life

Changes, Challenges, And New Beginnings

October 10, 2018 General
Calvin & Hobbes - Changes & Challenges

One out of the many unpreventable consequences of our existence is facing countless changes and challenges of varying magnitudes, both in personal and professional capacities. To our advantage, if it wasn’t about accepting certain changes and tackling the challenges our pursuit of surviving against the odds would be permanently impeded and life itself would become dull and repetitive. Yet there’s no denying the fact that everything is shrouded in ambiguity without any access to answers from the future unless we gauge the situation first-hand.

In short, I could be intellectually prepared to face an unknown confrontation with time but I would have absolutely no control over when that event would occur or even have any visibility of the consequences thereof. Needless to say, there’s always a sense of apprehension lingering about how might I perform to the best of my abilities, and what path I might undertake that would align with my goals when I eventually face the challenge? Or how would that process change me for the better or worse?

A proud and a delightful moment is being unfolded, one that would unimaginably transform my viewpoint on matters relating to ‘challenges’ for the rest of my life. I’m embarking upon a new voyage in rediscovering myself all over again, and regardless of whether I’d end up smarter or lame, this wonderful token of blessing has ‘JOY’ written all over it!

Source: Calvin and Hobbes

The Fragile Life

February 25, 2018 General Happenings

The tragic news of the passing away of one of India’s greatest actors Sridevi due to a cardiac arrest hit me hard. She was only 54, young and fit. At first, I didn’t trust the news channel and verified from other online sources which confirmed they were indeed referring to the beloved icon who had worked in 5 Indian languages. I literally grew up cherishing her countless talents in masterpieces such as Sadma, Mr India, Chaalbaaz, Chandni, Lamhe, and her classic comeback vehicle English Vinglish, to me, she was an embodiment of grace, glamour and elegance. Later, I read about how the cardiac arrest is triggered and was informed that although there are external causes it could happen to anyone without a family history of heart ailments and I began to ponder. No doubt, life’s beautiful but it’s also fragile, one that could abruptly come to a complete halt and fade away!

Calvin and Hobbes - Fragile Life

Appreciating That Life Is A Miracle!

February 15, 2018 General

Calvin and Hobbes on Life

No doubt, while Calvin and Hobbes hold an artistic value for me the little boy is also enormously gifted in dishing out lessons on life. Like in this colourful strip, where he’s innocently mulling about life’s philosophy oblivious to the bitter reality that he won’t be any closer to deciphering it even as he grows up. Or would he?

Source: Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Waterson

Life Isn’t A Race

February 9, 2018 Quotes

Life is a complex set of mechanism with as many connotations & combinations that we can decipher. One of which is clearly established that measures our rate of success as compared to our peers, which we have adversely labelled as a ‘rat race’. This thoughtful quote from an uncredited source which advocates everything is primed and bound to materialize at an opportune time. Don’t look back on your past and ponder on what you have lost or left behind, but acknowledge what you’ve achieved and how far you’ve come on your strengths. Stay positive!

[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]New York is 3 hours ahead of California,
but that doesn’t make California slow.
Someone graduated at the age of 22,
but waited 5 years before securing a good job.
Someone became a CEO at 25,
and died at 50.
While another became a CEO at 50,
and lived to 90 years.
Someone is still single,
while someone else got married.
Obama retired at 55,
& Trump started at 70.
Everyone in this world works based on their time zone.
people around you might seem to be ahead of you,
& some might seem to be behind you.
But everyone is running their own race, in their own time.
Do not envy them & do not mock them.
They are in their time zone, and you are in yours
Life is about waiting for the right moment to act.
So, relax.
You’re not late.
You’re not early.
You are very much on time.[/perfectpullquote]

Rejection is Gratifying

November 9, 2015 General
If success is a measure of what you’ve achieved, then rejection or loss signifies the change that you must embrace in order to achieve success. Rejection is grappling against the tide, it’s like that flowing water which briefly encounters a rough patch of rocks. Dashing against it wildly. And then the tranquility sets in again as the stream continues towards its ultimate journey. Success only implies you have arrived at the summit, but for some it means the end of the road. I must confess that I have held my successes closer to my heart. But the rejections or losses weren’t ignored because I was blinded by success, they were just taken for granted. Because whatever it was — success or something similar, it became an integral part of my sojourn towards my destination until I decided to not to settle and move on. Carry my dreams to another level. The desire to succeed isn’t fulfilled if you are averse to rejections. So let the rejections today make up for the success of tomorrow.
Rejection is also about accepting unequivocal change. Rejection is a sign that perhaps you’re on the right trail. And while “Nothing is permanent” — as the Sun pierces the darkness turning it bright and sunny, as hot sweltering summers give way to icy cold winds. Thus too, success will come with time. Don’t stop until you have reached your destination and don’t stop looking around. Let the rejections embolden your spirits and make you more resilient. Keep track of your losses to make appropriate changes. And never ever stop dreaming! Success cannot be far away.