It Was "Night"

Summers...that time of the year when kids experience the true form of Democracy. I remember, during my school days, I would wait all round the year for April to come. Mummy would lose command over me and Papa would be clueless about ratinoale behind my happiness:-). Friends used to be the only people that existed for me for those 3 months. And invariably year after year we would engage ouselves in some extra curricular activities, why? Because being idle (especially when you are mischievous) would mean trouble for parents.

I will be surprised to know if you ever had a dull summer vacation. Each one of us (as a custom) was made to explore the other side of self...and that's when I tried my hands with Poetry. That's very unlike me...Nevertheless, I treasured few of them and posting one today...


Strolling in the dead silence of Night
I felt something around me
It was “Night”

Same with whom I have spent years
Dreaming about the days to come
One which has allured me by its tranquility
It was “Night”

Remained there with me
Forever- in my grief, in ecstasy, even when my shadow turned away
It was “Night”

Acquainted me with the moon and the stars
Gave me the liberty to know myself in the dark
It was “Night”

Deep and dark – dark enough, forbidding peeping across
Where else could I have found such an amenity , for…
It was “Night”

By the dawn it would go
But I can wait over-day, for…
It was a pleasant “Night”

Welcoming Life

Reading it appears is the Best habit one can inculcate. Though, I am not an avid reader, but do not mind going through few pages to relax. Recently I heard about “The Secret” which talks about “Law of Attraction” and power of positive thoughts. I tried it and could not read it beyond 20 pages in the first trial (boredom loves me it seemsJ). Then something happened, which I do not even remember, and that somehow compelled me to pick up the book again. I read with perseverance, pages after pages (however, only apprx. 60 this timeJ) intellectuals talking about how it can change your life and all. And to my surprise it made sense, and it sounded interesting (if only you could remove the reiterations). This (reiteration) is the reason I do not like Books, and also most of them talk in circle. Anyways, “The Secret” says – continuously think about something that you want and it will come to you. Sounds like magic, but it is not that easy, yet there is a message. The message is – if you are PASSIONATE about something, you will surely think a lot about it, and since you think a lot about it, you will gradually do things to make it come true. Now that sounds logical.

Then I picked another book, this time “The 3 Mistakes of My Life” (you would have observed I pick up Bestsellers when they are not Bestsellers anymoreJ). More than the book, the author’s talent amazes me. He is an IITian and IIM-A graduate who is giving best of the authors a run for their money. Think of it, it’s like you are from a Vernacular medium and later in your life you become an English Prof., and that too a bloody damn good professor. I don’t know what he would have written if only he had chosen that vocation.

Anyways, the book is compelling and makes a good reading. This book also talks about Passion. However, I strongly believe Chetan should change his themes now. All the books that he has written have similar underlying theme.

Then there is this Book called “It’s Not About The Bike-My Journey Back To Life” by Lance Armstrong. Where he spoke about how his Passion for Cycling made him 2 times Olympic Champion and 5 Times Winner of “Tour de France”, and he happens to be a Cancer survivor. All this compelled me to think about what makes someone so successful? Is it only Passion? And the answer undoubtedly is “Only Passion”. Take any example; Michael Schumacher, Sergei Bubka, Sachin Tendulkar and beyond sports; Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Narayana Murthy, Richard Branson, Dhirubhai Ambani, Laxmi Mittal, Amitabh Bachchan…How did they achieve this feat? Hours of Practice (u can call it homework), incessant desire to Excel, concentrated Efforts, Patience to see the Results, sleepless nights…the list is long.

The question is what is so great about leaving “A Mark” behind? Not everyone wants to do so. There has to be something more than Passion for Work. In my opinion more than just the Passion for what you do, it is Passion for Life. Otherwise how else would you get up every morning with the determination to make it better? Life changes every moment, circumstances change, your ambition, dreams, lifestyle, thinking, and friends and of course the job changes with time. And since so many things are destined to be different next morning, you ought to have some underlying motive to make it better.

The end objective could be anything; making more money, getting more fame, enjoying the luxuries, impressing others…but the driving force, it seems, is one’s Passion or Love for Life. That’s why people like Swami Vivekanand, Gautam Buddha, Sir Issac Newton, Aristotle, Mahatma Gandhi, Albert Einstein, Vasco Da Gama, Jesus Christ, Leonardo Da Vinci, Acharya Rajneesh (Osho) are still known as the Masters of their field. The motives must have been different but I am sure what drove them was Love for Life.

Ignite the Love, Enjoy the Life!!

Translating Clients

Sometimes we feel like expressing clueless comments to satisfy our egos. This expression is one such creation. It is inspired from another article that I read (Translating Women). Here is a corporate version:-)

Disclaimer: Comments have been picked from real life; however the translated version is solely the writer’s expression of humor. Strictly not meant to make mockery, nevertheless, laughter would be appreciated:-))

Translating Prospects / Clients(as in a business deal:-))

I THINK you have done a good job – are you kidding me!!

I want it tomorrow – I expected it day before yesterday!!

Will you be able to come down for discussions – You goofed up now bring your ass!!

Your products / services are good but…- Your products / services are really good but I m searching for a flaw to negotiate further.

Your products / services are unaffordable – You guys are minting money.

You guys are minting money – What’s your package?

What’s your package? – We have an offer.

We have an offer – Do you have any vacancy?

There is no professionalism in what you do – Actually we are not accustomed to such high professionalism.

I am neck-deep in work – Outsourcing is not helping much.

We need to fix this issue – You better fix it else your competitor gets the renewal.

How do you select people in your company – We have lots of ‘pain-in-the-ass” cases here.

Your proposition sounds interesting – How much do you charge?

How do you suggest we go about using your products / services? – How much do you charge?

Why don’t you submit a proposal – Interesting concept but too expensive.

This seems to be a new concept – You are talking alien here.

Call me later – don’t dare to bother me again.

Can you provide me some more information? – I have no clue on the topic…please help me!!!!!

I have no clue on the topic…please help me!!!!! – You should (at least) appreciate my honesty:-)

You talk like a consultant – I know more than you do.

I know more than u do – Lets change the topic, u seem to be more enlightened.

This is not acceptable – I want value for money.

You guys work hard – This needed hard work, that’s why we outsourced it to u.

I think you can do it – You better do it, you are being paid for that.

I would like to meet your boss – I know you don’t have authority to reduce price.

Your competitor is pretty affordable – Your competitor is worthless.

We are considering other proposals also – Give me a good offer and you got it.

Give me a good offer and you got it – We have already decided this is yours; no one is ready to pick this job at such a low cost.

We are considering other proposals also (another version) – We are still trying to understand the concept.

Let’s shake hands – You got it!! I dumped my job for a dirt cheap price.

Enjoy…

Prateek

The Paradoxical State

When I decided to write about something today, I was grossly confused as to what it could be!!! There are so many things I can talk about, but where to start from was a big question. Anyways when I was thinking, I suddenly got reminded of an article about Happiness Index in India. Indians, it seems are the happiest people still existing on the planetJ. I was faced with another big question! What are we so happy about??!! 35% of people living below poverty line, only 65% literacy rate, per capita income which can’t be compared with developed economies, hardly any infrastructure or amenities for public, standard of living way below as compared to other countries…the list is endless…I thought for sometime and found the correct word to explain “Happiness”. Actually, as a nation we are a group of contented and indifferent people. However, we have an opinion for almost everything under the sky, and that includes me as well. For a moment forget about us as a nation. Think of yourself and see if you are really happy. Confess to yourself and not to anyone else, and I know the answer in most cases would be NO.

In my opinion (I told you we have an opinion for every damn thingJ) as a nation with the largest young population, we have all the right to be “HAPPY”. But when you probe deeper, you will find sadness and dejection at professional and personal front in most of us. And it is natural because our aspirations and dreams are too high to be understood and met at this juncture.

Let me leave you with one question – Do you think you are happy? If yes…why? And if no…why?

If you differ from what I have said, please put in your comment (and I’ll give another opinionJ) and if you don’t, still your views are solicited.

Others make you happy

I understand your feeligs my friend I share a similar one. We spend all our life right from birth with a desire and intention to be happy. I got into school my parents made me study which I did just to make sure my parents are happy. Than I went to college I studied and studied hard. I spend hours in library and labs and spend most of my time preparing notes - these notes were circulated to all my friends who never attended practicals - what I acheived, I got friends who were happy. BUt BUt But where is my share of happiness ????

I fell in love I gave everything to make her happy, Than I started beleiving that our happiness lies in making others happy.

Over the years this feeling became stronger and stronger.

So my friend you dont have to wait to get your happiness, instead the time that you spend waiting try and make somebody else happy.

A misscal or a SMS is sufficient enough to make others happy and find your happiness in them.

Toady, waiting at a client's place, all of a sudden I went into a trance...n I realized it is going to be destructive...destructive for my intelligent mind:-) n I was right...waiting for some1 can only lead to frustration, be it your girlfriend or a client. By the way both r same; with either, u cant show ur anger, u should display care and understanding and even if u feel like “what the hack”- u still have to show and sustain “close-up” smile. So during the time when I was comatose…I was still thinking and talking to my inner self; my soul. I asked so many questions and most (infact all) of them were unanswered by the time his majesty –my client – came back. We had a chat and for an hour we discussed important issues with professional gravity. The moment I was done…same questions came back to haunt me. There surely was an uneasiness and discomfort about the way I lived today. One more day gone in search of what is commonly known as “Happiness”. This has been so for quite some time now…and I have been shrugging it off most of the time…newayz the moment I get a clue about “what is it that I am missing” I think I’ll be homo sapien again.


Nevertheless, the big question remains – “how to ensure waiting for someone turns constructive…”

I am starting this blog with a view that some of the thoughts which otherwise are unexpressed and remain suppressed, will be brought in open...hope to benefit and understand few concepts with clarity...