My thoughts: Women - Crime

Women in India are categorized by youth/men into two types - One who is worthy of respect (Family/friends/who carry themselves in accordance with their expectations of an Ideal Indian woman) and other who is a subject of entertainment (everyone else who are not aligned with one's perception of a dignified lady/one who contradics the status quo in any form). And these perceptions though have a broad common standard, do differ narrowly based on social class. Its concerning to me as my perception completely differs from the generally accepted. I feel irrespective of anything, everyone deserves to be respected. Why do we type cast women or men for say according to their choice of lifestyle or dressing or opinion? Why do we need a woman to talk, dress or behave like our mothers/sisters to respect her?

Right from childhood, we are taught to respect the women in our family. Very often to show affection, sympathy or emapathy, one needs to compare with someone in the family - She is like your mother or someone's mother or sister. It is a great culture in one way, that we are being trained to see every other woman as a mother or sister but what if a woman does not dress or behave like our mother or sister? does she not deserve respect? and one looks at her with lustful intentions? excuse me but there are women who may not relate to any woman in your family but are great human beings! I have heard men say - "Ye toh na meri ma jaise dhikthi hai na meri behan lagthi hai" There has to be a greater education than this compare and respect theme. Though we cannot relate to another individual, we need to understand, learn and respect the beauty in these differences - acknowledge that the world is colorful because we are all different! Look at an attractive woman, respect her for whatever she is rather that what is expected to be. Even if she chooses never to be a mother or even if she does not have any siblings and even if she does not relate to the women we know in anyway. 

I await the day when everyone stops forming staunch perceptions about how others need to be. When we can see others differences and still accept them as they are with respect and affection, that is when we will not need women to look like the women in our house to treat them right and men to be the men in our house to feel secure. 

Though this may sound off topic It is not in reality - I feel somewhere we need to stop swearing and abusing each other using words or phrases involving women/private parts. For me, If I say something it lingers in my mind for sometime and then it transceneds to some of my actions. Is this cycle not the same for everyone? do we not become what we say and think? The sinister thoughts and words may breed in one's mind and eventually become actions under the influence of alcohol/drugs/chemical high's in ones body - anger, frustration, depression etc. Our usage of words have become so poor that lately it is becoming difficult to differentiate beauty with sexiness. This is certainly contributing to the crime in today's society in some level. I have rarely seen a teenager or a man in his prime describe any good looking girl (other than his wife/girlfriend) as beautiful. All they say is hot/sexy. People who rape/abuse women, women who are being raped/abused are not only the ones who are caught!, there numerous others who live a very normal everyday life but have done heinous things and have survived unimaginable acts that have been burried away from media and society at large due to various reasons.At least 99% of the crime is done by people that are not mentally ill - meaning mind is operating at some level, and it is having its feed thorugh time and society.  I strongly feel that we need to kill every means that generates filth in one's mind. Please stop abusing each other and even friends with words that do not need to be used. Reflect on a culture that we are proud of and want our genaration and the generations to come to be a part of. I deeply sypathize for the victims of crime and am certainly not among the ones who wait until it hits someone I personally know. I belive in action more than words. Words are my means to action and hence these above. 

Source of Happiness?

Often we bestow the reason for our happiness on success or on people who please us momentarily/situationally. But in reality what actually is happiness and what causes it, is something that was occupying my mind space in recent past. I did not do any profound research as such but quitely contemplated on this topic. Some of my thoughts are jotted here -

Most widely accepted definition (Also acc to the web search) for happiness: state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. The keywords I hook on to in this definition are "state of", "emotions". Only these two because by "well-being" what actually implies to me is that it a positive place/state and by "contentment to intense joy", we are including all the positive or good emotions (which release comforting hormones?) So, keeping these buffers aside, I feel happiness is a state caused by some positive emotion. 
So what generates positive emotions in human beings? 
1. When the senses are pleased (one or more of the five)
2. State of mind
3. Success and wellbeing of offspring
------I cant think of anything else to add to this list as of now. 
I find 1 to be external, 2 to be internal and 3 to be perceptional? hmmm
Externally generated emotions would not stay forever neither can we control it. so I find it applicable only when we are young and our senses are active. Internally generated emotions or clarity is more of value just because mind does not depreciate as fast as our sense organs. If we make peace internally with ourselves and the relation between oneself and the external world, happiness originating from such a beginning lasts longer for sure. 
The positive emotions generated when our kid smiles or achieves or giggles has some strange place - heart or mind or ?? perhaps where god resides if he exists. well well, in contrast the hurt generated because of loss of offspring or pain in offspring is again unexplainable. Anyways, I dont want to divert from the topic of happiness. 
After the simple breakdown of the definition, I personally would like to stay happy longer and if possible forever :-) That thought makes me happy. I feel internal peace brings in happiness through mind. Establishing peace with one self is very important. Many a time peace is related to our understanding of our own existence in relation and in co-ordination with people and world around us. 
I am working to make my mind as the source of my happiness. No harm in trying! LOL

Purpose And/Or Pleasure?

An interesting and intriguing concept evolved today out of some random thoughts...

Every person does every single thing with either a purpose or pleasure - ofcourse many a time there will be a situations where one finds pleasure in pursuing a purpose and may discover a purpose while enjoying the pleasure of the instance!

Its tough to punctuate and discipline one's routine.... ask me -- what kind kind of struggle it is... hmm...

But defining why we do what we do will clarify a lot - are we doing it with a purpose or for pleasure? This is a crucial question as it will sure trigger some internal motivation and change the locus of control towards oneself.


Everybody say's one has to clearly distinguish personal and professional lives but I am not yet successful in it. I think its more of an ideology than two separate concepts of "personal" and "professional" - The ideology behind differentiating these lines is in the integrity of the person. How he/she thinks!

I don't think any person in this world can be 100% effective in his work if his personal life is a mess,.... can one be loving and cheerful if he is just screwed at work! - Well, if one can be so detached then he sure has attained the supreme sense of detachment ( Gita - personified! Ahhhh)

Now speaking of the ideology behind how one can identify and clarify the concepts of professional and personal blah blah.... It is the choice between Purpose and Pleasure!
If we know why we are doing it we will know how important is and will figure out how to do it!

So act with the P's - PP or PL?
every thing can be identified by P's - eat, sleep, work, exercise etc....
Both the P's have power! power to motivate, power to change and power to enhance one's quality of life.

This one inspires me no matter when.....

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream–and not make dreams your master,
If you can think–and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!”
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings–nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And–which is more–you’ll be a Man, my son!

–Rudyard Kipling

Emotions and Reason in terms of LOVE

Well, this is a very serious subject but just to add a pinch of humour, I would be satirical, sarcastic and may be witty momentarily.

I love emotions that have no reason!!!  So far I could doscover only one that can claim to be reasonless - LOVE!!!!! I love love just because you dont have to have a reason to love...

Question: Do you need a reason for love?
Why do people love what they love - lets say objects, places or even people; Most of my acquintances say they love anything and anyone that give them a reason to be happy- beauty, power, pleasure, relaxation etc but is that true? I doubt it ---Thats just a momentary bliss that might last or not but is it love that is the reason for their bliss when encountered with these or is it mere bliss because of ticlking in their senses! Am I sounding like the maverick RGV? if so let that be.

As for me - LOVE is the only feeling or to better put it in words the state of mind which has no reason and it is 99.99% accompanied by a very strong feeling in the heart to go beyond over own logic and preconceived notions. There are people who claim to be in love but do not even understand how to forgive each other... what an irony that they dont even want to let go the reason for the reason of they being in love. Some others love material stuff and would never let them go --let they be old, worn out, useless still they hold on to them! Wierd are the ways of man. I never understand how people relate to such an attachment naming it love.

Love always makes life better, for it is the reason for all possible life on this man conquered world so far. I personally think it makes everything else easy.... if it is a weakness then people... I guess it is no longer love. Love can only strengthen mind, heart and soul! So flowery isn't it? I know... magical it is for sure.

So people.... love love - love life - Life is beautiful if you can see with your heart filled with love!

Mark my words - I may be totally eccentric in wrting this piece but I believe that LOVE is the only emotion that can question and beat reason and eventually be reasonless.

Perfect Day-

To start with, everybody has problems and they appear monstrous for every single one of us. At the same time there always is someone with more severe problems than us and less problems than us. Its only our perception of how terrible our issues are that make us happy or sad. Life is a journey filled with challenges and surprises. Ups and downs are quite natural and inevitable - knowing this still if one is unhappy about someone or something in life then they really need help/

I feel the perfect day is when there is no gap between getting on the bed and sleeping; or/and opening eyes and waking up; despite all the problems around. I think and feel perfection is so easy when we can differentiate perfection from idealism. Being ideal is impossible and expectations close to idealism are irrational. But perfection is possible and should be personalized! - what I mean is if one fits in every possible thing he/she wants to do in a day in a reasonable, logical and timely way that sure is a perfect day.

In reality there are no rules, we all write our own rules and play by our own rules sometimes in consciousness and sometimes unknowingly. Determining those rules to make our seconds, minutes and days better is a wise mans job. Its easy trust me - simplifying life is the key. Confusions often lead to wrong decision and will complicate life leading to loss of peace by opening doors to unhappiness. Well, if you are in confusion - TALK. doesn't matter who you talk to - self or family or friends or even your pets. Its all about you clearing your own confusion. I have seen many people (some call them introverts/conservative people) who keep their problems and confusions to themselves and wallow in agony, pain and worry all the time. OK if you don't want to express out or give others a chance to pick on you (the reason a few of them say) but what about self talk.... do not under estimate the power of self talk! It might sound cinematic or very flowery but it works!

We all have our secrets and stuff we never might want others to know but can we get such thing out of our mind or life? then what is the harm is talking to ourselves and opening up the hairball of complexities.

Well, all I suggest is our happiness for sure is in our hands as long is we are not trying to please everyone, everywhere and every-time. Every day is a perfect day if we can make it!

Have a great day folks!!!

what can you give?

Well, I just happen to encounter a good friend of mine who was quite disturbed when he came across a hate group - "**** India" and was responding in his own way to combat and give some comfort to his patriotic instincts.

The cycle of Hatred as I call it cannot be broken by direct encounter! If it could, it would have long been gone. Govt of India, the military, politicians everyone is trying hard to TALK terms over!!! what an irony that after every such attempt there has always been a totally opposite reaction somewhere in the country! Its only after one looses ones mind that they can hate someone beyond a limit I feel. we all dislike stuff. we all dislike people at one or the other time but hold on...... are we really hating the people or their acts and decisions?? question yourself. I feel I only hate or dislike certain acts/words or decisions by people/officials/governments that does not mean I have to hate them for the rest of my life! People/countries are an amalgamation of activities, decisions and attitudes its officials or controlling powers take up. When these controlling authorities are mistaken its them to blame for that one wrong decision (of course that might define the fate of that nation eventually) BUT its only some person's decisions that can be disliked or hated not the nation as a whole or a person entirely!

I think it is rather very naive and un becoming of a person to get into this hate circle and waste time, mind and resources in creating groups to promote hate or to join them in order to refute their argument! both are utter waste. If you feel patriotic and have got your blood boiled if India lost a cricket match or if some hate group was created in some social networking site is that of any use to the country or its people?? even remotely do you think you can influence these screwed up minds? I dont think so... well, if you want to solace your patriotism work towards the benefit of your nation, no effort is small - drop by drop makes an ocean right? so does min by min count. If you have time and intention to work for a better India - open up and do something about it! rather than waste time over with these ridiculous arguments of hatred. 

I feel that if we all Ignore!!that would as well refute the existence of hate.If you encounter such people give love by showing sympathy towards a broken logic for these week minds.

because everyone be it a Pakistani or Iraqi or American or Indian - they are all people and all of them feel pain the same way. Its only sad that they did not get enough love to understand love.

I have a strong belief that we can only give what we have! I have love filled in my heart and hope filled in my mind so I shall give them. If you find people spreading hatred, sympathize that they only have hate to give since may that is the only thing they got in them!!!

Now question yourself - what have you got? love? knowledge? wisdom? peace? logic? coz you only can give what you got!!!

Success - Self Obligatory!

"well, success is the sense of accomplishment that one feels after a job well done from within. It has nothing to do with what others judge upon!" ____Sowmya

I felt that peace and sense of accomplishment when ever I gave my best - That was it...

Many a time we think we gave our best but we actually just become complacent by fooling ourselves that we did all we could. lame excuse! If we extend ourselves towards THE BEST we can do, it is only that person who will know if he reached his potential or if he can do better. Also I think there is always room for improvement and it does not mean that if we can improve, the previous performance was not up to the best! People keep changing, time keeps moving forward and situations keep altering themselves every microsecond. Given all circumstances and advancements I think there is always a room for improvement even if one does their best at one particular sec.

On the other hand, we feel good if people around recognize our efforts, thats where judging/grading and peer opinion comes. I would surely like it if my friends and colleagues think I did good job along with just myself. Sometimes this acknowledgement is necessary too like when your boss is not happy with your work and you think you did a fine job... nooo way that the situation will help! So/// I strongly opine that one has to understand and go according to the situation along with being self obligatory*.

* Self Obligatory in sense that no matter whom we have in the situation to please, it should be oneself to be impressed in order for others to appreciate.

All this musings - coz I am waiting for my sem results?? or some other results --- ahhh... whatever. I gave in my best of best for this semester I give myself a 4.0! now its for the world to agree with me or not... (I know I can sometime be extremely un-agreeable and contradictory to popular beliefs!) whatever be it I can gel well with the situation... :-)

Finding peace with self!?*!!@#

Today is Vykunta Ekadasi, When Grany was alive - she used to pray for long this day and used to recollect Badrachalam etc etc... I always wondered how she was so peaceful and worry free in-spite of her issues. Its not about how much you buy or how much you eat or how much you own I think its only about how you feel and that is purely and entirely a mind game. If your mind is tuned to seeing happiness and contention is true values in life then no matter what one can be happy and at peace. I tried to pray and relate to my spiritual self today but just couldn't concentrate. All I could do was think - no muse about what is being happening with me and my family. I did pray for everyone to make peace with reality. Its difficult and most of the time it is in fact a war within self when the reasons for adversity are not known. Death in the family can be so disturbing. Everyone if consciously and subconsciously effected so very much that their very basic ideology about many things is at jeopardy.
One incident, one action or one question is sufficient to make your world upside down. Appreciation is a very powerful thing! We forget to appreciate our people and their actions many a time. but the much needed emotional fuel that a person needs is appreciation I think. Love of course is as always but the concept of love is so fluid that its nearly impossible to interpret this imposture. There is not point digging about something so fluid and uncontrollable like - God, love, universe, religion etc.... I guess a 100 PHD's would be little to know a drop in the ocean. I strongly feel keep the big words like the above to your intuitions at that moments and take care of little things around these big ones. That should take care of the big ones eventually.

My list of these lills are -

smile: can change the mood and energy level and is very contagious - Do spread this lill as the more you spread the more the chances of people becoming friends and friends make life beautiful :-)

Appreciate: Appreciate people around you for being good and doing right things. It is very easy to ignore simple acts and words but a Thank You with a Smile does a huge difference. I tried it and it worked out so very well.

Let go: This world is so messed up and so are we. There may be more than 100 times in a day that we feel like "Oh no!!!!" " What the heck" "Pleaseeeeeeee nooooo" "Not again" "No way" etc. But I feel we should all let go things. Its very easy once we start practicing. let go when you dont like something, let go when someone hurt you, let go when you dont like how it works. Coz we can not always change things. There is no harm in trying but take care of your emotional health people!!!

Health - Physical, Emotional, Psychological is the one that drives your life. It is our primary responsibility to take care of ourselves in all three angles. This tripod of life can stand erect and stable only of these three legs of the tripod are strong and stable.

Forgive: - I read somewhere: To forgive is to love!!! lets stay away from the biggies... I am kind of frightened to even talk about them. To forgive is difficult people but once you learn to forgive, life becomes so beautiful and easy. all the above lills are a cake walk then on. This one is the toughest undoubtedly. Please try and forgive one who hurt you once and see how you feel. All this will completely make sense then.

This is the result of my time with my god today. Oh my god - He is powerful in influencing me and more. :-)

Anyways - We are what we think .

Got to get back to my chores....

Thanks to you R.

I happen to discover and learn more about myself through many people around me..... I had a discussion with a very good friend of mine about people/friends/expectations etc....here are some glimpses of that conversation, I though it was worth posting -

I do not like people who have a lot of expectations from their people. because I believe and am a live example that from expectations comes pain in any relationship. I cannot deliver anything if someone is expecting anything from me be it my dad or my teacher or my boss or even a friend.

I am the closest if one lets me go. please don't take me otherwise but I am like this. I try to expect least from my people too. that's one major reason why I will be able to forgive/let go even if someone hurt me because somewhere I was expecting that they/someone should be the way I want them to be and they turned out to be themselves and if that hurts me - it is not them but me hurting myself by not agreeing to the fact that they are a different and unique person with their own life.

In the same way if anyone has a problem with me, they should think is it me or is it just them.

I do not expect anything from my friends. I have been hurt enough that I cant live if I am any less than this. I know that I have been a pain in the *** for some people around me. but if you don't want to let go things, you have to take the pain.

Nice that I have such conversations which help so much in discovering self. Thanks to my friends for helping me in so many different ways. I love my friends to death. No matter how bad we fight, they end up teaching me something and the best part is is they are persistent and keep teaching/have a lesson for me till I learn (I am not a first go learner)

The way we develop ourselves is so very intriguing. Praise the lord for this amazing creation! - Human Brain.

Nature and Me

I was always fond of nature and it has been my true friend _ always there when I needed a friend most. Of late after me coming to USA, I started to enjoy solitude more than people but at times when I needed to talk, at times when I needed to share, at times when I needed to ponder, green gave me all I wanted to get back to the ever changing, ever challenging vicious cycle of life. It gave me courage, smiles and strength. I will always be grateful to everything that happened with and around me and honestly most of the credit should go to nature - made me learn to appreciate and let go things for much better stuff to happen.

Nature is very powerful, it can devastate the whole beauty in seconds and still be what it has always been. The measure of its potential is beyond any human imagination. After all man could not reach beyond a few planets! What an irony that he boasts of exploring the universe when he couldn't yet confirm the number of living species on earth precisely. It always has been like this - over estimate yourself and be contented! Show a false picture that humans/we are the greatest living beings ever! Crap I say. We are merely another accidental mutation as all other creatures are.

Nature is married to time. and mind you, this is the best marriage ever! Coz there is no survival or meaning for one without the other. Time reflects and measures all the nature's deeds yet never exposes nature to any one moment in all to anyone. It dissolves and archives everything, forgives natures mistakes and celebrates its accomplishments and most importantly it never ever stops or questions ...just let go each other
How beautiful is a relation that is so twined yet does not interfere! I honestly wish my fairy tale has me as the time and my man as nature or vice versa. For such a relation will not have a beginning or end ! It just is as always been :-)

I know I can never thank or extend my appreciation to nature or time in the measure I want to but I surely will hold my gratitude and respect for time and nature. They have taught me more than anyone or anything ever. I bet though most people do not realize it is the same for many if not few./

with love and gratitude,
CSS

Independence from what?

Why are we claiming the independence that we don't even deserve!!
I absolutely mean what I stated.
Except for those who are seriously doing something big or small to get rid of at least one of the many diseases that are there already in our nation, nobody else should call themselves independent.

Independence is born out of interdependence, how are we interdependent? we are interdependent and strongly connected with threads named - religion, caste, areas, creed and greed!! What an irony that we are unity in diversity...... in crime, drugs and narcotics, human and arms trafficking, corruption, power thirst politicians, unstable governance, and un-satiated thirst for more, more and more wealth!

If we feel we react??? don't we.... If you burn your finger your impulse pulls you back that's because you feel burnt! if you are hurt you bleed/cry, If you love, you express in one or the other way, for every feeling there is some impulsive action or thought generated but what are the actions or thoughts of all the fellow Indians who feel for their country? who say "we are Indians" ?
Most of them do nothing!! at the max they fight over in forums and discussions defending that they are so fair and worry about the country , in this process they even go to an extent of abusing the other person who debunks their thought process as they can do nothing more than abuse and shun the argument that they cant win or make a point!

The problems do not start with the CEO's-Politicians-Big heads, the problem is with every one! right from the base of the pyramid. The problem is with

1. Comman man:
Dont complain! Dont explain!
They neither complain on their higher officials neither they try to explain to the offspring about what they could not do and should have done!
Always wait for someone to come and fix their life!
self-reliance disappeared into thin air- most of us usually try to get things done either from our family, friends or known people. Worst of all most people don't even take care of their own health!
Some speak loads about corruption, extortion, etc etc... crap.. "iss desh ki tho wat lag gayi yaar! hum kya kar sakthe hai, koun manega hamari baath, koi kuch nahi kar saktha!" How rude is that? and How stupid is that.... khudki chodo... e log sab ke baremein statements de rahe hai!!! in turn they are effecting the subconscious of the crowd around that nobody can do nothing! so discouraging!
My request is just slap them on their face if you find people like that. and say this " tu kuch nahi karsaktha kyu ki... bhonk ne wala kutha kabhi kat tha nahi hai! kum se kum mu bandh rakh ke so ja... "

I honestly believe if we really want to do something we will do it. Everyone is a hero in their own life! so just make significant positive changes to yourself. stop talking negative, stop looking down on anyone, try and stop the bad in you because there can be no better judge than you for yourself.

2. Working class:
The most complaining lot! my boss, my peers, my workers everyone suck!! ( let me tell you this... that's because YOU SUCK!)
These guys are very influential.... they sure can do a lot provided they simply come out of that cocoon build around them by the corporate/working world. They sure can set an example for the people lower to them.
GUYS.....Why dont you think ??
Its far more easy for you to do something than say I work round the clock and have no time for myself, what can I do for the nation. The problem is you do not know the potential of what you can do!
Ask me I can give you ideas. all you need is a bit of social conscious in your heart.

3. Managerial class:
These are the most clever guys of all. They play safe... build their own empires and see that things go well with them and their family. They give a damn about the people around or the country (most of the time - MOT). unaffected and undisturbed by whats happening. But folks..... what goes around come around. so watch out. If you don't involve yourself, at some point of time you will find yourself neck deep into some crap or lost in the oblivion having spent a worthless life!

If you want to do something ask me how because clever lot like you know what can be done but just cant figure out how(MOT)! There are answers people!!! everywhere.... start looking around. you will be amazed to discover your own potential and thrilled by the results and level of contention you would encounter.

4. Upper wings:
These include the big heads in every field - politicians, affluent people, celebrities, etc
What do you think these guys can do... if they wish to do something? ANYTHING. Its our ill fate that they don't think for others (MOT). Not just me I think anybody can tell them how and what they can do to better the society around and country in the big picture.

One last thing friends and fellow Indians-
Our country is having many diseases and they are progressive, if we don't react we are multiplying them! please open your eyes and get cure. We have sure crossed the prevention stage but not cure stage/ please please join hands and work for a better tomorrow. Things are not good now. don't get misleaded by false hood! But the more we dealy the more we are helping situations worsen!

I love and pride my country and value its independence and I know that so do you. so... think about it. anything and everything around you starts with YOU.

National Pride?

I pride being an Indian?
proud to be a Pakistani?
proud to be an American?

Why should one pride being in one nationality...
I was musing on this topic....

I personaly feel a lot towards my country and always have some desperation to do something for the wellness of my country. Now My country..... How is it my country? because I am born and brought up there. Okay.
Born there///-----> Birth is an accident. I could have born anywhere infact.
We cannot choose our parents so... its something predecided and not earned by us.
Brought Up.............> My brought up was there because my parents were born there which again goes back to the last statement.

Now coming to Pride/.... is it not arrogant to pride something that you did not earn? Yes it is. Absolutely. I find my reason logically pleasing....

Then what is this attachment towards a place ? is it any thing near to caste/ religion feeling....
What a contradicting ideology am I having. Never could stand the caste feeling but now this country/race/ethnicity is exactly the same as that. what a bullshit!!!

Further argument within myself has led me to understand that there is difference in humanity and love! I don't understand how that national pride took me to distinguishing love and humanity... but this is what has happened

Love is a feeling which will want you to keep the other person/being happy and smiling no matter what irrespective of self interest. we find satisfaction and peace in the loved one's success and happiness/ Humanity is not wanting to cause pain or helping other person in sorrow and guilt. There's very clear distinction.... here.

One can be happy to be in one country but how can you pride being its citizen..... only if you are involved in evolution of that country. I don't think anybody will have any right to feel proud about anything that they did not achieve.

One Can definitely love their country.... want its prosperity.... but pride??? I don't think so...

My self talk might not have answers but is sure generating a lot of questions worth thinking about.

I would appreciate if my friends can join the dialogue.

Vegetarian?? Here are some profound reasons :-)

Consider becoming a vegetarian (I am a vegetarian) because : ---->

• Plants don't shit.
• Plants don't have sweat glands.
• Plants don't have blood.
• I don't like chewing on dead bodies.
• I am not blood thirsty.
• Vegetarians live longer.
• Vegetarians are healthier.
• Apart from salt which can be got from the sea, plants lack no nutrients that an animal can give because the animals themselves got those nutrients from plants. In fact animals may lack many nutrients that plants have because they may not have absorbed it.
• Plant food is healthy food. All plant germs are destroyed by proper cooking. Whereas animal germs may survive even when fully cooked because the fat in animals protect the germs from being destroyed. Such fat is not present in plants.
• Plants can't cause Pandemics like bird flu, SARS. There is a possibility that an animal virus can infect man, but there is not even a remote possibility that a plant dependent bacteria can migrate to humans.
• Plant food is plentiful as they lie at the bottom of the food pyramid.
• If the demand for animal food does not go down, then animals will continue being crammed into confined spaces in order to breed the largest numbers in the smallest area possible, which will increase the likelihood that an animal virus will migrate to man.
• I live in India (The world's number one vegetarian country.). (We Indians have a terrible time finding good (healthy vegetarian) food when we travel outside of India.)
• My ancestors have been vegetarians for thousands of years.
• Elephants are 1000 times more stronger than you. Elephants are the biggest land animals and elephants are pure vegetarians. I am pointing out this to bust the myth that vegetarians can't become big and strong.
• If it seems more humane go one step further and become a vegan.

Now, Can you beat that?