Halina von dem Hagen’s Post

Power of Kindness Dear Colleagues and Friends, As the current year comes to the end, I like to ask myself what insight it brought. In this context, I'm sharing a story about an encounter in India where I vacationed for two weeks in March. Among others, we visited the town of Pushkar – an important pilgrimage site in Rajasthan, one of the rare places with a temple to Brahma, the Hindu creator god. It’s a small town (25k people) centred around a small lake. I woke up right before the sunrise, and decided to go for a walk around the lake, enjoying the quietness of the day that was starting. The landscape was beautiful and peaceful. I noticed an elderly man sitting at the wall near the lake to whom our guide would refer as a “holy man”: an ageless pilgrim carrying on him all his earthly possessions. I approached him to make a small donation, then I bowed and walked towards the lake.  Hearing him call after me, I turned back. He didn’t speak English but was clearly inviting me to come closer. When I did, he raised his hands and started praying over my head. I was reminded of my beloved Grandmother’s adage that “no one has so little to have nothing to share”. I was so moved that when our eyes met, I couldn’t bear his fiery gaze, bowed again, and walked away. And once more he called after me.  I turned back. This time he made a clear gesture asking me to stand by and wait as he was looking through his small travel bag.  And there it was – in a flimsy plastic wrap, carefully packed, a piece of a coconut shell that he took out with reverence and handed to me. I immediately comprehended how special this gift was – I saw pilgrims in Varanasi crawling towards a temple holding a coconut in their stretched hand. This was a holy fruit from some holy place of great significance to him – and he was giving it to me. I left, bewildered. I now keep this piece in a special box in my purse. The gratitude it brings has been a source of strength and of motivation to stay open to the other. I hope the story has this effect on you too. Happy Holidays! Halina

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Pam Kimmet

Proud member of a Winning Team

1w

Such a powerful and touching story Halina — thank you for sharing. It really brings home the spirit of the season.

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Sue Schauffert-Tam

Independent Director, Brookfield Public Securities/Oaktree Capital Fund Complexes, Former MD Debt Capital Markets at BMO CM

1w

Thank you for sharing this amazing story. I hope you are well and wish you much happiness over the holidays and in the coming year.

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Ashish Mangal

Manulife Asia - Head of Operations, Transformation and Risk & Control

1w

Happy Holidays Halina. Really love and appreciate stories you share and they touch heart. Gratitude to be connected with you

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Halina von dem Hagen you received a gift from the heart. I also just returned from India and your story experience reflects the depth of kindness that our world needs to embrace more. Happy holidays as well. Thank you 😊

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Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story.

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Francis Di Bacco

Owner, F E Di Bacco. Inc

1w

Halina, God bless you. Your heart is in the right place!!!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Kevin Singh

Senior Business Data Analyst

1w

This is a beautiful story.

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Warren Chichirita

Compliance, Enterprise Risk and Operational Risk Management Professional

3d

Happy Holidays Halina. This is such a heartfelt and inspiring story. :)

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Nicolas Makrodimitris

Department Manager, Client Services - Specialized Services Group at RBC Royal Bank | Personal & Commercial Operations | MBA Candidate

1w

Thank you for sharing, Halina! Truly touching. Wishing you and your family a joyful holiday season ahead.

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