My Experiments with the Unknown

Few months back, my friend Rajan and I went to a Chinese restaurant, ‘Peking Palace’ in Hyderabad. As we are always curious to taste the unknown, we opted for an item which we haven’t tried until then. We chose ‘Chinese tea’. Contrary to our expectation, our experiment failed. The tea wasn’t appealing to our tongue.

Few weeks back, we went to another Chinese restaurant ‘Bowl-O-China’. Again as usual we chose the unusual. We picked the ‘unknown’ dish called ‘Phuket fish’. The cost was expensive but the dish was awesome. It was a lip-smacking experience. Our experiment was successful.

The above two situations exemplify the two possible results that can happen when anyone ventures into the unknown. Either your adventure can yield a success or a failure. Either it can be a Phuket Fish or a Chinese tea. That’s it, there is nothing in between. No ‘Ifs’ No ‘Buts’ or even no ‘May be’s’

I am a curious cat. I always try new things whether it’s a casual walk to an unknown street, or trying a new dish or learning an unknown skill. The diversity in our choices will reflect in our actions. I love the unknown. It may bring a failure or success, it may turn out to be a negative or a positive experience. The result doesn’t matter. What remains with me is the experience of tasting the unknown.

What ever knowledge I have, What ever actions I take, it is the accumulated result of my practice of experimenting with the unknown. Only the unknown brings you new wisdom, only the unknown gives you new insights. If not, what else would do so?

The sign of freedom is not dealing with the known but having guts to venture into the unknown. Only then you are called a ‘free bird’, else you are just caged. Exploring the unknown sets you free; Free from the ignorance and free from the past. It is the symbol of flowering and the fruition of freedom within you.

Let’s Play

We begin our life with play.

As kids we played a lot with toys and later we joined our hands with other kids (teamwork in action) and slowly this phenomenon called ‘play’ graduated to school sports and finally ended up competing with other teams in inter-college events.

But as we grew to adulthood we stopped playing . Why? Is it because we are busy hunting a job? or Is it because we are busy with work? or Is it because we are busy with our family life?

Let’s explore…

We need to first understand that playing is learning.

Not only us every creature on this planet learns its future hurdles by having a play-fight with its siblings. Playing is an essential part of our life that teaches not only to stay fit but also to compete, fight, struggle and finally to win the game (of life). Winning is just a bye-product of our play. The main product is our own ‘progress‘ in life. Playing is a miniature example of the life itself.

When we understand the importance of the PLAY, we appreciate life and our own existence in the process.

What does a game teach us?

There are 3 crucial elements that a game helps us to get a hold.

First, in order to win we need strength , so we should be physically strong.

Second, to compete we need to understand the rival team completely, their strengths, weaknesses etc. So we need knowledge.

Third , we have to give our 100% to the sport, we must be fully into action.

Now apply the above 3 elements physical strength, knowledge and action to the problems we face in our lives. Any problem we face resembles a game. The playing field may change, but the principles are the same.

All our life revolves around metaphors. We associate the unknown to the known. So when we take life to a metaphor of game, that childhood energy, enthusiasm, and spirit all come back to the present. This enhances our learning experience and cements the concept in our mind.

In fact, to succeed in life we no need to grow as adults, but we have to become children again and should return to our progressive childhood. We need to let the child in us to take action and finally we should wake up the ‘player’ who was sleeping inside us from years.

No player goes to the ground with reluctance, then why do we go to the work unwillingly?

If you really hate the job either change the game (job) or at least change the rules.

No one forces a sportsman to play, they love it and they do it, naturally. Then why are we not playing the game of life? When you love something fully, you won’t call it ‘hard work.’ It just becomes a play.

Consider your office as a play ground. Just change your vocabulary. If someone asks “Where are you going?” say “I am going to the ground” If someone asks “What are you doing?” just say “I am playing”

Let’s take life as a game and every situation as the ground just made ready, for us to play and to win the opponent. The opponent being the problem we face at present.

Let’s Play…

Magnets

A magnet can attract or repel. We attract what we focus. We repel what we neglect. Attract the awesome, neglect the negative. 

Every human being is having a magnet within him. The size of the magnet increases or decreases based on efforts he puts in. The BIGGER the size, the better the attraction.

Initially all our magnets are small. So we have to hunt for what we desire. We have to search the nook and corner until we find what we want. We need to walk (or even run) until we get what we seek. This is what a common man does all his life. Walking, Searching, Hunting, Running….and looking for something. Often he gets disappointed, diluted, and gets tired.

To increase the size of the magnet we have to focus on only one thing: Ourselves

As we pay attention to our own well being in various dimensions, we identify our ‘holes’. Only when these holes get filled, we attain the flowering of our own existence. In fact, everybody is born with certain weak spots. The purpose of their presence is just to help you understand the ‘power of efforts’. In the process of shedding these weaknesses, you will realize that nothing comes easy. We have to put efforts –all our efforts– to fill them with positive energy.

As you put efforts to reach that wholeness, the size of your inner magnet, starts increasing. It is synchronous with your own efforts. Now as the size increases, the magnet gets bigger and bigger. As we know the bigger the magnet, the better the attraction. Remember that since it is a magnet it will repel too. It will repel all the negative energies from you. So now you no need to chase your desired objects. They come to you. What ever you focus, it will manifest. Whatever you dream, it will reach reality. You no need to hunt, run, or chase something. All your desires arrive at your footstep, naturally.

Focus on your holes called weaknesses until they get filled, so that your dreams get fulfilled.

When you focus on ‘You’. You will become the world and the world becomes You.

Be a Magnet; Attract the best and repel the rest.

Let our magnets expand until our whole body becomes one huge magnet.

Expand…. else we remain as the common people.

Why 100%?

I have recently gone to a grocery shop to buy few items. I picked the items and about to pay the bill. Suddenly I understood that I have only a five hundred rupees note with me.

Though hesitating, I gave it to the cashier. Since the amount I purchased was very low (just Rs.20). He said to me “Please get the change”. As I didn’t have any option I went on a hunt for the change. I tried all the nine shops within the building. I failed to get the change.

So I was returning to the cashier, suddenly I realized that I skipped one shop among the nine. The reason why I missed that shop was when I went to the shop, the shop keeper was busy talking on the phone. I waited for some time but he ignored me. I thought may be he saw the five hundred rupee note in my hand and as he didn’t have the change, he was neglecting me.

Since now I don’t have any option, I felt like going to that shop again. I went there and asked him. He smiled and gave me the required change.

This incident made me to think. I questioned myself “Do we really try 100% in every aspect?”.

I  can say with confidence that most of us won’t put our efforts 100%, but we just assume so. Imagine some things in your life where you tried hard but failed. If we track back such incidents we will understand that somewhere, something was ‘missing’. That something is nothing but the 100% bench mark.

If you are trying for a job, don’t skip even the faintest of  opportunity that comes your way. May be that small company which you ignored might land you in flying colors. May be that’s the ‘missing’ part in the 100% mark.

If you are trying to achieve your dream, don’t leave those subtle weak spots that are lurking in your heart. May be they must be filled with loads of effort to complete the 100% journey.

Don’t justify your failures with lack of luck.

Don’t ignore the truth (which you already knew) deep within your heart.

Try to bring out what you lack, with what you –already– have.

Question yourself  “Did I really try 100%?”

The Power of One

Gandhi showed the world how truth and non-violence can bring the change even in the stubborn minds.

Mother Teresa proved that the path to god is by serving the needy.

Michael Jackson taught us that anything is possible if we dare to begin

Obama made it clear that character can overshadow the color of the skin

Ambani inspired us that wealth creation starts from the power of will but not from money

Abdul kalam narrated the strength of dreaming by living his own dream.

Leonardo Da Vinci convinced us that one person can excel in as many fields as he can dare to.

Lincoln made it strong that perseverance always wins

Benjamin Franklin persuaded us that age is not the limitation for achievements.

Throughout history many ordinary people disproved the existing rules and created new paths for their followers.

Now it is time for us to continue the line by proving that we, the ordinary mortals, can create extraordinary results through sheer power of dreaming and doing.

Let us not forget that these people began their journey as individuals.

Let us salute the power of ONE.

When you want to…

When you want to find the weapon for peace, re-search on Gandhi

When you want to understand the cost of independence, go to a freedom fighter

When you want to focus on patience, wait for Buddha

When you want to know the team work, join your hands with ants

When you want to know what service is, grant some time for Mother Teresa

When you want to become an orator, listen to Winston Churchill

When you want to know what the blind can do, see Helen Keller

When you want to know the price of violence, throw some light on Hitler

When you want to know the beauty of love, watch your mother

When you want to learn how to question, seek Socrates

When you want to study life, observe yourself…

The Seventh Sense

I know you are curious about the title.

Let me give you some hints;                                  

Sometimes we have it and sometimes we don’t.

Even an intelligent guy may miss it on some occasion.

More than sixth sense we need this sense to achieve something in life.

People blame you if you lack it.

Got it? OK… OK… I won’t trouble you more.

 It’s called ‘Common Sense.’

Many a time we indulge in our problems so deep that we forget the fundamentals. Over-thinking may ruin our basic faculties of mind. At such times common sense might be the solution. 

Let me illustrate an example.

NASA as part of its mission prepared several equipments for the astronauts to ensure a safe space journey. When astronauts went to the space they faced a problem. They were unable write with their pens as the ink from the pen is not flowing downwards. NASA has done a great research on this issue. Huge money and many years were invested in this research. Finally they have devised a pen which can be used in space.

The same problem was solved by Russians with simple common sense. Russians astonished the Americans with their solution. They used a pencil instead of pen.

What Americans felt as a great creative pursuit has been solved by Russians simply by using common sense.

So my insight:

Never try to pursue a problem so deep until you have tried it first with common sense. In short, creativity should begin with common sense.

When you are deeply occupied with a problem, you may have lost focus but the very same problem can be solved by your friendly neighbor with his common sense approach. Why? Since it is not his problem he may view this in a fresh light with his common sense. He may get the right solution to you.

 In the same way you may solve somebody else’s problem since you are not part of their problem.

Someone said it rightly “Common sense is uncommon.”

Go back to your past and identify some foolish things you did. Some things really make us laugh. Why? Because since we miss ‘common sense’ at that particular time they make us laugh now when we recall that incident.

 Foolish things become funny by age.

So forget the sixth sense, first focus on the common sense to avoid the nuisance.

The Most Poisonous Disease: Negative Talk

Observe any conversation that’s happening around you for few minutes…or reflect on yesterday’s discussions you had and try to find out the ‘content’ of the conversation.

And now tell me if it does not contain some element of remark or sarcasm or negative talk about somebody who is not present in that discussion.

In my perception that’s the most poisonous disease of all.

How it starts?

Typically it starts when people are not busy with their work. If everyone is engrossed in their own assignments, they have little room for negative talk. But when leisure creeps into our life we tend to strike a conversation with our friends or colleagues. This ice-breaker slowly paves way for talking about a person who is not there. Why? Because if he was present you would have directly talked to him. The discussion slowly catapults into the negative side (at least in the perception of the talker) of the subject. Again, why negative? Simply because it’s more ‘entertaining’ for the parties involved in the conversation. Normal (good) things don’t have the element of entertainment. So the people doing the discussion enjoy a kind of pleasure in finding the mistakes of the subject and their own personal experiences with the subject. They add some drama and make it a wonderful play. It is a way of venting their ‘own’ work-frustrations. Gradually some people around them join this ‘exciting’ discussion. They too share their ‘stories’ associated with the subject.

Surprisingly the subject, when he comes the next day, he may start a negative talk of somebody who is not present there. Others get involved too. So it’s a kind of trap where everyone talks bad about everyone in the group, even when the subject is their close friend.

It’s very insulting to bad-mouth somebody in their absence. It’s even embarrassing for the subject if he learns about the discussion happened and the parties involved. It destroys the healthy relationship among the group and propels un-conducive atmosphere. A new person who joins this group will get a negative impact of the relationships. It drains the energy and kills lot of time. It’s contagious and a poisonous disease which spreads easily, damaging whatever it contacts.

How to eliminate negative talk?

Let’s find out ways to avoid this…

I have observed that people with big dreams and higher motives neither initiate nor involve in the negative talk. Because they are so busy in striving for their dreams and they know the value of time. So point one, get busy with some goals.

I heard somewhere that “Common people talk about others, mediocre people talk about things and Great men talk about ideas.” It’s very easy to get involved in negative talk because it is so addictive. Don’t get carried away by this strong current. If the discussion is heading towards negativity, redirect it towards positive things. This can be done only when you are conscious of the conversation. Try it and through practice you can redirect any conversation to your point. So that makes the second point, be super-cautious and redirect the discussion to a healthy note.

Sometimes even when we try hard, we cannot avoid such talks or cannot get rid of such people, and then there is only one way: leave the place. So that’s the final point, leave the place.

By the way, what are you talking about?

The Struggle for Space

Every living creature in this planet has a constant struggle for space. Space can vary in degrees and size, but we thrive for it until the last breath.

Politicians thrive for chair space

Actors struggle for screen space.

Philanthropists strive for heart space.

Lovers seek lonely space.

Orphans need home space

Sportsmen compete for record space

Soldiers fight to protect country’s space

Writers yearn for the reader’s mind space

Everyone needs some personal space and

Even our death demands some ground space.

And finally Astronauts want to find out what’s in the space.

What space are you striving for?

People around you

When I was working as a software engineer in Bangalore in 2005, I happened to attend a conference held by Bill Gates. The event was the launch of Microsoft’s product ‘.NET 2005’

After Gates’ spellbinding speech he permitted the audience to ask few questions. The last question asked was ‘What was your advice for the young Indians?’ He said “Have incredible passion and be surrounded by the people who have the same”

Brilliant point, Isn’t it?

You are judged by the people you keep or avoid.

Even a recent research says that ‘You are the average of the five persons you spend most of your time with’

If you are surrounded by the intellectuals, you will become one. If encircled by fools, you know what!

Be ultra-conscious of people around you as they can make or break your life. One good thing about this incredible insight is: The choice is in your hands. For example most of our friends are the people we like.

Any new relationship is exciting in the initial meetings. The secret to understand the other person easily and quickly in initial phases of the relationship is to allow him to talk more. Good listening skills can save you from your time and energy. Encourage him to talk and you will get to know him quickly. If you really feel the relationship is worth pursuing, you can continue. The smart way to think is “Does this relationship help me in reaching my dream?” If yes, continue; else, you know what.

I saw many people suffering from the disease of ‘hesitation’. Even though they hate the other person they can’t say ‘No’ to the relationship. But remember ‘it’s your life’. We have very little time to pursue our own dreams. First tell them your noble intentions. If they can’t understand, cut the crap and say good bye. It may hurt you initially but once you do it, the amount of confidence you gain and loads of energy you attain is unbelievable.

Two wise points to help you:

1. Spend your time with the people who already achieved what you are dreaming of. That’s what smart people do. If you want to become a great speaker dedicate some time to find such person in your city and by hook or crook  befriend him and be his assistant (at least part-time).
2. Find a person who shares your passion. If you are an aspiring writer then find another aspiring writer with same or ‘more’ passion. When two people with similar passion meet, the energy is 9 times higher. In fact, it’s called synergy. The advantage of traveling in the same boat with such passionate partner is two-fold:
   1. You can fuel your fire whenever you meet him
   2. You can gain more insights, through ‘his’ point of view

In a nutshell, befriend your role-model or befriend an aspiring ‘you’ and soon you will reach your dream, happily.

By the way, with whom do you spend most of the time?