LEAD MAGAZINE | 2019
SHAZAR ROBINSON
THE
BIG
WHY
ENERGY GLOBE WORLD
AWARD WINNER 2018
| CATEGORY: WATER
Simon Sinek in his inspiring TED talk says
very few people and organisations know why
they do what they do. Without understanding
and clarity about this core question – all
discussion about their product or cause is flat
and colourless, lacking the pizzazz that turns
people on. As Simon states – “start with why
so that you can inspire others.”
Right now I am working on a huge goal to
create a TED talk. A talk as inspiring to millions
as those given by people such as Simon Sinek,
Ken Robinson and so many many more who
have graced the various TED stages and
brought tears to the eyes of those watching
and learning from their lives and ideas. So
understanding my own ‘why’ is of primary
importance.
Can I do it? Is it within me to be able to step
out and fully express my ‘why’ and through
my example and words, fire the imagination
of others to help create a world where water
is freely available to all. I have to say YES
because if I don’t, then I can stop any effort
and movement right now and simply go back
to the beach and pick up seas shells and
wander. Oh don’t get me wrong, wandering
on the beach is as important as the ‘Why’..
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but one without the other can stall in a miasm of
indecision and nothingness.
So back to the question –
what is my big ‘why’?
What trigger turned the corner for me – what put
my feet onto this path?
Was it the brief talk I heard by Paul Dunn so
many years ago? Was it the culmination of the
personal growth work I had been doing for so
long? Was it the realisation that it was up to me
– that no-one else was going to come along and
request that I help them.. I needed to step in..
to step up?
– where is this place?” Before I know it I am
approaching both Maya Shahani – a tall elegant
woman from the Sage Foundation, Mumbai
– and Nandini – supporter of Shikshangram
Shelter for Children – and I ask them: “If I come
to India – can I come and help you in your work?
Would there be a place for me – if I come?” Both
whole heartedly invite me on the spot. The die
is cast.
Fast forward – some months – and I am living
and working at Shikshangram – every day my
eyes are opened more and the crack in my heart
is just a little wider.
But still there is not the ‘why’. Why am I doing
this? It seems to me that the triggers are like a
pile.. a slow accumulation of a number of things..
some synchronicistic happenings that nudged
me – and as that first nudge came, then a bigger
push arrived, and another and another. The crying begins – I am seeing again – the veils
of western comfortable living are peeling off. I
see the young couple by the railway station – the
man seeking out a piece of cardboard for them
to sit on for the night – his wife building a small
stick fire on which she places her one and only
pot to cook – (what?) for the evening meal. Her
baby wrapped in rags lying on the cardboard
sheet. And I cry for them.
“Let me show you some photos,” Nandini said –
offering me a few printed pics – I take them and
begin to shuffle through them. She had caught
me. Now I have to ask..” Who are these children I hear the trees being cut – the forest rapidly
disappearing for firewood for the local villagers
– they walk past every day with part of the forest
on their heads – carrying the trees and branches