Protip

Wanderlust - Past and Future

Destinations change, directions don't. Wishes do, not their efforts. People change, relationships don't. Even if we wish to stop the journey, wishing good things for ourselves and our loved ones, establishing and retaining relationships.......we simply cannot. Life offers the same old gift in a freshly wrapped cover, opportunity. Nothing is really changed if you notice, we ran to school, then college and now work. We wished for a bi cycle, then a motor bike, a car and now what not. Life is an opportunity as long as we exist in the real sense.

Nature takes its own course and follows its own set of principles irrespective of what we own or wish to own. It detours our journey at times and delays our arrival but never acts as an irrepressible force which qualms our desires.

The past year has been more rewarding in many ways, Herald, Harianna, Sam anna and James anna all said, " I do" last year, I guess those are the only two words they say when their better half is around. Its great to see that they all are doing well professionally and personally.

Got to travel to new places like Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Kollam and Chickmangloor and I realise that the more I travel the more I find out how unique we are and how diverse we choose to be.

Its been a year of learning, I've made my share of mistakes at work and at home. But i've learnt quite a bit from them. One dream of mine came true in the form of a Nikon D40. And I realised that money can get you a good camera but not a great photograph.

I'd like to thank Anand (Vijay Anand A R) for being patient when I was going over the top and for being my friend all these years, I miss those days when 25 rupees could not just get us a coffee and puffs at Nilgris but so much happiness of seeing the world for the first time independently.

Guess its too much of the past, but I'd have to mention a few things that I remember and I'm sure the ones close to me too do:-

• A Maruthi 800 going past a Mercedes E 280, Pajero, Endeavour, Cedia, Swift Diesel and a hell lot of cars. My navigator was a pleasure to drive with, Herald. He would keep finding an exterme left (outside the road) or suggest the inside line on a hard right hander when a truck would naturally oversteer.
• The Chase - Hyundai Accent v/s Maruthi Swift (Diesel) A high speed drafting in front of Mechri Police Station (enroute bangalore from coimbatore) could get us ahead of the Swift but could not keep us at the front. We emerged as losers but we fought the battle with fire. Taking into consideration that Harianna owned the Accent and still managed to sit tight in the front seat without a worry amazes me, Sam Anna as usual was silent but amazingly watchful.
• Meeting Arun (Neo) and Bijo in Chennai, late night dinner near Guindy Station, Arun paying for the tea and biscuits (yet another time). Walking down the memory lane, Bijo's workout regieme and Arun's Chai banana ..... simply unforgettable.
• Late Night Dinner, Anand and I. Paramount or Imperial.
• Darryl's Amazing Music, it simply seems to overwhelm us by many fold each time his fingers touch the piano or writes some music (especially vocals).
• Sahil, Shajan, Benny and I sitting outside Karunya until 3 in the morning and walking down the memory lane.
• The Mysore Palace, Tippu's Tomb and pictures of Mia and Meeshma all shot on our D40.

Guess I can go on but I'll rather move to the future part of the blog. These are what I'm actively looking forward to in 2009.

• Waiting for Two couples to exchange their wedding vows, Bijo & Lulu and Arun & Vidya. It would be a treat to watch them walk as man and wife.
• Professional growth at my work place.
• Anand's Master's Degree in the US.
• Meeting Niresh who is here in India now and spend sometime with him.

With New Destinations and Wishes here is wishing you the very best in this year!

- Don't give up and don't give in.

Renald

From a Distance

This is a follow up of my previous article, there were mixed opinions about it from a few. Every element in nature has multiple dimensions, ideas , morals and values, so I got to know as to how some felt about the article I had posted, thank you people. I do not mean to justify my stand, I do not believe in forcing my idea, I do not mean to say that I am right or wrong because that is left to the individual's discretion. All I intend is to express my thoughts and please do let me know as to how I can improve or what you feel, so that I and others who visit this blog will have a fair idea of what each one feels about the given idea.

Many live to be forgotten, many forget to live:

There are are many beautiful things in the world that impresses us, many that are close to our hearts, many things inspires us and many that help us move ahead in life . Who are these people ? We immediately tend to look up at movie stars, scientists, sportsmen/women or someone in the limelight. We do know that they have all achieved fame and money, and with no disregard for them we accept that they have burnedout a lot of energy to get where they are. And yes some of them are motivating, but we tend to ignore the silent players who have been around us, guided us and groomed us. They get lost in the crowd as time goes on. But they dont mind because there is a sense of personal satisfaction in their heart when they look at us and the feats we've achieved from a distance. It would be overwhelming if we acknowledge their efforts. We all have something or the other to achieve, while some of us make an effort towards it others fear failure, dont take a chances and console themselves with the little that they have. So make the most so that people remember you, and do remember the ones who stand with you right through.

The meaning of life is to give life a meaning :

People who live for sure have to enter another world someday(my personal belief). How we spend our time here matters a lot. Most of us get lost in transition . Though we set out in search of one(goal), most times we end up settling for another. Again it does not matter if we end up with something else as long as its constructive. The best possible meaning would be to add beauty to our surroundings. All those who are special are people who have generated positive energy around them. And at the end of it, it does not matter how many years we spend, after all its just manipulatable numbers but the souls that we have touched in this journey is what really matters . Even if we can better the life of one individual, its a milestone achieved. The joy from the inside is something that no one can steal or buy. And even if the person we supported fails to acknowledge it, it adds meaning to our existence. The most respected one is the most mannered one. We all have different ideas about life and it always differs from time to time and person to person. So respecting others , behaving well and spreading positive energy would not just add meaning to our lives but also to the ones around us.

Choice or Consequence

Whats important ?

Running down the road there is so much competition that one wonders "what more should I do to get past my competitor", "where would I find that magic potion that will get me past the others"? Should I run faster" ? Without doubt it would get me past the others, but unfortunately only for the time being. In a matter of time leading would be ambiguous and I would run out of steam. So whats the next move is the million dollar question which depends upon what the others opt to do, the billion dollar answer. And unfortunately you get recognition only after the mission is accomplished so the billion dollar answer would arrive only after the racers get past the finish line, like food for a dead man.

The Foundation :

Everything that stand has a feet(or some aid), the strong ones are stable, while the agile ones are expeditious. The quintessential factor that affects every game is knowing the boundaries and rules that govern the game. And the choice is always misleading whereas the consequence is the guiding star that would lead us even to our eternal goal. As my brother always says " To finish first you first have to finish". So focus on finishing, be cautious that you do not do anything that affects the balance. And strive to strike a balance between speed and stability, and hold on when things go wrong, the road seems uphill, because once you get up there you can glide down with ease to the other side.

Next Step is the Last Step :

The zeal to succeed blindfolds the human mind, only relentless practise, concentration and a clear understanding can get us close to success, again success is a journey and not a destination, its dynamic and so will be the path towards it . So with providence and precaution, focus and precision ,the journey would be rewarding despite being demanding. So concentrate on the solution rather than the problem and work towards it and get there atleast along with the others if not ahead of them.