Friends
Last week of the month is always tense for every one who lives life on calender basis. I have felt the intensity of this period during my childhood when every thing was postponed for a week. The paucity of funds used to put all of us in strict discipline with no extra spending. My father was very strict and honest in his Government job and would never allow any body in the joint family to go beyond the limits. He could sail through the family from this period without giving the feel of liquidity crunch or financial tightness to any outsiders. I remember the tension on his face whenever there was some one sick or any social function during this period but he managed every thing without compromising with the principles of honesty. I am surprised how we all were so disciplined and non-demanding unlike our kids who can not imagine such life. Life has changed a lot and so the values and principles. Social reputation and status is now fully dependent on money power leaving aside the values and principles. The materialistic world has taken away every thing from the life i.e. peace, unity, intimacy, values, honesty etc. All these are replaced by greed, dissatisfaction, frustration, tension, sickness etc. The systems of entertainment, travelling, communication have changed drastically. It seems we have graduated from socialism to capitalism culture and hence would have to adopt every thing that comes along the way.
CP

Mike Bloomberg

Friends
Although travelling has become integral part of my routine but yesterday's Delhi would be remembered for long. It was too hot in the morning and by 3pm suddenly the weather changed and clouds took the control of the mother earth. It was windy too and hence very very bad for the flights to operate. The Aeroplane struggled a lot to come out of the clouds and strong winds gave tough resistance. For almost 25 minutes the flight was very much uncomfortable and frightening. Finally it managed and came out of the dangerous winds and thick clouds. Some times the travelling forces to think about the usefulness of running here and there.
Meanwhile I just completed a wonderful book on Mr. Mike Bloomberg, Billionaire media Mogul and 3rd time of Mayor of New york. A tough and disciplined person who has achieved the heights of success wherever he involved himself. Knowing about such personalities is always a thrill and great learning. The book was written by Joyce Purnick. It is a good book to understand the successful personalities. We would learn a lot. In the meantime I got another book by Sir Richard Branson titled "Reach for the Skies".
CP

Friends
WAIT for some thing is very painful. I am experiencing this these days. Waiting can be for many things at a time. It is for assignments to complete, deals to get through, clients to respond, kids to grow, wife to come back from vacation, results to announce, collection of fees and so on. I noticed it many times that suddenly for some time, nothing can be done except waiting for the outcome. During this phase, the guess tilts to positive and negative, creating more and more tension. We know during this phase nothing can be done but still keep our selves busy in guessing. This creates tension in mind and disturbs the mental stability. The elders used to say "jo hona hai hoga", "Karam kiye ja fal ki ichha mat kar", "Karmnanya Vadikaraste Maa Falesu Kadachana ", etc. etc. but none of these quotes could stop us from thinking or guessing during waiting period.
It is human nature to look into future, to know about the future and to reach in future beyond the time but was this ever possible? We know It is not but still try to do that.
CP

My Pillow

Friends
We talk about many things in life but rarely appreciate the contribution of a pillow. A pillow which is different from the show cased pillow(in matching cover, thick, fatty which one can not use in night). Pillow is something about which we talk least. A comfortable pillow can be a blessing for us. My pillow is too slim about 2" thick and 20"long. Pillow is a silent supporter to us through out the life, although we don't appreciate it's contribution. When I was born, my mother would have kept me in her lap but soon was put to pillow. Pillow didn't complain whenever I left it, may be in childhood when pillow was giving me rest and some one took me in lap or when I became adult and put my head in the lap of wife or when due to work pressure I put my head on reclining chair. I avoided it many times and didn't care much when not neeed. But whenever I needed, it was there for me always with same affection as it was since beginning of life. This is the pillow which knows all my secrets. It witnessed all my dreams whether while sleeping or when pretending to sleep. It took in the arms when I dreamt, cried, happy or sad. Whenever there was tension in life it was this pillow which provided the shelter, calmed me and showed the way to move further. This is the pillow only which never got its light in the day because for the day time real pillow was pushed under the bed and replaced by another dummy pillow set which was big, fat and good looking with matching colors of bed sheet. This dummy pillow was to show the world because the real pillow is neither good looking nor fat nor in good cover.World would never appreciate this pillow, may be my status would adversely affect if I show this pillow. I am selfish and hence would never let the world know my real pillow but when ever I need it, I took its shelter. I never thought about this self less pillow, which never expected any favour from me as if it knew my nature. From the bottom of my heart I loved this pillow but due to fear never brought it on the bed in day time. Fact is, this pillow is my best friend during all the colors of my life. I wet it many times late in light, made it oily after hair massage, crushed in anger, threw it when had headache but it was its' greatness which never complained and gave its best. This pillow is committed for life time to help me, support me and care me.

Friends in our life there are one or two such persons who are our real pillows, giving us due care, comfort, love, affection and support when ever we need . They don't expect any thing in return and we don't appreciate in public too. Such pillows are invaluable and can not be valued. They know every thing about us but I am sure would never be appreciated or liked by all. This is not their fault but definitely ours. Let us find out our pillow and appreciate them.
CP

Friends
Month of May is so hot that people in our country start behaving in different way. They get annoyed, irritating and short tempered. The behavioural changes affect the routine life too. The reflection can be seen in Business, share market, property deals, social functions every where. In last 25 years, profesionally I have noticed that April and May months are less rewarding. Though I dont believe much in stars and Astrology but one thing I am sure is that weather conditions definitely affect the human behaviour.
Professionally when ever I get an assignment, the efforts (time and money)are fully diverted to that assignment with the expectation of getting the desired results but beyond this nothing is in our control. That is left to the almighty or rather I should say, Almighty has not given such authority to us. So in that case the only option is to put the best efforts and wait for the result. This is much difficult than saying.
Good thing at Home is that both daughters are back from their education habitats and enjoying company with all of us. Seeing Kids grow and become mature is a wonderful and pleasure experience.
Here is success formula I mentioned in my Blog on 12th August, 2008:
"Do what ever makes you interested-> If you feel happy and enjoying doing, then put some efforts in to that->More happy and enjoying doing the same then put in some more efforts-> The result would be that A shape of the work you are pursuing would start developing-> More efforts are needed now and make this activity a career target-> Make it mission-> You will find your self at unique position and then golden opportunities would start rising->Grab it and be successful".
Above formula may be bit time consuming but it is sure shot successful.
CP