Life…it makes sense

Mind Map is a tool that helps us to write (or rather draw) things in the way we “Think” about them.

Mind Map is a diagram that we draw on a piece of paper with some colorful pencils (to make it attractive, since colors create more effect on brain)

The key part here to understand is that our mind thinks in a “radiant “way. And it becomes difficult for us to remember things in this way. Mind map comes to the rescue here.

Mind map is drawn starting with a central image (the core) and then it evolves around this central image.

There are many sites/books where you can start learning how to go about these mind maps. I read “The Mind Map Book” by inventor of modern mind mapping (Tony Buzan). After reading and understanding the Mind Maps try to use it for your daily activities.

It’s fun at first and then slowly you will start realizing the benefits of this wonderful tool.

Mind Mapping can be used for

1)      Brain-Storming sessions

2)      Notes Taking

3)      Problem Solving

4)      Decision Making

5)      Study

6)      Planning

I am using “Xmind” which is a free software that allows to create mind maps.

Here is an example from my friend Somesh, who seems to have made it as an integral part of his daily thinking.

Sometime back I came across this principle called as the “90-10 principle” by Stephen Covey.

It states that “10% of life is made up of what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react”

Is it as simple as it sounds?

Well I decided to understand this by starting to implement in my daily life. And believe me it worked wonders.

Every time there was a situation where the “old” me would react in a strong manner, I said to myself “90% is dependent on my reaction” and then my reaction automatically changed. Things went to happen much more positive after that.

So why are we becoming so aggressive in reacting these days. May be, because of stress, work pressures, trying to catch up with the fast paced life. But hey! We need to tackle these.

A simple example: A vehicle in front of me is not moving even though the signal has turned green. I get irritated and start to blow the horn. What happens actually – I am restless, I am more stressed. Because I immediately decided to react in that way….Can I turn this reaction around. Can I think that the reason the person in front of me is not moving could be because he has turned off the engine and needs to start it? Or could be that an old man is driving the car and he needs more time (reflex) to get started. These thoughts will only come to mind if you decide to follow this principle

Believe me this principle is just wonderful. You will understand it if you start implementing it in your daily life.

And how do you implement it? Well it’s simple -

Every time you are about to react strongly (losing your patience), think in mind “90% is dependent on my reaction” (It will take you 5 seconds to say this in mind, and the effect might put you in a winning situation)

I still remember that day (year 1994), after the last exam paper of 10th standard, we all friends went for a celebration (by having snacks and cold drinks)

Everyone had a mixed kind of feeling. Happy since the exam was over and sad that we were not sure whether we will be meeting each other in future. Same thing happened on last day of college too.

Life requires us to take many turns in our journey. However it is important that we remain connected to the important people called as “Friends”.

If you are connected to your friends then its a good thing. However I lost contact with many of them (especially post-marriage)

So now I have decided to re-connect to my friends. I have already started the process and it is giving me immense satisfaction

How to re-connect with your friends

1) Search them on twitter / orkut and keep them updated about you and also be updated about them

2) Email them one in while

3) Call them (the best option)

I always believe that the best way to be in touch is to have a talk with your friend over phone (may be once in a while)

Because there is nothing better than talking to your friend (as compared to emails/scraps/chats)

It is something special to recall the beautiful memories of past. Laugh over them. Recall those days when you cried together. Update about each other lives.

Just imagine, on my birthday, one friend who lives in the same city as I preferred to email me. On the other hand another friend who lives abroad called me and wished me.

His call of 3 minutes gave me a great feeling as compared to the email of the friend in my same city.

Life is too small to complain that “if my friend doesn’t keep in touch, why should I?” Come over this feeling.

Be the first to initiate the process.

Friendship is the best relation in this world. Don’t miss to enjoy it.

Over the years I have learnt that New Year is the time maximum people decide to make resolutions (even I do).

However eventually many of them give up in the first 2 months itself. So following the resolution and sticking to it takes some determination.

What I haved planned for this year are some goals that I have listed below. These are not mere (typical) resolutions, they are more like the things that I would like to do over the year

1) Posting regularly here

2) Re-connecting with my friends

3) Going for treks once in 3 months

4) Walking every day at least 2 kms

5) Using mind maps for every activity that I do

Leo has a new site that will keep me motivated http://6changes.com/

Have a Great Year Ahead !

But are we clear in what is the exact purpose of our lives…If you are, thats good. However I am not (at least

“Purpose of Life is Life of Purpose”

Sounds easy…isn’t it ?

But are we clear in what is the exact purpose of our lives…If you are, thats good. However I am not (at least not as of now)

While conducting a lecture for second year computer science students, I was explaining them about the assembly language and one student asked me “what is the purpose of assembly language ?”. Before I gave him the answer, I asked a question “Can you tell me, who is in the best position to let you know why assembly language was created?”.

I asked the whole class that they are many things we use in our daily life (like cell phone,pen,diary,wrist watch etc..). Then who can tell us what is the exact purpose of these things. Of couse anyone will tell you. But the best person to tell this is the “Creator” of these tools (or things).

So coming back, who is in the best position to tell us what is our purpose in life ?

…..Of course, it is the Almighty God Himself.

and then comes the big question. “How do I seek Him and know my purpose of life?”

I think the answer for now is to start the journey on the spiritual path…and one day I will understand – “the purpose of my life”

It is more than a month that I have posted. Ideally I should not be taking so much of time.

So meanwhile I thought of listing few people here who acted as a great motivation for me to have my own blog and to write in my ideas here.

1. http://thelife.in/ (Somesh)

A good old friend from my previous company. He has been a great inspiration for me. His writing and his thinking (mind mapping ) is something that always motivates me. I really feel that my thoughts are into action when I meet Somesh or have a discussion with him.  The recent being a short meeting at magarpatta city

2. http://www.thesimpledollar.com/ (Trent Hamm)

A great site to look out for personal finance, productivity and general. This guy writes from his heart and I am very much inspired from him. His language is so lucid to understand and his thoughts are great too. Its because of him I have become serious about personal finance

3. http://zenhabits.net/ (Leo Babauta)

Leo is a amazing writer. He puts things in so simple manner that it easily helps to understand or relate to what he is talking about. His book “The Power Of Less” is a great book on keeping things simple (and lesser) in life. These days I am also following his other blog which talks about minimalism http://mnmlist.com/

These three people (and their blogs) keep me motivating all the time.

I remember when I was in e-Zest, while having lunch on the terrace of the company, myself, Vishal and Ranjit were discussing about life. They took a stand that God has everything already scripted for us. So no matter what we do, what actually will happen is planned for us by God.

I took a slightly different stand. I agreed with them that God has already plans for us, however I added something to it. Here is goes

“God has already scripted a path for our life, however it is not a single route. Basically God must be creating a flow chart (aha…the s/w engineer speaks..). At every point of time we are at the condition of the flow chart, and our decision will decide whether we move ahead on left side or right side of the flow chart.”

So that is what God wants us to make….Decisions!

He has given us intelligence to do so, and so He expects us to make those (wise) decisions. Other than anything else, I think these decisions are what create our life. So we must be very careful while making them.

And mind you everything that you get in life (or lose in life) is based on such decisions.

Of course as we all make the wrong decisions too, however we should be learning from them.

Hence the Million Dollar Question: How to make (correct) decisions?

Well….there is no standard answer for this.

However I will try to address this in my next post.

Till then….Enjoy Life: for we don’t know when we will get the next.

Hello,

Today is one of the most auspicious day for me (Ganpati Festival), so i am taking this opportunity to launch my personal blog site.

|| Om Gan Ganapataye Namah ||

More to come …