All this chaos: how to not make it yours?

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, blog, Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, MentalHealth, Youth

All this chaos: how to not make it yours?

All this chaos: how to not make it yours?

No matter what or where your priorities in life lay, you will come to a time where you must turn with the winds than resist it. The fast paced business world is closing in on us and consumerism is at its peak; with this capitalism will revolve around you. A situation of absolute whirlwind of chaos with deadlines, mental demands, midnight business call links, constant travels to places you’d dread that make you snuck out your soft bed in the morning and make you late for dinner! Yet as apophatic philosophy tells you, it’s via negativa to reach the ends of peace. 

Let me take Lord of the Rings to elaborate.  Frodo and his fellow hobbits take the road through the old forest to evade the pursuit of Black Riders. They are nearly killed by the angry tree called Old Man Willow, but are saved at the last moment by Tom Bombadil. The forest is known for its dangers but its crossing is essential for its journey. Similarly in medieval times, the heroic journey comprised of horrors and impending doom constantly shadow king over them, but nevertheless, there was the journey. 

Now what’s different in the contemporary context is that instead of the vivid lush greens of the Middle Earth, there is AC, bland wall colours along with far less styled and might I add, quite uneventful use of language. Yet circumstances remain the same. The situations around you may not align with your set of values and faith, but in rebellion and immersion, you are given the space to question and living in the cognitive dissonance of it all. Cognitive dissonance as widely defined on the WWW refers to the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, especially as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change. But in simpler words, it is the discord you feel when your thoughts and that of the world around you does not align. Humans are naturally conformist, hence, they will always try to work their way into belonging. Recently through a series of decisions, I caved into a decision that didn’t seem mine at all. Instead it was a series of why’s that followed it instead of a pat on my back. Yet it is here I try to justify that anger may not be a bad thing. It reestablishes one’s purpose in things. My values were challenged and through my anger, I was able to build them back with greater strongholds defending them. Even beyond the capitalist ventures of the corporate lands, you find such discord in far more important places such as religious institutions, primary and secondary education providers, the very core of state governance and so on. The value of via negativa is then a smart mindset to adapt. It is far more embedded in learning of controlling the controllable (i.e. your mind) than controlling the uncontrollable forces (i.e. the external world). In strengthening your mind to exist without internalizing the situations around you, you are naturally pushed to a realm where you are unswayed by the chaos. This reiterates the phrase- journey over destination. 

In all essence, thereby, one must aspire to be a leader of oneself where the eye of the hurricane is embodied, where amidst the chaos, you stand still in peace. 

Thisandi Weerasinghe

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

Does AIESEC truly transform personalities as it promises?

What Do You Do When the Chaos of Life Surrounds You?

 

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, blog, Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, Youth

Does AIESEC truly transform personalities as it promises?

Yes or no, only two possible answers for the question on my mobile’s screen. It is funny how the difference between 2 and 3 letters may completely change the direction of our life. 

“Would you like to continue with AIESEC in Kandy for summer term 23.24?”, this was the question.

Having been an AIESECer for a year I knew with no ambiguity that AIESEC is work. With a potentially tight academic year ahead of me I simply was not sure whether it is worth it, whether AIESEC has truly delivered on the personality transformation it promises. Yes or no?

 

“Surviving is much about solving real life problems”

– Farweez Immamudeen, Director of Speak Learning Innovations Pvt. Ltd.

 

One fine morning we woke up to find out that the Municipal had arbitrarily decided to cut water supply to our home. I had an important lecture to run to and I also had to make sure that my mother had the water she needed to run that day. The first solution that occurred to me was to buy a few gallons of drinking water and have it sent home. Then! I could hear the voice of our logistics VP of the Organizing committee in my head “ayyyoooo don’t spend money on that”. I listened to the voice and reconsidered my solution. It didn’t take long for me to figure out an inexpensive way out of the problem.

 

You are probably wondering why this simple matter is worth mentioning. I had the same question when my Local Committee President got worked up over a rather silly method I employed to cool my cup of tea in the conference room, “You are solution oriented, I really appreciate that”. Bro, I just wanted tea! No big deal. However, now I realize the point he was making. It is not the act itself that is significant but the attitude behind it.

 

The change in my perception is omnipresent. Where I used to ask “Is this doable?”, I now ask “How can I do this?”. Where I used to ask “We’ll do this”, I now say “We’ll do this properly”. Where I used to say “This is it! I am done”, I now say “Imma try a different way now”. In the way I deal with my everyday problems, plan my next year, write my assignments and conduct myself in meetings this change in attitude is apparent. That is likely the most valuable thing AIESEC has given me. 

 

That is, second to the family of AIESECers, of course.

 

“Yes” I selected on my screen. AIESEC for another six months, at least.

Ammar Faleel

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

 

What is AIESEC?

A like-minded organization in creating value driven leaders

 

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, blog, Event, Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, Partnerships, Youth

A like-minded organization in creating value driven leaders

A like-minded organization in creating value driven leaders

“Before you’re a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” – Jack Welch.

LDS 4.0, – Leadership Development Seminar organized by AIESEC in University of Peradeniya, was held on October 28 and 29, 2023, in Oruthota Chalets hotel. The above-stated quote was magnificently showcased and demonstrated at the event, ensuring delegates had full exposure to the notions of leadership and personal development. What added a new color to the conference was the title partnership that AIESEC in University of Peradeniya had with the Thilakawardhana Group of Companies. It was such an honour to keep the bond bolstered for the conference as it assisted AIESEC in University of Peradeniya to deliver an elegant yet productive and fruitful conference in AIESEC history. The partnership patronage they bestowed on the event was immense.

It was not all about assisting to deliver the best conference experience in terms of partnerships. It was about educating young, energetic, and budding leaders to aspire to greater heights. Mr. Ravindu Thilakawardhana, representing Thilakawardhana Group of Companies, conducted a wondrous session inclusive of enhancing critical thinking skills, prowess in decision-making, team handling, etc. The session was interactive and didactic because it inserted a novel and thought-provoking perspective into Kandy AIESEC membership. Specifically, there was an eye-opening session, or rather, a Q&A segment, which was based on practical scenarios, issues, and predicaments a team goes through. As the session progressed in a more engaging and interactive manner, new ideas and innovative solutions to the given pragmatic questions were explored. Indeed, the membership of Kandy AIESEC was motivated and inspired by the phenomenal leadership session that Thilakawardhana Group of Companies delivered.

It is with utmost courtesy that AIESEC in University of Peradeniya conveys profound gratitude to Thilakawardhana Group of Companies, not only for being the title partner for Leadership Development Seminar 4.0 but also for being the harbinger of youth empowerment for the membership of Kandy AIESEC under the limelight.

Gimshan Wickramasinghe

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

 

visit thilakawardhana.com

The Power of Intention: Shaping Your Life with an Unseen Force

 

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, blog, Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, MentalHealth, Youth

The Power of Intention: Shaping Your Life with an Unseen Force

The Power of Intention: Shaping Your Life with an Unseen Force

 

People with strong wills who won’t let anything stand in the way of fulfilling their inner desires are said to be motivated by intention. You are someone who has intention if you are one of those individuals who has a never-give-up mentality along with an internal vision that drives you towards realizing your goals. “A force that exists in the universe is intent. There is no end to the things sorcerers can accomplish because when they call forth intent, it comes to them and prepares the road for attainment. Rather than being something you do, intention is a force that permeates the cosmos and manifests as an unseen field of energy!

The field of intention is an invisible stream of energy that exists outside the confines of our daily routines. It existed prior to our actual conception. We can draw this energy to ourselves and open ourselves up to new and exciting experiences in life. Some well-known scientists contend that rather than being ideas or components of our brains, our intellect, creativity, and imagination interact with the energy field of intention.

The response to the question “Where is this intention field?” Is that everything in the universe has aim ingrained in it, thus there is nowhere where it isn’t. No matter what kind of life it is—a mountain, a rose shrub, or a wildebeest—this holds true. There is purpose ingrained in the development and existence of a mosquito. An inviable field of intention can be found in a little acorn that lacks the ability to think or plan for the future.

Imagine the possibility of an all-pervasive force. You cannot go anywhere that it isn’t. It permeates all you see and touch and is undividable. the boundless expanse that is outside of the realm of shapes and sizes. There is an endless invisible energy that permeates both the nonphysical and the physical realms. Intention establishes the course of your physical form, growth, and ageing from the moment of conception. It also initiates the non-physical elements of you, such as your disposition, ideas, and emotions. In this case, intention is the endless potential that makes you manifest both not physically and physically on Earth.

 

Intention is a powerful force that shapes our lives, both physically and mentally. It is an invisible energy that has existed since before conception and can be harnessed to open doors to new experiences. Scientists suggest that our intellect, creativity, and imagination interact with this energy field, shaping our thoughts, emotions, and disposition. Intention is omnipresent, guiding the development of all living and non-living things and establishing our existence from conception. Understanding and aligning with this force can lead to achieving goals, navigating life, and embarking on a journey of self-discovery and fulfillment.

 

Change the way you look at things and
The thing you look at will change.

Shamyudha Ravindran

AIESEC in University of Peradeniya

Harness the power of intention

Unleashing the Mulan spirit: Striving for gender equality

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• AIESEC Sri Lanka, blog, Leadership, Lifestyle, Membership, MentalHealth, Youth

Unleashing the Mulan Spirit: Striving for Gender Equality

Unleashing the Mulan Spirit: Striving for Gender Equality

 

Drawing inspiration from the timeless story of Mulan, just as Mulan defined society’s limits to prove herself, women today seek equal rights and opportunities. We explore the importance of understanding and respecting diverse gender identities in the fight for true equality, where a small spark of encouragement can ignite profound changes.

Even in the past society of China women were bound by some limits. They were not allowed to learn swordsmanship or horse riding just because they were women as Mulan learned them all secretly with her father’s guidance. She was able to serve in the military and receive an award for her excellent skills and service which proves that if women are given a chance as men anywhere they can work strongly as men. With this concept of ‘gender inequality’ women are seeking the same rights as men, to be in the same position as men, to be in the equal position as men regardless of their gender. It is also not to question them but to applaud them when they achieve something labeled as only men can achieve as Mulan did.

Throughout this protest of seeking gender equality women are hoping to have the same opportunities as men do. In the present society, women are bound by some stereotypic concepts about their physical ability as well as mental ability which should not be judged based just by looking. In modern society, it is not swordsmanship or horse riding that are prohibited, but rather the job opportunities and independence of women. But in the above story, Mulan proved that women can also do better if they were given an opportunity to prove themselves which should be understood by society.

Furthermore, what we should understand is only a little spark is needed to make that change in this society. Even in this story of Mulan her father believed in her and what his daughter is capable of and taught her how to fight for others and as well as herself. But that small act was able to provide a notable example to the world, demonstrating how unjust this discrimination is. Just like that, a little encouragement from society could make a bigger difference. While we are addressing this gender inequality problem it is important to notice that addressing it in modern society involves understanding and acknowledging the diversity of gender identities beyond the traditional binary understanding of male and female. To effectively address this problem we need to include the individuals who identify as transgender or non-binary in this discussion. At that point, while educating society and individuals about gender diversity, it is essential to acknowledge the challenges faced by individuals who do not identify within the traditional gender binary.

It all begins with showing understanding and respect for every individual, regardless of their gender identity. Every individual has a unique identity, which contributes to the diversity in our society. And we must respect this diversity in order to create opportunities that are open to anyone.

So why not light up a spark for equality in every heart making it into an ignite shine forever to guide lost souls?

Dakshika Jayaweera

AIESEC in University of Perdaeniya

United Nations: Gender Equality and women’s empowerment

The Essence of Leadership

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