Of social wars, floods, and viral

Very recently I started working as a social media consultant, it’s a learning phase for me. So far I have been a UX and user research professional under the umbrella of e-learning and web world. And one of the key things that I feel in the world of social media is that compared to peers who are mostly in their mid 20s, I am somewhat experienced, or at least old enough to remember how things used to be before we were digitally tracked, consumed, and sliced to these social media platforms. I remember the times of the circular dial on a phone, the snail mails, the long queues to book rail tickets (forget air travel, that was an ultimate luxury), business relationships built through mutually-shared trust, and good will. The key was - The Human Touch. While I was in school there was no Facebook, Twitter, or Google.  There were no social floods, wars, or viral. We only learnt these terms as part of the course-curriculum. Wars were understood as armed conflict, flood was overflowing water that could wash away every possible form of life, and viral could kill thousands of people in a day when spread. You ask, what’s common?  It’s very serious because it involved blood, emotions, and life. School to College - As years passed by we got computers and that’s when I sent my first-email, the subject was ‘hello - test mail’, didn’t actually know whom to send a digital mail. Funny!  I graduated and got my first job in late 1990s, 1998 to be specific, and luckily it was an Australian company and hence they believed in technology to some extent. They started taking  orders, sales brochures, and customer service policies etc via a strange thing called ‘website’.  No doubt it was very efficient but I could have hardly realized it at the time that, we were creating a web between ourselves and our customers, and it would only become more tangled as layer upon layer of technology was wedged between the two. It was a one-way ticket! Yes, can’t ignore the fact that people dependencies reduced, error count went down, quality improved, it was faster and less time bound, was available at any time of day or night. Just like me, most people especially the youth was enjoying this speed, where accuracy reduced to computer keystrokes. Who could imagine that one day it will be a war which is bloodless, yet dense, and competitive. Coming back to the present, there were multiple posts all of yesterday, “Twitter renews war with Google over Google’s Search Plus Your World”. Multiple users wrote, “It's unfair to other services and it's unfair to people.” So, there is war, there is world, there are people, and yet it is bloodless, what’s missing is the soul. Doesn’t that seem ironic? Behind the Twitter avatars and Facebook updates, the text messages and the Skype conferences, people are the same.  They still want to be acknowledged. They want to be heard. They want to cut through that digital distance. They want to interact digitally to form a relationship. It is once again time that we as well as organizations come out of their shells, break the barrier and use the digital way to talk to the customers, listen to them, understand their concerns and respond and make them feel valued.  I believe those who will be the most successful will be those who can integrate technology into their interactions while maintaining the human touch. As I have immersed myself in this new “social media-professional” role, I’ve been noticing  some social media trends: Twitter: Among professionals, Twitter is becoming the holiest of holy. The exclusive and  elite. Its smart and creative. You can be witty,you can be cool, #YouCanComeUpWithCreativeTags. Twitter is the conversation. It is a world without the drama of Facebook and that’s where the juicy stuff lives. LinkedIn: Every day I receive new notifications from my classmates, and  ex-coworkers. It’s been a realization that we need LinkedIn while looking for our jobs, to network, and to stay connected without sharing personal life with fellow members. Facebook: No, we’re not leaving Facebook.  Whether we post updates or photos or not, it is a way to stay connected with all your old friends, neighbors, one evening strangers who become friends and you know you won’t get to meet them again. Too many photos, lame jokes, one liners, tags, names, events, birthdays… basically too much history together.  But we have also trudged through all of the constant change Facebook has put us through and frankly, it’s exhausting. But we still choose to continue posting our lives, and the trials on FB, after all it offers us a “family-friendly filter”. We love you Facebook! Google+ In one word, FAIL. Seriously Sad.  I don’t care about our  impact on SEO. I joined. Created “circles” and BAM no updates ever. Everything that is cool about Google+ can be found elsewhere. The new ‘Search Plus Your World’, hmmm.. too early to form an opinion if it’s time to board the Google+ train, or let it pass. As of now I’m happy without it. This is indeed a fascinating issue, and as much as I hate to admit it, I think, that to prepare for the new world, it means digital, digital, digital. Texting, Social Channels, Gaming, and Networking is not going to go away. Thanks to Mark Schaefer whose articles inspired me to write this post. And a big thank you to Shivnath (my supportive boss), Rajesh and Gaurav for helping me learn what I have learnt so far. Be Yourself, Stay Social, Stay Connected!

My love for cooking

There is something beautiful about cooking, picking fresh, crispy, bright looking vegetables from a local store. They actually talk to me and hence I can’t resist picking them up. I know it sounds crazy but since my childhood I have loved going to vegetable markets and get surrounded with greens leaves, red and yellow bell pepper, the white mushrooms, tomatoes are an absolute delight, actually irresistible. Its been a while that I find my mind begins to note down the flavors, color, and the presentation style at all these places where I occasionally go for lunch or dinners. This lead to an attempt growing, and drying herbs myself. The result is amazing, you get pure and divine aroma that makes a dish unique! While reading newspapers and magazines I am easily drawn to the food sections and the customary description of cool treats that usually appear during weekends. So, most of the times I take them as just guidelines and then experiment with healthy ways of cooking. Less oil, no overcooking, no artificial color or flavor, and so far results have been promising. Haha a pat on my back… have tried making butter mushroom with black sesame-seed, pasta, risotto, Thai coffee, ginger tea, coconut milkshake, fresh parsley with blanched broccoli, well done cheese omelette, apple crumble, soups, salads, sandwiches, sorbets, pickles, jams and much more… No, no, no… I'm not claiming to be any great gourmet chef but thanks to my mom, I grew up in a family where everybody loves to eat and almost everybody loves home food. May be because in early 80s and until 90s the concept of ordering food, and eating out was not as prominent as it is today. Every block has options and three out of every six places deliver food when ordered over phone. We as a family enjoyed Saturday evenings dinners which were at one particular restaurant or else we had family friends dropping by. There were occasions when 20 plus people have come home at very short notice and mum flawlessly served them with awesome food on the table (Phew! I have never dared having cooked for more than five people). As a kid I use to see mum cook three-four times a day. I would ask her why not cook one big meal for a day instead of cooking two to three small meals. I also remember asking her why she would cook meals differently. And you know what she said? She said that she likes to cook, she loves what she was doing, so it doesn’t matter to her. Her kids and her husband love it. She also said that if they like what she prepares for the table, then she will be very happy. And that’s all that matters.  I started cooking when I moved away from my parents for a job in Hyderabad. Was use to eating good home food and hence could not live with the cafeteria food for long. That forced me to bring my own food instead of buying lunch. Since I get bored of the same food easily, I started experimenting with spices and their combinations. This turned out to be a good idea because I found out it was great way to relax too and also fairly satisfying. My Technique: I learnt how to employ a knife and cut up vegetables, herbs, etc.... realized that sometimes sautéing means let it sit, cook, and caramelize, or at other times it needs to be stirred frequently. It is not being limited by the particular recipe, but being able to alter those recipes, and come up with something that suits you and your "guests" fancy. I guess anyone can cook from a recipe book.....it's the subtle changes that make the difference. To my enlightenment, yes, if you haven’t cooked for somebody else yet, you wouldn’t know how satisfying it is if they say that the food is great and they wanted some more. So, one fine day I decided to invite some friends from overseas to drop by for dinner. They happily agreed and we had a great evening.  In retrospect, I think, I love to cook because it is not a compulsion, or been imposed, it is natural, it makes him happy. I do it more when I know that somebody is going to appreciate what I am doing. I am not afraid to try different recipes. In fact, I am very adventurous. I only fear that what if the portion I serve is not enough… Yes, it takes time to become perfect. I have been a vegetarian all my life and recently when I made some garlic pepper sausages for the most important person in my life and he told me that he wants me to cook it again, I felt so happy with my new discovery. He liked it, and that’s all that mattered. And again, the moment I see the plate has no leftovers, for any and every cook, that’s all that matters. Now, I will excuse myself and go make some yummilicious food for myself. May be some day I will be a restaurateur and have you all as my guest… Until then Stay healthy, stay happy, and keep smiling!

One Rainy Afternoon

Rainy season is not always a hit with me. Slows the mind a bit. Almost makes me appreciate Delhi cold more! It was overcast and dreary. One of those days when you'd like to stay in bed and watch movies all day. I was searching for something. But I'm always searching. I'm like a scavenger looking for stuff that no one else sees. May be that way I feel I could get away from the busy world, and people… so as to focus on the real stuff that life is made of. I just wanted to listen to what was going on inside me. So, I walked down to the edge of the balcony and stood there for a while. A light rain began to fall and speckled the calmness of the water interrupting my glassy stare at the reflection of the gray clouds. It reminded me that life is often interrupted just when things are calm and we get too settled into it. I guess as I look back at it all, those times offered challenges for growth. Having been lost in thought for a few minutes, I didn't notice the rain for now, had ended.

I started to think how I usually feel about a day. I do love the early morning hours dampened slightly by the mist of foggy dreams the night time brings. The sun light rolls across the blades of grass and nudges petals of the morning glory, "Wake up, my beauty! I promise you warmth if you do." Then responding like two lovers, one caresses the other and the world becomes a better place to be. Then there are within the early hours of the day the flavor of fresh brewed coffee and the kiss of cinnamon rolls upon my lips. That is hard to compare with afternoon. Then, of course, there is the early evening sunset as the earth sighs and people stop to watch what masterpiece God has planned. Fresh paint, dripping, blending, watercolors, never two the same, make memories for some and satisfaction for others. For me, it is like the balance of a scale. No matter where I am at those hours, I find myself remembering how good the day began and at the same time looking, anticipating with child-like wonder, how it will all end.

Breaking my thought, I felt a breeze wash across my face as I lie on the bed near the window, listening to the voice of afternoon's children playing, imagining birds splashing, squirrels run in excitement, butterflies touching down upon the palms. I gently slide back and forth in time how the early hours got us to school /our destination and the afternoons brought us safely home. I wonder then, if in the span of my life am I still in the morning hours, early afternoon or waiting for the sunset? I think it’s perhaps afternoon. I've many more sunsets to see and cinnamon rolls to devour.

If in the end God says I can indeed take one thing with me, it will surely be...
"One Rainy Afternoon."

What is it they say about rainy days and Mondays? Words from a song I had tucked away in my memory…
“What I’ve got they used to call the blues
Nothing’ is really wrong, Feeling’ like I don’t belong, Walking’ around…
Rainy Days and Mondays Always Get Me Down..

But there are no blues, I am just the way I was before, upbeat and motivated with a little caring, a bit of trust, and a lot of faith.

Keep well and in good spirits!

You are what you believe in!

Who I  were?
As a kid I was always very unplanted, and free-minded. I remember writing a composition for school about a person I admired and I had problems to pick one for two reasons: One, I admired more than one person and two, I did not want to be like someone but just be myself and do things my way. Though for scoring grades I wrote a composition about my mom but I could not resist to add the last paragraph which was somewhat like this, “Even though I admire my mom and she is one of the kindest, wisest, and sweetest person in my life that I know, I will still always remain myself and I will walk my own path because my heart says that we should always be who we are and not copy others.”

That’s what I thought when I was twelve. I always felt there is much more about me that I was showing and that I posses more potential than I was using. The true potential remained unrevealed because I did not know how to activate it or whom to walk up-to to know what could be done.

As years passed by, I  felt lost living a life of conventions, rules, beliefs, judgments, expectations and the influence of others way of living. I was expressing my rebellion for freedom and uniqueness in many ways, but most of them were hurting me more than really achieving a positive change. I forgot who I was, where were I going and what I wanted to become. The beautiful spirit of the 12- year old girl was forgotten and I was living my life unconsciously without even being aware of it.

Unhappiness, dissatisfaction, self doubts, lack of self love, many questions but no answers, self-limitations started occupying my mind and daily experience made them worse. Hmm my overall existence was good, I had everything a growing girl would want to have but it was still not satisfactory. I did not want to just survive in life, I wished to live my dreams. As my desire of finding happiness and satisfaction in my life grew, life brought me to different events, situations, experiences and I realized that to make a difference in my life I needed to see new perspectives, get out of my comfort zone and challenge myself. At the beginning it is always easier to imagine that what you want is possible or exists somewhere. I decided to find new job and relocate, start a new life and meet new people, travel abroad, and somewhere down my heart I knew this was the perfect step for me to take even if it was challenging and putting a big physical distance between me and my family. But I decided to give myself a chance and to search for my happiness and purpose.

Every change begins in Self-Awareness. I ended up in Hyderabad working for a multinational company that was operating in training and telecommunication field and now in Bombay (Mumbai). I was fortunate to be able to join various groups where I got access to teachers from personal transformation and spirituality. Although it was a very intense phase and I felt consumed continuously but experiences to understand life went on improving. I started to experience positive change after I became aware of my life, choices, beliefs, dreams and who I was and who I am. All of it came suddenly very easy as a result of acceptance and self-awareness. I learned how it all works in our reality. My beliefs where no more my limitations because I realized  ‘You are what you believe in. And You create your life and reality.’ This knowing gave me liberating feeling of being able to decide and choose for myself who I want to become. I never felt so happy and comfortable in my own skin. I observed what makes me happy, satisfied, enthusiastic and what really serves my purpose. Being aware of myself was a magical discovery for me. Since then I have been following my inner voice, my passions, my desires and dreams. I did everything my heart told me to do because there is nothing more important than to feel good.

So who am I?
Life is such a question mark. You never know when and which way it will turn. Today I am a loving daughter, a perfectionist, an artist, a photographer, future spouse, a good friend and/or may be more... I believe in unlimited human potential and that life can be magical if we allow ourselves to see that. I desire to live my life up to the hilt and experience all there is.

May we have the ability to find worthwhile lessons in each experience or relationship. I wish you live a life with love and right attitude.
Be Unique. Be Love. Be Yourself.

Did you say: I'd like mornings better if they started later… Wake Up! ;)

During the formative years of my life, parents and teachers kept repeating a famous quote by Ben Franklin: “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise” and since I grew up with parents who woke up sharp at 5:00AM, I also picked up the habit of waking up early and going for a walk with dad. Fresh breeze, smell of plantation and dew, calm blue sky, and occasional trees with beautiful yellow flowers (that we might overlook otherwise), fun and mindful conversations with dad… I completely enjoyed those early mornings. Recently while I complained of being sleepy at about 11:00 PM, a very dear friend asked me about my habit of waking up at 6:30 AM each day, and advised me to wake up late so I can stay awake till late. Though I wanted to talk about benefits of rising early at that moment but unfortunately, none occurred to my mind. Funny but now when I think of it, there are a ton of great benefits that I see as an individual who cannot stay in bed till late hours.

Now, let me first say that if you are a night owl, and that works for you, I think that’s great. There’s no reason to change, especially if you’re happy with it. But in my experience, there is no better way to start off your day than to wake early!!! Here are just a few:

Quietude - Greet the day. The early morning hours are so peaceful, so quiet. It’s my favorite time of day. I truly enjoy that time of peace, that time to myself, when I can think, plan and act, when I can look within and breathe. I love being able to get up, and greet a wonderful new day. It is like a morning ritual that includes saying thanks for all the blessings. I’m inspired by the Dalai Lama, who said, ” Everyday, think as you wake up, ‘today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am healthy and alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it.’ So, in all my capacity I at least try that I live up to it :)

Sunrise and exercising. People who wake up late miss one of the greatest feasts of nature, repeated in full stereovision each and every day — the rise of the sun. I love how the day slowly gets brighter, when the midnight blue turns to lighter blue, when the brilliant colors start to seep into the sky, when nature is painted in incredible colors. I like doing my morning workout during this time, and I look up at the sky and say to the world, “What a glorious day!” I really do that. Corny, I know but that’s how it is.

Breakfast. Childhood lessons, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”. Rise early and you actually have time for breakfast, it’s not just about eating it but about tasting it. I love eating breakfast while reading my book, or newspaper in the quiet of the morning. It is eminently so enjoyable and such an integral part of my mornings that I feel bad if someday due to some reason I cannot do it.

Amazing and Productive start. Mornings, for me at least, are the most productive time of day. I like to do my prayers in the morning, when there are no distractions, I love to cook before my domestic help arrives, love to check my emails and organize myself for the day. So in reality I’ve gotten so much done before 8:30 a.m., by starting on my work in the morning that then, when evening rolls around, I have no actual work that needs to be done, and so I am relaxed enough to spend time with myself doing all that makes me feel happy and engaged :)

Wow!!! It’s morning and I am filled with energy, joy and happiness. I discovered that the most beautiful things are very simple. Simple like a smile, rain, sunshine, nice conversation, warmth and a lot more... So, let me leave you with a prayer of gratitude that I’ve always found… well, perfect :) For GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

I wish you see and live a life full of colors and more beautiful emotions. 

May all your dreams from the night come true and you rise and shine!

Sundays are not the same anymore…

Sunday’s are not the same as they used to be. The expectation of looking forward to that one day of family holiday has disappeared. The joy of watching TV, or going out for picnic with home cooked food has dimmed. There is no excitement for those relaxed yet activity-filled afternoons with family and friends. In the lawns, the lunches by the tree, idle gossip, laughter, gaiety, the impromptu game of carom, badminton, Jenga Towers, Chinese checker, jigsaw puzzles, all huddled together on the floor, may be a film at home later in the afternoon, followed by tea/coffee, and snacks, and then an early dinner. As far as I remember in those days there was no concept of a weekend, it was just about a Happy-Family-Sunday! Those were the simple joys of life, most enjoyable and the most enduring. If you were not born in 70s I should say guys you missed the golden-television-days boat! Those 80s ads & jingles (Mango Frooti, Colgate Tooth Powder, Postman, Palmolive, and Godrej Shaving Cream) still take you down memory lane! I guess most of the people in my generation long for them to reappear… will they ever? Hmm may be or maybe not.

Now with each member setting about his or her work in different directions, in different locations, in and out of the country, and also different expectation, needs and wants that spirit has travelled too; far and away. The simple joys of life now come with great apprehensions. What to do, where to go, will the place be very crowded, do they have good food and ambience, what will we do there, what is the mood, what shall I wear, is there a chance to bump into someone I don’t want to see... Aah just an entire library of questions and more questions… Miss the spontaneity!

I think communication access and the speed with which it keeps invading our existence is largely responsible for that missed HAPPY-Sunday. Conversation has been replaced by the TV, the phone, the other gadgets, Skype, Face book, Twitter and other social networking websites. In company we tend to talk less and look for the silences to be filled in by programs on the television or the activity of the mobile. BUT we love to post our status updates. We are distancing ourselves further but we still long to be aware about what’s happening around us and with those we know. Is that what modern invention is making us do? Isolation and being pinned to these gadgets. Lonely and confined to our homes or more so our rooms and cutting out the desire to travel move and discover, since all of it can be available to us in the palm of our hands!

Another observation while I travel over the weekends: The moment a plane lands I see half a dozen co-passengers switching on their cell phones and getting up and opening up the overhead chambers. Would they be able to step out even before the plane is parked, and if not then why this strange hurry to violate the rules. Is that some kind of stud-ism? Earlier it use to annoy me and now I find it pretty amusing. Impatience and loneliness are the virtues of the present, attention span- considerably reduced, regular announcement of MY SPACE between spouse, parent and children is going up, tension and excitement mounts with a drop of a hat, we tend to multitask causing unrest to our mind. Is this a good sign? I suppose it requires some amount of balancing!

Anyway, this was just a view point, needs no debate or discussion. Just a thought that occurred to my mind while I was sitting at a lounge waiting for a friend to arrive. Now that she is around I am sure the Sunday evening shall be great and full of fun!

Love you all and wish you enough happy and beautiful Sundays or so to say Happy Weekends!!!

New experience, new energy, and new hope!

There is always a sense of delight when you plan to visit home. The warmth and affection of those you love and the multiplied reciprocation. It almost feels like everything around you is familiar, but the experience still leaves you fresh and renewed. New energy, new hope, new experience, fresh thoughts and fresh inputs.

I thought of writing this piece at Bombay Airport. Somehow I still can’t address it as Mumbai, for the fact that people or some social parties think changing names can change the way people feel about a place. Anyway, shall take this topic some other day. For now the topic of conversation is the reaction and experience of several passengers flying from Bombay to Delhi by Indigo flight 6E186, on Thursday April 01, 2010. The flight was suppose to take off at 17:50 hours which unfortunately did not happen due to a technical snag. The flight was grounded and I guess so did the ground staff. Some passengers (including me) were being advised to take the refund and move on to another carrier while few were put on another Indigo flight to Delhi which agitated the passengers. Thanks to Alfred, one of the senior ground staff who came as a relief and answered the crowd, an indication of commitment. The waiting just did not seem to get over and it was at 22:20 when the flight finally took off. Very tiring experience indeed. Met some nice co-passengers (Maj. Gen. K.C. Mehta, VSM, Col Saif, Anurodth) at the lounge which made the waiting experience a bit easier than it would have been otherwise. Post boarding, there was a strange desire that the plane reached faster than ever so I could reach home earlier. Not just for me but such delays torture my parents who come to pick me up at Delhi airport each time I visit. There was some more interesting experience that I gathered during this trip and I even wanted to share it here but as the days passed by, my desire to put it all down has taken a changed opinion.

Friday, April 02, 2010. New day, bright and sunny morning… When the brain has rested well. When the body has had more than its share of undisturbed slumber, then does the body and mind work at its optimum. It is remarkable how that early morning period brings the best out of you. In the way you talk, in the way you think and in the way you express. What does the night do to us and our body when all we are doing is resting. What is that mechanism, that sets about rejuvenating us, without us making any concrete effort whatsoever. This human body is indeed a unique system. We need to look after it a lot more carefully than most of us do.

Saturday, April 03, 2010. A planned visit to Gurgaon to meet some special and dear friends. The love, the care, the affection is beyond any expressions that I would use here and that would justify it all. Completely spell bound by Anand Uncle and Sushma Anuty’s wholeheartedness, and totally recharged with Sonal, Vikas, Manu, and Timmy’s humor and wittiness. Thanks Sonal and Timmy for the ICE TEA without ice ;) Returned home with loads of fond memories. God is really kind and I am blessed with loving parents, friends, and extended family.

Don’t know how these days just flew past by and now when I am back in Bombay I am missing the warmth of home. Mothers are basically God sent angels who are there when you need them and also when you don’t know you need them hahaha! Mom hurt her finger badly and it hurts to see her in pain and in this condition. I love you mom and I pray that your finger gets better soon. I wish you take a little more care of yourself like you care for me and dad. Spoke to her over the phone this morning and I am feeling terrible pulling out of such situations. And Dad, you don’t know how wonderful you are and how I owe every minute of my existence to you. Muah! You are the best!!! You would not read this blog and I would not be able to read this out to you (yes, believe it or not, your little princess is shy) but the fact is I can’t stop thanking God today for this beautiful life!

Going with the wind, I feel like a feather in the wind.
I still hear the whispers of her voice and those touching words!!!
For a minutes or two, let me float away to the wind...

May God always walk with you. Keep well and in good spirits… you all are so precious, actually life without your affection and love would be a little less than living!!!