Saher

Ja raha hun tere saher se kuch yadoo ko liye. Simate apne dil ke sandook me.

Ye saher itna madmast kyun hai, yahan ke log itne mast kyun hai. Sabke sab thame se jaan padte hai. Koi bhaag dauur sa nai hai, sab apne man ke malik se hain.

Aisa lagta hai ke aa gaya hun mae sapno ke duniya me jahan sabkuch acha sa he hai.

Kya ye saher sach me aisa hai? Kya iss saher ke log sach me itne ache hai? Ya ye mere mann ki karistaani hai jo bas aankho ke samne achee cheezo ko he dekhte zaan padta hai?

Tumse mila, aur kitne dosto se mila, sab insaan se he jaan padte hai. Koi kuch dikhawa nai kar raha, sab apne Zindgi ko bass jite hue se jaan padte hai.

Ache see he hai zindgi aisa lagta hai mujhe, kya lagta hai tumhe? Kya mae sapno ke duniya me hun?

How democracies die

Last week while traveling, I had picked up: How democracies die. As the title suggests, the book talks about changing countries ruling from democracy to dictatorship. In the chapter, the author cites many examples of how the dictators, from the crowd selected by the democratic process and slowly and gradually started killing the pillars of democracy.

The hate among the ruling and opposition, running media like a PR agency, and running judiciary like a personal agency are a few signs of how an elected democratic ruler becomes a dictator.

In one of the chapters, the author mentions how Trump wanted to do something similar, but his own party, opposition, strong press, and judiciary cut his clips and plans.

Love

People have written about love. People have lost lives for it. Like others, I have fallen in love as well. But what I have witnessed is different from what people have written, spoken, or made a movie.

There is no boundary, limitations, bucket list, or checklist. Love comes with freedom and trust. I see people becoming control freaks or possessive and call it love. You cannot cage someone or control them and in love. Also, love cannot distract or affect you from your daily, day-to-day life. It is part of you, not something external force-fed.

If you love someone, you need to set them free. You should not dictate your terms or let them dictate you. It suffocates both actors. The relationship ends up being robotic and toxic.

Both parties need to live, accompany and contribute to their success by being together in it. Lastly, love is not what media, marketers, advertisers are selling us all day.

Master

We have to master our thoughts. For much of our lives, we live with it. We don’t need a guru or psychotherapist to tell us the same. We are as we think. That is why before earning fame, money, or glitters, we need to work on our thoughts.

Benjamin Franklin talks about affirmations so are most philosophers for daily living. I liked this poem by William Ernest Henley.

“Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed.Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”

Poet William Ernest Henley (1849–1903)

new

Happy new year. It’s the time of year when we make all promises to ourselves: giving up alcohol, cigarettes, or eating healthy. Whatever your plans are, make sure you pick one thing and be aware of it. Having a regular check-in will help.

At the same time, be grateful to be alive this far. Also, try to love yourself more before loving others or racing to find love.

Thanks

2021 is coming to an end. I don’t have much to share like others. I am just thankful to be alive so far along with my parents.

I feel lucky to have a few well-wishers. They stood by me all the time. Be it personal or professional front. I doubt I would have been here without them.

Lastly, I am not perfect and, I have also made mistakes. The learnings will ensure the coming year will be less painful.

Era

Are we living our life or outsourcing ourselves to the commons? How things have worked in the past or a defined spectrum for commons.

In sales, potential customers talk about our competitors. They won’t get fired buying it like IBM.

Are we living our life or outsourcing ourselves to the commons? How things have worked in the past or a defined spectrum for commons.

In sales, potential customers talk about our competitors. They won’t get fired buying it like IBM.

I used to get frustrated earlier, now I smile and ask if they are still living in the era of mainframes. Also, assure them about the new era and comfort it has bought for every stakeholder, most importantly the customers.

surrounding

As we age, we get more isolated from everyday movement and socializing. I had last few weeks where I spent time with some of my elderly relatives and now with my parents.

One thing that keeps them going is having a routine: waking up, praying, talking to loved ones. And other aspects like eating well on a defined period.

With the emergence of mass migration to metros for a better life, we have all become less connected to our parents. We will bring them to live with us. They will not enjoy it. We force them to change their routine and surroundings for us. In most instances, they will not complain. But will they be able to adjust to this change?

Can you imagine yourself airdropped in a different world in the ’70s of your age and taking away the daily rituals and connections? Will you be happy to make this sacrifice so that your son/daughter/grand kids live happily?

I will not enjoy aging like this. I would not like to see this happening to my parents.

Powerful

The book ‘Powerful” by Patty McCord talks about hiring and the overall culture at Netflix. Patty was an early recruiter there and these days consults startups by teaching how and what to hire. 

If you have read No Rule Rules by Reed Hastings, I don’t think you need to read this book. 

Building an initial team requires a clear vision, responsibility, and defined incentives and deliverables from every stakeholder. In short, as a leader, you have to hire adults and believe in them that they will deliver. 

Running an organization on principles matters like :

  1. Radical transparency
  2. Radical openness
  3.  Meritocracy and honesty

needs

Is there an end to our needs? How much do we need for a rational living? Has consumerism increased our unwanted needs? Or is this attributed to the progress of humanity?

Or all the mobile apps you have bought membership of from meat, grocery to food delivery for 10 mins delivery. Does it matter?

Are we living in a bubble where all these artificially created needs make us go bonkers and, we are in FOMO?

I don’t know. Ask yourself about the latest purchase and one before that. Are they used?

How Much Land Does a Man Need?