"SALT: More Than Just a Kitchen Staple"

[Aishwarya M]

I recently had the opportunity to attend a SALT Knowledge Fair, and it turned out to be a truly transformative experience. For those unfamiliar, SALT stands for Stimulate/Share, Appreciate, Link/Listen/Learn, and Transfer. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that helps individuals gain a fresh perspective on oneself and the world around us, from problems to possibilities, often leading to meaningful changes in our lives. 

In our fast-paced world, negativity often takes center stage. We’re quick to dwell on worst-case scenarios or discuss problems, whether in personal reflection or conversations with friends. It’s something I’ve noticed in my own life, most of our talks are dominated by what’s going wrong, with little time spent appreciating the good.

But what happens when we consciously choose to appreciate? SALT taught me that appreciation isn’t just about gratitude, it’s about recognizing and celebrating even the smallest victories and strengths, in ourselves and others. When we take time to appreciate, we unlock a different way of understanding the world, one that fosters growth and positivity.

At the knowledge fair, we spoke about how SALT has impacted our lives. Some shared how it helped them recognize their own strengths, while others talked about how it brought clarity to their dreams. These conversations were a reminder that while focusing on the positive can be challenging, it’s a practice worth pursuing.

During the two-day knowledge Fair, I had the chance to listen to caregivers, service users, and organizations share their dreams. It was inspiring to hear people articulate their aspirations and the hope they held for the future.  Hearing these stories made me realize how much potential lies in each of us, waiting to be nurtured through appreciation and acknowledgment.

A key takeaway from the knowledge fair was how SALT transforms the way we reflect on ourselves. Typically, when we reflect on our actions, we focus on what we could have done better or what went wrong. SALT encourages us to look beyond that to stimulate fresh ideas, appreciate what worked, learn from it, and transfer those insights to other areas of life. This approach helped me uncover perspectives I had never considered before, even after thinking about certain situations multiple times.

The knowledge fair also shed light on something I’ve noticed but never fully grasped: when asked about our strengths or dreams, many of us pause. These are questions we don’t often consider, and they can be unexpected. SALT fosters these conversations, prompting both ourselves and others to reflect on what truly matters.

I also learned about the significance of taking small steps. Appreciating others even for the smallest things can create a ripple effect of positivity. 

For those reading this, I encourage you to try incorporating SALT into your own life. Start by appreciating something small, maybe a kind gesture from a friend or a task you completed. Reflect on it, learn from it, and see how it shifts your perspective. Over time, these small moments of appreciation can create meaningful change, helping us become better versions of ourselves.

This knowledge fair made me realize there’s so much more to life than the negativity we often dwell on. While focusing on the positive might seem like just words, it’s a practice that requires conscious effort. Let’s take small steps together to appreciate, learn, and grow-not just for ourselves, but for those around us.

I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in the SALT Knowledge Fair, and I hope these reflections inspire you to embrace a little more positivity in your life.

[Shahrukh Atpade]

Thank you very much for bringing this information to us...!

[Manira khanam]

Wonderful creativity. 

[Rituu B. Nanda]

Thanks for these reflections...very powerful. What connection do you see between SALT and mental health and mental illnesses? It was wonderful to meet you.