Compliments that matter...

Without going into details, I just want to share a moment of elation that transpired today. After an assuredly tiring day, I found myself looking through my mail. I got a note from someone I am working with on a female literacy project in India. I helped this person navigate some bureaucratic obstacles, hence the thank you note.

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Your conviction and compassion changed me in profound ways. Never change!

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Quite frankly, my contribution is meager compared to people who dedicate their lives such a cause full time. But my spirits were truly lifted!

Introspection

I took the strengths finder test. Though it didn't tell me anything I wouldn't suspect, it did confirm what I have realized about myself in the past few years.

One of the questions on the test alluded to how much time I spent on introspection and thinking about the future. On average, that is approximately 10-15 hours a week; when I'm driving, on a plane, at the gym or listening to jazz while cooking me some food. Funny.

Thinking is dangerous business.

My birthday happened a couple of days ago. Hit the 2-6. And got some fireside advice from a friend; "Too much thinking is dangerous. It takes you places you don't want to go." Words from someone I admire immensely. Words that rang through my head throughout this week.

If you don't think, you'll never know who you are. My 2 cents on the matter.

You can life your whole life and never know who you are. Rarely, you may realize what you want to be, but the world wont let you become that person. And then, you are faced with the dilemma that has confronted humanity since time immemorial.

To obey, submit, conform. Akin to draping your spirit in barbed wire and live a life that is drenched in remorse. Live for years with anger and frustration seething within, not knowing who to hold responsible for an existence you never wanted. You live the rest of your life pretending. Pretending to be busy or working. But you're not doing anything. You're not going anywhere. Just filling that void within you. Filling it with money, materialism and the short-lived endorphin rush of the rat race. You have everything, but nothing that really matters to you. Sound familiar? I see so many people like this everyday. At work, at school, all around me. Human zombies, that have willingly renounced their inspiration.

Or you can live brave! Stand up for yourself. Stand up for something. Stand up for others. And help others develop the strength to do the same. Be the change you want to see in the world. And never let the cynicism and deficit of faith of others diminish your passion or optimism for the things that matter to you.

This is the choice you face. The choice I face. The choice that everyone faces. And for the sake of humankind, I hope we choose the latter.

The Visitors, Eli Stone and the lovely Thea are the realization behind this b-l-o-g. They helped me think through this. Thanks to ya!

To my good friend who gave me this advice. I hope you continue to ponder and contemplate on that important existential question - who are you? But don't loose spirit if an answer isn't forthcoming. It will come, surely. And 40 years later when you and I have the same conversation, I am sure your intellect and accomplishments will not only be a source of great pride to me but of tremendous inspiration to many others.