Life is a race!!

I read this message few days back and found it to be worth sharing:

I was jogging one day and I noticed a person in front of me, about 1/4 of mile.

I could tell he was running a little slower than me and I thought "Good, i shall try to catch him."

I had about a mile to go my path before I needed to turn off.

So, I started running faster and faster.
With every block, I was gaining on him, just a little bit.

After just a few minutes, I was only about 100 yards behind him, so I really picked up the pace and pushed myself.
It was as if I was running like in the last leg of an Olympic competition. I was determined to catch him.

Finally, I did it. I passed him by. Internally, I felt so good that "I beat him". Of course, he didn't even know we were racing.

After I passed him, I realized that I had been so focused on competing against him, that I had missed my turn.

I had gone nearly six blocks past it. I had to turn around and go all back.

--------------------------------

Isn't this exactly same as that happening in our life, when we focus on competing with co-workers, neighbours, friends, family, trying to outdo them or trying to prove that we are more successful or more important...?

We spend our time and energy running after them and we miss out on our own paths to our God given destinies.

The problem with any such unhealthy
competition is that its a never ending cycle.

There will always be somebody ahead of you, someone with better job, nicer car, more money in the bank, more education, a prettier wife, a more handsome husband, better behaved children, etc.

But, realize that
"You can be the best that you can be, you are not competing with no one else."

Some people are insecure, because they pay too much attention to what others are doing, where others are going, wearing & driving.

Take what God has given you, the height, the weight & the personality...!

Dress well & wear it proudly...! You'll be blessed by it...!

Stay focused and live a healthy life...!

There's no competition in DESTINY...!

Run your own RACE and wish others WELL...!

Indian Political Circus

Politics is a filthy game as they say,

Dirtiness is the mantra come what may,

Some say it is bharat nirman, some say as india rising,

All that they manage to rise is,
Few numbers in bank balance and inflation index.

Helpless and hopeless is what a common man feels,

Struggling and fighting all day to earn even two meals,

Every election outcome looks ever so same,
Nothing changes, and nation is put to the shame.

How can i write on indian politics without a mention about corruption,
You pay some money and your work will go through without disruption.

We have gunman MPs and rapist MLAs,
 Crime and cowardliness is just in their DNA,

A trip to a jail, may just be an entry pass to their ticket for election,
Some media coverage and newspaper headlines might just seal their selection.

Everyone comes at price tag, including the media,
You share some wealth and your propaganda is throughout India

The nation looks at the parliament with utter disdain,
Everyone prays and hopes for the end of this pain,
Nation is sold just to make some personal gain,
Tax payer's hardwork goes totally in vain.

Many like me feel country needs a revolution,
But to begin with, people's mindset needs a evolution,
Everyone needs to make a strong mental resolution,
Thats how you build a successful and strong nation.


                                                                                        - Ruchik Shastri

Education system

I was reading the speech of 17 year old school boy Anshul Gupta, one who shot to fame recently by emerging as front runner in Times scholars program. I was amazed and mesmerized by his words and maturity. Few lines of his speech are as follows:


"A single examination cannot determine a student's ability in a particular subject. 
If a student scores less, it means that s/he needs more guidance or needs to put in more effort. 
Making students repeat an academic year because they have flunked the final examination is a wrong practice. 

A student may not be able to grasp concepts because of the teaching pedagogy and a one-on-one discussion can help identify the weaknesses. 
The system should be flexible enough to allow students to drop a subject if they are not interested in it. 
Clearly, if a student keeps failing in a particular subject, it implies that s/he has no aptitude or inclination for the same. 
A multipronged strategy needs to be in place where all students should receive personalised attention and case-specific guidance. Flexible systems that are in-sync with a student's interest and abilities can help tap a student's potential better.

Failing in a subject or an examination is clearly not the end of life. Everyone has weaknesses and strengths. It is extremely important that our educational system recognises this." 


The words simply forces us to think and act upon them.

Orkut!!

Had written these lines 4 years back, the time when Orkut was at its peak. Seeing everyone hooked and addicted to social networking sites nowadays made me pull out these lines from my old diary.

Orkut, a place you want to be.

I would say.......

Newer trust this place because you will find,

words not faces,

profiles not races,

& photos with no traces.

have more than 500 friends?

u just managed to be in Orkut hall of fame.

it hardly matters if you don't know most of them,

because here we all are just the same.

testimonials are the demand of time,

its just the volumes of praises compressed in just few lines,

its nothing but a mutual deal,

the more you get the better you feel.

you will find communities of just about everything,

where you can see irrelevant post, just about anything.

to own a few of them will boost your image,

don't worry we all follow the same linage.

Getting friend requests that seems, all the time anonymous,

stupidity that's the word which seems so synonymous.

tried avoiding a few,

but there are plenty in the crew.

some say its a time waste,

some say it all depends on your own taste,

many say this place is out of socks,

but most like me say Orkut still rocks.

                                                                 - Ruchik Shastri

Aspirations unlimited!!!

Life is unpredictable as they say,
who would have thought,
that i would end up here one day,
Thats the feeling every one lives, with every passing day.

Strolling down those memory lanes,
I wish time wouldn't have flied,
Oh i want to go back to those good old days,
The carefree days and careless nights,
Chats with friends was ever so nice,
Damm we cared about the things around,
Who would have ever thought then,
Life would take such a dramatic turn around.

People got serious and so did we,
Aspirations gripped and awesomeness flee,
Our mistakes became unpardonable,
And the decisions questionable,

 Every morning seems ever so same,
Excuses we give were never so lame,
Looking out of the shattered panes of unfulfilled dreams,
We search for our ray of hope,
For one day the phoenix will rise again,
Embarrassing the  open blue sky with all  the cheerful smile.
Oh this very thought sounds ever so right,
Let the dream never go out of the sight!!!


                                                                 - Ruchik Shastri