Single Tasking or Multi Tasking?

When I was in college, and preparing for my interviews, one question that needed to get prepared for was ‘Are you multi tasking ?’ I always thought of the answer in affirmative. The memory of working on my laptop, doing digital designs, with a text book open wide besides the machine, and a friend in the room to talk to, surely convinced me.

But now, here at the job I have begun to realise the fallacy of my proposition.In college, things were not as serious as here.I could take a chance of being casual with my report writing, hoping one of my group memebers in the subject will correct any error. However, here the accountability lies solely upon me for my reports. I have to be careful and vigilant. Any discrepancy will attract hostile reponses during the meetings. While at college, mistakes could only lead to loss of some marks( which we never bothered about) here, mistakes mean not just being looked upon as lousy, but also unreliable and untrustworthy. Stakes are high.

In this context it becomes utterly necessary to be focussed on the task at hand, and complete it with undivided attention.

“Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.” – Alexander Graham Bell

A task completed with such mindset induces confidence and conviction during the presentation, and hence I arrived at the conclusion that I will be a ‘single tasking’ person.Though it doesn’t sound quite adventurous, yet, I am endorsing this thinking with a firm resolve. I realised that single tasking also helps maintain a peace of mind.Doing too many things at the same time may sound like they all will get finished soon, but it burns up the mental energy too fast and in the end, nothing is accomplished properly.(while the mind continues to be in agitation)

I have extended this thought to my day to day life too. Single tasking, in all my endeavors. While reading, no music. While music, no walking on streets. While talking on phone, no writing my reports, and while surfing internet, no more than 2 tabs at a time! I want the peace to reign my time! Single Tasking is the norm from hence.

(PS.- Today I got the notification of having completed 1 year on WordPress.The message made me smile.I used to write on blogspot initially.I tried to recall how I had decided to start on WordPress.I can’t recall.I think I had started just like that.It was a great decision, though. It changed my life. I found a great community here.I feel immensely contented and happy to be a part of this world. )

Reading Off to Sleep

I remember reading sometimes back, on Jacquline’s blog, a post in which she stated about ‘reading off to sleep’. The idea, in the very first instant had impressed upon me a distant reminiscence. In young days, I used to have Champak, a children’s magazine, under my pillow, which was meant to be the bedtime book.I would get to the bed a bit early, so as to have sufficient time to finish a story.

The story would generally have animals as the character. There would be a deer who lost his way in a storm and went to the wise owl to get suggestion as to how to get back to his home. There would be a rabbit, having his hut in the forest, living a simple life and a jackal would try to cheat him and acquire his land, but an elderly cow would assist the rabbit and teach the jackal a lesson.

Sometimes later my sister would gift me a story book, having short stories with morals attached to them. One story would teach me not to trust anyone quickly, the other would suggest me that happiness lies in small things and we should appreciate them.Every night would be a new lesson to learn.

Sometimes, I would sleep off before finishing the story, then try to recall how much I had read while walking to the school,the next morning. The story will be resumed at night again amidst the hum of mosquitoes, flying on the other side of the mosquito net.

There was a small shop in my town, the only shop which sold books for general reading.The old uncle who ran that shop had recognized me and would always show me books he brought from the city especially for me. He used to go to the nearby city to buy his stock of new books and magazines every Wednesday and Saturday. There would be new books on display in his small decrepit store, on Thursdays and Sundays. I began my reading journey from the books and magazines bought from his shop.

These days I am trying to get back to that old habit again. A lot of time has passed and I haven’t had a proper reading schedule as such. I keep reading at random hours and there is no fixed routine of reading while in bed at night.I have decided upon some books which will be exclusively reserved for bedtime reading. I think it will be a nice change and help me find an old connection with the bygone days.

(Image not owned by me. Image Source: thomaskinkade )

 

Father’s Day!

He taught me to be organized.

He taught me to be humble and patient.

He taught me that respect is commanded, not demanded.

He inspired me to live a spiritually inclined life.

He inspired me to develop my interest in art and creativity.

He inspired me to be self-dependent.

He helped me learn to write in the cursive handwriting.(He himself is very good at it)

He helped me get to the institution I wished to study.

He accompanied me to every new location I had to go for my education.

He accompanied me in every town fairs and bought me the toys which got me transfixed (the stubbornness to not leave the shop unless ‘I get that!’.He would still handle that patiently.)

I am thankful to my dad! He has been a great teacher, an inspiration, and an exemplary leader.Since childhood, I have seen him as a hard working man. My mom would often make us recall of our dad’s hard work and tell us to never forget that all the education and comfort we are getting in life is because of him.

My dad doesn’t talk much. He himself is an avid reader and he reads books on spirituality psychology, and medicine(Homeopathy, to be precise.A subject which he likes studying and he also started practicing it after qualifying a necessary exam )

He likes gardening and spends most of his free time attending to the plants. He is a versatile personality and tries to do most of the works by himself. He can fix taps, the old air cooler (which we had thought to be dead), his scooter(which is as old as I can remember), can cook (and also directed me to learn some culinary skills) and once or twice he gave me and some of my siblings a ‘haircut’ at home!(a fact many of my friends disbelieved that time!) In my young age, I would wonder ‘Will I ever be able to learn so many skills like him when I grow up?’ Now coming of age, I still think I haven’t acquired the level of expertise he displayed in all these domains.These days he guides me about my job and managing my finances.

 

Flowers in our garden

 

He taught me to think freely and never forced any ideology on us.Each of us siblings lived life the way we wanted. Yet he has always been there to support in any circumstance a help was needed, even before we asked for it.I owe him whatever I am today.He, with my mom, made wonderful parents.I hope he continues to stay versatile, inspiring happy and healthy!

Weekend Exploration: Libraries

I had a day full of travelling today. As I have come to a new city and have gradually found myself settling down with the new job and new shelter, today I felt I am ready to start for the next milestone- find a library here, for my weekend hangouts.

Thanks to my brand new smartphone, the first smartphone for me, I bought for myself last week (My elder brother helped me get the best one within my budget), which helped me use Google maps and go around wandering in the city.

I found three of them .The largest one was called ‘The City Central Library’. I decided to visit that one first.But upon reaching there I found it’s closed for restoration and will open in the first week of July. It was a disappointing start!

The second one was difficult to locate, as the Google navigation was showing me I had reached ‘The British Library’, although there was no such building anywhere around. I had to walk in random directions to figure out where it was located. This one was a good library! I walked across all the bookshelves and then gathered at the helpdesk about the membership rules.Finding it affordable I signed up immediately and got an Icard too.

I thought whether to explore the third library or not.But since I had time and I had already got the taste of exploration with my new device, I decided to go for it. The third one required me to walk considerably after getting down at the nearest bus stop. This library was called the ‘Mythical Society’. With such a fascinating name, it was alluring me a lot. When I reached there I found a colossal church-like structure. All the entrances were closed and some construction work was going on at the gate. There was no security guard or any associated personnel to whom I could inquire. Lastly, I checked for their number on their website (through my new smartphone, yes! )  and made a call. The person was kind enough to send me a guy who helped me get to the library.It was located on the backside of the building.

There I found lots of book on History, Science, Arts and Social Science.The librarian told me there was no fee to use the library services, though one could not borrow books. ‘You can come and read here’ he said. That was fine. Their collection of books was impressive. I was mostly attracted towards the Science section where I found some classical editions of famous Astronomy books. It was delightful and I spent quite a long time there.

I am glad I have found these places. All I want to do on a weekend is to travel, read and  write. With such fine libraries now discovered, I am sure to have a good time during weekends, doing the three things I love to do!

Thank you for reading .I hope you all are also having a good time and doing the thing you wish to do during the awaited weekends! 🙂

PS: Although I have got a smartphone now, I am still not very active in taking photographs.(Since last 5 years I had the basic Nokia phone.I admired it for the simple life it gave me and I used to rely on my laptop for all the other works) I hope I will form that habit soon. It’s only now when I am writing it here, I realize I should have taken pics. 🙂

(Image not owned by me.Source: moroepl)

An Ode To The Innocent Ones.

One adjective unmistakenly associated with flowers is ‘Beauty’.These adorable creations convey the message of happiness, joy and love-we often mention that.But one more important essence associated with these flowers is ‘innocence’, which is seldom pointed out. Miss Sissinghurst sublimely relates her experience to this profound thought in this Ode.I am pleased to reblog it here. It is a beautiful read!

BRIANNE TURCZYNSKI

Strange were those summers; summers filled with war.
I think the flowers were the lovelier
For danger.  Then we lived the pundonor,
Moment of truth and honour, when the bull Charges and danger is extreme…

…Strange little tragedies would strike the land…

…when wrath and strength were spent
Wasted upon the innocent…

-Vita Sackville-West
The Garden; 1948

Clover is indeed an innocent plant.  Innocent as the children who gather it, innocent as the ones only looking for that lucky mutation; the four leaf, which will grant security in all its forms, and equally as innocent as the ones only seeking love and friendship.

One afternoon, on my walk, I came across a field of clover in the park.  Its cream colored patches smiled and blotted the green with different shapes and patterns reminiscent of the gardens at Versailles.  This beauty struck me, perhaps more so, because I found my neighbor sitting in the middle of one, while her daughter pranced about making a bouquet of the little…

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Verb or Noun?

Such a beautiful thought! So nicely conveyed!

Mitch Teemley

Some things can be both a verb and a noun (fish, call, ride). But I only know of one thing that must be a verb before it can be a noun: Love.

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Things Fall Apart

Is transformation good?

Have you experienced a transformation?

Have you been forced to endorse a transformation?

Did it make you feel better or made you regret?

****

What is a transformation? A Change; and every change has a cost attached to it. When an individual is faced with a situation which demands him/her to change, the first question is “Is it worth it?” “What is the cost attached to it?”

The fact is we are reluctant to change. The thought of a change makes us get afraid. We get attached to our conventional ways, beliefs, and practices. They become a part of our identity and foregoing those means sacrificing a part of ourselves, which is painful.

Recently I finished reading a book called “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe. It is a powerful story of a tribesman called Okonkwo. Okonkwo is a self-made man, living his tribe’s principles with deep conviction. His every activity abides by the customs and traditions of the clan. He follows each of the rituals with sincerity- from the simple act of breaking nuts and offering it to the guests who visits his hut, to the harsh obligation of performing a killing as ordained by an ancient custom. He has grown up to be an exemplary character in his community- a powerful fighter, and an able family man with three wives and five children, feeding them all with his farm produce and creating proper shelters for them to live at ease, together. It is a commendable achievement for a man whose childhood was lived in obscurity, where, an irresponsible father had wasted all money and put the family in great debts.

Okonkwo respects his culture, stands strongly for it and makes sure his children learn it and carry forward the teachings of his forefathers. But, “Things start falling apart”

A situation arises which is unthinkable! Okonkwo is faced with a scenario which is challenging his faith. A man of steel, with a concrete belief in his ancestors, has come to a time when he is witnessing an unforeseen change. The circumstance demands that either he changes himself or loses everything.

When I finished reading this tale, I was tongue-tied. I was talking about the story with everyone while I was reading it, but when I finished it, I was speechless. The thought this book wants to drive its readers to is quite profound. I felt tiny, unable to comment on the conclusion. The effect was such that I did not read a book for the next 2-3 days because I just wanted the feeling to stay undiluted for some time.

Chinua Achebe is a fine writer. He writes straightforward. He doesn’t write any redundant sentence. Perhaps he even avoids describing events of happiness and dread with much explanation, leaving it to the imagination of readers to comprehend the degree of the joy or horror of it.

I am thankful to Ebby, who had recommended me this book.

I wrote this in response to Wordepress’  Daily Prompt Transformation.

Recycled Book Reading Challenge: Three Men In a Boat

There are three young men and their dog-Montmorency.They are all idling, smoking tobacco, except the dog, of course, and discussing how bad they are- “bad” from a medical point of view.So they decide to go on a long boating trip to heal themselves.That’s the plot of this classic novel, broadly.

Jerome K Jerome, the author of this tale, referred to as “J” in the story, is quite an amusing narrator.In the opening chapter of the book,he tells about discovering in a medical journal, a liver ailment, whose one of the symptoms is, ‘a general disinclination to work of any kind’. He gets convinced he has this disease- since childhood.And he gets aggrieved to recall his old times when everyone thrashed him for being lazy while not realizing it was because of the liver!

From my earliest infancy I have been a martyr to it. As a boy, the disease hardly ever left me for a day. They did not know, then, that it was my liver. Medical science was in a far less advanced state than now, and they used to put it down to laziness

Similarly, each of them discovers having some or the other obscure ailments and then come up with the notion of going on a weekend boating trip up the river Thames, to ‘restore their mental equilibrium’.

What we want is rest, said Harris.
Rest and a complete change, said George. The overstrain upon our brains has produced a general depression throughout the system. Change of scene, and absence of the necessity for thought, will restore the mental equilibrium.

Their trip starts from Kingston and continues till Oxford- from where they take a return course.The story was intended to be a travel narrative and J tells elaborately about the places they pass through, as they row their boats.

However, the more interesting aspect is the comic narrative of events. J describes the humor in their planning and preparation of the trip and subsequently how they face the hard and good times later in the journey.Additionally, Jerome shares some charming philosophical thoughts describing the life and the beauty of nature.

We are creatures of the sun, we men and women. We love light and life. That is why we crowd into the towns and cities, and the country grows more and more deserted every year. In the sunlight in the daytime, when Nature is alive and busy all around us, we like the open hill-sides and the deep woods well enough: but in the night, when our Mother Earth has gone to sleep, and left us waking, oh! the world seems so lonesome, and we get frightened, like children in a silent house. Then we sit and sob, and long for the gas-lit streets, and the sound of human voices, and the answering throb of human life. We feel so helpless and so little in the great stillness, when the dark trees rustle in the night-wind. There are so many ghosts about, and their silent sighs make us feel so sad. Let us gather together in the great cities, and light huge bonfires of a million gas-jets, and shout and sing together, and feel brave.

But his mind keeps rambling as he narrates.You must have a friend who is talkative and tells stories starting with-“You know once what happened..” And then gets everyone around him involved in his funny narrative. J is a similar kind of person.By the time you would have finished the book you would have read many amusing incidents which  J recollects from the past.

This book is delightful! A book to be savored!An absolute Classic! The book will keep you smiling all the time.I wanted to read the book since a long time because I had already read parts of the book in following ways-

1.An excerpt from this book was titled as  “Packing for a Picnic” and was included as a chapter in our English Course Book during Middle School.It was an amusing narrative of how packing made J scared because he always forgot to pack his toothbrush.

2.I found another excerpt included in  “The Greatest Literary works of All Time”, a book I had purchased some time ago.This particular excerpt was about J’s uncle Podger, who always boasted that he could do a task without anyone’s help but instead would make the whole house go mad because he will keep messing up the things.

So, I had a fairly nice impression of the book and wanted to read the full of it! Thankfully I read it the last month and was glad to have added it to my “Finished Reading” list.I am grateful to Mliae for hosting this lovely challenge which has ensured that I will be finishing at least one book every month.
If you want to be a part of it, do visit her blog and get acquainted with the challenge.

Thank You God For . . .

Everything we have is endowed to us-We are not the benefactors, we are the beneficiaries. We are not the creators- but endowed with the powers to create.The least we can do is to show gratitude and be grateful for everything that we have been given. I was really touched to read this post by Deb! It is full of so much of thankfullness! It feels liberating!

Back to Blogosphere!

Hello everyone! I really missed WordPress a lot! I have moved to a new city and had last one month devoted to finding a new home, buying stuffs of livelihood, and settling down. I had no internet connection all this while.And it is today I got access request approved to surf the internet on my office computer.I was happy to see wordpress is not blocked here.Though Facebook, Twitter and most of the other social media sites are blocked for everyone except one person, who handles the social media marketing.

Corporate life is going on well.Our Marketing Department is full of lively people and it is always merry around here. We are working on many marketing campaigns for our company.It feels great out here.

I really missed all the bloggers and their nice works.I am sorry for replying late to all the comments I had received.I will get an internet connection at my new flat as well, probably by Saturday.I am excited to see what new collections all the bloggers have added to their libraries! And I have to write the review for a book for the recycled book reading challenge.I will be late.I had to post it yesterday, but the issue of internet has caused the delay.I will post it by Sunday.

This is just a quick update! I hope to come roaming around your blogs soon! Hope you all are doing well! I really missed you all! Thank you so much! I am feeling happy to return back to this space.:)