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Love thy neighbours!

October 9, 2012 By: Mehroocomment

I don’t think I am a very strict parent since I give in quite easily to the charms and innocent smiles of my  mischievous little boys. But when it comes to keeping my home neat and tidy I do like things being kept back in place after use. I feel like I am constantly tidying up things around the house – slippers that have magically popped out of the shoe cabinet, clothes lying on the floor, magazines, bags, towels all lying somewhere BUT in their rightful place, so I manage to wave my magic wand fairly calmly most of the times. But when it comes to toys my wand seems to lose its magical power as no matter how many times I pick up cars, trains, ben 10 aliens, blocks, puzzles, lego pieces and keep them back in their place, they just keep sprouting out again! In fact if I ask for assistance I am very seriously told that the bus is ”parked” at the bus stop, which happens to be right near my bed, and that it can’t move out as the driver is tired and taking a break! The power rangers and Ben 10 aliens have to rest on various shelves of the wardrobe as they are in the process of having a fight, in different groups, and can’t rest together in the toy rack specially bought for THEM! So anyway one such day when I had just tidied up the kids bedroom with all their toys tucked back neatly inside, one train track seemed to magically come out again at bed time! I asked my younger son to help me tidy up the train tracks but he just stood there and refused to budge. So I did what I don’t normally do, I picked up one of the tracks and held it outside the window threatening him that I will throw it down if he doesn’t get his act together soon. Not that he tidied up instantly but as I was getting my hand back inside, the track hit the window grill and fell down! Oops!

It was 8 pm and we couldn’t see much from our balcony, so my shocked son and a very meek me went downstairs to look for it. After a quick search since we did not find it, I realised that the track could have fallen onto our neighbour’s balcony. I pacified my son or was it the other way round since I was feeling so guilty and we both promised each other that we would do something about it the next day. True enough in the morning we did see the track lying on one of the planted pots in our neighbour’s balcony. We quickly went down to get it, but since no one opened the door after we rang the bell we went down to the reception to explain our dilemma to the security guard. Sometimes it is easier to talk to our neighbours via security as not everyone understands English here. Now something like this would have ended in minutes back home in Mumbai, where you would go to your neighbour’s house, request for the toy, apologise for your carelessness and come back home probably after having been offered a samosa or some cookies. Out here however it was the start of a long drawn drama. So first we carried a sample track to show to our security and explain more in action than in words what we need her help for. I wrote down both our flat numbers on a piece of paper drawing arrows to explain what happened and what help we need. Task accomplished! She understood that we wanted her to go to our neighbour’s house and get our track. But after a few hours when the security guard came to our house she gesticulated wildly saying “She so angry, so angry”. We finally managed to understand that our neighbour who is apparently an old lady refused to give the track back, saying point blank that it is not there and that the kids should be careful and better behaved!” I couldn’t believe my ears and took the guard to my balcony to show her the track which was still resting in its place. The guard kept saying “She so angry, she banged door,” to tell me that the lady had banged the door in her face asking her not to come back! I was livid, frothing and fuming, how can someone refuse to give a child’s toy, what does that say about the person?? but honestly, I am no good when it comes to getting into emotional arguments. I can either be extremely patient and calm on one side and uncontrollably emotional and vociferous at the other which can sometimes spoil situations. Since this particular one was tilting towards the latter, I thought I’d best wait for my husband to handle the matter. But my sons were quite upset and wondered why mummy wasn’t marching down to get matters straight. They have seen me argue with bus drivers, cabbies, vendors, so what’s a neighbour? I did muster up courage, calming myself down so there is no outburst and stepped out but thankfully I was saved the altercation since the security guard told me that the lady had just left the building. I had a fretful night but I am not sure what upset me more – the fact that the lady refused to give us back the toy or my hesitation to confront her? Next morning I ran out to my balcony to see if the track was still there, half-hoping that the lady would have thrown it down on the road so that it would be easier for me to get it back, but it was still there right where it was…in the potted plant! Later that day, my husband happened to spot the neighbour watering the plants on the balcony, he called out to her and pointed out at the track gesticulating that it was ours and we wanted it back. Without a word or a smile, the neighbour picked up the train track and by the time my husband could go down to get it, the track was left outside her door which was tight shut!

I still don’t know what my neighbour looks like (just in case I bump into her) but at least we have our toy back – kids are happy and I am relieved. At the end of the day it was an inexpensive train set but it did give us our very first experience of ‘culture’ and ‘building etiquette’ in this foreign land. Sadly it just isn’t what we are used to. Thankfully to balance it out, we do have other friendly neighbours and hope to rent a flat above theirs next time! ‘Love thy neighbours?’ Yes, just NOT Love them ALL!

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  1. Mehernaaz says

    October 10, 2012 at 2:11 am

    hahaha Mehroo that is so funny … the part about you drawing out for the Security guard what happened. I'm up or a game of Pictionery anytime you are 😀

    Reply
  2. Mehroo says

    October 10, 2012 at 2:28 am

    Tell me about it…I had to devise a strategy to get the toy back!

    Reply
  3. sirisha says

    October 10, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    lesson learnt not to threaten toys outside the windows or grills?

    Reply
  4. sirisha says

    October 10, 2012 at 2:05 pm

    somehow mehroo, if i want to write a comment i could not just write it unless i open my mail id, go in to my account and then write, anyways, so, i think the lesson learnt is not to hand out toys out of windows or grills
    right,

    Reply
  5. Mehroo says

    October 10, 2012 at 2:08 pm

    Hi Sirisha, it is possible to give a comment without logging in with your id. For that you have to choose Anonymous and then you can give me your name in the comment area so that I know that its you. Sorry I know it is a time consuming process so thank you, I really appreciate your comment. Love.

    Reply
  6. Reena says

    November 11, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    Ha ha.. this is soo funny! but well done to get the toy back!

    Reply
  7. Reena says

    November 12, 2012 at 2:36 pm

    ha ha… this is funny! but well done for getting the toy back!!

    Reply
  8. Deepa says

    December 6, 2012 at 6:26 am

    OMG the things you had to do!!! Unbelievable! Its possible that it could have been because of a minority or maybe she thought you're a robber hahaha! Just joking! You know, sometimes if people are really old they jump to conclusions a lot. I have no idea how old your neighbor is, but yeah who knows what was going on in her mind! Am thankful you have a good set of neighbours too! Funny experience to think back someday and laugh about 😀

    Reply
  9. Mehroo says

    December 6, 2012 at 6:35 am

    Unbelievable for sure Deepa! To answer your doubt, it wasn't me who went to their door, it was the building management person so should have been fairly familiar to them. You are right it is these kind of incidences that are used for a good laugh later on in life. Think Positive! and thanks for visiting.

    Reply

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mehrooturel

BUSINESS COACH FOR WOMEN | Mom of 2 boys 👬
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🌷✨ Tomorrow’s the day! Are you ready to cel 🌷✨ Tomorrow’s the day! Are you ready to celebrate Mother’s Day with us? There’s still time to grab your tickets! 🎟️💐
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Join us for a day filled with fun, shopping, and fun activities for the whole family. 

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That's one of our core values at Mums@PLAY, as we gathered today as vendors, sponsors, entrepreneurs - with our passion for what we do and our combined positive energy to make things happen! 

See you on Sunday at The Mother's Day Market

Date: Sun, May 5 • 11-5. 

Location: 33-35 Hillier Street Sheung Wan, Hong Kong

REGISTER HERE. 

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Such an honor to collaborate with the Hive and be Such an honor to collaborate with the Hive and be a part of this engaging panel, sharing the stage with brilliant minds and accomplished women entrepreneurs at the 'Celebrate HER Stories' event last Thursday. 

Thank you to The Hive team for this collaboration and invitation to share our stories with authenticity. 

Thank you HER Fund 婦女動力基金 for daring to create a change and empowering women. 

Thank you to my Mums@PLAY community members for showing your support! 

And lastly a big thank you to the audience for your active listening, those nods and smiles, as you related with our ups and downs of running a business and balancing our lives as women, mums and professionals. 

Look forward to more powerful collaborations and opportunities to engage and motivate! 

#womenentrepreneurship #womenleaders #hkwomen #thehivehk
When you take the same route every day You tend to When you take the same route every day
You tend to lose sight of the details,
The flower that just bloomed
The leaf that just fell
You're oblivious to the present
Your mind is overworked
With baggage from the past
And future that is yet to occur. 

Today I said STOP
I woke up at 5:45 this morning. My head filled wit I woke up at 5:45 this morning. My head filled with Sabs.

Saboteurs or Sabs as we ”lovingly” call them in our family are the negative voices in our head that tend to overwhelm or sabotage us. They are the relentless inner critics that often overpower and undermine us. Typically, I assert control over my mind, not letting them overpower me, centering myself on my senses….but not today.

Read the full blog here https://mehrooturel.com/2024/04/21/saboteur-discovery/

#saboteurs #positiveintelligence #pqcoach #certifiedcoach #icfcoacheshk #icfpcc #emotionsmatter
Boredom brings brilliance, ....taps into the reces Boredom brings brilliance,
....taps into the recesses of our sub-conscious mind to bring about #creativity and #curiosity. But I also think that boredom could also lead us to dark dungeons of the past or apprehensions about the future, and if these thoughts are not controlled, they can lead to overwhelm and stress. 

Taking control of our thoughts becomes so important specially in the 45-sec attention span that we have.

Self-command, that is taking control of our own mind, in this fast-paced, tech driven world becomes not only important, but a necessity. 

Here are some examples of how you can practice command over your mind while still at work

- Take a walk to get your coffee (focus solely on your feet and the steps you are taking)

- Zone out of your computer by closing your eyes and taking two deep breaths, really focusing on the inhale-exhale pattern 

- Stare out of the window or stare into your laptop - really focusing on one thing and one thing only. 

- Close your eyes for ten seconds when you are having your lunch, and really taste your food or hear the ambient sounds around you. 

Just focus on your senses every few hours and see how differently you tend to handle your day and the challenges that are thrown in front of you. 

Have a great week ahead!
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In the chaos and constant stimulation of our world In the chaos and constant stimulation of our world, the mind often finds itself caught up in a whirlwind of thoughts, worries, and distractions. It seems as if it never rests, always churning with an incessant stream of internal dialogue. But amidst this perpetual motion, there lies a profound and transformative power—𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱

Imagine a vast, serene lake reflecting the beauty of its surroundings. Its surface is undisturbed, allowing the depths below to reveal their hidden treasures. In much the same way, the mind possesses an inherent stillness that, when cultivated, can lead to immense 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆.

Yet, achieving this stillness is no easy task. It requires practice, patience, and a gentle surrender to the present moment. We must 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗴𝗼 of our attachments, expectations, and the constant need to control. Only then can we begin to peel away the layers of mental noise and enter into a state of profound tranquility.

In this stillness, we discover that 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘂𝘀. We are not limited to the boundaries of our transient emotions or fleeting desires. Instead, we tap into the potential of pure awareness—an expansive, timeless space where the mind can rest and rejuvenate.

I often say that 𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿, flowing, moving, splashing, having fun, but once in a while, the river needs to slow down and pause at an interim lake or pool to replenish its energy and nourish its waters. The pausing is not an end to its journey but a necessary part of its flow.

Learn to attain this stillness once every few hours. It will not take up your time, rather it will be the best investment of your time, as you get back to your work with renewed energy, vigour and creativity. 

Get in touch if you need help https://calendly.com/mehroo

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Wishing you a relaxing Sunday .... Enjoy your coff Wishing you a relaxing Sunday .... Enjoy your coffee, read the news, smile, laugh, take a nap.... just do what makes you feel good in the moment 🍹 😀 🌞 🌻 

#sunday
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