07 August 2017
01 August 2017
Affinity / Affinities
a natural liking for someone or something
and both fulfillment and longing, it does bring
you are captivated and you don't know why
it doesn't fit with obvious logic, but you still try
you're drawn to things that have a certain appeal
or to people because of how they make you feel
a four-legged friend who is eager to please
the solicitous demeanour which puts you at ease
the obvious grin and chuckle on your inside joke
the lyrics and the music that you love to hear
the comfort and reassurance to allay your fear
an unexpected 'hello' from someone out of the blue
taking the trip to your dream destination
unpretentious simplicity or natural sophistication
the romance of flying and the love of travel
someone's esoteric ways which you try to unravel
the clear blue skies and the lush green farmsunpretentious simplicity or natural sophistication
the romance of flying and the love of travel
someone's esoteric ways which you try to unravel
meeting after a while and a welcome with open arms
the first rains and the smell of the wet soil
the unquestioning acceptance after a period of turmoil
sunrise and sunset, sublime before and after
the exuberant company and the incessant laughter
the indulgent attitude and that disarming smile
a feeling of déjà vu, like you've been here before
just spending time together and then some more
the immersive experience of reading a good book
the covert cognizance and that 'i-know-you-know' look
a memento exchanged that says 'i'm thinking of you'
the divergent paths you often chose to tread
the quiet understanding when it is said without being said
each one of these, alluring, but for no discernible reason
yet always and ever changing, like the flavor of the season
one of life's key lesson that you should really be learning
is the delicate balance between contentment and yearning
18 July 2017
Muse
at times you are distant even when with the crowd
though you are really not, sometimes you do seem proud
powerful like the tempest and gentle like the breeze
you navigate places and people with such quasi ease
you are totally fatalistic and that's how you chose to see
your multifarious affiliations, they are just meant to be
affinities come and go but some things stay the same
how you give and what you get and how you play the game
you really crave to belong and to have people around
but simultaneously you're certain, you don't want to be bound
from being a social butterfly to a being total recluse
it's poetically apposite to see why, you are your own muse
though you are really not, sometimes you do seem proud
powerful like the tempest and gentle like the breeze
you navigate places and people with such quasi ease
you are totally fatalistic and that's how you chose to see
your multifarious affiliations, they are just meant to be
affinities come and go but some things stay the same
how you give and what you get and how you play the game
you really crave to belong and to have people around
but simultaneously you're certain, you don't want to be bound
from being a social butterfly to a being total recluse
it's poetically apposite to see why, you are your own muse
11 July 2017
Melancholy
you continue to tread the usual path, despondent, but without a pause
when? where? how? and why? did all of this have to start
who has put you in this quandary? your mind? or is it your heart?
you want to wish away this frenzy, things should be steady, even slow
but what is the solace that you seek? i think, even you do not know
you're unsure about some feelings, thinking that they are contraband
and that just makes it so much harder, to feel, to fathom and to understand
the reason for your discomfiture is, most likely, not what you think
but scatterbrained is what it makes you and you're almost on the brink
you dig deeper, looking inside, without judgement, without stigma
but to your own self, more than anyone else, you will always be an enigma
there's probably no real reason for despair, but naught you can do
you wear that usual smile of yours, but your eyes, they betray you
28 May 2007
Decision Tree
First of all, its hard enough for us to remove ourselves from a state of inertia and try out something new. We tend to get comfortable very easily and don't really make any effort for change as long as the going is good.
Its only when things don't really go our way that we tend to sit up and take notice of opportunities suitable for us. Our approach to Decision Making tends to be more reactive than proactive most of the time.
Of course there are individuals who plot their path in life, personally and professionally, well in advance and take every effort to follow through with their plans. Most of us however strive passively towards achieving something.
We always hope everything works out as we expected. And sometimes it does.
But often this achievement is somehow tainted. In a seemingly cruel twist of fate, we either don't want this anymore or worse still, even if we do want it we have to give it up.
Life just doesn't seem fair. And I know we've all heard that one before. Such situations lead to two scenarios: one is the Forbidden Fruit Syndrome and the other is the Sour Grape Syndrome.
In the first scenario, we keep pursuing things which we know we probably don't really want or which are obviously out of reach. Somehow the chase seems exciting to us. Even though it does take its toll on us mentally and probably physically as well. When we do achieve this result, we somehow keep looking for ways to let this opportunity go. Subconsciously finding excuses to not make a difficult decision. And taking the easy way out. At the point where the actual decision has to be made, we wonder how we got ourselves into this mess anyway. It is better to have no choice at all rather than having a make a difficult decision?
In the second scenario, we tend to shy away from the very process of decision making. Avoiding all situations where a decision needs to be made. In this process we probably give up opportunities which might be very good for us. Either we are thinking Why Rock The Boat. Or having been through a difficult decision making process in the past, and being Once Bitten Twice Shy, we somehow convince ourselves that we're happy the way we are and there's no need for any change at all. Even at the expense of not realizing our own potential.
Either ways, we tend to deviate from the optimum path and tend towards an extreme. Which by the way, is not a good thing in any given situation.
We must eventually realize that no one decision or choice is ever going to give us everything at once. More often than not, something we want always comes at a price of something we already have. And only we can decide whether the want is worth the sacrifice of the have.
But all said and done, we have to learn to take hard decisions. Running away from a decision or decision making is only going to postpone things to tomorrow. And by then, there will probably be more variables in the equation which will complicate the situation even more and make the decision even harder.
Most things in life have to be learnt the hard way. And Decision Making is surely one of them.
Its only when things don't really go our way that we tend to sit up and take notice of opportunities suitable for us. Our approach to Decision Making tends to be more reactive than proactive most of the time.
Of course there are individuals who plot their path in life, personally and professionally, well in advance and take every effort to follow through with their plans. Most of us however strive passively towards achieving something.
We always hope everything works out as we expected. And sometimes it does.
But often this achievement is somehow tainted. In a seemingly cruel twist of fate, we either don't want this anymore or worse still, even if we do want it we have to give it up.
Life just doesn't seem fair. And I know we've all heard that one before. Such situations lead to two scenarios: one is the Forbidden Fruit Syndrome and the other is the Sour Grape Syndrome.
In the first scenario, we keep pursuing things which we know we probably don't really want or which are obviously out of reach. Somehow the chase seems exciting to us. Even though it does take its toll on us mentally and probably physically as well. When we do achieve this result, we somehow keep looking for ways to let this opportunity go. Subconsciously finding excuses to not make a difficult decision. And taking the easy way out. At the point where the actual decision has to be made, we wonder how we got ourselves into this mess anyway. It is better to have no choice at all rather than having a make a difficult decision?
In the second scenario, we tend to shy away from the very process of decision making. Avoiding all situations where a decision needs to be made. In this process we probably give up opportunities which might be very good for us. Either we are thinking Why Rock The Boat. Or having been through a difficult decision making process in the past, and being Once Bitten Twice Shy, we somehow convince ourselves that we're happy the way we are and there's no need for any change at all. Even at the expense of not realizing our own potential.
Either ways, we tend to deviate from the optimum path and tend towards an extreme. Which by the way, is not a good thing in any given situation.
We must eventually realize that no one decision or choice is ever going to give us everything at once. More often than not, something we want always comes at a price of something we already have. And only we can decide whether the want is worth the sacrifice of the have.
But all said and done, we have to learn to take hard decisions. Running away from a decision or decision making is only going to postpone things to tomorrow. And by then, there will probably be more variables in the equation which will complicate the situation even more and make the decision even harder.
Most things in life have to be learnt the hard way. And Decision Making is surely one of them.
17 May 2007
Be Careful What You Wish For ...
... Because It Might Just Come True !!!
Life is strange. It has you running after things which you're not even sure you want. And if you do want them you're not sure why.
What you want, may clearly be something which is not best for you. The question is when do you realize this?
All through our life, and more consciously in our adult life, we chase after people or things which we seem to want in our lives.
It could be someone who make us feel good about ourselves or someone we like spending time with. It could be a variety of personal or professional goals. It could be ambition, money, power or anything else.
And why do we run after these things? It could be because we feel that attaining that something might give us a sense of security; increase our self-worth; make us feel good inside.
What we should realize is that our desires are only a "means" to get to an "end" which we really want.
Many times we get into the herd mentality and start pursuing things only because someone else is also doing the same. Our siblings, friends or colleagues. They may or may not be clear on why they want something. But you certainly are unclear as to why you're running behind this. And you may not even realize it.
One of the hardest things to do in life is to figure out what you really want. I envy people who really know where they are and where they want to be.
All things considered, many times in life you even get these things which you so desire. And then you don't know what to do.
You've possibly spent a lot of time and energy trying to attain something. And when finally you do, you somehow don't feel the joy or satisfaction you were expecting. Something feels amiss. You keep wondering why you're feeling this way. I mean you got what you wanted you should be thrilled. But you're not. And this is not a good feeling at all.
This leads us back to the basic question of whether we really know what we want and whether we really want what we're running after.
Life is strange. It has you running after things which you're not even sure you want. And if you do want them you're not sure why.
What you want, may clearly be something which is not best for you. The question is when do you realize this?
All through our life, and more consciously in our adult life, we chase after people or things which we seem to want in our lives.
It could be someone who make us feel good about ourselves or someone we like spending time with. It could be a variety of personal or professional goals. It could be ambition, money, power or anything else.
And why do we run after these things? It could be because we feel that attaining that something might give us a sense of security; increase our self-worth; make us feel good inside.
What we should realize is that our desires are only a "means" to get to an "end" which we really want.
Many times we get into the herd mentality and start pursuing things only because someone else is also doing the same. Our siblings, friends or colleagues. They may or may not be clear on why they want something. But you certainly are unclear as to why you're running behind this. And you may not even realize it.
One of the hardest things to do in life is to figure out what you really want. I envy people who really know where they are and where they want to be.
All things considered, many times in life you even get these things which you so desire. And then you don't know what to do.
You've possibly spent a lot of time and energy trying to attain something. And when finally you do, you somehow don't feel the joy or satisfaction you were expecting. Something feels amiss. You keep wondering why you're feeling this way. I mean you got what you wanted you should be thrilled. But you're not. And this is not a good feeling at all.
This leads us back to the basic question of whether we really know what we want and whether we really want what we're running after.
03 May 2007
Great Expectations !
I know you're thinking 'Charles Dickens'. But not this time. This is different.
We go through life and cross paths with multitudes of people. People we're related to, neighbours, friends from school/college, colleagues/friends from our work place, etc. But surprisingly, only some of these make a meaningful impact on us.
We are, more often than not, drawn to people for a couple of reasons: one being that they make us feel good about ourselves, cared for and/or protected; and two because they have something which we admire or appreciate or want to emulate.
When it comes to having expectations from people in our life, we generally think of attention and affection (which easily come to mind) and respect (which is more subtle and non-explict).
Many times we are upset because people don't live upto our expectations. But the first thing to understand is that in any relationship or rather in most relationships expectations are never really formalized or documented. And its not like the expectations you have are being broadcast on national television for people you know to watch and note down.
Many times people fall short of meeting our expectations because what we expect of them is against their very nature. And we may not really want people to change just to meet our expectations because its probably their individuality that could have drawn us to them in the first place. This is a really tricky tight rope walk.
Another thing is that just like people don't meet our expectations, we also don't live upto all the expectations people have from us. Its a two-way street so to speak but much more complicated than it sounds.
Even though someone doesn't meet all my expectations, I might still do everything I can to meet this someone's expectations from me. And another maybe giving me all that I want and more but I'm still not able to give back the least which is expected of me.
All this is a like a complicated web of a supply v/s demand mechanisms with everyone interfacing with everyone else. And when you factor in "time" then everything changes. Just like in real life, what's hot today is not tomorrow. So expecting something today doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be happy if you get it tomorrow.
Continuing to think on these line can lead to certain paranoia. But most of us can shield ourselves from this "excessive worrying" most of the time. One thing we should learn is to tune in to what people expect from us. And try as sincerely as possible to meet those expectations. At least this way people won't have any complaints about you. And as far as your expectations from others, well, we can only hope that they are met.
We go through life and cross paths with multitudes of people. People we're related to, neighbours, friends from school/college, colleagues/friends from our work place, etc. But surprisingly, only some of these make a meaningful impact on us.
We are, more often than not, drawn to people for a couple of reasons: one being that they make us feel good about ourselves, cared for and/or protected; and two because they have something which we admire or appreciate or want to emulate.
When it comes to having expectations from people in our life, we generally think of attention and affection (which easily come to mind) and respect (which is more subtle and non-explict).
Many times we are upset because people don't live upto our expectations. But the first thing to understand is that in any relationship or rather in most relationships expectations are never really formalized or documented. And its not like the expectations you have are being broadcast on national television for people you know to watch and note down.
Many times people fall short of meeting our expectations because what we expect of them is against their very nature. And we may not really want people to change just to meet our expectations because its probably their individuality that could have drawn us to them in the first place. This is a really tricky tight rope walk.
Another thing is that just like people don't meet our expectations, we also don't live upto all the expectations people have from us. Its a two-way street so to speak but much more complicated than it sounds.
Even though someone doesn't meet all my expectations, I might still do everything I can to meet this someone's expectations from me. And another maybe giving me all that I want and more but I'm still not able to give back the least which is expected of me.
All this is a like a complicated web of a supply v/s demand mechanisms with everyone interfacing with everyone else. And when you factor in "time" then everything changes. Just like in real life, what's hot today is not tomorrow. So expecting something today doesn't necessarily mean that you'll be happy if you get it tomorrow.
Continuing to think on these line can lead to certain paranoia. But most of us can shield ourselves from this "excessive worrying" most of the time. One thing we should learn is to tune in to what people expect from us. And try as sincerely as possible to meet those expectations. At least this way people won't have any complaints about you. And as far as your expectations from others, well, we can only hope that they are met.
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