Walking, Watching and Listening

I have been noticing a lady during my morning walks for last couple of days not for any special purpose but for her way of walking and in doing so her movements make her an instant attraction of the fellow walkers. I agree she is a bit overweight of about 110 kg for her height 5’3” maybe an inch here or there but that is nothing that makes her the center of attraction but the way she walks always gives me a strange feeling. I have no words to describe the way she walks and the words I can think of are not printable.

I am not saying I walk in a perfect way but I have been walking for so many years and have seen so many different walking styles in my long walking career that I can almost write a book on walking styles but the one I have seen in this lady is something entirely different. It’s one of the funniest scenes when I see her coming from the opposite side on the same walking path in a Jumping Jack style intentionally moving her entire body right to left and left to right with special movements to her hands. 

With all my experience of walkers-watching I am seriously planning to start a study on classification of walking styles and their benefits that could perhaps be used by different walkers for different purposes. Seriously, I have seen so many styles like someone walking in Army style, or a person walking like an ostrich jumping on his toes or a person striding like a Kangaroo or a lady pacing like a duck. 

And while on the subject let me mention the lovely couples who finish their morning session of love chat in the park adding a little bit of attraction to otherwise dry walking session of people like us.  Call me jealous but it’s perhaps the modern way of keeping young and fit which I lacked so seriously in my younger days.  How I wish I was born a couple of decades later and save the feeling. 

The best walkers however are the ones who come in groups and take full advantage of their time gossiping about everything in the world. I am sure I am getting benefit of my morning walking and jogging in more than one ways first I am enjoying a better physical health and at the same time finding it good for my mental health.   Now the lighter side of walking-

Walking and Jogging- Good for Your Fitness

I am fond of walking and I write about my walking activities from time to time in different sites. I know some of you are aware of my walking and jogging habit but I keep repeating it as if I am the self appointed brand ambassador of walking. My activities are not limited to walking but I also give some time to jogging and brisk walking. My personal experience says that whenever I stopped walking it has always resulted in physical problems for me although I never gained weight. 

There may be different opinions of different fitness experts about remaining healthy but no one can deny that there is no better exercise than walking or running which keep us fit for long time and that too without spending any money. There could be difference in opinion whether running is better than walking but it entirely depends on your body needs and structure. If you exercise for the purpose of reducing body weight than running is better for you but people like me prefer walk as it has the least effect on bones.

I prefer walk or brisk walk for most part of my exercise but if someone wants me to jog along with him, I always give him a company for 200 meters or so. I have always felt that walking always have its maximum effect on hands, knees, thighs and toes but jogging is good for entire body as one has to maintain a rhythm in his entire body with faster movements. However, jogging should begin with walking and as your body becomes stronger one can gradually increase his speed.

There is an expert advice for people interested in jogging, keep your balance on your front of your paws. Jogging is also helpful for providing oxygen to your heart but not advised to people suffering from asthma, heart trouble, arthritis, obesity and back related problems. My favorite exercise is I walk at normal pace for a minute and then brisk walk for one minute than back to normal walk. I keep repeating this process for 20-30 minutes unless a jogger takes me for a company. Try it, you will love doing it.

Funny incidents during walking- Eavesdropping 

You know, my morning walks often provide me some funny incidents coming from my fellow walkers as I have to listen to some foul mouthed people which is definitely not a pleasant experience and at times some lovely but childish sentences coming from not so childish but adult persons.

I am not only referring to people that come in my contact but some the conversations I hear while passing them or walking behind them. You can blame me eavesdropping but trust me whatever I hear comes to me without my having such an intention but I agree I have the opportunity of having listened interesting things at number of times, intention or no intention. 

I know it’s certainly against ethics and cultural rules to listen to private conversation even if a person doing it for a valid reason but in my case it is certainly not my idea but I listen to them without any such intention. Of course, one can move out of the way when such conversations are on to somewhere else but by the time I move myself away I get to hear some of the lines and those lines are enough to give me the whole idea of the basic story.  

I often hear people foul mouthing and wonder why people speak in such a foul language and what best I can think is that when a person is overly frustrated but has not the idea of how to address his problem then calls name to blow off his steam to get rid his frustration. Or maybe they believe in the saying that ‘even whining around allows us to get a new prospective in life’. 

I am not saying I have never used bad language but as far as I remember I have never used the ‘F’ words in my conversation even if I was talking with my friends or total stranger when the things took an ugly turn.  I know my friends, so they never judge me for my bad outbursts and that too in seldom case and never too long. 

While on the subject, do you remember anybody ever said that our workplaces forbade us or had a policy on misappropriate behavior within close friends as long no one else was hearing? I have stopped it now for long but I used to try it sometimes with my close friends and coworkers during social gatherings but always without using any ‘F*** words of course.

Disclaimer- No malicious or bad intention please

But why I am so sarcastic then?

I fail to understand that why people just don’t understand this whole generation affair when they decide to classify it in different categories. According to them children these days belong to different categories starting from ‘A’ and ending at ‘Z’.

I am myself a member of this generation and wouldn't like to be identified as one who belongs to any such categories. Being a little naughty doesn't qualify ‘Z’ or me for category ‘Y’ I am literate (As much I know) Male - little too aged, (That is not my fault) I work full time (Lucky me).

By the way, I have played outside as a child and have well-staked values that I intend to teach my children and grand children. I will see that next generation is raised so no one brands them in category ‘loners’. Maybe we should stop trying to blame generations, when it’s just few people who annoy you.

Sometimes I feel like I am living in the past maybe 30 to 40 years before I was born. No, it is not like I am living ‘80s or even in ‘70s but in World War-2 era. Check the facts if you don’t believe me.

We are the same country that hasn't changed its ways of how it utilize its deposits of coal and other minerals perhaps largest in the world and yet won’t move away from use of fossil fuels. We are still the same country that hasn't changed or upgraded its rail signaling system since these were installed during the rule of British 70 to 100 years before.

I am worried about my internet which is so slow some times, using the same cables when even the poor countries have switched to fiber optic internet for long time now. I hope we would soon wake up in 2015 one fine morning.

Or why I am being so critical?

I think love and hate are directly related to each other and some may even say that you can love someone whom you hate at the same time.

Is that really true or possible? Let me explain if you’re unable to understand this logic! Yes, you are right when you say - Just how can I love someone whom I hate deep down in my heart?

 Sometimes I want to go mad at someone whom I truly love but he criticizes me openly and that too in front of others. Funny, isn’t it? But should we call it hate? Let’s look at this with a different angle I guess.

I don’t think I would never begin loving someone all of a sudden whom I really hate unless of course I am pretending. Or making things look so or maybe I’m in the process of trying to trick him.

Now, I am confused, or I think I don’t know much about it so quit thinking about it at this point. This is not worth discussing here.

There is nothing I can do with my online friends though because I can’t look in their eyes. If they make me angry I have to face them the way they are. However if this happens when I am offline, I leave things to your imagination.

I certainly do not want any one in my list of friends who pretends to be one of my well-wishers but in fact they are not. I would not mind someone on my list of friends who is my critic though. Okay I am looking forward for your opinion in this matter.

Is it my frustration?

I heard one of my friends renting about his frustration early in the morning when we met in the walking area of the park. He is not a whining type guy but he was really so upset today that I could not overlook him but decided to hear the reason of his disappointment. We sat in the remote corner of the park where no visitors generally go so early in the morning. He told me in detail about his stories which were related to his property and behavior of his son which was nothing new in our society but if we talk in individual terms, it’s a great problem for the ones who face them.

Frustration is a common problem and most of us suffer from it and the people with utmost positive mindset are no exceptions. Frustration is natural and common and you cannot avoid it but what you can certainly avoid is that you should not allow frustration to make you a permanent victim. People suffering from depression display patterns of abnormal behavior and that singles out them from normal people. The truth is if you let the frustration take over you the stage comes where there is no way out.

People that suffer from frustration or feel they are victim of personal disorder suffer from negative thoughts and sit idle doing nothing but I would like to mention Tallis Gomes at this point. Tallis is a Brazilian youngster who developed a Taxi finder App when he could not manage to find a taxi even after waiting for hours. In fact he found a way to fight with his frustration and did something creative.

All the people those go through such situations and come out of their desperation state will tell you that during the period when you’re stuck in such a position let the situation take its course. Your life will be back to normal within sometime because your wisdom and mind help take care of your physical or mental problems and succeed in the end.  

Conclusion- Ability to adjust with everyone with no questions asked

I am not ashamed to accept that I feel envious to the people who are popular among their friends, relatives and people in their social circle. No one says no for an answer if they ask to do anything for them but feel obliged rather. I often look at myself and wish I knew what would be the basic qualities that I should add to my own qualification to match with their skills.

I think all such persons have one basic quality that stands them apart from rest of us is there quality to adjust each and everyone even if they have very few things in common. They never ask any question neither they refuse anyone when it comes to helping others and that’s what they get in return as well. It’s probably their ability to adjust with everyone without any questions asked.

“The fact that your most happy moments are the ones that you share with others and your most painful moments are the ones that you faced being alone”, no one but I said this. (I hope it will be quoted when I will be no more in this world).

“The quality of ability to adjust with everyone with no questions asked”. There is no doubt about the fact that almost all the problems could be solved with our social activities. If a person knows how to be friendly with good social relation there is nothing that will stop him reaching to the top of his career. On the contrary people with strained relations, not willing to mix up and behaving too proudly face failure, depression and discomfort in most case.

I am a corporate worker with background in human resources to some level and know the fact that a large number of employees that lost their jobs in the industry for this particular reason, they were unable to cope with the social environment of the industry and not because they did not know their job or had no proper qualification.  

Best is not their best

I try my best doing things in a right way, as per rules and as expected of me but most of us do the same. But, sometimes I feel that doing everything in an organized way it never lets rest our minds at peace as it keeps suggesting something or the other. Then trying to give our better we keep trying newer methods and never feel satisfied despite our best efforts.

The question here is, ‘is it wrong to do things better?’ The answer is simple, do what you can do for improvement of work quality but it should come naturally and not with a feeling of unworthiness toward your own doings. It should not be at the cost of your own mental peace. In fact your thoughts, mind and consciousness make a perfect combination is the mantra for your over all power and betterment.

They want to do better

There is one more point; the extra spirit of doing better is another reason of restlessness for people having great working capacity, knowledge and willingness with all their might and motivation. Such people always do better than others. They are ‘never satisfied’ type people that can find fault even in the best they did. They are the sort of people who find something to worry even when there is nothing to worry.

Actually people try to take control over the unknown situations thinking about future situation just in case they could not do all the right things expected of them and lose their mental peace. The situation arises if a person is suffering from the feeling of insecurities but that does not help his cause rather sends him in a state when he cannot concentrate on anything and lost in the jungle of uncertainties.

If you ever feel you are one of them, you should ask a simple question from yourself- Are you putting extra pressure on yourself or trying to do something which is beyond your capacity? Trying to do everything which is beyond your control is like not believing in the power of universe.

Do it with all your might

In fact, one could work all through his life wishing all wonderful things in his life but the only way to get them is to work for them in a systematic way. But then a very simple question comes to mind, what is this talk about the right way or systematic method?

Here are two points that should help anyone willing to achieve success in life. The first one is if what is important or NOW. Or if it is really as important that it should be on your priority list? And if it’s not then do what needs your immediate attention.

And once you have decided your priorities and started working on them do not leave that job unless you have finished it. The same is also applicable to whatever you’re doing at any given point of time. If you are at work, just be there. It’s important to be there unless the job is fully done. 

You must now that we have certain fixed duties in our life which come in the list of our priorities to perform at your best or to work with integrity or to raise your children with all your capability. All these things are your responsibilities and fall in the list of your priorities.

You know we have a life to live and it will give us a different experience at every step. You should never forget that you will see changes at different points of your life but you cannot avoid completing your duties.

I don't know how much do you agree when someone says ‘I go on living even if have problems that I face in my life. Maybe I have certain fears, sadness, and other problems but I have hopes and dreams too.’

Most people tend to feel that they are talented, caring, smart and very intelligent and they have certain great things going at right pace going for them. But the truth is we all have our weaknesses and if you ask me then I have no hesitation accepting the fact that I have learned to live with all my flaws, qualities and talents. 

At what price?

I know many people who got everything whatever they wanted to including good salary package, luxury car and big house but not all of them are satisfied. They are finding life meaningless and feeling emptiness inside them because they have reached to the conclusion that they have got their success at the cost of something which was costlier compared to what they got in return. In fact, they paid too high a price for their physical achievements.

Perhaps they felt that they had sacrificed their relations, friends and the time for reaching to the top of the world or achieving their ambitious targets but they found themselves standing there alone. Setting all about your ambitious objects is nothing wrong but not thinking about your relations is as important but they forgot about this crucial aspect while trekking rapidly towards the top. Although they were not the only people who reached to the top but even those who reached there did not see anyone around because they were competing with each other.

Make your priorities right

The fact is when you work with an aim keeping your priorities right then you act in entirely different way. But to act properly you have to keep many things in mind which may sound funny to the persons looking at higher goals but these small points will save them from disappointments in the later stage. For instance, answer a simple question- how would you differentiate in between being alone or feeling of loneliness. In fact, you need your personal space but you certainly do not need loneliness.

If you ask me I would explain the meaning of being ‘alone’ as being with yourself and not feeling of loneliness. People who know the art of living alone know the beauty of meeting people too. And such people are altogether different from people who are lonely as I told you earlier that lonely is different from being alone. The people who have reached to the top but are lonely come in the category who have no one to share their happiness and sad moments with.

But did they really sacrifice their relations, friends and the time for reaching to the top of the world or achieving their ambitious targets? I think they only thought so or maybe they were only partially right! 

Logical and Illogical

Some of us in trying to prove our point of view logical find ways that have no logics. Now, what is logic and who invents them? Logic is something that shows your understanding something with valid reasons and effect and you can say science and Math are some of the examples which show your logic. As we know for sure that Science and Math provide proven facts and solutions of all the problems they deal with although there are chances that further studies may change the facts but you can only consider it as my logic into the matter. 

But if we talk about illogicalities, that is nothing but to assert to be untrue or by saying the things in opposition of what the facts are. Illogical in itself contradicts the facts or beliefs which have already established firmly. However, logic and illogical is a matter of great discussion which is going on ever since the very existence of this world and also considered a great weapon of self defense. However it's better to monitor all the points in question very carefully instead of speaking casually about anything without any reasoning. There is no alternate of reaching to a decision unless you agree to logics.

It’s also a proven fact that even during our normal discussions we experience logic is always being contradicted with falls facts. The discussion is way of understanding points of different persons but it loses it meaning if illogical views take over the reasoning and the situation turns out to be a tensed battle of words. As they say, it’s hard to cope with opposite views and especially so when there is no logic in the views as they find a new definition for illogical views to prove their point. Unless we have the power of molding our views and accept the truth which needs lot of courage and self confidence, the chances of reaching to a right decision are remote. 

It’s not Lifestyle but Mindset

I don't understand what's so wrong with western lifestyle or their culture apart from different people has different ways of living their life. However, if you ask me about my observation I think, we have not seen the positive sides of their cultures despite adapting many of their lifestyles. Maybe some of our concerns are reasonable to some extent but what would say if you wear the same clothes they wear or try to live the same life they live and still chose to say their lifestyle is not for you.

Would you believe me if I tell you that according to several surveys conducted among different communities living in different states of India within different age groups almost 5o% of those participated would ‘sure’ like to go the Western countries to work, 30% of them were ‘ready’ to go if a proper opportunity came their way and 10% were not sure if they ‘qualified’ but only 5-6% said they would prefer to stay back at home.

If you ask me the Indians feel about what they imagine about the lifestyle in west despite having come down in last decade or so still better than here and if given a chance they would prefer to go there and start their life in a western country. And that’s very much evident from the living style of corporate culture which is almost similar to that in western countries. I strongly believe that unless we will take matters in our own hands there will be changes in our lifestyle. Government has a role to play but only when supported by its people. 

However, despite our present generations have taken to western habits but what we lack seriously is their good habits. We take only that what gives us pleasure but leave that will make us sacrifice some of our facilities. One of the examples here is the ‘Odd-Even’ formula imposed by Delhi State government on trial basis. People tend to believe that the entire responsibility lies with government to make things right for them and they have no role to play in the process of clean and green living.

The main reasons - Body structure and mindset

I firmly believe that man has lost his ability to do anything rationality and cannot do a thing based on its accordance with reason or logically. I was having a discussion on this topic with one of my friends who reacted rather funnily by saying that the chances of being a man rational are remote and he explained the reasons too. According to him the mindset and body structure of the human are the main reasons for his inability which prevents him thinking in a right direction?

He went on proving his point by saying a man has two eyes, one of them is he uses for watching at self interests the other one for searching the ways he can use to reach the targets that fulfill his self interest. The man has two ears, one for listening what could prove beneficial for him and the other one for listening to someone or something as unimportant or bad or weaknesses of others.

Man has just one tongue but he uses it for sycophancy especially for the ones who provide him maximum profit. The man has stopped using his tongue for the real purpose of praising the worthy but praising the people whom he finds beneficial for him even if he never stops criticizing them behind their backs.

My friend did not stop at that but he announced with his full belief that man is the most self-centered and lusty person of the world who feels happy seeing others in pain. My friend went a step forward when I asked about rationality in man. He said that only the nature has rationality and treats everyone in a same manner.

I agreed to him but his explanation about natural rationality was even more dangerous. He said when the humans face the natural calamities there is no difference as it sees no difference in between caste, creed or color but spares none that comes in its way. I wanted to tell him that a flower blossoms in a rich man’s garden as well in front of poor man’s hut and without any discrimination.