March 12, 2025
Letting Go of Scale: A Humble Perspective on Life’s Unity
I once read that a single teaspoon of soil contains more microorganisms than there are humans on Earth. This fact lingered in my mind, not as a trivia point, but as a quiet reminder of how little we truly grasp about the universe’s design. We spend our lives categorizing things as “big” or “small,” “significant” or “insignificant,” yet...
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February 15, 2025
Crafting brand stories - trusted ingredients
As a storyteller and brand strategist, I’ve spent years unraveling what makes a brand resonate deeply. The secret? Authenticity. But like a master chef, you can’t rush it—it requires carefully curated ingredients. Here’s how I’ve learned to gather and blend them to build brands that feel real, relatable, and unforgettable. 1. Start wit...
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February 15, 2025
The Polymath’s Paradox: A Life of Infinite Curiosity and Invisible Scars
To be a polymath is to live in a world that feels both dazzlingly vast and stiflingly small. It is to crave the taste of every fruit on the tree of knowledge, even as others insist you pick just one. Over the years, I’ve been a banker crunching numbers, a journalist chasing truths, a merchant of apple juice (yes, really), a political s...
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February 3, 2025
Rediscovering Wellness: A Journey Back to Ourselves
When was the last time you truly felt well? Not just free from illness, but genuinely vibrant, alive, and in harmony with yourself? In a world where healthcare has become synonymous with treating diseases, we’ve lost sight of what it means to truly be well. This is the story of how The Turiya, a new brand under Dr Sharaph Ventures LLP,...
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February 3, 2025
Climbing Vertical Lawns: What My Recurring Dream Taught Me About Facing the Unpredictable
I’ve been having this dream for months. It starts innocently enough: I’m strolling across a lush, green lawn, the kind that feels soft underfoot and smells like summer. Then, without warning, the ground tilts. The grass rises vertically, like a wall, and suddenly I’m clinging to it, scrambling to climb. My heart races. My muscles burn....
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January 7, 2025
Why wait for obituaries
We are utter a-holes to some people during our lifetimes - we are mean, tough, hard, and give some folks hell - mostly (in our heads) for the right reasons. But when the call comes telling us they are dead - we turn up at the funeral or write obituaries with some nice things to say. They are not always sugar-coated - we mostly mean the...
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December 31, 2024
Hampi reflections
One does see people, their curiosities, the intensity of their faiths, it’s heartwarming. I’m also happy this week to see how people still continue to live together in harmony across districts - caring for each other, sharing laughter and friendship. Ancient cities that are so well preserved are a reminder of human-ness: greed, power, ...
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October 19, 2024
The Evolution of Accounting Practices and the Impact of Generative AI on the Profession
Accounting, as the cornerstone of business management, has undergone significant transformations over the years. From the time-consuming manual entries of the past to the current age of advanced automation, technology has continually shaped how financial data is recorded, analyzed, and reported. The newest and perhaps most profound dev...
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October 14, 2024
Pivot | brand building
Brand building involves several integral aspects, which include: 1. Brand Identity: Establishing a unique visual and verbal identity through logos, colors, typography, and messaging that reflect the brand's values and personality. 2. Brand Positioning: Defining how the brand differentiates itself from competitors and occupies a distinc...
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October 13, 2024
A 1200-Mile Family Adventure Across the UK
There’s something inherently magical about a road trip – the freedom of the open road, a well-planned route, and the promise of adventures around every corner. This summer, our family embarked on a 1200-mile journey through some of the UK’s most iconic cities and landscapes. Behind the wheel of a sleek Mercedes GLC 300, we set off from...
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October 13, 2024
A Day Out with the Kids at Lake Windermere
There’s something quite magical about the Lake District, and Lake Windermere is undoubtedly one of its crown jewels. I recently took the kids for a day out, and it was the perfect blend of adventure, learning, and relaxation. With so much to see and do, our day flew by in the most delightful way. Let me walk you through what turned out...
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October 11, 2024
At Oxford with kids
Our day at Oxford was one of those perfect, crisp autumn days when the air has a slight chill, but the sun warms your face just enough to keep it comfortable. We set off from the train station early, the kids buzzing with excitement, as they'd been looking forward to the trip all week. The streets of Oxford were relatively quiet as we ...
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October 11, 2024
Visit to the Harry Potter Studios
Visiting the Harry Potter Studios in August with my kids was a magical experience, one we’ll all remember for years to come. The moment we stepped through the entrance, the excitement was palpable. We were greeted by the iconic Great Hall doors, which opened to reveal the actual set where so many memorable scenes were filmed. The scale...
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October 11, 2024
A Day at Old Trafford: The Manchester United Stadium Tour
As a lifelong Manchester United fan, walking through the gates of Old Trafford felt like stepping into a dream. The sheer size of the stadium loomed before me, and the excitement bubbled in my chest. Known as "The Theatre of Dreams", this iconic ground has seen some of the greatest moments in football, and today, I was about to get an ...
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October 11, 2024
If I had a daughter
If I Had a Daughter If I had a daughter, I’d tell her this: The world is wide and full of bliss. The sun rises each day with light anew, A promise of beauty in all that you do. I’d teach her to feel the earth beneath her feet, To hear the wind’s whisper, soft and sweet. To chase the rivers, wild and free, And climb the tallest, stronge...
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October 11, 2024
For Whitney
Song Title: Forever in Our Hearts (Verse 1) I still hear your voice, like a whisper in the night Through the echoes of the songs that gave us light You gave us love, when the world seemed so cold And in your arms, we found a place to hold (Pre-Chorus) Though you’re gone, your melody remains In every note, we’ll feel no pain We’ll carry...
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May 25, 2024
Why hi-performance folks need great assistants
The Multifaceted Role of an Executive Assistant A skilled executive assistant brings a diverse set of capabilities to the table, enabling executives to focus on high-level decision-making and strategic planning. Here are some key areas where an EA can make a substantial impact: 1. Calendar Management and Scheduling • Coordination: An E...
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May 12, 2024
Creating a systems based rostering process
Transitioning from manual to technology-based systems in fostering involves several key steps to ensure a smooth and effective integration. Here’s a general outline of these steps: 1. Assessment and Planning: - Needs Assessment: Evaluate the current manual processes to understand the specific needs, challenges, and goals of the fosteri...
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May 12, 2024
Planning for the future? Here’s what nonprofits should keep in mind
When planning a 3-5 year strategy, a nonprofit should consider several key elements to ensure that the strategy is effective and aligns with its mission and goals: 1. Mission and Vision Clarity: Revisit and clarify the organization's mission and vision to ensure that all strategic goals are aligned with these core statements. 2. Enviro...
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May 1, 2024
Understanding the Nexus of Education and Learning: Strategies for Effective Educational Delivery
"Where education meets learning" is a compelling tagline that prompts a reflection on the essence of education and its true purpose. This phrase, used by Learning Links Foundation, underscores an often overlooked truth: education is not just about disseminating information but is fundamentally about fostering meaningful learning. Howev...
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March 12, 2024
Thank you Mommy Joon
In a bowl of simple white, Cradled in ceramic bright, Nestled on tiles, a Moorish flight, Patterns dancing in the light. Each puff a cloud, soft to the eye, Clustered snug, they shyly lie, A tapestry where flavors ply, On a table where stories tie. Whispers of a salty kiss, In this vessel of bliss, A moment's pause, nothing amiss, A sn...
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March 5, 2024
Strengthening Impact: Why Indian Nonprofits with FCRA Approval Should Consider a Presence in the US
Strengthening Impact: Why Indian Nonprofits with FCRA Approval Should Consider a Presence in the US In today's interconnected world, the power of collaboration knows no boundaries. Nonprofit organizations, driven by their passion for social change, often find themselves navigating the complex landscape of fundraising and awareness-buil...
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February 25, 2024
Maya ~ still I rise
Still I Rise BY MAYA ANGELOU You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ’Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of ...
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February 20, 2024
Today you’re the guest of God
I recollect a story from Hazrat Nizamuddin’s childhood. They went hungry a lot. His mother didn’t have sufficient means to feed him every day. Each time young Nizam returned home and there was no food, his mother would inform him by saying ‘today, we are Allah’s guests’. Hearing this the young man would know there was no fire in the ki...
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October 27, 2023
14 things for nonprofits to consider as they begin their net-0 journey
Transitioning a nonprofit organization to net zero requires careful planning and monitoring of various metrics. Here are some key metrics to consider as a starting point for the conversion process: 1. Carbon Emissions Inventory: Calculate the organization's current carbon footprint across all operations, including energy use, transport...
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October 27, 2023
Building Sustainable Change: A Framework for Impact
In today's dynamic and interconnected world, the need for sustainable impact is more pressing than ever. Creating lasting change requires a well-thought-out framework that addresses the fundamental aspects of community development. This essay explores a comprehensive framework for impact, comprising four essential elements: the Need-Ab...
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October 26, 2023
The Importance of Communications in Social Impact Engagement and Evaluation
The Importance of Communications in Social Impact Engagement and Evaluation Effective communication plays a pivotal role in the success of social impact initiatives. This technical note explores the critical importance of strategic communications in social impact engagement and evaluation. It delves into the various dimensions of commu...
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October 26, 2023
What is the MEL Framework?
The "Measure, Evaluate, Learn" (MEL) framework is a systematic approach used in research and data-driven decision-making processes. This framework helps organizations to measure the impact of their interventions, evaluate the outcomes, and learn from the results to make informed decisions. Here's a breakdown of each step in the MEL fra...
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October 26, 2023
Research Framework: Social Impact Investments in Indian Tea Grower Communities
Research Framework: Social Impact Investments in Indian Tea Grower Communities 1. Introduction • Background: Provide an overview of the Indian tea industry, its significance in the economy, and the challenges faced by tea grower communities. • Problem Statement: Highlight the socio-economic issues in tea grower communities and the need...
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October 26, 2023
What is a longitudinal study?
A longitudinal study is a research design that involves repeated observations or measurements of the same individuals or groups over an extended period of time. Unlike cross-sectional studies, which capture a snapshot of a population at a specific point in time, longitudinal studies are concerned with observing changes, patterns, and t...
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