Its been a while

Its been a while since I last wrote, and like always so much happened in between. But I'm closer home literally, metaphorically - I moved back to Guwahati, Assam in hopes of doing what I always thought I should. It is not particularly easy - not with everyone doubting, not believing in the intensity of the ideas that nurture in me. But then, I figured out its important - its important to me more than anything else, its important I gave that part of me an opportunity to surface.

Oscars,passion, goals of life....and morning cup of tea

I got up – determined that today will change things. Today will be that moment in my life when I will live for the purpose, and find the purpose. I woke up quite early for that purpose – I dragged myself out of the bed at 5:30 AM in the morning – a habit that I had lost in the recent times.
Its always soothing – the quietness of the morning, the soft light, the fact that I’m one of those who are ahead of the mass today – the fact that I’m ahead and an early starter, terrific feelings. I was almost about to write a post on the importance of a cup of tea early morning – but then other things came – certain realizations and certain facts. Yeah – but an early morning cup of tea has its wonder effects – true to the campaign of one tea brand – it just wakes you up to your surroundings. I guess the Oscar awards playing live on Star Movies had a catalyst to play – somehow all these incredible people and the magnitude of their achievements, people who embody passion in what they do made me realize one thing – you can’t do anything without passion. There is no point living life without passion, without embodying passion.
These are the facts for the day –
• I realized there is no point staying separate from your family – no matter what is the price. No amount of money can ever take being with my sister – the fact that I could wake her up in the morning, pep her up for the day – these are wonders by themselves
• Second realization – hard work is a must for any success. To achieve any amount of success worth the mass – so much more goes into it
• More than working hard to be a success in the mass, if what you’re doing is your passion – its the addiction of perfecting it – of pushing the bar
• My father got transferred to Sonitpur when he was thinking of getting transferred to Guwahati – to home. I understand his pain – but he will not tell me.
• I understand now , more than ever, of controlling your life and not letting a job, others control it
• Did someone not say the other day – “If you don’t write your the story of your life, someone will write it”
• Ofcourse I ask myself – will I be able to pull it? But I also know now is not the time to doubt – now is the time to believe in myself, and go for it
• I ask for strength – God give me some
• And yes – like the show I’m watching now – I want to excel at a world level, to achieve something at that level
Faith I have. Believing is having. I will have a wonderful life.

MIT...

Well, not the one in the Cambridge campus by the Charles river in Boston...but the one in my life..."Most Important Task". I've been reading about how to make effective use of time that I've in general ...each hour, each day...etc. I started by getting up early. Its working. There's nothing like getting up early and beating Mr.Sun on his own game. I see him rise up the horizon while I sip my morning cuppa. So long, Mr. Sun ..dream on!

Anyway, now that getting up early is not my battle any longer - deciding what to do with my time is the next question. I view these extra hours that I've in the morning as my perfect world - I don't have to deal with interruptions, or be involved in engagements on trivial matters, or be expected to act in a particular way because the majority thinks a certain a way. Well - there I digressed again.Brought the job into my life, into my blog post. The frustration is so much - more so about me because I'm not doing anything about it. I'm tired of acting as someone else in my day job - well, because I don't want to waste time resolving conflicts, having nonsensical arguments. I can be my argumentative Indian self elsewhere - not the job. It just is not required - or I get into these conversation which yield nothing. Even the brightest idea ( I was talking to someone the other day how effectively social media could be used) does not ring a bell. What's the use?

Anyway - back to MIT.

So, everyday I tell myself - what's the most important task of the day for me today? The process of thinking through it helps me shape up my day. Not always I can identify what's the MIT - those are bad days for me. At the end of those days, I feel indifferent. That's the worst thing - indifference. It should be one extreme:) But yeah - thinking of MIT helps.

What's the MIT for today? Start thinking!!

Life's bucket list

Its very important to have one - or who knows you might end up living a life that means nothing to you. I wanted to make mine today - pretty much because I thought I needed focus in life. For once, I wanted to assume there's no limitation in the world - you know truly "impossible is nothing" types, and dream on... what can possibly motivate me each day, everyday to go that extra mile - to make use of my life? It's not an easy discussion - and every time I start this exercise I end up in bed with a headache that dispirin can't cure.

But I'm proud of myself that I attempted very hard!

There again I started the day with today's editions of MINT, Economic Times, Times of India ( this one is losing respect soon for the level of journalism) and, BBC and CNN.What would I do without news channels? R actually suggested that I take consider studying Public Policy and who knows serve Indian Government by being Rahm Emanuel if not Barack Obama. Not a bad thought! But I wonder if Indian politicians would ever need qualified public policy advisers. Anyway.

On another note, it was encouraging to see so many Indians in Obama's transition team - Preeta Bansal, Sonal Shah... I heard a few more names that I can't recollect now. When will India feel the need of them?

Here's what another respected channel reports - Boby Jindal might as well be the Republican presidential nominee.... wow! not bad!

But anyway, I was supposed to write about my bucket list. But somehow all the preceding discussions have a connection - very much related to my bucket list. Here's an attempt:

- A healthy, fit me and promote the same to Maa, Deta, Moo and R ( the last one is almost impossible, he can't give up junk!)
- A completely aware me. I must be as updated as CNN, BBC, Newsweek, WSJ,Vogue(!!),HBR, McKinsey Quarterly. Spread the same to Maa, Deta, Moo. (R is already ahead in the game)
- Find/help sis find her life partner - her best friend (after me!), my younger brother that I never had
- Write. In local dailies of Assam so that I can share what I read/learnt
- Write a book(s) ( I already have many story outlines chalked out. I need to start expanding them)
- Form a organisation which employs the best talent, intellectual capital and creates employment
- Travel a lot. See the world with sis and R. Show the world to Maa, Deta.
- Adopt 2 dogs of each breed!
- Have a big bungalow with a BIG garden where all the homeless dogs of the area can find love, food and shelter
- Find a solution to the stray animals problem
- Preserve Assam's culture. Bring in progress to the land
- Research on terrorists. Explore if written words can ever solve violence.
- Be a smart, intelligent mom - the one my daughter/son love and admire
- Once in my life, attend Harvard Business School. If I can't be a student, I will see if I can do my PHD there, or who knows teach there someday
- Love and security of my family - the most important thing in the world. At the same time what matters is linking them to the progressive world, to the greatness of the world
- Get Maa, Deta interested in world affairs, help them educate themselves. I want them to see today's world.
- Spread home
- Discover myself, and celebrate my uniqueness
- One day become my hero - Barack Obama (Columbia, Harvard Law School, President of USA, a loving father, pet lover, intellectually inclined, motivator, author, loyal spouse, leader, problem solver, strength of character - a great idol!)
- Above all - have hope, give hope. Inspire. Motivate!

Evolution

I had not shared this to anyone - but yes I got shortlisted for an interview by ISB for the class of 2010. The interview was good, but lets see where do I fit into ISB's scheme of things. I know diversity is a big thing, and only the school can assess how do I bring diversity to the class. I'm hopeful.

In between I've also been working on my business plan - the one around conserving the weaving crafts of the North East, especially the silk weaves. Before the ISB interview, I was working hard on this plan. I had taken a big break in between - various reasons - mostly mental disturbance because of the recent incidents in Assam. But I guess I should be doubly determined now to continue to work on the plan.

I did think in between if going the entrepreneur way makes sense as I need the security of money. Having money is having one less problem in this world.And why spend your time worrying/struggling for money when life is short and there are better things to put your life to use. I so much need the money to give my family what I want to give - and sometimes even for the mere sense of security.

I will work hard. Have dreams. And follow them.

And above all - I will remain positive about the state of things. There is peace round the corner.

All roads lead to Rome

Eventually I guess all objectives and purposes of human life revolve around to make it a better life – a better planet, a better economy, a better set of beliefs – everything revolves around improvement, becoming better – at different levels though.
What else can drive all actions? Its only pursuit of this excellence, of this want to be better, to live better, to do better, to love better, to look better, to feel better – decides our actions, our goals.
We choose our goals and activities at different levels but we all aim to be better in some chosen field of endeavour.
And I also chose – a better planet. Easily said. But the task of breaking it down to doable tasks is bigger than the task itself!
That’s what I’m debating now – what should I choose to maximise the resources of one life? I’m doing what I can do - transactional activities – taking care of pets, taking care of my family, teaching the 14 year old boy to read & write and dream of a life – and I think I’m doing a good job.
But , what’s my big picture? Venture capitalists in an emerging market, research in economy geared towards removing disparity amongst the people in the world, leadership for an equal world – a better world… what is my calling, how can I make use of my life to make things better, and with maximum impacts?
I’m doing it all to better myself to her – one that will come after me; I want her to be proud of me. I’m sure this is the desire in every human being – and every human being makes attempt in becoming a better parent, but somewhere the bigger picture is lost, and mistakes committed.
Hence, I’m taking my time to see the bigger picture. Some argue I’m taking too long. But it takes time to bake a cake. Isn’t it?