Network

Man is by nature a social animal.
— Aristotle

We like the people around us. We share our stories, mingle, jest and merry. It is like a lifeboat, helping us to pass the high tide.

Find a network, be part of one or build one. As we age we will need more company, communication, and companions.

Technique

I have been a longtime worshiper of process, grit, and perseverance. In my naive understanding, I had this belief I that I can achieve anything with the ingredients mentioned above.

I had to do the rethinking last week after chatting with my friends on my pace and heart rate. On reading more I realized I was running regularly by virtue of process, grit, and perseverance. At the same time, I was getting hurt and screwing up by heart.

I am much better now, I am following the guidance and after cutting down the speed and monitoring the pace. I am enjoying my run more.

My learning: I need to bring technique as well to my life for long-run success.

Fix it

It is easy to complain about things around us. From traffic, plastic, corruption, pollution, corruption, Et all.

This world is not perfect, it has got many opportunities for us. How about working together and fixing it.

History tells us about it. From Martin Luther Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, Henry Ford, Jamsetji Tata, Steve Jobs to Elon Musk.

Our time on this planet is limited. Instead of cribbing, we should focus on contributing to positive efforts.

The job of media is to create a sensation, political parties to throw shit on each other. Be aware, be responsible.

The Seven Sins of Memory

Psychology professor Daniel Schacter, proposes in The Seven Sins of Memory.

  • Our memory weakens and we lose memory over time.
  • We are preoccupied with distracting issues and don’t focus attention on what we need to remember.
  • We search for information that we may be desperately trying to retrieve – something we know that we know – but are blocked.
  • We assign memory to the wrong source.
  • Memories are implanted as a result of leading questions, comments, or suggestions when we try to call up a past experience.
  • Our present knowledge influences how we remember our pasts. We often edit or entirely rewrite our past experiences.
  • We recall disturbing events that we would prefer to eliminate from our minds altogether: remembering what we cannot forget, even though we wish that we could.

I found this interesting and worth sharing.

Reason

It is sad how we start finding reasons for everything. We forget that our life is too short to overanalyze and stress in every situation.

Things are going fine, but why?
Things are going bad, but why?

We try to build our imaginary thesis on every situation. How difficult it is to stay calm and let the brain relax?

Could this be the reason why most of us are stressed, worried and angry all the time?

Jokes

Sometimes we laugh and make jokes on our peers. In the moment of time, we don’t realize it’s long term effect. The joke might not sound sexist or racist to us but it leaves its mark on a longer run.

Keep laughter to a minimum; do not laugh too often or too loud.
— Epictetus

I am writing this because I realized I have been a culprit as well as the receiver of both.

Loss aversion

We don’t like losing. It can be in a relationship, wealth or competition. What could be the reason:

  • Our innate survival instinct?
  • Ego
  • Consistency

We always like to continue winning or getting profit from our investments. It sounds irrational but we are more hurt losing something than gaining 2X the same.

At the same time our ego takes over and we continue striving for anything to stay consistent. It can be staying in a relationship even being treated like trash or knowing it is headed nowhere. After all, we have invested so much emotionally and we want to stay consistent.

Mercenary

Social media is a double-edged sword. In one side it connects the world closer for good while on another it is for mercenaries.

Mercenaries on social media are a set of people who are very prejudiced and biased. They are also agenda driven. In the past, we have seen many deaths because of these people. They spread fake news, provocate a specific group or take a potshot at an individual or an organization. Mercenaries like mob justice and immediate attention.

It is too easy to take a side, respond out of impulse on social media. Being rational and logical, knowing the entire picture helps.

We are in election season and mercenaries are loud out.

Blessings

It is important to not forget everyone who helped you in shaping your present.

  • Parents rank on the top followed.
  • A few friends come next: the ones who helped and been honest with feedback’s.
  • Your first boss who trusted you and gave you the opportunity to start a career or open your own company. He/She took all the risk with money, honor by giving you the opportunity.
  • Life long mentor

Never forget them. They will always be there for you and act like a mirror of this society.