My Left Foot

I came across the name in a newspaper and it kinda had my attention. I was wondering why the name is so – until I watched the movie.
The movie is about Christy Brown, a person born with cerebral palsy, and having no body part but his LEFT FOOT under control – that’s why it has this name!

Thank God the movie doesn’t start with any melodrama but in the library of a building where Christy has been brought to be presented with an award.
The movie reveals how Christy, in spite of his disability, was not kept in shut doors; but was made to be in the world playing outdoor games and doing all sorts of mischievous tasks along with his friends. We also get to watch the wrath of Christy at various occasions.

My left foot doesn’t display too many of mournful scenes. Rather, you can have moments of laughter while being encouraged by every accomplishment the protagonist makes. It’s inspiring to learn that though Christy made a late start, and only with one foot, he successfully turns himself into a writer and painter. He wanted to make something of himself, which he actually does.

Further, Christy never wants anyone to feel sorry for him. It always turned me emotional watching Christy show his emotions, be it through his words, paintings or through his actions.

Through this movie, we also get to know that Christy Brown was not all good. He was a drunkard and smoker. He even gets attached to a nurse coming to do speech therapy. But later he gets to know about her engagement and this again made Christy very angry. But, it ends good with Christy getting the love of life – something he too had been craving for as we all do.

Truly speaking, it was a brilliant job done by the two actors – acting for Christy as a child and as an adult.

Now, for good or bad, My Left Foot is definitely a complete movie revealing every aspect of Christy Brown’s life while inspiring us through the same.

Have you watched the flick? If not, are you planning to?

Judging about other’s future!

Paulo Coelho did it; Anthony Robbins did it; Henry Ford, Bill Gates Abraham Lincoln and the list goes on with the names of all the individuals who shaped their destiny and attained what they wanted to. They came up from the worst life situations, making themselves examples for the world to learn from.

Would I or you have ever believed, seeing them in their bad days, they would ever do something of the kind they actually did? Dilapidated, as they always were in their yester-years; I, personally would have never thought they would turn themselves into what they have now become.
Knowing about these people has definitely helped me a lot to stop being judgemental about individuals and form opinions. And now, whenever I see anyone doing this, I consider it ‘so stupid’. You never know what moment could become the turning point of a person’s life.
Let’s give them time.

Might be, a beggar today, transforms himself or herself into a millionaire tomorrow. Might be, a stupid fellow transforms into an individual of supreme intelligence. It’s only a matter of time – of the moment they realize what they have to become or do – just an incident or a word – that clicks.

How do you think about others? Do you form opinions?

Joy of reaching my goal – 50 blog posts!!!

Though late, I did it! Had been planning for long…. Wanted to accomplish in October …..then in November!! But couldn’t attain it during those times for some reason or other. Reasons are always there! Ufff!!! Tired of them! U can know them here.

Recalling the moment when I had set the goal, it appeared so massive at that moment. Well, first of all I should accept I was so afraid even to set a goal – to fail! But then, at last, I gathered all my courage and dared to set up the goal. I feel we all have this fear and it requires good amount of strength to beat this fear.

Finally, in December, at the end of the year, I did it!!! I could reach this goal only because I had one. Else, I can’t guess, for how many days I would have procrastinated. Sometimes taking pain is worth.

And I tell you, this feeling – of reaching a goal – is really great. Amazing!! Can’t be described in words!!! I plan to now savour the moment thinking that this will always help me to take pain when I again head on towards a goal and feel like giving up.

Procrastinating procrastination!!

Damnit!!! My procrastination habit has once again put me into a fix – after waiting for so long, I didn’t fill up the form. And the last date is gone!!!

This is the worst result I could ever imagine. Also, I’ve not yet reached 50 blog posts – a deadline I had to reach by 30th November.

It leaves me ashamed of myself…. DEMOTIVATED…..HUHH!!!

So I decided to know more about this thing. (What an idea!) And I’m amazed as well as happy to know that I’m not alone. According to Psychology Today, almost 20% people find themselves under the category of chronic procrastinators – they are affected by this habit in every sphere of life.(Thank God, I’m a bit better than them!)

You’ll get around it. You’ll start the very next hour… or the next minute itself. You’ll learn how to play an instrument, or a foreign language. You have also decided to start writing an article…. for your blog.

But before you start, maybe you can check the Facebook account. Or maybe your mailbox. It’ll only take a few moments. Worse though, probably you could check out the web for some more information as maybe, your knowledge won’t suffice for the article. Is that all? Probably!

Or, numerous other reasons I’ve left!!! We all make new resolutions every year to put an end to this habit. We all know we could be far more productive. We know there’s a way out. We also know it takes just a bit of effort and nothing will remain the mess they are. Life will get aligned and far easier to deal with. But who cares?

Until such things happen – missing out the date or the appointment – that could have changed your future – that you always wanted to take up.

And then, we realize!!! But it’s late! It’s better late than never. I feel the proverb has been brought about for us only – at least the realization has come.

And I was excited to learn that it’s not a congenital disease (something I felt earlier) and is learnt over time. Now when procrastination is learnt, it can also be unlearned. Is it so?

That’s true!!! I, and everybody can erase this habit from their life to live a far more productive life.

Procrastination is a problem of self-regulation and self-control. Still, many of us give more emphasis to our comfort than to the realization. Anyways, New Year’s approaching and I’ve decided!

So, first why? Why do I procrastinate?

There are various reasons, a few of which could be:

Fear of failure: As far my writing is concerned, I procrastinate because I feel what I’m planning to write about isn’t going to work well. Or when I fear it as a stupid topic to go for. In short, because I fear failure. This could be applicable in other times as well.

Problem of perfectionists: These perfectionists expect too much of themselves and have a fear whether or whether not they will reach the heights they’ve set out for themselves. Probably, I’m one among them.

Moreover, excuses like “I’m not in a mood to” or “lt’s not the right time” are the best friends of procrastinators. Unfortunately, once they don’t have the right mood, they never get it right.

Few strategies to overcome procrastination:

There are a few things procrastinators must do if they are willing to get procrastinate this habit:

Understand the importance of NOW. We have to understand what we can do now – immediately! What action can I take now that will move me closer to my goal? Do something. Maybe anything! And this can break your pattern of procrastination.  Once on with the first step, it’s always easy to keep moving – you remember Newton’s law of motion?

Deal with small rocks, the Everest will be dealt on its own. Breaking a huge task into small bits helps very much. If I look at the Mount Everest, it might put me off. But focusing on small sections of mountains, it seems possible. I’ve experienced this strategy proves fruitful at taking care of any overwhelming situation. And here too, it’ll work!

Act! And finally, the action part. Most of us know what we’ve to do. Life’s not in knowing what to do. Rather in doing what we know. So we’ve to start acting.

There are big costs to procrastination. You know them better!!!

Health is one. Procrastinating people have been found to have evidences of bad immune systems. Insomnia is also a common health defect in procrastinators.

Moreover, this tendency is an enemy of relationships. It shifts the burden of responsibilities on others around you, making things bitter.

But it can always get better as you go out to try overcoming procrastination.

What do you think? Are you a procrastinator? Has the habit ever caused any harm to you? Do you plan to change?

It couldn’t be done!

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it”;
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.

— by Edgar Guest.

Just came across this poem over the net, and felt it to be a very nice & inspiring. What do you think?

And now it’s all repentance to do!!

Why I couldn’t see u,
When all these times I was waiting for you;

You crossed me a million times,
I crossed u a million times,

Still I couldn’t see you,
Or maybe I didn’t recognize you.

Now it’s all repentance to do
O damn!!! Why I couldn’t see you?

It’s an expression of sadness when, knowingly or unknowingly, an important task that you had always waited for, slips of your hand.

Do u believe in these words?

My tussle with TRENDS!!!:-/ :-o

Modern clothes! Trendy wears!! Is there nothing else in this world???

HUHHH!!!

Today morning, I was again kicked for the same thing – not wearing proper dress!!! So nice, cool morning – it was and sadly, I couldn’t enjoy it for long.

Yes, I frequently get to hear those kind of words – “What are you wearing?”,”Is it proper to wear this?”,”Don’t you have something better?”…something else?” And a lot more.

So, I feel I have a problem! I don’t know why but I can’t understand much about these wearing items. I just am unable to know what is good to wear and what is not. Also I need garments that are quick to get in, which is not according to the trend these days – I think. I just pick out whatever seems ‘economical’ and ‘very comfortable’.

With such choice I keep wearing garments they say are – NOT GOOD….. OBSOLETE……. IMPROPER….. can’t remember what more. At times I even get high after listening to these words. But then I bring myself down telling – might be they are right!!!

However, it continues hammering in my mind. “Why should I wear something somebody else has worn to show that it’s trendy?” it might fit his body, his style, his thinking, his everything but not mine. Should I still prefer the same thing?

At times, I win the war with my thoughts and go for the comfortable one. Nevertheless, on other occasions, I have to give up and wear according to the TERENNND!!!

How do you dress up? Have you ever faced similar fuss? Over wearing clothes???

Traits of a leader – Do you have them in you?

“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” — Marcus Aurelius

Leaders amaze me. They amaze you too. In fact, they amaze all of us with their internal strength and the manner in which they withstand all surrounding pressure while still continuing to stay with their people. They have some kind of charismatic influence that inspires everyone with them to keep working. They strive to work against the tide and then to make it flow in their own direction.

Also, it is important to know that there are different types of leaders like the transformational leaders, the visionaries, the administrators, etc. and each demands a different personality traits. This makes it almost impossible to enlist all the traits of a leader. However, there are a few basic character elements demanded by all types, which are put down here:

Proactivity: It means tending to initiate change rather than reacting to events. This always has to be the first quality which makes the person a leader. Even Stephen Covey, the world-renowned trainer and writer, puts it as the first habit towards self-mastery. And when you can’t master your own self, how do you think of leading somebody else. Leaders must take full responsibility, first of their own selves and then of the group they lead. They must stop blaming their fate, or anybody else for any unwanted result.

Strong character: Leaders are men of strong character. A person’s observable behavior indicates his or her character. Though we can’t be sure when our character develops, we can definitely claim it doesn’t change easily. And leaders still don’t allow change if they know it’s right and for the betterment of their group.

Mind you, strong character could be good or bad, right or wrong. Gangs and terrorist groups too have leaders, though we find their beliefs detrimental for our society. As Woodrow Wilson says, “Absolute identity with one’s cause is the first and great condition of successful leadership.” And this stands no matter what the cause may be.

Courage: Whenever any tough situation arises, it is the battle on the inside that leaders have to fight. It is a battle with personal fears and insecurities that frightens anyone at the start. Only then do we have to face the fears of the outside world. And that takes courage. And this courage must be shown by a leader or the person can never be a leader.

Integrity: “Walk your talk” – that’s what integrity is all about. And this is what helps them display the confidence they have. All great leaders from Hitler to Mahatma Gandhi had a firm belief in their words, and they did what they believed in. Only then were they able to drive the whole country with them. They have an unbelievable ability to put words into action.

Self-motivated:  A true leader can’t let himself cover his face and get bogged down when things don’t turn their way. Yes, it’s normal for things to go against plan and then to be a little bit carried away. But they can’t wait for somebody to come, hold their hands and uplift their spirits. Rather they should be so self-motivated that they can uplift someone else’s hand.

Yes, it’s a leader’s job! You are the one who must remain self-motivated all the time so that you can also put your team into high spirits.

Risk taking: Whenever we are trying a new plan, we are taking risk. We are not sure it’ll work or not. But we’ve to do it. Growth comes from that only. Most people avoid risks but not leaders. They have the ability to calculate the risk benefits and then to make decisions with confidence. Only then can the team expect to get into a better tomorrow. Something it didn’t have today!

“There is no such thing as a perfect leader, either in the past or present, in China or elsewhere. If there is one, he is only pretending, like a pig inverting spring onions into his nose in an effort to look like an elephant.” —Liu Shao-Chi —which means we must consistently strive to improve ourselves. And he is the actual leader who knows that he is not perfect. And can never be! Still, he/she ceaselessly tries to remove the imperfection

This article has been written with my own understanding of the most significant characters of a leader. It has also been pub. in my institute’s blog.

A practice speech in Hindi!

Hoping to improve.

It was an ok speech I think; what do you say? The video has been edited – horizontal to vertical – which makes it a bit awkward. Sorry for that!