"I can be very difficult at times. I lose it totally." What does this statement mean? Have you ever lost your temper uncontrollably? Have you actually managed to hurt someone physically or emotionally by losing your temper? I do it all the time, do you?
Man is a social animal. Whoever gave that statement forgot about evolution. Charles Darwin definitely did not give that statement. He would have imagined that man would evolve from being a social animal to a totally anti-social one. Today there is hatred, violence, betrayal everywhere.
Men are killing men. What for? Man was supposed to be a social animal remember?
So, the question which arises is, are we social? As people living in a society full of people, we deem ourselves to be social. But are we truly social? Here is a small example from life which would elaborate. I was in the 12th grade staying in Lucknow. We were staying at our house which was located at a place where mostly people from the armed forces lived. People from the armed forces at a time in history, were supposed to be the most caring and hospitable people. At that time in Lucknow, there was no interaction of any kind between neighbors. You would have seen in movies, neighbors usually come to borrow sugar, not even that was there. Everyone was busy with their own life. We call that a society?
A friend in need is a friend indeed. How many true friends do you have? Ones who'd never ever leave your side. Come what may, they'd be with you? One? Two? More? Society as we call it in the modern day has killed this proverb too. "A friend who needs is a friend in deed." Revised quote should look something like this. Forgive my spontaneity but I write whatever comes to me, as it comes. Today we still narrate stories of Krishna and Sudama, the inseparable pair of friends. That was true friendship. Today, its all compromise. "That guy might be of use to me someday. So i should befriend him." This is all they think today. Where is the culture and society now?
The subject that I'd love to discuss is Marriage. Marriage in today's India(I speak of India as I don't know about the rest of the world) is the biggest compromise one would ever witness. It is a business deal. Seen the bids of properties? Marriage is similar, the highest bidder wins. 5 lac one, 5 lac two, 5 lac three....you take the boy! What in the world happened to the culture and the society that we Indians claim to have? "Indian culture is very rich and varied." Bullshit. We had a rich and diverse culture. But we killed it, buried it and sold it to the trash collectors for money. We don't have culture, we only have ego and attitude. We are not social anymore but hostile. And this can't change. Many hindi movies have been made on such topics. A good one showcasing the issue very well is Lajja. But a dramatic reform is needed, which would not be possible if movies are made or posters are displayed. The mentality of people has to change, which of course can't. Seen Matrix? India is like that now. Its a single program which is running each one of us, using us as batteries. We don't feel anything for real, its only an illusion. Life is a big illusion. Keep reading.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Crossroads
If you're thinking that this blog post is inspired from the Britney Spears movie "Crossroads", you are not totally wrong. I would like to refresh our memories about the movie. The movie is about a teenage girl whose family broke up when she was born. Her mother doesn't accept her as a child. Moreover she doesn't know what she wants to do with life and goes out on a road trip with friends as she can't think of anything better to do.
I can bet that everyone of us has felt the way that girl felt in the movie. Haven't we? If your answer is "no", can anyone of you be precise in telling what you want to do with your life? I guess not. The question that haunts man today is not how dinosaurs disappeared, or is time travel possible. It is a simple "What do I do with my life?".
Story of a boy
A boy is born in a family(I am not a chauvinist, just taking boy for an example). The baby is pampered and brought up with values instilled in him. The parents decide what they want him to be. They admit him to a school with a good reputation. The boy starts carrying books heavier than himself before he can ride a bicycle. The boy is encouraged to cram stuff and score well in exams. The boy grows up, gets admitted to a good college, the choice of his parents perhaps. The boy crams stuff and scores in exams as he was taught. The boy gets a job in a company, probably that too of his parents' choice. The boy is bewildered now. Where is the part that he has mastered the most? He is disappointed that he can't work efficiently as there is no cramming involved. He trudges along with the job somehow and makes a living with no direction or job satisfaction whatsoever. He probably even gets married to the girl his parents select for him.
This is not fiction. This is real life incidents happening to more than 90% of the people today. Once upon a time this used to be my story too. But I was inquisitive from the beginning. I questioned everything. By God's grace I came out of the story before it ended. But just stop and think about this for a minute. Do you think that the story is justified? Do you think that the system which exists today is good enough to give us people like B.R Ambedkar or Dr. C.V Raman? Where does cultivating interest and encouraging hobbies in children go? People forget that they are not making leaders out of their children, ones who'd shape the future of the nation. They are making cramming machines who are devoid of common sense and cannot think on their own.
Why are foreigners much ahead of us in this regard? Why are foreign engineers better than our engineers? Do they study harder? Do they know more than we do? No. They have the gift of vision. They see things spatially rather than 2-dimensionally, like we do. We have been taught to restrict our imagination and that is what we are best at. We need to break free of this inhibition. For this either the system has to change or we have to change it. Else every one of our next generation child will be as confused as we are about our careers. And when they ask "Dad,.. what should I do with my life?", we would feel guilty and trapped. Transformation is the need of the hour. Keep reading.
I can bet that everyone of us has felt the way that girl felt in the movie. Haven't we? If your answer is "no", can anyone of you be precise in telling what you want to do with your life? I guess not. The question that haunts man today is not how dinosaurs disappeared, or is time travel possible. It is a simple "What do I do with my life?".
Story of a boy
A boy is born in a family(I am not a chauvinist, just taking boy for an example). The baby is pampered and brought up with values instilled in him. The parents decide what they want him to be. They admit him to a school with a good reputation. The boy starts carrying books heavier than himself before he can ride a bicycle. The boy is encouraged to cram stuff and score well in exams. The boy grows up, gets admitted to a good college, the choice of his parents perhaps. The boy crams stuff and scores in exams as he was taught. The boy gets a job in a company, probably that too of his parents' choice. The boy is bewildered now. Where is the part that he has mastered the most? He is disappointed that he can't work efficiently as there is no cramming involved. He trudges along with the job somehow and makes a living with no direction or job satisfaction whatsoever. He probably even gets married to the girl his parents select for him.
This is not fiction. This is real life incidents happening to more than 90% of the people today. Once upon a time this used to be my story too. But I was inquisitive from the beginning. I questioned everything. By God's grace I came out of the story before it ended. But just stop and think about this for a minute. Do you think that the story is justified? Do you think that the system which exists today is good enough to give us people like B.R Ambedkar or Dr. C.V Raman? Where does cultivating interest and encouraging hobbies in children go? People forget that they are not making leaders out of their children, ones who'd shape the future of the nation. They are making cramming machines who are devoid of common sense and cannot think on their own.
Why are foreigners much ahead of us in this regard? Why are foreign engineers better than our engineers? Do they study harder? Do they know more than we do? No. They have the gift of vision. They see things spatially rather than 2-dimensionally, like we do. We have been taught to restrict our imagination and that is what we are best at. We need to break free of this inhibition. For this either the system has to change or we have to change it. Else every one of our next generation child will be as confused as we are about our careers. And when they ask "Dad,.. what should I do with my life?", we would feel guilty and trapped. Transformation is the need of the hour. Keep reading.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Transformation
Its been a long time. But I am back to blogging! Will try posting here at regular intervals.
This post of mine is not as tricky to judge from the title as the previous posts :)
What strikes your mind when you think of the word Transformation? Simple dictionary meaning would put it at change. Someone said that Change is the way of life. Life can't remain stagnant. Change is bound to happen and will happen even if it is opposed.
The Wright brothers brought change to the world. When they first proposed the idea of flying, they were laughed at, ridiculed and humiliated. The world remembers them today as visionaries.
When Thomas Alva Edison proposed that he'd make a glass bulb glow, he was mocked by one and all. Look what he did. The light that you see in your room is his gift. He brought transformation, of which normal people couldn't even dream of.
There is a story about a man. Pardon my memory but I fail to recall his name. He said that he could move a boat by using electricity. The crowd laughed at the very idea. How could man use electricity safely in water? He was certainly inviting death. At the time of the demonstration, everyone gathered to see the utter failure. The pessimists said "The thing will never start."
The thing however did start. It went down the stream with never before seen speed. People were awed. They cheered the man who'd brought change. The pessimists however then said "The thing will never stop."
This is the kind of resistance change gets in the real world. Taking a very simple example, when you go to your favorite eating joint, what do you order? The usual of course! We don't want to change. Its innate human nature to resist any kind of transformation. But we forget, change is the way of life. Those who remain stagnant, are left behind. The challenge lies in changing oneself. It might seem easy to change oneself rather than changing the world. But believe me, its not a cakewalk. It needs mammoth determination, to go against human nature of inertia of Transformation. And there, a new law hence derived. The law of inertia of transformation. The law universally applies to all species present on the planet earth and beyond. Do try and figure out the transformation happening within you, till then keep reading! :D
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Women
I know this post of mine will make me the target of a lot of criticism and maybe a a few brickbats too. Nonetheless, I am tempted to write it out, not because I have something different to share, but because I feel this topic has to be discussed out in the open.
God created the two sexes. The man and the woman. At that time, he wouldn't have though the consequences of his doing. Ever imagined what if we were like hydra? I hope u know what that is. To explain in brief, hydra undergoes asexual reproduction to disintegrate into two baby hydras. So, what would it be like if we were like that?
What do you see when you see a woman? Except for the things which men usually notice first? There enchanting eyes, there smiles, but what a man forgets is that this other creation of God also possesses a brain. A brain much more complex than what man possesses himself. It is a fact that women have more active neurons in their nervous system than men. So, do u still think women are dumb? Think again!
I myself have had my share of encounters with the fairer sex. I wouldn't exaggerate in anyway but I have had too many encounters for a guy like me. One of my sayings about women goes likes this "If I am in the ocean, and I see a great white coming at me with speed of 50 miles an hour, I can look at it and tell whether it is going to bite me or not. But when I look at a woman, whom I've known for years; I can't tell what she is thinking even by talking to her." In short, according to me as most men would agree; women are the most unpredictable species existing on the planet Earth.
Ever heard of the story of King Arthur? He was once sitting in a cave after losing a bitter battle. When he saw a spider trying to go up and failing to do so continuously. The spider finally made it up. This inspired King Arthur to muster all his strength and fight again and win. You must be thinking what crap am I writing here, the discussion is about women right? But you all missed the point. You see, there was a female spider in the middle of the male spider's way up. The male spider was failing to get up there on purpose! He went up, had a look at the female spider and came down again. Guess why he was doing that? Well like us all men he was trying to figure out what was going on in her mind!!
Someone has truly said, "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus". This again proves that men are much inferior to women in anyway. Well Venus takes a revolution around the sun way faster than Mars. Similarly, women can think way way faster than we think they can. So just keep thinking and they'll spin you like a top and you won't even notice!
Well we have been studying all kinds of subjects right from when we were kids. But I propose we have a new subject, at least in college "Basics of Female Psychology". Yes we need it, and we need it bad! They can laugh and steal your heart, they can cry and melt it. They can do whatever they want. Where is the guy who said "Its a man's world"? No more my friends. Its all a woman's world now. They can do whatever they want, and on top of that they can manipulate men to do whatever they need from us.
Men need to strike back! We need a strategy to figure out the complexities of the female mind. So I request all men reading this, come forward and join hands against this deadly force of nature!
God created the two sexes. The man and the woman. At that time, he wouldn't have though the consequences of his doing. Ever imagined what if we were like hydra? I hope u know what that is. To explain in brief, hydra undergoes asexual reproduction to disintegrate into two baby hydras. So, what would it be like if we were like that?
What do you see when you see a woman? Except for the things which men usually notice first? There enchanting eyes, there smiles, but what a man forgets is that this other creation of God also possesses a brain. A brain much more complex than what man possesses himself. It is a fact that women have more active neurons in their nervous system than men. So, do u still think women are dumb? Think again!
I myself have had my share of encounters with the fairer sex. I wouldn't exaggerate in anyway but I have had too many encounters for a guy like me. One of my sayings about women goes likes this "If I am in the ocean, and I see a great white coming at me with speed of 50 miles an hour, I can look at it and tell whether it is going to bite me or not. But when I look at a woman, whom I've known for years; I can't tell what she is thinking even by talking to her." In short, according to me as most men would agree; women are the most unpredictable species existing on the planet Earth.
Ever heard of the story of King Arthur? He was once sitting in a cave after losing a bitter battle. When he saw a spider trying to go up and failing to do so continuously. The spider finally made it up. This inspired King Arthur to muster all his strength and fight again and win. You must be thinking what crap am I writing here, the discussion is about women right? But you all missed the point. You see, there was a female spider in the middle of the male spider's way up. The male spider was failing to get up there on purpose! He went up, had a look at the female spider and came down again. Guess why he was doing that? Well like us all men he was trying to figure out what was going on in her mind!!
Someone has truly said, "Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus". This again proves that men are much inferior to women in anyway. Well Venus takes a revolution around the sun way faster than Mars. Similarly, women can think way way faster than we think they can. So just keep thinking and they'll spin you like a top and you won't even notice!
Well we have been studying all kinds of subjects right from when we were kids. But I propose we have a new subject, at least in college "Basics of Female Psychology". Yes we need it, and we need it bad! They can laugh and steal your heart, they can cry and melt it. They can do whatever they want. Where is the guy who said "Its a man's world"? No more my friends. Its all a woman's world now. They can do whatever they want, and on top of that they can manipulate men to do whatever they need from us.
Men need to strike back! We need a strategy to figure out the complexities of the female mind. So I request all men reading this, come forward and join hands against this deadly force of nature!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Thoughts
Hi all, I know I have been away. But it feels great to be back. And here I am again, back to blogging. This post is about nothing. No...I am serious. This post is really about nothing. Just a random mixture of thoughts which linger in my head. What happened, what happens and what will happen. If you people think that I have gone crazy and bonkers, you are right to a great extent. This is not a joke.
Have you ever felt trapped? Like you want to be free and can't because something you want is with the one who is withholding your freedom? I so wish I could be free. Free of everything. All expectations, boundaries, and limitations. I wish I could do whatever I felt like, and be content.
Now when we speak of contentedness, which word pops into your mind? Happiness of course. What is the difference? Some would say, a man is happy who has all he wants. A man is content if he satisfied with all he has. So true. Happiness can be lost easily. Contentedness however stays. I have never been content in my life, ever. Have you?
Right this moment something tempts me to write of sleep. Sleep is a state of mind in which there are no boundaries. One can do as one likes. No boundaries, no expectations and no limits. The beautiful world of dreams seems so welcoming. I say that I am tempted to write of sleep, as right this moment my eyes are drooping and I wish I could go to bed right away. But why am I here then? Any guesses? Well let me tell you. I am here because I want to express myself. My inner self which has been silent for so many days. Which wants to be free. Which wants to come out and roam about. Which wants to play, and enjoy the world. But has been curtailed by certain factors. But this inner self of mine will be free soon, or so I hope.
For the shorter term, the better remedy would be to go and sleep. In the longer term, I have to learn how to be content. How to be free, how to truly enjoy the precious gift of life. How do you define life? For me, at this point of time, life is career. For a student, life is education. But is that it? Life.....such a small word, with such a deep meaning. I wish my life was better. What does this statement mean? It means that I am not contented. I am sad, and want to be happy.
But being happy isn't a sin is it? If I had the power, I would make everyone happy. But then if we look at it more seriously, it would turn out to be disastrous like in Bruce Almighty.
So for someone to be happy, the next person has to be sad. Law of conservation of happiness. Well there we go, we have a new law. And I hereby declare the copyright for this, anyone using this law anywhere is liable to compensate me accordingly.
So what does the law say? For one person to be happy, the next person has to be sad. What if I am very happy? Does that mean I made too many people sad? It really does. Ever read the story "The Umbrella Man"? The umbrella man is a character who steals umbrellas from random pubs (different pub every time), dupes innocent people into buying the stolen umbrellas and drinks off the money. So he made so many umbrella owners sad just to make himself very happy. Does that mean, people who got the umbrellas were happy? I can bet, they would have gone home, and forgotten about the umbrella this cunning fellow gave them, until it rained again of course.
The past few months have really been a roller coaster for me. I have been on hunting expeditions. On wild goose chases, and even in combat. I know its vague, but that's what I am trying to do. Will come up with the details in the next post hopefully. Till then, Adios.
Have you ever felt trapped? Like you want to be free and can't because something you want is with the one who is withholding your freedom? I so wish I could be free. Free of everything. All expectations, boundaries, and limitations. I wish I could do whatever I felt like, and be content.
Now when we speak of contentedness, which word pops into your mind? Happiness of course. What is the difference? Some would say, a man is happy who has all he wants. A man is content if he satisfied with all he has. So true. Happiness can be lost easily. Contentedness however stays. I have never been content in my life, ever. Have you?
Right this moment something tempts me to write of sleep. Sleep is a state of mind in which there are no boundaries. One can do as one likes. No boundaries, no expectations and no limits. The beautiful world of dreams seems so welcoming. I say that I am tempted to write of sleep, as right this moment my eyes are drooping and I wish I could go to bed right away. But why am I here then? Any guesses? Well let me tell you. I am here because I want to express myself. My inner self which has been silent for so many days. Which wants to be free. Which wants to come out and roam about. Which wants to play, and enjoy the world. But has been curtailed by certain factors. But this inner self of mine will be free soon, or so I hope.
For the shorter term, the better remedy would be to go and sleep. In the longer term, I have to learn how to be content. How to be free, how to truly enjoy the precious gift of life. How do you define life? For me, at this point of time, life is career. For a student, life is education. But is that it? Life.....such a small word, with such a deep meaning. I wish my life was better. What does this statement mean? It means that I am not contented. I am sad, and want to be happy.
But being happy isn't a sin is it? If I had the power, I would make everyone happy. But then if we look at it more seriously, it would turn out to be disastrous like in Bruce Almighty.
So for someone to be happy, the next person has to be sad. Law of conservation of happiness. Well there we go, we have a new law. And I hereby declare the copyright for this, anyone using this law anywhere is liable to compensate me accordingly.
So what does the law say? For one person to be happy, the next person has to be sad. What if I am very happy? Does that mean I made too many people sad? It really does. Ever read the story "The Umbrella Man"? The umbrella man is a character who steals umbrellas from random pubs (different pub every time), dupes innocent people into buying the stolen umbrellas and drinks off the money. So he made so many umbrella owners sad just to make himself very happy. Does that mean, people who got the umbrellas were happy? I can bet, they would have gone home, and forgotten about the umbrella this cunning fellow gave them, until it rained again of course.
The past few months have really been a roller coaster for me. I have been on hunting expeditions. On wild goose chases, and even in combat. I know its vague, but that's what I am trying to do. Will come up with the details in the next post hopefully. Till then, Adios.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Speck
I was sitting on the dinner table, having my meal at the place where I live. There were other people at another table who were discussing about something. When I listened carefully, I figured that they were discussing about the shortcomings of Indian administration and politics. I am pretty sure that everyone of us would have had such a discussion. So what do you think about this?
I know a large percentage of the Indian politicians are corrupt. We are always ready to point our fingers at them. But are we really doing the right thing? Just put yourself in their shoes for a moment and think about it. When the whole system is corrupt, how can a single politician change anything? He'll be swept along with the tide, forcefully or willingly. So they do it willingly. But are they really at fault? I have a counter view.
Corruption always starts at the small level and goes big. It is not just the politicians or the administration that is corrupt, but the whole of India. Everyone is a part of this in some or the other way. Tell me, how many of you got a driver's license only after passing the requisite test? I am certain of what the answer to that question is. So aren't we at fault? When something bad happens in the nation, we blame the leaders. But it is us who elected them in the first place. If we can not change them, at least we can change the way we think. Stop thinking about personal gains for once and think of India as a whole. Tell the leaders what we really want; progress, transparency, harmony.
Politics and politicians have been labeled corrupt these days. The situation is so bad that whenever we find ourselves struggling because of the corruption, we hear ourselves say "A lot of politics is involved". Do you even know what politics actually means? It has been labeled and looked down upon so much that it has a whole new meaning these days. Politics in Hindi means "Rajneeti". Which means the strategies to be implemented to run the state (Rajya). But what do we mean when we speak about politics? The dirty mind games the politicians involve themselves in? Why?
The fact of the matter is that the situation is bad. It can't be changed overnight. We can't get rid of the whole administrative system and form a new one instantly. What we can do is to think for the community as a whole, as a nation. To let the leaders know, what we really want. If they are not able to satisfy our needs, we can support the fresh and innovative minds. Those who jump into the so called dirty world of "Politics" just to bring about a change. A change will be brought about. But it can't be brought about by sitting and grumbling. We have to bring a change in ourselves first, only then can we expect a change in the administration too.
I know a large percentage of the Indian politicians are corrupt. We are always ready to point our fingers at them. But are we really doing the right thing? Just put yourself in their shoes for a moment and think about it. When the whole system is corrupt, how can a single politician change anything? He'll be swept along with the tide, forcefully or willingly. So they do it willingly. But are they really at fault? I have a counter view.
Corruption always starts at the small level and goes big. It is not just the politicians or the administration that is corrupt, but the whole of India. Everyone is a part of this in some or the other way. Tell me, how many of you got a driver's license only after passing the requisite test? I am certain of what the answer to that question is. So aren't we at fault? When something bad happens in the nation, we blame the leaders. But it is us who elected them in the first place. If we can not change them, at least we can change the way we think. Stop thinking about personal gains for once and think of India as a whole. Tell the leaders what we really want; progress, transparency, harmony.
Politics and politicians have been labeled corrupt these days. The situation is so bad that whenever we find ourselves struggling because of the corruption, we hear ourselves say "A lot of politics is involved". Do you even know what politics actually means? It has been labeled and looked down upon so much that it has a whole new meaning these days. Politics in Hindi means "Rajneeti". Which means the strategies to be implemented to run the state (Rajya). But what do we mean when we speak about politics? The dirty mind games the politicians involve themselves in? Why?
The fact of the matter is that the situation is bad. It can't be changed overnight. We can't get rid of the whole administrative system and form a new one instantly. What we can do is to think for the community as a whole, as a nation. To let the leaders know, what we really want. If they are not able to satisfy our needs, we can support the fresh and innovative minds. Those who jump into the so called dirty world of "Politics" just to bring about a change. A change will be brought about. But it can't be brought about by sitting and grumbling. We have to bring a change in ourselves first, only then can we expect a change in the administration too.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
I Wish...
I wish I were a bird
Life would be at ease
I would fly away in the sky
Would fly in the breeze
Wish I were an angel
Would be of help to you
Would take away your tears
And give you happiness true
Wish I were a star
Would shine in the night
Would guide you in the darkness
Until there would be light
Wish I were a flower
Would blossom in the spring
Would give away my fragrance
And would ask for nothing
But all these wishes
Could not come true
So I can just hope now
And pray for you
Life would be at ease
I would fly away in the sky
Would fly in the breeze
Wish I were an angel
Would be of help to you
Would take away your tears
And give you happiness true
Wish I were a star
Would shine in the night
Would guide you in the darkness
Until there would be light
Wish I were a flower
Would blossom in the spring
Would give away my fragrance
And would ask for nothing
But all these wishes
Could not come true
So I can just hope now
And pray for you
Monday, July 27, 2009
Fabric
How often have you heard the question, "What good deed did you do today?", or advised, "You should do one good deed everyday". I guess we all are familiar with these. Why do people say such things? Why can't we be bad? Being bad is much much easier than being good. Still why do we have Mother Teresas and Nelson Mandelas as our idols? This post isn't about fabrics, but the small fabrics of life that we sometimes ignore in the humdrum of life.
Here is another of my experiences. It just happened today so its still fresh in my mind.
After a hectic and tiring, but satisfying day at work, I came down our office building. It was raining outside. I quickly thought of getting a shared auto, instead of a bus as I'd have been snug in the auto and would have to spend only 3 extra rupees for it. So I just came on the road and waved my hand at everything that went past me. It was too late before I realized that I had waved at an auto which usually takes single passengers and is more expensive. He stopped for me. I thought about not going up to him as he'd ask for much more than what I usually spend. Still I went up to him and asked him if he would go to Sholinganallur(the place I am staying). He said something in tamil which i presumed to be, "come sit". But when I asked him for the fare, it did not surprise me when he asked for 40 bucks. So I just told him that I could not give him that much, and went on back looking for a shared auto. He then called me back and asked what amount I was ready to pay. I knew that after hearing the amount I had in mind, he'd just disappear. So I just told him I couldn't pay over 10 rupees. Even for that he asked me to sit. I was surprised. I wanted to reassure if he had heard what I said properly so I repeated the amount thrice. And he just nodded and asked me to sit.
I was sitting in the auto and looking at the buildings passing by, thinking of what I did today and what work would be assigned to me tomorrow. Suddenly something broke my train of thought. I looked at the auto driver. He was eagerly looking at the road for prospective customers. But unfortunately for him no one was extravagant enough to sit in a single passenger auto, even though it was raining. So he just drove on. Something in my mind suddenly forced me to think of him. Why had he called me back? Why had he agreed to go for 10 bucks when he could have got 40 bucks? I presumed, he might not have had many customers in the day. He might have a wife and kids at home, whom he had to feed. Thinking all of this, I got touched. I couldn't help thinking about all the poor people I encountered everyday. Even though I didn't help them, i was driven to think about the circumstances they were facing, with probably no one to help.
I got down from the auto at my stop and opened my wallet. I saw a 20 rupee note right in front. I pulled it out and gave it to the driver. He was about to open his pocket and give back 10 bucks. But then I just showed him my hand. I could not say anything. He kept the 20 bucks and drove off. I started walking back to my place. For a moment I stopped at looked at the beautiful droplets of water falling out of the sky. They were beautiful. They once again reminded me how some simple, small little things matter so much. How small fabrics of life can be so important. It brought a smile upon my face. Even though I hadn't helped every poor person in the world. Even though it wasn't a big deal for me to give away those extra 10 bucks. And maybe that person did not even need help. But it gave me peace of mind. And today when I go to bed, I'll sleep in peace thinking about not what I established at work for a fortune 500 company, but the small little thing that I did to help someone.
PS: title suggested by Salil Gupte
Here is another of my experiences. It just happened today so its still fresh in my mind.
After a hectic and tiring, but satisfying day at work, I came down our office building. It was raining outside. I quickly thought of getting a shared auto, instead of a bus as I'd have been snug in the auto and would have to spend only 3 extra rupees for it. So I just came on the road and waved my hand at everything that went past me. It was too late before I realized that I had waved at an auto which usually takes single passengers and is more expensive. He stopped for me. I thought about not going up to him as he'd ask for much more than what I usually spend. Still I went up to him and asked him if he would go to Sholinganallur(the place I am staying). He said something in tamil which i presumed to be, "come sit". But when I asked him for the fare, it did not surprise me when he asked for 40 bucks. So I just told him that I could not give him that much, and went on back looking for a shared auto. He then called me back and asked what amount I was ready to pay. I knew that after hearing the amount I had in mind, he'd just disappear. So I just told him I couldn't pay over 10 rupees. Even for that he asked me to sit. I was surprised. I wanted to reassure if he had heard what I said properly so I repeated the amount thrice. And he just nodded and asked me to sit.
I was sitting in the auto and looking at the buildings passing by, thinking of what I did today and what work would be assigned to me tomorrow. Suddenly something broke my train of thought. I looked at the auto driver. He was eagerly looking at the road for prospective customers. But unfortunately for him no one was extravagant enough to sit in a single passenger auto, even though it was raining. So he just drove on. Something in my mind suddenly forced me to think of him. Why had he called me back? Why had he agreed to go for 10 bucks when he could have got 40 bucks? I presumed, he might not have had many customers in the day. He might have a wife and kids at home, whom he had to feed. Thinking all of this, I got touched. I couldn't help thinking about all the poor people I encountered everyday. Even though I didn't help them, i was driven to think about the circumstances they were facing, with probably no one to help.
I got down from the auto at my stop and opened my wallet. I saw a 20 rupee note right in front. I pulled it out and gave it to the driver. He was about to open his pocket and give back 10 bucks. But then I just showed him my hand. I could not say anything. He kept the 20 bucks and drove off. I started walking back to my place. For a moment I stopped at looked at the beautiful droplets of water falling out of the sky. They were beautiful. They once again reminded me how some simple, small little things matter so much. How small fabrics of life can be so important. It brought a smile upon my face. Even though I hadn't helped every poor person in the world. Even though it wasn't a big deal for me to give away those extra 10 bucks. And maybe that person did not even need help. But it gave me peace of mind. And today when I go to bed, I'll sleep in peace thinking about not what I established at work for a fortune 500 company, but the small little thing that I did to help someone.
PS: title suggested by Salil Gupte
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Superheroes
I am pretty sure you all would have come across the question, "Who is your favorite superhero?". And then there would be a long list of superheroes that you like: superman, spiderman, and all kinds of "man". But these superheroes are fictitious. Ever wondered who the real superheroes are?
So what are you thinking? Let me guess. You are thinking, how can someone be a superhero without a special superpower? Let me make this clear, the superheroes I am talking about do not possess any superpowers. They are just normal human beings like me and you. So what makes them so special?
The true superheroes in life are the ordinary people whom we meet in our everyday lives. That's right. Everyone of us has a superhero within ourselves. The question arises, if there is a superhero inside everyone of us, why can't we climb buildings or fly? That is because we possess powers much more complex and superior to these powers. These powers are inherent and a percentage of these powers exist in all of us. It is however entirely up to us, how we realize and utilize these powers.
These powers are integrity, humility, courtesy, and most of all the ability to adjust.
You must be wondering that I have gone nuts. How can these qualities be more powerful than flying or climbing buildings? Let me tell you something, the person who possesses all these qualities and acts upon them as if they were his superpowers, is a true superhero indeed. He should be really proud of himself.
The first three qualities usually depend on the upbringing of the person, but the ability to adjust is perhaps genetic. It has been incorporated into the human genome in some way. You must have observed, wherever you go, whatever you do, you face certain difficulties or challenges. You then get used to the difficulties or challenges and move on. We adapt to the situation as it presents itself to us. It is this quality which makes us all special. If we had been ordinary, we would not have had such an ability in the first place.
So as superheroes, we should understand our responsibility. Not towards the world, but towards ourselves. To nurture these qualities in our inner selves. Just imagine, if everyone in this world possessed these qualities, wouldn't it make the world a better place to live? Who would need superheroes then?
So what are you thinking? Let me guess. You are thinking, how can someone be a superhero without a special superpower? Let me make this clear, the superheroes I am talking about do not possess any superpowers. They are just normal human beings like me and you. So what makes them so special?
The true superheroes in life are the ordinary people whom we meet in our everyday lives. That's right. Everyone of us has a superhero within ourselves. The question arises, if there is a superhero inside everyone of us, why can't we climb buildings or fly? That is because we possess powers much more complex and superior to these powers. These powers are inherent and a percentage of these powers exist in all of us. It is however entirely up to us, how we realize and utilize these powers.
These powers are integrity, humility, courtesy, and most of all the ability to adjust.
You must be wondering that I have gone nuts. How can these qualities be more powerful than flying or climbing buildings? Let me tell you something, the person who possesses all these qualities and acts upon them as if they were his superpowers, is a true superhero indeed. He should be really proud of himself.
The first three qualities usually depend on the upbringing of the person, but the ability to adjust is perhaps genetic. It has been incorporated into the human genome in some way. You must have observed, wherever you go, whatever you do, you face certain difficulties or challenges. You then get used to the difficulties or challenges and move on. We adapt to the situation as it presents itself to us. It is this quality which makes us all special. If we had been ordinary, we would not have had such an ability in the first place.
So as superheroes, we should understand our responsibility. Not towards the world, but towards ourselves. To nurture these qualities in our inner selves. Just imagine, if everyone in this world possessed these qualities, wouldn't it make the world a better place to live? Who would need superheroes then?
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Mirage
I hope you all know what a mirage actually is. If someone does not know, here is a brief informal intro to mirage. All of us must have traveled by road. While traveling ever noticed the water on the road which disappears when you get close? That is a mirage. Well this post of mine is not about mirage either. But something very similar. Something all of us have experienced in life at some point or another.
We meet several different people during our life. All of them unique and special in their own way. The question that I want to pose is.....Can we judge someone just by looking at them? I think most of us think alike and I know what we think. Looks are elusive. Still when we meet someone good looking, we are attracted to them. Knowing that looks don't tell the whole story, we still want to be with the good looking people. Have you ever wondered what happens to all the not so good looking people? What do they do? I know a lot of not so good looking people with hearts of gold and pure souls. And I am pretty sure that many of you do too. But the truth remains intact, we want the company of good looking people. But we forget that usually the good looking people are mirages.
How can you actually know a person? The true nature of a person comes out through their words. Then why are looks so important in today's world? Ever wondered why we have good looking actors and actresses? Why not a not so good looking actor who can act better? Talking about Katrina Kaif....I know that almost all Indian people are her fans. Everybody loves her. But how can you love someone without knowing who they really are? No offense to Katrina but stop and think for a minute. Ever thought about why you love Katrina Kaif? Because she looks good? Her looks are good enough to make you love her? I don't think so.
I have been almost all over India and have met many people. And a pretty good percentage of those people were mirages. So what do we do about them? How do we handle such people? You won't even know that the next person you are smiling at might be backbiting about you to someone else. I reckon that we all start using our brains more, rather than our eyes.
PS: I have not labeled any section as mirages, its my own personal opinion.
We meet several different people during our life. All of them unique and special in their own way. The question that I want to pose is.....Can we judge someone just by looking at them? I think most of us think alike and I know what we think. Looks are elusive. Still when we meet someone good looking, we are attracted to them. Knowing that looks don't tell the whole story, we still want to be with the good looking people. Have you ever wondered what happens to all the not so good looking people? What do they do? I know a lot of not so good looking people with hearts of gold and pure souls. And I am pretty sure that many of you do too. But the truth remains intact, we want the company of good looking people. But we forget that usually the good looking people are mirages.
How can you actually know a person? The true nature of a person comes out through their words. Then why are looks so important in today's world? Ever wondered why we have good looking actors and actresses? Why not a not so good looking actor who can act better? Talking about Katrina Kaif....I know that almost all Indian people are her fans. Everybody loves her. But how can you love someone without knowing who they really are? No offense to Katrina but stop and think for a minute. Ever thought about why you love Katrina Kaif? Because she looks good? Her looks are good enough to make you love her? I don't think so.
I have been almost all over India and have met many people. And a pretty good percentage of those people were mirages. So what do we do about them? How do we handle such people? You won't even know that the next person you are smiling at might be backbiting about you to someone else. I reckon that we all start using our brains more, rather than our eyes.
PS: I have not labeled any section as mirages, its my own personal opinion.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Droplets
I have no doubt that you are wondering what this blog is about, and how the title is significant. This blog is not about water or rains. Its not about seas or oceans. Its about the small realities of life. The ones that are very clear, just like little droplets falling from the sky. Just like beautiful, clear little droplets on the leaflets of a plant. But the clarity of these realities is made hazy by the fake illusions that our minds create. Those illusions seem much real than these little droplets because we believe what we want to. Not what is real, but what appears best for us to believe. This blog comes straight from the heart of a person who has been trying to believe in these realities for a long time now, and is still a bit too scared. As the saying goes "Truth is always bitter". But is it really? It may seem to be bitter but if we delve deeper into the truth, we find solace. A feeling like no other. Its beautiful, unparalleled. I have felt that feeling, have you?
We live in a fast moving world. Everyone is in a hurry. I won't fail to admit that even I am always in a hurry, no matter what I am doing. Even while typing this, I am in a hurry. But why do we all have such a sense of urgency? Can't we stop for a while and look at the clear little droplets? Can't we just stop and relax for a while and understand the true meanings of life? Or are we all scared, just like I am? Or is the reality presented to us in a way which seems to scare us?
Here is an anecdote from my childhood days.
I was about 4 years old back then. It was school time. We were having cursive writing lessons. Although it seemed beautiful, I was not interested. Perhaps the point of writing beautifully did not impress me. So I just wrote in a way, I found suitable. While checking of the notebooks, my teacher saw my hideous calligraphy. She was maddened at seeing such a creation. She slapped me right on my face. I was hardly mature enough back then to understand what the slap implied. I just assumed that my teacher was bad. But knowing me, one would know that I don't keep grudges. I just kept quiet about the whole thing. But my silence and the expression of my face were enough to convey to my father what had happened. He complained about it to the principal. The very next day, the same teacher was at my doorstep, crying. She was sorry for what she did. My parents tell me this story even today. Even I remember most of it. I must admit, even today it gives me immense happiness to know how protective my parents have been of me. But the message of the slap still remains a mystery. If the slap had been replaced by encouragement or advice, maybe I would have had a good handwriting.
We live in a fast moving world. Everyone is in a hurry. I won't fail to admit that even I am always in a hurry, no matter what I am doing. Even while typing this, I am in a hurry. But why do we all have such a sense of urgency? Can't we stop for a while and look at the clear little droplets? Can't we just stop and relax for a while and understand the true meanings of life? Or are we all scared, just like I am? Or is the reality presented to us in a way which seems to scare us?
Here is an anecdote from my childhood days.
I was about 4 years old back then. It was school time. We were having cursive writing lessons. Although it seemed beautiful, I was not interested. Perhaps the point of writing beautifully did not impress me. So I just wrote in a way, I found suitable. While checking of the notebooks, my teacher saw my hideous calligraphy. She was maddened at seeing such a creation. She slapped me right on my face. I was hardly mature enough back then to understand what the slap implied. I just assumed that my teacher was bad. But knowing me, one would know that I don't keep grudges. I just kept quiet about the whole thing. But my silence and the expression of my face were enough to convey to my father what had happened. He complained about it to the principal. The very next day, the same teacher was at my doorstep, crying. She was sorry for what she did. My parents tell me this story even today. Even I remember most of it. I must admit, even today it gives me immense happiness to know how protective my parents have been of me. But the message of the slap still remains a mystery. If the slap had been replaced by encouragement or advice, maybe I would have had a good handwriting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
