Let the words cascade
Quenching the thirst of our being
The soul is then left
With a void, barriers fleeing
All that remains is silence
To feel existence in this realm
Our souls naked
Our lives free of crack or seam
Like the black waters
And the night sky
No horizons, just a vast expanse of darkness
Spotted with starlight and glowing specks that fly.
Tuesday 20 February 2007
Friday 16 February 2007
Prelude to peace
Coconut leaves fluttering on its canvas, the sky
Those wisps of green casting shadows on stories bright and wry
Sometimes abreast with the winds, sometimes with a happy child,
My thoughts flow on like autumn leaves, some profound and others wild
There is swiftness even in my stillness and the bliss has calmly flared
With thoughts as clear as the sky above and moments that were shared.
-michael james
Those wisps of green casting shadows on stories bright and wry
Sometimes abreast with the winds, sometimes with a happy child,
My thoughts flow on like autumn leaves, some profound and others wild
There is swiftness even in my stillness and the bliss has calmly flared
With thoughts as clear as the sky above and moments that were shared.
-michael james
Thursday 15 February 2007
I took the last post too far...
Don't judge a book by it's cover... True. But, I never said start afresh with every book (human), go through all it's finer details and then reach a conclusion about its worth. I drastically miscalculated (or should I say didn't calculate at all) today.
Imagine trusting a pick-pocket you have met a minute ago and actually doing a deal with the dude, trusting completely his penchant for business ethics! It's not a plain mistake. It's downright naive and immature. I deserve the kick that I got in the end.
One, of course, cannot afford to trust people at first sight. Somewhere within me, i know, there is a desire to see and experience the darker side of our world even at the cost of befriending it's elements. I'll need to be shrewd if I want to deal with these people. Be on my guard atleast when I voluntarily put myself into situations where I stand to compromise on something.
It's not about judging a book by it's cover exactly. It's more about reading the obvious signs like, 'the book looks worn out, maybe it's popular' or 'this book has bin laden's picture on it, it must be about terrorism'. Form an opinion, open the book with this opinion in mind, read through it , and reconsider your opinion with a new pulse of information. Never stop hunting for information. Try not to let your guard completely down when you know it's unfamiliar territory. Trust your instincts.
It's so difficult to trust people! I'm glad I learnt my lesson this way...
Imagine trusting a pick-pocket you have met a minute ago and actually doing a deal with the dude, trusting completely his penchant for business ethics! It's not a plain mistake. It's downright naive and immature. I deserve the kick that I got in the end.
One, of course, cannot afford to trust people at first sight. Somewhere within me, i know, there is a desire to see and experience the darker side of our world even at the cost of befriending it's elements. I'll need to be shrewd if I want to deal with these people. Be on my guard atleast when I voluntarily put myself into situations where I stand to compromise on something.
It's not about judging a book by it's cover exactly. It's more about reading the obvious signs like, 'the book looks worn out, maybe it's popular' or 'this book has bin laden's picture on it, it must be about terrorism'. Form an opinion, open the book with this opinion in mind, read through it , and reconsider your opinion with a new pulse of information. Never stop hunting for information. Try not to let your guard completely down when you know it's unfamiliar territory. Trust your instincts.
It's so difficult to trust people! I'm glad I learnt my lesson this way...
Tuesday 13 February 2007
Books and their covers.
"Don't judge a book by it's cover". I remember one of my teachers in primary school making this statement. The world suddenly seemed so understanding. I did not know about the existence of a word called hypocrisy back then. humph!
I must agree that flash judgements are very useful for analysing a situation where the possibility of further inputs is bleak. Also, by virtue of it's being a flash judgement, one must account for up gradation and change. But, nope. Most people I've come across stick by their flash judgements like priests to the holy gospel.
This tendency amongst folk disappointed me lately in through many situations. I would attribute the sudden surge in this attitude of people towards me to the ('drastic') change in appearance and mannerisms. The once polite and diplomatic Michael who would tell you exactly what you wanted to hear shed his facade, let his hair down and spoke whatever was in his mind (which was sometimes unpleasant).
Can't give a job interview because my hair is to long and i have an untamed beard! I'm not playing along this time pardner... and I'm glad with my stand. So anyone out there who's crazy about working with ICICI Bank, you know what not to do. Bloody hypocrites!
However, we've still got some folk out there whose analysis of a human transcends physical appearance and actually reaches the intellect. Wow! it's a relief sometimes just to meet someone who thinks for himself or herself.
I must agree that flash judgements are very useful for analysing a situation where the possibility of further inputs is bleak. Also, by virtue of it's being a flash judgement, one must account for up gradation and change. But, nope. Most people I've come across stick by their flash judgements like priests to the holy gospel.
This tendency amongst folk disappointed me lately in through many situations. I would attribute the sudden surge in this attitude of people towards me to the ('drastic') change in appearance and mannerisms. The once polite and diplomatic Michael who would tell you exactly what you wanted to hear shed his facade, let his hair down and spoke whatever was in his mind (which was sometimes unpleasant).
Can't give a job interview because my hair is to long and i have an untamed beard! I'm not playing along this time pardner... and I'm glad with my stand. So anyone out there who's crazy about working with ICICI Bank, you know what not to do. Bloody hypocrites!
However, we've still got some folk out there whose analysis of a human transcends physical appearance and actually reaches the intellect. Wow! it's a relief sometimes just to meet someone who thinks for himself or herself.
Saturday 10 February 2007
What's wrong with brain drain?
Objectively put, the world is a free market in which education and jobs can be treated as products offered by a nation. The 'customer' evaluates the pros and cons with a cost-benefit analysis and of course based on the quality of the product being offered. Therefore, if people are leaving this country for jobs and education, it's because they see for themselves a better future in doing so.
Our country, currently has some excellent educational institutes which are capable of providing world-class education. Unfortunately, these are way to few compared to the student population here. What are the rest supposed to do?
Some proponents of the anti-brain-drain movement believe in students and working class population exhibiting their patriotism by roughing it out with the second best here at home. So should one compromise on his or her individual welfare for the sake of the nation? and again doesn't the welfare of the nation include their own welfare? Also, isn't it natural to want the best? Julius Caesar put it quite eloquently,"I'd rather be first in a little Iberian village than second in Rome".
Our Education ministry is harping about the need for more reservation in the current institutions. Does it take so much noise for these goons to realise that what this country needs is not more reservation but more (affordable) quality educational! It's almost as though they want to encourage brain-drain.
What the hell! I agree with Julius Caesar and am not much of a patriot anyway. I'm outta here to get myself an education.
Our country, currently has some excellent educational institutes which are capable of providing world-class education. Unfortunately, these are way to few compared to the student population here. What are the rest supposed to do?
Some proponents of the anti-brain-drain movement believe in students and working class population exhibiting their patriotism by roughing it out with the second best here at home. So should one compromise on his or her individual welfare for the sake of the nation? and again doesn't the welfare of the nation include their own welfare? Also, isn't it natural to want the best? Julius Caesar put it quite eloquently,"I'd rather be first in a little Iberian village than second in Rome".
Our Education ministry is harping about the need for more reservation in the current institutions. Does it take so much noise for these goons to realise that what this country needs is not more reservation but more (affordable) quality educational! It's almost as though they want to encourage brain-drain.
What the hell! I agree with Julius Caesar and am not much of a patriot anyway. I'm outta here to get myself an education.
Tuesday 6 February 2007
Defining life
A critical part of communication is defining the terms we employ through our language. What often happens is that we communicate expecting others to understand us and are left perplexed when they don't. The reason is usually our different interpretations of the ideas and terms we use.
Building relationships would involve defining life together. Agreeing on definitions after true and clear discussion leads to a great amount of fluidity in interaction, understanding and growth.
This holds true especially for the overused lingo in the world today. Let me take, for example, the phrase, "I love you". Now let's isolate the word 'love'. We commonly use this term for other phrases like, "I love my dog", "I love Metallica", "I love extra cheese on my pizza" and so on. So what the hell do I mean when I say that I love you?!
We need to be so much more specific and elaborate (and creative) in our communication to get our point across the way we feel it (that's assuming that we really feel it).
Building relationships would involve defining life together. Agreeing on definitions after true and clear discussion leads to a great amount of fluidity in interaction, understanding and growth.
This holds true especially for the overused lingo in the world today. Let me take, for example, the phrase, "I love you". Now let's isolate the word 'love'. We commonly use this term for other phrases like, "I love my dog", "I love Metallica", "I love extra cheese on my pizza" and so on. So what the hell do I mean when I say that I love you?!
We need to be so much more specific and elaborate (and creative) in our communication to get our point across the way we feel it (that's assuming that we really feel it).
Society?
What is society? I feel that is an essential question especially when one is asked to conform with it.
I've tried this one with several people and have come to one conclusion. Society for Ms 'A' consists of everyone around her. For Mr 'B', it consists of everyone around him. Here comes the complication... According to Ms 'A', society does not include her and ditto for Mr 'B'. So, expand this logic to the whole of mankind and we're still stuck at nothing!
Society consists of every single human element in existence. That includes the 'anti-social' elements as well. So, what exactly are we expected to be conforming to?
Also, it isn't possible to have a representative unit of this society. We represent ourselves. Anyone doing it on our behalf is bound to be flawed. The only possible method of representation is handing this responsibility to someone who understands the dynamics of individuality.
I've tried this one with several people and have come to one conclusion. Society for Ms 'A' consists of everyone around her. For Mr 'B', it consists of everyone around him. Here comes the complication... According to Ms 'A', society does not include her and ditto for Mr 'B'. So, expand this logic to the whole of mankind and we're still stuck at nothing!
Society consists of every single human element in existence. That includes the 'anti-social' elements as well. So, what exactly are we expected to be conforming to?
Also, it isn't possible to have a representative unit of this society. We represent ourselves. Anyone doing it on our behalf is bound to be flawed. The only possible method of representation is handing this responsibility to someone who understands the dynamics of individuality.
NGO Folk
My stint at Godrej Properties taught me so little about people! I learnt about buildings, bosses, politics, common sense and waste. But, not much of an insight into personalities.
I could also credit this to the fact that i was focussed (vaguely) towards a career in business and did not want to think beyond it since, that would bring in too many complications starting with resistance from 'society' and family. That kept me from my now favourite pastime; learning about myself and about other individuals. Myself, because I am the centre of my universe. Ego-centric, yes. Egoistic, nope. I simply respect myself a great deal and want to grow and learn and be happy and true to myself till I die (maybe after death as well, subject to an afterlife). Other individuals, because I feel it is very important to relate to people. I adore a mutually beneficial relationship where two individuals grow together with synergy!
Yup! Life has so much more to offer now. It simply took one really tough, yet simple, stand. Get the hell out of corporates and get your ass moving to where you truly want it to be. At that moment, I wanted to work with NGOs. So, thats how the shift was made. My interest in the all-pervasive MBA gradually waned and my interest in myself steadily grew.
Very rosy! Some might proclaim... From capitalistic bloodsucker to noble educator. Blah! The scene here isn't rosy at all. We have a mélange of personalities and motivations here. More politics than the board rooms of the filthiest corporate house, more corruption than the worst government department and ironically more money than most would assume.
I would like to throw some light on the types of people I am surrounded by in this industry.
Type 1 - LOW self esteem
They have little respect for themselves. Respect for others is a mirage. These people feel that working with an NGO automatically earns them the 'noble' tag. They flaunt this perceived tag around as though they are now entitled to a respect that would never be theirs otherwise.
Our type 1 folk survive on other's perception of nobility in them whether it is real or a farce.
Type 2 - POWER hungry
Power over people could be gained through many methods. Money is one of them, feeding their emotions is another. The end result is that the type 2 category is capable of pulling a lot of strings. Feeding egos, making others feel indebted (non-monetary) and privileged are some tactics commonly used by these people. They want power over others and are shrewd enough to achieve it.
Type 3 - Sympathetic
"Oh! You poor little thing..." Commonly heard from those who can pity others at the drop of a hat. I feel, it takes a true egoist to think this way. But, not always... We've all heard of self-pity ofcourse. Our type 3 feels that they are god sent angels sent down to this miserable planet to impart anything worthwhile to its pitiful inhabitants. Plenty of these around!
Type 4 - Empathetic
My favourite kind! (No sarcasm here). This kind is very clear about the target group; themselves. It is important to know who you are before you think about stepping into someone else’s shoes. Or else, you land up in their shoes with your biases and judgments simply making a bigger mess of things. Why do they want to step into someone else’s shoes? Well, maybe because it brings them great satisfaction seeing the world from another’s perspective and helping at deciphering it with them. Maybe they want to learn more about themselves by putting themselves in a truly challenging situation.
Type 5 – A façade
Typically, the politicians and businessmen who set up these NGOs to siphon off government money or avoid taxes. Sadly, they set up dying concerns where the beneficiaries are initially filled with hope and then smash down to harsh reality in their world which is already crammed with reality checks.
Type 6 – Fly by night operators
Here today, gone tomorrow. NGOs are a business for these folk. Rake in the cash and get the hell outta there!
I could also credit this to the fact that i was focussed (vaguely) towards a career in business and did not want to think beyond it since, that would bring in too many complications starting with resistance from 'society' and family. That kept me from my now favourite pastime; learning about myself and about other individuals. Myself, because I am the centre of my universe. Ego-centric, yes. Egoistic, nope. I simply respect myself a great deal and want to grow and learn and be happy and true to myself till I die (maybe after death as well, subject to an afterlife). Other individuals, because I feel it is very important to relate to people. I adore a mutually beneficial relationship where two individuals grow together with synergy!
Yup! Life has so much more to offer now. It simply took one really tough, yet simple, stand. Get the hell out of corporates and get your ass moving to where you truly want it to be. At that moment, I wanted to work with NGOs. So, thats how the shift was made. My interest in the all-pervasive MBA gradually waned and my interest in myself steadily grew.
Very rosy! Some might proclaim... From capitalistic bloodsucker to noble educator. Blah! The scene here isn't rosy at all. We have a mélange of personalities and motivations here. More politics than the board rooms of the filthiest corporate house, more corruption than the worst government department and ironically more money than most would assume.
I would like to throw some light on the types of people I am surrounded by in this industry.
Type 1 - LOW self esteem
They have little respect for themselves. Respect for others is a mirage. These people feel that working with an NGO automatically earns them the 'noble' tag. They flaunt this perceived tag around as though they are now entitled to a respect that would never be theirs otherwise.
Our type 1 folk survive on other's perception of nobility in them whether it is real or a farce.
Type 2 - POWER hungry
Power over people could be gained through many methods. Money is one of them, feeding their emotions is another. The end result is that the type 2 category is capable of pulling a lot of strings. Feeding egos, making others feel indebted (non-monetary) and privileged are some tactics commonly used by these people. They want power over others and are shrewd enough to achieve it.
Type 3 - Sympathetic
"Oh! You poor little thing..." Commonly heard from those who can pity others at the drop of a hat. I feel, it takes a true egoist to think this way. But, not always... We've all heard of self-pity ofcourse. Our type 3 feels that they are god sent angels sent down to this miserable planet to impart anything worthwhile to its pitiful inhabitants. Plenty of these around!
Type 4 - Empathetic
My favourite kind! (No sarcasm here). This kind is very clear about the target group; themselves. It is important to know who you are before you think about stepping into someone else’s shoes. Or else, you land up in their shoes with your biases and judgments simply making a bigger mess of things. Why do they want to step into someone else’s shoes? Well, maybe because it brings them great satisfaction seeing the world from another’s perspective and helping at deciphering it with them. Maybe they want to learn more about themselves by putting themselves in a truly challenging situation.
Type 5 – A façade
Typically, the politicians and businessmen who set up these NGOs to siphon off government money or avoid taxes. Sadly, they set up dying concerns where the beneficiaries are initially filled with hope and then smash down to harsh reality in their world which is already crammed with reality checks.
Type 6 – Fly by night operators
Here today, gone tomorrow. NGOs are a business for these folk. Rake in the cash and get the hell outta there!
Thursday 1 February 2007
Selflessness and Altruism
These words are proclaimed in the ngo arena as though they are holy incantations. Just one question though... If you are selflesslessly helping someone, YOU are not really helping anyone because you don't exist (The unfortunate trade-off for being selfless).
Firstly, what is 'self'? I believe, it is a combination of our values, ideas, perspectives, actions, visions, body, intellect, emotions and expressions (Am I missing out on anything?). If you ask me to 'sacrifice' all this for helping the world, it get a little tough considering the productive options remaining (Are there any, i wonder...).
Then we have the famous driving force of altruism which implies unselfish (not concerned about one's own welfare) concern for and devotion to the welfare of others. Another little question... Why does an 'unselfish' individual help others? Because seeing others happy makes him or her feel happy... But hey! If you want to be happy and are doing something towards achieving that end, doesn't that make you self-centered?
Firstly, what is 'self'? I believe, it is a combination of our values, ideas, perspectives, actions, visions, body, intellect, emotions and expressions (Am I missing out on anything?). If you ask me to 'sacrifice' all this for helping the world, it get a little tough considering the productive options remaining (Are there any, i wonder...).
Then we have the famous driving force of altruism which implies unselfish (not concerned about one's own welfare) concern for and devotion to the welfare of others. Another little question... Why does an 'unselfish' individual help others? Because seeing others happy makes him or her feel happy... But hey! If you want to be happy and are doing something towards achieving that end, doesn't that make you self-centered?
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