either. 
What stops us, in our own small way, from doing so and sharing our passion for a noble cause in a genuine way that works to inspire others? (I am passionate about quite a few causes and I know how tremendously it helped me grow as a human being).
So, speak up with Authority and Authenticity, make your Brand Buzz with Vitality and Connect with Compassion.

Gratitude to Person Branding Coach and Storytelling wiz, Dr.Amit Nagpal, a Mentor beyond compare as well as one who handheld me from my 'green behind the ears' days onto my Personal Branding career. You have helped me immensely in my evolving as a human being. Friends like you prove how invaluable Social Media can be in bringing people and minds together.

Jennifer Sertl~ Business Strategist and thought leader in the emerging field of corporate consciousness~ what can I say about you, my Soul sister across oceans as well as my selfless life coach. I owe the theme of Authenticity, Vitality and Compassion to your insightful inputs. You have literally held a mirror to my inner self, sharpened my focus and guided me dexterously. Your belief in me makes me believe in myself like nothing else can! Bless your luminous soul!
This Post was first Published by me on Linkedin

We Are All Connected

It was predawn and I was walking barefoot on the beach, the sea to my left and ahead was a long stretch of inviting white sands for me to explore, the cool early morning breeze caressing me.

The scenic surroundings made me stop and I was compelled to drink in the abundant beauty. I held out my right arm and cupped my hand, as if to catch rain water. If I drank from my hand, what would  I actually be drinking? Wasn't my hand empty?

Or was it, did it not hold air? And what about the air that surrounded it, that which was above it extending far into the skies?

I then waded into the shallow waters barefoot and enjoying the cold waters, I again cupped my right hand and tried to scoop up as much seawater as I could. Then I tipped my hand and let it go..my feet were already in water. All the oceans of the world are interconnected. In that sense all the rivers flow into the same body of water! Engrossed in the stream of thoughts, I had forgotten all about my walk.

As I gradually retreated from the waters to the beach, I looked at the sand beneath my feet..surely the same ground is not shared by the planet... The vast oceans separate the continents. No they don't actually, that's just what is visible to us, the common plate of land runs right through, a massive part of it just happens to be submerged under the vast oceans. Nonetheless, it is therefore, a single land surface and to imagine that at very moment I was standing on land connected to the Himalayas as well as the Sahara desert!

Here I am standing, connected to the entire world's oceans, air and land.

It takes some doing to feel that.

Talk about serendipity! I recalled an inspiration I had drawn from one of my meditation sessions. A voice inside me made me believe deeply at that time:

"I am connected to the universe, the universe is in me, I am the universe."
An expansion of consciousness while meditating made me feel this. Similarly, every cell of my body, my thoughts and energy are connected to corresponding frequencies of the universe.

I then reminded myself that I was here to enjoy my morning walk. Continued with a smile on my face.

Couldn't stop my mind from interrupting me-
Okay, I shall allow myself one last thought, I said to myself.
Since we are all connected,

I am not alone.
We are not alone.
Let's walk together.