To Ratan Tata

Mr Tata read some time back what you said about the UK work ethic, they don't wait for you after office hours it seems.. They are not ready to stretch... But what's so big deal about it.. It is about  what they want to do with their life.. they have plenty of material comfort and by slogging and producing more steel how is it going to help their life.. will steel make them more happy...

Mr Tata I slog a lot but it is about personal choice and I don't think there is anything wrong if someone draws a time schedule... its just that they are not interested in running the rat race all the time of their life... some of us are marathon runners but many are not interested...

But I do agree with what you said of Mukesh and Neeta Ambani... 

Choices !

"I am pretty confused not sure what to choose. Both options look pretty good"

Life comes to this point many at times, confusing and delaying the decision. The wise quotes seem to not guide in such scenarios - 

Take the road less travelled. NO - Take the tried and tested one, ensures success. May be -  Go slow life is much more than the choice you are at .. phew! wise quotes are too many and if you have read more than one or you are thinking types... be sure the wise of yesteryears to confuse you and not help.... 

My own wise saying which may help.... Lets do a mistake but go by what is seeming most tempting.. Life is long and gives many chances of mid course correction.. let me go by what does not impact what I am really passionate about... or choose what may get me close to my passion... 

Wonder what makes people good decision makers.

Shut up Mind ! #4

Death reminds me of living life,
Life cajoles me to run a race to death.
_______________


Accepting oneself is the way to wisdom,
Acceptance kills my defence mechanism,
Acceptance reveals my dark evil kingdom.

Conflicts, shock about I is what I face now,
Is there no other path? I ask the wise one.

What made the difference? #2

I was talking about Vipassana to a few colleagues at work. It was an organized session, I thought there could be nothing better I could talk about. HR topics are a minnow in front of Vipassana... 

Vipassana has certainly made a difference to what I am today but what got me doing it and what made me sustain it and benefit from it is because of a basic quality of "determination". I have often heard about determination in many wise speeches, always thought it to be a quality required to make big leaps. Never realized for any degree of accomplishment there is some determination working behind. 

Determination is what brings about a change. I sustained Vipassana albeit headwinds with determination, I gave up my whims which were firmly established in my thought patterns through determination. The mind develops patterns, comfort and is not ready to give up the current state. It lulls you into give up change, the change from current state to a desired state is achieved through this quality.

It is a simple quality of keep going despite all the headwinds, the clever arguments, the laziness. It is a simple quality which can be strengthened with just a promise of keep trying till you succeed. Just being watchful and not let bury the promise. This has made much difference!

Shut up Mind ! #3

There is one mind but split into two foes,
forever a battle of ego between them goes.

There is one which says,
You can do it, You have it,
Nothing will happen, Go for it.
It motivates you when in doubt,
It gives you courage when in fear.
It pushes you towards the rising sun.

Then there is the other one,
Its questions make you cower,
Its memories make you doubt.
It shouts idiot just back off,
First one is tricking you in trouble.
It pushes you towards the setting sun.

With new action, learning I plan,
Both foes start their mind battles.
How do you think will I win?

Buddha said:

Strengthen first, weaken the second
This is how you live and grow.

But there will come a time when
you give up both as first can't exist
without the second, they are inseparable twins,
when the time is right you give up these twins,
and then forever the sun will rise and shine.

Act of Kindness

I am smiling and feeling good. The reason is the mail from one of my blog readers "angel" (as she calls herself). She says one of her friends liked my blog and wants to post it at their site Share a Smile. These youngsters are full of energy who have started this initiative to spread a smile in society. Kudos to them and all the best ! 

It is a small gesture, a compliment on my blog and it has triggered the good feeling. That's all it takes to be happy. If I have to go back in past all the people who I like are the ones who have supported me in some small forms and and people who like me are the ones I have supported. 

We are humans and depend on others. To feel loved and happy, it can just be an understanding smile from a stranger when you are nervous or just a kind remark when you are fearful or just a lending hand from a  colleague when you are struggling with loads of work. It takes a small loving kind expression to make a person feel happy. It is cashless, free way of spreading happiness. This is what a relationship is all about, no roses and valentine gifts on one fine day !

I heard a beautiful wise quote it said -  "Judge yourself by how you made the person feel who you had just stopped talking to. If the conversation  made him feel good you are on the right track". About wisdom there is another quote which I must say as all situations cannot be generalized in one quote - "There is wisdom in also picking the right wisdom"

Life's Myth - You Win !

Get me those high marks ! Go win in the field.. Slog and you shall win.. You are taught to win, beating the rest and keeping your flag flying high... Winning is associated with celebration and happiness.. 

But alas there is only one person who can win or if you want to extend the top 10 as winners then only 10 can win in this race where participants are plenty... So if winning is happiness only 10 can be happy.. pretty unfair! Life is not about winning, it is about the process of living, win or lose is a mere consequence but life time is spent in the process, it is the process which needs to be concentrated on. It is the process one has to enjoy and be happy ! Win or lose is inconsequential as long as you have moved ahead on the road, made some progress.... 

Time to relax, reduce the stress and just enjoy the process..

Win and you will be happy,

lose and you will be cursed.

To Win I toiled,

To Win I pained,

To Win I suffered,

To Win I lost,

To Win I hated,

To Win I cursed.

I can win without winning !

by loving the moment of preparation,

Who cares of the result?

I don't need to suffer, to bend

I have loved the road to end.