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We don't see things as they are; we see them as we are. -Anaïs Nin People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Do something towards your goal every day. Do something you are afraid of every day. Read something every day. Write something every day. You are the…

10 new reasons why Cycling rocks [You will love #6]

Cycling has many benefits - most of which you already know: It's a great, harmless, and (mostly) injury-free workout. It saves fuel. Cycling is both noise pollution and air pollution free. Now for some other unusual, but awesome, things to think about: You don't get a ticket  (no challan). So you don't have to wait for red light to…

Gratitude – A better way of living

Humanity has come a long way in past few centuries. The quality of life that someone in lower middle class enjoys today is far better than what even wealthiest people experienced 100 years ago. Whether it's access to healthcare, education, transport or even just temperature control in the room, everything's better. But people are more dissatisfied than…

Carrots and sticks

The quality of your life depends on the reasons behind the decisions you take. If they are internal reasons, for yourself, you flourish. If reasons are external, you lose control and feel frustrated. Your happiness will depend on the things you do when there's no one standing behind you, when there's no deadline, no sticks, and…

The Greatest achievement of humanity

In last 50 years, humans have gradually achieved what no other individual or entity achieved in history. It's not modern medicine. It's not even internet. What we have achieved is not knowing the limits of what we can accomplish as a collective race. The greatest achievement of the human race is not knowing limits of…

The Universe doesn’t care about you

Many people including Shahrukh Khan quote "When you really want something, the whole universe conspires to help you get it". That's just baloney. The universe doesn't care about you. So are all these people lying? Not really. It just appears as if the universe (or God) is helping. But why does it seem that way? It's…

1 simple trick to achieve beyond your imagination

How'd you like to learn about a simple mindset shift that will earn more money than you ever thought possible? There are few things truer: You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.Zig Ziglar Giving without any expectations of return is counterintuitive. However, returns inevitably come, without…

Everything Corrupts, eventually

"Sikhism is the best religion," my wife commented. I wouldn't argue with her (who would?). Sikhism is clearly one of the best religions. Gurudwaras, place of worship for Sikhs, are very well maintained. Followers give donations generously and regularly. You would never see a Sikh begging in the street. Most of all, Sikhs are proud to be Sikhs,…

Everything is connected – Why I write about topics unrelated to learning and education

I have been counseled many times to focus on learning and education and not write about anything else. The argument is that it confuses readers and doesn't give you a targeted audience. I agree. In any MBA program or a marketing course/post/seminar, one of the very first things they teach is the importance of identifying your audience. Once…

What happens after my death?

This is a very personal message I sent to my loved ones. I am, now, sharing it with the world. I just came back from final rites (Kirya) of my father. It’s been 13 days since he died. Many asked what his final words were. There weren’t any. He didn’t get the chance. We will…

Prayers that rocked my world

Where mind is without fear by Rabindranath Tagore Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high Where the knowledge is free Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls Where words come from the depth of truth Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection Where the…

My favourite quotes

I don't know who anonymous was but he surely knew a lot.Anonymous Since I have been collecting these from the time when I didn't know computers / internet, not all of the quotations have a source. As a slave to my narcissistic tendencies, I have included some of my own thoughts as well. Feel free to comment…

God

Broken Dreams by Lauretta P. Burns As children bring their broken toys with tears for us to mend. I brought my broken dreams to GOD Because He was my Friend. But then instead of leaving Him in Peace to work alone, I hung around and tried to help With ways that were my own. At…

Unbiased writing – How to write for an intelligent audience

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.Bertrand Russell Expressing ideas and opinions with conviction: This is something I have battled with for a long time and still do. In college, when evaluated for group discussions, I would be told…

Is your perspective really your own?

Most of our independent thoughts aren't independent. They are shaped by our culture, religion, and people around us. We just take it for granted that this is the way things are. We don't question why and if they are true. But it’s not your fault. All animals are set that way by default - to believe…

Philosophy digest

To make money we lose our health, and then to restore our health we lose our money. We live as if we are never going to die, and we die as if we never lived. My wall You become what you think. Think positive, think happy. You become what you eat. Eat healthily, eat for…

Hats off…..British Airways

This scene took place on a British Airways flight between Johannesburg, South Africa & London. A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man. Very disturbed by this, she called the air hostess. "You obviously do not see it then?" she asked. "You placed me next to a black man. I did not agree to sit…

Eight great paths to liberation

Buddha taught 2500 years ago that there are eight great paths to liberation and serenity. The paths are: Right understanding Right thinking Right speech Right action Right livelihood Right aspiration Right mindfulness Right meditation

Pyramids – A Hallmark of Art and Engineering

I always thought Pyramids were stupid. Why? These were built by superstitious Egyptians and were wasteful ventures. However, I have come to appreciate them in the last couple of months. Here are some of the cool things which would make your head spin Temperature Control: Pyramid of Giza is designed such that it maintains a…

Informorphology

To me, informorphology is the science of how information is morphed when passing through fallible humans. Here's a short story to go with it. My Grandma in law was explaining to another old man how I hurt my feet. Grandma: "He is my grandson in law. He injured his foot while jumping from an airplane with…