Perspectives...

I want to talk about relationships today. It is always a eerie thing to talk about. Because it is abstract, sublime, volatile, and gravely dependant on one's perspective. One can have different thoughts about relationships every single day. The truth is that we all want different things from a relationship. But change is constant and we all are changing and with us, our needs are changing. That is why sometimes it gets difficult to get the right perspective on relationships. The things I value most in a relationship are conversations. But see how I stated "Things I value"- we all live for ourselves at the end of the day. Yes we sacrifice, compromise but somewhere deep down we all hold ourselves dear, more than anyone else. It is hard to accept because we live in a world where sacrifice is considered a supreme virtue and living for others is venerated. But is it really living for others or is it just another act to help you find purpose, add meaning to your life, enrich ...

The tough gets going is the cliche that we all hear. But what does it take to get going? Ask anyone who has been in the valley for some time and they will tell you. It's one of the hardest things ever. To deal with failure, rejection, constant upsets and to accept all of them graciously. To fall down again and again. To take the hits relentlessly. And to keep getting ourselves up again and start moving forward. To smile through the storm. To try earnestly to be positive and optimistic, for ourselves and the people we love. It is not easy. Not easy at all. But again no one said life will be easy. But look at the plethora of things tough times teach us. Can the peaks and the happy times do the same? I doubt. And that's why tough times exist...to teach us, to enrich us and help us reflect on our lives. I have thus pledged to learn from these times....as much as I can. To reflect and analyze. To embrace this time in the valley graciously, even though its hard sometimes.....

Have you ever felt the wind in your face...have you really? For me, it's one of the most rejuvenating exercises that gives me back my 'life' every time i do it! Today was a different Cleveland winter day. It was a refreshing, romantic and wonderful 10 degree Celsius day. I got an opportunity to go out early evening. I stepped out and there it was...the wind... ahh !! I just stood there, chin up and closed eyes...feeling the wind against my face....no pretense, no trying hard, nothing to worry about, jobs, bad economy-nothing at all. I did not realize but I stood there for close to five minutes. I felt light and beautiful. It made me feel beautiful!!  I think I should do it more often.The wind and its intimate interaction with me made me realize that no matter how bad things are....somethings are perennial and that comforts me. Try it sometime....you won't regret it.

I missed.Sorry about that.Was busy with a lot of career related thinking and its ramifications.This economy has grabbed my attention into thinking the kind of new era of psychology it has brought in. One of fav professors at Case Western Reserve University was talking about how we have to really understand what our true strengths are-in order to sell ourselves well to a potential employer.The culture of strong self awareness is setting in.People are going back to basics-to their very core. People are buying what they need and not necessarily what they want.Is it not something we all used to do when life was not about luxury and more about quality of life? People distressed with unemployment have started valuing their friends more because they are standing by them in this difficult time. It has made us try harder-to go that extra mile and may be do it with a smile so as to make the journey a lill less bitter.Can there be a better life lesson? Jobs-I have never experienced this frenzy an...

Doing laundry is on of those activities I sincerely hate. As I reluctantly moved towards the laundry area in the basement of my building, I meet this young American lady. And she gives me the most unassuming and warm smiles I have ever received from a stranger. And suddenly, doing laundry wasn't such a bad thing after all!! This is one of the things I have to laud America for...exchanging greetings with strangers! We don't do it in India...not at all. We smile at people we only know very very well.Guess, the Brits didn't do it too....otherwise we would have caught it! I just attended a class where we studied the impact of viral marketing. Its enlightening to know what social networks are capable of doing. I wonder what would happen if we start smiling at each other in India too.So many grad students come to India to study, so many Indians work here temporally , some even permanently . And we all go back sometime or the other. If we can help our network of f...

My first!! There is always something eerie about firsts! A sense of responsibility,pressure,expectations.But nevertheless,I feel the need to do it.Not for glory of any kind but just as a vent. Had an interview today.A rarity in today's economy and dwindling job market.I carried expectations but a sense of doubt.I know what you think becomes reality but then you absorb from your outside too.But still,there is a certain triumph associated with being positive and I pledge to remain so,at least for my dad who remains an eternal optimist.He remains an optimist not because he is one but because he wants to create a semblance of a positive world for me.And I want to honor that. Speaking about my dad,I hid the fact about the interview from him.Because as has happened in the past,the news brings in expectations which have not been met.I so wanted to talk to him before I go in,there was a deepening conflict within...should I call him? And then I get a call...my phone beeps "Dad"......