Journey so far...

With purpose comes leadership.

Since the day I suggested you to mind your own business, I have been trying to make you aware, and not just informed, that self-leadership is the best way to succeed at any front of life. Whether you are working in a team in your profession or in family or a society, self-leadership helps. Independence is the primary requirement for interdependence. That is why I have insisted on finding the purpose before passion. Journey through each blog has been a process of self-evolution. Blogging is my way of sharing with you the learning out it. If you notice, you will co-relate the sequence of blogs with your learning process.

It has been 18 months since the first blog. So far, 30 blogs are published. It has given me the opportunity to connect with people I have &/or had never met. If you live for 80 years, you have precisely 960 months to live. I'm glad I utilized last 18 months trying to improve and inspire others along with myself. I am grateful that I could get your love and attention. The journey so far have been very satisfying. Each life experience, and blog, has added value in my life and made me aware that there is a lot to know, learn and share.

It seems right. Utilizing time and energy to help others and connect with them at emotional level. There is nothing intelligent in an uncontrolled consumption and wastefulness. Even mad people can do that. It requires mindfulness to live a well-regulated life. "Live like there is no tomorrow" is the half truth. Nobody wants to die today. Instead, we should be prepared to live for 100 years and be ready to die after every breath. When we have little, we store it up just like we use dams to reserve water. We should realize that out of 960 months we had, quite a lot of them we have spent lavishly. It is time we put check dams in our lives. Whether we are spending time, energy, water or any other resources, we should do so sensibly. Our actions should be thoughtful and in favor of mother nature and the coming generation.

In which direction have you planned your journey? Is it towards preserving nature or the exact opposite?

Are you utilizing your resources effectively?

It's just 960 months. That's our journey. Make it count.

Find your purpose. Fulfill it.

I'm the Change

January has crossed half-way.

Strength of new year resolutions is slowly fading away and people are getting back to the routine excuses. Some are heading towards it if not there yet. Look around. What has changed?

People are captivated with the latest transfer window deals in the soccer world. Dolores O'Riordan died and half of the world is mourning. So far Mr. Trump was the concern, now his real estate is the worry. Funny how people care about the people they don't care for. Hawaii missile false alarm caused huge terror, because they didn't have much time to seek shelter. Had they had many years, it wouldn't have caused panic. Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency are the buzz words and there are studies on how it will hurt bitcoin "if" china shut down mining. Australia experienced the hottest day at 47.3C whereas thermometer broke due to extreme cold temperature of -67C at Siberia which is one of the lowest ever since. Another oil tanker sank off China coast.

However, there are good news too. Jordan is taking action against animal mistreatment and plastic-free stores are making to news headlines on The Guardian. From this year, China has decided to stop importing a wide range of plastic and other wastes. However, interestingly, The Guardian's reporting team is worried about where "Developed countries" will dump their waste instead they should suggest how those countries should reduce creating waste. Another relieving news is that London has decided to go electric with all new black cabs and Europe is getting stricter at emission and energy efficiency front. Britain is all set for greenest year ever and few other countries are also moving in that direction.

But none of the biggest organizations has yet planned to work on population control. We must keep in mind that unless the demand is reduced, question of supply will remain. We should be worried that chocolate "may" go extinct in 40 years if not for 200 to 2000 species going extinct every year. Extinction of plants and animals is at 1,000 to 10,000 times the rate it should be, because of us.

Reference Link - 1

Reference Link - 2

Reference Link - 3

Reference Link - 4

BBC remembered "Sir" Roger Moore and John Noakes on New Year's morning. Time may come when there won't be anyone to broadcast the news about human extinction. Forget about remembering us. I would like to request to BBC team to remind whole world every morning that we are responsible for the change. And we should make sure it is good. We can start with restricting ourselves to one child. Can we do this? I believe it is possible. I am committed to it.

"I feel responsible for the chaos around the world. I am ready to walk on the right path. I will bear up to maximum one child. This is my contribution to our coming generations to give them a better life amidst the blossoming nature. I'm the change."

People working for women empowerment, this is the opportunity for you. Now, only women have power to save the world. It has been declared that no amount of tree plantation can save this planet. We have crossed that line.

Women of my planet, I need your support.

Would you save this world please?

Future of my Dream

This is year - 2090.

We have around 2.5 billion people living on this planet. This could happen because our ancestors reduced the rate of increase in population. This all started in 2018 when our ancestors realized that they were close to kill all the species of the planet, including themselves, because of harnessing too much resources to meet their needs and greed. There was even a universal body called "United Nations", to guide and help people to make their world better. But that body's vision was limited to only humans. They had defined "Sustainability Goals" for humans and for them, priority of life on earth and that of on land came at number 14th and 15th respectively. Such surprising were the leading governing bodies of our planet at that time!

Then something interesting happened. From somewhere in eastern world, people started realizing that if they knew the root-cause, and if nobody else was ready to work on it, they should. There was a guy who started spreading the message around. His logic was simple. In 2018, there were approximately 2.4 billion adult women in the world out of total population of almost 8 billion. He suggested that if those 2.4 billion women resolved to limit the child-birth to one, then the next generation will have lesser population than their predecessors. And similarly, if their next generation followed the suit, they can bring down the number further. He started this initiative by committing to have only 1 child himself, of course with his wife's consent. He continued to patiently live with this purpose of his and kept spreading message. He faced the challenges from family, societies, castes, religions, and nations. But he knew he needed to save people, and this planet. He wanted to prevent the grave danger of killing all the species because of their own actions. At that time, very few people knew that 50% of the oxygen of the air was produced from the oceans. And because of global warming, corals were dying. Also, our ancestors had found out that there was millions of tons of methane gas reserved in the glaciers. That methane gas was about to get liberated in the atmosphere if they didn't control global warming. So this guy started educating people to make them aware about the impacts of their actions. And that is why we are alive today. Hadn't our ancestors sacrificed their wishes of having a bigger family and reduced pollution and waste, we would have perished by now. Thanks to them we are alive today, living such a happy family life full of luxuries.

Today, we have an autonomous systems of robots and artificial intelligence. These systems are to serve people, save other species and conserve nature. These systems are fueled by solar power. In 2 minutes, our earth gets energy from sun rays equivalent to all the energy that used to be consumed in 2018 for the whole year by the whole world. I think our ancestors did the right thing by making these systems solar powered. It is to fulfill all the requirements of the planet. It produces products for daily use, provides services of all kinds from household chores to sweeping roads, suffices energy requirements, provides transportation, etc. etc., and it goes without saying that everything is solar powered.

We humans don't work. Our ancestors used to use money for all kinds of transactions. We use carbon foot-print (CFP) as a currency. Central AI has a standard formula. Based on the population on the planet, it drills down the maximum value of CFP one can use, per family. So if you have more children, CFP value per person is less in your family. If your CFP value is less for the year, you get to use limited facilities of transportation, energy consumption, and so on. That way, we keep check on the pollution and prevent ourselves from making major mistakes. We also award families who use the minimum CFP units which ultimately means conserving environment.

Since these automated systems do everything for us, we get time to innovate. We enhance these systems and robots every now and then. We spend a lot of time with family and friends. We share our ideas freely as now we have only one religion on this planet - Nature. Since we do not have to earn like our ancestors, and people are treated equally via a standard, unbiased system, there is so much joy around here. People are aware that their lives are the result of their own actions and is not dependent on fate or God or anyone else. That is why people take ownership of their lives and are not jealous of others. In fact, people help each other more and more. We explore art, music, dance, sculpting and other creative options. We have now learned to balance the use of both right and left brain. Also, since there is not much to do for us, people are directed towards spirituality. We are very close to understand the concept of the Sanskrit Shloka:

" Om Purnam-Adah, Poornam-idam, Poornaat-Poornam-Udachyate,

Poornasya, Poornam-Aadaaya, Poornam-Eva-Avashishyate "

Today, variety of species are thriving on this planet. Mother Nature is blossoming at her best. What the various nations dreamt in the past about equality, we have achieved that for the whole world! For this, I give the credit to our ancestors. It is because of them that the population could be reduced and we could see this day. Reduced population has also helped in better administration, governance, allocation of resources and services for betterment of everyone.

They made mistakes and learnt from it. They have taught us to walk on the right path instead of the easier one. They have set an unparalleled example before us with their actions. Their united actions are the reason we are united today. Our ancestors dreamt of this beautiful day for us, and it's because of them that we are living it today. No matter how much grateful we feel towards them, it would be insufficient. We are committed to live on the path of love and service they have shown us.

Their roots have given us the wings.

They are Gods to us.

I am not a millionaire

The things that I should but love are not the same,
All the success is defined by money or fame..

I look in the eyes to reach the hearts,
Just to find out their breaking art..
From oceans to the poor species, eating up resources,
That's all nature has got from human forces..

It's time I look at myself and question,
Is this truly innocence or just a pretention?
Can I accept the results of my deeds?
We were supposed to be the fruits but have grown into the weeds..

Now I want flowers and fruits to yield,
I will act likewise for the results to wield..
Nature is my mother and she has cared enough,
It's time I reciprocate for her times are tough..
It's time I reciprocate for her times are tough..

Expansion from Within

It has been raining since last few decades. And people have been complaining about two things:

1. Getting wet in this rain

2. Somebody not doing anything about it

But, this is not who we are. Right? We carry umbrella with us next time, in case.

It's great that you have read the previous blog "Reinvent Yourself" and started working upon your vision and purpose of life. I appreciate your commitment towards self-improvement. We are on the right path. We first need to focus on ourselves because only a self-assured person can generously appreciate and help others. Once we are alright, rest of the things fall in place. Independence comes first. Interdependence follows. If only you know swimming, you can save others from drowning. (You get the meaning).

You can change goals to meet your purpose but you shouldn't change your purpose to meet goals. That is why it is very crucial that you take good enough time, even years if required, to derive your purpose. Once you find it and start working on it, life will be fun.

Need few hints to find your purpose?

- Read " Reinvent Yourself ".

- Prioritize mother-nature.

- Remember that nature is for all the species and not only for humans. We have been here only for last second if you split life on earth in 24 hours.

- Future will have only one religion - Humanity. If you don't believe it, get ready for the change.

- Help people achieve their goals and dreams - This is becoming a goal of many people these days.

   And it is a really really challenging one.

While pondering over it, you can ask these questions to yourself -

- What am I going to do that will enhance somebody's life? (Because this world is waiting for you to expand your vision and act on it.)

- How much safer I can make the world for the species which are going extinct every year?

- What kind of difference do I want to make?

- How much value I want to add in this world?

- Which thoughts I want to spread around the globe? Shall those thoughts spread smiles across?

- Am I already in the mind-frame that this world is a one-big-family?

- Do I think and believe that I can save the world from itself?

- Do I believe that I am capable of handling this responsibility?

- Can I contribute my time, energy and self to support those who are on their quest of saving our planet and trying to make it a better place?

- Am I willing to spread my wings? Am I ready to constantly widen my horizon?

It's time to think seriously, with courage and commitment, about how to set ourselves upon the path to genuine peace, happiness and prosperity.

- Konosuke Matsushita
  [ Father of Management from Japan, The Founder of Panasonic ]

It takes very little effort to take the first step. What is challenging is to make up your mind to do that.

Let's go!

Reinvent Yourself

Interesting synonyms are there for "Invent" - Originate, create something that has not existed before, formulate, develop, design, innovate, hatch, manufacture, concoct and many more. And you would agree with me that everybody wants to be different and original and yet conform with others. Isn't it strange? That is why there is a dire need of frequently looking at ourselves to originate and re-originate, reinvent ourselves. We should search for the patterns in our actions which are not in line with what we are aspiring for in life. Even our aspirations need to be redesigned along the course of life.

Since everybody has different goals and purposes, and everyone interprets situations, quotations, ideas and information in their own ways, I have kept my ideas open this time - open to YOUR interpretation. Hope you relate it the way I do, so that our roads cross someday while achieving the higher purpose in our lives. I have written few ideas and quotations and put them in the sequence which makes sense to me. Hope you can relate it for yourself and use them.

1. As per Heinrich's pyramid,

            for every 300,000 at-risk behavior,

            3,000 near miss incidences are estimated, out of which,

            300 record-able injuries are possible, and

            30 injuries with lost workday cases, and

            1 fatality can be expected.

Similarly, in my opinion,

            for every 300,000 people who think positive and creative ideas,

            3,000 people will work on those ideas and lead a better life for themselves,

            300 may do something good for society and make to the news for a short term (may be a decade)

            30 will continue working on great ideas and contribute to the society to a great extent, and

            we can expect 3 out of those to make a historic difference in the world.

Important is to know - Where do you want to stop? Or, do you?

2. You must do what you know you should do.

3. Make good choices.

4. Build someone up.

    Put their insecurities to sleep.

    Remind them they are worthy.

    Tell them they are magical.

    Be the light in a too often dim world.

5. Nothing happens in a day but something happens in each one day.

6. Instead of being an expect-or, become a spectator of good things.

    Instead of being a spectator, become an actor of good things.

7. The choices we make are ultimately our responsibilities.

8. If there is anybody who is on the downside of advantage and relying purely on courage, it's possible.

    It's possible.                                                                          - Matthew McConaughey

9. How wonderful it is that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world !

                                                                                                - Anne Frank

10. You have to have a vision.

Tell me what you are going to do.

Act.

Just like you read this.

Thank you.

Smiles. :)

The truth about Yoga

Have you ever seen a street dog stretching in the morning right after it gets up? Ever wondered who taught Yoga to that dog? How come does it know the importance of exercise above other intelligent species?

Anyway, our topic is different. We know the common meaning of Yoga which is "Union". And the next obvious statement is that Yoga is much more than that. Just like most of the time, I have my views on Why-Factor for Yoga being called the "way of living" above all the other meanings like balance or combination.

Basically, there are 5 structures of Yoga out of which, these 4 have intrigued me:
1. Gyana Yoga: Yoga committed to inquiry
2. Raja Yoga: Yoga committed to introspection and contemplation
3. Bhakti Yoga: Yoga devoted to love and devotion to God
4. Karma Yoga: Yoga committed to selfless service and Dharma

Now if you know about Hindu religion, there are 4 Varna that create a structure of society:
1. Brahman: Committed to knowledge and wisdom
2. Kshatriya: Committed to discipline,  sacrifice and contemplative use of power
3. Vaishya: Committed to livelihood and devoted to God
4. Shudra: Committed to serve at their personal best

And if you have ever been to a management training for Goal setting, there are 4 primary areas to set goals for a balanced life:
1. Spiritual
2. Physical
3. Financial
4. Social

Now check out what's common in above three lists which happened in different times and places.
Does these similarities ring any bells?

Okay!
I am assuming that you are with me in this correlation.
Now look at America. Where does it stand in case of knowledge and innovation? What about war/ weapons/ defense strength? How about business/ market? And how about service sector/ labour? If you notice, most of the developed countries are strong at the first 3 Varna/ but are becoming weaker at the 4th varna. And interesting thing is, they have unknowingly given away this strength. There is a mentality that service is for lower class. Truth is, due to lack of either of the 4 Varna, any state may loose the balance and as a result strength. Seems convincing?

It gets interesting now!
With this changing times where everything is getting smaller and closer, these 4 Varna have also come closer. Previously, had you followed any 1 Varna, it would have been okay to lead a life of fulfilment. But now is the time to instill these 4 Varna, these 4 qualities, not only in this world or nations but within us.
Today,
- We must be curious enough to question (first) ourselves with relentless attitude of learning and improving and experimenting.
- We must have good strength to take a stand for humanity and for mother nature.
- We must have the skills to sell ourselves anywhere needed, be it with thoughts, products, services or qualifications.
- We must have the never-ending attitude of serving wholeheartedly and readiness to do all kinds of jobs which may seem unimportant or tacky.
When we become Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra, all at the same time, that's what I call an ultimate balance, the perfect Yoga. Once we attain this Union, we reach at the axis of the rotating wheel - by gradually moving from the tangent towards the center. Interestingly, this is the never-ending process. And maybe that's why Yoga is called the Way of living.

We are all here by miracle, learning to live.


""Miracle" is a word commonly used for "accident" with the sense of humility."