DTW :) (Its all about apples and oranges)

This one is a piece of my heart. It comes from the depth of my soul, from the core of my being. 

Traditionally in India, seeds of wisdom are implanted into the student's mind by the Guru. Today I wish to share something very fundamental that one of my favorite teachers seeded in me. We call this funda - "DTW".

As the young child grows up, the relationship between parents and the child matures into something deep and wonderful. Both the parties have a common goal - "A good life for the young one". As time swiftly passed by and I turned 22, it was my 4th year at IIT Madras. And I was now under the tender care of my Professors who were not just kind and gentle, but some of the finest of the human beings I ever encountered in my life. 

Apart from all the drama we do, the respect, the admiration, obedience and everything alike, there is a fundamental tone of love between the guru and the sishya (as sanaathana dharma puts it). The guru reads his sishya's mind and everything that is going in it, in the very first look. 

I had the fortune of meeting one such a fine gentleman @ IIT Madras. Eventually as I grew up, I would take all the questions in my inquisitive mind to him. Being the young and energetic person he is (an absolute cool guy), he'd always spend time with me (despite knowing the fact that - if I came, it would take a few hours :D)

This funda of DTW comes from the long fundae session I had with him that evening. What he spoke that evening with me shaped me as a person and gave me the eternal peace that I enjoy even today. 

It goes as follows:

In his words : "The second thing I want to tell you is - 'Don't compare !', Sneha I would not like you to compare yourself with anybody in the world. 

If I compare myself with millions of people who cannot even count, I will only let pride take over and if I compare myself with the Nobel Prize winners, I will only feel small and bitter about life. What's the point of comparing myself to my equals ?"

Somewhere he liberated my mind from the action of comparison that it has been engaged in for 22 years. Somewhere, his logic had so much strength that I couldn't deny it. After having an involved discussion that evening, I came back and sat in the Sharav balcony contemplating on what we had discussed and trying to summarize in my diary all that we've discussed. 

As the evening came to a close, the clock showed a 6:45 P.M. and it was time for "mess". Anusha came to the balcony with the 'mess call' and we sat down discussing how inherently we are programmed to compare. When I say 5 and 3, the mind compares and has a result 5>3, even without being asked to think. It did the same thing between our CGs ( can you believe it ! people from different branches of engineering also compared their CGs against each other ) our finances and everything on the earth without a question of why ? It seemed like comparison became as natural as breathing. 

This led to what is called the "Rat Race" phenomenon. Its about running blindly like the 2 mice in the alley (as described in "Who moved my cheese?". Running running with out even thinking where are we going, running even faster because everybody else is running.

It was then we realized "How easily our minds would do the calculations without even checking if that's necessary !" The deal in front of us now was to see if we could cut down this unnecessary spending of mental energy. It called for a shift from "I think. Therefore I am!" to "I am. I can think if I want"

At a very young age he cut our strings off. By not comparing ourselves with anybody, we were forced to think, to look within and find out who we were and what we liked, irrespective of what others thought. Because, it matters not. This in our young voice we lovingly called "DTW: Ditch the world!". 

We had it written all over - our books, our body, our computers etc.,. but most importantly it was etched in our hearts and with practice it seeped into our soul. What a boon it became, we were not only held off from getting into the rat race, but by choosing our own path, we became responsible for our lives. Our minds stopped comparing the apples and the oranges anymore. 

Often we compare apples to oranges, and demand the apples to be like oranges and oranges to be like the apples. But if they had to be like each other, we needn't have two varieties of fruits. They would have been the same. Likewise there is a reason for things to be the way they are. The beauty of the universe lies in its diversity and every thing has to be appreciated for what it is. 

People have to be looked upon holistically. We can never even understand the circumstances a person faced or the situation they are in. There is no point of comparison because each of us are unique in a thousand different ways, each of us have a duty to perform, a gap to fill, on this wonderful planet.

The moment mind gives up comparison, it also loses what comes as a result - judgement. By internalizing DTW, we not only found our peace withing but also became less judgmental human beings. This made us see people as full beings in the light of the new torch that we now found. And now, everybody seems beautiful, as beautiful as we are !.

All for my Sweet heart !

It feels absolutely amazing spending time with a sweet heart.
A sweeeeet heart, that knows to love unconditionally,
                               ..... to work incessantly,
                                  ..... to care gently , live vibrantly and ofcourse beat rhythmically :)

Awww ! My Sweet Little Heart ...

Its been my first walkathon - for the billion hearts beating campaign.
It was a last minute decision and turned out to be as exciting as ever. Wake up early in the morning, 5:00 A.M. Snooze until 5:52 ;) Oops, gotta be at the bessy beach at 6:30 A.M.  B-)

Good God! Was able to catch an insti bus at 6:07 A.M. Surprise, surprise ! realized that the bus was specially arranged for the Walkathon ! - all the way to Elliots beach. So witness one of those romantic scenes, when nature waves its magic wand, the orange-yellow sun comes up from the water, the bus moved past the flyover, and the gentle morning wind whizzed by my ears.  A fresh and enthusiastic team of 19 people turned up.



Well, I couldn't manage to get a Teee :( - which I desperately wanted ! But, yeah had a wonderful time with my heart, for atleast once, I cared for it. Yes ! obviously we did put pseud there and gave the celebs pose ;) I learnt my lessons well and shall be more wise the next time ---- for sure, the shades are IN ! come what may, when its a walkathon/marathon, Count ME Innnnn !

This is one of those certificates, that I am extremely proud of :)

Inspiration :

Nagendra Krishnapura - My prof @ EE Dept, IITM
Preethi Maam               - My latest inspiration B-)

If you've read so far, take a couple of minutes to read this ! - http://www.healthyheart.nhs.uk/healthy_heart/exercise.shtml

An unusual day.

You know, it takes quite something to push yourself to make a start. The day began with the warm sunrays breaking through the shutters of my eyes whispering a gentle good morning. A surprise "call" from a very distant friend, after a real long time. Now that marks a good beginning.

Good work did happen @ the office.
Missed a work out, had a hearty meal.
The weekend has begun and I am stuck
to the internet.

-Sneha Raj

Intern Diaries

Day zero - Shit !

Day one - interesting work

Day two - interesting guide

Day three - cute colleagues

Day four - friday ! civil dress I guess, office was bright !
                 work - no mood ; had a warm chat :)

Weeeeeeekend Begins !!

Let see whats in store  :P

Yours,
Sneha Raj.

I hAtE hEr !!

I hate her for being my inspiration
I hate her because she is our weakness
I hate her because she tops my list of heroes
I hate her for being so beautiful, trendy and chic
I hate her for being infinitely smarter than me
I hate her for not being here with me right now
I hate her for nobody can love me so much,
I hate her for being younger than me (child prodigy :P )
I hate her because she has more number of fans than me :( :( (sob, sob!)
I hate her because she is so influencial ! (Conti maxx, politician :D)
I hate her because She is 1SA
I hate her because her's is the most warmest hug (I miss it here !)
I hate her because she is the only one who has been overtaking me and
outperforming me ever in my family history.
I hate her because she just melts in my arms, with warm tears rolling down her cheeks
I hate her because she is my strength and the most beautiful relation that I have ever been woven into
I hate her because she bridges the gap so beautifully - amazing PR
I hate her because she was the Roses Captain of St. Ann's High School and lead her way to championship
I hate her because she is a 1000 times more enthu and dynamic than me
I hate her for being more creative than me
I hate her because my branded Tees look better on her ! 
I hate her for dancing better than me :( (aaaaaaa ! Mummmy :( :( ]
I hate her because all my achievements and triumphs @ IITM vanish into nullity when I meet her.
I hate her for she is more proud of me than I could ever be
I hate her for she makes me feel so special that I always end up in tears of joy after reading her letters
I hate her for she has given me the most beautiful childhood ever (just like a dream)
I hate her for being omnipresent (always with me ?!? how on earth)
And ... I could give a zillion reasons for "Why I hate her"
The best of all could always be :

I hate her for I can never love a person as much as "She loves me !"

She is an idiot, stupid, the cutest little cupper I could have ever met along the ocean of a thousand lives of mine.So enchanting, so meserising, so charming,so enticing,so happening, such a fun company, to sum it up all ....

"A Perfect soulmate that he gave me after a million years of penance :P "

The shorter one ! - thats her :D (Love her for this - She is shorter than me :D :D )

cute !

Intro -
This is one of the cutest articles I have come across. This article has been found on this site. I am posting it on my blog so that I capture this wonderful article on my private space. Happy Reading !

We can learn a lot from a child. Plenty of adults engage in childish behavior, but not enough adults allow themselves to truly become childlike and exhibit an approach and display behaviors that exemplify the very best of what being a child is all about. Obviously, the point is not that we should become literally like children in every way—a group of 4-year olds is not going to build the next space shuttle or find a cure for an infectious disease this year. But as an exercise in personal growth, looking at the innocent nature of a small child offers illuminating and practical suggestions for changing our approach to life and work as "serious adults," including the work of presenting, facilitating, and teaching. You could probably come up with 100 things children do that you'd like to be able to still do today—here are just 13.

(1) Be completely present in the moment. In the words of David M. Bader: "Be here now. Be someplace else later. Is that so complicated?" We adults are often living in the past (or have our heads in the future). Many adults carry around preconceptions, prejudices, and even anger about something that happened years ago—even hundreds of years ago before anyone they even know was born. And yet, very young children do not worry and fret about the past or the future. What matters most is this moment. “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence," says Thich Nhat Hanh.

(2) Allow for spontaneity. We are often overly rigid and worry too much about what others may think or say, so we edit ourselves before we even try. I am not talking about anarchy, I am talking about bringing back some of that childlike behavior where you acted more on intuition and allowed your whims and momentary impulses to take you on all sorts of accidental discoveries. Our fear and our tendency to keep our minds fixed on the past and the future keeps us from being spontaneous in the moment.

(3) Move your body! To move is to live and to grow. When we were kids, no one had to tell us to get out of the house and exercise. We'd play football in the front yard until it got so dark we couldn't see the ball. Movement and exercise are how kids learn, and physical exercise improves cognition and memory for adults in both the short term and over the long term. Homo sapiens have evolved to move far more than your average person moves today. Moving is the most natural thing of all, certainly more natural than sitting on one's arse all day staring into a box or enduring lecture after lecture while remaining motionless on uncomfortable chairs. Move, and encourage others to do the same. "Our brains were built for walking—12 miles a day!" says Dr. John Medina.

(4) Play and be playful. To play is to explore and discover. Play helps us learn and discover new insights. You can be a "serious person" and play. NASA astronauts are serious, wickedly smart, and physically fit men and women of science. Yet, they're doing jobs they dreamed of as kids, and they are not above playfulness as Apollo 14 Commander Alan Shepard demonstrated by using his makeshift 6-iron to hit golf balls on the moon. Playfulness is a creative attitude that brings out the best in you and in others. Confucius said, "Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life."

(5 ) Make mistakes. Children make lots of "mistakes"—that's how they learn. Even though we are professionals, we can learn from mistakes as well, if we're willing to risk making them. Even experts make mistakes. An old Japanese proverb says "Even monkeys fall from trees." (Saru mo ki kara ochiru — 猿も木から落ちる.) Worry not about mistakes—learn from them. "Failure is the key to success." said The Great Teacher Morihei Ueshiba. "Each mistake teaches us something."

(6) Do not concern yourself with impressing people. Eventually peer pressure will set in, of course, but from what I have seen, very young children are naturally able to be in the moment and unafraid about what others may think of their "silly" behavior. "Do not try to make somebody believe you are smarter than you are," says writer Brenda Ueland. "What's the use? You can never be smarter than you are." In the words of Benjamin Zander, “This is the moment — this is the most important moment right now....It’s not about impressing people. It’s not about getting the next job. It’s about contributing something." When you are in the moment and truly engaged with your work and your ideas, the idea of trying to impress others is an uncomfortable distraction.                                                    

(7) Show your enthusiasm. "Mere enthusiasm is the All in All," says Brenda Ueland. You do not have to tell little children to be enthusiastic about just about anything (save broccoli, perhaps). Many years ago when I used to visit numerous schools in Japan, I noticed the elementary schools were abuzz with activity and filled with totally engaged, enthusiastic students. This would even carry on into the first weeks of Jr. High School, but the level of enthusiasm took a big hit as they progressed through the exam-driven system of secondary education. That energetic elementary student is still inside of you — imagine what could happen if you combined that child you used to be with the skilled, knowledgeable and wise person that you are today.

(8) Remain open to possibilities and "crazy" ideas. This is related to the idea of beginner's mind. Shunryu Suzuki famously said "In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few." You may be an expert, but in order to learn, your cup must be empty. But for many adults, their cups runneth over with excuses and negative close mindedness disguised as skepticism. Healthy, unbiased skepticism is a good thing, but too many adults can tell you a million reasons why it can't be done or that has never been done. Curmudgeons abound, but life is too short to hang out with chronic sourpusses and others with closed minds.

(9) Be insanely curious, ask loads of questions. We think of formal education only as getting the answers, but questions are often more important. Knowledge is important, obviously, but "what if?" and "I wonder why?" is the stuff of imagination and engagement with the material. First come the questions, then begins the exploration and the discoveries—that is, the learning. Children are kind of like miniature scientists in the sense that they are naturally and unstoppably curious about the world around them. An adult with an insatiable curiosity will never stop learning and growing. It is curiosity that pushes us forward. Yet, as adults, we may have become complacent. The best teachers and the best presenters stimulate our natural curiosity. "You never learn a thing when you get the right answer, but are rewarded for doing so in schools," says TED founder Richard Saul Wurman.

(10) Know that you are a creative being. Ask any first grade class who among them is an artist, and watch every hand go up. By the time they are in college, you can barely get a single hand to go up in a class when you ask "who here considers themselves creative?" Is this because they've been educated out of their creativity as Sir Ken Robinson suggests? Regardless of your profession or education — whether you are an artist, design, teacher, or engineer — you are a supremely creative individual. If you doubt this, you rob the world and yourself of your true potential and a great contribution.

(11) Smile, laugh, enjoy. Take your work, very, very seriously, of course. But there is no reason to take yourself so seriously. The genuine enjoyment you project with your smiles and spontaneous laughter are infectious. Your dispassionate solemness is a mood that is also infectious. Which mood is more engaging? Which mood do you want to see reflected back at you? Laughter and a smile are gifts to yourself and to others.

(12) Slow down. Yes, of course focus is important, but not all distractions are a bad thing. Stop and notice the world around you. This stimulates your imagination. Says Brenda Ueland: "The imagination needs moodling — long inefficient, happy idling, dawdling, and puttering. People who are always briskly doing something and as busy as waltzing mice, they have little, sharp, staccato ideas...But they have no slow, big ideas." A small child walking on a path will stop and notice the novelty all around, while we impatient adults just want to get to our destination as soon as possible. Adults feel this way about happiness as well. Happiness is always in the future, over there, if I can just get "over there" to some place or situation in the future. This constant future-orientation causes many of us to step over the remarkable things in life that abound right here and now. Slow down and allow yourself to be distracted from time to time by the wonders of life around you.

(13) Encourage others. It is an amazing thing to see even very small children helping and encouraging others. Good teachers and good leaders inspire and encourage as well. Anatole France said "nine tenths of education is encouragement.” But what should you do when you yourself feel discouraged? An old Zen proverb has a simple answer: "Encourage others."

There are many more things we can learn from children, of course. Please feel free to share some of those here for others to see.

Search or Research ?

Things are seeming to move slowly on my end. Nothing much interesting, no Aha ! moments :( And worst of all when somebody has done it all, what you thought was your pseud idea (the one that you are working upon). Well, all you could do is say to yourself that "Man, I am looking at indegenious technology ! India at the centre, u c !" Gosh ! I hate Vodacom, as of now. But, its time to hatch a plot. !!

All it needs is a bit more of patience, commitment and professionalism, hey did I forget to mention, may be !

The only central word in my life right now -FOCUS !

Loads of distractions are just ready to pounce upon.

Phew !

Yours,
Sneha !

Yeah, I know I am making heads turn :-P