Scaling Down to the Essence

Came across this wonderful compilation of profiles of young executives who got out of the corporate role to pursue their dreams: CTRL +  ALT + DEL - Scaling down to the essence in HT, Mumbai. 

It captures the essence of the career shift ('2nd Innings'), professionals take when they are in their forties. But this article highlights how professionals in early 30's are getting out of corporate rat-race and choosing to be on their own. This is a fantasy whole lot of corporate executives carry, but very few take the step out of their comfort zones. 

Perhaps this is the right time to get out & pursue dreams. 
Yes, the article clearly picks up the common thread - the key is to SCALE DOWN THE ESSENCE. To differentiate between need & want, get over the impulse shopping habits, temptation to splurge on (unnecessary) luxury, etc. 

Somewhere in our collective consciousness, Gandhiji still lives. A spartan lifestyle, by turning back to consumerism, can be a very different experience. Bapu's 'Doctrine of Trusteeship' is very relevant today when 7billion people are creating havoc to the environment. 

As Master calls it, 'Ceiling on Desires', truly spiritual. Not difficult to achieve, but not impossible. Just a matter of resolve & shifting gears !! I say that from my own experience, having decided to do something similar & enjoying it. It is surely most fulfilling, and hence worth it!

Happy Journey!!

Check out the story @ Scaling Down to the Essence 

Good Bye Goa for now

Finally my data-card works…. at Goa airport!! 

• Felt disconnected at hotel, without good 'connectivity' J 
• It would appear 'full-signal', but no connectivity. A bit like my spiritual state of mind, in terms of connection to Divinity.
• But was glad there were no telecom towers nearby,  a healthier option.

Goa airport was chaotic.

• Security was not controlling crowd. Once at Mumbai I observed my laptop bag did not have the security clearance stamp!
• Was reminded of the session on 'queuing' theory. But then, all theories on quieing are applicable only if people chose to stand in a queue :) 
• Mumbai’s passion to stand in line, naturally & without prodding, was totally missing. Tourists from India & abroad were generally ignoring the others and breaking into the lines. No one seemed to bother; ‘chalta hai’ attitude was loud & evident. Families, women, kids were all were violating the basic discipline. 
• All the tourists were affluent. 
• What is our value system?
• Airline counters were not able to handle the crowd.

Infrastructure was woefully adequate. And, this airport was considered to be a risky one, similar to Mangalore. With these inefficiencies at all levels… a disaster may be waiting to happen? 
Hope & pray not...

Tourism day to heart day to WORLD ELDERS DAY

World Tourism day at Goa. Then, World Heart Day also at Goa. Leaving Goa on World Elders’ Day.

• We are catching up with some of the so-called 'developed' world in our abdication of the responsibility to take care of elders. 
• And, I had learnt that was one of the pillars of Indian Culture, ‘Respect Elders’
• Over 41 % elders responded to a survey they were not treated well!
• And, it is only matter of time before we joined the ranks of senior citizens, even if we don’t believe in the doctrine of Karma !

I Oct was also Vegetarianism day... We need to move from a predominantly non-veg food habits to a more veggie on our plates. Great for health, best for environment. A message at our family doc's clinic read,'a burger costs $ 0.99, whereas a salad $ 3.49' as the primary reason for obesity. But then, food habit is our personal choice. Quality of health & wellness, our choice too. Let us make a respnsible choice...

And tomorrow, Gandhiji’s birth anniversary. A day to remember his teachings, which are more relevant today. 

• He lived by his deals, Doctrine of Trusteeship, SImple Living/High Thinking, Nishkama Karma, spirituality in activities including politics, etc. 
• A passionate veggie, lived & died for NON-VIOLENCE. 
• A friend in Middle East, who has read more on Bapu than most of us Indians, wished me 'Happy Birthday to Gandhi'. 

Our true birthday gift for Bapu could be a resolve to work for an independent India of his dreams...

Signing off from Goa

Why are we punctual? Why do we react to a situation in our ‘own way’? 

I was constantly reminded of a book during the sessions on group dynamics - ‘The book of est’ by Luke Rhinehart.  Must read, strongly recommended.

Nine days in Goa will rejuvenate just anyone, at physical & mental levels. But when you are here to learn, it rejuvenates me at a higher level!

The learning involved new perspectives of group dynamics, OR, dreams & ‘here & now’! ‘World is truly waiting for my intelligence to grow’ J  

There is no end to learning. It should go on till the very last breath. At a spiritual level, Master says ‘End of education is Character’. As such learning continues through out! 

Life is indeed a journey. . .

Sunset @ Goa

Don't miss the fish

Lotus - N o comments 

World Heart Day from Goa

After day-long learning, a long walk around the hotel property, well after sunset. A relaxing bath. Some fruits, kichchdi for dinner (Sachin Tendulkar's favourite - all comparisons end there). 

Trying to take care of body (along with mind & spirit!)

After World Tourism day at Goa, it is Heart Day today.

Several reports in the media need to take care of health, as most of heart-related problems are caused by obesity, life-style, etc. Preventive measures such as regular health-check up, right diet, exercise, etc key to a healthy heart. 

Let us take care of physical heart.... and also, spiritual heart. I am personally focussing on both right now. 

All About Ads

WC T20 is boring. My take on some of the ads :

• Blue 'bled' at 1 for 1 !
• At Goa & watching i20 ad, on a beach-setting - highlighting the connection only.  
• Also, at a beach - liquor ad continue to be aired during world cup matches :(
• Pepsi ad different, as usual ! But suggest 'bio-breaks' :) Bhajake aana is cool ! But with politics in the cricket, we may get 'bajoed'.
• Ranbir 'on' air for Pepsi, the hero is now 'under water' for Hero Motors!
• Celebrity endorsements featuring Ranbir bordering over-exposure ? I guess, yes...
• Another liquor brand featuring SRK & Saif aired - I always wondered why do such big stars endorse liquor brands? And, how can those ads be aired during such hugely popular cricket telecast, target audience being entire family (sadly)? Can BCCI not avoid the the dollars through 'liquor-dollars'?  Can the media & media-related authorities take responsibility?
• Another real star, Yuvi, makes huge impact on the field. Great effort by him... Inspiring stuff. 
• Yuvi re-appearing on Birla Sun Life ad looks more acceptable now, after he started playing & getting back to his old self. (But the TVC aired during his treatment was in poor taste). ‘jab tak balla chal raha hai….’ Is pregnant with meaning!

Sadly, one of the best TVC's are not on Star Cricket: JOY OF GIVING (http://joyofgivingweek.ning.com/), with a beautiful sound-track! Reminds the melody of early 1980's, esp from greats like Ilayaraja. Needless to add, a wonderful cause. 

Kurien RIP

India lost one of the best ! A professional who opted to make a difference to the lives of villagers in Gujarat, led to India's milk revolution.

Kurien is next only to original Gopala, in Gujarat & India....

RIP !






Photo Courtesy The Week