RIGHT CHOICE

Goa is going to the polls. The air is heavy with electioneering. Candidates are promising the sky to the voters. Allurements range from a few notes of currency to printed sarees, wristwatches with the candidates face as a dial to packets of biryani, from intoxicating alcohol to cool motorbikes.

The dilemma is who to choose: the corrupt or the communal. If we look around, we notice that every corrupt politician misuses religion to cultivate his image of “actually-a-nice-guy” and every communal politician indulges in every possible illegal and corrupt practice. And ironically we fall for the choice limited to the difference between the frying pan and the fire.

The sad state of present day politics is that it is the politicians, and not the people, who decide the choice. Choices are limited when we look at only the dimension provided by the politician, pollsters and the press. And we tend to vote for the “lesser-evil” and “winnable” candidate. I see sincere, well-meaning activist-friends take the uni-dimensional choice between the corrupt and the communal and eventual share stage with the very electoral malpractices that they have earlier abhorred.

We must develop new dimensions in defining the agenda for our politicians, not just at election-time but also otherwise. When we vote, it is not for somebody to win, but somebody we feel is the right choice. That Mr or Ms Right Choice may lose this time, but we are laying the foundation for a deserving leader to take root. And if you feel no choice is good choice, reject all of them.

Choice is not what is offered by an overwhelming situation
Alternatives are unearthed when we "Develop new dimensions"!

LOST?

Once a traveller who was driving through the countryside, realised that he had wandered off his route. He had no clue as to where he was and how to get back to his original road. After going around in circles, he stopped his car and looked around to ask for help.

He sighted an old and frail villager. On reaching him, he exclaimed, "I am lost. Can you help me find my way?". The old man calmly queried, "Young man, do you know where you have come from?" The reply was in the affirmative. The next query was, "Do you know where you want to go?". The traveller nodded again.

The wise man smiled and spoke an eyeopening truth... "Young man, if you know where you have come from and where you want to go, then you cannot be lost. You just need to find a new road to connect you to your destination!" And he proceeded on to show him the way.

When ever we feel lost, all we need to connect to our path is to understand the co-relation of our present location and the new dimensions of a newer and different approach rather than just trying too get back to the old road. Getting lost is an opportunity to develop new paradigms and break the mindset.

Allow yourself the opportunity to lose your way
"Develop new dimensions" and seize the day!

Regards
Pravin

PASSION AS A PROFESSION

Prasad fell from a vertical height of 80 ft while mountaineering at the Dudhsagar waterfalls in Goa. He broke all possible bones in his body. 12 days later, when he gained consciousness, his doctors swore he would never climb again. A year and a half later, this young man went on to do what was considered impossible. He became the first Goan to scale Mount Kedardome at 22,410 ft… that too, in a world record-breaking time of 10 hrs 20 minutes for the final stretch.

Twelve years later, Prasad Joshi is Goa’s numero uno as an adventure activity trainer. The exploratory challenges of Mother Nature were always a passion for Prasad. A B.Com graduate, Prasad was an average student who excelled in sports and mimicry. The family ran a teahouse and a school canteen. While looking after the family business, Prasad made rapid strides in hiking, trekking and Mountaineering… as his passion turned into his profession.

Many mocked him… Prasad was ridiculed for relying on earning through his hobby. The voices of disapproval got shriller after his accident. Prasad says, “Nobody can conquer death. Life is a risk anyway so why not die doing something worthwhile. This view became stronger after my accident that proved to me that I had been reborn to do great things.” He underwent all necessary training to excel in what was initially just a hobby. He stood first in India for rock-climbing competition held at Tekhla. He underwent the instructors’ course for Rafting as well as Advanced Mountaineering Degree Course. With adventure tourism making good business sense, Prasad’s infatuation with his hobby is now fully justified.

Too often, we approach careers in a one-dimensional way, looking at what is available. Surely, we can draw inspiration from Prasad. But to transform our passion into a profession, we must be able to envision the various dimensions that it contains. We can develop new facets in our passion and transform it into a profession…Alternately we can develop new passion for our chosen profession.

“Develop new dimensions” in every personal passion
May it eventually connect to or convert into a profession!

Regards
Pravin

TOLERANCE

A Zen story tells about a great warrior who though old, was undefeated. His reputation extended far and wide and many students gathered to study under him. One day a notorious young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.

Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours, he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. However, the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling ashamed.

The students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How did you drive him away?" "If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"

It is pertinent to note that tolerance when combined with dignity and clarity of thought makes for strong character in a human being. Mahatma Gandhi has shown us the way of disagreeing without being disagreeable, protesting without insolence and speaking without shouting. Character is all about refusing to be affected by petty issues. Our response to every, stimulus should never be uni-dimensional. We must develop the ability to develop the dimension of tolerance and acquire the strength of dignity.

The consequence of tolerance is strength, not a limitation
Learn to “develop new dimensions” in every situation!

Regards
Pravin