Five Rupee Awareness

As a continuation to my previous post, I also remember the first time I tried to steal.

I failed.

This was in 1999, when I was preparing for IIT and staying in a rented room. My roommate often spoke proudly about how he had flicked imported chocolates from a shop nearby. It sounded casual, almost normal, the way he said it.

One afternoon, I went to that shop.

I was surprised by what I saw. Shelves filled with imported chocolates and chewing gums, things that felt rare and expensive at the time. After walking around for a bit, I slipped one chewing gum into my pocket.

Almost immediately, fear set in.

I became conscious of my hands, my posture, my breathing. When the shopkeeper uncle looked at me for a moment longer than usual, I panicked. I started fiddling with items on the counter, asking the prices of things I had no intention of buying. He answered calmly.

Then he looked at me and said, “That chewing gum is five rupees.”

I froze.

I took the chewing gum out, paid him, and walked out of the shop.

As I left, he gave me a soft warning. Nothing harsh. Nothing loud. Just enough.

That was the last time I tried to steal anything in my life.

What stopped me was not the fear of being caught, but something quieter. The realization that stealing was not just about taking something without paying. It was about becoming someone I did not want to be.

Some lessons arrive without punishment. They arrive through awareness. Through the discomfort of seeing yourself clearly, even for a brief moment.

I still remember that shop.

I still remember the chewing gum.

Five rupees was all it cost to learn that lesson.

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Fifty Paisa

I still remember the first time I cheated.

I was in the sixth standard. I usually walked to school, but on rare days when I got late, my mother would send me by bus. The bus ticket cost fifty paisa. For me, that was a lot of money. It was enough to buy a refill for the ink pen.

Most children who travelled by bus every day had passes. When the ticket collector came, they would simply say “pass,” and he would move on.

One such rare day, when I was late, my mother gave me fifty paisa and sent me by bus. As the ticket collector walked towards me, I did what I had seen others do. I said, “pass.”

He stopped and asked me to show it.

I told him I had forgotten the pass at home.

He knew I was lying.

He slapped me once and then asked me to pay the fifty paisa. I did.

I still remember that incident.

At that age, I did not cheat because I was dishonest by nature. I cheated because fifty paisa mattered. Because a pen mattered. Because I had learned, even then, by watching others.

What stayed with me was not the slap. It was the sudden understanding that a small lie can carry a weight far greater than its intent. Childhood is often where our ideas of right and wrong first take shape, not through instruction, but through experience.

I do not remember what was taught in school that day. I do not remember the lessons or the teachers. But I remember that bus ride.

Some memories stay with us not because they are dramatic, but because they quietly shape the way we see the world.

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Unlocking Happiness: Key Insights from 'The Courage to Be Disliked'

I recently finished reading "The Courage to Be Disliked" by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. Typically, non-fiction books can be dense, with authors distilling complex concepts into lengthy explanations. However, this book is refreshingly different. Based on Alfred Adler's principles—an Austrian psychologist and philosopher, contemporary to Sigmund Freud—the authors present these ideas through an engaging dialogue between a philosopher and a young man.

Interestingly, I learned from the book that Socrates, the great philosopher, never wrote a book; it was his student Plato who documented his teachings. Similarly, Adler conveyed his ideas through dialogue and debates with intellectuals. Kishimi and Koga adopted this style, creating a natural and relatable conversation between the philosopher and the young man. This format made the book a quick read for me, finishing it in just a week—remarkably fast for non-fiction.

Central Themes and Insights

The central theme of the book is that we can live happy and fulfilled lives without being burdened by the past or future. It's not your usual feel-good self-help book; it addresses fundamental aspects of life, often with hard-hitting truths. The book is divided into five sections, each representing an evening when the young man meets the philosopher, posing questions that are answered thoughtfully.

Here are some noteworthy insights from the book:

1. Unhappiness is a Choice:

   • Adler argues that unhappiness is something we choose for ourselves. This idea was initially shocking to me. The book rejects the concept of living in trauma, suggesting that people use past traumas to justify their current state, as it serves their 'purpose'. We are not determined by our experiences; instead, the meaning we assign to them is what shapes our lives.

2. Rejection of Cause and Effect:

   • The book discards the cause-and-effect concept (etiology) and embraces teleology (purpose-driven). Believing our past controls us is what Adler calls a "life-lie." As long as we adhere to etiology, we will remain stagnant.

3. Fabricated Emotions:

   • Emotions, such as anger, are fabricated to fulfill specific goals, like shouting. Our emotions are tools to justify our actions. We have the power to control our emotions but often use them as excuses.

4. Interpersonal Relationship Problems:

   • All problems are rooted in interpersonal relationships. The concept of "separation of tasks" clarifies how we should manage our relations. Much anxiety stems from intruding into others' tasks. By focusing on our tasks and letting others handle theirs, we can reduce conflicts and stress. We should discard the need for recognition from others, accept ourselves as we are, and accept others as they are, achieving true freedom.

5. Living in the Moment:

   • Life is not a straight line but a series of moments (dots). We live only in the current moment, and our lives are shaped by the decisions we make at each dot. We often think freedom lies in the future, but it actually exists in the present.

6. Everyone Can Change:

   • Regardless of our past, everyone can change. The biggest obstacle to change is ourselves.

7. Community and Belonging:

   • Living a larger life involves contributing to the community. A true sense of worth comes from feeling beneficial to others. Loneliness stems from feeling excluded, even when surrounded by people.

8. Vertical vs. Horizontal Relationships:

   • The book discusses vertical (hierarchical) and horizontal (equal) relationships. Adler suggests we should not praise or rebuke but rather appreciate contributions and engage in straightforward conversations, fostering horizontal relationships.

9. Freedom to Choose Meaning:

   • We are free to choose the meaning of our experiences. No experience is inherently good or bad; it’s our interpretation that defines them.

10. Perception Shapes Reality:

    • The world is inherently simple and consistent, but our thoughts and perceptions define our reality.

The book is rich with anecdotal examples, making complex concepts easily understandable. "The Courage to Be Disliked" is definitely worth reading multiple times for its profound insights.

A Brilliant Idea

I have been contemplating the idea of writing my autobiography because I am concerned that my memory may deteriorate over time, causing me to forget many of the stories from my life. As I attempted to jot down some of the key events in my life, I realized that there is so much to tell. If I were to start writing now, I might never finish, and in the meantime, more stories may accumulate. So, I've decided that from this point onward, I will periodically post random stories from my life. This way, I can share a story each time without worrying about the chronological sequence. It's also a clever tactic to keep generating content for this blog :D. Perhaps in the future, when I have more free time, I can compile all these stories to create my autobiography. I am fairly certain that I will be the sole reader of that book! ;P

Living Philosophically: A Daily Inquiry

• Did you do anything good today?
• Did you do anything wrong today?
• Did you take care of yourself today?
• Did you learn anything today
• Were you grateful towards anyone today?

Source: X.com

Rich Dad Poor Dad - Notes

I was sifting through my old notes and then found the notes I had written from the book 'Rich Dad Poor Dad.' That was dated February 2006, so 17 years ago.

This book is a must-read for everyone.

Here are the notes...

• A 'useless person' is someone who lacks the courage to persist and gives up whenever life presents challenges. They live their entire lives playing it safe, doing the right things, but never taking risks or seizing opportunities.
• It's often easier to change yourself than to try to change everyone else around you.
• The happiness that money brings is often short-lived, and people often find themselves constantly chasing more money in search of more joy, pleasure, security, and comfort.
• Human life is a continuous struggle between ignorance and enlightenment.
• As the saying goes, 'A fool and his money are soon parted.'
• If you find that you've dug yourself into a hole, the best course of action is to stop digging.
• The golden rule applies: those who possess gold make the rules.
• The wealthy invest in assets, the poor only accumulate expenses, and the middle class often confuses liabilities with assets.
• Robin Hood, as the book suggests, may not be as noble as we once thought.
• Taxes, which were initially intended to penalize the rich, often end up burdening the very poor who supported them.
• Financial intelligence consists of knowledge in four broad areas: accounting, investing, understanding markets, and law.
• Holding onto old, outdated ideas can be a significant liability.
• Many people miss the opportunity of a lifetime, even when it's right in front of them.
• It's not just about how much money you make, but how much you manage to keep that truly matters.
• Understanding the distinction between assets and liabilities is crucial.
• A job can provide a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
• The book advises paying yourself first, and then addressing your creditors and taxes.
• Don't let the pessimism of others affect your decision-making.
• Three crucial management skills include cash flow management, people management, and personal time management.
• Combining intelligence with arrogance often results in ignorance."

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

"Jonathan Livingston Seagull" by Richard Bach is a relatively short novel, but it contains several valuable life lessons and philosophical insights. I read this book last summer along with my daughter.

After reading the book, I wondered at how beautifully the book was written; I find this book is a peak in metaphoric language. Everything that's discussed in the book carries a deep meaning. It is a great book for everyone, and children, in particular, would benefit from it. On a side note, the title reminded me of our old neighbors when we were kids. The uncle's name is David(he is no more:( ), and their elder son's name is John Livingstone; we used to call him 'anna' (brother). I used to wonder then why someone would be named Livingstone; it sounded so oxymoronic. After reading this book, I strongly believe that David uncle, might have named John after the book, or someone may have suggested it to him.

Here are some of the key learnings from the book:

Individuality and Self-Discovery: The book emphasizes the importance of discovering one's true self and pursuing individuality. Jonathan Livingston Seagull's journey is a metaphor for self-discovery and the realization that conformity isn't the only path in life.

Determination and Perseverance: Jonathan's unwavering determination to become a better flyer teaches us that pursuing our passions often requires hard work, practice, and persistence. It's a reminder that we should be willing to put in the effort to achieve our goals.

Courage to Break from the Norm: The book encourages us to have the courage to break away from societal norms and expectations. Jonathan faces ridicule and rejection from his flock when he seeks to improve himself, but he persists in his pursuit of excellence.

Limitless Potential: "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" suggests that we often underestimate our potential. We can achieve extraordinary things when we push beyond our self-imposed limitations and beliefs.

Freedom and Fulfillment: Jonathan's quest for flight is symbolic of the human desire for freedom and fulfillment. It reminds us that we should strive for a life that aligns with our true passions and desires, rather than settling for mediocrity.

Unconventional Teachers: Jonathan learns from unconventional teachers who don't conform to the norms of society. This teaches us that valuable lessons can be found in unexpected places and from unexpected sources.

Teaching and Sharing Knowledge: Once Jonathan masters the art of flight, he returns to teach others. This underscores the importance of sharing knowledge and helping others grow, even if it means challenging the status quo.

Spiritual and Philosophical Themes: The book delves into spiritual and philosophical themes, encouraging readers to contemplate the meaning of life, purpose, and existence. It raises questions about the nature of reality and self-awareness.

Nonconformity and Non-Judgment: Jonathan's story reminds us not to judge others based on their choices or differences. He is initially judged by his flock for his nonconformity, but he doesn't judge them in return.

Transcendence: The story ultimately leads to a state of transcendence for Jonathan, where he becomes more than just a seagull. This reflects the idea that through self-discovery and self-improvement, we can transcend our own limitations and become something greater.

It is a thought-provoking and inspirational book that encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and choices. It advocates for self-expression, personal growth, and the pursuit of one's passions.