A new beginning

A fresh mind, new start to life. As I do so, I hope I have the fairness not to take a value-based view of people and situations, and to approach everything with a neutral mindset. A tough call, since we are all a bundle of different emotions, thoughts and values, but just as important as we interact with not only our work but also with those around us.



Resolve to stay focused and single-minded in pursuing personal objectives and to be consistent in delivering results. To further resolve to take any necessary steps to ensure that one does not deviate from one's relentless pursuit of knowledge and excellence.

Learning..

that..

Other people's behavior is not one's responsibility, and that there is only so much we can do to make the situation ok, or get things done for the benefit of others. sometimes its ok to not do those things.

I read in one of those inspirational forwards that life is about making choices. Once you clear out all the other factors, its about going down this road or that. What I can choose to do is to behave in a manner that is appropriate for me, the way others choose to (mis)interpret it is their choice, not mine to make.

Beyond a point, or on off-days, its okay to seek time out. Life is not this endless routine that one has to follow like a zombie.

Take that!

Meet the un-woman..

1. Doesn't enjoy shopping a lot
2. Barely likes cooking
3. Doesn't enjoy spending lots of time looking for discounts
4. Doesn't worry about buying "essential" things at home-takes her time doing it
5. Is not all that fascinated by clothes/jewelery
6. Likes to be left alone with a book

(This blog is not fictional. Any resemblance to any person you might know is entirely possible!)

Perfection vs. reality

In a perfect world..

• People wouldn't be sarcastic to each other
• We would learn to be kind to those around us, even in disagreement
• We would laugh with others, not at them
• We would not indulge in petty politics for personal gain

In the real world, all of the above apply. As I wake up to this reality, I realize that in general, people that I have known so far have been kind people, for the most part, barring a few exceptions. I don't hold it against these 'exceptions' that they did not fit the 'kind' description. Although their behavior might be hurtful in the short run, as time passes by, we ignore/forget/forgive. Thank god for a weak memory, that one cannot recall the bad stuff and remembers the good stuff instead.

To kindness!

Time for some inspiration

I've always enjoyed reading the rules for students-the authorship of these rules remains unclear, but I'm reminded of them very often. Enjoy!

Another source of wisdom is the series on Life's little instruction books. These were standard reading at home. Some excerpts here and here

It is good to get in touch with simplicity of thought once in a while to remind oneself of the fundamental truths in life. Its perhaps my way of just getting thru the fog and getting some clarity. But whatever the reason or the occasion, these simple quotes linger in one's mind long after one has read them.

what a wonder!

As the voting closes for the people of the earth to vote for their favorite wonders of the world for the new list, I wonder what the fuss is about. I mean whether or not your favorite architectural/historical/tourist marvel makes it to the list, if you are an avid traveller, you will see it anyways, won't you? Irrespective of a list that tells you its a 'wonder'?

We often ignore monuments almost literally in our own backyard, in our city-whether its the oldest library in town or the oldest temple/mosque/church..how many of us actually stop by and take a look at it, leave anyone doing anything to preserve it. I guess we should be grateful if the powers that be don't destroy these precious historical treasures, so that generations to come have a sense of history and have something to relate to from the past. At this stage in time, I think we should all take time out to do something to protect architectural marvels, in our own small ways, such as not littering when we visit a place of tourist interest, not defacing them in any way, and so on.

Hmm wondering!

Monkeying online

Monkey with a keyboard does the following:

1. Reads random blogs of people she may or may not know, about things that may or may not concern her
2. Checks her mail very often
3. Mails friends who don't bother replying
4. Listens to music
5. Watches Paris Hilton getting released from jail and giving her first interview to Larry King. One of the 'gems' of the conversation goes something like:
• Larry King: "So, Paris, what is the one thing in your personality you would like to change?" Paris replies: " I guess that would have to be my voice..it gets very high pitched when I'm nervous..I plan to work on that.." hmm..voices are personality traits to be worked on, sure.
  
6. Hunts down random tracks from the internet just coz it caught her attention at a movie she saw recently..
7. Occasionally steps out, surprised to find that there is a minor dust storm and a bit of rain due to a passing cloud that has caused a tangible change in weather
8. Takes phone calls while online
9. Manages to brew coffee in between conversations online
10. Dreams a lot
11. Is a sounding board for people in need of advice, although her advice is never followed..
12. Ignores a voice in her head telling her to stop and do something meaningful
13. Postpones reading this wonderful book that should take half the time that it normally does to read it
14. Procrastinates on other work
15. Is comfortable listening to a song on repeat play all day
16. Takes 'personality tests' online that claim to tell you what sort of a person you are and what future you have
17. Gets thrills from discovering old friends and classmates on networking sites
18. Wonders that while we need solitude to get work done, its ironic that its our social skills that get the work done in the first place
19. Allows room for nostalgia
    
20. Crawls on research databases as much as on music sites (for better or for worse!)
21. Writes on blogspot
22. Works in between all of these activities on something that needs minimal cerebral input and maximum zombie-like focus on the screen to edit documents

Ah the boredom and excitement of life in cyberspace!