DisruptiveMinds

The adjuration to be "normal" seems shockingly repellent to me; I see neither hope nor comfort in sinking to that low level. I think it is ignorance that makes people think of abnormality only with horror and allows them to remain undismayed at the proximity of "normal" to average and mediocre. For surely anyone who achieves anything is, a priori, abnormal. - Karl Menninge

Most often than not we are taught, instructed and expected to conform to conventional wisdom, rules, ethos, modus operandi, etc. I REFUSE to be a blind conformist. I believe that we must have true conviction in what ever we do.

We can’t change the world being a blind conformist nor an ill-informed pessimist. We need to be an intellectual rebel and an informed optimist, if we wish to CHANGE the world.

We need to challenge the STATUS QUO and usher in the new or next normal rather than just maintain status quo. The choice is OURS!

Be a rebel; be an optimist; be abnormal; be unconventional; be selfless - only because YOU believe in a FUTURE which is very different to the PRESENT that you live in and you are passionate about ushering in that CHANGE for the betterment of the WORLD at large and for the right reasons.

Stay Hungry. Stay Safe. Stay Blessed.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary - Steve Job

I strongly believe that each of us should be in control of our destiny. Don't let the expectations and opinions of other people affect your decisions. It's your life, not theirs. Do what matters most to you; do what makes you feel alive and happy. Don't let the expectations and ideas of others limit who you are. If you let others tell you who you are, you are living their reality — not yours. There is more to life than pleasing people. There is much more to life than following others' prescribed path. There is so much more to life than what you experience right now. You need to decide who you are for yourself. Become a whole being - be adventurous!!

Keep that fire in you alive and don’t let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserve and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists. It’s real. It’s possible.. It’s yours!

Live LIFE. Stay safe. Stay Blessed.

Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge… is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world. It requires profound purpose larger than the self kind of understanding - Bill Bullard

We all have our own opinions about everything in and around our lives. The most dangerous and harmful part of that is it comes with our egos attached to it and with no accountability. Most conflicts around us is due to that and the moment we acknowledge and comprehend that we will understand each other better and help create a system of values and culture which drives empathy and accountability.

The pressure of adversity is the most powerful sustainer of accountability. It's as though everything you do is multiplied by 100 in order to surpass those with a head-start. We must learn to stay steadfast and never slack off at the threshold of failure.

If you have not confronted your fears, suffered hopelessness and despair, found faith, built confidence and made yourself completely accountable for your own choices, actions and outcomes, then rest assured that any acceptance you pretend to have will be as brittle and temporary as a snowball in the middle of summer.

Be empathetic. Be accountable. Be YOU.

Stay safe. Stay blessed

I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge. That myth is more potent than history. That dreams are more powerful than facts. That hope always triumphs over experience. That laughter is the only cure for grief. And I believe that love is stronger than death - Robert Fulghum

I truly believe that it’s our imagination, determination, myth, dreams, laughter, love and hope maketh us. There is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more and nothing less. He who has felt the deepest grief is best able to experience supreme happiness as well. We must have felt what it is to die that we may appreciate the enjoyments of life.

Hope is the guiding light that illuminates even the darkest of times. It whispers in our hearts, reminding us that brighter days are ahead. With hope, we find the strength to persevere, the courage to dream, and the resilience to overcome any obstacle. May hope always be your beacon, igniting possibilities and inspiring you to believe in a better tomorrow.

With that in mind, Live your life and be happy and never forget that until the day the future reveals itself, since human wisdom is contained in one word, HOPE.

Let again take this moment to wish you the very best in 2024 as you continue your Life’s journey.

Live it. Love it. Stay safe. Stay blessed.

Truth is mysterious, elusive, always to be conquered. Liberty is dangerous, as hard to live with as it is elating. We must march toward these two goals, painfully but resolutely, certain in advance of our failings on so long a road. - Albert Camus

May light always surround you; Hope kindle and rebound you. May your Hurts turn to Healing; Your Heart embrace Feeling. May your Life become what you Wish it to be.

May Wounds become Wisdom; Every Kindness a Prism. May Laughter infect you; Your Passion resurrect you. May Goodness inspire your Deepest Desires; Through all that you Reach for. May your arms never tire as you work to find your purpose.

May every moment of 20234 be surreal, memorable and rewarding as you unravel the truth and liberate yourself in your quest to find YOU.

Wishing you and your loved ones a New Year that smashes boundaries, defies expectations, and takes you on an extraordinary journey beyond the ordinary. Embrace the unique and embrace the now. Here's to a refreshingly unconventional year ahead in 2024!!🥰🤗😘

Live it. Love it. Stay safe. Stay blessed.

The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is - Winston Churchill

This year has been one of the most challenging year for most of us with a lot of reality checks along the way to say the least - about life in general, living with basic necessities, cost of our lifestyle, appreciating basic things that we take for granted, being thankful for whatever we have in our lives, for the limitless blessings we have in our lives every day and the list can go on and on.

It’s best to put OURSELVES at the centre and reimagine our lives and how we see ourselves rethinking, reconstituting. and reconnecting our lives in a more meaningful, thoughtful and sensible way for us as well as others around us since it's our choice which makes our lives as well as others better.

Remember, YOU and only you can make a resolve to be a better version of YOURSELF since ultimately thou owe to know thyself better and the truth is always incontrovertible. Resolve to be a better YOU everyday in 2024!

Be your best. Stay safe. Stay blessed.

There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life - John Lennon

For me Life is a beautiful journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns. It's a mix of joy, challenges, love, and growth. We need to embrace every moment, cherish the connections we make along the way, and find meaning in every experience. Live fully, love deeply, and pursue our passions to the best of our ability.

Those of us have achieved success if we have lived well, laughed often, and loved much; If we have enjoyed the trust of pure women, the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; If we have filled our niche and accomplished our task; if we have never lacked appreciation of Earth's beauty or failed to express it; if we have left the world better than he found it; if we have an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; If we have always looked for the best in others and given them the best we have.

Remember, life is what you make of it, so make it extraordinary.

Let's live a LIFE which is an inspiration and whose memory a benediction.

Live it. Love it. Rejoice it.

Stay blessed. Stay safe.

I was born the day, I thought - What was? What is? What could be? What should be? Who was I? Who am I? Who will I be?

I was transformed the day, I realized that my ego didn’t mean anything and all the superficial, material, worldly things that mattered to me before, suddenly ceased to matter. What you did for the betterment of others and the world matters the most.

I really came into being the day, I acknowledged I no longer cared about what the world thought of me;, only on my thoughts were about what I could do to make this world better place and people around me better in what they do.

𝑀𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑑𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 the quote of 𝑆𝑢𝑧𝑦 𝐾𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑚

We can reflect with pride and joy on all the richness on all the life we have already lived to the fullest. What will it matter to us if we notice that we are growing old? Have we any reason to envy the young people whom we see, or wax nostalgic over our own lost youth? What reasons have we to envy a young person? For the possibilities that a young person has, the future which is in store for him?

No, thank you! We should think, Instead of possibilities, we have realities in our past, not only the reality of work done and of love loved, but of sufferings bravely suffered. These sufferings are even the things of which we are most proud, although these are things which cannot inspire envy.

Reflections 2023. Good bye 2023!!

May this holiday season sparkle and shine, may all of your wishes and dreams come true, and may you and your family feel this happiness all year around in 2023!!

Compliments of the season. Stay Safe. Stay Blessed.

Kudos to Team John Keells IT!!🙏🙏🙏

Let no pleasure tempt thee, no profit allure thee, no persuasion move thee, to do anything which thou knowest to be evil; so shalt thou always live jollity; for a good conscience is a continual Christmas - Benjamin Franklin

May the good times and treasures of the present become the golden memories of tomorrow. Wishing you and your loved ones a season of blessings from heaven above. May your world be filled with warmth and good cheer this holy season, and throughout the year.

We can't help but feel grateful for having you in my life, especially on occasions like Christmas. You bring so much positivity, laughter, and good vibes that it's hard not to be excited about spending time with you. Let's create unforgettable memories together and make this holiday season one for the books!

This year has been quite a rollercoaster ride, hasn't it? But here we are, ready to bid farewell to 2023 and welcome whatever lies ahead in 2024. Let's take this opportunity to reflect on our journey so far, and set our intentions for the future. May the coming year be filled with thrilling adventures, personal growth, and endless opportunities for success.

Thank you for being a part of our lives, for your friendship, and for everything you do. I'm truly grateful for our shared moments and can't wait to make more memories together in the upcoming year.

Wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and may this festival bring abundant joy and happiness in your lives!!😘

Love Ramesh, Traveena, Trevaane and Bruno

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself - George Bernard Shaw

The pessimist resembles a man who observes with fear and sadness. On the other hand, the person who attacks the problems of life actively is like a man who reflect with pride and joy on all the richness on all the life he has already lived to the fullest.

What will it matter to you if you notice that you are growing old? Does that bother you?

Have you any reason to envy the young people whom you see, or wax nostalgic over your own lost youth? What reasons have you to envy a young person? For the possibilities that a young person has, the future which is in store for you? No, thank you,' you will think. 'Instead of possibilities, I have realities in my past, not only the reality of work done and of love loved, but of sufferings bravely suffered. These sufferings are even the things of which I am most proud, although these are things which cannot inspire envy.

As you reflect on this year, may this holiday season sparkle and shine, may all of your wishes and dreams come true, and may you feel this happiness all around in the new year.

Happy Holidays!! Wish you the best Compliments of the season!

Stay safe. Stay blessed

I am shocked of the senseless acts of violence across the world with latest one being shooting which took place at. Charles University in Prague killing 15. My heart goes out to all those who have been impacted and are suffering due to various acts of violence and ongoing conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, etc across the world.

In today's world, we are often confronted with acts of meaningless violence that leave us feeling shocked, saddened, and bewildered. From senseless acts of terrorism to tragic incidents of mass shootings, it can be difficult to comprehend the motivations behind these acts and the pain they inflict on innocent lives.

While it is important to acknowledge the existence of such violence, it is equally crucial to reflect on ways we can collectively combat it. We must remember that violence only begets more violence, perpetuating a vicious cycle that threatens the fabric of our society. Instead, let us strive to find peaceful solutions and work towards building a world where empathy, understanding, and respect reign supreme.

Education and awareness play vital roles in addressing the roots of violence. By fostering environments that promote inclusivity, tolerance, and dialogue, we can contribute to a culture that values human life and condemns acts of aggression. It is through education that we empower individuals to critically examine their beliefs, challenge stereotypes, and recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

Supporting mental health initiatives is another crucial facet in tackling violence. Many acts of violence stem from deep-rooted issues such as trauma, untreated mental health conditions, or societal marginalization. By ensuring accessible and affordable mental health care, we can help individuals receive the support they need, potentially preventing future tragedies.

Lastly, we must emphasize the importance of empathy in our daily interactions. By cultivating empathy within ourselves and teaching it to the next generation, we lay the foundation for a more compassionate society. Empathy allows us to understand the struggles of others and opens the doors to peaceful resolutions, fostering a culture of understanding and harmony.

By recognizing our collective responsibility in addressing the underlying causes of violence, we can work together to create a safer and more peaceful world. Remember that even small actions, when multiplied, can have a significant impact.

Let us unite in our efforts to break the cycle of violence and build a future defined by empathy, tolerance, and love.

Be humane. Be compassionate. Be inclusive. Be tolerant.

Stay safe. Stay blessed.

Dear friends,

As we gather together during this joyous holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to send you warm wishes and heartfelt greetings. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other holiday, may this special time be filled with love, happiness, and peace.

During the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's important to pause and cherish the moments we spend with our loved ones. This holiday season brings us a wonderful opportunity to do just that. Let us embrace each other's presence, create beautiful memories, and strengthen the bonds that hold us together.

In a world often filled with challenges and uncertainties, the holidays remind us of the power of kindness and compassion. Let's extend a helping hand to those in need and offer support to those who may be feeling lonely or lost. Together, we can make a difference and bring joy to others.

While traditions may differ across cultures and religions, this season is a time for unity and understanding. It's a time for embracing diversity, fostering respect, and celebrating what makes each of us unique. Let us come together as a global community, spreading love and acceptance to create a brighter future for all.

As we reflect on the past year and look forward to the one ahead, let's express our gratitude for the blessings in our lives. May we appreciate the simple joys, find serenity in the moments of stillness, and have hope for a better tomorrow.

From my home in Sri Lanka to wherever you may be in the world, I wish you a holiday season filled with laughter, warmth, and togetherness. May the spirit of this season fill your hearts and homes with joy that lasts throughout the year.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, and joyful holidays to all!

With warmest wishes,

Ramesh & Family

I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self - Aristotle.

I am personally proud of who I am; my family; what I chose to do with my life; the causes that I stand up for; the battles I choose to fight; being able to give as much as I have gained in my life to those around me; the simplistic life that I have chosen to live and the path that I have trodded to date.

I am sure all of us take pride in who we are; what we do; where we are; what we have achieved; what we own; what we control; etc. We seldom realize that we will never have a greater or lesser dominion of others than that over ourselves immaterial of who? what? where? why? unless we are in control of our lives.

It’s important for all of u a to realize that the height of a person’s success is gauged by self-mastery; the depth of failures; the ability to control thoughts and actions; the degree of perseverance; the influence one build over others and that too by way of value creation/addition/sustennace rather than through position/power/domination derived through a position.

Ultimately it is the expression of eternal justice. We must understand that we cannot establish dominion over others, if we can’t do that to our ownselves. Let’s stay focused on what we want for ourselves on a daily basis and chart a way to realize same at our own terms and not at the expense of others.

Stay selffocused. Be a better version of yourself, every day.

Stay safe. Stay blessed.

John Keells IT, www.johnkeellsit.com , your business/digital transformation partner of choice. The one and only.

We have the unique blend of being in a position to advocate, advance and affect your digital future. We have been pivotal in the digital transformation of the biggest conglomerate in Sri Lanka, John Keells group, which more often than not has been the lighthouse for most to follow suit in terms of the business/digital transformation. The experience, expertise and learnings we bring to the table through that journey is priceless.

At John Keells IT, we model transformation on a DX maturity model and help build 4 distinct strategies around the CORE, the CLOUD, the PLATFORM and the ECOSYSTEM.

Talk to us today to reimagine, remodel and build the new normal for your future.

Stay connected. Stay safe. Stay blessed.

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. - Mahatma Gandhi

I always believed that we as humans cannot coexist without humanity. It’s all about compassion, empathy, unity and diversity. We must choose love over hate and stand against injustice. Small acts with strong intend do create a great impact. Self-care matters. Be the change.

It’s heartening to see that how powerful andnsyring humanity is in unifying us sans race, colour, language, cast, creed, etc and is amply evidenced as you traverse through various cities of this world.

It makes one wonder what will help us harness our collective potential - be it at home, office, country or the world. On one hand faith is unifyjng us and on the other hand its being used to polarise us. Is FAITH being used to manipulate us for ulterior motives by a few? If so then how do we rise above for the greater good of mankind? Let’s resolve to make this WORLD a better place for EVERYONE by restoring our faith In ourselves by staying united.

Stay United. Stay Humane. Stay safe. Stay blessed.

Any fool can know. The point is to understand - Albert Einstein

We spend most of our time with ourselves, alone. When we wake up, laying in bed, sitting at our desk, driving or walking down the street, reading a book, sipping a cup.of cuppa or enjoying a neal, or for that matter trying get something done.

Have you paused to think what kind of a person do you want to be? and be with? And that’s nobody else than yourself. It’s your responsibility to be that person you want to be and be with.

Self reflection is a very powerful tool and use that daily when ever you get that “me” time for yourself and reflect on “what did I do well?”, “ what did I do poorly?”, “ what’s my score for the day? ?”, and then map out how you can become a better version of yourself for tomorrow.

I know I want to spend my life with a person who knows how to live in the present; how to appreciate what you have; to enjoy life and not get caught up with what others think of you; to do the things you enjoy with people you love and care; to let things go when you have to; be ready to forget and forgive; smile and be carefree and live your life to the fullest!

So that's who I want to be. That choice is mine and no one elses and so is yours!!

Choose to be a better version of YOU everyday.

Love thyself. Live it. Love it. Stay safe. Stay blessed.

It was a great to have had the opportunity to interact with Cisco’s Senior Executives @ Ciscolive 2023 and to be able to give feedback one-on-one on what’s going well and what can be done better.

Ultimately, I truly believe strategic, longterm partnerships are built on trust and candid/open communication.

Kudos to Dave West, Jeetu Patel, and the rest of the leadership team who made time to be at the Executive Symposium and interact with us. Your time with us was much appreciated.

Stay safe. Stay blessed

Darling Trevaane,

You are 16 today and I want to send you the warmest and most heartfelt wishes. You have grown into an amazing young person, and I couldn't be prouder of the person you are becoming.

As you embark on this new chapter of your life, I wish you nothing but happiness, success, and fulfillment. May each day bring you closer to your dreams and aspirations. Remember to embrace every moment, for they will shape who you are and who you will become.

You have a heart full of kindness, a mind filled with curiosity, and a spirit that shines bright. Don't be afraid to take risks, to explore, and to chase after your passions. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and always believe in your own abilities.

Know that no matter what, I am here for you every step of the way. Through the ups and downs, the triumphs and tribulations, I will be your biggest supporter and your shoulder to lean on. Yesterday’s echoes bring back sweet memories of you. Tomorrow holds the promise of sweeter and brighter moments. You are not alone on this journey; we are in it together.

Remember, I am your biggest fan, your protector; I will always defend you, I will get frustrated, I will correct you; I will guide you; I will coach you; I will get dissapointed; I will be proud of you; I will be your confidant and always love you unconditionally, because forever and always you will be my son and I will be your Dad!

May today, your birthday, be sweetened with the joy and wonder you bring everyone. Own it and wear it proudly.

Happy 16th birthday Trevaane!, have a blast!!

Have a fantastic day and year ahead!

We at John Keells IT are creating the Next Wave of Inflection Points in driving the Digital Transformation journies of our customers built on a DIGITAL first, CLOUD first, INTERNET first, MOBILE first, AI first and ZERO TRUST first strategies built collaboratively through interventions such as DESIGN THINKING, BLUE OCEAN strategy, STRATEGY CANVASS, JOURNEY mapping, etc in COCREATING a PLATFORM of CO-INNOVATION to drive the next WAVE of VALUE innovation through a frictionless, data-driven, personalised, net-zero based, sustainable and inclusive WORLD for all the stakeholders - our EMPLOYEES, CUSTOMERS, PARTNERS, INVESTORS, etc.

Recently CEO Magazine interviewed our CEO, Dr.Ramesh Shanmuganathan on the same and excerpts of the interview can be read @ https://ceo.lk/john-keells-it-creating-the-next-wave-of-inflection-points-with-digital-dr-ramesh-shanmuganathan/

We want to engage YOU to create a SMARTER AND DIGITALLY inclusive future for your organization. Connect with us today to explore the UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES with us.

www.JohnKeellsIT.com
[email protected]

We take this opportunity to wish all of you the best complements of the season! and a fantastic year in 2024!

Stay connected. Stay safe. Stay blessed

It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. - Audre Lorde

I am a strong believer that each of us are born to add colour to the world, differently abled and gifted. Each of us have our own values, beliefs, ethos and culture which is conditioned by our family, upbringing, nationality, race, ethnicity, religion, language, gender, colour, family, friends, education, profession, experience, exposure and the list can go on and on.

The moment we acknowledge that our STRENGTH lies in our DIFFERENCES and not in our SIMILARITIES, the WORLD will definitely be a better place for all.of us to live in.

We must learn to celebrate our DIFFERENCES more and without PREJUDICE since ultimately we are born to add COLOUR to each other and the WORlD at large.

Let’s resolve to,

Stay DIFFERENT. Stay UNiTED. Stay Safe. Stay Blessed.

The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get on to it, and the perseverance to follow it. - Kalpana Chawla⠀
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I always believed that one must always have a definitive set of goals and purpose in LIFE without which one becomes a drifter for whom anything goes. It’s easy for someone to pursue any path that would lead him to somewhere, but it would rather difficult for the same person to take a specific path that would take him to a specific destination if he or she does not have what it takes in terms of passion, desire, vision, knowledge, expertise and experience to navigate that path to get to the ultimate destination that he desired to get to.

In life, the hardest part is to figure out who you are? what you are? where you are? where you want to go? and finally why? The answers for all of these questions must be answered by YOU, if you wish to be successful.

It’s often debated whether LEADERS are born or created and rightly so since very few really have been able to find the answers to the above questions in their successive paths and/or journeys to unearth their true potential and of their teams and organizations.

You ought to explore, search, seekand explore the unlimited possibilities in your life - by finding answers to Who? What? Where? When?and Why?
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Be deyermined. Think. Seek. Decide. Act. Discover yourself.

Stay safe. Stay blessed.