As I was completing a project in India recently, I had a unique opportunity to witness the Monday morning arrival and energy in a corporate office in a radically different culture. I sat in the lobby early for a meeting and watched the usual rush of somewhat hesitant people swipe their badges and dash upstairs to begin their week. There's nothing different about that.

Soon a man arrived with a huge smile and a box of flowers, marigold garlands, incense, and prayer beads and began a ritual at the abstract Ganesha altar in the corner at the base of the stairs. Ganesha is one of the deities widely revered as the Remover of Obstacles and more generally as the Lord of New Beginnings and the Lord of Obstacles. I can’t think of any office that could not use that fresh perspective each day!

It was beautifully fragrant, and instantly the energy of the office and the way the new rush of people entered the building and started their week was calmer and more aware as they each stopped and took a moment with the altar.

Grateful to experience the Monday morning ritual in a different world and take note of the importance to stop and take a breath and a moment each morning.

An unexpected perspective shift in Varanasi, India... the holy Ganges River serves as a morning laundry for many, with entire families pounding and pelting their laundry in the river before carefully laying it out on the Ghats (steps) to dry.

The repetition, pattern, and color laid out everywhere quickly become an inspiring and artful scene, and it is clear to the observer that laundry is not merely a task but a sort of meditative practice. I have a new appreciation for the beauty in laundry. Thank you, India.

This bit of profound and charmingly misspelled wisdom was scrawled on the red cliff walls leading to the Mehrangah Fort in Jodhpur, India. There are several spots where these mindful messages are painted in Sanskrit and English throughout the drive—a sweet reminder and more inspiring than a typical billboard.

I just returned from an amazing trip to India, where I was exposed to a way of life and way of being I could previously only imagine. We wandered and discovered all kinds of people, places, and things, and the joy, harmony, and peace that we found in utter chaos at every turn continues to inspire and amaze me.

Everywhere we went, the perfect guide appeared and enthusiastically led us through areas we would not have had access to or felt comfortable with. This particular day we were wandering happily, although somewhat lost,  looking for the tannery in the slums of Dharavi when a perfectly dressed, handsome young man adopted us. Abdul Jawwad was thrilled to show off his great English and showed us around while giving us the real deal on the culture as he took us to the tannery. There, he was eager to talk and asked great questions about our lives. He was compelled to get out his brand new laptop (which his family had saved up for six months) because he wanted to share his dreams with me.

I was blown away by his clarity, drive and enthusiasm to share so happily and openly what to most would be considered unachievable dreams given the conditions we were standing in. He had a profound impact on me, and I have no doubt that he will achieve everything on that list... and much much more.