A different Joy of Giving @ Imagine

You’ve heard it on Radio, you’ve read it in the papers, you probably even heard at work….No it’s not the T20 matches but a much greater and more important concept, The Joy of Giving Week (JGW).

So just to tell you a little of what JGW is, we borrowed some stuff from Wiki. Here goes! The Joy of Giving Week (JGW) is a "festival of philanthropy" that aims to become a part of the Indian ethos, with the Week being celebrated every year covering Gandhi Jayanti by engaging people through "acts of giving" - money, time, resources and skills - spanning the corporate, NGO and government sectors, schools, colleges and the general public. It was originally called "India Giving Week".

At Imagine, we spent some time thinking of this wonderful concept - JOY OF GIVING. Wonderful, isn’t it? We are so used to ‘taking’ all the time, because it is easy. Nothing wrong in that, but there comes a time when we must learn to give as well. Give of ourselves and of what we have.

This week we would like to focus on giving of ourselves through 7 different ways. Let’s call each of these items gifts that we can give to ourselves and those around us.

1.       Gift of Appreciation

Psychologists rate this as a very important aspect in self-esteem and emotional well-being. Well, we don’t need to know psychology but each of us definitely knows how good we feel when we are appreciated. Appreciate – it does not cost anything. Had a good breakfast – thank you mum, wife or cook who made it. Thank the boy who delivers newspaper. He has to wake up two hours before you, to ensure you get your paper on time.

2.       Gift of patience

We’ve all driven people up the wall at some time or the other. The least we would expect back then was patience. The gift of patience is priceless. In our relationships, when we come across parents, partners and friends who don’t do things our way, just exercise patience. Let them be. When you lose your cool, the only person at loss is you.

3.       Gift of Love

Unconditional love. Wondered what that means? Just love…without conditions or expecting anything back in return. I know this is better said than done. But whats the harm in trying. Lets take one relationship in our lives and see how we can love unconditionally.

4.       Gift of Time

Phew! All was well until someone asked us for time. Who has the time to give time? Remember the time your mum rushed home from work to ensure you had your playtime before dusk. Remember how your dad each day brought the cycle out to teach you cycling. Now is the time, spend time with people who matter to you. There will always be work, traffic, Facebook and TV. But people and relationships won’t be here forever. Make time every single day to spend a few minutes of quality time with your parents, spouse and children.

5.       Gift of knowledge

Thanks to our double degrees and our smart phones, there is probably nothing we don’t know. Knowledge shared is knowledge doubled. If you know something that your friend doesn’t, share it. And we are not talking of hot gossip here. But genuinely share. There is no point heading to the grave with lots in the head. Teach your parents how to use email, teach your maid English, read news to you grandparents….it’s all about sharing knowledge.

6.       Gift of forgiveness

Ah! Why this??? Well, it’s the beginning of peace is what we have learnt. We all have a list of people who have hurt or angered us. And that pain is something we would never let go off. Forgiveness brings about wonders. And of course it’s not easy, but once you have forgiven someone from your heart, you will know that you are free. Reach out to that friend who hurt you long ago, “Hey you know what, I forgive you from my heart”.

7.       Gift of prayer

Oh we are so busy, that we have no time for even God in our lives. When you find all the doors closed, remember that God opens a special window only for you. You just have to ask him to. Faith in God keeps million alive. Pray for everyone you think needs help. Prayer not only refreshes our faith but also keeps us going through rough times. An interesting exercise to do is to count your blessings and thank god for them.

We are neither preachers or have we seen life for over 50 years. We just believe in simple things and realize how simple, thoughtful ways can change the world around us. We hope you enjoyed our tips on the Joy of Giving.

Reading as a habit by Melisha Noronha

As a child I was fortunate to read all the books of my choice. Mum encouraged me to read all kinds of books, sometimes even those meant for older children. Comics, novels, classics, self-help, encyclopedias…I read them all.  So wonderful is this hobby of reading!

Reading is one of the most constructive hobbies a person can have. They say that the difference between ignorance and knowledge is only a book away. Reading stimulates the mind. It makes you think. You can learn to do many other hobbies by reading. It will generate in you new ideas and a more sound understanding of the world and those around you.

Reading can be a relaxing hobby as well. It is something you can do by just sitting around at home. You can go to the park or a coffee shop and read. You can get completely lost in reading and forget where you are or what time it is, or how much time has passed while you have been reading.

Reading suits all personality types, whether you like fiction or non-fiction, action, adventure, drama, humor, whatever it may be, there are books for every taste. I try to read books as often as I can and enjoy every book that I read. Every single one has something to offer, something to learn from it.


Who does not like Harry Potter?

Reading enhances your quality of life in every area and facet of your life. Live the lives of thousands of others in the books you read. Share their adventures. Learn what they have learned. Find out answers to life's most deep and troubling questions. In books you may find things you were never looking for. You may find yourself.

Thank God that we have two lovely eyes to take us into this world of books.

But wait a  minute, what do the visually impaired do?

From desire to action… by Vinod Lobo

The word “Imagine” inevitably brings to mind the classic work of legendry John Lennon of Then Beatles. The world knows him for this compositions and singing. It was this intellectual who dared to tell the world to aspire for a free world where everyone lived in peace.

All of us want to live in a peaceful, prosperous country where there is brotherhood and no one sleeps hungry. Ask any youth and he/she will tell you that they wish for no corruption, no war, no crime but only harmony.

The Imagine Trust is the story of a group of youngsters who wanted to do their bit towards building that one world heralded by Lennon.

In a fast paced city of Mangalore two college boys were engrossed in loads of extra-curricular activities. They met each other in a forum for social service. This friendship grew deeper and the good work that happened at their hands brought many link-minded people together. This was the birth of Imagine. But it all actualized when their hands were strengthened by to more members. This group of four formed The Imagine Trust.

The Imagine Trust believes in bringing together people who want to work towards any social cause. Be it recording books for the visually impaired or organizing a career development camp.

Here there is no long term commitment or meetings which you have to attend. It’s just reaching out to those who are in need at the time when you are free. We have been blessed with numerous talents. With Imagine you can channelize them towards a social cause. If I am good with dance, I can teach them to kids of a poor locality. If I am good at technology you can build a website for a poor school or a genuine NGO. The list is endless.

We have several projects running parallel.

·        Imagine Talking Books -  Record books for the visually impaired

·        Imagine Sponsorship– Sponsoring poor children’s education

·        Imagine Celebrations– Birthdays, marriage, anniversary or any special occasion, celebrate it with sponsoring food or items to the needy

·        Imagine Inspire – Career guidance for youth

Those interested to have some fun and spend their free times changing lives write to us at theimaginetrust@gmail.com

Visit our website www.theimaginetrust.com

Into the world of the visually imparied - by Nitin Kumar

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

From my graduation days I was groomed to be sympathetic towards persons with visual impairment. I am fortunate to get several opportunities to interact with visually impaired. This has changed my perspective from “persons with disabilities” to “specially abled persons”.

I do remember the day I was asked to be blindfolded and made to walk around the known places for a moment. Although I was familiar with the place it was a mammoth challenge. This really made me think of the difficulties faced by persons with visual impairment.

Following this I closely started working with some NGOs like Mitra Jyoti Trust for the Blind, Bangalore – an institute working for empowerment of visually impaired; Shri Sharadha Devi Andara Vikasa Kendra, Shimoga & Catherine Roman Blind School, Mangalore. These close interactions have strengthened my will power to do something different for these specially able individuals.

In our country we don’t have any strong system to empower specially able persons. We should be grateful to some NGOs who are into empowering these individuals with support of other organizations fighting all challenges.

Though we claim to live amidst advance technologies, many of us are unaware that a person with any impairment or disability can live an Independent life just like person with no such disability. By undergoing special training, a specially abled person can move around independently in any place. They can study any subject by using braille and Joss software. They can do all the operations of daily life. But they do need a small percentage of SUPPORT from people round them.

Is the life of a visual impaired in darkness? A big NO from me. They can live a normal life as you and me. They sing, dance, crack jokes, make fun of others, share lighter moments. Our visually impaired friends love reading books, listening to radio and TV, talking to people and also enjoy playing games.

I have come across many visually impaired friends who are very talented and remarkable. Did you know that there is a visually impaired person who has secured the first rank in Bangalore University and is currently perusing her MBA from IIAM, Bangalore. I know of another visually impaired person who is a talented writer and is now living independently and working in UK as a freelance content. I have also had the privilege of meeting a visually impaired chartered accountant who is working for India’s top IT company Infosys. There are also several others including the head of Mitra Jyothi Trust for the Blind and three visually impaired sisters successfully running the Shri Sharadha Andara Vikasa Kendra for more than a decade. These have transformed the lives of lakhs of people though their live and their organizations.

Yes, we have amazing people who have challenged their disability and have excelled. Whenever I analyze all these I always think I being a ‘normal person’ gifted with sensory abilities need to do much more than them. My achievements are too small before their work. 

All of us are able to sympathize with the persons with disabilities. But do they need our sympathy? No they don’t. All they need is support to get trained to live independent lives. By supporting any NGO which working towards this we definitely can will bring the remarkable change in their lives of persons with disabilities. This calls for a movement, a reformation.

I am not exceptionally gifted. I am one among you all and aspire to make the live of my friends more colorful by helping them to see the inner colours of life.

With this context I would like to tell you about The Imagine Trust. This group has been founded with the determination of making a difference to the lives of all our friends who are suffering from various situations, circumstances. Be it poor, suffering or persons with disabilities Imagine works with them to make them strong members of the society. This group of ours has already taken few baby steps to bring about a change. Join us to add colours to the lives of millions.

Last Note

Say to the blind “you’re free”. Open the door that was separating him from the world. Go, you are free, we tell them once more, and they do not move. They remain motionless there in the middle of the road because they do not know where to go. Then comes your role to stretch your hand and help him. To fill them with confidence and train them to lead an independent life like you and me.

By Nitin Kumar

Welcome to The Imagine Trust!

A place where everyone can do their bit to make the world a better place.

Visit us at http://www.theimaginetrust.com/

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