Are we humans selfish? In a sense 'yes' and in a sense 'no', is how I see it. We constantly think of what we want. Work, career and thus money that leads to material comforts. We shop, eat for ourselves and feel good. In the process we satisfy ourselves, so we are selfish? At the same time we tie ourselves down by society and relatives. We live for parents, spouse, children and extended family, making sacrifices and doing things we don't like. Are we compelled to or do we give in? Some of us do return to the society, from time to time in our own small way.Do I still label ourselves as selfish?
What is wrong if one says one wants to go 'incognito'? To be in disguise or a false identity does not sound right or nice but what if one wants to be away from all those who one knows and is tuned to be responsible and answerable to? It is not about escapism. As for right and wrong, there is no such thing, it is all grey and again it is society(us humans) that decides and defines the 'right' and the 'wrong'.
Why can't we think beyond the self and yet do things for the self the way one wants to without being bound by ties and society?
At this point, I can only quote Robert Frost:
“The woods are lovely, dark and deep
But I have promises to keep
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Life is Purposeless and Meaningless
We humans eat, sleep, breathe and excrete because our system requires the same from us in order to function well, these things are not completely in our control and but natural. That is how our biological clock and system works. In addition we re-produce. We crave for material assets that give us some kinda weird pleasure but this can't be the purpose of life or does life have a purpose at all?
To do things that one likes, appreciates and enjoys is an experience not a purpose. Life in itself is an experience.
Like mentioned in an earlier post, life undoubtedly is a path that leads to the unknown.
A friend of mine says that it is when one feels joy and happiness from within,can connect with the cosmic energy and feels secure and protected by this cosmic energy is then that one has attained the purpose of life or is that Nirvana? Life's purpose is also to help others attain or come some where close to feeling this happiness from within, one step at a time, she says.
I can't quite comprehend and relate to this while another friend says, our mind is tuned to and can only understand logic and not irrational stuff. This is the reason why many of us tend to provide some kind of an answer as the purpose and meaning of life or existence. No matter what answer one provides, the next question that will arise is 'Why'. Why is xyz, the purpose of life, if that is answered it will be followed by another question 'Why so'. Hence there is no final answer for this question.
Why do people who have attained peace with themselves still need to earn and possess those material comforts? May be, this inner peace is a state of mind that exists only for a period of time(from one time to another) and does not last forever or is that not the case? What on earth is this peace from within? Again this friend, says that according to him it is about doing things you like, enjoy and are passionate about and enjoying every bit of what you do, sitting back and appreciating the world around you and not just being part of the rat race. This is not the definition but could possibly be somewhere close.
To me life, is abstract, bizarre and so is it's purpose and meaning. Guess it lacks both!
To do things that one likes, appreciates and enjoys is an experience not a purpose. Life in itself is an experience.
Like mentioned in an earlier post, life undoubtedly is a path that leads to the unknown.
A friend of mine says that it is when one feels joy and happiness from within,can connect with the cosmic energy and feels secure and protected by this cosmic energy is then that one has attained the purpose of life or is that Nirvana? Life's purpose is also to help others attain or come some where close to feeling this happiness from within, one step at a time, she says.
I can't quite comprehend and relate to this while another friend says, our mind is tuned to and can only understand logic and not irrational stuff. This is the reason why many of us tend to provide some kind of an answer as the purpose and meaning of life or existence. No matter what answer one provides, the next question that will arise is 'Why'. Why is xyz, the purpose of life, if that is answered it will be followed by another question 'Why so'. Hence there is no final answer for this question.
Why do people who have attained peace with themselves still need to earn and possess those material comforts? May be, this inner peace is a state of mind that exists only for a period of time(from one time to another) and does not last forever or is that not the case? What on earth is this peace from within? Again this friend, says that according to him it is about doing things you like, enjoy and are passionate about and enjoying every bit of what you do, sitting back and appreciating the world around you and not just being part of the rat race. This is not the definition but could possibly be somewhere close.
To me life, is abstract, bizarre and so is it's purpose and meaning. Guess it lacks both!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Chit Chat's Second Birthday!
Happy Second Birthday, Chit-Chat!
In the year that went by not much had been said nor done. Chit Chat was re-vamped and given a new look.
Hopefully the third year witnesses more meaningful n fun blog posts.
You've always helped me vent, irrespective of whether I published the post or not.
Thank you!
In the year that went by not much had been said nor done. Chit Chat was re-vamped and given a new look.
Hopefully the third year witnesses more meaningful n fun blog posts.
You've always helped me vent, irrespective of whether I published the post or not.
Thank you!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Borrow/Lend = Return/Not Return?
To Borrow or lend implies that the commodity is supposed to be returned, right? So when people borrow stuff, especially money(irrespective of the amount - big or small) why do they conviniently forget to return, more often than not?
As a principle I beleive in returning every pie I borrow, if at all I do ever happen to borrow. I try avoid such transactions, unless inevitable and hence expect the same incase I lend. I believe money can mar a relationship irrespective of how close you are with the other person. It's not about how much(I have had people telling me "it is such a small amount, why do you care?") but about the principle.
Nature only knows whether such people have a conscience!
As a principle I beleive in returning every pie I borrow, if at all I do ever happen to borrow. I try avoid such transactions, unless inevitable and hence expect the same incase I lend. I believe money can mar a relationship irrespective of how close you are with the other person. It's not about how much(I have had people telling me "it is such a small amount, why do you care?") but about the principle.
Nature only knows whether such people have a conscience!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Culture or Chauvanism?
What is the Ram Sena upto? What Indian culture are they refering to? Do they even realise what "culture" means? No individual has the right to intervene in another individual's life. How one dresses, socialises, etc is not any other individual or groups business. As long as the legal framework is adhered to, who is the Ram Sena to tell any life bearing body in this country what to do or what not to do? Whether one apes the west or not, is one's personal prerogative.
It is sad and unfortunate to see such anti-social elements and their acts in this land of Khajuraho and KamaSutra. These are merely a group of ill-informed(half-baked knowledge) people who stoop to any extent for mere poltical gain. To remain in power, you use the public? How sad is the state of this democracy?
I like the approach(ahimsa) that the Pink Chaddi campaign adopted to. :)
Lil does the Ram Sena realize that there are youngsters out there who took advantage of their announcement about getting couples seen in public on Valentine's day married off. Who knows, how very mature, sure were these individuals about their decision or themselves? What right, authority did the Ram Sena have to decide their future?
Gandhiji sure must be turning in his grave.
It is sad and unfortunate to see such anti-social elements and their acts in this land of Khajuraho and KamaSutra. These are merely a group of ill-informed(half-baked knowledge) people who stoop to any extent for mere poltical gain. To remain in power, you use the public? How sad is the state of this democracy?
I like the approach(ahimsa) that the Pink Chaddi campaign adopted to. :)
Lil does the Ram Sena realize that there are youngsters out there who took advantage of their announcement about getting couples seen in public on Valentine's day married off. Who knows, how very mature, sure were these individuals about their decision or themselves? What right, authority did the Ram Sena have to decide their future?
Gandhiji sure must be turning in his grave.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Public Display of Respect
In a land like ours(India), respecting your elders, goes without saying. It is grilled into us from childhood but how important is it to display the same?
Is it true that you value your elders only if you address them with phrases such as "bhaiya/anna","didi/akka", suffixed to their names or by falling at their feet every time you meet them? I am not saying that one MUST NOT do such stuff. Infact I have observed over time that most(not all) elders find a certain pleasure when you ask for their blessings and fall at their feet(I don't lose anything by giving them that happiness and so I do so, when required i.e. on occassions). Yet, I feel that respect is something one must feel from within towards the other irrespective of age, relationship and displaying respect is NOT MANDATORY. In other words, if you don't fall at your elder's feet or address them in a certain manner it does not mean that you DISRESPECT them or that you are ILL MANNERED(some people strongly think otherwise).
I think the same applies to PDA!
Follow your heart and do what you believe in. Simply suit yourself!
Non-related Stuff: I finally visited the Race Course and it was a beautiful sight to see those majestic, handsome horses run the last lap in reality as against watching the same on the idiot box. But for the bad crowd and sadly maintained Turf Club, I'd sure love to visit the place more often!
Is it true that you value your elders only if you address them with phrases such as "bhaiya/anna","didi/akka", suffixed to their names or by falling at their feet every time you meet them? I am not saying that one MUST NOT do such stuff. Infact I have observed over time that most(not all) elders find a certain pleasure when you ask for their blessings and fall at their feet(I don't lose anything by giving them that happiness and so I do so, when required i.e. on occassions). Yet, I feel that respect is something one must feel from within towards the other irrespective of age, relationship and displaying respect is NOT MANDATORY. In other words, if you don't fall at your elder's feet or address them in a certain manner it does not mean that you DISRESPECT them or that you are ILL MANNERED(some people strongly think otherwise).
I think the same applies to PDA!
Follow your heart and do what you believe in. Simply suit yourself!
Non-related Stuff: I finally visited the Race Course and it was a beautiful sight to see those majestic, handsome horses run the last lap in reality as against watching the same on the idiot box. But for the bad crowd and sadly maintained Turf Club, I'd sure love to visit the place more often!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Stereotype
Is it convinient or cool to be a Stereotype?
Who decides/decided the below(Society)?
- The kind of clothes a man should wear and the way he should
carry himself.
- The kind of clothes a woman should wear and how she should
carry herself.
- Women are meant to be well groomed.
- Women take care of the household and family(yes that is implicit
even in the 21st Century).
- The man must be older than a woman in a relationship(married or
otherwise).
- The man is the head of the family.
- The man should be taller than the woman.
- The man must possess a higher qualification than the woman.
- The woman must look beautiful no matter how ugly the man is.
- The list continues.....
The list is lengthy and exhaustive.
What is it that influences this mindset? How difficult is it to break away from this stereotypical mindset and yet be part of such a society? I am sure it is easier said than done!
What is your take on this?
Who decides/decided the below(Society)?
- The kind of clothes a man should wear and the way he should
carry himself.
- The kind of clothes a woman should wear and how she should
carry herself.
- Women are meant to be well groomed.
- Women take care of the household and family(yes that is implicit
even in the 21st Century).
- The man must be older than a woman in a relationship(married or
otherwise).
- The man is the head of the family.
- The man should be taller than the woman.
- The man must possess a higher qualification than the woman.
- The woman must look beautiful no matter how ugly the man is.
- The list continues.....
The list is lengthy and exhaustive.
What is it that influences this mindset? How difficult is it to break away from this stereotypical mindset and yet be part of such a society? I am sure it is easier said than done!
What is your take on this?
Thursday, January 1, 2009
New Year and A Ritual?
The most common questions that do the rounds as new year's eve approaches and until a few days after we are in to the next year are: "What are you doing for New Year's Eve?" or "How did you welcome the new year?"
When a certain action is repeated, does it not become a ritual(not in the sense of a religious ritual)? Aren't rituals boring and meaningless?
While every weekday repeats itself, once every seven days, every month repeats itself once every year, so does every year repeat itself once every 365 days. What's so special about a New Year? It is just another day, another year that will soon roll by. A calender whose leaf is turned. Does it not become a ritual to celebrate and welcome the new year, year after year? It is a mere excuse to party, let your hair down and spend time with loved ones while Clubs make their profits(that is perfectly fine, warranted and acceptable). Then why so much ado about nothing? It is a ritual at the end of the day, ain't it?
When a certain action is repeated, does it not become a ritual(not in the sense of a religious ritual)? Aren't rituals boring and meaningless?
While every weekday repeats itself, once every seven days, every month repeats itself once every year, so does every year repeat itself once every 365 days. What's so special about a New Year? It is just another day, another year that will soon roll by. A calender whose leaf is turned. Does it not become a ritual to celebrate and welcome the new year, year after year? It is a mere excuse to party, let your hair down and spend time with loved ones while Clubs make their profits(that is perfectly fine, warranted and acceptable). Then why so much ado about nothing? It is a ritual at the end of the day, ain't it?
Friday, December 26, 2008
The Year That Was(2008)
It is time to bid farewell to 2008 and welcome 2009. 2008 wasn't a great year for starts. It started on a bad note, while a close friend went through a difficult phase on the personal front(which hit me hard), followed by the loss of my most favorite grand-uncle. I switched jobs, which I badly needed to do but it didn't make much difference in terms of learning and growth, though otherwise I definitely found more time for leisure. Planned a vacation or two abroad but in vain.:( Made my first big(considerably big) purchase followed by a few other small gadgets. Did not see much of a change on the personal front(neither for the good nor the bad).
Not to forget the increasing acts of terrorism in the country and world over, Global Warming, the Economic Slowdown and it's after effects making their presence felt more than ever before.
I can't believe that I am almost done with two years of blogging and my blog got approved by WBC. Time has flown by and so has 2008!
Life goes on and I continue to try and take life as it comes, one step at a time!
Not to forget the increasing acts of terrorism in the country and world over, Global Warming, the Economic Slowdown and it's after effects making their presence felt more than ever before.
I can't believe that I am almost done with two years of blogging and my blog got approved by WBC. Time has flown by and so has 2008!
Life goes on and I continue to try and take life as it comes, one step at a time!
Friday, December 19, 2008
North Vs South
A lot of us must have faced scenarios where in collegues, aquaintances and even friends at times mock South Indians. I am not denying the fact that the case is vice versa as well. I also admit that we are all Indians at the end of the day and belong to one nation.
But, is that how we see ourselves unless and until there is a major mishap(terrorist activity of sorts)?
This is on account of what I have witnessed and am not out here to condemn, demeen or use derogatory terms against North Indians or Non-South Indians. I infact until recently always had a soft corner toward North Indians for reasons unknown.
I am appauled by the audacity of people who possibly don't consider themselves as INDIANS but also make fun of South Indians - their skin color, accents, style of speaking, pronunciation, habits and food while they(the non-South Indians) live in South India to earn their bread and butter. This annoys me the most. If you can't respect others for what and who they are the least you can do is not make fun of them(more so while you reside in their land). For the North Indians, South India equates to Madras(thanks to Bollywood as well) and black people as they refer to us. Black implies Dark, that is the right word in English for Kala(in hindi). Didn't you know?
A gujju once said:"There are snakes in the hole", he meant "There are snacks in the hall". A bong said:"There are babes in the water", he meant "There are waves in the water". A Punju said: "I am com-for-table" he meant "I am comfortable". What about those of you who replace the word "THINK" with the word "HOPE" in every other so called English sentence of yours("I hope you are frustrated"!, boy what was that? Well it means "I think you are frustrated")? Do we speak of achievers from various parts of India? Well I am not getting in to that. One can go on, but like I earlier said I am not out here to make fun of anyone but to express my views and disgust towards such people who make fun(unless done in good spirit) of others irrespective of wheather they are from the South or the North of India.
Disclaimer: My intent is not to target North Indians or Hindi speaking public(fellow Indians) through this post. I am trying to put across what I have seen and how South Indians(implies Madrasis) are victimised. I will be more than happy to read/hear from you about instances that work the other way round(though I never did or will deny the possibility and the reality). Neither am I generalising that all non-South Indians possess such an attitude towards South Indians nor am I trying to claim that South Indians do not have a problem and/or are very friendly, forthcoming and approachable towards non-South Indians.
But, is that how we see ourselves unless and until there is a major mishap(terrorist activity of sorts)?
This is on account of what I have witnessed and am not out here to condemn, demeen or use derogatory terms against North Indians or Non-South Indians. I infact until recently always had a soft corner toward North Indians for reasons unknown.
I am appauled by the audacity of people who possibly don't consider themselves as INDIANS but also make fun of South Indians - their skin color, accents, style of speaking, pronunciation, habits and food while they(the non-South Indians) live in South India to earn their bread and butter. This annoys me the most. If you can't respect others for what and who they are the least you can do is not make fun of them(more so while you reside in their land). For the North Indians, South India equates to Madras(thanks to Bollywood as well) and black people as they refer to us. Black implies Dark, that is the right word in English for Kala(in hindi). Didn't you know?
A gujju once said:"There are snakes in the hole", he meant "There are snacks in the hall". A bong said:"There are babes in the water", he meant "There are waves in the water". A Punju said: "I am com-for-table" he meant "I am comfortable". What about those of you who replace the word "THINK" with the word "HOPE" in every other so called English sentence of yours("I hope you are frustrated"!, boy what was that? Well it means "I think you are frustrated")? Do we speak of achievers from various parts of India? Well I am not getting in to that. One can go on, but like I earlier said I am not out here to make fun of anyone but to express my views and disgust towards such people who make fun(unless done in good spirit) of others irrespective of wheather they are from the South or the North of India.
Disclaimer: My intent is not to target North Indians or Hindi speaking public(fellow Indians) through this post. I am trying to put across what I have seen and how South Indians(implies Madrasis) are victimised. I will be more than happy to read/hear from you about instances that work the other way round(though I never did or will deny the possibility and the reality). Neither am I generalising that all non-South Indians possess such an attitude towards South Indians nor am I trying to claim that South Indians do not have a problem and/or are very friendly, forthcoming and approachable towards non-South Indians.
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