An exchange of notes and a huge learning

An exchange of notes and a huge learning

by TSK. Raman

A friend of my released a book last month. I bought it read it and posted my review. Later he sent me a link of another review that I read and wrote to my freind: "Thanks for sending this link to me. I read the review. The review I wrote in fact is earlier than his, but mine looks an abridged version or is like a summary of what he too has said therein. His has been very detailed and mighty elaborate. Best wishes once again .... I Pray you have more tha a million hits on your FB and an equal number buying your book. I ended te mail this way ... Am reminded of a quote from: Anne Frank (1929–1945), Dutch diarist "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. "

So quick that he is he wrote back ...and that is why I have been hounding you all these years :-(

(Background: My friend who has been seriously backing my written skills, has been pushing [ punching would be a better word], me to think of writing a book We've had several discussions on that subject in the past, but I didn't move forward. Thoughts of it kept lingering in my mind always, and does continue even now. Haven't moved one inch forward, reasons were and are many. It's clear that I have the ability, it's just what to write and to whom that holds me back.)

I replied back: "Am feeling delighted and flattered that too coming from a future million FB hits and million copy author."

He replied back: "...but that is not enough dear, and you know it!"

That triggered this long response from me:

In a foreign land, one man feels hurt that he is thrown out of the train despite having a valid ticket for travel. Takes it to heart, vows to retaliate, starts from where it all happened, enrolls them in his mission, returns back home, decides to rally the people of a diverse nation living mainly in its villages.

Moved by this sacrifice and the spirit of a half-naked fakir, several educated youth throughout the country join him in this struggle, knowing fully well the hardships that have to encounter.

Spread all over the country were some educated people who volunteered to support the cause whole heartedly, irrespective of the consequences. They pledged not only their support but were willing to also die for that cause. These people went around villages, heard people's stories, told their stories, established a credible link with them, instilled belief in all and gained their trust. Barring a few most people committed themselves unconditionally by trusting the men who were leading them because right there in the front was one man with self belief and self confidence willing to give his life to achieve what he had set out to. After years and years of struggle with the help of people the nation got emancipated from slavery and a new nation is born.

65 years hence that nation has grown in size and stature but is sick - morally and economically. We now boast of 100 crores of people - with several noteworthy achievements and several worthy people with about 35-40% of them have a university education. A nation that stands on its own legs can defend itself fairly well from any external aggression, stands crippled. The left is weak, the rights is weak, the centre is weak the head is weak, but still we manage to move from one day to another as though nothing happened. Quite a few are happy that we have built nice homes, have a good family a good educated spouse, well educated decent children well settled either in this country or abroad. Regular mobile phone chats, FB, Twitter, emails are enough to keep them under the illusion - 'all is well.' Sadly this is the middle class, supposedly the most influential but absolutely spineless not able to rally around to hound a few hundred corrupt politicians and a few thousand beauracrats, to redeem a nation that has been surrendered to a set of bandits. Chaltha hai attitude, I scratch your back you my back is the mantra of the day. The ones in the schools and colleges - majority of them live in a different world altogether - school, college, computer games, mobile games, mobile calls, FB, Twitter, cars, races, IPL, DID, SaReGaMaPa etc. Parents are happy as long as they get marks scores, get into the best courses in the best colleges IIT/IIM, BITS or go abroad, get a plum job, live well, eat well, sleep well, get established, get married, stay together for a few years raise a child, divorce, remarry, live in, stay in, divorce, and the cycle goes on. This is the 'India' I see, and I am charging myself to see what can I do. My mind is full with this and is seeking to erupt like a volcano. I see this all around me. Am slightly scared to speak the truth for who knows I'll be done in by a guy who gets paid Rs. 500/- ( a supari on my name for that day because I opened my mind and spoke the truth). I need some more time to align my thoughts as to what do I want to say and to whom. I say this because 'I think, and I know that I think,' am trying to make others think too am about building a base. The process is slow, but I am sure it is taking shape. I know I will make it, not some day, soon.

My friend wrote back immediately

"Thanks for ventilating yourself my friend and I feel honored to be given that privilege for I empathize with each and every thought and concern you have expressed.

You are aware that I have chosen to live my life almost like a sanyasi.. being in this world.. doing my bit.. enjoying myself.. yet not under any illusion that I am destined to "change" the world. I am a firm believer in the theory of chaos and fully realize that the world will continue to run the way it does with or without me.

Having internalized this to myself my options are to continue to stand on the sidelines and keep burning with the unfairness of it all or else enjoy myself in doing whatever arrests my passion and allow the world to take note of me or ignore me... I am clear with the Geeta funda of whatever is mine.. will be mine.. whatever is not.. cannot be given to me.

So in a nutshell while stray thoughts like yours also plague me at times but I choose to continue my own "prukriti" and live by my rules within the confines of the larger world."

It was as you can see a hard hitting response and it brought me to senses and I replied back, " I am deeply touched by your reply and by your thoughts. Am with you, it's just that feelings like this get aroused, and wants to let itself out. I am also under no illusion and am also sure that I am not destined to 'change the world.' I too am on the same path, though I might not ever claim that I could be anywhere near you, however, I am slowly breaking away from the shackles. Every word here lights my soul. I'm much more at ease now than I was about thirty minutes ago. I'll do what I like within playing my game my way within the rules of the game, and enjoy myself.

My friend replied back again: "Way to Go!"

I responded this way, "I, Thank God every morning, as I rise up from the bed, that I have something to do which I do, because I like what I do. I always try to do my best, because it will breed in me a hundred thoughts and virtues which the idle will never know. I know, I don't have to stir the ocean or move mountains to make a difference. When I accept responsibility to improve life in my own family, workplace, my neighborhood or where ever, I know that I change the world by that much.

Seems we are living in times of achievement and accomplishments, and that's what is raging the storm within all of us to be competitive. We have forgotten that we are all running our own races, and that we ought not to compete with any other living or non-living beings. Yet we do, however we need to just remember no matter where we start, if we work hard and if we think positively and if we dream dreams and if we have good character, we can lift the status of ourselves, our family, our friends and everyone around us. This doesn't mean that our object in life is to become rich or famous. Just do the best we can with ourselves. Believe that Almighty has put that into us and we are going to do the best we can with ourselves. Achievement or accomplishments mean to be what, by the grace of God, each of us can be.

My friend replied back " The 'gyaan' is all there Sir! All you need to do now is start putting it into practice NOW! "

What he said was absolutely true, the lesson dawned on me and am more blissful that I was earlier in the day. I am beginning to realize one truth, and that is read the news paper, see what's happening, but do not let it activate you for nothing, Stay informed, do not get consumed.

QUALITIES THAT LEAD TO SUCCESS

QUALITIES THAT LEAD TO SUCCESS

by TSK. Raman

West Indies becoming the T-20 World Cup 2012 Champions prompted me to this. It was an awesome team effort which was well orchestrated by an unassuming and sincere Darren Samy, the Captain of this talented West Indies side. Captaining a side with Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, all menacing super stars who can win a match purely on their performance on their day. Add to that a modest, unassuming, less speaking Sunil Naraine, the mystery spinner, and Fidel Edwards, the sling action unpredictable quick bowler, in the side, is not an easy task at all.

Assuming charge at the helm two years ago, when cricket in the 'Calypso Isles' was in an absolute disarray, stung with problems from all sides, and he personally being criticized as a 'nothing' player. This man who carries his heart on his sleeve, put his hand up and committed every single day from then on to the cause of improving the stature of the side in the world arena.

Winning this title in Colombo yesterday, just puts West Indies back in the lime light once again. They are undisputedly the best side at least as far as T-20 is concerned.

Going forward, how they will stay together and work their way back to glory in the other extended formats of the game ODI's and Test Matches is to be seen.

The fans of the game of cricket world over wish them well, as they are people born for entertainment, people who are passionate about the sport as much as they are fond of their dance, music and their 'spirited concoctions.'

What was noticeable is a burning Desire to win. It is vastly believed that a burning desire is the starting point of all accomplishments. It's also know n as "carrying fire in one's belly." Just like a small fire cannot give much heat, a weak desire cannot produce great results.

All of them work hard each showing intensity of Commitment. Vince Lombardi's quote, "The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor," sums up all that is to be said in this context.

For the first time one could see the Responsibility each one held. West Indians from time immemorial have been people who played this sport with great flair and flamboyance. They are absolute stroke makers and usually get their runs pretty quickly. It doesn't matter to them as to what the situation of the game is they'll play their strokes. They will not know how to defend for them attack is the only form of defense they know, so they will attack, attack, attack, from the word go. The approach is the same be it when they go out to bat or bowl. For a change they were different last evening. They showed more maturity and understanding that they left everyone dumb founded. They started of unusually slow, but ended up pretty well with a modest total to defend. Responsible people accept and learn from their mistakes.

They put in a lot of Hard Work: Andrew Carnegie said, "The average person puts only 25% of his energy and ability into his work. The world takes off its hat to those who put in more than 50% of their capacity, and stands on its head for those few and far between souls who devote 100%." That was evident in the way the played.

Leading them from the front Darren Samy showed a lot of Character which got rubbed into all of the others in the team as well. George Washington said, "I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most valuable of all titles, the character of an honest man." The interview after the game just before the prize distribution Darren Samy showed all of this trait.

Darren Samy often talks about Positive Believing: Positive believing is an attitude of confidence that comes with preparation.

He urged each of them to Give more than they get and he was a god example himself : Winners put in 100% and then some more.

They displayed ample Persistence : Through out the tournament they were consistent and persistent. Accepted they were lucky when they played their tied match with New Zealand, and then coming to winning the same match in the "super over's," and that too in great style. architect of that win was Marlon Samuels, who was the man of the match in the final yesterday. Calvin Coolidge rightly said, " Nothing will take the place of persistence. Talent will not : Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent . Genius will not : Unrewarded genius is a proverb. Education will not: The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. "

They take Pride of performance: They danced as soon as the last wicket fell, and they were dancing and dancing all the way even through the prize distribution ceremony. This quote of Martin Luther King, Jr. sum's it up, "If a man is called to be street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.

Dareen Samy implored his team mates to Be Willing to Be learners. The best teachers will not give you something to drink, they will make you thirsty. They will put you on a path to seek answers.

If all this is put together is it surprising that the Calypso Kings won the title. They were billed to win the tournament, even before the tournament began. By winning this the jolly go lucky bunch of cricketers from the isles of the Atlantic lived up to the expectations of the officials their countrymen and the cricket fans all over the world. Congrats to all the the West Indian and their ardent supporters.