Make this a better place

“Heal the world, Make it a better Place
For you and for me and for the entire universe
There are people dying, if you care enough for the living,
Make this a better place”.

These are a few lines from a Michael Jackson song. Should we be in this world just to occupy space? Are we at any time in our life thinking about leaving this world a better place with some of our contributions?

After the earthquake that occurred in Gujarat on January 26 2001, many people who escaped miraculously when their relatives and neighbors died in front of their eyes, lives in constant fear. They learned the hard way how unpredictable life was and now vulnerable. Many others in different parts of the state and even different parts of the country would rush out of their houses grabbing anything they could get hold of at the slightest fear of an earthquake.

After the September 11 2001, attack on the American World Trade Center many thought a third Word War was about to commence.

After the December 9 2001, attack on the Indian Parliament, many Indians thought there would be an Indo-Pak War where nuclear weapons would be used and many lived in fear.

Death can never be avoided, only the fear of death can be conquered, by living a worthwhile life. If you die today now, how many people would have benefited from your life? How many people would take it to be a great loss other than your close relatives?

Isn’t it time at least the logical people came together to make efforts to make this world a better place by giving away with traditions and superstitions, which come in the way of individual as well as growth of the society. In order to make this a better place, each of us should start with our own life. Seeing our life change first others in our family can be influenced then the neighborhood, slowly we can bring a difference in this world.

Let us start dreaming of a universe where there is no fear of war, where people don’t kill in the name of religion, where people don’t have to live in constant fear of death. People can make a positive change in their life to make a major change in the universe, gradually. Utopia might be impossible, but if each of us try to work towards one it can be possible.

Self Help

Once in an interview Edmund Hillary was asked how he felt in becoming the first man to conquer the highest mountain peak. His answer was very enlightening, “Nobody can conquer a mountain peak; you can only conquer your self”. Conquest of the self is necessary to lead a successful life. Only a successful person can make this a better place. Success in life should not be equated with what you have gained but what you have given.

“Who wants to be a success?” “Who wants to lead a life without any ailments?” To both the questions almost everyone will answer “I want to be’” But is it possible? Not by going to priests and trying bands around your wrists. But, how can we? If you learn to control your mind and learn to tap even one third of the power you possess, it will be possible.

You shouldn’t be ashamed or guilty of the thoughts that come to your mind in a flash. For e.g. you might see a person on the street and you might think how it would be to have sex with that person. When such thoughts occur you shouldn't act on the thoughts but take the pros and cons of the situation into consideration. Almost all the time the cons will outweigh the pros and you will automatically leave the thought. Continue like this and a time will come when you stop thinking unnecessary thoughts.

None of us are 100% sane. Each of us has some hidden insanities which we try to wrap up and present ourselves as acceptable individuals to society. Take some time for yourself everyday and try to find out what your hidden insanities or weakness are. Write it down also write down how you think you will be able to overcome them. If you cant make any progress by yourself get professional help. Many of our diseases are caused by an unhealthy mind (mind filled with stress or tension or distress or jealousy or anger or any repressed emotions). If you learn to keep your mind healthy, you can be freed of your diseases. Even the hereditary diseases are triggered when you go through the above mentioned states of mind.

Free your mind of negative emotions, with such emotions we are human bombs in ourselves. There is a tendency of people to blame others for their anger. Anger doesn’t come from outside, it comes from within you and you are responsible for it. It will destroy you. Deal with your heart. No external influence can make you lose your temper if you don’t want to. As you want your space and freedom give other people their space and freedom. Keep in mind that more than what hundred people outside think of you what counts is what your immediate family thinks of you , for they are the ones who know the real you.

Don’t ever try to put the blame on others for your actions or blame luck for your ill fortune. You are the one responsible for your actions. There is no such think as luck governing your fortunes. To be a success you should always take responsibility for your actions. If you do things properly you will get the right results. Learn to be independent. If you make yourself a leech no one will respect you. If you are a person who always expect favors from people, this single trait is going to pave your downfall. Some people always want other people to motivate them. To be a success you should know how to motivate yourself.

There was an article in the “Education Times" by MS.Rajni Arya, joint Director Amity Institute Of Behavioural and Allied Science, in which she says that success of every individual lies in internal motivation. External motivation drives people to get certain things which are usually materialistic in nature. When you are internally motivated you work for a cause. Externally motivated people indulge in competition with others which is unhealthy. Whereas self motivated people compete with self.

When people ask you; “How are you?” The common answer is “I am doing great.” Actually are you? The deep rooted sorrow, anger, fear shame, lust, abuse which only you know. Deal with it. If you can’t do it alone, get help. Then see how most of your diseases vanish. How you bring happiness to your immediate family. If you think your plight is due to the behavior of others, you can make a radical change by the way you react. Two hands are needed to clap. A spark is needed to cause a fire. If you are victimized there are many N.G.O‘s to which you can turn to for help.

None of us are 100% sane. Each of us has some behavior disorders. Behavior disorders can be classified into three.

1. Psycho neurotic reaction
2. Psychotic reaction and
3. Personality disorders

Each of which can be further divided. Of the three, Psycho neurotic reactions and personality disorders can be overcome without drugs or hospitalization through different therapies or psychoanalysis.

Love and Trust

Today i got a good morning SMS from a friend that read, "To say 'I trust u' is much more special than saying 'I love u' b'coz u may not always trust the person u love. But, u always love the person u trust. Hve a good day".

After reading the message I went into a reflective state. I knew the message was 100% correct. no wonder somebody said, "Love is blind".

What makes us not trust the people we love? Is it because we love them unconditionally? Should we try to change the person we love and make them trust worthy? Is it some flaw in us that is making us not trust the person we love? Should our love change them and make them trustworthy?

Here, I am not just talking about Romantic love but any love in general. The answers to these questions depends on the mental make-up of both the people in question. But at the end, I arrived at the conclusion that love makes the world a happy place to be in even if it is with or without trust. If you trust the person you love then a lot of mental agony can be prevented.

New Year Resolution 2008

My resolution for new year 2008 is to add a blog entry every day. If not every day at least three blogs a week.

For the past many years I have wanted to start blogging. I have read a number of blogs posted by both friends and strangers. Some of them have moved me, some have fascinated me, some have made me comment on the issue or topic.

I consider myself to be a good writer. Being a technical writer that is what you are expected to be doing day in and out. I am passionate about writing. I always thought why I did not start blogging till date. After a lot of retrospection I arrived at the conclusion. It was because I was not comfortable with others reading my thoughts. In blogs you jot down your thoughts, passions, likes and dislikes.

I think I have overcome the phase of being uncomfortable with others reading my thoughts. Now I actually want others to know what I am thinking. Is it because I have evolved as an individual? or is it because I want myself to be heard, I want attention?