Discovering meaning of life

Just rising above the new year resolutions, let us ask ourselves, 'what is the meaning of my life'?

Viktor E Frankl, the author of Man's search for meaning, says we can discover this meaning of life in three different ways: (1) by creating a work or doing a deed (2) by experiencing something or encountering someone (3) by the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering.

This may too sound philosophical, but the author has undergone a terrific experience where in he lied naked among the flesh and dead bodies in a Nazi camp and finally manage to escape. This experience helped him in devising a psychology study called Logotherapy.

He also speaks of an optimisim in the face of tragedy, where in one (1) turns suffering into a human achievement and accomplishment, (2) derive from guilt the opportunity to change oneself for the better (3) deriving from life's transitoriness (such as death) an incentive to take responsible action.

Especially, with referene to the 3rd point, its just not death, but all the moments of life that are dying and will never recur. This very thought is a reminder that challenges us to make the best possible use of each moment of our lives.

He says, "Live as if you were living for the second time and had acted as wrongly the first time as you are about to act now".  What a powerful statement! Thats going to be my guiding principle for me this new year. I am going to create a poster out of it and stick it to this page sidebar as a constant reminder.

He has a message for students in America and Europe - "Do not pursue success.. as you are going to miss it..as unintended side effect of one's dedication for greater cause than oneself..". 

He also fondly quotes the German philosopher Nietzsche, "He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how".

Friends, lets make the best of our times, we are living in days that is terrific and unique.

Reference Links:

Wikipedia Reference on Man's Search for Meaning

Amazon Customer Reviews

Indian FanFare

Indian fanfare is very unique, probably it happens only in India.



Last week, when the cricket match was abandoned, the crowd went really mad. Today, when actor Vishnuvardhan died, there were protests and police lathicharge. There are several other incidents in the past and likely in future. When Kannada actor Rajkumar died, the entire state came to stall. When YSR was killed in an accident, there were news of suicides.



There are many celebrities, filmstars, politicians already aged and on the frontline. Can this nation withstand frequent protests when these celebrities leave this world?

Your New Year Resolutions May Fail

By now, you may be thinking of starting something new for the new year - like starting an exercise, stop smoking, learn new hobby, some financial goals etc.  Good news is that some may be easy to do - because you would have already signed up, or have enough resources. But certain resolutions like stopping smoking habits, early morning rising, doing the exercise everyday are sure to fail : Especially if these resolutions are being made on 30th or 31st of this month. The reason is just simple: they are being taken out of a spurt. The secret to sticking to those resolutions having enough why's. Have enough compelling reasons on why do you want this. Saying "I am going to stop smoking from Jan 1st".  Come on, why not, baby, today? 



Ask yourself the why's



* Why do I want to stop smoking?  because I want to break the habit

* Why do I want to break?  because I want to live healthy

* Why do I want to live healthy? because I have a family who depends on me; I want to be there for my family. because I have seen several friends dying of cancer due to smoking leaving their family unsupported. because body is my temple and I want to regard it as a spiritual entity; because I have several duties to my family, friends, the community, the society and my country; because I want to be a role model for the younger generation; because I do not want to be a victim of my old habits; because smoking habits affects my nervous system; because I spends hundreds and hundreds in smoking (and associated drinking)...





If these why's give you the answers why do you want to move towards something or move away from something, you are certain to make or break the habit.



To make life more interesting and meaningful, cover all aspects of life and have upto six goals. You can have one goal for Yourself, Family, Career, Fun and Recreation, Society, Spirituality etc.



A popular blogger Leo Babuta has started a site 6changes.com which has very useful guidelines on changing habits.



Also, you may want to visit Tony Robbins blog, or read his book "Awaken The Giant Within". The Awaken the Giant Within book has a dedicated chapter on creating compelling future.





Check yourself on Jan 10th, if you are sticking to your resolutions.





 

Books - Master Cleaning

There is no enough space on the floor for my books and it did not make sense to me to keep the books in shelves when I would not read them. I strongly believe buying books is a real investment for one.



Just recalling my childhood and school days.  My dad (Mr.Subramanian) was the first one to get me those nice Lifco books which I treasure the most. It is a set of 30 small books from Lifco on various subjects. I treated it as an encyclopedia. I also have the dictionary that I got in school days.  He also got me a membership in the Bhavani Govt Library. Then my uncle (Mr.D.Natarajan), an avid reader of books and all of them were in a trunk box. He has shared with me on various topics and a very knowledgeable person. Then my mentor and family friend, doctor (Dr.V.Srinivasan) who introduced to me all the modern age books. We used to discuss in length about various books. Later, several friends talked to me about books. I need to mention my cousin Surya and my niece Gayathri for their deep interests in reading books and sharing knowledge. More to share on this..may be in another blog entry. I think I touched up on this subject sometime.



Today, I decided to segregate the books - to read and refer for 2010; and those I will not pay attention for 2010. It was not an easy exercise. But I related the books to my new year personal goals and then it was easy to separate them.



Now my book shelves have fresh collection and good locking. The 'see u later ones' are dumped in the loft.

முன்னரை

தனி மனிதனுக்கோ, ஒரு நாட்டுக்கோ  வளமை வசதி எல்லாம் அரசியல் அல்லது சமுக சீரமைப்பு மூலம் மட்டுமே வர இயலும் என்ற பொதுவான கருத்து நிலவி வருகிறது. ஒரு நாட்டில் அற நெறியில் வாழ்பவர்கள் இருக்கிறார்கள் என்ற போதும் மேற் சொன்ன கருத்து முற்றிலும் உண்மை அல்ல. சிறந்த சட்டங்களும், சமுதாய சூழ்நிலைகளும் ஒரு சமுகத்தின் மக்களுக்கு அற வாழ்வை அளிக்கும் என்றாலும், வெறும் சட்டங்களால் வளமை வந்து விடாது; அதே சமயம் அந்த சட்டங்கள் அற வழி தவறிய  ஒருவரின் அழிவை, ஒரு நாட்டின் அழிவை தடுக்க இயலாது.

அற சிந்தனைகள், மகத்துவத்தின் ஆன்மா என்பதால்,  வளமையின் அஸ்திவாரமாகவும் ஆதாரமாகவும் இருக்கின்றன. அவை நிலைத்து நிற்கின்றன; அதை சார்ந்த எல்லா மனித படைப்புகளும் நிலைத்து நிற்கின்றன. அவையன்றி சக்தி இல்லை, நிரந்தரம் இல்லை, உண்மையும் இல்லை; எல்லாம் வெறும் குறுகிய கனவுகளே.  அற நெறிகளை தேடும் போது, வளமை, மகத்துவம், சத்தியம் எல்லாம் காண்கிறோம். அப்பொழுது வலிமை,  வீரம், சந்தோசம், விடுதலை எல்லாம் கிடைக்கிறது.

- ஜேம்ஸ் ஆலன்

[The following section is not part of the translation; The following news items will help us relate to James Allen's words ]

இன்றைய நாட்டு நிலவரம்

• ஆடுகளம் மோசம்: தில்லி போட்டி ரத்து (28/12/2009) 
• கடமை தவறும் நீதிபதிகள் மீது நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க இயலாத நிலையில் நீதித்துறை: நீதிபதி புகார் (28/12/2009) 
• ஆந்திரத்தை பிரிக்க வேண்டும்-பாஜக (28/12/2009)  
• திவாரி ராஜிநாமா: குடியரசுத் தலைவர் ஏற்பு (28/12/2009)
  

எதில் இன்பம் ?

"வாழ்வில் இன்பம்  என்பது பணத்திலோ, பொருளிலோ, நாம் குவிக்கும் சொத்திலோ, வேறு எந்த விஷயத்திலும் இல்லை. இவை யாவும் உயிர் அற்றவை. இன்பத்தின் கரு மனிதனுள் தான் காணப்பட வேண்டுமேயன்றி வேறு எங்கும் தேடலாகாது. மனிதன் தன்னுள் சந்தோசத்திற்கு இடம் அளிக்க வேண்டும். அவனுக்கு மேற் சொன்ன பொருட்க்களை பயன் படுத்த ஞானம்  இருக்க வேண்டும்; வெறும் சேர்த்து வைக்க கூடாது. அவை இவனை சார்ந்து இருக்க வேண்டும்; இவன் அவை மேல் அல்ல. அவை இவனை தொடர வேண்டும். இவன் அவற்றின் பின் ஓடாமல் இருந்தால், அதற்குண்டான ஒழுக்க நெறிகளை பின் பற்றினால், அந்த பொருள்கள் இவன் பின்னால் தன்னால் வரும்."

Why translate this book?

First of all, I am not sure if this book is translated by any of the leading Tamil authors or publications. James Allen is a great writer, and even after 100 years, we find his words very apt for our times. I first got introduced his book "As a man thinketh" which I have read and recommended to my friends several times. Every sentence of James Allens' words are quotable. I often think if these books could be translated, many folks of mine would surely benefit.

Secondly, I have a great interest in book translations. I attempted several in the past, but did not have a systematic mechanism to capture them in some form. I hope this website gives that platform.

Third, this book "Eight Pillars of Prosperity" is a bible for anybody's life. Reading it for myself sets a good start for this new year.  The eight pillars are Energy, Economy, Integrity, System, Sympathy, Sincerity, Impartiality, and Self Reliance. To practice these, I need to read;  What I read, I translate and publish. Its an opportunity to cleanse and build my-self.

I hope this will be a very useful effort for the benefit of everyone.

I request you to read the online version of the book and also buy an original copy of the book if possible. It certainly adds value to your library. That will be a great tribute to the great writer.

ஜேம்ஸ் ஆலன் - ஒரு அறிமுகம்

ஜேம்ஸ் ஆலன்  லீசெஸ்டர் (இங்கிலாந்து) என்ற இடத்தில 28 நவம்பர் 1864 அன்று பிறந்தார். அவருக்கு 15 வயது இருக்கும் போது அவரது தந்தை கொடூரமான முறையில் கொல்லப் பட்டார். மேலும் அவரது குடும்ப தொழிலும் பாதிக்கப் பட்டது. இதனால் ஜேம்ஸ் ஆலன்  படிப்பை நிறுத்தி விட்டு, வேலை தேட ஆரம்பித்தார். தனது 38 வயது வரை பலரிடம் சிறு சிறு வேலைகள் செய்து ஜீவனம் நடத்தினார். தனது வாழ் நாளின் பிற் பகுதியில் அவர் எழுத்தாளனாக மாறி, சுமார் 9  வருடங்கள், தனது மரணம் வரை (1912) எழுதினார். அவர் குறுகிய காலத்தில் எழுதிய புத்தகங்கள் யாவும் உலக பிரசித்தி பெற்றவை. அவரது முதல் புத்தகமான Above Life's Turmoil ஐ தொடர்ந்து அவர் தனது சிறந்த படைப்பான As a man thinketh ஐ எழதினார். அவரது மறைவுக்கு பின்பு அவரது துணைவி அவரது எழுத்துக்களை உலகிற்கு அறிமுகம் செய்கிறார். 

James Allen

James Allen is one of my favourite authors. I have read his book "As a man thinketh" several times. It may appear like a dry essay, but every sentence of his work is worth a quote. Thanks to Dr.VS, I got to know about James Allen's writings. Those days a publication by name "Sri saiva siddhantha pathipagam" from Tirunelveli had published all his books. Another title that I was fond of - "Eight pillars of prosperity"; and another one being "Above Life's Turmoil". 



(I remember that Mr.SKM, the founder of SKM foundry (Erode) was a great fan of his writings. He used to ask his people to translate the work (eight pillars...) and listen in tamil. Mr.SKM is one of the very disciplined industrialist known.)



Last night, thoughts of James Allen started haunting me and I was desperately started looking for his titles on the internet. Would you call it magic?  Today I took my parents to Forum mall - in the Landmark book stall among thousands of books were lying these two cute books - As a Man thinketh and 8 pillars of prosperity. I did not buy any other new titles, how attractive they may be. After coming home, I realized that I did not search for "Above life's turmoil".  When I glanced the "As a man thinketh" book, it came as a pleasant it had alll the other 'missing' books.



I already have 'Book of Meditation' which I decided that I will read everyday morning from New year.



Related Links: http://www.jamesallenlibrary.com/

Its Termination of Worldspace

We have been great listeners of WorldSpace for the past few years. My father listens to it every day - first thing in the morning at 5 am and then to melodies in the afternoon and in the late night. He is a great fan of KL Radio and the Shruthi music channels. He demonstrates this radio to all our guests. Recently I was trying to get him a latest model of the radio which is worth Rs.4500. The sales department lady said best offer - Rs.3500 only etc but never hinted about the service termination and their bankruptcy. I even argued that there should be pay-per-channel option as in Satellite television. Some intuition saved me from going for it. Worldspace services are also available on Airtel Digital TV.  Here is the mail from WorldSpace. 



______________________________________________

Dear customer,



On December 31, 2009, the WorldSpace satellite radio broadcast service will be terminated for all customers serviced from India.



This action is an outgrowth of the financial difficulties facing WorldSpace India’s parent company, WorldSpace, Inc., which has been under bankruptcy protection since October 2008.  The potential buyer of much of WorldSpace’s global assets has decided not to buy the WorldSpace assets relating to and supporting WorldSpace’s subscription business in India.  As a consequence, WorldSpace, Inc. must discontinue its subscriber business in India.  Your subscription contract is with WorldSpace, Inc., a US company that is in a bankruptcy proceeding in the United States.  The company recognizes that you may have paid for services to be rendered beyond the termination date, but is not in a position to offer a refund for any unused portion of your subscription.



You may have a potential remedy under the U.S. bankruptcy law. You may file a claim under the claims procedure that is intended to protect creditors of the bankrupt company.  Sometime early next year, a claim servicing company will send notice to all creditors listed by the company. In order to ensure that you receive timely notice, we would request that you send the following information by mail or email to Rakesh Raghavan at WorldSpace, Inc. headquarters in the United States.



1.        Name



2.        Address



3.        Email



4.        Subscription Account Number



5.        Date of Subscription



6.        Length of Subscription



7.        Amount paid for your current subscription



Send this information to: By email -- CustomerServiceUS@worldspace.com or by regular mail – Rakesh Raghavan, WorldSpace, Inc. 8515 Georgia AV, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA.



Our sincere apologies for this circumstance.



s/ Robert Schmitz

Chief Restructuring Officer

WorldSpace, Inc.

Three Exhibitions in a day

We along with family, attended thre exhibitions on the same day - all at Palace Grounds! 



Kids Festival by Times Group:  I thought it would be a good idea to buy more innovative gifts for my kid and also see what new learning aids are available. With an entry fee of Rs.30, we could not enjoy the event. There was mad rush, one row of stalls had regular stalls for kids - none of the items were worth buying. The real theme was a display of schools advertisements. All the schools of Bangalore had put their stalls. There was a talent exhibit - but there was not any interest. It was a pure business tatctics. One stall did not even give the bill. He said its not needed and he is already paying the sales tax!

Aadishilp 2009:  This was happening in the next ground. Very interesting. Its an arts and crafts exhibition. Ambience was good. There was a hut which served as an entry for the stalls. Almost all the north indian and north east state folks had displayed their products. Tamilnadu, Kerala and North Karnataka items had one stall each. Bought a shawl for my dad, some earrings, chains for my women folks.  I was interested in buying a book shelf made of wood - but that was too big to carry in the car. Finally, I bought something for myself - a pen stand made of rock elements. The North East guys told me its made of rock and no-chemicals - but I thought I would buy one to encourage them. We certainly respect such events to encourage the village folks. More than worth for the entry fee of just Rs.10/-. The organizers kept announcing that the buyers insist on bill.



Silk Expo 2009 -  This was next to the Aadishilp event; As my family members were excited to enter this, something was warning me that there could be a hole in my wallet. I was lucky that all mad-crowd were not leaving single unit of space to stand and enquire something. I directed my family to the stalls where there was not any crowd. Yes, the stalls were not worth visiting.  Finally, except for the entry fee of Rs.30/- per head we did not spend anything.



I expected the traffic from Palace Ground to JP Nagar will be hell. But it was breeze; all the signals were turning green for me and I reached my home in breeze!

JP Nagar Slum will go away

For the past ten days, our area roads were all glittering - they are tarred dark black and painted bright white for directions and road discipline - especially in most unwanted areas. Now the puzzle is solved. Mr.CM Yediyurappa was planning to visit our area for the slum upgradation related initiatives. Yes, he did. The event was just opposite to my house but I could not participate.



Here is the ad and the news report.





Indian Express News Link

BANGALORE: "There will be no slums in Bangalore in the next three to four years as more than Rs 522 crore is being spent on rehabilitating slumdwellers under the JNNURM scheme, said Yeddyurappa at the foundation stone laying ceremony to build 1,500 houses for the dwellers of Ragigudda slum in JP Nagar on Saturday."There are over 2,676 slums in the state and nearly 570 in the city and most of them will come under the same plan of rehabilitation," he said. "The Ragigudda slum that has been in existence for the past 30 years needs to be removed and the people here will get newly-built concrete houses in the same vicinity to avoid re-location," said BN Vijayakumar, Jayanagar MLA. The project that costs Rs 32.55 crore will provide basic facilities to the residents by December 2010, he said. Vijayakumar also said that the park located next to the slum would be used for building temporary sheds for the people of the slums.Bio-metric cards were issued to five women who live in the slum and the cards will ensure that they are given a house once the construction is complete.The CM said that projects worth Rs. 7,500 crore would be taken up by the government.Ministers Ashok, Katta Subramanya Naidu and Aravind Limbavali were present.

What drives us (mad)?

Stop doing what you are doing at this moment.  Are you doing something because you have a goal, a passionate about, highly desired about?  Are you doing something out of fear to avoid embarrassment, failure, or you have a boss, teacher, parent who will question you if you dont it?

2 New Books in my shelf

Bought two new books - one is the new release and another one is international bestseller, not too new.



Discover The "Diamond" You by Arindam Chaudhuri



Richard Brandson's Losing my Virginity (The Autobiography)



I had been to Jayanagar Landmark bookshop today. Arindam's book was much hyped by Times of India. A self help book, but very plain style - I just started reading the book.  Will post a review when done.



Another one is Richard Branson's autobiography. I dont know anything of him - I am asking myself : How do I pick books?  I think I go for the autobiographies. Autobiographies have interesting stories to say.

தூக்கம் வராத போது அலை கழிக்கும் சிந்தனைகள்

தூக்கம் வரவில்லை. இரவு 2 மணியிலிருந்து கரண்ட் இல்லை. புரண்டு புரண்டு படுத்து, வேறு வழி இல்லாமல், 080-22287118 க்கு போன் செய்து விசாரித்தேன். அதே பல்லவி தான். 'சாரக்கி பவர் ஸ்டேஷன் மிக குறைவாக மின்சாரம் பெறுகிறது; பழுது பார்கிறார்கள்'. எவ்வளவு நாள் இதே கதையை சொல்லுவார்கள்?



உண்மையில் எதிர் காலத்தை நினைத்தால் தூக்கம் வரவில்லை. 



சமீபத்தில் ஏலேக்ட்ரோநிக்ஸ் சிட்டி வரை சென்று வந்தேன். எங்கும் பார்த்தாலும் புது புது அபார்ட்மென்ட் கட்டிடங்கள். கட்டியவன் கோடீஸ்வரன்; வாங்கியவன் கடனாளி. என்ன ஒரு eco system!  எத்தனை பேருக்கு லஞ்சம் காட்டி இருப்பார்கள்! எவ்வளவு விஷயங்களை compromise செய்திருப்பார்கள். அத்தனை பேரும் படித்தவர்கள். ஊழழில் படித்தவன் என்ன, படிக்காதவன் என்ன? பள்ளிகள் எல்லாம் செல்வத்தில் கொழிப்பதன் காரணம், interview ல், பெற்றோர்கள் தேர்வு ஆனது தான். pre-kg க்கு ஒரு லக்ஷம் donation. Moral science போதிக்கும் பள்ளிகளே இப்படி சுரண்டினால், உருப்படுமா இந்த சமுதாயம்?

     

இந்த நகரத்தில் உள்ள அத்தனை வசதிகளும், அத்தனை கட்டிடங்களும் லஞ்சத்தின் ஆளுமையாகவே தோன்றுகின்றன. ஒன்று nichayam - கொடுத்தவர்களும் வாங்கியவர்களும்  நிமதியாக  தூங்க  மாட்டார்கள். நான் இரண்டிலும்  இல்லை , ஆயினும் எனக்கும் தூக்கம் இல்லை. 







இந்த படம் தான் எனது சமீபத்து wallpaper. இந்த சிங்கத்தை போல என் குழந்தைக்காகவாவது விழித்திருக்க தோன்றுகிறது.

Not really a holiday

Last week of the last month of the year is going to be a long holiday after several years. But I am not going anywhere. I dont know what I will be doing. But mind keeps thinking about that week. Most of my friends have planned their holidays - but I have not.



Today, was talking to two government folks -  street lights, and road safety.  Few street lights are out of order that the chain snatchers make advantage of. The street light guy attends to it only when somone complaints. Another one is the road divider in our area - so high and unsafe for us to cross the road. The govt official says that we need to use the designated crossing areas which we dont have one. May be someone will come tomorrow to do this or understand the problem.

இன்றைய கிரிக்கெட்

இன்றைய  கிரிக்கெட் match-fixing ஆக இருக்குமோ என்று கொஞ்சம் சந்தேகம். கிரிக்கெட் ஒரு பக்கம் மிகவும் பிடித்தமான விஷயமாகவும், இன்னொரு பக்கம் சூதாட்டமாகவும் இருக்கிறது. 20 20 மேட்ச் மொத்தம் இரண்டு. ஒன்றில் ஸ்ரீலங்கா ஜெயிக்க மற்றொன்றில் நாம் ஜெயிக்கிறோம். ஏன் மூன்று மேட்ச் இல்லை?



யுவராஜ் சிங்க் இன்று சிறப்பாக விளையாட, அது அவரது பிறந்த நாள் என்ற குறிப்பும் கொண்டாட படுகிறது. யுவராஜை பார்த்தால் நடிகர் ஜெயம் ரவி ஜாடை இருக்கிறது. கிரிக்கெட் கரு கொண்ட சினிமாவில் ஜெயம் ரவி பொருத்தமாக இருப்பார்.



பார்த்து பார்த்து கிரிக்கெட் அலுத்து விட்டது. புது வீரர்கள், புது பொலிவு வந்தால் நன்றாக இருக்கும். 

என்னை கவர்ந்த வரிகள்

தமிழ் திரைப்பட பாடல்கள் சில மிகவும் நல்ல வரிகளை கொண்டுள்ளன.  என்னை எப்பொழுதும் கவனத்தில் ஈர்க்கும் அந்த சில வரிகள்



1) படம்: அபூர்வ ராகங்கள் ; பாடல்: ஏழு ஸ்வரங்களுக்குள் எத்தனை பாடல் 

    "நமக்கென்று பூமியிலே கடமைகள் உண்டு 

     அதை நம் கையால் நமகென்று செய்வது நன்று"



2) படம்: ஸ்டார்  ; பாடல்: ரசிகா பெண் ரசிகா 

    "தேடல் விடியல் தரும்"



3) படம்: ரட்சகன்  ; பாடல்: நெஞ்சே நெஞ்சே 

    "மேற்க்கில் மறைந்தால் கிழக்கினில் உதிக்கும்"



4) படம்: புன்னகை மன்னன்  ; பாடல்: ஏதேதோ எண்ணம் வளர்த்தேன்      

    "எது வந்த போதும்; இந்த அன்பு  போதும்" 



5) படம்: புன்னகை மன்னன்  ; பாடல்: மனிதா மனிதா      



    "விழியில் வழியும் உதிரம் முழுதும் இறைவன் சரிதம் எழுதும்

      அசையும் கொடிகள் உயரும் உயரும் நிலவின் முதுகை உரசும்" 



எவ்வளவு அர்த்தம் பொதிந்த வரிகள் இவை.!  இவை அனைத்தும் வித வித உணர்வுகளை வெளிப்படுத்தும் சிறந்த வரிகள்.

Inspiring Winter Days

I donot recall when was the last time I was through such cold winter days. It does not like a holiday month. The days are too hectic, lots of happenings around.



Last weekend, I met a sincere traffic policeman who shared his mind. He does not take penalizing action when he sees someone violating the rules. Instead, he calls them to the station and advises how violations create problems.  Very young, common sense guy, aspiring to get into civil&order section from the routine traffic police job. The reason he said was he would be able to help the poor and illiterate in several disputes. He comes from a very humble family and his father was a primary school teacher. He is one inspiration for this winter.



Tiger Woods, who is still my inspiration - for his calmness and legendary at his skill.  Times Now flashed 'More Birdies in Tiger's Woods'. May be that he is a celebrity, his news are getting more publicity including that of his mother in law falling sick.



Times of India has launched Times Crest. I am yet to get a copy of it - will be talking to the newspaper guy to reserve one. Its long time wish that the newspapers like TOI do not have anything to read and digest. Times Crest is a welcome entry and TOI is good at innovating.  I wish they do something for the kids and get away with the stale, crap Bangalore Times supplements.



There are close friends whose married lives are under turbulence. These friends are very honest, have their middle class family values, and harmless. They are very technical, hard working and at the sametime live in a closed-friendship-unit.  Though its sad the marriage is failing, they are doing a balancing act.



There is another friend whom I met online after a very very long time. She is a scribe and I recall she was very active in amateur dramas those days.She runs an ezine: http://justfemme.in



There is another friend, who lives a very simple life, principle-centric, systematic, even at home.



And many more common man I come across, I only understand that people are living their dreams, they have a purpose to pursue.



And I too have few wisdom moments that flash and go back. I resolved for the new year:



a) I will 'live a book'

b) I will never create fear in anybody

c) I will never procrastinate



and much more personal goals evolving. Tony's Awaken the Giant Within deals a chapter on creating goals. I will use that as a reference guide.



Yes, Winter hurts but....read this quote:



“Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe