[Originally Posted by Shaily Shah]

I was once told that if you find yourself at a place where you experience Magic, it’s because you’re meant to be there!
And it couldn’t get better when it’s on your 25th birthday!
Shital aunty (or Shital mom as we fondly call her) conducts Value-based Art workshops and this summer her destination was Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram at Dharampur. Hundreds of children from across the country were gathering for a Spiritual Touch Shibir (camp) at this venue.

This year her idea was to introduce the value of “Gratitude” and bond the hearts of 180 children (11th graders) from diverse backgrounds in a 2-day workshop.
To make the experience more powerful and meaningful she gathered her army of 4 Love Warriors (from “Earthlings” group from Mumbai – Ratandeep, Bhumi, Pranit and me). “Earthlings” group belongs to the inspiring young enthusiasts rather the change makers who regularly go out to do random ACTS OF KINDNESS on weekends!

After months of brain storming and preparations with the Sevaks and volunteers, ” Bonding of Hearts” workshop was designed to introduce Gratitude value through various hands- on ACTS OF KINDNESS
On May 27th we embarked on our journey to spread love 200kms away from home. As we reached there, we were welcomed into the serenity of the beautiful Ashram. We experienced the space with beautiful energy and warm hospitality.

The workshop was called the “BONDING OF HEARTS”. It was nice to see how effortlessly the two worlds culminated into one.
After a brief introduction given by Shital aunty about the plan and the purpose of the workshop, all Earthlings volunteers shared their inspiring personal stories about their journey of self-less giving to the society.
One hundred and Eighty children broke out into 10 different groups to get hands-on into the activities. It was amazing that all these groups were facilitated by leaders who were not more than 16-17 years olds! (young leadership training!)
All the 10 groups were put to different artistic activities designed to take care of all the different groups of people in the Ashram serving and working tirelessly to make the Shibir possible.
One group made 800 smilys and pinned up to other 700 children in the ashram at dinner time with a gift of a chocolate and a warm Hug!! Spreading Smiles all over!!
One group wrote inspiring “letters to the strangers” expressing love and affection with positive quotes with the intention to bring cheer and connect with whoever received the letter!!

One group went to clean up the corridors, rooms and bathrooms and put up inspiring quotes written by another group all over. Though started with reluctance to do this activity, Pranit could inspire value in doing it with love to bring the feeling of cleaning within while cleaning outside!

One group went with Ratandeep and helped the kitchen staffs wipe the vessels for almost 2 hours. Just to know what effort goes behind the meals we get and the staff was so touched to see the concern that they served them with Nimbu pani and gave them stools to sit on!

Other groups made beautiful fans to gift out to all the Didis and volunteers working tirelessly all through the week!!, One group made Nimbu pani and served to all the working staff, cleaning staff kitchen staff and office staff who have been quietly working in background. Some of them were almost in tears as they were given a thank you card personally with a warm Hug!

One group made very creative sprayers with recycled plastic bottles filled with rose water and gave out to students and staff to cool themselves on so hot...summer afternoon!
With Bhumi some made Thank you cards, one group made big posters with inspiring quotes very attractively written to be adorned on Gurukul school walls when the school would re-open!
The most beautiful was also when one group who had made origami “Birds and Lotus flowers” out of paper with wish tags attached, went personally to all the ATMARPITS( Senior students of the ashram practicing spiritual studies) and gifted them. They were pleasantly happy with the beautiful gift made by the children.



More often than not, the art and craft work was done by these children for relaxing and recreational purpose at their schools but never expressing gratitude to those who did tiresome thankless jobs just so that they have a better life.. Be it for the helping staff at the ashram or the watchman, lifeman, milkman back home or the parents who expected nothing in return, ever.

As we saw their energies channelized into their activities, their intentions came out clearly in their creativity with which they served. From making meaningful charts for the Gurukul , Thank you cards for the Samarpits, Origami products like lotuses and birds were gifted to Atmarpits, Letters were anonymously written to strangers to help them forget their worries and bring a smile on their faces, Chilled Rose water and Japanese paper fans to beat the heat and multiple hands serving to clean the kitchen and lobbies were some of the activities so joyfully done. The highlight of the workshop was how skilfully they all made their GRATITUDE Book. Some were mind-blowing designs!

All these activities were like little petals that tied everyone in a beautiful garland of harmony. Inhibitions were shed and barriers were broken with smiles and a hugs and gifts in giving.
With such a large number and so many activities, the place held everyone together. The underlying strength in the background that emanated this energy was the overwhelming love for BAPAJI ( Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshbhai fondly called Bapaji)

The reflections and feedback (some in Gujatrati by Gurukul children and some in Hindi-english) about their experiences with the acts of kindness they performed during the workshop was truly beautiful as they shared their stories about the joy of receiving while giving selflessly with love.

The workshop culminated by making a list of 10 things each child was grateful for:
From Bapaji, parents, friends, relatives, school, teachers, society to environment and nature and included them on each page of the beautiful Gratitude Diaries they created almost like paper sculptures! Using various paper sculpting techniques very creatively! Each book looked like a unique works of Art!!

The 2 days were more like a celebration rather than organizing and conducting a workshop! I always wanted to do something different on my birthday, but staying away from home and family and yet having 200 people sing for me was a blessing on its own.

Shital aunty and her never ending enthusiasm!! We think the child within her was set free when she was so amused spraying rose water made from recycled bottles on the children!! She kept us going all the while from absorbing every action of ours by a silent moment of meditation to allowing our innate creativity to flow while doing the activities.

For me it was a great joy capturing beautiful moments all through the workshop in my camera!

We all got back with fond memories of the workshop. However, aunty was taken by surprise when two participants left her some letters that sparked the sense of satisfaction and gratitude!

The letter by Shikha said:
Hey! There I know you now
Because you gave me a beautiful chance to make other strange souls happy. i am really grateful to meet you.
Thank you so much
Good Luck
You have a Beautiful Heart!
Love
Shikha Shah

Rohan wrote:
Bonding of Hearts workshop was a heart touching experience!
Inculcated best values such as caring for others, being kind selflessly, smiling to strangers etc and most importantly helping others and make their Day!!
Enjoyed doing all this and will continue to bring smiles on everyone's faces
As what goes around comes around!
Really had an amazing experience!
Thank you
Rohan Sheth

Posted by Shaily Shah on Jun 20, 2014 | permalink