Why History

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I am browsing the site History.com; I ask myself a question. Why am I so fascinated with history? It’s indeed a thought-provoking question. In the most neutral sense, it means nothing but my preference over a gamut of topics we come across in daily life.

If I ask myself honestly at this moment, I can say; I love listening, watching, and telling stories. I love sports and movies. To stretch it a bit further, I love the historical journey of my favourites mentioned above in particular.

This doesn’t mean I do not like the present-day situation. To completely appreciate a particular concern in the present context, I want to know the history behind it.

Philosophically, this is how I look at life in general. ‘How I was’ is an essential connection to ‘How I am’ and a catalyst to ‘How I will be’; because in a short time, ‘How I am’ shall pass and becomes history in due course.

In that sense, history is essential, and it just gives an indication through which one can fathom how the trend has shaped over time.

Paying due respect to the ‘present moment,’ I say, the present choices that shape the future and come to the point of choice are dictated heavily by history.

Hence, in my opinion, history is a crucial element to know and to understand anything in general.

I have resources to learn history, but I feel we can do a lot more with history. History in some way is awareness, not entirely real if considered in the present context. It is a starter, sometimes more than an appetizer to make choices that would shape my future.

In the end, it is neither history nor astrology that define our lives…..

It is ‘Present.’ And the key element that connects ‘Present’ is history. Human life is all about being aware and ignorant at the same time. History helps us be knowledgeable and ignorant, depending on its relevance in our present life.

A whole mirror approach would similarly present the future studies. I choose and all these years chose history for several reasons unknown.

Sometimes in my journey, when I can connect more dots, I can refine and put it better as to why I like history.

I’m No Angel (1933)

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There is a famous saying, “There is no business like show business.”

Mae West illustrates and depicts the role of a free-spirited ‘Tira’ in this 1933 movie, ‘I’m No Angel.’ Back then, she was already an established personality on screen, commanding immense respect among her peers in the industry.

Known for her witty one-liner and double entendres, Mae West stars in this movie in which she provides the story, screenplay, and dialogue.

To get out of a messy situation, Tira, in search of money, agrees to an offer to put her head into a lion’s mouth. The proposal was in New York and was a sell-out attraction. She attracted a lot of rich men.

A harbinger previously predicted her man of the future to be a rich guy with black hair. In search of this, she did socialise with men while explicitly going into the details specified by the fortune teller. Receiving presents through social gatherings from rich men was an everyday norm.

Jack Clayton, played by Cary Grant, tries to untie the infatuation of his friend with Tira. His friend was in a relationship, and to stop further embarrassment, Jack takes up convincing Tira to stop entertaining his friend. Along the way, Jack gets fascinated by Tira’s charm, and in turn, Tira feels she has found her man.

In her show business career, Tira made acquaintance with a lot of men; one such hopeless guy is Slick Wiley. He used to live on Tira’s money and never liked Tira getting close with rich men. When Jack and Tira decide to get married, Slick plays an evil trick on Jack’s claim that Tira was already married. The marriage is cancelled.

To get someone you love, one needs to fight certain circumstances. Tira acts as her attorney in court over a breach of promise suit. She questions the men from her past to prove her innocence. Misunderstanding is cleared, and finally, all hurdles are cleared.
Directed by Wesley Ruggles, this movie united Cary Grant and Mae West for the second and the last time together.

Sing as though no one’s listening

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It is one of those days when you are in full song quite literally as you walk past the mild fog while humming the song that’s on the mind.

I do not intend to think much into why this is happening.

Strangely, I am beginning to like the winter and the coolness associated with it. It’s a pain waking up and accidentally touching one’s feet on the cold marble floor. It feels like walking on ice.

Trust me; in places where there is no provision for centralised heating, it can be quite an experience. But, that’s how it is, and you know, in the end, it’s an experience 🙂

After having a hot shower, I am making my breakfast, the feel of which would last few seconds, before the cool ambient air surrounds my body, and I run towards my wardrobe. I don’t run, but if I am walking on my barefoot, oh man, it is running time.

After a long time post-Delhi summer, it’s been layered clothing from past two to three weeks. It is good to see people experimenting with lots of combinations with their outfits.

In fact, I love watching others during winter. When I am walking, exchanging pleasantries is a nice feeling. When fully equipped in the clothes section, I love winters all the more.

Coming back to the singer in me, it is nice to walk around the streets and sing songs from inside.

Very oblivious to events around me, and all I am bothered is to enrich the experience and feel it completely.

In this regard, I love walking more than running because it is more rhythmic to my moods. I guess I haven’t mastered syncing the run with my spirits when compared with walking.

This is my assessment. Is this the feeling, “My Dil goes Hmmmm”? Well, I am trying to ask too many questions here, and I don’t feel like thinking about it…

This feeling was warmed with the hot mushroom soup which I had a few minutes ago.

A bonfire with a book is something ideal considering the fact; I am all by myself…

Well, things could be much better; but you don’t feel bad… It’s just one of those days when you are in this kind of mood.

One such mode where I am singing loud as though no one’s listening 🙂

Can you feel the song I am singing? Is that so good for you 🙂

The Bishop’s Wife (1947)

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If there is one particular theme I like in movies, it is the theme of Christmas. Films with such a theme instill a sense of belief and give a lot of people some hope. Hope to lead life.

If it wasn’t through life, it was through movies that people found hope, and even today, films are widely considered a medium where people find hope.

After a long gap, Loretta Young (The Bishop’s Wife) shares the screen space with Cary Grant (Dudley). To be precise, their last movie together was Born to be Bad, released in 1934.

David Niven plays a bishop’s role, whose role is mainly limited to the ambiguity between the new cathedral’s funds, family, and principles.

Why is this movie special? Is it because it has Cary Grant playing one of the most refreshing roles of his life?

Cary Grant, in his role as Dudley, plays the character of an angel. An angel who sometimes resembles our inner voice. In this chaotic world, one hardly listens to our inner voice; since it’s an opinion or a thought restricted to ourselves.

But when a feel-good thought comes from others’ suggestions, we usually pick it up and apply them on a higher percentage scale.

In short, people who are optimistic about their lives listen to such suggestions and go about leading their lives catalysed by such thoughts or ideas.

Even if it is for a short time, it is the jump start one needs to refresh and get out of crossroads. Professor, The Bishop’s wife, Mrs. Hamilton, and few others are the ones who had lost hopes in their respective lives, and an angel restored the same.

Dudley says, “Angel can be anyone on the street. Someone you don’t know but can bring in a lot of change in the way we would like to lead our lives.”

The other side of the coin, cynicism, exists as displayed by the Bishop, who refuses to believe in miracles, though being the almighty’s mortal messenger. He was adamant about building the cathedral; he even went to the extent of compromising his principles to raise funds.

His real prayers (raising funds) were finally answered, though not in a way he wanted. But who would question the method of an angel? The Bishop certainly did but didn’t succeed in overpowering the methods.

Dudley, the angel, spends most of his time with Julia, the Bishop’s wife, and their kid Debby, yet manages to answer the Bishop’s prayers. Strange method indeed.

The problem of funds was never looked at, and this movie epitomises true human nature emphasising the importance of winning over someone’s heart to get what we truly want.

Dudley won the heart of Mrs. Hamilton, who finally relented to the angel’s advice and decided to shed her ego. Donating her money, she helps the Bishop build his dream, the cathedral, which would provide shelter to the needy.

Dudley had to leave once the prayers were answered, but it was tough as he was attached to Bishop’s wife, cursed himself for being an angel; as he realised being an immortal, it was impossible to beat a mortal to win over a mortal’s heart.

Directed by Henry Koster, this 1947 movie was nominated in five different categories, including Best Picture, and it did manage to win one for the Best Sound Recording.

Me and my thoughts

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I must say, I had a sort of eventful weekend and it was all by myself. I am not sure how it feels for many people, but from what I have seen and heard, it is clear that we are ourselves when we are left with our thoughts and choices.

After a long hiatus, I managed to watch the golden classics of the Hollywood era. In short, I got a chance to watch movies on my laptop. This year I managed to catch up with many Hindi films with my housemates from South Delhi.

Now that guys have gone to their respective stop-gap arrangements, I have moved into a new house; last week, I moved into another house, just a few metres away. It feels different, with cold feet and in a place with no heaters. Yes, it has its fun. After going through a record-breaking Delhi summer, I am getting to feel, what the locals say, the best part of Delhi, it’s winter.

The fog will take some time to make its appearance. I have seen them in many Bollywood movies; it sure would feel good walking when fog prevails over Delhi.

Cooking, well, I have been very sporadic in this regard but still managed to cook quite a lot. I like when there are people around me. It brings the chef in me to the fore. Anyway, it’s an excellent way to experiment with new dishes. And it is always better to try first before letting others taste them.

Over the past week, running against the cool breeze gave me a good feeling. Running is a good thing, and more than running, I fancy brisk walking where I get a chance to talk to myself, and it’s more rhythmic to the thoughts that come to my mind. One such idea was – “If you compare yourself with others, you are a socialite; if you compare yourself with your past, you are a genius.”

I came up with this line, and the next moment, I wondered, what could be the meaning of this. I thought over the line mentioned above; I didn’t feel the same because I was fabricating a theory to support this line.

Well, I tried again, thinking, what if others ask. Still, I wasn’t convinced, or should say, didn’t have any convincing reason to support my line. In the end, after pondering close to ten minutes, I decided to stick with the line without any reason. Whom should I reason with? I feel good with this line, and I am sure I will find the motivation along the way. This, in my opinion, is the way it should be.

Indeed, it’s an intuitive call.

Movies Imitate Life; Life Imitates Movies

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Firstly, after a long time I feel, I have to be honest with myself. I was scared, or should I say, I used to feel bad whenever people used to call me filmy, or here is a guy who talks about movies, relates real-life situations to film, makes a mockery of songs and has fun by repeating dialogues from the film.

Yes, that’s me… Call me anything, because the name is just a matter of opinion. Previously, I was not accepting this aspect of mine, even though I talked a lot about movies.

Of late, I have learned, people will love the way you are and love being what you are. This blog is to that few people in my life who, irrespective of how crazy and how much I talk about movies, still love me and tells me to be the way I am. I love them.

I come from a family of movie lovers. I can say I am a guy who has learned quite a lot of things from movies; it has shown me few things, answered few questions, and positively influenced me. My maternal grandfather, my mother, and my maternal uncle have been my biggest influencers.

The more I look at the movies; I somehow feel there is some connection. I always get connected and feel as though there is an imitation of life. I love connecting to characters if I can benefit from it. After all, life is all about learning. It can be learning to laugh, be disciplined, achieve goals, what to do, and what not to do.

The beauty of life is such that we cannot allow movie characters or movie themes to dictate our lives. It can give us a direction, but it doesn’t walk on our behalf of us. It can point towards the answers, but it doesn’t say the right one. In the end, it’s merely an indicator, not a decider, an aspect of movies that appealed to me.

I have to choose my life, and it is similar to the disclaimer of the movies – “All characters and stories are merely coincidental.”

Inspirations, without them, there wouldn’t be any artists. Art wouldn’t have had any meaning attached to it. When nature can be a source of inspiration, people and places can be sources of inspiration; why can’t movies and specific elements, which in themselves are inspired by these elements, be a source of inspiration?

It doesn’t matter… I know that one cannot create things without inspiration and if the value is attached to the end product, who cares about what inspired them.

This is to those few people who do care about inspiration and not just the end product. Movies are the product of inspirations of various lifestyles adopted by humans, and if one can learn and become better, then why not?

A New Chapter

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Ever since I wrote my last blog, I felt all the remaining days, the purpose of writing all these years came to a progressive conclusion. Things that seemed expressive found new channels, and experiences I chose to share also ceased to exist in my chosen stream.

Is this a scenario of looking at life from a different lens, I pondered to share my ever-growing experiences—years, or should I say Wonder years of experience have made me look at life in a different mode?

The last few months have been a tremendous experience, something I have not had in my life. That’s positive, in my opinion. You know why – “It’s a burning desire from a personal point of view to experience the same old things in a new way.”

There is another side to this – As long as we continuously strive to learn from what we have and where we are, I am sure every day seems a new day; a new day with the knowledge of life brewing always seems it’s different.

It’s a feeling where it’s a thin line between no man’s land and the wonderland. I have been there before, and it is a good feeling. With perspectives continually evolving each day, do we feel – “I have been there done that before in a similar way?”

I would say no. Things remain the same because they are things with no lives. Our surroundings and perceptions change and evolve with constant learning.

Why I stopped writing – In March early this year, I found a meaning to the title I had chosen for this blog. Now, I have found a new purpose. The new drive has not taken its total shape, as it is energised by my daily actions and listening to one’s instincts.
Like I always believed, the juice is in the journey as I have not reached the intellectual state, confirming my destination. The Ultimate destination.

I think this new chapter in my life is about this journey. Looking back, it seems as though I did have my moments to realise who I am as a person and how I look at myself.

As it stands, that was just a trailer. It is time to keep the movie going 🙂

Out of One’s Comfort Zone

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My blog title happens to be the discussion. I chose this title because it appealed to me at that time (late 2006). Partly it was inspired by Steve Waugh’s autobiography and the other part for the feelings I sensed at that time. Four years hence, I feel I can define the comfort zone and what it means to be out of it.

It is not trying or imagining the surroundings around us to be comfortable. It is excellent if the surroundings can look better, but what about us?

We ask many questions to the outer world, but do we have time to speak to ourselves? Maybe we don’t want to address our real needs, as it requires taking a leap where we have not been before. And this fear of the unknown makes us seek comfort in the external world rather than our inner world.

Living under an illusion is our favourite past time because we don’t want changes or accept changes.

In general, we are quite optimistic about change, but the cynic in us won’t allow accepting it. We succumb to the pressures, and it is not that pressure is terrible; it’s just that is it worth taking on the forces for the sake of losing our identity? Which brings us to the topic of our identity?

It is a simple process of being self-aware and being close to it from time to time.

We generally do not notice this internal pressure because of our illusion. We choose to remain in the dark because of fear; the light of awareness might blind us instead of believing that the awareness torch shall lead us to the path we belong to.

It is a matter of choice, and I believe one can share, discuss these things because, eventually, it is the personal effort that decides an individual’s fate.

I can say it is better not to seek comfort externally. If we are not comfortable with ourselves (inner self), then we will never be satisfied.

What makes us comfortable? Identifying what we genuinely want and working towards it. It is a journey and for that, trusting one’s intuition at all times serves the fuel to propel ourselves on the road to our purpose.

Out of comfort zone doesn’t mean we have to be uncomfortable inside. If we do, first we need to address that immediately. And once we find ourselves comfortable, we can always give and do things in a better way, adjust, and change with more incredible spirits.

We… The Leaders

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Leadership is to lead a ship. As long as you show and ensure you give it a direction, you are a leader. I am in India after seeing a different world for the past year, and I am looking at it differently. It is no longer just India; it is a place that has given me my identity in this world. (Very rare, you are judged only as a person).

I have been noticing, and after reading texts on ancient history, medieval, modern and present, all I can say at this moment is; it has not changed. It is my perspective and opinions that have evolved.

The five elements would exist in any part of the globe, but attitudes about their existence, the behaviour is given by us. Yes, we the people.

A country on its own never created boundaries never imposed restrictions upon itself. The limits in each country are courtesy the consequential, and several amendments have been made from time to time as the power equations have changed. This seems natural, something part of our social evolution. (Something contradictory to the way human freewill has been designed “without limits”)

Each country is made to look unique because of the people, and it is the people that define or instead, it’s the people that build a nation. A country, if looked upon as a vast space (say like a water body), something like an ocean, or any other water source depending on the size (defined politically), each individual is just a drop.

With the ever-increasing concept of globalisation, we have opportunities to travel, understand and learn different things happening around the world. Is it right, not good? One can wage a verbal war, and it will end up in an endless loop.

I have ambitions of being a leader, and the first step towards it is I want to understand the meaning of the word ‘leader.’ I have various examples to look for, but what suits me?

It requires a scenario to bring out a leader in oneself. In my opinion, a leader does not wait for the system or beg for one, it comes, and he or she shall emerge. That’s leadership. Be it small or big.

It is not about the countries because it is about privileged versus under privileged, because on a human level, strong versus weak.

I want to bring improvements, so let me get improvements in myself first. I want to purify the surroundings; let me clarify my inner surroundings first. I want to change the present conditions, let me change myself first, and finally bring peace to this world, first; let me bring peace within myself.

To me, the way individuals look at situations brings a leader in him or her. As Swami Vivekananda once said – “The true learning comes from inside out.”

Only when we seek something from inside, the external factor can come into play.

Go out seek what you want, your soul desires, because our inner voice is our teacher. For some, when the inner voice is inaudible, several theories and opinions end up acting as a teacher.

Ideas help, but certain limitations bound it. Hence the real experience is our best teacher.

I believe that for a leader, one must possess intuition combined with open-mindedness and briskness to learn, grow, etc. These act as mentors as they frequently communicate and guide the leader’s path of purpose.

Do not look or wait for situations, instead discover and nurture the leader in you. You never know when the problem arises…………..

In leadership, one deals with creatures of emotions and not creatures of logic.

Birth by Chance, Life by Choice

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When I was born, I did not have the option of choosing my parents. The first lesson I learnt over a long time is to accept my birth was by chance, although it was a choice made by my parents. In a way, I am born through choice, not mine, though.

Ever since that, apart from the initial growing years, chances started to diminish, and choices began to appear more in the radar of my daily life and the routines associated with it. But in general, choices have mostly dependant on chances. Or should I say, options appear whenever one gets a chance?

I am sure, the other way it is not so clear. Pardon me, at this time of writing; I am looking just at the situations and the choices we make for them.

Staying in a non-English speaking country for the best part of this year has taught me a lot about blaming others for the situation I am in. So far, I have learned that it is up to me to make a problem look better, if not worse. It is so true when the situation involves significantly fewer people.

In fact, as a whole, choosing to change the situation itself is a step closer to reality. We become clear and understand ourselves as to why we are doing a particular thing. In one of the management classes, I came across a beautiful term called ‘Self -fulfilling prophecy’.

It is due to opinionated minds that refuse to believe otherwise unless one becomes open-minded and shed the curtains of narrow mindedness or generalisation.

The truth is, do we have the patience to know the truth? Reality itself is a time-consuming process; often, when you are confident of something, it helps deal with the frustrations of being in the ‘waiting’ period.

By knowing people who are different and react differently, it has helped me a lot to understand the meaning of patience a touch better.

And also, it is a chance to acknowledge the different ways of looking at a situation. I know, I do not personally agree or do what others do. And that is where the word ‘choice’ comes. I would rather embarrass myself with the choices I made at a particular time than look for someone to blame. It is tough, though.

Humans, as we are, emotionally strive for security or instead crave for the feeling of assurity. Although people do a lot of ‘crazy’ (something different from the accepted social norms of a particular society) things, it is a general tendency of the majority to seek comfort.

Like food choices, we tend to seek comfort in our ways, and it is this aspect that often leads to conflict.

I am trying my best every day not to conclude things as they appear. One can make opinions but must also have the audacity to change them as we proceed towards the path of reality. Time does reveal one’s real character, and understanding can only happen with time. I feel strongly about this.

The dark side of this intense feeling of mine is that I have to ensure I do not blame others for anything that happens to me. It is so tempting, and few times I still ended up doing and then feeling disgusted for having done that.

For an individual, that is how it must be. What about a partnership? Yes, there is an obligation if one enters the partnership. Somewhere in time, the partners’ extremities must be given away to a more amicable one.

Thats what team ethics is all about and so far from what I have seen, relationships have flourished when it is made to work from time to time—not just looking for excuses.

The other person(s) can affect the partnership. There is no denying in that, then but what about ourselves. We have a choice to either play the game of blame, or just move on with life.

Some people are not given choices; I would say that such people seek comfort in not making choices and believing in things to happen by themselves. It looks like a general statement, yes it is. More often than not, people do what is comfortable even though they endure pain. I have learnt, pain is a part of the process of believing in someone or something.

I love senorita, although there are situations that make me think about whether it is the right choice? Whenever the question of choice arises, I close my eyes and listen to my instincts. It has the same answer as it has been before. I trust my instincts, and it is entirely my choice.

Senorita is different in a lot of different ways. Still, I am happy overall because my instincts refuse to pose restrictions on senorita and yet make me love her each time.

In a way, I trust my eyes more when it is closed. That way, it gives me a chance to listen to my instincts. Instincts have a vision, and they are awake all the time. So I trust those eyes more often than what my actual eyes see. It’s a choice afterall.

Asked about Ferrari failing this year, Massa said – “We definitely need to analyse our mistakes and understand how they can be avoided, but I don’t think it needs a revolution which the always emotional onlookers demand: it would be wrong because it’s not a case of us suddenly becoming stupid. It’s the playing field that has changed. We must be aware of that and tackle the situation with a different approach.”