Community//October 18, 2018

#Reflections by Ray [2]

#My Favourite Things

Rachel Mathew, #Reflections by Ray

One of the songs that had a huge impact on me as a young girl growing up was “My Favorite Things”… from the movie “The Sound of Music”.

The elevating tune and lyrics of the song would make me and my sisters’ belt the song out in gay abandon as Julie Andrew’s favorite things became ours…

Many years down the line and reflective of late…

has started me thinking “How much of our time do we spend on doing our favorite things?” Do we even know our favorite things anymore? Has life become a vicious circle of work with a little play, some family and even lesser self in between?

Thus this article… where I have explored all my favorite things to prompt all of you hopefully to remember yours and make time for them… if indeed they are your favorite things…

My favorite things

My kids’ warm hugs (nothing beats that any day)
Recalling memories of my DAD (the person who made me what I am)
Putting my head out of the window on a moving bus in India (yeah! bit crazy that one)
Spending time with “special needs” kids (makes me cry but makes me feel so good when they smile)
Melted butter on hot toast (once a foodie, always a foodie!) Kerala beef and porotta a very close second
Wearing warm, comfy cashmere sweaters (comfort over fashion any day!)
Belting out old Hindi and eenglish songs (making up parts I don’t remember…)
Curled up with my favorite book (do not disturb please!)
Laughing away with close friends (those who don’t judge you in any shape or form)
That feeling of elation when I complete a great project/presentation (on that high)
Smelling petrol at a petrol station (have to throw in the weird part of me!)
Sinking my feet into the wet sand on the beach (watching the waves come in)
Everything about Christmas! (From the church bells, decorations, Christmas tree, carols, Just staying up all night on Christmas Eve!)
Sitting for an hour inside or outside churches, temples, mosques where permitted (just feeling at peace) and last but definitely not the least
Just treasuring I have a soulmate… (who makes me feel something)

And I thought, when did I make time for these things? was it yesterday, a week ago or have I even forgotten what it feels like…

And realized, I need to make that extra effort to make time for my favorite things,

To re- experience those moments because they are the ones that take precedence over all.

Reflect now, are you doing/ experiencing your favorite things?

Till next time…

— Published on October 18, 2018

Rachel Mathew, #Reflections by Ray

Rachel is a Management Consultant, Public Speaker, Blogger and Trainer with over 24 years’ experience initially in Process Improvement and ISO Management Systems and then more Strategic Consulting like the Balanced Scorecard, Strategic Planning, Change Management, Business Excellence Models, Innovation and Benchmarking.

She is a motivational blogger and key note speaker at local and international events..

She currently advises the Strategy and Excellence function at Dubai Airport Free Zone in her role as Strategy & Excellence Specialist. She has also previously worked with another major government municipal organisation; Dubai Municipality for a period of 5 years in a similar role.

Prior to working internally to these government organisations, Rachel worked for a Business Transformation Consultancy, Bywater plc headquartered in Reading, UK in their Middle East office. She also worked for a Major Certification Body in the Middle East (BVQI) for a year as an assessor before foraying into the Management Consultancy & Training arena to assist organisations achieve outstanding and sustainable business results.

Rachel is a member of the Institute of Management Consultants, a Certified Level 4 Innovation Facilitator, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, a Certified Excellence Awards (European Foundation Quality Model Assessor & Dubai Quality Award Assessor) and Lead Assessor for ISO Quality & Environmental Management Systems (IRCA). Rachel brings a wealth of practical hands – on experience both as a Consultant and as a Practitioner.

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