Has concept of enjoyment changed

College submissions were finally over. They were not quite worse this time around. But still, after submission everyone wants a break. Actually we just keep finding reasons for breaks in some or the other way.

I wished that this break would be fun. But let’s see what happened. Many people were tired and were leaving for their homes. The ones who weren’t tired were suggesting playing CS or Warcraft in comps lab. Or some expensive movie in Fame. Or some overpriced Pizzeria. Some other crap restaurants too.

I began to wonder, has definition for enjoyment changed for all, but not me. I mean I like to eat in good restaurants, watch good movies. I believe in being with the times. But here’s what enjoyment means to me.

1. Cycling to the beach to see the sun rise
2. Playing outdoor sport like cricket or football
3. Eating lunch at a friend’s place
4. Roaming around good places in the city with friends, chatting along.
5. Having a chat with close friends and sharing life stories
6. Stop in a crowded bazaar and observe things around you
7. Go for a small trek, if not possible a small walk atleast.
8. Having tea at a small stall with toast and khari
9. Eating bhel at night at some quiet beach and just listen to the sea waves( preferably with your gf/bf if you happen to have any. else close friends)
10. A phone conversation with a friend whom you have not met for long
11. Watch a live drama at a drama theatre. Where as opposed to movies, actors have to perform to their best everytime. Not just for one shoot.
12. Riding bike with friends
13. Having a cold coffee or Ice-cream to end up a day.

Sometimes in life we move so fast that we fail to stop, watch the world around us, learn how things work for people, and to enjoy the moment. It’s not just earning big and being at expensive places. The best things in life come cheap. Many people might not agree, but it’s just a personal opinion. Your choice may differ.

To sum this up, once I said to my grandfather that “change is a very essential part in life”. I liked what he replied back “Agreed. Change should be there, but for the better”. What a nice thought.

I owe a lot to you…..

This analysis has been going in mind for quite a long time, but today got the time to write it down. An analysis of what we give to the world versus what we get.

What the world has given me?

Frankly speaking, this list is vast beyond imagination. If we just take a look at daily life, we can count so many examples. This pc that I am using comes with a chip that contains a million little transistors on a square inch size chip. So many people have worked to make it possible. Understanding working of single transistor amplifier as been a big deal for me, so the amount of effort somebody has done to build the thing that I am working on seems tremendous.
The cellphone which I use, which transports voice and data, even when you are moving in a 100 kmph train. People who build network towers for this to be possible. The clothes that I wear. The farmer who cultivates vegetables for me. My mom who cooks food for me. The numerous eateries I have been to.

The building that I live in, so many have worked to build it. The little hands that made firecrackers so that you and me could enjoy them during festival time. Recently we went to the railway control room. It was incredible. We can travel safely on trains because these people are working for us day and night. The public transport that we use, has a system. All working for us.
The movies that we see, so many people have worked behind the scenes to entertain us. The good music that we listen is an outcome of effort of so many great musicians. The dramas and plays we see, people working so hard to deliver it to us.

The software that I used, some freak individuals have had sleepless night to develop them. The games that I play. The great institute that I go to study. The number of people teaching me in life.The list goes on. So much can be written here.
Let me see the other part.

What I have given to the world?

You may say most of the above things were services, and we pay for them. So we should not consider them as people who work for us. But my point is let us keep money point only as a thing for exchange which you get by the services you provide.

So back to the point. What have I given the world? Until now nothing. Maybe after some years, I’ll be a coder somewhere developing some software in an air-conditioned cabin at 18 degree centigrade. Helping my company. Or at the most an communication engineer who works for some mobile firm building communication circuits again benefiting a small amount of people.

The conclusion is that lot many people are working for me than I can ever in my life work for. This world gives you a lot more than you can ever pay back.This analysis has left me doing some thinking. When so much is offered to you by the people around you, its your duty to do something good for them too. So I have thought of the following things

1. Never complain that you have busy scheduling, difficult deadlines, strenuous targets to meet. No matter how hard you work, there’s someone working harder than you.
2. Help those children who have no-one to look after, who don’t get proper food, sufficient education and other basic amenities. Help people in the old age homes who have no one to care for them.
3. Not consider any job as small or big, coz every task is equally important. Be it that of a sweeper or software techie.
4. Help people wherever it is possible in whatever small way you can. Try to bring a smile on their face. Listen to their problems. People want someone who they can share sorrow with.
5. Make small compromises on personal gain so that it proves beneficiary to a lot more number of people.