Free Thoughts - 2

The changed me

I woke up one day to find a changed me.

I was not the same person anymore.

I was confused, felt like I was under someone else's skin.

I was fighting with myself,

I didn't know if I was liking the new me.

I knew it's the new me, and I can't get back the old me, yet liked to believe in the struggle to find the old me.

The more I was confused and uncomfortable in the new skin, things started turning black.

The sun was black, the clouds were black, the water was black, the roads turned pitch black, the heart is black, the tongue is black, black dog, black cat, black tree, black river.

It's high time I accept and embrace the new me and shed this darkness in life.

My Ideal world

The ideal world:

- When majority of us live in that Union area with mindset where "as seen by others" and "as I see it" meet.

- When the Point of Views are not very hard to change.

- When things are perceived as they really are, and not as perceived.

The Smoke

I see smoke coming out of people's mouth whenever they speak. The smoke emanates different colour, smell and thickness. A man was speaking, people were in trance, mesmerized with the magical smoke coming out of his mouth. The smoke was filled with preachings, philosophy. One man spoke about development, promises, as the followers saw him as their massiah. I first found it interesting, it had some kind of illusion. Some people became blind, some started hating, I could sense toxicity in the smoke. Another man spoke, the smoke never spread through the audience as the smoke was very thin, with no worthy content in the smoke. I moved on and had a smoke with my friends, it was peaceful, relaxing. All kind of smoking hurts us, it's just that we conveniently decide the smoke we have is not harmful, but other is.

The Hellos and Goodbyes

Goodbye to the past, hello to the future,

While Goodbyes are sad, its a Hello to the life ahead,

Goodbye to the knowns, Hello to the unknowns,

Goodbye to being protected, Hello to finding self,

Goodbye to being taken care, Hello to being responsible,

If Goodbyes are hard, Hellos are equally hard.

Goodbyes helps introspect what was taken for granted, what you had, what you lost, what you need to find, what you need to come back to when you say Hello the next time.

Goodbyes helps flip the page, and say Hello to a new chapter.

My Impression on others

Each time I met that person,

Each time I chilled out with that friend,

Each time I spent time with that elderly,

Every time I saw that Movie,

Each time I heard that song,

I got different perspectives.

Are we supposed to feel same, get same thoughts about that subject, that person? Or is it ok to get newer perspectives, newer opinions with every encounter?

Is it for their skills to communicate well?

Is it our skills to listen and analyze as per our own mindset?

Is it with the intriguing content they offer each time?

Is it because of our over analytical viewpoint we go with?

Do we meet, listen to someone/something often, to be impressed Or we go because we are already impressed?

Listening to sad, romantic song by a heartbroken man, who finds a strange, sadistic pleasure in going to that zone by listening to those sad, romantic songs.

Even he is not sure, if it's helping him get out of that feeling or locking him in that feeling.

Mirror Mirror

Standing in front of the mirror, I was just mumbling "Hmm....All my beard hairs are turning Grey, I wish the greying wasn't so rapid"

The person from within the mirror spoke back to me "You are getting old, what do you expect! Anyway, what else do you wish?"

"I wish I hadn't told that, at that moment.

I wish I had told that, at that moment.

I wish I was nicer to that person.

I wish I wasn't silent then.

I wish I was silent then.

I wish I had forgiven that person.

I wish that person forgives me.

I wish I had more patience.

I wish I saw the good things in that person.

I wish I hadn't behaved like that."

Mirror: "well, what's done is done, what's said is said"

"Yeah, I also wish people were more sensible, politicians to be honest & principled, every human to be civilized & decorous"

Mirror: "As they say, if you want a rainbow, you gotta put up with Rains first"

Continuing to stare at myself in the mirror "I wish I was not Bald"

Mirror: "everything else in the world can change, but not this"

"I also wish, my tummy was flat"

Mirror: "That's it, shut up!"

Gyan Bhandar - 6

The Choices

It's never a choice between Yes or a No.

The choice is never between a Right or a Wrong.

The choice is always between Unknown Pleasure Vs Known Pain.

The choice is between Unknown Angel Vs Known Devil.

The choice is between Hope Vs Steadiness.

The choice is between Desperation Vs Contentment.

The choice is between Ambitions Vs Rationality.

The choice is between Perseverance Vs Consistency.

The choice is between Dream Vs Reality.

The choice is between Risk Vs Balance.

The choice is between Excitement Vs Calmness.

The choice is between Growth Vs Continuity.

The choice is between Quest Vs Settled.

Meaningfulness of my time

I am no hero, yet I need to live every minute of my life.

I am no achiever, I might not be making best use, productive use of every minute I live.

The clock is ticking, as every minute passes, the past minute becomes the past.

How meaningfully am I spending every minute?

A good, solid, sound 8 hours sleep is satisfying and rejuvenating, but most of us don't think it's waste of time.

Lying on the couch, doing nothing, watching TV on a laid back Sunday, is not considered waste of time.

In a professional setup, most of the time we do things we don't like, trying hard to find reasons to say Yes, for an obvious No. We think we are working hard, but adding to the stress, massaging ego of the clients.

End of it, in a social setup, as everything else goes, the meaningfulness of my life is ascertained by others. Not that it's bad, but my experience is mine, the meaningfulness of life is no more than what we give it.

Is Respect commanded? or Given?

How much of our own qualities determine how much respect we command?

Going by the books, one can command respect by exuding confidence, being respectful to others, being humble, being kind and exhibiting proficiency in the subject matter.

It's not a skill, it's not something that you practice or develop.

Respect comes if people see something admirable in you.

We are what we are, we don't/can't enact in a certain way just to command respect.

Effectively, our own qualities do not determine how much respect-worthy we are, because you are admired by others, you are respected by others, by what they have an impression on you.

Forget us ordinary individuals, take any popular figure as an example: M.K Gandhi, N.Modi, V.Savarkar - each of them are perceived to be the most honorable, respected men. Yet there are almost equal no.of people who hate them. All of them exhibit same persona, but depending how each of us create an impression of them, we decide either to respect them or condemn them.

Life, irritants and the chase

The eternal chase for Aspirations, purpose in life.

Eyes filled with dreams, heart filled with ambitions, the marathon run everyone starts running.

A point is reached eventually when a vast desert is in front of you, an unending runway, never ending field, you stop and wonder what am I running for, what am I running behind.

The monotony of life makes us wonder, what was bringing happiness isn't happy anymore, our own people seems strangers, life and everything within becomes an irritant.

The point in life when you stop and ask yourself "Wait, what am I running for!?", It's time to recalibrate, repurpose, reinvent and change direction.

When we all enthusiastically set off from the Start Line, we will not realize there is no End Line, we got to run as long as we can, and get retired hurt.

The Troubled people in our lives

When you pour your heart out to someone, you become defenseless, there is no room for powerplay.

I might feel I am tough, and that I don't break easily. But it's just the matter of how soon you are gonna reach that weak point.

The emotions we feel, we express are reflection of our own perception of that person. The reasoning and logic to process an emotion is more psychological and to our convenience.

The emotion one expresses when a Lion is drugged and made to pose for cameras is different when the same Lion is mercilessly killing and eating alive a helpless Deer, while it is struggling and crying in pain.

People tend to hang out with weaker people just to feel stronger.

The complexities of our behaviour, emotions makes us disturbed ones, troubled ones atleast a bit.

Yet, we invite troubled people into our troubled lives.

When you invite troubled people into your life, make sure they find peace before they find exit. If they don't find peace nor exit, they will keep unearthing the more troubled you.

The convenient Spirituality

In Man's quest to Knowing God, finding God, knowing self, finding self, many religions, philosophical thoughts has come into existence.

The answers to these are in form of texts, believed to be God's messages, advices conveyed through mythology and texts. Addendums are made to these texts over the centuries under each school of thought, on what is right and what is wrong.

The definition of spirituality itself can be contradicting based on how each of us see Spirituality: Is it knowing God? Is it following what God has asked us to do? Is it finding peace?

To most of us, the connect with God is to seek his help when in trouble, do some basic spiritual stuff, to be in touch with him, for some P.R, and spend other 99% time in worldly things.

There are people who believe in the Philosophical aspects, righteousness, morality and researching texts available, making their own interpretations. They believe in knowledge of the content, and spreading the word, as spirituality.

There is one more category who consider the same texts as a rule book. For them, the customs, practices, Do's and Don'ts are more sacred than anything else.

What's your definition of Spirituality?

Politicians and Diapers should be changed frequently - Part 5

You can't humiliate India, Only I have the right to.

2023, London - Rahul

"India's democracy is under attack and that the opposition leaders were being silenced"

2023, US - Rahul

"I think they think they know even more than God. They could sit down with God and have a conversation and explain to him about what is going on. And of course, our Prime Minister is one such specimen."

2015, China - Modi

"People sang, the bad days are gone. Earlier you were ashamed, today you are proud of India.”

2015, South Korea - Modi

“There was a time when Indians would say, ‘I wonder what we did in our previous life to be punished with a life in India now. Is this a country? Is this a government? Are these a people? Let’s leave’.”

2014 - Nirmala

"It's a greatest concern that Rupee is falling, the Indian financial fundamentals are in trouble"

2022 - Nirmala

"I look at it not as rupee sliding but dollar strengthening. We don’t use US dollars. Why should we be concerned about dollar value then?"

If you still don't get it, this is what I am saying - There's a rule to cover your mouth when you Cough, to cover your mouth when you sneeze, but you can Fart freely. Farting is convenience, and it's pleasure. These leaders just fart at their will, let's not take any of these leaders seriously when they keep farting in the air.

The 5 Promises Drama goes on

New day, new farts from the fart machines.

The day C started giving Poll promises, everyone knew they were all just farts.

If some vote in the name of one man, many vote for cast, religion, some vote for change. And I pity that small set who voted hoping for freebies and promises.

Though I had confidence that none of the promises would be fulfilled, which could only do more damage to economy, to social fabric and to tax payers, than help!

I would be happy if politicians do not do anything, and let the system do things naturally that keeps running as a routine.

I get scared everytime a politician thinks of doing something, which can only cause more harm than any good.

As it is the Master has already given enough pain to us all by imposing taxes left right and center, assigning tasks - go stand in line, get new notes, go watch the movie, go hate people, praise me for the temple(s), praise me for my drama, now go and give back the new notes.

Not sure why B who made fun of 5 promises are putting pressure on Govt to implement!

While C did some eye wash yesterday and announced half baked / conditional guarantees, they have already started claiming all 5 poll promises fulfilled with full page Advs! Like how B is claiming best 9 years of Indian history. They themselves claim, they themselves pat their own backs. They should atleast supply free popcorn to ordinary citizens, to sit watch the entertainment!

UCC

"Go Fetch" says the master throwing a new stick and all "Pets" runs to fetch.

Another Election, another tool to create divide and stimulate emotions among Bhakths to clap and keep them busy and prepare for another election.

Why would an irrelevant policy like UCC excite Bhakts? What difference would it make for them or the country?

Ofcourse the agenda is to corner, isolate and soften other communities. And this is good enough reason to stimulate and create more poison. Else, why would people jump to post "I support UCC" for such an inconsequential policy.

If the real intent is to bring uniformity in inheritance, marriage primarily, then probably the deep rooted cultural, traditional, customary practices is way more deep amongst tribals, rural Hindus. Would the Master be able to bear the backlash from rural, tribals and many Hindus if they ban a personal law like Hindu United Family? Can they reverse a piece of land given to someone, ordered by God (Ref: Kantara)?

Or is it just another election stunt, bring it without consensus and roll back after a backlash (like Farm laws)!

The birth of I.N.D.I.A

So, it's now official. 2024 is gonna be one man Vs the rest. It definitely speaks volume on the strength and reach of one man.

Both sides painting the other side black, trading charges of demolishing India. Getting into validation of belittling the other is not worth, because that's what both sides have been doing forever.

Now let's see the merits of I.N.D.I.A.

It's surely a syndicate of smaller groups struggling to survive, a desperate measure to keep them relevant. If people identifying under one color, one party, one symbol, one ideology can fight amongst themselves, It's anyone's guess on how fragile and delicate this marriage could be.

If India is formed by different states, culture, languages and religions, "why not such an alliance to Govern us", could be a view.

Will such a brittle group run a country efficiently? Will they ever be able to agree and come to consensus on any subject?

If democracy is about consensus, representation and taking majority in confidence, is this true democracy then?

Is this experiment worth? Should we really be giving time and mind in considering such a loose knit proposal?

If no less than the one man jumps onto TV to wag about this formation, and calls for a meeting with NDA, I.N.D.I.A could do some damage, atleast psychologically.

What was more funnier is, it has always been "Me, Me, Me", "I, I, I" from past 10 years, all of a sudden today the speech was filled with "We did this", "NDA Govt did that".

The Leader's utterances

I am unable to decide if the culprit is the toxic mindset of the Politicians Or the Mic and Audience.

Give a Mic and an audience, the politicians seem to have no control on their utterance, and talk any shit just to hear more claps from the audience.

The ruling party has already done enough to spew venom based on religions, now it's time for the other side to abuse religions, castes.

Little does this guy know, who compares castes to diseases, that he has shot in his own foot. Now, this will become an election issue and cause for his party's downfall. He has given a gift on the platter for BJP, and we all know how efficient they are in using Hindutva emotions to their advantage.

Such mindset, especially in a state like T.N has a historical backing by the activists and poets of the 1940s, who created this hatred towards Brahmins in the society.

All the social disparities, injustice, divides were relevant to that time and is a History, don't know why these politicians rake up the past and try to keep the vengeance alive in the present world when those divides were order of the day in that century, are no more relevant.

If one side keeps raising Historical blunders in Mughal era, another side is doing it's best to keep the social divides of the 19th century alive.

We should realize our acts today is tomorrow's history!

The new parliament house

The Central Vista, wow, a stunning, flashy, classy new Parliament House.

The questions being raised on the need is uncalled for and only for sake of opposing.

It's a good change, looking into the future, with technology well used and implemented.

It's an upgrade, and one can't question if a spend of 20,000 Cr was required.

If everything was about Tax payers money being wasted, then democracy itself is a waste of money, with 1000s of crores spent on elections, running the parliament and every politician making 100s of Crores.

My only concern is, the politicians were throwing papers and breaking tables all these years, now they have more gadgets all around to throw and break!

And the first Bill tabled - women's reservation bill!

Salute to Modi's intelligence, it's indeed a master stroke, shutting all his haters.

The Bill brilliantly serves 2 agendas. The immediate 2024 elections will be given a boost, as it's supposedly a historic bill and will claim credit, without actually implementing.

When implemented AFTER 6 YEARS, the delimitation of constituencies will ensure reduction of around 30 seats in South India and adding 50 odd more seats in North Indian states.

This means, BJP which cannot win big in South Indian states, now can continue to focus on more seats in North India itself!

It goes to prove that the man who is in election mode 24/7, is not only building strategy for upcoming elections, but he is constantly thinking of all future elections. An extremely clever and smart man who can extract electoral advantage in every move he makes.

The party hoppers

Politicians moving from one party to another is common, it's like Working class changing jobs for better opportunity, for growth.

But when the younger politicians, guys with new ideas quit and move to other parties because of lack of opportunities, especially when the party lacks leadership, ideas and direction, it has to be the end of the Grand Old Party.

It's the 3rd young, dynamic, enterprising leader who has quit Party C. If even now the (non-existent) leadership refuses to wake up, they are only fueling the build up to end Democracy and make way to dictatorship.

If the Party is hell bent on losing the privilege of being the largest opposition, refuses to move beyond one family, it's not only their absurdity, but denying the country of Balance.