co-exist

Why can’t we humans live in peace among each other and nature?
Why is there a constant battle between race, religion, caste, and culture?
Why is there a divide between left and right?
Why can rich and not poor co-exist?
Why does one have to win at the cost of defeating another?
How much do we humans know about us and the universe anyways?
Are we not a slave to our desires, thoughts, and consciousness?
Can humanity have a bigger purpose than a peaceful co-existence?

I have too many questions to ponder tonight.

struggle

It is easy for us to complain about our struggles in life.
Our anger that things are not in our favor.
Many end up cursing our upbringing and others’ god. A lot many end up seeing their horoscope and looking for successful recipes.

The more I think about the struggle I feel it’s more to do with our mental manifest. We can see challenges in our life as various stages of playing game and overcoming it. The more we feel our life is a struggle, the more we will crib and be unhappy.

Is our life still a struggle? Ask yourself. You are breathing, eating, and all body parts are functioning. How is it a struggle?

utopia

A founder’s life is unpredictable and chaotic.
Self-belief, positivity, and going against the odds make a founder delusional.

For others around their circle, it can be a Utopia.
Loved ones and friends will complain about it.

As a founder, it is better to have a sense of purpose and self-confidence to excel in any difficulties in the journey. It should not matter what others think or call it: a delusion or a utopia.

returns

I build software for Venture Capital Industry. I also have founder friends.
I am surprised that many are unaware of how the system works.
For most, it is about fundraising and running the business.

The venture capital industry is one of the most competitive sectors, and its success depends on the returns.
A fund manager with an army of team members is always out to look for the best founders.

The best founders will multiply VC’s investment 1000-2000 times. In the end, it is about returns. Everyone is in it to make money and have a better life. It is not a charity where founders will take capital from VC and not grow fast. They have to run like a racehorse. It is a hyper-competitive business.

money

Karl Marx and capitalism are two different wine bottles. Each has its own significance in the country’s development and citizens’ growth.

There should not be any arguments, and we should agree that money is essential for our growth and civilization’s prosperity. We don’t know how much money is because our needs and desires are infinite.

I can be happy buying a car or sad because it’s not Porsche. I can be cheerful traveling or unhappy for not flying in first class. Our desire for money and happiness are interlinked.

Simple

We forget the power of simplicity. Be it in writing or building something. I have particularly enjoyed reading Satyajit Ray, Ruskin Bond, and Murakami for their simple writing style.

The principle of simplicity has made apple a winning product among its peers. The more and more product I aspire to use, I would like them to be simple.

I ordered a Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap a few days ago, and after wasting 3-4 hours on how it will work, I returned it.

We are in a fast-paced world, and social media (attention merchants) are desperate. If you will make me think too much, I will probably avoid using it.

unknown

The most brilliant part of traveling in the unknown is that you are fearless. All you know is about the journey. Most of us don’t walk the path because of uncertainty. Some walk halfheartedly only to lose or give up on the way.

Very few are courageous and believe in walking on uncharted territories to succeed. The path has failures and frustration. One has to be gritty and focused. A little luck helps. It’s the fascination of finding the unknown that keeps this breed going.

manzil

Har ek rasta mazil ko nai zata, har ek log apki zindagi bhar ke saathi nai rehte. Hum kyun umeed karte hai zindagi se, hum kyun zite hai zindgi ko kisi aur ke asree me.

Apni zindagi ke hai hum rakhwale phir bhi bhatak zate hai hum bar bar aur dil ke ek kinare me Naya zakahm de zate hai. Phir hum badkismati aur khuda par ilzaam lagate phirte hai. Zab aur koi marham kaam nai karta hum saaki ke sahare uske bann ke usme simat zate hai.

Kya isi ke liye khuda na bheja hai hame is kayanaat me ki aap dusre ki yaad me khud ko bhul zaye. Aap insaan hai itna kuch kar sakte hai aap. Apki manzil apke hatho me hai naa ki kisi aur aznabee ke, ya apke haath ke lakaair me.

the ring

I am a few chapters into Murakami’s — “Novelist as a Vocation.” I liked the way Author explained how a writer’s life is not about beginner’s luck but constantly delivering the best of their work. It requires lots of grit, pain, sweat, and perseverance.

A similar analogy applies to Venture Capital business. I have heard multiple times from Karthik, Co-founder & Partner of Blume Ventures; mention that: you have to find winners and returns for your stakeholders in every fund. A fund is typically ten years cycle. It is a long game and requires consistency, grit and hard work, and some luck.

It feels like being in the ring and constantly winning.

Blessing

“Count your blessings” is a thing of the past. These days we are running like mad cows and making a list of things we don’t have.

We are running hard at the empty glass of our life instead what all we have and celebrating, cheering about it.

We have forgotten joy in little things, laughing and being crazy. We are all professionals now, seeking perfection in life on the treadmill for the next big thing.

When was the last time you made a surprise visit to your parents or called friends and gossiped? You are dying every moment: that is the reality of life. You will take nothing after death.