Mirror to the soul

It all started when I heard my brother being involved in some college scuffle which could have led to his suspension. We spoke about it and I told him, if you aren’t directly involved why don’t you just cut instead of being in the mess. His reply to that was, “we either stand together or sink together”. I dismissed it thinking it’s the young careless high-on-life blood speaking and not a sensible mind. I relayed this incident to a very dear friend of mine and was expecting some nice words expressing what the heck my brother was doing, ruining his life. Imagine my shock when he said, “You should be happy your brother has got his priorities right” Me, “ Priorities?!!!! What priorities!” He, “Principles! A man ought to have principles!.” I will be frank here and confess I didn’t quite fathom the depth of his meaning then but after giving it a thought and more importantly watching “Scent of a woman”, I do understand it now.

A person without principles is like a flower without its fragrance. He may be good to look at from the outside but there is no essence to him, an amputated spirit. Now a man of principle doesn’t mean one has to be a saint, but he adhers to certain moral/ethical calling and he stands by it no matter what. What is your ethics is decided by you. The one example that flashes before me when I talk about this is Haji Mastan, a Bombay gangster and smuggler in the 60s and 70s. While he was a crook but he had decided never to be involved in any bloodshed or killing of any type. Regardless of what temptation was offered he remained away from it and hence earned a lot of respect in his community and was known as the only Don who had principles (For further details read the book, Dongri to Dubai).

When we are in a corporate world, we see a lot of people compromising on their principles in order to climb that ladder of success. And they justify the act labeling it as diplomacy and imperative. As long as one is involved in the sweet syrupy talks, one that you know the other person wants to hear, its fine but the moment you unjustly downplay your colleagues and leak their personal lives to get that extra edge with your senior, its not diplomacy any more, it’s a pig rolling in the stinking filth. Well guys, I know I am the last person to talk about ethics and morals but nevertheless I think we should all strive to lead our life in a certain way and I don’t mean here to be perceived in a certain way by the society. I dont care a heck about the society and have landed in few potholes for speaking my mind out. But I don’t regret it. It’s better to be a person who can walk head high with few close friends rather than being a spineless animal amidst a crowd.

I end this by quoting another of my favorite dialogue from the movie, “there are two kinds of people in this world: those who stand up and face the music, and those who run for cover.”

Choose what you wanna be!

My favorite book

Of all the books that I have read so far, one book that remains closest to my heart and consider as my bible is “Little Women”. The book revolves around four young girls and their mother staying alone in poverty when the father is out fighting in an American War. The famous “Marches”

The story is told simply in a very non preachy way but still tugs at your heart for the goodness of the characters, their sacrifices, the teenage whims and fancies and obviously the pure romance and friendships. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy March live in England and have very interesting characters. Meg is the oldest, responsible, a little vain of her beauty but very loving and simple. Jo is the tomboy of the house, boisterous, short-tempered, blunt and very clumsy but a sweetheart. (I really connect with Jo’s character without the goodie part!!). Beth is the lark of the family, shy , quiet, angelic and homely. Amy is the youngest kid. A golden beauty, sharp, arrogant , amazing painter and adamant. Written by Louisa M. Alcott, it’s a joyful ride into their lives but not without intermittent periods where tears are inevitable.

I read this book for the first time in my ninth standard and I knew right then it was special. I must have read it at least fifteen times post that. Whenever I am confused, just low, need direction, I dive into the Marches family and I come out of it happy and lightened. There are a lot of realizations that comes through when flipping through the pages. Obviously I am in love with it (Its not hard to guess!)

All I can say it’s a must read for all young girls and women. Just go with the flow without being critical about some tiny flaws that is there in almost every book, and get the larger picture and the message that these little women and their Marmee are trying to convey!

Happy Reading!!

P.S: If you have read it, I would love to know your views as well.