I Will Fix it: What The Young Ones Say

Most of us when presented with a problem, try to find solutions. Immediately even. Some ponder and think and reach into their experience and wisdom and some use what they have learnt in classrooms and books and we work forward, with the strength of the background in focus.

As I was debating on what I must write today, and what facet of the girl power that must be addressed and I could write on, and this neat little short fell into my lap. I was drawn to the screen as it showed an Optometrist and a little kid. Since, optometry is close to my childhood heart and I grew up with visions of me in those shoes, I usually and quickly try and peek into what the article is about.

Once a nerd, always a nerd they say, and I am, and am unafraid of admitting it.

So, I clicked on the link and immediately, this young girl Lillian Pravda burst on to the screen with enthusiasm and cheer. 

A simple google search reveals some endearing and determined stories of how she did what she did. From building and being inquisitive at a young age  to how she goes about managing 8th grade and fundraising and getting adults to listen and take her seriously. 

What caught my attention, apart form her story, and her vivacious personality and all things eye, was how she defined what an Entrepreneur is.

".. Even if you are able to help ONE person, it makes a difference to that ONE, and that is what entrepreneurship is all about. It is about being Human."
She declares. With conviction and bated enthusiasm that sparkles in her eyes and reaches out to tug at your heart right through the camera.

There's a charm in seeing young ones go do their own thing.
There is a certain naive conviction and belief that is not marred by cynicism or grayness of all else that floods the adult world.

Probably the reason they also win and whoop our adult asses when it comes to gaming and video and mobile-phone games. They do not strategize much, they just do. They follow their heart and belief, in solutions and their workings and just DO.
..and that's what she did. Right here. 

Gotta love 'em!

Go ahead and listen to her. It's just 3.50 minute long here. 


Ps:
Blogger's just been crazy annoying and is refusing to let me embed here.

Which also means that I will be moving shortly, for a few reasons, so maybe it will happen this week! I am excited, so stay tuned!

Want Something? Ask!

As you can tell from the title, this post is about that huge uphill task most of us have faced at some point in time in our daily lives.

Story time:

My daughter is 10 years old and she said something last week that rung bells in my head. It wasn't new, but every now and then we need reminders and jolts of such simple rules, and I love it that most of the time these nuggets of wisdom are brought in by little people, who in all their glory and simplicity do what comes naturally.

She had wanted to be a bus patrol this year. I told her 'no' - yes, I am to be blamed. BUT I had good reason. 5th grade would be a jump in school work, and she had her plate full, and knowing her propensity to sleep in, I wasn't entirely sure she would be making the bus every morning. So, I said: Maybe next year? Not this one, let's just try and be regular to school on the bus and see?

She, being the good one, agreed. This was during last summer. She asked again in Fall, and I gently diverted her attention.
Cut to this January.
One evening, she comes home and exclaims! Guess what? Maria is a patrol! Like now. In January. I thought there was a cutoff and I couldn't apply in September, and today she is a patrol! 
Wow! How did that happen? I ask
You know what she did? She asked!
That's all she did! ASK, mom. She went to Mr. Bate, and asked if she could be a patrol last week, and she is a patrol now. 

Starts to mutter her incredulity with more power, yet under her breath. "all she did was ask! why didn't I think of that!" 

I stared back at her with renewed hope, happiness and realization, and said aloud what we both were thinking in our heads. "If you want something, badly enough, all you have to do is ask" 

***

We've battled with the uncertainty and the How, and the What ifs, and the Rejection. We, especially as women have been conditioned to not ask, or to not feel ungrateful for what we already have and to be labeled Selfish, if we did ask.

As children, we've been told that it is not polite to ask for that extra piece of cake, for a playdate, for the new toy your friend already owns. It starts back then. The conditioning. So, it is little surprise that it translates to a lot of disappointment and dissatisfaction piling on as we continue to smother that impulse which is basic.

Your eyes see food. Your brain decides that it wants it, and your mouth is asked to shut up and there is that constant friction between the various organs and presto, obviously we land with a headache?

That leads to the next question (am such a problem solver!) on how this discontent can affect us. Not just giving us undue headaches but when translating it to real world scenarios, it is evident that we stifle ourselves of opportunities and growth. Blind sighted by assumptions and conditioning, we are selling ourselves short and hence are not fully utilizing our potential and even that space to grow beyond.

Here's your takeaway.

• Ask. 
• Ask politely. 
• The worst that can happen is a No. It's okay. Doesn't make you less. 
• If you got a Yes, then aren't you glad you asked? 
• If you don't ask, you've already been denied. 

..and I found this nice video that explains it better. Plus she has my mom's name, so there's an affinity alright ;-)

So, want something? Ask!
I plan to today, and I have a feeling, I'll be all the more richer for it!