Change is inevitable...

This blog is about to turn a year old and inevitably, this blogger will also turn a year older later this year. Though the blog represents only a small piece of this blogger’s life, it has become an inseparable space of his life. A space which allows the liberty to share thoughts with distinguished readers. A space which serves as a repository of maturing thoughts, changing world and happening ambience.

Today change seems a buzz word. As someone said “change is the only permanent thing.” Only a few minutes ago, Novak Djokovic won his second Australian Open title. It is great to see young guns coming to the party and making the most of it. But, it also heralds a change in the canvas of tennis where we will not be able to see the vintage Fereder for many more times again. Yes, things are changing. For over past 12 years, Australia remained unconquerable in International cricket in all forms. The same was the case with West Indies in 70s and 80s. But, time has changed now and the game itself has become unpredictable. No one is a clear favourite going into the coming world cup. Change perhaps. We saw Spain claiming FIFA World Cup trophy last year for the first time. India put an unprecedented effort in CWG 2010 for the first time. South Korea shook China in Uber Cup tournament in May 2010 for first time in so many years. Change perhaps.

Similarly, life of a teenager has seen dramatic change in the past decade. Internet has come a long way and wi-fi is the order of the day in every middle class household. Nokia 3315 seems a handset of Stone Age and BlackBerry is favourite device of a teen. More time is spent on exchanging messages on facebook rather than the time spent on event itself. They are getting used to virtual mode of almost everything. Things are changing and changing fast.

Back to my organization, it is not the same since I started some 39 months ago. Within an eye’s blink, I now realize that so many people have moved on in their respective careers and lives. It is not the same at all. A lot has changed and a lot IS changing in every part of the organization and at so many levels. Infact, the business and economy has also changed in the past decade. One of the biggest recessions of recent times, surge of China’s economy and higher spend capacity of middle class consumers – so many changes.

In backdrop of all the above, this blogger thinks that he is now able to commemorate effects of all these changes. As the life moves on, we must embrace new things, new champions and new habits. At the same time, we must not forget old delights, old heroes and older times.

What an adventurous way to kick-start the new year!

The year 2011 started with new hopes and promises. Like for everyone, like for me :) . It was absolute thrill spending first week at Gurgaon amidst record breaking cold waves. Freezing cold meant more of laziness and less of outdoors and rightfully so. After all, life had to move to other side of the world for two weeks after that. Yes, I just got back after two happening weeks at Atlanta.

This year two weeks of conference at our head quarters started off with complete shutdown of the city due to inclement weather. Huge snowfalls, sleets and icy roads choked everything on a standstill. Since this is not usual for this part of the states, administration was not able to quickly respond to this situation. World’s busiest airport Hartsfield Jackson was closed for almost two and a half days. This delayed the start of our annual conference but fortunately, we all landed safely just before the storm. Extreme temperatures followed the storm making things all the more difficult. Gradually, we made our way to the start of the conference.

It was so fabulous to listen to your senior business and functional leaders. The sheer energy that they radiated was amazing and gripping. Setting new goals and rejoicing the accomplished goals are always a good way to start off fresh year and it gives immense pleasure to note how everything is tied up so beautifully towards one vision and around one team. Meeting people from around the globe was an icing on the cake. Few familiar faces and few new ones – but everyone tied up with a common theme. Building on existing skills and adding new skills are very important for one’s development and gladly, we had plenty of those as well towards end of this past week.

An event early this week though brought a scare especially sitting some 8000 miles away from home. As the news of an earthquake around Southern Pakistan and North-western India broke, it was so disturbing for few moments. Thankfully there was no major effect of this and life moved on peacefully. What an adventurous way to start the new year! Believe it or not, adventures mean so much in day to day life. Just imagine a life without adventures!

Little things and a better life...

The world is such a beautiful place. It is indeed. Another year has come on the horizon and every one of us is in some kind of introspective mode – some prospective while others retrospective. Some are busy making profit and loss statement for the year that went by. Some are busy doing planning for what lies ahead. While there were some gains for some of them, some would have suffered major losses. And in the midst of clumsy contours of so many lives, the world moves on… the life moves on to the next levels for the next “players”.

Again coming back to do a reality check, my consciousness goes deep inside a shell and what I note in particular is that conducting oneself and conducting with others is of such huge importance that it almost decides half the nature of profits and losses. Obviously, there are natural and social contributions to the rest half of the statement which most likely is not controllable. So as the years go by, there is a need to check one’s own orientation of the conduct related characteristics. I know that this is a very delicate topic and different people will always have a different approach to this. After all, preferences do differ from person to person. However, my point is those whenever one looks back at own self in the mirror, reflection must contain a great sense of serenity, modesty and positivity. This would definitely help us work towards impeccable levels of conduct.

Just consider the multiplying effect of this on the larger canvas of life. Won't it reduce the misery and sorrows that go hand in hand around our lives on a frequent basis? Won't it add significant profits to our yearly statements? Possibly yes. Oh certainly yes. I received a call from an old friend few minutes back and it was so soothing to hear his voice after so long. What did he do? He just dialed my number and made a lovely impact to end the second day of this New Year. The conduct could be in many other ways. As it brings serenity, modesty and positivity to the whole scene, the effect is manifold. If one could just cut down time thinking about something or somebody which creates anger, jealousy, hatred, agony and pain, the pie of serenity, modesty and positivity becomes bigger, bigger and bigger. So...

Keep Smiling and Be Radiant!

Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love - Mother Teresa.