Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Round a round we go


"My thoughts and prayers go out to Perez, and all other affected AIESECers including their families and my neighbor whose house was burned down"

My 2 days have been very worrisome. Fatalities have just hit near home. In life some things happen that live you pondering, especially if you are melancholic like I am. I tend to get very introspective with little stimuli and when you are with people for 10 days in a gathering and they get involved in an accident resulting in one fatality, you tend to ask why?

I was planning to go to the j-town for one of those familiar shenanigans. Just before I leave, my mum tells me to drive her to the airport to pick up a visitor. On the way there she receives a phone call from one of her friends in the neighborhood and you can hear her wailing and screaming, and my mum tries to console her. Apparently, there was a huge fire in one of the buildings, about 4 houses up. Close enough to home.

Misfortunes are a trademark to life, and we suffer small doses of that at times. Yet again, it shows me how fragile life is. I mean, that must have been years' worth of investment and it took less than 30 minutes to disintegrate it. Back to my other story, the accident involved some of my friends-People who are super great leaders in their own right. I begin to think of the consequences that the loss would have on their countries and it’s a bit over my head, not only in terms of leadership but also psychologically for the team. I have been in a 10 day conference for AIESEC, and some of the delegates were headed for the coast for a study tour just after the conclusion of the annual International conference. There was an accident on the early morning of 30th August. The conference was super awesome and the end equally tragic as if we hadn't had the time of our lives. In retrospect, the 10days will be a hallmark in my life - it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.

That is life. One major thought in my mind has been that there has to be something greater and more satisfying than material things. . . Because clearly those can go any moment. Secondly, life is vain. 2 things I have concluded are:

  • No matter where you are at, and what you are doing - Make sure you enjoy every moment.
  • Do your very best, and live as if it were your last day.


That said, my belief is that we shall all realize that we live once, and that we will live for something bigger than our own selves. 

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Believe in something | Fall for nothing

Inspired by "We all try"

I believe in God. I believe in progressive people. I believe in passion, happiness, humility, contentment, calmness and love. I believe in constant improvement. I believe in imperfection. Life is not perfect. I do believe there are some people who don’t want others to progress. I believe that there are good people. I believe in genuine friendships and true love. I believe in my family. I believe that life is not always simple. I believe that true happiness in life comes from intangible things. I believe that material things don't generate long lasting happiness. I believe that everyone deserves to be lost to find themselves. I believe that in life I have to make  a conscious effort to live. I believe that that there is a 'Heaven'. I believe that everything happens for a reason. I believe that we all have to live passionately. I believe that everyone is confused. I believe that we all have our frustrations and imperfections. I believe that we live our lives ultimately to find meaning and find answers. I believe that believing in something gives us comfort. I believe that we are all afraid . I believe that we are all afraid of uncertainty. I believe that at times I don’t believe in anything. I believe that I doubt myself at times. I believe that I live life fully. I believe I try to make things better. I believe that I have a good heart. I believe that we are all emotional beings. I believe that I am living an imprint. I believe that people are different. I believe that we don’t always have the answers. I believe that I don’t always know what I want. I believe that I appreciate both sides of the coin. I believe that I am aware of most things. I believe in myself. I believe in my friends. We all try to believe in something.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Of dreams and hallmarks.

Nothing comes easy. Freedom, chocolates, girls and super cars are all equally fought for. In this world you reap what you saw. That's the truth.

Another hallmark under the belt. It gets me thinking every time what success is and how do we know we are on the right track? Progress is gradual, and the most important progress is the one where those around you can feel it together with you. I create a world in my head, and a set of ideals and I define my own successes-I share it with others, and they chip in in little or major ways towards the collective goal and actually enjoy doing it. They discover more about themselves, and that fuels big dreams in their heads and they know that the world is theirs for the taking. Nothing can stop them. . . They in turn create their own perfect worlds, and get other people to chip in. The momentum creates a force and the strides get bigger and possibilities infinity. . . If that is not progress I don't know what is.

Back to my soliloquy. Where do I go from here? Honestly speaking, I set big goals and at that moment in time, I assume that that is the end. Funny thing is that there is no ceiling. We set our own limitations. At this point in time, I ponder on the long road that this has been. Its been TREMEANDOUS. That is even an understatement. Yesterday I also dreamt the next hallmarks for AIESEC JKUAT:
  • Media coverage.
  • Different and unique projects.
  • Meeting a major leadership figure.

I say that with confidence because that is the next step. We have the abilities and strength. Everyone now realizes that we can achieve anything. The essence in life is always improving from where you are. As long as you are doing your best to get there, then have the confidence to know that you are on the right track. Most importantly, no matter what you are doing BE CONTENT. No matter your position or your achievements or successes, be content with your current situation. Strike a good balance. What will happen will amaze you. . . You acquire peace of mind, genuine friendships and a circle of good, positive energy. Contentment is not defined by what you do, but who you are. Be content with yourself right now.

And even as I gaze into the unknown future, I can feel it now. I am almost there. Almost near my big break. I dream big, and I dream all the time. We live our dreams, and if you are not dreaming then you are not living. Simply put, our dreams create that will power within us to go in a certain direction. I dreamt yesterday, and I smiled. I can sense it within me. I just need to open my eyes a bit more, and carpe dium.