Execution is the Key

On the way to a movie today, I had a brief stop at a car showroom.

A small quote on a white board caught my attention. It was written possibly to serve as a motivator for the sales force.

It went something like this.

This quote has now been etched firmly in my memory.

It is all the more relevant in today's situation where India is dealing  with the Commonwealth Games fiasco.

The budget has overshot 17 times. There are allegations of corruption. The construction of the sporting venues is way behind schedule. The city does not seem to be ready to host the games. And all along, the leaders have been living in a state of denial - insisting that India was on track to host the Games.

These games were supposed to enhance India's "India Shining" image. But unless something magical happens in the next two months, India's image is bound to get a beating. 

Being chosen as a proud host of the Commonwealth Games, a sports event which is a congregation of 54 nations, was a proud moment for India. India won the bid to host the Games way back in 2003. New Delhi was chosen as the host city.

Then started the difficult task for building the city to host the games. 

A period of seven years is widely considered sufficient enough for this preparation. 

But that is on paper.

The real thing is execution on the ground. 

You have a certain target. You aim at it with the best of your abilities. But only two things would help you cross the bridge between the aim and the target - the planning and the execution of the planning.

Well, India did plan. But it looks like we have failed in the execution. And failed miserably. Lack of discipline during the execution of the plan could have been a critical factor in this failure.

In such situations, I always remember one quote about Indians. 

"Indians are considered to be good planners and poor executors". The author of this quote is unknown.

When I fail miserably in any task, I always look back at the reasons. 

And in 99 out of 100 times, as I introspect, I always come to one conclusion - The Plan that I had prepared was superb. But the Execution was poor. 

This poor execution is the single most vital factor in such failures.

This news article confirms my point.

A small excerpt is below

== 
Countdown to chaos

A phase-wise approach was to be adopted after the event was awarded to New Delhi in 2003:
1st: Entire plan to be laid down (Jan 2004-May 2006)
2nd: Creation of infrastructure (May 2006-May 2008)
3rd: Delivery of completed projects to begin from May 2008

CAG audit report in August 2009:
"There was no evidence of the phase-wise approach being translated into action during the first phase years of 2004 and 2006, nor during a major part of phase two." 

==

Need I say more??

What are the factors which contribute towards the poor execution? Rather, let us think about a few factors which would take strong steps towards ensuring a successful execution.

A leader is a pivot in the execution of a task. He or She should be a strong willed individual who can set the target firmly in sight and take steps towards it. Needless to say, he should be a exemplary leader who can carry along the team and motivate them during the execution of the task.

Decisions are important in the execution of any task. All along, the leader and the executors will thrown with a set of choices. 

The skill lies in opting for the right choice. Most of the times it should be an informed or strategic decision. In some cases, it will be driven by a gut feeling. But decisions should be taken without any procrastination.

Execution also requires dividing the big, long tasks into smaller chunks. These chunks should be measurable and the team should work towards realization of these chunks.

Funding is important for the execution of tasks. The team should ensure that they are well equipped to complete the task. The tools which are supposed to equip the team towards achieving the goal should not become a bottleneck.

And finally, Periodical review of plans is a must. This is necessary to ensure to check whether the task is on the right path. If not, corrective actions need to be taken appropriately. The earlier the better.

So guys, next time that you drive towards a Chequered Flag, keep a few things in mind.

• Have a strong start. Be the one to win the first corner.

• Plan your race. And control its execution.

• Talk to your team. They can tell you where you are flailing. I always believe that a view from the sidelines is one the best. 

• Observe the weather. The surroundings can influence your race. And you should ensure that you don't let it affect you.

• Change your tires once in a while. It is necessary to revitalize them.

• And stay on the track. Racing on the gravel slows you down.

These fundamental things would ensure that you earn the tag of a good executor. And become a winner!!

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Eyes

Jealousy streaked through his eyes. 

 

His eyes gave him away, revealing his  insecurities. After all they are the windows of a man's soul. 
 
But then, can you see a soul? 
 
To the best of the my knowledge, it does not have a spatial existence. In such an instance, how useful is a window for something which you cannot see?
 

But then windows are not only for seeing things. They let in a breath of fresh air. Like the kindness of a person which is displayed with his warm eyes.

 

Every morning, the rays of the morning sun cut through your bedroom  window driving away the darkness. Like those eyes, which sparkle with hope,  bolstering the hopes of someone which look upto them.

Windows let in the sound - when you are alone. It is this sound which is your companion in such situations. Then again, you must have heard that eyes can speak. And speak loudly and strongly.

 

A signal with your eyes can convey a strong thought, a warm feeling.

It can express your affection for your beloved.

 

And your love!!

And red eyes, with a hint of tear, share your anger.

 

Fear and anxiety, your deepest fears, cannot be hidden by your eyes.

And they usually give away your curiosity. 

 

They usually help straighten out  things. And cheer you up.

The list is endless.

Eyes. Precious Eyes. 

 

For others, you are the window to my soul. 

 

And for me, you are channel to construe this wonderful world.

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Inception - A Dream

Dreaming will never be the same again.

Courtesy - Inception.

This movie - directed by Christopher Nolan - is the talk of the town these days. And it promises to be over the next many months.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio among others, this movie promises to be a strong contender for next year's movie awards.

Not in recent times has there been a movie so intriguing. It has left the people thinking, guessing, imagining!!
 

Discussions on this movie is the hottest topic in the office food courts and the online community.

Reviews have failed to tell the storyline. This makes watching the movie imperative. You don't have a chance to understand the story, decide whether you like or dislike it, and then watch it.
 

A thin line between reality and imagination has sparked a raging debate. Everyone is giving their own version of what the movie meant to them.

This in itself highlights a basic human quality - Diversity of Thoughts. Show a group of people a particular thing - and you will be assured of as many interpretations of the topic as the number of people.
 

What was special about the movie?
 

Dreams!!
 

Each one of us must have dreamt at least once in a life time. Actually, that is an understatement. If science is to be believed, all of us spend at least two hours a day dreaming. While we remember some, we don't recollect the most.
 

Why do all of us like Dreams?
 

Well - A few reasons. It takes us away from reality.We need not be our real selves. It makes us see the world in the wonderful way we would like to see it.
 

Carl Sandburg summarized it neatly - Nothing happens unless first we dream.

What's the movie all about?
 

It's a movie about dreaming. About a journey in a dream.  Or in reality. A journey that goes forever.

In the movie, the reference is to two fundamental concepts - Extraction and Inception. Both these thoughts form the base theme of the movie.
 

If you are familiar with Harry Potter, then you must have heard about the terms Legilimency and Occlumency.

Legilimency is the act of magically navigating through the many layers of a person's mind and correctly interpreting one's findings. A person who practices this art is known as a Legilimens. In simple terms, it is mind reading.
 

Occlumency is the act of magically closing one's mind against Legilimency. It can prevent a Legilimens from accessing one's thoughts and feelings, or influencing them.

These two detailed conversations in the books highlight this concept elaborately.

Conversation 1
Severus Snape: "It appears there is a connection between the Dark Lord's mind and your own. Whether or not he is aware of this connection is for the moment unclear. Pray he remains ignorant."

Harry Potter: "You mean if he knows about it, then he'll be able to read my mind?"

Severus Snape: "Read it, control it, unhinge it. In the past it was often the Dark Lord's pleasure to invade the minds of his victims, creating visions designed to torture them into madness. Only after extracting the last exquisite ounce of agony, only when he had them literally begging for death would he finally...kill them."

— Severus Snape explains Voldemort's abilities as a Legilimens to Harry Potter

Conversation 2
"The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by any invader. The mind is a complex and many-layered thing... It is true, however, that those who have mastered Legilimency are able, under certain conditions, to delve into the minds of their victims and to interpret their findings correctly."

—Severus Snape on Legilimency
 

Well, if you think that you will never pull off these things - Extraction and Inception - then you are wrong. You must have managed it sometimes.
 

Sometimes, you want to know what's going through the mind of some person.

How do you go about it?
 

You ask a few subtle questions. You engage him or her. Pursue the question a bit more. Soften up the person.

Mostly, in the end you get what you want. You get the answer. That is "Extraction".

You must have done it right? At least once?
 

What is Inception?

Once in a while, you must have wanted someone to do something. Maybe for yourself or maybe for someone else.

Like this guy who helped a girl realize how her boyfriend was a good marriage material.

Or having deep discussions with your girl, painting a rosy picture of the future,  making her realize how good a couple you both would make.

This is nothing but planting an idea for your benefit. A benefit which will secure a bright future. This is Inception!!

Done it right? I assure you - the answer will not be "No".

Dreams within dreams. A maze of dreams. Never ending dreams. These are the perpetual features of this movie.

You might have experienced this sometimes. Even if I turn my memory upside  down, I can't recollect a dream within a dream.

But I have felt something similar to it. 

There have been dreams or conscious thoughts thinking about some ideas, some sentiments, some emotions. Then, most frequently, these thoughts lead to other better thoughts, views, feelings. You go with the flow.

If the sleep is peaceful, if you are undisturbed - these thoughts seem to go on for ages. And when you finally wake up, you realize that you have been sleeping just for some 30 minutes. But it looks like you have covered a few hours, days, months, years altogether. Maybe eternity.

This is dreaming at its best. I would call it a compounded dream. The movie refers it to as a Layers of Dream.

The name does not matter. What matters is the experience that goes with it. If you remember your dream, I bet it would be something that you would cherish for the times to come.

And if we are discussing dreams, then we also need to discuss about the things which cause a dream to end.

You must have seen countless movies - where the hero dreams about his girl. He is engaged in her thoughts - so deeply, so profoundly, so intimately - that a small disturbance knocks him out of his pleasant thoughts. And that's the end of the dream.

Think about the time when you must have been caught napping in the class. Dreaming about the pretty girl in the next seat or the next row. Dreaming about a first rank in the class. Or a good placement in the interviews. Or an admission in a top ranking university.

Until the professor's book or his white chalk crash lands on your head - collapsing you sweet dream. Bringing you back to reality.

That's the "Kick". It brings you back to your senses, to the real world.

Being there, done that right? I reckon you would.

But if you are dreaming alone, like you do in the night, what would be your "Kick"?

It could be your parents who woke you up every morning in your humble formative years. Or your companion sleeping next to you.

Or as in my case, my cell phone which doubles up as an Alarm :-).

And finally, in real life, sometimes you feel yourself so lucky, that the things which are happening to you seem like a dream.

And definitely you must have been in a dream where you just want to know whether the things which are happening are for real.

The things that are happening in your dream seem so wonderful, so marvelous, so terrific that you don't want it to end. 

But the feeling is all the more exhilarating when you get an assurance that the dream is real. The comfort that you get in the surety that the dream is real makes you cherish it. 

But then, how do we determine whether the dream is real or false.

The movie uses a Totem for this purpose. It helps the characters to realize that they are in a dream and not in real life.

But unlike the movie characters, we humans don't need a Totem that assures us that a dream is a dream. 

We need a Totem which tells us that the dream is a reality. 

That is the need of the human mind. That is our belief.

So guys, go get your totem.

Keep Dreaming!! Travel the world of fantasy with it. Where else would you get an opportunity to experience a multitude of a life time in eight hours of sleep!!

Oops... The alarm is ringing. Time to wake up. Looking forward to meeting you again in my dreams again.

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Enchanting Perfumes

We humans are blessed with five senses. Smell is one of them.

The nose is the human organ responsible for the correct functioning of the sense of smell.

So how do we smell something? How does it work?

The smells themselves consist of vapors of various substances. The smell receptors interact with the molecules of these vapors and transmit the sensations to the brain. (Courtesy this site)

This reveals an important facet of smell. It triggers certain things in your brain which can make you feel many things - good, bad, dirty, clean etc.

Perfumes are something which are designed to exploit this sense and thrill your brain, to make you feel happy, feel good, feel attractive, feel beautiful et all.

One thing that has always intrigued me is the cost of these perfumes. They are highly priced, to say the least.

The high price, with its exclusivity, makes it a difficult proposition to sell a perfume.

Perfume designers take an extra step to make them a sell-able commodity.

The name of the perfume is the second most important factor in its success. The first, of course, is the fragrance itself.

I have always been attracted by these perfume names. And I am supremely impressed by the creativity of the people who go about giving them names.

For example, lets consider "Touch" by Burberry.

Whats special about it? The name itself. 

While the perfume is designed to thrill the sense of smell, the name is elegant enough to send a shudder through the person with a sense of touch.

Sometimes, these perfume names, exploit some basic human emotions.

Like "Envy" by Gucci.

Well, Envy is a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another.

Wearing this fragrance gives you a possible opportunity of becoming the object of someone's desire.

Looks Kill!!

And here is one perfume which helps you in this.

"Spellbound" by Estee Lauder gives you that double edge - enchanting aroma and mesmerizing eyes.

Everyone has a special moment in his life. Sometimes it is frequent while sometimes it is occasional. And we always hope that this special moment extends upto eternity.

Nothing celebrates this spirit better than this perfume - Eternity Moment -  by CK.

We live on oxygen. It powers our live.

But can a perfume do so?

Yes. If you consider the perfume "Fuel For Life" by Diesel.

Addictions are bad. Cravings are not that bad.

If you want someone to get addicted to you, or crave for you, then "Opium" by Yves Saint Laurent can be your choice.

Dressing up makes you feel good. A stylish perfume can be your crowning glory.

"Princess" by Vera Yang gives you that royal touch.

However, to be attractive, feel attractive, you need not be a princess. You can be an enchantress with "Very Irresistible" by Givenchy.

Being an overpoweringly attractive beauty was never so easy.

Humans are eternal learners. Curiosity in stuff makes you a good learner.

But being curious, you usually tread along the path unknown. But being in control while being curious is a strong quality.

Are you "Curious in Control"?

Water - It's the elixir of life.

"Cool Water" by Davidoff gives you that sense of assured composed calm.

Are you single?

If yes, then this perfume is for you.

"Mademoiselle" by Chanel gives you an opportunity to wear your status on yourself.

It's not only the witches who cast a spell.

You can also be that enamoring lady with the fragrance "Enchanting".

Being a killer was never so easy. 

Beware - "Juliet Has A Gun". It gives you that "Don't mess up with me feeling".

There has been a trend of celebrities promoting their own self branded perfumes.

Like Chanel No 5 which was promoted by Nicole Kidman.

She was a critical success factor behind this perfume, with it being launched when she was at the top of her career.

Most of these perfumes don't have a special name. But the name of the celebrity is good enough to make it a success.

Like "Halle" by Halle Berry.

Or "Maria Sharapova" by her namesake.

Most recently, Jennifer Aniston has joined the perfume bandwagon with her perfume "Lolavie".

It was released two days back. And it has been rechristened "Jennifer Aniston".

So there you go.

What's in a name?

There is a lot behind a perfumes name.

Think about it when you see a new one next time.

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Sachin Tendulkar Vs Time

Sachin Tendulkar - You Love him. I love him. India loves him.

Sachin Tendulkar - "The Best" Indian batsmen ever to play the game of cricket  - is used to people praising his game.

Over the past 21 years, people have been supremely impressed by his skills and talents. They have acknowledged him with great awards and lavish praise.

But here is one quote on Sachin Tendulkar which extols him at the highest levels.

"When Sachin Tendulkar travelled to Pakistan to face one of the finest bowling attacks ever assembled in cricket, Michael Schumacher was yet to race a F1 car, Lance Armstrong had never been to the Tour De France, Diego Maradona was still the captain of a world champion Argentina team, Pete Sampras had never won a Grand Slam.When Tendulkar embarked on a glorious Career taming Imran and company, Roger Frederer was a name unheard of, Lionel Messi was in his nappies, Usain Bolt was an unknown kid in the Jamaican backwaters. The Berlin Wall was still intact, USSR was one big, big country, Dr Manmohan Singh was yet to "open" the Nehruvian economy.It seems while Time was having his toll on every individual on the face of this planet, he excused one man. Time stands frozen in front of Sachin Tendulkar. We have had champions, we have had legends, but we have never had another Sachin Tendulkar and we never will."

- Author Unknown

This quote says it all about Sachin.

I have just one dream - that of India winning the Cricket World Cup in 2011, with Sachin taking India to that glorious victory!!

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Companion

Life is a journey. You make the most of it when you share it.

You share it with your family, friends, colleagues, children et all. But the one who makes it special is your companion.

Have a look at some wonderful quotes on "Companions" which signify their importance in the life of any individual.

When we cannot bear to be alone, it means we do not properly value the only companion we will have from birth to death: ourselves.
Eda J. Le Shan

God created man and, finding him not sufficiently alone, gave him a companion to make him feel his solitude more keenly.
Paul Valery

In marriage do thou be wise: prefer the person before money, virtue before beauty, the mind before the body; then thou hast a wife, a friend, a companion, a second self.
William Penn

The quotes below highlight the how a companion can make a significant difference in the life of a person.

A faithful companion is a sure anchor.

Author Unknown

A helpful companion is as good as a coach.

Author Unknown

And finally, when you get a companion, the journey that you undertake with your beloved one would be eternal.

My companion and I were alone with the stars: the misty river of the Milky Way flowing across the sky, the patterns of the constellations standing out bright and clear, a blazing planet low on the horizon.

Rachel Carson

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

The Kiss After The Cup

The storyline cannot get better than this.

You have a pretty girl friend.

She accompanies you as go about doing your job.

She is not "just another WAG", but a professional doing her duties.

You are the captain of the national football team.

She is considered to be the sexiest television presenter.

Your team is considered as one of the the favorites to win the Cup. And you lose the first game.

She criticizes you in front of the entire nation when you do badly.

You are the man in charge of stopping the goals.

And when you miss stopping one, she is accused of distracting you.

As you take giant steps towards that greatest milestone, she beams with pride.

And when you are crowned the World Champion, she is right there interviewing you as the television show is broadcast right across your victorious nation.

She asks you about your victory.

You beam with pride as you speak about your country's champion status.

You are the nation's hero.

And you are her hero.

She is your love.

You express your love and affection for her by giving her a sweet kiss - right there on live television.

Well, this is the story of the victorious Spanish Football captain Iker Casillas and his beautiful girlfriend Sara Carbonero.

Catch Iker express his love for his lady right below

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

What Got Me Started?

Every thing that one does is driven by a single spark that gets it started.

Blogging is an activity which I try to pursue regularly. 

Way back in 2005, it was this blog - titled Filter Coffee - which got me hooked onto the world of blogging.

It all started with following this blogger's post on the Company's intra-net. 

These were the initial days of blogging and everyone was new to the concept of blogging. Later the blogger stopped posting his posts on the intra-net and limited himself to the internet only.

I followed him there. 

What made me attracted to his posts?

First of all, the blog was generously spiced up with pictures. The pictures were simple. Each of the pictures had a superb quote with it. This quote gave words and superb meaning to those static images.

The pictures were elegant. The words with it were thoughtful. The blog made for a good read everyday.

Maybe thats when I decided to start with my own blog. But the lack of regular access to internet, and generous time for self to pursue this passion held me back.

But finally I got an opportunity to start my own blog in October 2007. I got a URL of my choice and I was happy. 

I had been thinking about the name of my blog for sometime before registering it on the internet. In my busy work schedule back then, all I got was a moment to surf up the internet and read a story of my choice. That's how my blog was christened "A Moment Please".

Lack of a personal computer and limited access to the internet made me  passive blogger for a year and a half. However, with every opportunity, I attempted to write about a story which made me say - A Moment Please - on that day.

It was not until May 2009 that I started being a regular blogger. And today as I write this line, I look up at the heavens and say a small Thank You - for providing me this opportunity.

Blogging has given me an opportunity to improve my writing skills - something that I was poor at while in school. My essays, back in the school examinations, were miserable to say the least. The score did not go beyond a measly 3 or 4 on a scale of 10.

I have been trying to improve the content of my blogs. The writing is still in the evolving phase and I think there is a tremendous room for improvement.

Hoping to get good ideas, strong support and good learning opportunities in this wonderful world of blogging!!

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Football World Cup Finals 2010

The Football [Soccer] World Cup is drawing to a close in South Africa tomorrow.

It has been a month and 62 matches since the start of the mega event.

Just two teams remain in the battle!

The time has come for a new champion to be crowned!!

Spain and the Netherlands will be seeking glory as they will fight it out tomorrow in the World Cup Finals. 

It will be one of the most widely watched event across the world.

Lets have a look at a few things which made news in this World Cup.

Starting with the game itself.

Spain - the reigning European champions made it to the finals for the first time on the world stage, shedding their tag as the glorious under performers. A superb team effort was the driving point. 

The Netherlands also made it to the final - a significant achievement for a team which underperformed in the last two editions. Never to have won the Cup, a lot of expectation is riding on the Dutch team.

Germany - a nation which didn't have any hope from its novice team - saw its team play the semi finals - only to lose to Spain. Today itself they are regarded as the best bets for the next Cup.

Uruguay also made it to the semi finals, albeit for a shameless hand ball by Luis Suarez in the dying minutes of the quarter finals against Ghana.

The teams which carried a a lot of expectations - Brazil and Argentina - were knocked out in the quarter finals.

Portugal and England were eliminated in the Round of 16 itself. The big daddies of European Club football  were clueless on the world stage.

And the finalists from the last edition - Italy and France - were knocked out in the group stages itself.

But today, with the World Cup final just a day away, I have one thought - does it matter if you are knocked out in the first round or in the semi finals? 

I think it doesn't!!

Everyone is here to win the Cup. The gravity of the loss is the same everywhere.

Coming to individual stars, the World Cup has put many players on the pedestal where they will be worshiped like demi-gods.

First is David Villa. The man has been the single most differentiating factor in the Spanish line up, scoring five goals till date.

Next come W. Sneijder. He is the man who has put the Dutch in the finals.

Mirosalav Klose has continued with his superb form in the World Cup matches. He has 14 goals under his belts, and is just two goals away from a World Cup record.

The German team has given birth to several stars of the future - Thomas Mueller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski et all.

And this Cup was considered as the swan song of the golden generation from England - Steven Gerrard, John Terry, Frank Lampard.

What else made news at the Cup?

First it was Shakira for her Waka Waka. Shakira is set to close the cup with this song.

Then you had K'naan for his glorious Song - Wavin Flag.

Paul, the octopus from Germany, made his mark for being an accurate forecaster. Till date, he predicted the winners of six matches in the Cup - all of them turned out to be correct. 

The Spanish people hope that he is correct - after all he has predicted that Spain will win the Cup. The Germans hate him. And the bookies want to capture him. 

Diego Maradona promised to run naked if Argentina won the Cup. Thankfully they didn't.

Larissa Riquelme, a Paraguayan model, promised to imitate Maradona if Paraguay reached the semi finals. They didn't and the people were disappointed. Not wanting to let them down, she let her clothes down to celebrate her country's great run at the Cup.

The referees made blunders. Sepp Blatter lost his face, and promised more technological support the next time on.

The Vevezulas made themselves heard. 

The Jabulani - with or without its flaws - made the goals look beautiful.

South Africa and Africa made its mark. People will not forget the country and the continent in near future. Finally it is - This time for Africa!!

This is the month when every other sports event took a back seat. I did not care about the Formula 1 championships. I did not care about the Wimbledon. I did not care about cricket. Only one thing mattered - the Football World Cup.

My team for the finals is Spain. 

Hope that the Spanish Armada rolls through successfully in one more match, to be crowned as the Champions.

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Whats In A Name?

A popular facebook application gives the meaning of your Name. It is  specifically designed for Hindu Names.

Where does that people like me whose meaning does not have a meaning, if Facebook is to be believed?

:-( :-( :-(

That answer left me so sad.

Shakespeare said - What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

But then, can you feel something unknown? I doubt. 

But then should I be really sad about something which has given me my identity - even though it doesn't have a supposed meaning? 

As an after thought, the answer would be a resounding No!!

This was the label which gives an identity to my face.

This was the label which made me stand out from the rows of babies in the hospital - just a few days after my birth.

This was the label which called out by my teacher everyday - for registering my attendance at school.

This was the label which was tagged to my shirt  (with my address) - to ensure that I reach home safely in case I get lost.

This was the label which my friends called on for a game of cricket.

This is the label which identifies me on all my academic qualifications. 

This is the label which identifies me in the professional world.

When called out aloud, this label makes me feel that someone still remembers me.

This is the label for all my online identities (now is that really important?)

And finally this is the label which will identify me forever (hopefully!!) 

Do these thoughts make me a bit happy??

Certainly they do :-) :-)

And I Thank God and my parents for my name!!

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

Smart Career Advice

All of us strive for just one thing.

Making Things Better, in all spheres of our life!!

Trust you would agree.

And if you do, check out this interesting article which gives you good career advice on these very lines.

The ideas put forth in this short article is excellent, precise, concise and up to the point.

And this book - Innovate: 90 days to transform your business - by Dr. Rekha Shetty proposes to be an worthwhile read.

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

This is what I thought when I saw a few pictures of some beautiful children, girls and ladies.

The pictures are taken by one Denis Moore. Not sure who he is. Tried to find it out on the internet - but was unsuccessful. 

These things apart, one part was certain - the subject of the pictures conveyed a lot of thoughts.

Here are my views on the emotion, the thought, the feeling, the spirit put forth by these beautiful pictures.

Starting with the babies fist.

Will it break if I push it a bit more? Let me try.

This is a picture of a young baby girl sitting in a garden, oblivious to her surroundings, playing with a single thread of grass. 

The picture reflects the innocence of little children - how a single piece of simple grass can capture her attention in a world laced with complex things. And their attempt to discover unknown things.

Am I flying? Will I take off? 

This is what the little baby girl seems to be thinking as a strong gush of wind sets her wonderful little hair in motion and lifts her spirit.

Moving on to the girls and the ladies.

Stone cold.

Supreme coldness and iciness seems to reflect on the face of this lady. Her face seems to echo concentration and sometimes anger. The eyes are piercing, to say the least.

What is he up to?

This seems to be on the minds of this pretty girl as she hides behind a pillar, with her sight firmly set on the thing she is observing. She doesn't want to give herself away. But at the same time, she doesn't want her to lose her sight.

This makes her a tigress observing her prey, getting ready for her next assault.

I'm angry!! Why did you leave me when I wanted you the most? Next time, I will not be letting you anywhere near me. That's your punishment.

This is what this gal in her rumpled hair, with minimal clothing. just managing to cover her assets, seems to be telling her man - seething with anger.

Am I alluring? Does my curly hair with this green skirt with air blowing right through it make me look tempting?

It does, Miss Green.

Oh God, Thank You so much for what all You have done for me.

Looking up to the heaven, this lady seems to reflect upon her inner self beneath the infinite sky, praying to God for all the good things He has done for her.

Lying down on what looks to be fresh land, she is making the best out of a rare moment of bliss.

What will be my next line? 

This is what seems to be on the mind of this pretty girl as she contemplates penning down her thoughts.

Is there any better place to lie down, dressed casually, think and write down your memoirs than the comfort of your bed? 

She say - "There isn't". I agree.

It's been long since I walked with my bare feet on the earth. Does it feel the same it used to when I was a child? 

My ascent in the world of fashion has given "leather" multiple opportunities to kiss my lovely feet. But I crave for that wonderful soft, moist earth.

This has made the lady take her little sandals in her hands as she prepares to walk.

All alone, sitting on a ridge, staring at the skyline stretching unto infinity - this girl is reflecting her inquisitiveness.

What is it down there? Is it a rock or a small plant or a minute animal or something else? It's not known. But the desire to find out is urging her to check out that thing.

You are never alone. And when you are, such small things hold your attention.

I'm tired and need to relax. Let me have a power nap.

And what better way to relax than by catching a quick short nap. When the head needs a rest and a pillow is not in sight, you need to rely on your own soft knees. The refreshing nap is just priceless!! 

Work keeps you busy. God keeps you going. 

And to pray to Him, all you need is a personal moment of solitude. The location does not matter. The only things that count are your thoughts for Him.

Is someone following me? 

This looks to be on the mind of this pretty girl with alluring red lip color, as she walks on an empty street. The turn of the head is momentary as her eyes scan the horizon for someone threatening.

And the weight of the secret she is carrying is evident in her eyes. 

Dreams!! You need not be on your bed, about to sleep, to dream about something. 

The peaceful environs of a lush green garden, in the cool comforts of a tree's shadow, can set your mind on some wonderful thoughts. 

Her thoughts are however privy to only herself.

Am I pretty? Will he find me attractive? 

This is what the girl seems to be thinking in an enticing black dress, with a short skirt, with matching heels and an elegant matching hat as she waits for her beau in a garden. 

She doesn't mind throwing caution to the wind - as she sits on a simple staircase ignoring the fact that the dust can spoil her dress. Her own beauty has captured her imagination.

Freshness!!

She is an epitome of freshness - with her "just out of the bath" looks. The hair is disheveled but it does not hide her beauty. On the other hand, it makes her look more attractive.

The thoughts of the coming day seem to hold her attention. And her sight is set on that long drawn goal - thinking about steps to be taken to bring it closer.

What's that on the horizon?

Just out of the water, the lady absorbs what she has just seen. She doesnt want to give her away - with less than half her head out of the water.

Her eyes are absolutely magical. And she reflects amazing confidence. and poise. The small drops of water on her forehead makes her simply charismatic.

All in all, the thoughts conveyed by these pictures was simply amazing. Catch up with the complete list here.

Hats off to the photographer who captured these moments. And to the models who essayed the moods perfectly.

The pictures were simply divine. 

---

Share On Your Social Network

Tweet

Read My News Letter

Interested In Reading More?