Friday Reflections

Akshar(E): Thinking outside the box for Education, Environment and Empowerment.

   

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

Point to Ponder: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. – Margaret Mead

Story Line: For past month I was thinking of an appropriate story for this special week of Good Friday and Easter. As an old saying goes “Things come to you at a time when you need them the most to get to the next stage, but you must learn from those things first.”

Two weeks ago childhood friends shared information about Akshar, a foundation and the school in Assam, India that accepts plastics (bottles, bags..) as fees in exchange for practical education and also uses innovative approach to utilize child labor to eliminate child labor Child Labor. Many of these children would have otherwise been working as laborers to earn living for their families and they would have never gotten an opportunity to go to school. It was fascinating to see out of the box approach for three Rs’ (Reduce,Reuse,Recycle) in all aspects of their operations.

Last week I had a good fortune to attend a short talk by the founder of Akshar, Dr. Alaka Sharma who has dedicated her life in the service of poor people and indigenous tribes in North East India. At the age of 22, she left her home in Mumbai to help people in the faraway land. In 2014, together with her daughter and son in law they started this school that has created a paradigm shift in education. Vision: Teach them how to save the world.

Instead of writing details of their approach and results here, I would like to share comprehensive and inspiring information about this organization that is already presented well in the website.

I believe their story of service to people in need is timely and appropriate to review and reflect for this special week. 

Mission, Objectives and Key Results

https://www.aksharfoundation.org/

Accountability: Also please look at their annual reports in the following section:

https://www.aksharfoundation.org/media

Reflection: In the past 16 years of over 700 posts, there are just a few stories that have classified under all seven values of Friday Reflections. This is one of those rare stories that is true to FR motto: Things that are given away are never lost and all seven values; Passion, Assume Responsibility, Keep on Learning New Skills, People and Relationships, Flexibility and Performance and Results.

In the words of Mother Teresa “At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”  

Happy Easter to Friends around the World

Back to Basics-Lessons from Andy Grove

Point to Ponder:  "The new business environment dictates two rules: 1) Everything happens faster; and, 2) Anything that can be done will be done. If it's not done by you it will be by someone else."  Andrew Grove

 Story Line: Back to Basics: Lessons from Andy Grove

A day before Andy Grove retired, I had a rare fortune to meet the person who was Andy’s Technical Assistant in his early career and then a senior executive of our company. Our Boss Gidu Shroff had invited Sean Maloney for a dialogue about state of the business and implication on our group’s strategy. Knowing that Sean had been TA of Andy in his early career, my curiosity compelled me to drift from business related discussions to some questions about Andy.

“You were once the technical assistant to the man who is on his last day at work at Intel. a. How did that experience help you in your career and b. what are some great things about Andy that you learnt.?” Sean’s Answers: 

1. Question the obvious. When everybody says something is this way or great, better question hard.
2. Very analytical, could understand incredible amount of details and linkages
3. Always pushed you to do better. Always made you believe that there is still a way to go in realizing your potential.
4. Very committed to the development of the people who worked for him and He devoted a lot of time on this subject.

Reflection: After the meeting, my mind ventured into memories lane about a few past encounters with/about Andy that were so consistent with what I had learnt about him that day.

1. When I joined Intel first time in 1980s, Andy was one of the speakers at New Hire Orientation. Three things that influenced my career from that talk were: the importance of a sound culture for an organization, focus on employee training and development (Intel University) and If you see a problem you own it. Don’t bury the problems or they will become large. Bring them out and address them. (and if it is not in your area, find the right owner who can fix them.)
2. About 35 people from different sites from the company were in the phone bridge meeting to discuss a lingering problem “exposed glass lid” that had impacted product shipments. Andy showed up to one meeting and after a few minutes of listening, excused most of the people (note takers, facilitators, reporters, speculators,..) and gave actions and ownership to engineers in Asian factories. He had quickly understood the technical issue and realized that a lot of side actors were dominating the stage instead of the Doers.
3. In mid 1980s, one of our plants in Asia had done pilot implantation of Just in Time System. The plant manager was very excited with results and wanted to take the lead to proliferate the system across the company. One morning he got a call from none other than Andy Grove who asked him about JIT. After listening to very excited plant manager describing glorious benefits of JIT, Andy asked only one question: What could go wrong with the system? In the words of that manager” I was frozen. I had not thought about that part.” Andy told him to do the homework and then come back with new proposal.
4. Sometime after Andy had already retired, our boss also retired after a long service. Andy sent a video message expressing his appreciation and recounting memories of their association and some incidences that had taken place over 20 years ago. That was a class act.

Success does not discriminate: The Jewel in the Palace

Point to Ponder: "Champions (Winners) aren't made in gyms (conference rooms and class rooms). Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: A desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill." Muhammad Ali

Story Line (from 2006): The beauty of success is that it does not discriminate...and nor is it exclusively held for certain classes of people based on gender, race, social status, national origins or religions.

So during my last overseas visit, when I repeatedly heard about a Korean Mini Series "Jewel in the Palace", which has captivated 100s of millions of viewers of all kinds over South east Asia (From Manila to Malaysia, Seoul to Singapore and Taipei to Tokyo), my curiosity took over.

About 500 years ago, during the time of Chosun dynasty, Jang Geum, a poor eight year orphan girl from a lower class of society is brought to the King's palace to work as a court lady. "Jewel in the Palace" is a true story of Jan Geum's journey from the lowly court servant to the head of Royal Kitchen and ultimately she became the first woman to be the Royal Physician in charge of the king and awarded the title Dae (Great) Jang Geum.

What is even more fascinating are the characteristics of winners that she displays right from childhood as well as a demonstration of Out of the Box Thinking techniques (Focus, Challenge, Associate and Paradigm Shift) throughout her life in a highly beauracratic and hierarchical structure. She is not allowed in the school becuase of her low status but she peeks in the classrooms through windows and learns.

Winners in life have a definite purpose. There was never a winner who did not plan to win in advance and Jang Geum is no exception. In her first encounter with Palace Heads, the eight year old declares, “I want to be the head of the Royal Kitchen.” (Imagine a fresh graduate in his first meeting with VPs saying "I am here to become a COO or CFO". How would it go?). Winners are aware of the price they will have to pay and Jang Geum endures all kinds of (some very severe) punishments, hardships and discriminations throughout her life but stays on course.

She practices OBT ideas by closely observing things, recombining normal ingredients to create new dishes and medicines; which delights the royal family. But the ultimate is the example in Paradigm Shift where she uses acupuncture and surgery to heal a rabbit. It had never been done before and in the process she demonstrated the surgery was a viable option where traditional medicines were not effective.

And just like many Risk Takers, she goes in and falls out of grace with superiors and eventually becomes a prey of Palace politics and fired. She is sent to exile to a remote island. She makes the best out of the situation and learns about medicines and becomes a Physician. With fierce drive and determination, she finds a way back into the palace. Her resourcefulness, integrity and valued solutions are eventually noticed by the king himself and she becomes the first woman to be the Royal Physician of the king.

Reflection: I am sure it is clear to you by now why the story is titled “(The) Jewel in the Palace.” It is a powerful story from Korean history about the rise of a little girl from a meager background to the head Physician of the Palace. During my business trip in Asia I found out that Corporate Executives and  managers/engineers were hooked on this miniseries so upon return I spent 3 full weekends watching it. I realized that in the history of every culture there are stories like this that one can learn a lot from. Things that one can learn from such stories are normally taught in corporate leadership classes; one can just watch such movies and get real life lessons.

Theme song from the mini-series

 

 

The Lego Story: Creating the System of Endless Possibilities

The LEGO Story- How it all started 

Point to Ponder:  I remember when I first started working I’ve always said that I didn’t like sales. No sales job I would say. Simply because I felt I can’t do sales. That I’m not good at it. But as I ventured further into my job, I realised we are all saleperson, trying to sell something, to make an impression, to get something out of the work we are doing. -  A note from a former work associate from Malaysia-  And now an entrepreneur( in response to last week’s Friday Reflection)

Story Line: I came across this video ‘The Lego Story- How it all began’ eight months ago. Since then our grandsons and I have watched it many times; in fact we watch every-time we meet. It’s a fascinating, captivating and educational story that narrates how to build an entire system of endless possibilities for an idea. 

Ofcourse, like many stories of successful entrepreneurs, it is the story of personal tragedies, hardships, passion and persistence. But it also shows how Ole Kirk Kristiansen, the founder, used the systems approach In design (creation), product (making) and customer delight (sales).

Only the best is good enough as motto plus innovative solutions and promotion practices, Ole and his successors have created a world without limits for children around the world. 

Reflection: The Lego Story was in the backlog list for ‘Future Friday Reflections‘ for a while. The note from the young entrepreneur from Penang is the catalyst for bringing it on the top of the list. There  are many valuable tips in this story for every age group, every job function and for the people venturing into their own business. It can also help us in creating a system to build and enhance our own personal brand. Something to ponder...

 

 

 

A bend in the road is not the end of the road….Unless you fail to make the turn*

Point to Ponder: Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did – Steve Jobs

Story Line: July 10, 1979, Oakland Coliseum. It was the very first concert in my life; courtesy of my wife who had introduced me to western music since the first time we met. The performers were Bee Gees, three brothers who composed, produced and recorded the songs. In the previous three years they had six consecutive #1 singles on the Hot 100 charts; Saturday Night Fever and Spirits Having Flown being the last two of those six.

They entertained the packed audience with many of their famous songs and also introduced their youngest brother (4^th) Andy who also participated and enchanted the audience with his beautiful voice. Not one person in the coliseum that night could have known how an event two days later in Comiskey Park in Chicago will impact Bee Gees and alter the course of their career.

Yesterday while watching the newly released documentary about Bee Gees, I leaned details about that event.

Disco Demolition Night: A Bend in the road….

**In the late 1970s, dance-oriented disco was the most popular music genre in the United States, particularly after being featured in hit films such as Saturday Night Fever (1977). However, disco sparked a major backlash from rock music fans—an opposition prominent enough that the White Sox, seeking to fill seats at Comiskey Park during a lackluster season, engaged Chicago shock jock and anti-disco campaigner Steve Dahl for the promotion at the July 12 doubleheader. Admission was discounted to 98 cents for attendees who turned in a disco record; between games. White Sox officials had hoped for a crowd of 20,000, about 5,000 more than usual. Instead, at least 50,000—including tens of thousands of Dahl's adherents—packed the stadium, and thousands more continued to sneak in after gates were closed. Dahl blew up the collected records.**

Additionally, some conservative groups disliked that Disco fans were pushing for agendas for gender equality, civil rights and gay rights. They vehemently opposed and preached against Disco culture and performers. That resulted in major backlash, many radio stations dropped Bee Gees from their playlists, death threats followed and fallout in their career.

….and taking turn

Music is what Bee Gees loved since childhood. They wrote their own songs. Performing on stage was a vehicle to bring their feelings to the audiences. With the stage career declining, but their love and passion still burning strong, they decided to write songs for other known artists. The songs and albums they created for Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross and other artists became top hits; and Bee Gees stayed true to the theme of their famous song Staying Alive.

Not the end of the road - Comeback.

In 1987, Bee Gees released their first album in six years- E.S.P.-which sold over 3 million copies. That was a resurgence of their career. For the next 16 years, they kept performing until the brother Maurice died unexpectedly due to surgery complication. For six decades they entertained people around the world with their songs.

Reflection: I was introduced to Bee Gees songs in 1978 by my childhood pen-friend then and now my wife. Through the years I have enjoyed their songs. But I did not know much about their life until I saw the recently released HBO documentary The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart.

Bee Gees had many up and downs in their career. What kept them going was their love for music and flexibility to take an appropriate turn. The title of the documentary is very fitting in the sense that the song How Can You Mend A Broken Heart was written at another inflexion point in their career. After phenomenal success throughout 1960s, they had split up in 1969 because of disagreements. But their love for each other was stronger than the differences and they couldn’t stay apart too long. They reunited and created songs that represented their time away: Lonely Days and How Can You Mend A Broken Heart which reached top in the charts in 1971.

Three younger brothers (Andy, Maurice and Robin) have passed away longtime ago . At the end of the movie Barry talks about how much he misses them. He says that he would trade all the hit songs for them to be here now.

Bee Gees singing How can you mend a broken heart after Reunion:

 

*Quote from Helen Keller

**Source: Wikipedia

Whenever Father Vallés Spoke, People Listened

Points to Ponder: Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. - Mahatma Gandhi

Story Line: It was early 1970s. The Town Hall in Ahmedabad-India, the place I grew up in, was overfilled with people from all walks of life; different faiths and social backgrounds. The people from the city of 2 1/2 million comprising of 80% Hindus, 14% of Muslims, 3 % Jains and  1% Christians had gathered to listen to Jesuit Priest, Father Carlos G. Vallés.

Father Vallés, as he was affectionately known in the town, started his speech in Gujarati, the local language of the province. His pronunciations with a Spanish touch added flavor to the theme of his speech: Our differences are a few and similarities many. His speech covered the common values between different religions such as; understanding the pain of others, helping with humility, kindness, alignment between thoughts speech and actions and the service of God. He was connecting with the audience on three levels; speaking in their mother tongue, he was speaking from clear understanding having spent time learning about other cultures and religions, and he was totally dedicated to his faith.

Carlos G. Vallés was born in Spain on 11/4/1924. When he was 10, his father died and soon after his family lost everything during Spanish Civil War. At the age of 15, he joined Jesuit School and dedicated rest of his life in the service of God. Nine years later, he was sent to India to teach mathematics in a newly opened Saint Xavier’s school in Ahmedabad.

Relationships of mind are temporary, Relationships of heart will stay forever.

Soon after he arrived in India, he realized that teaching mathematics in English language was easy but to really connect with the students he needed to talk in their language; the one they conversed in after the class. So he went for two years intensive training to learn Gujarati. His colleagues called it a waste of time where as he felt it was necessity to reach the hearts. The other thing he did was to study the culture and the teachings of other religions. Once asked if he was diverting from his main job, he replied, “This is my main job: Love, harmony and peace amongst people.” He continued to deliver the message of his faith through clear understanding of its teachings.

Thousands of people waited for his weekly column in local magazine and newspapers. People looked forward to his talks at various religious conferences and festivals. He was welcomed in many Hindu, Muslim and Jain homes and stayed with them during day time and bicycled back to his seminary at night. He integrated in the culture just like sugar mixes with milk and makes it sweeter.

He shared his life experiences and learnings in 75 books in Gujarati, 24 in English and 42 in Spanish. During his time in India he received many awards and recognitions for his writings, service to the people and the commitment to his faith. After 40 years he returned to Spain to be with his 90-year-old mother and he continued his writings. She passed away at the age 101.

Reflection: Over the years, I have mentioned Father Vallés in my communication to many friends.  My memory of him is attending his lectures in the first year of college, not missing his weekly columns in in the local newspaper and his talk in the town hall.  

Just two days ago, I received a mail from the childhood friend stating that Father Vallés had left this earth at the age of 95. Every newspaper in Ahmedabad paid tribute to this great soul. The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi sent this message to the nation: "Father Valles endeared himself to many, especially in Gujarat. He distinguished himself in diverse areas such as mathematics and Gujarati literature. He was also passionate about serving society. Saddened by his demise. May his soul rest in peace," 

Father Vallés, Jesuit Priest from Spain, will forever live in the hearts of millions of people of different faiths. He left a rich legacy through his teachings, talks, writings and most importantly his unconditional love for fellow human beings. I am fortunate that our paths crossed in this journey. I will remember him for:

1. Constancy of Purpose: The unwavering commitment to his Faith in Jesus Christ and living life consistent with His teachings. I can guess what his last words were before he left this earth.
2. Living Life with examples: “Love others as I have loved you”, Seek to understand before being understood, not imposing his believes on others.
3. Respecting diversity and bringing peace and harmony through common values and teachings.
4. Understanding “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.*”

On the last day of class in 9^th grade Mr. Mansuri, our Hindi teacher, told us beautiful parting words from Yogananda that I like to repeat today for tribute to Father Vallés: “When you came to this world, the people were smiling and you were the one crying. Live life in such a way that when you leave, the people are crying and you are the one smiling.”

 

 * Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in The Little Prince

 

Enjoy The Little Things in Life

Music: Dois Palhacos by Poin Pequena Orquestra Interativa

Points to Ponder: “Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things” – Robert Brault

Story Line: The most beautiful things in life are the people and places and memories and pictures. They are feelings and moments and smiles and laughter. (Courtesy: from a poster sent by Helen Tan from Philippines).

During last 30 days, many friends around the world shared images of different events in their lives. These included nature, travel, innocence of children, appealing food dishes, beautiful photography, woodwork, art, exotic flowers, rich fruits and vegetable harvest, sharing between neighbors, 50th anniversary of penfriendship and nice refreshing drinks as the days wind down.

These are the friends I met in my workplaces, during our travel adventures, social gatherings, one through accident (literally speaking) and ones who were with me from KG to high school graduation. Also people who have known me since birth and ones I have known since their birth continue to share the events from their journeys.

They come from many cultures and countries. The video above is compilation of the images of their journey in order they were received.

Reflection: I often remember the words of Barbara Bush from her Commencement Address to the Wellesley College Class of 1990.  They have appeared in few reflections over the years. Looking at the current times, I would like to reflect on a few lines from those profound words, Yes Once Again.

“The third choice that must not be missed is to cherish your human connections: your relationships with family and friends. For several years, you've had impressed upon you the importance to your career of dedication and hard work, and, of course, that's true. But as important as your obligations as a doctor, lawyer or business leader will be, you are a human being first and those human connections --- with spouses, with children, with friends -- are the most important investments you will ever make.

At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend or a parent.”

Entire speech: https://www.wellesley.edu/events/commencement/archives/1990commencement/commencementaddress

 

 

The things you are passionate about are not random, they are your calling

Photo by C T Ong of Penang, Malaysia.

Point to Ponder: Anything that gets your blood racing is worth doing - Hunter S. Thompson

Story Line: Passion lives on even during self isolation as shown below. During last six months, many friends around the world shared some of their activities during the global crisis. Following are some of those:

1. Know your passion. Dream it. Live it: C T Ong is an Engineer working in semiconducor Industry in Penang, Malaysia. During his various business travels, after work hours, he used to follow his other passion; capturing images of places and people. Following two exhibits are some of the marvelous images captured by his lens in his local area during this self isolaton period.

2. When one loves what he does, it is no longer work, it becomes a way of life: Nimish Vyas is a research biologist from Maryland. From childhood he had passion for birds and related ecosystem. He followed that throughout his life; degree, job. During his business trips he spent time in the plane rides drawing pictures of birds. He has continued that passion during the stay@home period.  

3. Follow Your Passion:Photos of unique flowers taken by Lee Min Chong of California, Gordon Ching of Hawaii and Yan Bee Lim of Malaysia.

4. Discover your passion: Wonderful images captured during travels by Nanseng Jeng of Washington, Boon Seng Tan from Oregon, Kim Ocampo from California and Dipankar Bose of Sunnyvale, California.

5. Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion: Mini Vegetable farm of Dave and Analisa Hightower of California and mini fruit orchard of Luisa and Anand Shah.

Fruits of Passion

6. Passion for Nature: Photos from gardens by: Kim Foong Chong Malaysia, Lee Min Chong California, Sharvary Trivedi London, Luisa Shah, Birds enjoying bath by Thad Gardner Oregon and Stunning roses Alankar Naik from North Carolina. 

7. Stunning colors amidst smoke: Photos of noon and evening sun by Anand, Majestic tree by Neil Simpson, Golden Sky over the house by Ray Pineda in California and very smoky Oregon by Mike Goodner.

8. Finding the right work is discovering your own soul in the universe: Childhood love has continued for: writing and acting continues for Rajiv Shah, love for singing  continues for Namrata Shodhan and Hetal Raval of Ahmedabad India and Paintings for Shweta Parikh of Ahmedabad India.

Reflection: Even during this Pandemic, People have continued with or discovered their Passion. And Passion leads one to his/her purpose. 

Bill and Melinda Gates - Let your life be your message

Point to Ponder: “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”

Story Line: What prompted this late reflection are two things. 1.A Facebook post by an old colleague about one article* that covers Bill Gate's contributions to humanity and criticizing the people who are spreading heinous rumors about him. 2. Some mails/messages and phone calls by people inquiring why they did not see Friday Reflection this week. Since our visit to Bill and Melinda Gates Discovery Center in Seattle (must visit) last year, I have been wanting to write about it and this opportunity came up. Eventhough images taken by camera are not of the highest quality, the readers will be able to see the immense contributions of these kind souls to humanity.

Reflection: Images from visit to Bill and Melinda Gates Discovery Center on July 23, 2019.

Talking about the responsibilty and opportunity they have and visit to Africa in Fall of 1993.

Formation of Gates Foundationin 1994: The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others

A Family Affair and Commitment

Saved hundreds of thousands of lives with many healthcare intiatives

Dropped infant mortality rates throughout entire developing world by funding vaccine programs and vaccinating 40,000,000 children for polio.*

Spent 30 years of his life and $50 billion of his own money to support humanitarian causes.*

 

Funded free educational and innovation programs*

 

 

After all these, pledged to donate 90% of remaining wealth to charity. *

Arguably doing more to better life on earth for humanity than any other human being to ever lived*

Let your life be your message - Mahatma Gandhi

 

*article refrenced is by Scott Brynan of Scientific Meme Correction Team on FB. Title: Imagine being Bill Gates right now. It highlights immense contributions of Bill Gates to humanity which are in *captions over some of the abve exhibits and then tells the people who are spreading false rumors about Bill: " You then hop on the internet only to find a million scientifc illerate ....imbeciles that are using very computer Bill Gates pretty much invented in the first place to call you a child murdering arch villian antichrist because they watched a youtube video made by some other yoke!with the comprehension of a ....potato.  

If You Can Think Of It If You Can Dream Of It You Can Achieve It

A Family Project: From Swimming Pool to Koi Pond. And a wonderful ten years journey since. 

June 24, 2010 - 2020.

Happy Father's Day Wishes and Love to You from Your Friday Reflections Family.

Point to Ponder: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Story Line: The video above covers the journey of a family project we started in the spring of 2010. The first part was to remove the high maintenance, low use swimming pool that was occupying majority of our backyard. The second part was to create a Koi Pond with the help of an expert. And the third part was where we enriched the surroundings with varieties of fish, trees, flower plants and other items. What you see in the video is the evolution of surroundings through the years; majestic colors of the landscape through four seasons, reflections of sunlight during different parts of the day, many varieties of plants, flowers, fruit trees and diversity of wildlife (Birds, Bees, Butterflies, Animals and of course Lizards and Garden Snakes. Not to forget manyfriends from various countries have blessed this pond with their presence. People may find hard to believe that this 'not so secret garden' is very low maintenance compared to what it was before the change.

Reflection: Next Wednesday, June 24th is the tenth anniversary of this creation. It has been a wonderful journey full of fun and a lot of learnings about gardening and wildlife. Every member of family was involved; our son and his mother very intensely, me providing the management guidance (lol) and vision for the size of the pond, our son in law and daughter providing vegetable plants and share their deep experience. Some friends also provided flowers and vegetable plants. Many new lessons learnt; here are the top three.

1. Hire the best man for the job, the second best is too expensive. The person who built our pond was professional, knowledgable, responsive, with high degree of integrity and good people working for him. Till today we haven't had any major issues with the pond. 
2. Let things evolve and don't give up too soon. After getting only 5,7 and 6 cherries from 4th to 6th years, I was thinking of removing the tree. My wife suggested to give some more time. I guess the tree heard us and since then we have had years with continuously increasing crops; this year yielded  2000 cherries. Similarly after the drought years, three old evergreen trees looked pale and terrible. Called tree doctor who recommended doing expensive lab analysis and also removal of two out of three. Our gardner suggested to water them a lot and give some tender loving care. Since then those three are blooming with beautiful white flowers every February and early moring sunshine turns them into majestic gold colors. (in video)
3. Maintaining a balanced eco-system is very important. In nature there is a good reason for the way things are. Removing garden snakes created an imbalace that opened up opportunities for frogs and rats to invade the garden. Only when the park ranger saw us dropping a snake in the woods, he educated us about the benefits of garden snakes and their harmlessness. Since then the rats and frogs have moved away.  Garden Snake

Enjoy the video. Happy Weekend.