This caught my eye while surfing linkedin.com :
http://www.yelp.com/jobs#cmBAB
Wouldn't this be a cool local TJ (travel journalist) kinda job? Okay which one of my friends are applying?!
Toastmaster's Club Speech 5: Questioning Life
“Mom, why does the moon change everyday?”
“Come here. Our earth, this earth that we live on - goes round and round; the moon also moves in a circle around the earth. So we see a different moon everyday depending on where the moon is relative to our earth.”
“Uhm, okay”
Each of us has been that child and some of us have been that mother. When was the last time you questioned something crucial in your life?
Question! Curiosity! That’s what I want you to think about now, when you walk out of this room an hour later and every day of your life.
WHY Question?
Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell said – “In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.”
Russell was a British philosopher, mathematician, and above all an advocate for social reform and peace. Let me explain how he lived this axiom. Russell's first book, An Essay on the Foundations of Geometry, was heavily influenced by Immanuel Kant. Later he realized that the conception he had laid out made Albert Einstein's schema of space-time impossible, critical analysis made it clear to him that Einstein’s system was superior to his own. Thenceforth, he not only rejected the entire Kantian program but also maintained that his own work on the subject had no value.
What I want you to get out of this example is that change is life – we change physically and mentally throughout life. People, inanimate objects like the moon and the circumstances surrounding us – they all change! Given so much churn is it wise for us to assume that decisions that we made a month, a year or a decade ago still hold true??
WHAT Questions?
Gandhi said - You must be the change you want to see in the world.
During our younger years we ask, we learn, we assume and get influenced. A strong and confident voice does not develop inside of us till our 20s. This is the time to reevaluate dogmas and hand-me-down religions we inherited and put them in the context of our lives. We may find ourselves discarding certain principles while developing a strong belief in ideologies that we earlier followed robotically. Give a free rein to your voice -- taking the time to question life may be the best gift you give yourself.
Randy Komisar in his book “The Monk and the riddle” delves on the fact that life is momentary yet at some point we all loose track of this fact and start living with the intent of enjoying in the future. Why not simply enjoy the journey, live in the present? Po Bronson in his book “What should I do with my life” chronicles stories of 900 ordinary, non-famous people who extraordinarily changed their lives not by 90 but by 180 degrees. He does not throw any mantra or solution at you; rather he urges you to not dissuade your own calling. So think about the past, present and future. Connect the stars in the sky and you will see new dreams, plans and aspirations.
Questioned, now WHAT?
Shakespeare said “Strong reasons make strong actions.”
Once we start thinking we stop making excuses, avoiding problems and more or less we start realizing our faults and start resolving issues. Everything in life is a personal choice not chance, stars, God, parents’ or anyone’s fault – truly absorbing this can be a déjà vu.
In every situation, you always have a choice – think, take the right turn and rise to your full potential. Live life the way u were meant to live, go ahead give it your personal color for that’s the only way to leave this world with some sense of self contentment. Do something u always wanted to do – backpack across the world, write your own motorcycle diaries, learn how to swim, found a nonprofit; whatever it is that jump starts your engine, just do it!
Ever feel guilty about spending less time with your parents and kids? Make a change - they probably need you more than what the best hospitals and schools can offer.
As kids we pondered: Why is E=mc2?
As grownups how much time do we spend on introspection!!
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” is also something Mahatma Gandhi said.
Fellow toastmasters – When you provide me feedback today or later by email, more than my presentation; tell me if u self-reflected, tell me if u were a bit more connected with yourself …. Thank You
Fiction Writing Assignment 4: Dialogues in a short story
Teachers without Borders 4
Tim felt weary with pain in his chest as he got out of bed. He took the liberty of a long shower to release his blues. I have one last chance to tell her, Tim thought as he felt the hot water bring his body to life. After ages, he took the time to get dressed yet ended up arriving early at Sheena’s doorstep.
“Aloha!” Tim watched Sheena with awe as she opened the door smiling.
“Hi Sunshine. You ready?” he responded cheerfully.
“Um, how should we do this – take my luggage or grab lunch and come back for it?” she said.
He was keenly admiring her cherubic face, natural brown hair, beady earrings, peppy clothes and her mood, which always a part of her appearance. Does she ever catch me glancing, Tim wished she did.
“We have plenty of time, lets chow first; we’ll come back for your stuff,” he managed to say. Maybe we won’t need to come back, he thought to himself
“You pick,” she said.
“Hey, I am not the one going to
He saw her sense his feelings. Was she taken aback? They had been coworkers and friends for a little over 6 months now. Did she think he was taking a blow as she left the continent?
“Oh dear, what’ve I done? Has the most confident and cool teacher I know turned in to an emotional friend for one day?” she quipped.
Friend, the word rang in his ears. I have to tell her before we head to the airport so she has time to consider.
Tim opened the car door for Sheena bowing gracefully as if he were a butler. “Guilty as charged!” he said.
In the car, a soothing James Blunt CD was playing. Tim was taking in large puffs of air to feel stronger. It’s now or never; if I let her go…
He stole a couple of fleeting peeks at Sheena; she was fiddling with her right earring looking away from him.
…she will never know! She is probably nervous about her trip and the enormity of change in her life.
He didn’t know that Sheena was at war on the inside at that moment.
“What will he say or think if I tell him I am crazily in love – with him?” she deliberated. She flinched as she ripped off her index nail. He’ll act aloof. Probably laugh if I told him that I fell for him on day one.
They were both quiet in the car.
“You know pal, I will really miss you,” Tim said awkwardly breaking the silence game.
“So where are we finally going?” she asked, completely missing what Tim just said.
Tim didn’t answer and fiddled with the radio. Kelly Clarkson was singing in a high pitch. Since you been gone….
Life is good
Life has this ethereal quality - it bounces back!
Where is this coming from? I had a weird day with an amazing number of things eventually going my way, which obviously has reinforced the idea of life's goodness in me.
I started the day late (my usual) at 10:30 am, was on my way to the city (as we like to call San Francisco) still in my 3 year old Toyota. When will I start riding my Kawasaki Ninja to the city? Confidence, where art thou? Reached my destination - the Indian consulate 10 minutes late but viola they agreed to let me in and accept my application for a mundane certificate! Come back in 4 hours, she said curtly.
With 3.5 hours to kill, I was in my adventure mode! I called a friend in San Jose for directions to her favorite sushi place called Blowfish. From a sushi point of view, I didn't like it much! Sushi in San Diego beats everything else I have eaten so far except of course the very spicy Dracula Killer roll that I had at Sushi Zen. At Blowfish, I enjoyed my white tea, the wasabi, free parking (yohoo), good service and the tranquility of my lunch! I actually thought thru a lot of stuff that was circling in my mind last 2 weeks. Cool kicker - a woman next to me was wearing my favorite tee - the Life is good brand :). As I walked out of Blowfish, my life was suddenly good - instead of chastising myself for wasting my life I had 3 strong plans in mind to make life meaningful!
Moved on to a Starbucks nearby, got very disturbed and frustrated with my online search results. I was looking for a 2008 research grant or fellowship to apply for in order to pursue some of my social ideas in Africa and Asia. To my dismay, 99% of US university/foundation sponsored fellowships are reserved for US citizens; even my own school Stanford is no different! The same applies if I would like my US school to recommend me for an international fellowship - limited to US citizens only. I thought - okay well, I can apply for these international fellowships with India as the recommending country; unfortunately in order to qualify person must be residing currently and immediate past 2 years in India :(! My manic search, terror and frustration had no limit as I kept looking and looking till I found a few grants which said "citizenship no bar". The reality of my situation stuck with me for a few hours - I've been living in US for last 5 years, my parents have been in Africa for a decade and my sister has been in US and Canada; maybe I am just a global citizen?!
For anyone interested here is a list of websites (in no order) to checkout for social fellowships/grants:
http://chronicle.com/cgi2-bin/texis/events/searchdeadlines
http://www.ierf.org/grants.asp
http://www.scholarshipsinindia.com/
http://www.globalartsvillage.org/Social_Development_Full_Fellowship.htm
http://daily.stanford.edu/article/2004/2/10/fellowshipCombinesTechAndSocialEntrepreneurship
http://www.stanford.edu/dept/undergrad/urp/PDFLibrary/fellowships/fellowships.pdf
http://www.pdsoros.org/about.html#expectations
http://www.yale.edu/iefp/fellowships/by_category/nonUS_citizen.htm#fox
http://www.yale.edu/macmillan/graduate.htm
http://library.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/grants.html
http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/jacksonlibrary/articles/hottopics/social_entrepreneurship.html
http://www.socialedge.org/resources/edge-wiki/Funding
http://www.ashoka.org/team/leadership
http://draperrichards.org/process/guidelines.html
http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/leadership/reynolds/applying/
http://www.acumenfund.org/About/opportunity.asp
http://www.globalknowledge.org/ysecompetition07/
http://www.ysei.org/?q=node/7
http://socialvc.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=109
http://www.skollfoundation.org/aboutskoll/jeff_skolls_vision.asp
http://www.idealist.org/career/morejobs.html
Last minute delays ensued due to my disbelief at Google on not providing useful answers to my fellowship question! Further, as expected traffic jams on Vanness ensured I was late even to pick my passport at the consulate. The lady helping me bickered in English "Indians are always late", I smiled, reviewed the certificate and told her the passport number on the certificate was wrong. She asked me to wait as she had the corrections made. This time she bickered in Gujarati to her colleague! Of course I understood every freaking word she said, the fact that I don't look Gujarati goes a long way in amusing me :) Laugh Out Loud!
With all the documents in hand I was headed home, a good view of the ocean persuaded me to get lost. I drove aimlessly for 30 minutes before landing at Cafe Lo Cubano. I realized the only 2 times I have truly enjoyed San Francisco is when I have wandered aimlessly - today and last year for my "Out of the Darkness Overnight" marathon!
Some more espresso, 2 more hours of search this time for non-profit jobs and nothing! Unrelenting unrest was building up inside me as I found myself locked in my current life. The brick house with bricks literally jutting out at the intersection of Presidio and Clay give me a few minutes of amusement relief. Later, the passive aggression I directed at myself was unbelievable - I was already at Foster City before I got out of my dazed driving. And eureka, it hit me (no, not a car)! I had an idea - this changes everything...I am no more locked, the wings are out and ready to fly! The sky is blue and beautiful, there are clusters of white and black clouds but now I have a destination, navigating through is just the fun execution part :)
Where is this coming from? I had a weird day with an amazing number of things eventually going my way, which obviously has reinforced the idea of life's goodness in me.
I started the day late (my usual) at 10:30 am, was on my way to the city (as we like to call San Francisco) still in my 3 year old Toyota. When will I start riding my Kawasaki Ninja to the city? Confidence, where art thou? Reached my destination - the Indian consulate 10 minutes late but viola they agreed to let me in and accept my application for a mundane certificate! Come back in 4 hours, she said curtly.
With 3.5 hours to kill, I was in my adventure mode! I called a friend in San Jose for directions to her favorite sushi place called Blowfish. From a sushi point of view, I didn't like it much! Sushi in San Diego beats everything else I have eaten so far except of course the very spicy Dracula Killer roll that I had at Sushi Zen. At Blowfish, I enjoyed my white tea, the wasabi, free parking (yohoo), good service and the tranquility of my lunch! I actually thought thru a lot of stuff that was circling in my mind last 2 weeks. Cool kicker - a woman next to me was wearing my favorite tee - the Life is good brand :). As I walked out of Blowfish, my life was suddenly good - instead of chastising myself for wasting my life I had 3 strong plans in mind to make life meaningful!
Moved on to a Starbucks nearby, got very disturbed and frustrated with my online search results. I was looking for a 2008 research grant or fellowship to apply for in order to pursue some of my social ideas in Africa and Asia. To my dismay, 99% of US university/foundation sponsored fellowships are reserved for US citizens; even my own school Stanford is no different! The same applies if I would like my US school to recommend me for an international fellowship - limited to US citizens only. I thought - okay well, I can apply for these international fellowships with India as the recommending country; unfortunately in order to qualify person must be residing currently and immediate past 2 years in India :(! My manic search, terror and frustration had no limit as I kept looking and looking till I found a few grants which said "citizenship no bar". The reality of my situation stuck with me for a few hours - I've been living in US for last 5 years, my parents have been in Africa for a decade and my sister has been in US and Canada; maybe I am just a global citizen?!
For anyone interested here is a list of websites (in no order) to checkout for social fellowships/grants:
http://chronicle.com/cgi2-bin
http://www.ierf.org/grants.asp
http://www.scholarshipsinindia
http://www.globalartsvillage
http://daily.stanford.edu
http://www.stanford.edu/dept
http://www.pdsoros.org/about
http://www.yale.edu/iefp
http://www.yale.edu/macmillan
http://library.stanford.edu
http://www.gsb.stanford.edu
http://www.socialedge.org
http://www.ashoka.org/team
http://draperrichards.org
http://www.ksg.harvard.edu
http://www.acumenfund.org
http://www.globalknowledge.org
http://www.ysei.org/?q=node/7
http://socialvc.net/index.cfm
http://www.skollfoundation.org
http://www.idealist.org/career
Last minute delays ensued due to my disbelief at Google on not providing useful answers to my fellowship question! Further, as expected traffic jams on Vanness ensured I was late even to pick my passport at the consulate. The lady helping me bickered in English "Indians are always late", I smiled, reviewed the certificate and told her the passport number on the certificate was wrong. She asked me to wait as she had the corrections made. This time she bickered in Gujarati to her colleague! Of course I understood every freaking word she said, the fact that I don't look Gujarati goes a long way in amusing me :) Laugh Out Loud!
With all the documents in hand I was headed home, a good view of the ocean persuaded me to get lost. I drove aimlessly for 30 minutes before landing at Cafe Lo Cubano. I realized the only 2 times I have truly enjoyed San Francisco is when I have wandered aimlessly - today and last year for my "Out of the Darkness Overnight" marathon!
Some more espresso, 2 more hours of search this time for non-profit jobs and nothing! Unrelenting unrest was building up inside me as I found myself locked in my current life. The brick house with bricks literally jutting out at the intersection of Presidio and Clay give me a few minutes of amusement relief. Later, the passive aggression I directed at myself was unbelievable - I was already at Foster City before I got out of my dazed driving. And eureka, it hit me (no, not a car)! I had an idea - this changes everything...I am no more locked, the wings are out and ready to fly! The sky is blue and beautiful, there are clusters of white and black clouds but now I have a destination, navigating through is just the fun execution part :)
Fiction Writing Assignment 3: Conflicts in a short story
Teachers without Borders 3
Tonight it was Sheena’s turn to pick a restaurant for Foodie Fridays; Tim and Sister Rosa had assigned a code name to their weekly dinner together. Food was important to both of them. Most Fridays, they went to one their favorite Asian restaurants and enjoyed food over school politics. Sheena wanted things to be different today; she planned to seek advice on her foundation idea from both her comrades. So she chose an upscale Italian restaurant with spotty service and large booths.
They arrived separately. Sister Rosa and Tim were a little amused as they walked to their cozy dark leather booth. This was totally not their usual hangout place. “Wonder what is going on in Sheena’s crazy mind!” exclaimed Tim.
“I smell some news, may be she found someone” said Sister Rosa.
Tim pondered for a second - “Nah, I would know. She can’t hide anything on that face of hers. We shall see.
With this fancy place, I bet its good news!”
Sheena walked in 10 minutes late grinning, her arm loaded with her huge jute handbag swung like a pendulum. She took a spot opposite Tim, piled her things next to Sister Rosa and immediately belted out “I have something to tell you guys. But what do you think about this place, it’s nice huh.”
The server came by Sheena’s side and politely asked – “Have you all had a chance to look at the menu? I will be happy to talk about our specials or any of our dishes.”
Tim chuckled.
Sister Rosa abruptly said “I think we will need 5 minutes or more to decide.”
The server shrugged “What would you like to drink?”
Sheena pitched in “Water with ice for all please. Can I also see the wine menu?”
Once they were alone in the booth, Sister Rosa nudged Sheena’s arm and motioned her hand and face questioningly. Tim had his right elbow on the table, face resting on his palm and his gaze fixed on Sheena. Sensing they were both ready to be shocked Sheena let it out “I have been exploring new opportunities in the educational non-profit arena and I think I might have found my next thing – this foundation called Skill, which is opening a new school a month in African countries. They want me to try something in
The server was back with three glasses of chilled water and a wine list. His keen judgment told him there was a serious discussion ongoing and he left them as fast as he had intruded.
Lowering her tone Sheena said earnestly - “I really want your honest opinions both as friends and academics.”
Sister Rosa’s face was snow white, as if blood had disappeared from her veins. She was plainly in shock and could not bring herself to say anything.
Tim said “Sheena this is great! I always knew you were thinking bigger and deeper but this is fantastic. I think you will be very effective in building new programs and spawning new schools. I have to say Mt Mary’s High School will miss your spirit dearly. Your students might be a little distracted for a few months, but I can read them your inspirational African letters.”
Sister Rosa fiddled with her knife and fork; she seemed to be looking for a dark spot or a half moon in her beautiful plate. Just then the server was back to take their order. Suddenly Sheena wasn’t sure if dinner at this cost was such a good idea.
Alternate link: http://fictionwritingclass.blogspot.com/2007/07/conflict.htmlFiction Writing Assignment 2: Characters in a short story
Teachers without Borders 2
{For background read part 1 under Beginnings}
Sheena stared at the big old clock on the grey side-wall of the room; it was about 10:05 am, still no sign of Tim. Right then, Tim walked in to the meeting room with a bowl of cheerios in one hand and his worn-out journal in the other. He had his cozy smile, ragged blue jeans and a starched white shirt on. To Sheena, it appeared that he had come in high air, standing tall at 6 feet with all his convictions in tow. Sheena loved his confidence but hated such situations all at once. For a wicked second, she wondered if today she would be the winner.
“Morning, sorry I’m late” said Tim earnestly.
Sheena jumped back “Hey! I guess I should bring along a test or something to read while I wait for you”.
Tim responded with a stretched instantaneous smile on his lips: “May be you should; you say it every time. Do you forget or were you running late too? In fact, after your class finished at 9:50, if you went to the teachers lounge to pick up a few tests you would bump in to me pouring cereal in the break room and we could walk to this very room together starting this meeting en-route!”
Sheena wanted to shake the shit out of Tim for his nonchalance but he was right. Why did she let him get to her? It drove Sheena nuts that he was witty and smart; it felt like she lost her whiz status when she was with him.
By now, Tim was amused and making a funny face -“Hello Ms Day Dreamer ! Should we begin? We’ve already lost 10 minutes. So where were we on Tuesday?”
Before Sheena could respond, Tim answered his own question “Ah, found my notes! We finalized the budget and the committee members on the annual project. Today we should focus on a cause - possibly social and then talk to student volunteers who might be interested. Once we have a good project plan we can pitch it to Sister Rosa.”
Tim eyed Sheena to scan her reactions. She was in one of her dark days – black cotton shirt, jet black slacks and black leather boots. The only thing non-nerve wracking or even delightful in her appearance was the way her petite black earrings made her small face stand out amidst waves of short, cropped hair. Had he not seen Sheena in her colorful, cool and casual clothes over the last 6 months, Tim would have thought she belonged to some gothic band or cult.
“Look Tim - I totally respect and appreciate your passion for this project and yes WE need to decide on a cause. But what makes you think it has to be one of social significance? I would much rather lobby for an annual project within the school that helps our students and strengthens Mt Mary High School’s community – that could be the social impact you so desire in everything. You know charity begins at home!” Sheena blurted out.
Her style did not appeal to Tim - she was aggressive, rational but over-the-to-top dramatic. He decided to ignore the Hollywood style effects and focus on her message and think of an appropriate response. At this very moment, Sheena was biting her tongue and fuming internally. Once again, she had let her emotions dominate her calm, collected professional self, which she had developed after years of critical self-analysis and practice.
Alternate link: http://fictionwritingclass.blogspot.com/2007/07/character.html
{For background read part 1 under Beginnings}
Sheena stared at the big old clock on the grey side-wall of the room; it was about 10:05 am, still no sign of Tim. Right then, Tim walked in to the meeting room with a bowl of cheerios in one hand and his worn-out journal in the other. He had his cozy smile, ragged blue jeans and a starched white shirt on. To Sheena, it appeared that he had come in high air, standing tall at 6 feet with all his convictions in tow. Sheena loved his confidence but hated such situations all at once. For a wicked second, she wondered if today she would be the winner.
“Morning, sorry I’m late” said Tim earnestly.
Sheena jumped back “Hey! I guess I should bring along a test or something to read while I wait for you”.
Tim responded with a stretched instantaneous smile on his lips: “May be you should; you say it every time. Do you forget or were you running late too? In fact, after your class finished at 9:50, if you went to the teachers lounge to pick up a few tests you would bump in to me pouring cereal in the break room and we could walk to this very room together starting this meeting en-route!”
Sheena wanted to shake the shit out of Tim for his nonchalance but he was right. Why did she let him get to her? It drove Sheena nuts that he was witty and smart; it felt like she lost her whiz status when she was with him.
By now, Tim was amused and making a funny face -“Hello Ms Day Dreamer ! Should we begin? We’ve already lost 10 minutes. So where were we on Tuesday?”
Before Sheena could respond, Tim answered his own question “Ah, found my notes! We finalized the budget and the committee members on the annual project. Today we should focus on a cause - possibly social and then talk to student volunteers who might be interested. Once we have a good project plan we can pitch it to Sister Rosa.”
Tim eyed Sheena to scan her reactions. She was in one of her dark days – black cotton shirt, jet black slacks and black leather boots. The only thing non-nerve wracking or even delightful in her appearance was the way her petite black earrings made her small face stand out amidst waves of short, cropped hair. Had he not seen Sheena in her colorful, cool and casual clothes over the last 6 months, Tim would have thought she belonged to some gothic band or cult.
“Look Tim - I totally respect and appreciate your passion for this project and yes WE need to decide on a cause. But what makes you think it has to be one of social significance? I would much rather lobby for an annual project within the school that helps our students and strengthens Mt Mary High School’s community – that could be the social impact you so desire in everything. You know charity begins at home!” Sheena blurted out.
Her style did not appeal to Tim - she was aggressive, rational but over-the-to-top dramatic. He decided to ignore the Hollywood style effects and focus on her message and think of an appropriate response. At this very moment, Sheena was biting her tongue and fuming internally. Once again, she had let her emotions dominate her calm, collected professional self, which she had developed after years of critical self-analysis and practice.
Alternate link: http://fictionwritingclass.blogspot.com/2007/07/character.html
Lessons of Life
Lesson 1 - Be Do Want instead of Want Do Be
A few weeks ago a friend of mine came to see. She was all excited to share her new found learnings from a life education class she had attended. I did not mock her, I listened to her attentively even asked questions. Somethings made senses, others seemed age old known tricks of the mind. She sensed my skepticism and exclaimed she had felt the same way initially. Nevertheless, a few logical ways of thinking that she mentioned stuck with me; I wrote 1 thought on my refrigerator white-board:
"Be; Do; Want (Get It)"
I possibly read this once in 3-4 days coming in and out of the kitchen but did not derive much meaning out of it. Last few days I had been feeling down, helpless and restrained from doing the things I wanted to do at work and outside. Today, it all made sense finally!
I Want to do X, Y and Z.
There is no point in me waiting around till people realize I am capable of doing X, Y and Z and give me permission/authority/whatever-u-call-it. Since I don't really care to lose anything why should I wait around fuming and wasting my energy and drive. Why waste the energy in selling myself to people?
Rather than Want and Wait I will Become what I wish by Just Doing the work that needs to be done. Once I have done it people will automatically realize what I Wanted to being with was valid and Give it to me. Even if they don't; heck who cares I will already be Doing it!!
Lesson 2 - Pain is real. U can either come out of it more humane yet spreading joy or bitter and spreading hatred.
Person N gave a speech on an offbeat topic "Why do bad things happen to good people" today at the toastmaster's club. She did not go in to an emotional overdrive; in fact she presented information factually and logically. We have all seen very bad things repeatedly happen to do-gooders, why? After eliminating several religious and age old excuses in the name of reason, she arrived at the point that it is not God who decides these things. God or an exterior power is not trying to teach a good person or anyone a lesson by doing something bad. Perhaps, it is just that forces of nature or the unknown do not discriminate between the good and bad karma. When a tsunami strikes a coastal city it doesn't impact just the bad people, it kills the good, bad and the ugly.
Instead of looking at pain as a life sucking parasite it helps to develop a positive attitude in life and moving on from the pain rather than keep cursing God, people, circumstances, etc. The success that can be felt in arising out of sorrow and making something out of your life must be unmatched. It is our primal expression if we strive to make life enjoyable for ourselves and others by doing something meaningful with our time on earth instead of wallowing in self-pity and misery.
A few weeks ago a friend of mine came to see. She was all excited to share her new found learnings from a life education class she had attended. I did not mock her, I listened to her attentively even asked questions. Somethings made senses, others seemed age old known tricks of the mind. She sensed my skepticism and exclaimed she had felt the same way initially. Nevertheless, a few logical ways of thinking that she mentioned stuck with me; I wrote 1 thought on my refrigerator white-board:
"Be; Do; Want (Get It)"
I possibly read this once in 3-4 days coming in and out of the kitchen but did not derive much meaning out of it. Last few days I had been feeling down, helpless and restrained from doing the things I wanted to do at work and outside. Today, it all made sense finally!
I Want to do X, Y and Z.
There is no point in me waiting around till people realize I am capable of doing X, Y and Z and give me permission/authority/whatever-u-call-it. Since I don't really care to lose anything why should I wait around fuming and wasting my energy and drive. Why waste the energy in selling myself to people?
Rather than Want and Wait I will Become what I wish by Just Doing the work that needs to be done. Once I have done it people will automatically realize what I Wanted to being with was valid and Give it to me. Even if they don't; heck who cares I will already be Doing it!!
Lesson 2 - Pain is real. U can either come out of it more humane yet spreading joy or bitter and spreading hatred.
Person N gave a speech on an offbeat topic "Why do bad things happen to good people" today at the toastmaster's club. She did not go in to an emotional overdrive; in fact she presented information factually and logically. We have all seen very bad things repeatedly happen to do-gooders, why? After eliminating several religious and age old excuses in the name of reason, she arrived at the point that it is not God who decides these things. God or an exterior power is not trying to teach a good person or anyone a lesson by doing something bad. Perhaps, it is just that forces of nature or the unknown do not discriminate between the good and bad karma. When a tsunami strikes a coastal city it doesn't impact just the bad people, it kills the good, bad and the ugly.
Instead of looking at pain as a life sucking parasite it helps to develop a positive attitude in life and moving on from the pain rather than keep cursing God, people, circumstances, etc. The success that can be felt in arising out of sorrow and making something out of your life must be unmatched. It is our primal expression if we strive to make life enjoyable for ourselves and others by doing something meaningful with our time on earth instead of wallowing in self-pity and misery.
Fiction Writing Assignment 1: Beginnings in a short story
Teachers without Borders 1
The dazzling
During lunch breaks, Sheena avoided the teachers' lounge, she ate either with her class or under a shady oak tree in the yard. Quite the social bee, she knew all her colleagues in and out. She had all of them figured out in her first month: Mrs. Tyler liked to knit, her colorful yarn was strewn on the beige coffee table in the lounge; Mr. Bing was a coffee enthusiast and a computer geek - he lived for them; Mrs. Edwards was the only grapevine - if it were not for her there would be no personal details floating in the school.
Unlike her colleagues, whom Sheena thought of as the "Brady bunch", her students were an interesting challenge. It took her a good 6 months to understand the context in which they lived and how it affected their performance. By the end of the school year, Sheena knew what normal behavior was for every student in her class, which helped her identify anything different almost immediately. Sheena worked hard at constantly improving the quality of education in class while influencing students to raise the bar of expectation that they set for themselves. Most evenings she was the last teacher to leave the school - busy creating an exciting science project, assessing students' silly mistakes on their tests with critical scrutiny, tutoring a student who needed special help or writing notes to parents.
The heat was relenting as the sun went down, Sheena was a just mile from her exit but her mind was a collage of images - of Tim! Earlier today, Sister Rosa had introduced Tim as the new Math instructor at the staff meeting. Her body tightened as she felt seasick in her stomach, something she rarely felt. Sheena parked her truck in the garage, planned her evening for a minute – jog, cook, TV, handbag stuff, read, Tim!? By now she was struggling, what was so special about Tim, why was she flustered? Was it that he seemed passionate about his work, was it his charismatic speech or was it just a crush - she hadn’t had one of those in ages!
Alternate link: http://fictionwritingclass.blogspot.com/2007/07/beginnings.html
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