Self discovery – a way of life!

I believe all of us every now and then embark on a journey of self discovery. At times like these, almost everything that we see or do; we do it with a lot of intensity , trying to extract the most out of it. It could be triggered by a great conversation , an excellent film , a TED talk or just any video that you watch on YouTube for that matter. But it does happen to all of us every now and then! 

It is in times like these that we really think about pushing ourselves in a field that excites us. We realise how little we know and yet how much we talk. We often think that we know a lot about something, but when we actually meet someone who lives and breathes in that stream and get into a conversation with them; we realise how shallow we are. 

It is very important to know about many different things for various different reasons. Their are only so many battles that a person can fight. And so ” To choose your battles wisely ” becomes really important.

Their was this interesting talk that  I once saw that spoke about a theory called the theory of a 1000 hours. It said that if you can spend a 1000 hours studying and getting to know something about a topic, then you will know more about it than 90% of the population.

Now this sounds great , and we get all excited and decide to start implementing it the very next day. But after 2-3 days , we are back to square one; until the next time this phase of self discovery hits us again. 

It is very important to get the balance. Not everything is an examination that you can assume that you can pass if you prepare hard for just a particular span of time . 

Everything in life is a process and should become a habit. Or as they say it , 

Habit formation is discipline.

So self discovery is a great moment to actually kick start a process that will ultimately result in the formation of a habit . Coz anyone can think of going to the gym from tomorrow or reading more books in the coming days or doing some charity in the near future, coz in the future; all of us are the best versions of ourselves . 

It is when this best version of us becomes our present for a continuously long span of time does it actually make a lasting impact on us. 

So, what are you going to do about it ??

Here’s a link to the video whose theory I just mentioned to you.

Watch “How to crack world’s toughest examinations | ROMAN SAINI | TEDxJUIT” on YouTube

The Jaded Generation

Found this wonderful article in the Sunday edition of this week’s Times of India.

 

We are tired even before waking up, go through the motions like robots through the day, and sleep eludes us at night because of fatigue. The exhaustion epidemic is upon us. How did we reach here?

Look around you… how many energy bunnies do you see? Probably none. Maybe one. At the most, two. Now count the ones slouching – either in their cubicles, on the metro or even at home? How many are there? Doctors say, one in five of us, is in a state of near-permanent exhaustion.

Physicians have a handy acronym for this syndrome where patients complain of fatigue al the time – TATT (Tired All The Time) . General physician Dr Dheeraj Dayal says, “These days, I treat more people for exhaustion than fever or sore throat. Sometimes, it’s chronic and they get hospitalised. Others need a holistic plan to learn how to relax – a change in their lifestyle.”

Why are we always so tired?

Research by market analysts Mintel reveals that one in three of us admits they are permanently worn out because of the pace of modern life. As a result, sales of supplements such as ginseng, energy drinks and power bars have shot up like never before.

As we move to a 24/7 work culture, more time is spent at our desks, there’s no time to relax at home with loved ones, not enough vacations to rest our tired, body, mind and soul. Add this to the lack of exercise and clean breathing air, and you get an exhaustion epidemic.

Psychologist Bhawna Monga says, “The problem is that people aren’t aware of just how tired they are, and even if some are, they don’t allow themselves a serious chance to recover. There’s a paranoia that they will lose everything, if they let go of a few things and relax.”

Two worlds collide

A study done by the Economist a few years ago said that we are more exhausted than any other generation so far in history. They called the 30-somethings a victim of two trends colliding – acceleration and slowing down at the same time. The need to accelerate involved work goals. To rise in a position of CEOs or top bosses in any organisation; the priming begins a decade before. So 30-somethings do not have the time to slow down. Yet, this is also the time most people settle down, have kids. So there’s a demand to slow down at home. It’s this constant pull and push of the two polar opposite demands made on our bodies and minds that has left our generation on the edge.

Make a Positive Plan

The question is how does one learn to slow down and relax? Experts say you have to be prepared to deal with exhaustion head-on. If you see the symptoms, accept the fact that you’re tired. Then get your action plan ready.

 

– Try breathing: Breathing is the most elemental and immediate way to beat stress. But there’s a difference between breathing to live and breathing to thrive. If you make a conscious effort to deepen your breathing, you will sleep better, gain more control over your moods. – Connect with nature: Nature has built-in mechanisms for relieving stress. According to the Center for Disease Control, as many as 148 industrial chemicals move through our bloodstream at any given moment. Make sure you go to a park every day, and see natural beauty without long gaps. – Rest: Insufficient sleep causes major energy drain. Don’t stay awake to play with your gadgets. – Resentments and Regrets: Holding on to anger or sadness depletes our energy and kills our soul slowly. Learn to let go of resentments. According to experts, emotional togetherness helps people gain energy. Surround yourself with family, friends, well-wishers.

 

 

Blackbirds feel the pressure too!

 

 

A research between Glasgow University and the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology in Germany, came up with the conclusion that city living significantly alters our daily body clock, making us active for longer, and less rested. The group studied stress factors in male blackbirds in cities when left in the wild. The city blackbirds began their daily activities around 30 minutes before dawn, while forest birds began their day as the sun rose. The city birds ended their days around nine minutes later, meaning they were active for about 40 minutes longer each day and the urban birds’ circadian (daily) rhythms were altered, running faster by 50 minutes than forest birds and being clearly less robust. This research proved that even an animal species’ internal clock changed while sharing human habitat.

 

 

In our day and age, when few of us have physically demanding jobs, we are wiping ourselves out through psychological factors.

 

—Elliot Berkman, professor of psychology

 

Sleep and you sleep alone!

I’m pretty sure we are all familiar to those moments when we are really trying very hard to sleep, but then sleep completely deserts us.

It is then that our mind begins playing around, and thoughts that had remained lost in your subconscious start resurfacing.
Its mostly memories of a person you are really missing or wish to reconnect to; or of a long cherished moment you had totally forgotten about; or sometimes of how you wished some situations would turn out to be but didn’t quite turn out so.
Maybe its our minds way to bring back something from the dead, or for the need of retrospection that we aren’t actually giving ourselves as much time as we should.
Or maybe its just we trying extremely hard to sleep. I remember the scene from Saving private Ryan where everyone is trying to sleep but nobody is able to do so. And then Tom Hank’s character says

The easiest way to fall asleep is to try to stay awake.

The phenomena of sleep is something that isn’t very well understood- and god knows how many mysteries lay hidden in it, but whatever maybe the reason for those thoughts- you never even realize when you fell asleep. And when you wake up, you normally have a strong point that you wish to do.
There’s no denying that sleep is the one time you have for yourself. For

Laugh and the world laughs with you.
Sleep and you sleep all alone.

Abhishek K

When your home is as beautiful as ur city of dreams

People have the habit to travel the world, only to come back and find exactly what they were looking for.

Travelling is a great practise and exercise- one that we must always be on the lookout for, and yet, many a times; we undermine how beautiful our very own city is.

This mostly happens coz we take our city and the places it has to offer for granted, seeing it change and wither and be back again as we grow in life.
But when an outsider visits ur city for the first time and looks awestruck at its magnificence, you once again begin to grasp how lucky you are- and appreciate your surroundings once more.

So travel the world, but appreciate what you’ve got back home as well, for truly ;

There’s nothing like home.

My city, my home – VIZAG, INDIA

Abhishek K

Change, for there’s more to the world than what’s in your mind

Change is refreshing , for change is one of the only things in the world that is eternal .

Change- this is a word that has so much more to it than its 6 syllables.
Your entire perspective of things can change from just 1 incident in your life, or of those around you.
My roommate recently met with an accident, and the worse part is, none of his other 3 roommates, including me; was with him at that point of time. Some of our classmates helped him out, until 2 of us rushed in and took him to a super speciality hospital almost 4 hours away in another state whose language was known only to me amongst the 7 of us present.
After shifting him to the ward, the treatment began. He belongs to a remote place in Bihar, and his mother had never even left the state, forget about having to travel thousands of kilometers to see her son in a city whose language she doesn’t speak, bedridden .
To see a man who could not sit idle for 2 minutes without moving his arms or legs to be needing help of 3 people to make him sit is not something you would like to witness.
To see a mother weeping every moment for a week seeing her son in pain and totally depending on someone else to understand what is happening and explain to her; and still not being reassured for his recovery is easily one of the most painful sights.
To sit next to a man you have shared a roof for 4 years with, and yet who couldn’t become your friend in this long time, but when the time came to come together to help your roommate in pain, the two of you joining shoulders to help the friend in need of care, and to see him smiling at the sight is an experience you rarely get to witness on a daily basis.

To see a simple activity like lifting your arm to become a tedious activity, needing the support of 4 to take you to the commode, all at a ripe age of 22; is not exactly anyone’s plan for life .

One of the first things I did after seeing his mother break down for the first time was call my own mom. Enquire about her health, the minor things like whether she had eaten anything or was enjoying d serial she so thoroughly enjoyed before .

Change is seriously something . It makes you realise that there’s nothing at all that you can take for granted- your body and your “normal” life being the last of it.

I doubt I’ll ever take any of my “usual” activities lightly- ever again. I’m a changed man. And this change, like all the other changes waiting to happen , is going to define who I become in life!

Stay happy, stay grateful

Abhishek K

When what you feel is exactly like what it looks!

Easily one of the coolest locations to be at, this is Tirathgarh falls , at jagdalpur, Chattisgarh , India , that easily gives you some of the best views all around .

The pictures have been taken by a OnePlus X phone, so plz ignore any blemishes.

Abhishek K

A dream broken!

Being an Indian and a full on lover of movies-both Indian and world cinema; France has always appealed to me as “the place to be”.

Blame it on the way it has been shone in movies and travel diaries of people across the globe, or its rich history and open culture . Movies like Woody Allen’s midnight in Paris and even films like London, Paris, new york in India only made my love affair with the place grow stronger .
Although I hadn’t personally ever been to France, all I could ever dream of was to travel to France at least thrice in my life- once with my friends to soak in all the pleasures and joys that the place has to offer; the next time perhaps with the love of my life so that we make unforgettable memories; and the third time- all alone, more like a personal trip the kind that people make when they are lost or looking for more from their lives. Being to France is clearly nothing short of a dream for me- one that I really hope I can fulfill.

But then today’s attacks happened. Right at the time when a football match was in progress and the city was in a mood to have a great time. Right when history was being created elsewhere in the world in Britain where Mr Modi was speaking his heart out to the Indian population and to the world in general, right when a guy in India was happily tucked in bed perhaps living that dream of someday walking the streets on France.
It felt as if a dream broke right there. Where a snap and a blast and the world around you changed forever. I felt someone violating my peace and my dream even though I sat witnessing the proceedings from thousands of miles away.
And yet something in me snapped deep down . Suddenly, I wasn’t really sure if I would wish to be there or not! The place of my dream was changing and with it was changing my dream and resolution to be there .
All this not because of anything else but the fact that an event happened and violated the image of the place in mind. I cannot think of walking in France and soaking in its glory without also forming an immediate picture of the pain and shock that I witnessed today.
Maybe its just an immediate reaction. Maybe as with everything else, the healing touch of time will fade away these sights and my dream will be restored. Maybe once again I’ll watch a movie or see a documentary on France and my love affair with the place will be back again.
But today is not that day. A part of me is broke and their doesn’t appear to be any repairs for it!
My prayers are with the people of France. The world is with you!
#prayforparis

Posted from WordPress for Android

Remembering the phenomenon that is Shri APJ Abdul Kalam

There are people who come into this world, rise against all odds, do things that are hereby unimaginable for a person of their upbringing and in the process – inspire millions and billions of people across the globe. Mr. Abdul Kalam is one such person.
Not many people have caught the world’s eye the way this man had captured it. And to think that he is no more leaves a hole that is going to take a long long time to fill.
Be it his almost single handed dedication for the rise of ISRO in India, which famously gave him the title of “the missile man” to being one of the most spectacular President’s of India to being awarded the Bharat Ratna , being known as a people’s representative all through, at the core of his personality was a dream to see India restore to its glory and a world of peace of harmony- and he wished to achieve this through the future of the world- children. At the very heart of his personality was this immense simplicity and love of children that made him rise above all.
I had my first brush with Mr kalam in my 6th standard, when I was part of a quiz competition based on his autobiography “wings of fire” . His story greatly inspired me- just as it had to billions of people before. Born in a poor household with barely enough means to carry on day-to-day activities to becoming a scientist and then president to what not. There is almost nothing  this man couldn’t achieve. And it was almost impossible to not be moved and inspired by it. It only made my longing to meet him grow stronger.
Luckily for me, he decided to visit our school in Visakhapatnam in India, and even better was the fact that I was the captain of my school and so would get the honour of welcoming him. My joy knew no bounds. I was tensed as well- the last thing I wanted was to screw the moment out of my tension and excitement combined.
But none of it happened. There was a huge rush of people to see him. But none of it mattered to him. He was there to speak to the students of our school, and I was there to receive him – and the one who got his attention.
He addressed us in the assembly and delivered a message that inspired us all. And through the entire speech , I stood there beside him- soaking in as much of him that I could. I could see the excitement running through everyone, could feel the burning eyes of the future of a nation resting on the actions of a small but strong man, and I got an idea of what it is to be loved and looked up to my almost everyone you come in contact with.  I had been studying in the same school since the past 10 years, and never did I feel the very walls of the building reverberate with the voices of the students repeating after him.
I showed him an art work of his as a representative of the students, and he shook my hands and congratulated me on the good work- thinking that it was I who had made the art! I got my first hand experience of what humility is and what really makes a person “great”.
I remember him quoting that “when I die, don’t declare a holiday. Work a day harder than ever if you really love me”.
The fact that he passed away while delivering a lecture at IIM Shillong, among students- addressing them and doing something he loved the most till his very last breath goes to show what a truly remarkable man he was.
His speeches, his words, his books, his actions, his contributions to science and his very being is sure to inspire people for generations to come.
Rest in peace Mr APJ Abdul Kalam

Posted from WordPress for Android

Celebration time!

The godavari pushkar has come to a close and the images that the event has created are one’s that are going to stay on in our memories for a long time to come.

As the event occurs once in every 12 years, the rush was huge. But the event was very well organized and the people had truly a memorable experience.

During Godavari pushkaram pilgrims from all over the country will have a holy dip with the belief that they would be relieved from all sins, and perform rituals to departed souls. It is believed that during pushkaram all deities and rishies take holy dip, a holy dip in Godavari which will enhance one’s spritual,mental and physical abilities. Pushkaram is a festival of rivers pertains to 12 important rivers in India which occurs once in 12 years for each river. The river for each year festival is based on the presence of Jupiter on which Zodiac sign by that time.
The pushkaram lasts for a period as long as the Jupiter remains in that particular Zodiac sign It is believed that Pushkarudu, also known as pushkar God who is powerful to make any river holy will travel with Jupiter, as Jupiter travels from one Zodiac sign to another Zodiac sign.

More than anything else, setting aside the spiritual or holy significance of the event, the entire experience is like a once in a lifetime moment, spreading happiness and a sense of being amongst all. Its a celebration like none other, the celebration of a river on whose course the life and times of millions of people depends. and the state left no stone unturned to make it a milestone experience.

The images where whatsapped to me by my brother- who was right there through the entire 12 day event. Some sight it is !

Posted from WordPress for Android

Finding yourself !

The last week has been an eventful time. The godavari pushkar is coming to a close- an event where lakhs of people collect to take a dip in the holy waters of godavari.
Now, I didn’t get the opportunity to actually go there, but my brother did. But as I travelled to my home, the sites on the station and the rush of people could really leave you stunned!

As I saw soo many people around, I couldn’t help but wonder what really drove so many people.

In the presence of many, you cannot really help but think about where you belong.

There’s a poem that I read on the internet which really put words in my mouth .

Finding yourself

Of all the people that you may know
There is one who remains an embryo
You will never meet them face to face
Because you are standing in their place
When you stop to think… you will seek
Asking yourself, what makes you unique
As life passes through a continuing turnstile
Identity changes like the shadow of a sundial
When you are asked to describe your being
It is difficult to pinpoint what you are seeing
You see yourself in the eyes of those who look
Scanning their notes in an observation book…
No two chapters will be exactly the same
Each person sees you in a different frame
All that you can find of yourself is a reflection…
A variety of appraisals derived by connection
Within a searching mind, your vision is vast
Someone inside is waiting to be released at last
Finally there is an emergence of your worth
Find your significant self… then experience birth.

Happy dipping 🙂

Posted from WordPress for Android