Desires...Life...Truths

Ever thought where this random life is taking us, the frivolities of our own desires cause me to rethink about what's past and present and the thin line separating the two. Somedays are great, some days are dull filled with sorrow and grief which seems so insurmountable at its very peak but vanishes suddenly with a mention of an ecstatic thought, are we designed this way or is it the years of evolution to become better than we are has caused these genetic changes not just in our bodily features but also in our minds.

Maybe, we have become more controlled by our circumstances, have given away to our limitations in a mad conquest of achieving success. Achievement, success have become the buzzwords; competition, rat race have been so ingrained in us that we can't think of a life beyond that. Some do it for richness, some want power and some desire fame.Some desire something called as 'Self Actualization'.  But all these are not absolute terms and therein where lies the difficulty.



I write, but writing to satisfy my wits is one thing and writing to gain recognition, praise, money is other. Sure, one can always sell his work but the pleasure should not be traded off, the day an artist gives away the pleasure of art for lesser things in life the worship of the art is far left behind and the immortality in the work goes away for a toss. Because, when we do things with no ulterior desires be it good or bad, then are we truly getting connected to our being and thus we are free from the fruits of the results. But, is detachment of that order actually possible, or is it just what Gita preaches??

I would like to quote the great Dalai Lama here:
Man sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.

The evolution of technology has surely been a great boon for mankind, not just technology per se but the overall betterment be it the infrastructure, industrial revolution, mechanization, swanky gadgets, medical science innovations have surely brought man a great deal of satisfaction and comfort. Created jobs, created people demanding jobs and also created joblessness in people. To my sheer bewilderment man is actually creating things for his comfort but mostly ignoring the fellow humans, creating bridges but not bridging the distances between two humans in plain and simple terms of mankind.

The disparity and divide, be it economic, social or political, is creating changes in our genes, we are becoming more susceptible to changes , but propensity towards embracing change is decreasing. The love for flora and fauna is getting lost and mechanization is ruling the roost. The desire factories have filled their chests while creating sets of consumers to buy their commodities, we have bigger wallets but smaller hearts.

Are we immortal? Is life permanent?  Is anything permanent at all, the happiness, the grief, the pain, the hatred , the desires, the sorrows, the longings? when nothing is permanent why are we putting so much effort into it to land ourselves into greater difficulties? but even the difficulties are not permanent. What do we really want to achieve? Why do we want to achieve that? What is achievement actually?

Death is permanent, death is fixed, death is inevitable. But, does death really happens or is it a way to give us comfort, a desire of an happy ending to the misery. Misery, is life misery? or is life celebration? or is it nothing? just going on from one day to another. I am no one to define life, life cannot be defined because it can be anything for anyone, to relative to be absolute and too absolute to be relative.

Things sometime go in circles in my mind,maybe these are the methods to my madness? Who knows ? Maybe, life is just madness, maybe all our lives are someone's dream. Maybe someday 'HE' wakes up and ends it all, to a point blank.

The greatest advice ever

"GEETA SAAR...From GOD to YOU"

I think of you...

#wrote this poem in 2010, just sitting idle, reflecting on people in my life, reflecting on love, my friends, foes and many more...

On some lonely nights,

When stars lose their light,

To the moon so bright,

I think of you...

Blinded by your dreams,

Caught in your arms,

Trapped is my soul and,

I think of you...

On some mornings,

When the birds chirp around,

And the sun goes high,

I think of you...

Thinking of your smile,

The day goes fine,

But when it gets dusky,

I think of you...

Often in my sadness,

Always in my happiness,

You are there with me and,

I think of you...

Sometimes when I lose faith,

And my trust goes blind,

On the people of this world,

I think of you...

Sometimes like a wind,

Sometimes like a storm,

Your memories hit me and,

I think of you...

In my dreams and in my being,

In my pain and in my relief,

In my lives and in my deaths,

I think of you,

I think of you...

©HG

Time will set me free....

#wrote this poem way back in 2005 while I was solving some maths problems in my 10th Grade, somehow the starting line struck me and I wrote it. Considering, I had such deep thoughts way back when I was 16, I feel I am not becoming any smarter from then, rather a faint shadow of what I used to be...

Time will set me free,

For I am a traveller with no shady tree.

Walking along the path of life is tough,

The roads have curves, they are long and rough.

Peace and solitude no way to be found,

Life is even worse than a hound.

Work is to be done day and night,

What else is life but a constant fight?

Things that attract us are tough to get,

Without them we cannot set.

Hope and despair invade our minds.

They give us courage of unmatched kind.

The zeal and enthusiasm push us ahead,

They remind us of the roads to tread.

The hectic world, so boring alas,

We have to live here till our last.

I wish I was born free as a bird,

Who moves about in his own world.

No fear, No worries, No anxiety in his life,

Life for him not a constant strife.

I wish I was born tall as a tree,

That gives fruit and shade for free.

I wish I was born large as a cloud,

Gives us rain making noises aloud.

I wish I was like the Sun so bright,

Gives to the world the life giving light.

But since I am born a petty human,

I wish the time will set me free.

©HG

Lessons of life, through System architecture!!!

Disclaimer: This post is prepared as a requirement for MIS Assignment#0, Autumn Semester 2012, VGSOM-IIT Kharagpur.

I was walking deep down in that long, winding, sullen road, paths strewn with dry maple leaves, cool breeze blowing. Yes, coming to IIT was always my dream but this dream could’ve been fulfilled years ago at the time of BTech, but now that I was here there was something missing, some unfulfilled desire or some dream. Maybe a better understanding of my goals and aspirations was needed. But, the hectic MBA schedule didn’t provide time for such introspections. But, now that I had some time especially after my mid sems were over I decided to roam about the long and never ending roads of IIT kharagpur. Suddenly, a voice stopped me, a deep but a subtle voice, there was a boy standing about the same age as mine, he asked me about me.

Stranger: Are you looking for anything?

ME: No, was just roaming about.

Stranger: Okay, I studied at this place once.

ME: Oh that means you are an alum, nice to meet you, I have been too much bugged down by the hectic schedule here.

Stranger: Don’t be, enjoy this place, studies are a part of curriculum, its important that in addition to that you enjoy this place.

ME: By the way, I forgot to ask your name?

Stranger: My name is Rohit Joshi, I studied Computer Science here, got admission in 2000 batch.

I wondered that he is looking almost the same age as me, how can he graduate so early, nevertheless.

Rohit Joshi: So, tell me some interesting things from your curriculum, do you have any subject which is closely related to Computer Science.

I told him we have a subject called as MIS which stands for Management Information System, he asked me what had been covered till now in that subject, so I told him that we have covered System Architecture.


Rohit Joshi: Can you explain me some of the system architecture concepts? Been a long time since I last studied computer science?

ME: Okay, I will but in exchange, you should also share with me some of your experiences

Rohit Joshi: Okay, I am ready, I will give you some good tips, how to excel in your life, studies, career etc.

ME: There are four types of architecture:
Single tier
Two tier
Three tier
Multitier architecture.

The first kind of system is a SINGLE TIER SYSTEM : in which the data and the application(PL-Presentation logic & BL-Business logic) are on the same physical hardware. For example: laptops, desktops, servers etc.

 


Rohit Joshi: In similar way in life we have our own identity which we can compare with a single tier system, it’s our own space where we should do whatever it takes to keep us happy and satisfied. Be, it in the terms of health, money etc. We should not compromise this personal space for anything on earth. So, never be so worked up that you don’t find time for yourself.

ME: Wow!! That’s a cool comparison, let’s see if you have something for 2-tier as well.

Rohit Joshi: Tell me what is it?

ME: The second kind is called the TWO TIER CLIENT SERVER ARCHITECTURE: in which data is stored in a different location and the applications to access it in another. They are connected by various LAN cables. Client-server architecture offers both operational and performance advantages. First, it better accommodates the decentralized business environment; business logic resides and executes where it is more appropriate: on the end-users' desktops. Enterprise-wide data is integrated and managed by the server. Second, it offers a cost effective solution that allows for increased performance due to load balancing and better resource utilization on both desktop and server computers, and scalability and growth to more clients and new client application software. But the demerits are its high bandwidth requirements and  maintenance/version control of the software.




Rohit Joshi: In a similar way, two tier architecture represents the interpersonal relationships we have with our peers, we should care about them. Be, it our parents, friends, relatives or whosoever it might be. Proper time, care and concern should be given to these relations, because anyone can earn money, excel and become successful but few can do so in a way so as not to hamper interpersonal relationships.

ME: That is some cool advice and mantra, now I tell you about 3-tier architecture.

Rohit Joshi: Okay!!!

ME: The two-tier client-server architecture evolved into the THREE TIER ARCHITECTURE when the need arose to support more complex applications. The three tiers run only the user interface on the end-user computer, an application server that runs the business logic and processes the data is differently located, and it accesses the database server."
Then there is MULTI TIER ARCHITECTURE: This means splitting a system into more than just a client layer and a database layer. Instead, we have the clients, and they only deal with presenting data to the user and sending changes back to the server. The server then takes care of the business logic, and gets and returns the raw data to one or more database servers. The advantages are better maintainability (business logic can be changed without updating every client machine).

Rohit Joshi: The three and multitier architecture covers the essence that how you behave with the people of the world, when you are in a group, in a team, in your college, school, company etc. How well you are able to guide people, convince people and motivate your juniors and learn from your seniors. Your attitude with not so well-off people with your servants, workers all come under it. God, is keeping a tab of everything, and people know you by your behavior with others.


ME: Wow!!! I am amazed you have compared the entire computer architecture with relationships in life. I am hugely inspired by your words, By the way I forgot to ask what do you do these days, I mean where do you work.

Rohit Joshi: I…….ummmm……..Goodbye and take care…

And, suddenly I realized he was no more there, I was amazed, where did he suddenly disappear.

I came back to my room and opened the student directory of IIT Kharagpur.
Year: 2000
Dept: Computer Science and Engineering
Name: Rohit Joshi

What I saw next swiped me of my feet.

Status: Department topper, discontinued after third year, died in a tragic road accident, by a speeding car in the campus.

I became very disturbed after reading it, somehow I managed to sleep that night, At, night I saw a dream, I saw Rohit,

He said to me…


Life has never been kind to me. But, I learned a very important lesson from my life. However, short your life may be, make sure you live it well, you don’t know which moment might be your last. Do, good wherever you are, don’t just put too much pressure on you, enjoy life, nurture relationships, I miss my parents, I miss my friends, Moreover, I miss IIT Kharagpur, that’s probably why my soul refuses to let go from its magnificence…I lived here, I died here, I'll live here forever......

My Favourite Story: Trees that wood

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter" ... and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one", and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time. Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

-Anonymous

InspireYourself

Thomas Edison once said “Genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration”. But, still that 1% of inspiration is sole requirement for converting that 99% to success.

Have you ever wondered that a pencil, a small pencil which you thought was just writing instrument can teach so many things?

1. It tells us that everything you do leaves a mark, weather you do good or bad it will surely leave a positive or a negative impression on others.

2. It tells us that important thing is how we are from inside not outside which means that our quality and virtues leave a lasting impression on others and not our outside beauty.

3. Moreover it tells us that in life we will go painful sharpening which will make us better. The difficult times are always there to make us stronger.

4. It tells us that we can always correct our mistakes, so never be afraid to take risk, we should take challenges, accept difficulties because even if we fall there’s always a next time.

5. Last and the best it says “Allow yourself to be guided and held by the hand which holds you”, so if we allow ourselves to be guided and held by God’s hand we can surely achieve success in life.

Have you heard the story of the ugly elephant, well if not I tell you. In a forest there was a very ugly baby elephant called “Jumbo”. No other animal in the jungle used to play with him and he was always downtrodden and embarrassed by other animals.

The duck used to say to him “Look at you elephant you are so ugly and black, with a long pipe like trunk hanging, I am so white and beautiful.

The monkey used to tease him by saying “Look at me I can jump from one tree to another can you do so?

Poor little elephant would have nothing to say in these matters.

On a hot summer afternoon when all the animals were sleeping the whole jungle was caught in a mighty fire. All animals began to panic, but our brave little elephant shouted on top of his voice and called all other elephants and they all filled their trunks with water and within minutes the whole fire was extinguished.

Jumbo became a hero and every other animal felt ashamed that they used to tease him and now he has saved their life.

Thorough this story I just want you people to understand that we should never underestimate others. We all have this habit of passing comments on people on fat people, on thin people, on short, on dark and physically deformed and so on.

Even if we not pass comments many of us just think something ill about them. We should understand that God has created each of us equal and we should learn to respect each other and do not laugh or tease others.

Blacks were always ill treated in America!! Now can you think how much foolish it is to just discriminate on basis of colour of a person Are we civilized or not.......But now even they have set an example by choosing a black president Obama.

Be at your best,

And leave the rest,

Joys and sorrows come and go,

And surely you have to pass thorough,

Life is a struggle but,

Crossing all barriers,

You make your way,

Think you can do it,

Don’t be idle and sit,

Because,

In the end the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.

There was once a man who had four wives.

He loved his fourth wife the most, fed her with delicacies and gave her the most beautiful clothes.

He loved his third wife too as she was very beautiful, He always feared that she might run away with someone.

Whenever he had problems he went for help to his second wife and she took good care of him and sorted out his problems.

But he always neglected his first wife although she loved him.

When one fateful day arrived he was diagnosed with cancer and doctor fold that he would die soon.

He got very sad as he thought he would be alone now. So he asked his fourth wife if she would die with him, she clearly replied no. His third wife had already run away with someone else on hearing about his cancer. He then went to his second wife, she said that she always helped him but now she cannot die with him. Disappointed, he went to his wife first wife but to his surprise she readily agreed to die with him. The man was deeply moved and thought only one thing that if would have been much better if he had taken good care of her. Now like the man we all have four wives.

Our fourth wife is our body whom we love the most feed it with good dishes, decorate with beautiful clothes but when we die it doesn’t goes with us.

Our third wife is the possession, property that we have which always to go to someone else when we die and we do not take it with us.

Our second wife is our friends and family. However they might solve our problems during our lives they will not go with us.

Our first wife is our soul whom we neglect throughout our lives never caring about it but our soul always goes with us when we die. So we should do some soul seeking in our lives and care for it and not just run after materialistic pleasures. This is the only way to become better persons and thus we would have no unsettled issues when we die.

When you were born you cried and everyone rejoiced, live your life in such a way that when you die you rejoice and the whole world cries.

Because life is not measured by the number of breaths that we take but by the number of moments that take our breath away.