We all got together for yet another HeArt Circle, after a month's break, with many kids and teenagers as participants with us. Each week, a space of sharing love and joy is co-created. It has been transformative as anyone and everyone comes in and shares of themselves as they are. We start with half an hour of silence followed by a reading of a passage. And then we all paint in silence and try to express whatever is going on inside. And then share with everyone what we expressed on the canvas.

We all reached a bit early this time, so we thought of doing a circle of sharing on an act of goodness that you experienced in the last month. Then, Rupali didi shared with kids why does she hold spaces like this. She told them how we all have good and bad experiences in our lives. And somewhere down the line, we forget such incidences. But when we paint and introspect, we realise our feelings, we become more aware of each and every emotion that we feel. We go deeper into each problem, and most of the time, we realise our own mistakes. We are able to put those heavy bags of burden that we carry with ourselves down, and make our journey of life easier and happier.

We could not read the passage due to some technical issues. But the passage which Rupali didi was going to share was about “Who Am I” ( which we got to know later). And somehow everyone shared on those lines. There were teens who just passed their 10th or 12th grade, as well as graduates and professionals. Incidentally, most of us were at a crossroads -- on the verge of choosing what next we want to do in life, with almost everyone feeling a bit confused, wondering, “What really should we do?” But it was really beautiful to see all the stories having a same invisible thread passing through each story and how all stories were interconnected, and in turn, we all are interconnected. I would love to share few stories here.

Rupali didi’s daughter (Drishti) drew herself holding a few balloons. Each balloon signified some aspect of her life that occupied her mind, like her dreams and aspirations, family and societal expectations, self expectations, etc. But there was one balloon she thought was let loose. That balloon was flying away. And that balloon carried the question, "Do you know who you are?" She felt this sense of grabbing the balloon and tying it to herself, investing more time in knowing the truth of life, and going deeper within to know herself.

One lady shared about how the thoughts or state of minds are many times so opposite. Sometimes it's like a dark night with so many star's representing so many thoughts. Sometimes it's a clear, sunny day, which represents a clear mind. Sometimes, it's so much of a mess in the mind, and other times, it's organised. And sometimes there is balance in between. And this is because of recognizing that light that's within. “This light is always present within but when I am aware, I am balanced,” she explained.

Radhika shared how she was experiencing exactly the same thing . And how social media is so confusing sometimes. How there are so many things on social media these days that we tend to flow with that, and it becomes difficult to listen to heart. And she feels of reminding herself always, 'quiet the mind’.

Rupali didi shared how she remembers a view from her trip and that view has stayed with her. It's a lake surrounded by mountains and trees. Being there, she felt so connected to nature for the first time. She felt as if trees, mountains, everyone in nature is talking to her. She couldn't sleep that night, as she was talking to nature. Seeing the lake she thought of our mind. How mind is really calm always like a lake. But so many times we create waves in it with all kind of emotions. She felt like we are deliberately trying to go away from nature, and not stay in harmony with her.

Apeksha was with us in the circles that we held before HeArt Circle. There, everyone was sharing the small acts of kindness which made her think that this all is so uncommon nowadays, and she feels like values like kindness, truth, honesty and love are coming to an end from the earth. So she drew a crying earth who is sad because it's losing all these values.

One of the kids shared very beautifully, and later on, his sister shared more background – that he had been away from his parents for a few years because of their separation. He was living with grandparents and had been shifting to new places for schooling. He shared how he always thought that we can only share with our best friends. And somehow, he had difficulty making friends. But he was so happy to be in a space like this, where he could share whatever he wants to and was grateful that such spaces existed for kids like him . And he blew us all away. A 13-year-old kid understanding that painting is just a medium but more than that, this is a safe space for everyone to share to make so many best friends. He shared how he had been to his dad's school few days back and saw an inspired quote written on it. (I will write that soon :p )

Darpan shared how clouds, waves, sun, everyone just come and pass away. Likewise, he reminded himself that no matter if your mood is sad or happy, it too shall pass away. His painting was a lesson to all of us, on how nothing is permanent; life keeps changing, and lives will keep changing. We'll assume different forms, and nothing can ever be the same. Every moment is different.

What an incredible circle and day we all shared – with so amazing many insights, so full of HeArt!