I have been on this entrepreneurial journey for at least 10 years. I didn’t realize it until now, but I have been. The only difference is that back then it looked like a car battery: struggling to come to life, stopping and starting, sputtering to life, and then suddenly dying. The one thing that has changed is my mindset.

 

Every time there was a novel idea that sparked my interest, I would go all gung-ho: did all the research, saw if it would fit in with my personal goals, and ask a bunch of people to join the project. Next thing you know, it was shelved. Interestingly, I always asked the same bunch of people, so no wonder it never took off. It’s not their fault, not everybody can or wants to become an entrepreneur, and that’s OK!

 

Fast forward to today, and there has been a lot of changes. Life has a way of doing that to you. But it was looking at my business idea from a different perspective, that made it look doable and exciting, and adventurous. Here’s where my mindset has always played a part.

 

I have been an optimist for as long as I can remember. Always looking at life from the bright side, which is probably the reason why my desire to do something on my own never diminished. How was this mindset different than before? Why it made things look easier? Welcome to your reptilian brain.

 

What is the reptilian brain?

 

It is the part of the brain that is concerned with self-preservation. It wants to keep you safe so it won’t allow you to take any risks and keeps your mindset stuck in its own ways.

 

Look at the environment around you and ask yourself whether it encourages you to try new things.

 

How to assess your mindset:

 

Think about these questions for a while. Are you…?

  • Surrounded by a fail-forward mindset?
  • Encouraged to try over and over again?
  • Under pressure to always deliver a perfect product on time?
  • Shamed for making mistakes, and even if you do make mistakes, do you recover quickly?

 

Here’s how you can change your mindset:

 

  • Attach a feeling to your goal
  • Think about it with intention
  • Visualize your goal: your subconscious does not realize that it hasn’t happened yet
  • Take action: start doing all those things on your list

 

It’s not like I didn’t know what a mindset was. I have known it as visualizing and positive thinking. What is scary is we’re not used to seeing results so quickly.

 

As a self-proclaimed procrastinator, it’s scary to see things that you imagined come to life so quickly. What I realized, is that I can change my mindset when I start listening to or watching other people do positive things. Seeing things happening for them makes me feel encouraged and the need to pursue things. This has forced me to be outside my comfort zone, so then I began to see results.

 

When you stop worrying about what other people will say and focus on your action list, you begin to see results. As you put yourself out there and not take everything personally, you begin to see changes. And, when you keep on taking action, let go of fear, and start to enjoy the process, you´ll begin to see results.

 

That voice in your head that tells you that you are not worthy, you are not capable or you cannot handle it – tell it to shut up. You CAN handle it! You ARE capable! You ARE worthy! Now go out there and just do it!

 

Share this on Facebook and be a source of inspiration to those who might need a mindset checkup!

2025 Upcoming Event

 

Where: Hindu Temple of the Eastern Shore

When: Dec 13th 3pm

Click  here to RSVP.

 

2026 Dance Class Winter Semester

 

Where: Hindu Temple of the Eastern Shore

When: Jan 11th - Mar 29th

Timings: Sundays

Beginners  12pm to 12:45 pm

Intermediate: 1 pm to 2 pm

Adults: 2 pm to 3 pm

Fees: Starting at $300/semester

Payment due on or before Jan 10th

Payments available via PayPal or Zelle (@sarmadancer@gmail.com).

Click  here to submit payment and register.

 

 2025 Past Events

 

January 5th - 12 pm - 3 pm first day of class for the new semester @ Salisbury Hindu Temple of Eastern Shore

February 26th  - @ 5:30 pm Shivaratri program at Salisbury Hindu Temple of Eastern Shore

April 4th - @6:30 pm Rama Navami program at Salisbury Hindu Temple of Eastern Shore

April 26th - 3 pm to 4 pm Mudras in Motion, a Bharatnatyam Fitness class at Hindu Temple of Eastern Shore ($20). Click here to register and pay.

August 16 - @ 9 pm Janmashtami program at Salisbury Hindu Temple of Eastern Shore 

August 26 - @ 6 pm Ganesh Chaturthi program at Salisbury Hindu Temple of Eastern Shore

Sept 12 - 6:30 pm Showcase of Excellence Wor Wic Community College 50th Anniversary Celebrations

Sept 21 - 3 pm Maryland Folk Festival, Plaza Stage, Audience Interactive Program

Oct 4 - 5 pm Durga Puja celebrations at Salisbury Hindu Temple of Eastern Shore

Oct 18th - 3 pm to 4:15 pm Movement & Storytelling, the  Bharatnatyam way. Room 8 at the Paul Sarbanes Library in downtown Salisbury ($20). Click here to register and pay.

Oct 20 - 6 pm Diwali celebration program at Salisbury Hindu Temple of Eastern Shore

Dec 13 - 3 pm Annual year end show

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is it?

Bharatanatyam - is a 5000 year old Indian dance form that originated in the south of India.

How does it work?

These sessions are designed to learn a complete margam (course) as part of the Bharatanatyam curriculum. If you start at Grade 1, you will have completed a margam by grade 8 at which time you can decide if you want to pursue the arangetram (graduation) route, which requires additional specialized training. 

Who all can join?

 Anyone who is interested in learning this dance form are invited to join.

Children, both boys and girls can join as long as they can tell the difference between right and left.

Adults of all ages are welcome to join.

How do the classes work?

The curriculum is broken into groups 1 to 10. The level of difficulty increases as you move from one group to the next.
It takes an average of 3 to 6 months to be proficient in each group. Tests will be given to determine proficiency.
Advancement from one group to the next is based on skill. The more you practice, the faster you move up. You are encouraged to perform.
As part of your curriculum you will be learning items to perform for various festivals/occasions - the goal will be to have you perform at least once every semester.
Classes will be held once a week for 45 minutes for groups 1 to 3.
Groups 4 and up will require at least 2 hours of instruction a week.
Advanced lessons will require additional instruction.

How often are there performances?

There will be plenty of opportunities to perform for the community.
There is a year end show in December for which all students will be expected to perform.
There is a $50 participation fee that will pay for trophies/video streaming etc. that is due by Nov 15th.
Students are encouraged to perform for functions at the temple and for the community which will require additional practice time.

Expectations

1. Please wear leggings/salwar with a long T-shirt or long top with a tie for the waist.
2. No Sleeveless allowed. Wear a Tshirt underneath if required.
3. All hair must be tied, wear a bindi.
4. Bring a book and pencil - you will be required to take notes.

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