Brain

Our brain is the most complex human organ. Many researches are underway to find out its mystery.

My own experience has made me realize that my brain gets affected by:

  • People I meet/talk to.
  • Music I listen to.
  • Movies I watch.
  • Foods I eat.
  • Workouts I do.
  • Books I read

In short, every single action of mine affects my brain. Isn’t it crazy?

Multitasking

I used to be that guy who vouched for multi tasking. As time passed, I’m experiencing its side effects. Doing multiple things at the same time requires our brain to act like a router, throwing packets to different IP addresses. While the router is made for it, our brain is not.

A few months ago, I deleted my personal Instagram and Facebook accounts. I have not been using Whatsapp for over a few years now.

I’m experimenting with restricting my twitter and telegram/chat exchanges these days. The experiment is still in its very early days. I am under withdrawal syndrome mode. I have added website blocking apps on all my browsers on laptop. Luckily I don’t need them on my mobile.

I have a few hours allocated in a day to check Twitter, Telegram, Reddit and Hacker news. That is my time for cribbing, Interacting and adding footprint for global warming. If this trial goes well, the next step will be deleting Gmail app from mobile and allocating a few hours a day for emails on laptop.

My current life does not require the use of being connected all the time, so I have the luxury of this experiment.  Last year I read Cal Newport book “Deep Work”, I am hoping I can pick up something from It. I am in the journey of acquiring self knowledge and books are my best friends.

Money

What will you do with all that money when:

  • You are sleep deprived.
  • You are addicted on alcohol and narcotics.
  • You have no control over your anger.
  • You have a big house but no friends.
  • You are a slave to your vices.
  • Your kids have no respect for you.  
  • You have no one to look after you.

Think …

Sanity

At 33, I stumbled upon philosophy. This time it was Jiddu Krishnamurti, thanks to Twitter and one of the tweets of Naval Ravikant mentioning his name.

Over the years I have realized that most of the modern day self help books and motivational content are nothing but recycled philosophy.

With time, my interest in reading philosophy increased. I read a good number of philosophers ranging from different schools of Philosophy.

I have realized that I relate the most with the discourses of Socrates, Diogenes and Epictetus.

Reading philosophy keeps me sane.

I am hopeful that before I die, I will have some smaller notes published covering the teachings of them. A small note that I can carry in my mobile and look at instead of checking email or wasting time.

Socrates said: “I know that I know nothing”, I am in the same zone. The quest of self knowledge is a work in progress.

Meeting

In this super connected world, we are seconds away from introducing our friends for business or other advice.

We think it will help them, but is it really so? Who are we to decide on their behalf? Why can’t we ask them?

And once we are done connecting, we feel that we are done with our job.

We tend to forget the after effects: what happens if either one of them are not trustworthy or valuing the importance of time.

We end up losing respect and get the wrath in the end for making the connections.

So if you are connecting people, be aware of the side effect. Be very aware.

This has been my learning today. I have to respect and value others time and do not take the time of our friends for granted. Also, I don’t want my friends to be mad at me because the connection did not bear any positive outcome.

What I am going to do now is :

  • Connect people only if they ask for it.
  • If things don’t work out or either party keeps rescheduling meetings, I will not be responsible.

This ensures my friendship stays intact and that my friends behave rationally with me.

My time is limited and I want a sane life.

Raw

I like interacting with people. Most of them help me and give great advice. At times I also help a few of them – with their job search, work related projects or financially.

I like those who are raw, honest and humble. The ones who say things as they are. I tend to dislike fluffy conversations.

Stay away from me if you are pretentious. I have limited time in my life and I would like to live it in harmony.

Your pedigree, class, race or nationality means nothing, if you are an animal: egoist, angry, opportunist.

Mother

She is one of a kind.

She cared when I had nothing to share.

She was there when nobody else was out there.

My mother is everything for me. She has been there for for me always. I was never a loser in her eyes.

I remember getting extra pocket money from her to buy all my favourite food.

We are both aging. Her confidence on me is at an all time high. I feel blessed to have her around me.

One of the side effects of being a small town boy is having to live away from parents. My mom and dad are enjoying their retired life back home. They love the serenity, connections and silence there.

Thankfully after working for 10 years in the corporate world, I have some time for myself now. I have decided to go visit them every quarter. I have made 3 trips in past 9 months, so things are going according to the plan.

Sometimes, I still worry about their health. Looks like in 5-8 years we have to come up with some mutual agreement. That way I would get to spend at least a few months with them.

That said, dad has played his role in my life as well. He is strict, jolly and crazy at the same time. I love him too. 🙂