A Voyage Around the Sun

On 16th May 2014, the largest democracy in the world - India - witnessed the remarkable emergence and installation of a new Government. Close to 551 million voters (more than 60%) went out to vote and exercised their right to choose among available options (candidates). They decided and acted on what they wanted.

What was the outcome for those who didn't vote? Since they CHOSE not to act, they received the "Default" outcome decided by others. Whether they like the outcome now or not, they are stuck with it for next 5 years.

"Default outcome" is what you receive when you don't act.

At the Speed of Earth

I wasn't aware of the word "Default" until my college days. Later, it turned out to be one of the most commonly used words in my professional life. Of course most of us know what it means. But have you ever considered what it potentially could reveal and convey when applied to your life?

If you are like me then your New Year is ushered in with a bang of "Happy New Year". The night brims with life and bliss as we dance, drink and celebrate the first dawn of every New Year. In hindsight, the year in the rear view almost always seems to have cruised past us. We wonder and even remark how quickly it slipped by. Leaving behind an ever-growing pile of "Dreams and Desires"!!

Now on the first morning, as the hangover subsides and the eardrum vibrations diminish, we step into the New Year only to plump down in the lap of routine-life moments later. Consumed by its perennial rut, we embark upon yet another trip around the sun, just like dozens or scores before, hurtling at an amazing 30 km/sec in space. The destination? Of course no clue!!

The Next Default Trip

For a moment close your eyes. Imagine you are standing above and outside the earth in space. Pause your journey and think about what "Default" means for your life as you watch the blue marble.

What default results would your life lead to at the end if you don't act on your dreams? Is that what you desire?

Here is what Cambridge dictionary states DEFAULT means:- "The thing that exists or happens if you do not change it intentionally by performing an action". Another dictionary states: "Failure to act; inaction or neglect".

Do you want a DEFAULT outcome – an outcome not decided by you?

If no then the time to act is now. Challenge the DEFAULT, the status quo in your life. Otherwise, you are just 7 months away from another trip around the sun. The Next Hurrah or rather The Next Default Trip!!

Welcome Aboard??

The Bright Sunshine

Good Morning!! Aren't these wonderful words? In fact, these might be the first two words your loved ones get to hear from you every morning. And so does the rest of your universe - colleagues, friends and customers. On the flip side, these also are the first words you get to hear from them.

The Joy of Being Welcomed
The big 'checkered-floor' training room on the 2nd floor was full of computers that were arranged along its three sides. A projector lay in the middle facing the fourth. For next one month, this would be the seating and training area for a batch of 30+ young professionals raring to dive into the corporate world. And I just happened to be one among them. 

On our very first day, as I swung open the door, a brisk animated voice greeted me from the far end of the room. "Good Morning, Vinod". It caught me completely unaware (or rather like a deer in front of the headlights). It was so unique and invigorating simply due to its joyful tone. Somewhat startled, I looked up in its direction to spot the person. It was Sanil, Sanil Pillai, with a twinkle in his eyes that were fixed on me. He had a big smile on his face while his fingers continued playing with the keys.

I had never been 'accorded' such a welcome-greeting before to a day in my life. I really didn't know how to react and could barely muster a soft response. It took me few days to get used to such an energetic and lively 'welcome'. For next one year, until he quit, Sanil would welcome everyone with the same zeal and zest. But by then, it had rubbed on me too. The fact that I remember the moment even after a decade and a half shows how much it has impacted me. Besides, it also pushed me to respond with equal zest.

Bright Sunshine 
Have you ever observed HOW do you greet another person into a new day? A day of their life that they are about to spend with you? 

Do you greet them with a DRY welcome - engrossed in your preoccupation, no smile, no eye-contact and the words stretching themselves hard to reach the person? OR Do you greet them with a WARM welcome - shine in your eyes, a smile on the face and exuding LIFE. Does your "Good Morning" play like a subdued-note OR sounds like a chime? Does the tone of your voice cheer them up? Does it fill them with energy and excitement? 

If you still don't know then just think about this - How different is your "Good Morning" from your "Good Night"?

Bright Sunshine - that's what "Good Morning" stands for. Wish them abundance of it. With your complete presence! The way Sanil does!! Until next morning!!!

Out of Order Show

The band struck the chords and drums to tune up and their beats reverberated briefly through the auditorium. We were at the fag end of our marathon half-day session. The starving crowd, which had already queued itself next to the dinner tables, turned their heads in anticipation. They, however, were disappointed as no sound bite followed for next few minutes. As the minutes ticked by, there were occasional guitar, drums, keyboard beats and they were largely ignored. The wait was appearing to be agonizingly long and few persons had already left.

At last, the band played. And what a show it turned out to be! For next 30 minutes, they belted out one hit after another sending shivers down everyone's spines. They captivated their small audience and held them spellbound. The effect probably was magnified due to smaller size of the auditorium and familiar faces in the crowd and the band. It felt like being in a college fest after ages.

Later that night, while driving back home, I couldn't resist thinking about "The Band". They had a very peculiar name – Out of Order Band. If this was what Out-of-Order meant then I was for it every single moment of my life.

Noise or Music?

A band, in essence, produces sound that sounds like phenomenal music because it is produced in a certain pattern and order. How can they do it? Because its members understand and complement each other. They come together to play in unison, not in isolation. They do not compete with each other and neither any one plays to outdo the rest. Every member acknowledges and respects the contribution of others. Occasionally and intentionally, they allow one of them to take over and hog the limelight for a while. Why? Because that's what the music demands sometimes in order to propel the audience experience and that member to a higher level. And what do other members do? They simply raise themselves up to meet and match them all in that higher orbit. This is one of the ways how tempo is built. At its peak, it is beyond words and can only be experienced.

The Sounds of Life

Yes, life mirrors a musical band. Whether its sound bites seem like music or noise is controlled by us. What instruments and how many does your band require is decided by you. After all, it is your band.

In general, the instruments we struggle to synchronize across would fall under these 4 categories (rather they are the instruments): Personal, Professional, Family and Social.

We must recognize and respect contribution of our band members and ensure they play in unison. If they compete with each other every single moment, you will only feel stress and hear noise. Of course occasionally one or the other will hog the limelight for a while. Only for a while! Because if you allow one member to play for far too long, you run the risk of ruining the show. Your very own "SHOW"!!