Welcome to The Seeds Storyteller Series: Difference-Making During the Corona Crisis in which we’ll be talking with a long-treasured friend who will be joining us LIVE from India. The always impassioned and inspiring Kartikey Gupta (and surprise guest, Saloni Kartikey Gupta – best friends AND husband-wife) will share what is going on in the midst of this pandemic, as their community in Jaipur, India, is still on lock-down.

This conversation is in part an entertaining “armchair travel” experience AND a unique educational opportunity to hear from two thought leaders and activists. As you hear Kartikey & Saloni’s stories, get ready to discover your next steps (or leaps!) of inspired ACTion to make a tangible difference amidst these challenging days of the Coronavirus pandemic.

In case you missed the livestream, check out the replay right here or head to your favorite social media platform: YouTube | IGTV | Facebook. While you’re there, subscribe to join the fun with us at Seeds of Exchange. Keep the convo goin’ in the comments below.

WHAT you can look forward to in this conversation:

– FEEL-GOOD LAUGHS with two people who are working each and every day to make life better for those who have little to nothing – their lighthearted spirits and hope are rooted in great LOVE and inexhaustible JOY. Kartikey’s favorite quote is this:

Wake up, regain your humor. Don’t worry, just be happy. You are already free! -Dan Millman, Way of the Peaceful Warrior

– HOW CREATIVITY – drums and storytelling! – and the YouTube platform are tools Kartikey and Saloni are wielding to beat this pandemic and build community.

This is the time to put your life into gear and get started on what you love! We can all learn to listen to our heart. Our heart tells us to do the things we really love. This is a very good time to just do it. -Kartikey

Have faith. It is ok to be scared. Let that be and move on. Find your passions and do creative things – very small things, even: gardening, working in your kitchen. When you start engaging, you start redirecting your energy. You will feel better. This will pass. -Saloni

– TANGIBLE stories and ways they are seeing the best humanity coming out of the virus through combined efforts of community

In the midst of this Coronavirus crisis, people are really caring for each other. In a way, this virus is bringing out the best in us and forging in humanity a bit of selflessness. -Kartikey

– A SPECIFIC IDEA or 2 to practice soul care / Places of Pause your everyday life on your own or with your family/friends so you can experience peace and strength within these stormy days

NUDGES for inspired ACTion

1 – PONDER about your own observations and experience of how this crisis is bringing out the best in YOU and in HUMANITY

2 – PICK UP A BOOK that encourages & inspires you today – Saloni & Kartikey are reading Ikigai

3 – COMMIT to 1 daily practice (a Place of Pause) that brings you peace and calm – amidst the reality of your life today (Ideas from Saloni & Kartikey: stargaze, yoga, meditation, prayer)

4 – CONNECT WITH, follow, and friend our team: To connect with Kartikey and Saloni, message Sarah – Kartikey (Drumming!) YouTube – Saloni (Math) YouTube – www.seedsofexchange.org | Facebook & Insta: @seedsofexchange | 7 ways to join the fun so you can be inspired & ignited to make a difference locally & globally, together

ABOUT Kartikey & his family’s work in their community via their organization, Vatsalya:

The impact of the Coronavirus is being keenly felt by the marginalized, at risk, and underprivileged communities served by Vatsalya. Vatsalya’s focus has been on creating hopeFULL futures for children, women, and communities through micro-enterprise, public health, anti-human trafficking efforts, education, and ecology.

It has been an unprecedented situation for us all as individuals and as an organization. Very trying and challenging times! Patience, sensibility and solidarity are some of the most essential attributes needed to sail through and survive. -Kartikey

From Jaimala Gupta (Kartikey’s mom and a dear friend of mine):

India has been in lockdown for over a month now. We have been managing and implementing the organizational affairs through regular Zoom calls, mails, WhatsApp and telephone. The internet banking that we adopted years ago, has been especially helpful. Regular staff of the organization and over 180 artisans were paid last week via NEFT. It took over two weeks of back and forth communication between people in Jaipur, Ajmer, London and Mumbai to work around the paper work required by the banks. It was done successfully, bringing a great sense of delight to all even in such unsettling times. While there is some sense of accomplishment, our major concern currently is: how do we sustain the work force for the next couple of months?

Amidst all that is unknown, Jaimala continues to be one radiating love and fueled by hope. This quote has been on her email signature for a long time and she believes it is more relevant and powerful now than ever:

I have become my own version of an optimist-If I can’t make it through one door, I’ll go through another door . Or, I’ll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present. -Rabindra Nath Tagore

ABOUT the Seeds Storyteller Series:

Difference-Making During the Corona Crisis | Stories of community, compassion, and creativity in the midst of everyday life, today. We share these stories about everyday difference-makers with you in the midst of the Corona pandemic so you can be informed, inspired, and ignited to care for yourself and others in the midst of these disrupted and challenging days. Get ready to find a bit more of your story as you listen to the stories of ARTivists (artist-activists), students, parents, elders, entrepreneurs, and activists!