Monday, February 1, 2010

Revolution


In case you had not noticed, there is a revolution happening out there. It is going to touch upon each of our lives - sooner or later and whether you would like it to or not. You will get affected. If you have a trace of cynicism inherent in you then do this. Rewind back to the nineties, if you are old enough to remember. The Internet made its grand entrance on to the global scene. At the time, the magnitude of its influence on our lives was quite inconceivable. Today, we cannot imagine life without it. There was a time, however, when there
was no Internet. There was no worldwide web. Websites did not exist and you can forget about portals! The only web one would see was in the form of an abode for a spider, often conveniently located outside one's window or in jungle-like bushes. The only portal was a doorway or something out of science fiction movie that involved suddenly finding a new dimension and into a new world. The web took on a whole new meaning since the mid-nineties. Still skeptical? Then take the one communication device you shudder at the thought of losing; your mobile phone. Do you recall the first time you encountered someone with those ridiculously large hand held devices that only had one of a select few ringtones? Better still, do you recall your first ever mobile phone?

Set the scene today and it is madness out there where two revolutionary concepts converge, dragging with them a whole multitude of other 'add-ons'. Internet and mobiles give way to something only scfi-fi novels dared touch upon an era ago; or so it seems. What was only possible in one's mind is now open to a variety of means. eBook readers, iPhones, iPods, Google Nexus phone, social networking, tweets, diggs, Apple's latest iPad and that is not the end of it! The message was once expand your avenue and communicate and seek knowledge. The message is now communicate but with value. Gain know how but with the support of a community of others seeking the same form of knowledge. What was once the web has now metamorphosised into the cloud. Before you know it you might even have your own piece of cloud although the skeptics may roll their eyes at this. Although the world may be excited by the disjointed efforts that competitors in the global marketplace keep giving us in the form of new products, this, I see, is only the tip of the iceberg. There is more to come.
On another note, it is funny how one revolution leads to another. I seem to survive on buzzing environments where creativity and change are at its core. I am going through a revolution myself. Is it age I wonder as I reach my proverbial mid-life? I do feel that I have suddenly matured and grown up with a strong sense of realisation and appreciation. It must be age. Nothing else would do this to you - not even a powerful experience - because there is a grace to this revolution. I have finally realised my capacity for creativity and change. Along with it, I have grown to accept it, whether I choose to want to or not. I adapt and realise the talents and skills that I gained along the way and which add value to those around me. One has the power to influence any situation or any person in a graceful and dignified manner. It does not stop there though. I realise that this is only the beginning of something worthwhile. There is no end to personal development and learning.

While a revolution happens around me that will touch upon my life sooner or later, a similar revolution is happening to me that I hope will be forthcoming enough to touch upon other people's lives.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Writer's Block No More!



I do not reflect anymore; not the way I used to anyway.

It suddenly hit me as I sat there wondering why writing has become so strained and unbecoming, when it once resembled air. Lack of it was unimaginable. I would wake up ready to write. In moment of apparent idleness I would be writing in my head. The calluses on my middle finger were testimony to that. Rough and stubborn as they were, I thought they were there for life. Now I only see traces of them. They tell the story of a life that used to be built around writing.

When did writing slowly stop being second nature to me? I have my answer now. Reflection. I do not reflect anymore. If it was not reflection that I was doing, however, why do I often catch myself in deep thought?

Reflecting and thinking are like shadows playing hide and seek with each other on a temperamental day. Thinking is a tool that forms part of the reflection process. Reflection is the all round experience of delving into a different dimension. Exploring. Seeking. Thinking - yes - but that is only a small part of reflecting. Divulging meaning, and translating it into thought. Taking a concept and going with it where one's mind has not been before. Finding one's self in a new mental arena and, in the process, understanding. Realising. Reflecting.

For all those who suffer from the so called writer's block, therefore, this is your answer. At least I know this is mine.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

New Year or Belated Resolve?

It has been a month into the new year; the new decade. Any resolutions that had been made in the line up to the new year are now broken. This is the time really. After all the excitement of a change wanes, one settles into routine. Habit that was hibernating to allow for the moment, sets in once again. Yesterday is no different than today. January 2010 does not seem to make a profound impact than January 2009 did. No - if any a time was right to break resolutions and realise that time is not of essence it is now. Or is it?

Belated resolve. That is what I would like to call it. I confess that I did conform and made myself a long list - a mental list - of new year resolutions. I also made another list of new decade resolutions; just to add to the buzz of change. I was careful though, not to write anything down, just so that I would not be bitterly disappointed later at my inability to keep promises that I had made to myself. Now that all the conformity has abated, however, I can be serious enough to commit myself to change.

People often wonder how to stick to resolutions once made. For one, it needs to be engrained into one's needs. Something that drives one to achieve or do something. A resolution is often broken when it is brought to life on the spur of a moment. Spontaneity and resolve do not work hand in hand. The former is like a free bird, taking off whenever it gets the whim, while the latter has the backing of a whole system that is made up mainly of drive and motivation. Add to these any other factors that make a goal achievable.

January may be the start of a new year. For me it is February that confirms that change is about to come for this year, the next one and for the whole decade.