Friday, March 30, 2007

What can we all really do?

We ask this question a several times whenever we are hit with the frustration of current state of things as they stand and really would like to correct if possible. Sometimes muting your thinking is in most cases a breeding ground for problems. So staying clear is not the wisest thing and you have subconciously consented for playing a part in the ongoing epidemic. Its nothing but people's graceful decline to see the malaise and grope for some mystical fantasy. But for the one who is honestly seeking answers is the pure intellectual and not to get confounded with a pseudo who is just trying to get accepted in the intellegentsia. Isn't it sorry feeling that such a term even exists where right thinking is everyone's right and probably the rightful thing to do? Today, major chunk of people are acutely aware of their cultural-speculative vacuum, and yes constantly anxious, confused and groping for answers. Merely by intellectual honesty which is nothing but knowing what one knows and forever expanding knowledge and not failing to correct a contradiction/discrepancy. I see your convictions getting formed through this and once this is set in conscious and neat way and only then you are ready to communicate to others. The sincere point I make here is that do not hesitate to state that "I do not agree" if you don't. This is simply because if the person is innocent, it will help him grow but if the person is guilty it will undercut his/her confidence a great deal for the next event/action and in a way you have done your part of goodness. But do not keep silent when your ideology or values are being attacked. But my biggest concern that surfaces is to do this with all the humbleness (and I mean it) and not just to prove or win. Victory is a very transient commodity, it vaporizes before you even realize.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Randomness

Random just because I am jotting down all the random happenings in my life currently. I overcame a big giant size fear today morning and I feel like a rockstar. I paid a long overdue visit to a dentist for my root canal. It wasn't bad and I survived but its not over yet. Will have few more visits in coming days but the truth is I am not afraid and I have dealt with it very strongly. I was trying to be funny with my wisecracks just to shield my inner fear. I told the doctor, " be nice to me and I will give you candies." Not bad at all than the last time when I had sobbed and told the doctor to leave me alone. They gave me four shots as I laid down there humble and laughing.
Last Monday I finished my 8-week long Bikram Yoga challenge and guess what! I got a certificate of perseverance, solid focus and discipline from the Studio with few other gifts and of course a big round of applause from my fellow yogis.
My mind is troubled right now and I find encouraging solace in reading this speech by Steve Jobs. If you too lazy to read then hear it here but don't miss it. Sometimes, when you are honest, humble and genuine to your feelings don't let things bog you down. If need be go away and take a break to refuel and reflect in your silence. When I say genuine I mean it, because I know no other way.
I have to catch up on some reading and hence bought few books and am currently reading: Globalization and its Discontents by Joseph E. Stiglitz and looks very intriguing so far. More on the book and author here. The whole mental atmosphere is very conducive to writing a poem but I am fearing and resisting it. If I am not able to then you all will have it as next entry on blog. But yeah, this is something I coined recently:
"Just because you have it, doesnt give you the right to waste it."

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Skewed definition

I always thought when you are called poor I just assumed that it's having less or no money. I was mistaken (so wrong). Money is never a constant possession and it changes hands with time. I have a different perception of poverty. To me person is poor who lacks honesty, hope, humor, passion, dedication and affection and all those good things in life. I mean if only money could do you good all the wealthy people would have been the happiest takers in this. I clearly recall the incidence of one my colleague turning millionaire overnight (lottery worth 3 million dollars). He was one of the most obnoxious soul around. He had no sense of sensibility, decorum, professionalism and people were excited that now since he has enough money he would leave. How poor is that?
It sure buys you lot of tangibles to keep the excitement of life in equilibrium but that too wears off if its not coupled with the intangibles (accomplishments, winning after a struggle, honest joys). Pretentious joys are often a burst of human tendency of seeking approval and acceptance. Paper money will come and go but its the genuine person you have turned into in this process is the only remain you have for keepsake.

Anyway,
Here is a piece of ghazal by jagjit singh (album saher):

" tere bare mein jab socha nahie tha,
main tanha tha magar itna nahie tha.
manane roothne ke khel mein hum,
bichad jayenge ye socha nahie tha."

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Tail Story

I have had fairly short hair for sweet amount of time now and it has worked out just fine so far. Its low maintenance except for the fact that I have to visit the salon like once in 4/5 weeks. This time I have kinda crossed 6 weeks and my hair appears really long to me..:) and bet out of shape. So I ended up tying a pony tail kinda thing today to work and bammmm..people are asking me if I am ok? Yeahh!! I am perfectly fine (but in my head I am thinking, Supercuts here I come).. One boss came and even patted my head. I would have loved to illustrate with a pic here but I am at work and no easy access to camera you see, which also reminds me that I shouldn't be blogging at work but I have been a rebel of a sort but only once in a while.
People are not very easily susceptible to change. We condition ourselves to routine things and reach that comfortable spot where even a slight misfit creates a perturbation. Some changes come easily and some not so easily and there is this one category of changes which are just not welcome. Change is a constant variable and it shall and must happen. Life controls us or we control life is good question to ask here. At least poeple like to believe that they are controlling every aspect of it. We try this to boost our ego and reiterate to our mind for reassurance. I mean if we really controlled eachie in our life then whats' the explanation for our failures, miseries or even falling in love. Somethings you cannot plan (for everything else there is MasterCard..sorry bad joke). On the contrary, we are constantly just changing/adapting to our social, physical and emotional environment. Some reactionary instant reflex and some are purely acknowledged and rationally justified. Point here is that change does happen, some gracefully accepted with time and some are just forced for its calamitous (prob. not the best word here) disposition.
OK, I really have to go now and do my weekly work load..:). Till then stay simple and stay tuned for more.. and listen to: tere bina from Guru or patience by Gun n Roses or may be humsafar by Silk Route...