Life or something like it …

Character.. August 12, 2010

Recently I was reading a book which put an interesting question, what is your character? And I started thinking do I have any character at all? And how do I find what is my character?

They say life teaches us many things and how we take those experiences determine our character or rather strength of it. I met a person who has been defeated or turned down on his career front but he still goes out and works every day with the same zeal knows the purpose of his job and fulfills it.

I met a small 4 year old kid, who is very naughty and doesn’t listen to what his parents tell him but the day he sees his mom is sick, he changes into a very responsible boy and behaves himself.

Two totally different people in different contexts but showing great character.

Then there is a league of those who are after the big names, the big titles, the big money attached and the big boost to the ego in being associated with all those biggies, but losing out on giving their parents the much needed support in this age. I know a family whose sons are very well accomplished in their careers but do not have the time to talk to their parents in the house. They have a big bank balance but no one to share it with. They have the biggest names of the industry speaking to them, but no time to look at their kids and how they are growing up. They have the best medical facilities at their doors and all the diseases of this lifestyle with them. And talking of character, all they have is the hollow sense of pride, of how big they are, how successful they are, how accomplished their lives are.

Mom tells me what is the point of all the ambition, when all you get back home is stress, illness and arrogance. A recent jolt was enough to teach me the importance of good health, loved ones, friends, family and most importantly it taught me what it is to have some character in life.

This might sound too preachy but I realized my mistake. And I am happy to accept it and set it right..

At times all we need is a fresh perspective…

And it rains again today and heavily so.I sometimes think that I think more ( or rather think at all) when it rains..:D

The Big Kahuna August 8, 2010

I loved watching this movie and the monologue that ends it..Here goes ..

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.

You are NOT as fat as you imagine.

Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. The race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.

Get plenty of calcium.

Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.

Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s. Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own.

Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.

Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.

Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.

Be nice to your siblings; they are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.

Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you’ll have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.

Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you’re 40, it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.