cult

We, humans, are conditioned to live in a society and worship a leader. A leader can be a politician, caste leader, or religion affiliated godman. We humans will bow to a leader and, that keeps the leader’s aura in place.

Leaders lose the moment they lose the respect of followers whom he rules. Leader unites in the name of caste, religion, nation, dialect, etc.

A leader can go at any length to hold his authority: be it giving religious angle or nationalism or pride.

Our history teaches the worst leaders have been propaganda machine. They conveniently swung truth to their favor. They threw lavish parties and sports for most jobless people, the mass murderer Hitler or the rulers of Rome post-Marcus Aralias are histories.

In the end, diverting away from real issues to keep their thrown is the ultimate goal.

We should not let leaders turn into a cult. We don’t want anarchy.

accept

Why is it so difficult to accept our mistakes? Is it more to do with never go wrong attitude created by society or our ego.

I see endless thought leadership and fight on twitter now and then. On many occasions, one person shares something controversial, incorrect, and fights until the end to hold the ground.

Why are we like this? How difficult it is to accept our mistakes and move on. Why do we have to waste time proving ourselves correct?

An apology is not a sign of weakness. We have to realize we are an invisible part of this bigger cosmos. Our knowledge is limited.

obsessed

Has it ever occurred to you when you have become too obsessed with something? That obsession could be about work, person, or possession.

Has it helped anyone being obsessed? Or it has fostered panic, fear, or sleeplessness?

I spoke to a few friends. Their answers were mixed. Some said being obsessed about anything is like being on drugs. You can become restless and paranoid.

Some other friends told me that an obsession adds meaning to their life. It shows them a clear path to march every day.

I understand we have one life, and most of us want to leave with a legacy. It is also important to note that we have to live rationally, not like a headless chicken. So there is no one fit for all.

I understand psychologists selling books talking about burn out, stress, and all. But can you get all this ill when you are loving what you are doing, obsessed with it every moment and actions?

Is the byproduct of obsession has more to do with our mindset and likings?

body

It took me over 30 years to realize that my body needs some care. I meant knowing myself, my limits, and what and how everything affects my body. Most of us relate the body with looks, muscles, and abs. We tend to treat the brain like a less loved organ without knowing that it consumes 80% of what we eat.

We are living in an app economy, pings, email, SMS, and nudges are all around us. Smartphones came to make us more productive, but we ended up becoming its slave. I have seen on some occasions we are showing more care to it than humans.

We are suffering from information overload. Platforms like Netflix, Prime are competing against our sleep. Insufficient sleep, information overload is taking away our ability to think. We have started sticking to default because the brain takes shortcuts, and on most occasions, we are losing to markers.

What we are eating is taking a toll on our mind and body both. Sugar, Alcohol, and colas are available in abundance. Every single billboard on our street is guiding us on what to buy next. Food delivery apps are mainstream, disguising us with discounts to fast food.


limit

What is our limit, be it taking pain or seeking for our goal? What does it take to become successful?

Can we feed a horse if he is not thirsty? Does limit mostly manifest of our mind? We have created an artificial wall and scared of getting hurt crossing it?

Watching Hollywood, listening, or reading autobiography it seems one has to do the impossible. It requires sweat, pain, hard work apart from many sacrifices.

Does that mean this limit is more of artificial, we have created it?

Agriculture

I am reading a chapter on Agriculture from How Asia Works. There seems to be a pattern in the failure and apathy towards farmers.

  1. Land ownership is uneven. Most farmers are tenants, not owners. 
  2. Lack of government’s loan and subsidy forcing farmers to private lenders, who charge a higher interest. Failure of repayment results in dire consequences. 
  3. Fertilizers and seeds are bought at an inflated price as there is no state control. 
  4. Dependence on rainwater as irrigation facilities is missing.  
  5. Lack of education about cash crops which could help in making a better life and getting more income.
  6. Missing industrialization in post-production.  
  7. Farmers don’t decide the selling price of the yield but buyers. 
  8. Newer generation migrating the urban lifestyle for a better life. 

Another documentary I was watching talks about how this has resulted in the rise of local armed militias as unemployed youth needs food. Some have forced into drug consumption or in the cultivation of narcotics.

China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan have done better than the rest. They have provided loans, subsidy, and proper land reforms. In some cases, they bough yield at higher prices from farmers to have them a better life. 

The book talks about 1950, second world post-wartime reforms. Reading it made me think more about India. I feel all the above problems persist and what is forcing farmers to give up cultivation. We have come a long way from the past but have barely scratched the surface. 

supreme

Why do we listen and follow sages, gods, or gurus? How do we know their teachings are supreme? I have been thinking about it for some time.

I am not saying there is a fault with their knowledge. But how much can I take it? The beliefs, dogmas, and superiority of one do not go well with me.

I love nature and, I believe we have so much to learn from it. Our existence is invisible to this vast universe.

With the advancement in technology and society, we have forgotten nature and got hooked to individual personas and preachings.

open

We have control over our opinions. The way we see the world around us. We paint our life with the paintbrush of our thoughts and action.

I had a call last day and, my friend/elder brother, who advised me to see the positive side of things. Every human on this planet has something positive. We should focus and learn that piece.

I spent some time last night thinking on the same and realized that in some cases, I formed my opinions on many things with an opaque lens. It has not been helpful for my personal or professional growth.

I am lucky among the few because I got this feedback, not many friends/family members tell you all this.

who

Who is going to stand by you? Are we all not alone in our little world? Thoughts, imagination, dreams all are ours. Who owns responsibility?

I have been seeing a trend where people don’t want to change, move on, or take steps ahead. Some are victims of their past, live by the memories, and sometimes sulk in it.

Past has already happened, good or bad is how it was. The present is where we have to live. If we keep dwelling into the past and take no actions in making a better present, we will be left far behind. Time is the only constant. Time waits for nobody, always ticking and taking you closer to the end of life.

With a limited amount of time, why can’t we live at our best like a train traveler taking every moment as a journey of a new destination? Some worth learning. Why do we have to get attached?

It is our life, and we have to take control. Nobody else can make us feel better if we are not willing for the first step.