An earthquake in the Pacific moved Japan's coastline by 8 feet and changed the earth's axis. The force of nature terrorized the people of Japan and shook their deep-rooted belief that they were well prepared for such disasters. The rubble is still clearing and if that's not enough, nuclear plants are now threatening to cause irreparable damage to the environment.
While the Pacific is boiling, the Atlantic is no cooler. Heartaches persist. Relentless toil amounts to nothing, leaving at the end of the day, only the feeling that something is still missing. Nothing really suggests that life is falling apart but surely life is not whole. It's like I have everything and I have nothing. I like the silence. At least, it says something.
Technology helps. Chat and email have helped people stay connected to their friends and family in the far east to ensure their well-being. But look at the irony. Youtube and Facebook enjoyed record viewership, participation and perhaps advertising revenue as people the world exchanged pictures and videos of the misery. Don't forget the smartphones, ipads and other mobile devices!
And yet, nothing helps. Sleep only delays the inevitable. It only hastens the deadlines on the multi-various project plans I have to coordinate in India time, deliver on UK time and follow up on US Eastern Standard time. The fun is fun while it lasts but the magic wears out faster than I know it. Then what? The mind soon follows the laws of physics and gravitates to what's missing.
Even as Japan is struggling to restore, afteshocks have appeared. Though not enough to disrupt the recovery activities or damage life further, they have been enough to provide hungry news channels with more reels of footage and attention. The Nikkei plummeted even as the Richter hit the high. Business and life have come to a stall, not much is really moving in the world's most industrious nation.
Everyday I think I have accomplished something, I only receive some feedback that suggests I need to do more. I wind up at 10 PM thinking I have addressed everything I need to for the day only to have a rude awakening at 5 AM about something that is due at 8. I'm spinning the wheels at a frenetic pace but not moving forward. The impasse is only good. It makes life seem so certain.
Don't stop watching the news yet. Japan will come back, soon and strong. Do Hiroshima and Nagasaki ring a bell? And they won't even need help from the immensely larger or notionally more powerful nations of the world. They will recover through sheer diligence and ingenuity. Fear will be replaced by faith, horror by hope and human loss by the indomitable human spirit.
It's just a matter of time for me too. When time tests me, I choose to Endure. Ask me why Ernest Shackleton is My Hero! I know I have to go through it because I'm not asking for anything lesser than the MOON. And I'm working hard enough to give myself a reasonable shot at getting it. But most important of all, deep down in my gut I BELIEVE that's the only way it will be. I WILL BE BACK...
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 6, 2011
When the World is Interestingly Poised...
The world is waiting with bated breath on what will become of the Middle-East. The Mobaraks and Gaddafis have ensured that 2011 has kicked off with no shortage of excitement. After England forced India to a tie, Ireland shocked England in the ICC Cricket World Cup in what became the highest run chase ever in the 36 year history of World Cup cricket. England came back strong to rout South Africa in a low scoring tie all within a week. Certainly, the World (Cup) interestingly poised...
"My World" in 2011 has been no less exciting. After being on the road for work across the US, Canada and India since the 3rd of January, I ended the month of February in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, picking up a new skill, namely skiing, and some new friends on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the 40s, making for a perfect family one day outing.
2011 has been a mixed bag so far with work, family and social musings evenly interwoven. It's also had its share of ups and downs with extreme pressure situations, minor victories and even some utterly funny moments. But amidst all these, there has been a singular focus (like my honorable cousin from Albany likes to call it). And as Sunday the 6th of March has rolled by some interesting ideas have taken shape in my mind.
New projects are getting added by the day, new plans are being made and new insights being gained. New lessons are being learnt and a new confidence is emerging. The next few days will be critical as I continue on the path of focused execution while keeping my ears and eyes open. Listening to what those around me are saying is critical and converting the opportunities into happy notes will determine success. And of all the virtues I have grown to develop and represent over the years, patience is going to be prime...
2011 has also been different in a strange sort of way. While I have only grown stronger about what I BELIEVE IN, I have also been asking for a lot more out of LIFE and also getting it. I'm deeply grateful for the lucky breaks but am also increasingly sure that I will get what I deserve, so long as I keep giving it everything I have.
It's 1037 PM on Sunday 6 March 2011 and it's time I went to sleep. There's a lot more to give when I wake up in a few hours from now. Cause it's only 65 days done in 2011, 300 more to accomplish everything that I WANT to do this year. And my only prayer to the ALMIGHTY is, "Let me DO only what I WANT TO DO" now and forever to come...
"My World" in 2011 has been no less exciting. After being on the road for work across the US, Canada and India since the 3rd of January, I ended the month of February in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, picking up a new skill, namely skiing, and some new friends on what turned out to be a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the 40s, making for a perfect family one day outing.
2011 has been a mixed bag so far with work, family and social musings evenly interwoven. It's also had its share of ups and downs with extreme pressure situations, minor victories and even some utterly funny moments. But amidst all these, there has been a singular focus (like my honorable cousin from Albany likes to call it). And as Sunday the 6th of March has rolled by some interesting ideas have taken shape in my mind.
New projects are getting added by the day, new plans are being made and new insights being gained. New lessons are being learnt and a new confidence is emerging. The next few days will be critical as I continue on the path of focused execution while keeping my ears and eyes open. Listening to what those around me are saying is critical and converting the opportunities into happy notes will determine success. And of all the virtues I have grown to develop and represent over the years, patience is going to be prime...
2011 has also been different in a strange sort of way. While I have only grown stronger about what I BELIEVE IN, I have also been asking for a lot more out of LIFE and also getting it. I'm deeply grateful for the lucky breaks but am also increasingly sure that I will get what I deserve, so long as I keep giving it everything I have.
It's 1037 PM on Sunday 6 March 2011 and it's time I went to sleep. There's a lot more to give when I wake up in a few hours from now. Cause it's only 65 days done in 2011, 300 more to accomplish everything that I WANT to do this year. And my only prayer to the ALMIGHTY is, "Let me DO only what I WANT TO DO" now and forever to come...
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