A wonderful video I came across from the movie "Office Space". At some point you have to stop caring about the desk job. There is more to life than just working 8-12 hours a day.
Here is a nice prayer that I read and I really liked. The prayer was addressed to "God" but I have omitted the word.
To ____,
So far today, I am doing all right.
I have not gossiped, lost my temper, been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or self-indulgent. I have not whined, complained, cursed, or eaten any chocolate. I have charged nothing on my credit card.
Life is full of surprises. I was sitting in a restaurant having lunch when a girl walked up to me randomly and started chatting with me. She asked where I was from and I answered that I was from India. Apparently she was looking for Indian women. I asked her why and she told me that she was a beauty consultant for Mary Kay. Her company was opening stores in India and she needed someone who could pose for the ad. She told me that she couldn’t find any Indian girls who were over 18. She said that she will do my makeup and take pictures and if the company liked the pictures I will win a trip to NYC. The chances seem to be slim that I will win, nonetheless I said yes because it will be a fun and a totally different experience from an IT desk job..
When you are alone in a city and you don't know many people, it gets really difficult to make friends. When you are in college you have people your age all the time and it's much easier to make friends. After I moved to a new city for my job I often found myself lonely. I didn't know how I could find people to hang out with. I figured out that you can make friends anywhere - In a movie theater, at the mall.. and especially on a flight:) Over the few months I have met very interesting people on the flight of all ages. I have met a police officer who gave me his number to call him back (pssh..but I never did 'coz he was a little too old for me and was divorced), an insurance agent (a young and light hearted man who I remember was very polite), a tired woman named Annette who slept most of the time because she had been traveling all day, a southerner ( I don't know what he did for a living because he fell asleep before I could ask!), a nurse , a psychologist (a very kind woman who talked about her children and grandchildren) and a sales clerk (..she was my age and talked a lot about her boyfriend and relationships in general).
Of all the people that I remember, the one who struck me the most was Cindy. Cindy is a nurse in her late 50's and lives in Kansas. I met her on the flight to Colorado about 3-4 weeks back. She was going to visit her daughter who was expecting her first baby. We had an interesting conversation about almost everything on an hour long flight. We discussed religion, social work, dating and different cultures among many things. Cindy mentioned one thing that really impressed me a lot. She said that she doesn't see "color". We were talking about racism and she mentioned that it didn't matter to her which race someone belonged to. We were discussing how all those surveys in which you have to reveal your ethnicity should be banned because it makes no sense. She had traveled extensively after her marriage and knew a lot about different cultures. She also told me a very interesting story about how she accepted people who were atheists and stopped judging them. She said that earlier she thought that people who don't believe in God go to hell. She wasn't exposed to different cultures or religion while she was growing up and her perspective was very limited. But one day she came across a boy who was an atheist and said something to her that really struck her and changed her whole perspective towards atheists. I wish I could remember what he had said - I can't seem to remember at the moment. At the end of the flight we had so much to talk about that we exchanged email addresses. We keep writing back and forth and it's really nice to see how she is doing.
A song that I like:)
"That Don't Impress Me Much"
I've known a few guys who thought they were pretty smart
But you've got being right down to an art
You think you're a genius-you drive me up the wall
You're a regular original, a know-it-all
Oh-oo-oh, you think you're special
Oh-oo-oh, you think you're something else
Okay, so you're a rocket scientist
That don't impress me much
So you got the brain but have you got the touch
Don't get me wrong, yeah I think you're alright
But that won't keep me warm in the middle of the night
That don't impress me much
I never knew a guy who carried a mirror in his pocket
And a comb up his sleeve-just in case
And all that extra hold gel in your hair oughtta lock it
'Cause Heaven forbid it should fall outta place
Oh-oo-oh, you think you're special
Oh-oo-oh, you think you're something else
Okay, so you're Brad Pitt
That don't impress me much
So you got the looks but have you got the touch
Don't get me wrong, yeah I think you're alright
But that won't keep me warm in the middle of the night
That don't impress me much
You're one of those guys who likes to shine his machine
You make me take off my shoes before you let me get in
I can't believe you kiss your car good night
C'mon baby tell me-you must be jokin', right!
Oh-oo-oh, you think you're special
Oh-oo-oh, you think you're something else
Okay, so you've got a car
That don't impress me much
So you got the moves but have you got the touch
Don't get me wrong, yeah I think you're alright
But that won't keep me warm in the middle of the night
That don't impress me much
You think you're cool but have you got the touch
Don't get me wrong, yeah I think you're alright
But that won't keep me warm on the long, cold, lonely night
That don't impress me much
Okay, so what do you think you're Elvis or something...
Oo-Oh-Oh
That don't impress me much!
Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-No
Alright! Alright!
You're Tarzan!
Captain Kirk maybe.
John Wayne.
Whatever!
That don't impress me much!
--Shania Twain
Yesterday, I was shopping for some clothes for my India trip. As I proceeded to check out, I saw a cute little (5 yr old?) boy shopping with his mom. His mom was talking to him while he was grabbing something stealthily from a nearby shelf making sure she wasn't looking. I was curious and looked to see what he had grabbed. I wondered whether he was shoplifting and became a bit suspicious.However, he proceeded to check out and waited until his mom had finished paying for her stuff. The mother then gathered her stuff and asked him to follow her. The little boy in his cute little shorts and blue t-shirt answered that he will be there in a minute. He then waited until she was out the door and completely out of his sight. He took the thing and gave it to the cashier for checkout. It was a beautiful red candle wrapped in pink lace and a mother's day card!! The mom must have known that her son was getting her something and headed out acting as if she hadn't seen anything. How cute and adorable is that!
As a kid I remember an elderly person once said to me that I should try to learn something new everyday. Even my parents always taught us kids that whatever you study can never get wasted. Even if you don’t use it now, do not regret, because it will certainly help you later on. At that time they were mostly referring to course books and urged us to read textbooks that were a level higher. I no longer have to study course books but I should still follow what they taught me. Elders are right most of the time and teach you things that are for your benefit (believe it or not):)
Sitting at my desk in the office, it just dawned to me that I should follow the same thing even now. The last book that I read was almost 5 months ago! I vowed that I will not let any day just be a normal day. I will try and learn something new on most days (Note:- I didn’t write "everyday" because ..well you know.. you always have to take into account various risk factors :d ). Something "new" can range from music, literature, dance, arts, world history, evolution, science, different cultures etc etc.
So,I went to the library after gym and picked out books that looked interesting. I went there 30 minutes before closing and I picked and checked out books in a jiffy. I was determined to accomplish my task of learning something new and I couldn’t let my tardiness diminish my newfound desire and ruin my excitement! So, I had to make quick choices. With so many books that I wanted to explore, it only made my choices harder. I had a short time constraint to fulfill the task at hand. Nonetheless, my mission was accomplished and I picked out two technical books and one fiction. It’s a good balance - that’s what I said to myself and felt proud. [I am so exhausted after the gym workout today but I will still read at least a chapter before I sleep.] I worked out longer than usual today because we went to a Chinese place for lunch which didn't turn out to be that good. And afterwards we ate ice-cream - shame on me for succumbing to such forbidden pleasures! The only way I could feel less guilty was to workout extra and so I did:D
Ok, I am very happy about my progress so far and hopefully my drive to enrich my life by learning won’t subside:D
So, as I am writing this I just heard an explosion-like sound that came from my kitchen. My roommate is not at home and I was too scared to go and check what just happened. What could it be? - An intruder with a gun? a thief? a ghost? I gathered my guts and went outside to check. I turned on the lights and after I could make sense of what had just happened I laughed out loud! I had left an egg to boil about an hour ago. The water had all evaporated and the egg bursted because of too much heat! The bottom of my nonstick pan was charred, egg shells were all over the floor and the yolk landed on the top of the stove. Oh my gosh I am having such a good laugh right now. How will I eat my dinner now? My dinner just exploded!! Hahaha!
It's such a pretty day outside!!! It's bright and colorful. I am going to go outside and enjoy the sun without having to worry about chilly winds and frigid cold at last!
I have been told that my posts have been too pessimistic and cynical. I think it's because I write only when I feel very strongly about the subject. It's quite easy to be critical about something. It's harder to see the positive sides of things. However, sometimes cynicism also helps to not believe in things blindly. So, measured cynicism should be okay? It is bad only if cynicism turns into strong pessimism. I doubt that I am a pessismist. I do try to see the brighter side of most things.
I was watching Oprah the other day --- OK OK, I confess that I watch "Oprah" whenever I can. I admire her for her philanthropy and a kind heart. She is a powerful woman, (She is one good example of making good use of the media) , and I think it's great that she takes an initiative to help other people. She indeed "becomes" the change she wants to see in the world. Some people only talk about changes they want to see, but she on the other hand really acts on it.
Anyway, so there was a show about "Secret of happiness" and they talked about how you can really perceive to be happy in the dire of circumstances. The secret to happiness lies in your perception. It's how you perceive happiness - keyword being perceive. You constantly perceive things and it's your perception that gathers the evidence to make your beliefs right. For example, a pessimist will be unhappy of certain things that have happened in his life because he will only perceive the bad things that have led to his unhappiness. He can't perceive the good things that have happened to him due to the changes in his life. This unhappiness maybe because of poor choices that he made early on or things that have happened to him and he has feelings of a sense of regret, sadness and depression. How can this person be happy because of the what he has lost? Well, the pessismist can be an optimist if he realizes that he doesn't need to make things "right" to be happy. He needs to realize that he indeed is happy and should look forward to make things better for him. He should turn the negative into positive. He should throw the negative out and invite the positive in. He needs to surround himself with positive people. He should not "chase" happiness or look for it in the future. He needs to realize he is happy as he is.
Media is synonymous to the word propaganda. Just like the "sleep-learning" method employed in Huxley's Brave new World, media is effective in hypnotizing you to a world of propaganda where nothing is as it is portrayed and you are brainwashed into believing things.
Rediff has been posting news covering every detail of the "Abhiwarya" wedding on their page everyday as headlines. The Virginia tech shootings are next on their list after a few listings. But the "Abhiwarya" wedding is more visible on their page and easy to navigate.
If you want to know what Aishwarya Rai wore, who came to their wedding, who was standing outside their house stalking them, who was invited and who wasn't etc. then rediff is the perfect site for you. I couldn't help but laugh that even BBC couldn't resist and posted a news item that Bollywood "superstars" were getting married. I have heard from relatives back in India that some television channels have been covering the wedding non-stop. I guess it's more important to know how they got married rather than what is going on in other parts of the world.
I spent a wonderful week back in Colorado and it was a very relaxing experience. I met up with all my friends and had an AWESOME time and here is how one of my friends described the time we went out accurately:
S: Back to Kansas?
Me: yeah:(
S: aw...
S: I had a lot of fun at the dinner
Me: yeah it was fun
Me: especially after the dinner :D
S: hahaha, yes, "We made the waiter repeat the dessert menu multiple times in the same order; we got lessons on psychology in a bookstore on the point of closing; learned Bharatnatyam in a parking lot to help you digest your food easier - Tested and proven to work with the added bonus of stomach hurting laughter."
Me:Hahahaha, Fun times!
Me: nicely worded!
S: your welcome - advertisement a copyright of the "Insane Gang"
I just remembered an activity that a professor in one of my classes made us do. We had to get into groups of two and carry on a conversation for maximum 5 minutes without using the word 'I'. Sadly, none of the students could follow this simple set of intructions:p I failed miserably. Yes, this was only a minor exercise - but it really amazes me how humans can be so self-centered.
On another line of thought - I find it quite silly when some people are always in a quest to show that they are better off than others. Some people do it knowingly and some people may not even know it and yet they do it. The latter sect is more interesting because they are totally unaware that they are doing it. People who do it knowingly, do it out of jealousy, and people who do it unknowingly are very insecure about themselves.
This also leads me to the topic of gossip. Why do people gossip about other people? Why do people need to hear information that they don't really need to know? And worst of all - they all have a good laugh by bad mouthing other people they hardly know. People who gossip mindlessly are the worst kind of people. I know that I have gossiped in the past and I know I was wrong. I do not try to do it now and I figured out the cause why I used to gossip. A few people learn to gossip from other people - it becomes a culture for them - while others do it for various reasons mainly jealousy; to prove you are better than the subject of your gossip; you don't like the person and you want to spread rumors so that other people hate them too; insecurity etc
The fact is that by gossiping you are stooping to a pathetic level. Why do you need to show that you are superior to others? What are you trying to prove? Will it make you feel better that you are better off? Why are you happy by only showing that other people are below you? Why can't you be happy just being who you are? If you are not happy being who you are - only then do you resort to these acts. If you are secure within yourself you would never tend to criticize other people and try to prove you are better; because you do not need to prove to yourself that you are better than others to be happy. You are happy being who you are and what you are and find no sense in talking about people you don't really care about! So, next time somebody is gossiping with you about somebody - STOP - THINK- and make a WISE decision!!
Also, it is interesting to note that people who gossip with you will gossip about you:)
I tried this out and it tasted exactly like meat with mild variations. I had to read the ingredients carefully to really make myself believe that it contained no meat and was vegetarian! It's made of Soy and tastes fabulous!
Have you ever read Night by Elie Wiesel? I read it when I was in 11th grade and it was for a class. I read it overnight and this was the only book that has ever made me weep. Another book on the same lines was "The diary of Anne Frank". Both Anne Frank as well as Elie Wiesel were victims of the Holocaust. The only difference was that Anne Frank didn't survive and Elie was a survivor and lived to tell his tale of the horrors of Holocaust.
[Hitler's racial policies had culminated in the killing of approximately 11 million people, including the genocide of some six million Jews, in what is now known as the Holocaust. In total, the war in Europe cost approximately 45 million people their lives.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holocaust]
Reading both these books is a heart wrenching experience and it's very hard to believe that things like this could ever happen.
What is surprising is that how can so many people be so blinded by Hitler? Were all Nazis ruthless? How could they perform such an act is what surprises me. Did all of them think that what they were doing was right? Were they brainwashed?
The Milgram experiment makes interesting observations on how humans act under the influence of authority. The Milgram experiment was a seminal series of social psychology experiments conducted by Yale University psychologist Stanley Milgram, which measured the willingness of study participants to obey an authority figure who instructed them to perform acts that conflicted with their personal conscience. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment
In this experiment the main participants were 3 people - An experimenter and two subjects. The experimenter who acts as an authority figure orders the subject A to give what the subject A believes are painful electric shocks to another subject B, who is actually an actor (A does not know that B is acting). It was found that many participants continued to "give" shocks despite pleas for mercy from the actor, as long as the experimenter kept on ordering them to do so.
Milgram concluded that "Ordinary people, simply doing their jobs, and without any particular hostility on their part, can become agents in a terrible destructive process. Moreover, even when the destructive effects of their work become patently clear, and they are asked to carry out actions incompatible with fundamental standards of morality, relatively few people have the resources needed to resist authority." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milgram_experiment]
Hence, in this power hungry world authority is the modern evil of mankind. Even Ayn Rand in her book "The Fountainhead" shuns people who seek power.
I love the book "The Fountainhead". My brother recommended it to me and I couldn't stop reading it once I started it. BTW my alias "Miss Francon" is inspired by the character Dominique Francon in "The Fountainhead".
Here are some of my favorite quotes from Ayn Rand:
"Power-lust is a weed that grows only in the vacant lot of an empty mind."
"The men who are not interested in philosophy need it most urgently; they are most helplessly in its power."
Kindness is a strength
People say "God" is kind..
People worship "God"..
In fact, people should practice kindness and not practice "religion"
What is religion anyway? I do not know much about other religions; however religion basically is a set of rules that binds people and teaches discipline right? Who came up with religion and why was it created? To keep people together? It's interesting to know that every part of this world follows a religion... well, most of them. I think the first time that I met people who said that they didn't have a religion were in US. Prior to that I always assumed that everyone has a religion. As a child I wasn't too religiously inclined and I never thought much about God..but I always feared him and I was taught to fear God. In pre-school, we were taught that there exists a powerful superhuman who is omnipotent and someone who knows it all. I didn't question what I was taught then. Today, when I am exposed to different religions and cultures I often find it interesting to ponder on the concept of "God".
According to my theory, humans created "God" to create a basic discipline among their community and to live in peace. Since, humans are often competing with each other and always in a race to be at the top,"God" was made to be "superhuman" to act like an authoritative figure. Various experiments have shown that humans will do anything under an authority.
[On a sidenote - It's interesting to study Milgram's experiment - I will write a post on this in the future because it's very interesting how authority affects humans throughout history]
I admire the concept the concept of religion..people who created must have been quite intelligent and great bluff masters. Please note that I am not belittling religion in anyway. I do believe religion is important in life. However, religion for me doesn't consist of a superhuman being whom I fear. Religion to me in short is discipline and kindness. By being disciplined and kind I am being a better person for myself and not to please "God".
I do feel sorry for all the orthodox and superstitious people though. I don't know why they will do anything to prove that their God is the greatest of all and that they are in a quest to prove God is real? How can God be real? God is not a human or a superhuman! It is a concept! An idea that worked to fool other people universally to make them do things (good and bad) that they wouldn't have done otherwise. Concepts are abstract and so is God. However, I think they are confusing God with the creator of universe. How was the universe created? I don't know. But I don't think the creator of universe created religion. It was a human who created religion to induce discipline. We should be aware of the universe we live in rather than being blind followers without thinking.
