To love one's self....

As a stippling I had chosen my idols in life like any one else did. They were people who are enterprising, rebellious and who lived to fulfill all their dreams. And not one un-fulfilled dream remained. I was inspired by their lives. I read their autobiographies. And I realized that all of them were rebels and had never given up on their dreams. I wanted to be them. It was then that I drafted a logic in life. To do complete justice to myself and my feelings. I began to conceive that only if I did justice to my dreams can I do justice to my family and friends. This thought was overpowering. And I began to pursue my dreams. I loved myself. I never sacrificed for the sake of others. I wouldn’t let anyone hurt my sentiments. I loved and worshipped myself to an extent that I never classified my desires as good and bad.

If I think ‘this’ it has to be good.
If I think ‘this’ is good, then I should ‘get’ it.
If I get what I want, then justice is done.

That was the logic I invented to keep myself inspiring for more. I had become pertinacious about the use of this logic. I wont deny my joys in life during that age but I will not accept I was without pain. My definition of love is an experience of bliss. And I knew I hadn’t loved myself. Looking back I don’t think I had done justice to others life around me. I was busy keeping myself happy. I was not contended with my logic. My logic seemed glazed, appeared rather dull and was matchless to my definition of love.

Very recently a realization came upon me in a frisson. It had a more profound meaning.

To love ourself, doesn’t mean fulfilling every random thought that crossed our mind. Self control is a greater virtue than justice. Refraining from adopting all thoughts was self control to me. Self control leads to pure thoughts and pure thoughts to joy.

What's good? What's bad?

A simple incident in a science class in my eighth class created such an impact that I haven't forgotten it till now. It was a debate that no one would have given much thought before - What's good and what's bad? The topic was briefly introduced to us and we began to contemplate in our own little ways. A number of questions rang in my head. 'Is everything we are being taught by our teachers good? Is 'good' limited to what we learn or think? Can we find 'good' really in the world? If they say I am bad, do i really become bad? If I think this is good for me then does it really become good for me?' Being lost in a web of questions sometimes takes you away from the present. Thats when some people are accused as dreamers. And I too have been a victim of such accusations.

A loud strong voice shook me and I got entangled from my question web. A boy had begun answering the question of the day. What's good and What's bad? He simply said ' If a musicain finds a fallen tree, he will think of making a flute out of the wood. That is good. If a criminal see's a fallen tree, he will think of making a gun out of it. That is bad. Good is always better than bad '

All of us gave him our un-divided attention. The stillness of the moment must have made the strong impact. I shall never forget that some things can be told in such a simple manner that no grandeur shall be required to glorify it. Truth when spoken is always like that.

Mind and matter

To classify people under various groups has always been my favourite pastime. I allot people to different categories based on a number of facts and observations. Judging people is always decisive. And the practice of this law regularly has now become a habit. Of course there is no single litmus test and only practice can make one perfect in this interesting game.

Every one of us has apprehensions regarding meeting new people. I categorize people based on Height (short / tall), Weight (thin\fat), appearance (handsome /beautiful /ugly /pretty/cute/smart/pretenders), clothes (clean/dirty), etiquette (courteous/rude), and choice of words (smart/dumb/talkative/silent), perfume (manly/feminine/rough/dirty), zodiac signs, and lineage (rich/poor/wannabe rich). The list continues. And to this new list I would like to add one more basis of classification. Based on the state of matter – as solids, liquids and gases. Eyebrow rising will not help. And I definitely remember our bodies don’t flow like rivers or envelop whole the room when we walk in. But our minds do follow certain properties of the state of matter willingly or un-willingly. I support my statement with a brief introduction to my theory:

1. Solid state: In reality, molecules in solid state are arranged compactly like a pack of cards inside a box. They have fixed positions and are arranged in a precise manner. Too much force when applied can disrupt its arrangements. Rigidity is its property. Accordingly, there are among us people who seem to be chiseled, single minded and absolutely rigid. Extra ordinary forces are required to influence them. They seem independent, self sufficient and in a few extreme situations narcissistic and megalomaniacs. It’s very easy to identify a solid person. Usually alone, doesn’t like shaking hands when introduced, talks a great deal about him/her, doesn’t talk nonsense, intellectual, introvert, doesn’t get emotional, homely, sticks to rules, knows exactly what he/she wants in life and how to get there, hates weakness, doesn’t cry, stern and adamant.

2. Liquid state: Molecules in liquid state can move or slide past one another like a pack of cards just opened out of the box. They usually take the shape of the container and flow easily. Not easily compressible but it’s not impossible. Fluidity is their special property. People who belong to this state of matter are deliquescent, soft spoken, cautious, friendly, a little deceptive, escapists ( you almost think you caught them but they continue to flow through your fingers ), romantic, not easily influenced, day dreamers, Platonists. They believe to move along the direction of the flow, seen in a group star gazing while the others converse feverishly. They have an identity crisis since they think they can identify with everyone.

3. Gaseous state: Molecules can move past one another and there is lot of free space between the particles just like when the fan is switched on and the pack of cards fly everywhere. The molecules occupy the whole of the container. Compressibility is their special property. People belonging to this category are the most easiest to identify. As you are still reading your mind reflects upon the images of such people. Unforgettable and un-forgivable. Amusing, bubbly, free spirited, highly energetic, volatile, crowd pullers, chaotic, un-methodical, elusive, extroverts. Easily influenced by the words and actions of others. And most importantly, they are avid travelers – wanderers, itinerants, vagabonds, beggars, pilgrims, voyagers, adventurers, soldier, sailor, and hippie. They seldom like staying at one place.

When an ice cube is melts, it changes to water and water when warmed evaporates thus passing through all the states of matter. Similarly our minds areinfluenced by the environment, culture, lifestyle and several other external factors and keep passing through different phases of matter. In our personalities there are glimpses of few properties of all the three types but we primarily exhibit almost every time under normal conditions properties of one particular state of matter. Be it solid, liquid or gas.

To be or not to be....

”

Lately I have been contemplating at leisure, trying to find out the answer of a self imposed question. And the question is 'To be a free spirit or a hypocrite'?

A free spirit does not necessarily mean a detached soul or a scholar lost in books or a person who constantly argues with others. A free spirit is a free thinker whose ideals are untouched and original. Of course there is no single idea that is completely 'original' but at least it shouldn't be borrowed. That's where the hypocrite comes into picture. Borrowed principles, stolen thoughts and copied words gives hypocrite the mask that he/she wants to wear.

We have read philosophies of Socrates, appreciated Ayn Rand's ideals and applauded to the theories of Einstein. But how difficult is it to live as a free thinker?

When faced with the harsh realities of a society where bigots have outnumbered mavericks, one realizes to 'pretend' is safer than to 'be'. The reasons may be numerous. We have been programed to like what we know and dislike what we don't. We have been taught to abide to a certain school of thought only. We have been thinking that we are wise and the others ignorant.

Thinking and believing is greatly influenced by learning. When we tend to think that learning begins in school and ends in an university, we fall in to a pattern of life. We stick to a idiosyncratic way of thinking. But when we cross the boundaries into the limitless universe, we realize that learning process is timeless.

As a free thinker, you might be ridiculed, segregated and completely mis-understood by the world but at least you are true to yourself. As a hypocrite you will be crowned to glory, praised by the 'learned' and win laurels but deep within you always know you are a deceiver. Being honest with one's own self is as important as being honest with others.


Aristotle states “The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.”


“You must understand the whole of life, not just
one little part of it. That is why you must read,
that is why you must look at the skies, that is
why you must sing, and dance, and write poems, and
suffer, and understand, for all that is life.

the only other woman in our life will be our daughter.

'The only next girl in my life will be our daughter'. That was the voice which echoed in her mind when her world was being torn into pieces in front of her eyes. Her friend continued talking over the phone 'You don't lose hope already! We will first talk to this @#%$#....' Meera sank into her chair, she was no longer listening to her friend who broke the news that her husband was having an affair.

She shifted her hand towards the table absent mindedly and the framed wedding photograph that was placed at a corner broke with what seemed like a thunder. Meera shook herself and looked down at the tiny pieces of glasses, she caught her reflection on a small wedge of broken glass. 'Do I look ugly?' she asked herself questioningly.

Her mobile phone flashed a message ' 1 new message HONEY'. She smiled at herself in total disgrace and said 'Honey, @#$%#$'. A colleague passed by her cabin and threw her a friendly smile but she only stared back. And in her mind she said 'All men are assholes!' She tried to evade the whole male species for the present moment!

She picked her mobile and was in half mind to throw it down, to see it break into a 100 pieces mingling with the glass pieces and she pictured her husband dancing over the pile with bloody feet. 'That would be a feast to my eyes' she said to herself.
Her mobile rang again. It was her friend Sheela, 'Meera baby I just heard the news. It's so awful this should happen to you....' her voice irritated Meera. 'Buckle up girls, am going to win the man of my hearts and the only other woman in our life will be our daughter.' She banged the phone and wiped a forming tear drop before it spoilt her makeup and stormed the way out to get her man...

Let my country awake!

There is no doubt about the patriotic enthusiasm shown for celebrating of Republic Day and Independence Day every year by bringing up a festive atmosphere during these days. But what people interpret about patriotism is totally different now and depends on the attitude of the evolving generations. Over time, patriotism has taken up different meanings.

As a child, I have noticed that whenever President or any great leaders visited our island, the entire island used to have a festive look with crowd standing alongside the roads, cheering and waving to him.  The enthusiasm, affection and respect shown to those great leaders is definitely lacking now, partly because they themselves are to be blamed! In fact, sports, mainly Football, were one of those areas in which patriotism was an important factor for motivation.

 According to me, patriotism is slowly vanishing and is badly the need of the hour for many reasons.

Ever since Independence, Corruption has been an unending war. We are all aware of the magnitude of this threat because corruption is capable of destroying the very root of Our Economy. To combat this threat, the entire society should become mature and responsible and this is where patriotism plays an important role.

Yet another sad story is about a lot of poor Islanders who virtually live under the open sky in extremely hot or cold conditions and desperately in need of fresh water and other basic requirements.  As of now, there is a long way to go, because Government influence is yet to spread among remote Islanders to give them education and work. They are yet to be given more facilities to connect with the wider world and to be made to enter into the political arena. 

Added to these issues, 2004 tsunami disaster took a heavy toll on our economy.

All said and done, though public services do exist and a lot is being done from the side of the government, what is lacking is the public spirit. We, the public, commercialize everything and we are not ready to take up responsibility for public causes. This raises a doubt whether we do not have as much patriots like olden days. The spirit is missing. It is no use blaming the government always, because we also have the responsibility and commitment to preserve public properties and to extend cooperation to the government.

The politicians are also to be partly blamed for this low ebbing of patriotism because most of them do not show enthusiasm to take up public issues to the Parliament (we can say not a single parliamentarian in our parliament cares). There is nothing good that we can hope, this narrow dimensioned politics do not take us back to the olden days where it comes to patriotism, silence rules!

Now the question is if we have ever utilized our secured freedom fully.  We are still lagging behind in utilizing our traditional resources.  In spite of our being exploited by foreign countries like China and U.S we are still not using our originality and creativity that much. There is still a lot to be done.  Awareness should be created among the younger generation about patriotism and they should be taught the responsibility of spreading our influence in the global market. The scenario of corruption and violence should not be allowed to corrupt our youth.  The importance of patriotism and public spirit should be taught to the evolving generation in order to inculcate human values in them. 

Our Republic Day resolution should be that we should not allow patriotism to become a forgotten spirit in Maldives.

However, on the other side, Republic Day and Independence Day needs to be celebrated as a mark of respect and remembrance of our great leaders and all Maldivians who have toiled till date for the development of our nation. So hats off to them all.

Life

Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy.
Find a place inside where there’s joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.
Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.
Is the system going to flatten you out and deny you your humanity, or are you going to be able to make use of the system to the attainment of human purposes?

I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.
I think the person who takes a job in order to live – that is to say, for the money – has turned himself into a slave.
Your life is the fruit of your own doing. You have no one to blame but yourself.

What each must seek in his life never was on land or sea. It is something out of his own unique potentiality for experience, something that never has been and never could have been experienced by anyone else.
When people get married because they think it’s a long-time love affair, they’ll be divorced very soon, because all love affairs end in disappointment.
Marriage is a recognition of a spiritual identity.

When you make the sacrifice in marriage, you’re sacrificing not to each other but to unity in a relationship.
Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning.

The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are. Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.

Myths are public dreams, dreams are private myths.