We all have among our circle of friends, acquaintances and relations people who are ‘different’. And, it’s no different with me. I’ve often brought them here as subjects of my posts. There are in their own ways interesting, intriguing, inspiring and instructive.
So it is this time. About W, X, Y, and Z. Four of them in one post? All for a good reason you’ll know.
Beginning with W…
Though it is widely claimed social network is essential to ones well-being, we usually limit ourselves to a few and do not actively go out seeking others except for special reasons. Of course we’re civil to respond to anyone reaching us. I for one prefer non-intrusive channels for most part of my communication. But W…has his friends and contacts in Anakapalle (his home town in Andhra Pradesh), Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune and Vizag, including surviving class-mates from his Engineering days! Is in touch over phone (not WhatsApp forwards) with a 100 of them, 20 regularly and 80 of them once a year! And when he talks, with unmistakable warmth, it’s not hail-fellow-how-are-you-good-bye. It’s a good leisurely gupshup about recent happenings at both ends and all things of mutual interest. This is happening in the times when it is difficult to carry on a conversation for a few minutes even among friends without hitting a line that divides us sharply on politics, faith, and other affiliations. How he handles communicating with his polar opposites without acrimony is a secret I’ve yet to unlock.
His constant refrain: “I have no time; I am always busy; but I always have time to meet/talk to a friend or…”
**
Let’s meet X next:
He loves spending every day two to three hours, reading two Newspapers, Times of India (English) and Eenadu (Telugu) when he’s in India. When visiting USA, it’s Wall Street Journal and a local Newspaper. As necessary to him as morning coffee for us.
How could he ever do that and enjoying while at it?
I told him I stopped reading newspapers online or in print many months ago. Because, it’s so negative and depressing. My BP has since gone down by a few healthy points. Am more at peace with life.
He disagreed. I dared him to prove me wrong.
On the following day, I get this from him:
“As discussed, I am mentioning a few items I read today in Times of India:
1. Consumer goods makers get a festive booster shot. Double-digit growth over year-ago period. 2. Telangana records lowest Covid-19 positive cases since June. 3. Auto sales pick up pace this Dussehra despite dampeners. 4. KTR (Telangana minister) hands over 1,100 2BHK houses to beneficiaries. 5. Hearing through video-conferencing successful says Supreme Court. 6. India records 36K fresh Covid cases, lowest in over 3 months. 7. Should India raise the marriage age for girls? There are social and economic benefits, but the same results can be achieved through education and job opportunities. 8. Oxford vax prompts immune response in old as well as young. 9. Dietary habits have a direct effect on our mental health. ”
I think this was on 28th Oct. He continued sharing what he read for the following 2-3 days before I told him he has made his point.
He’s quite taken by Sri Gaur Gopal Das’s: “Your happiness is your choice”.
I suppose you get what you’re looking for!
Nonetheless I haven’t gone back to newspapers.
**
Moving on to Y…
It’s usual for companies to have mission/vision statements. Y has a “Personal Mission Statement”!
In its first line it says “Help as many people as possible to achieve their goals”.
Even his visiting card carries the caption: “Helping people achieve their goals”.
Presently he’s helping financially three young girls to pursue what they wish to study. There’s an obligation on the recipients to return the money when they are able to. He doesn’t enforce.
Under the locked-down conditions, he spends an hour in a week over phone helping a young boy to speak in English.
He’s constantly on the lookout for ways and means to act out his mission statement.
**
Now to Z:
Like W, his constant refrain: I have no time; I am always busy; but I always have time…to attend a learning event or read a book.
On an average he manages to attend two webinars a day!
Presently he’s reading a book “IKIGAI – The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life”. Quite impressed with it, he has tweaked his lifestyle accordingly.
**
CK is a retired senior corporate executive, running 78 now. Regarded as a guru by many who were associated with him in his long successful career.
His belief:
“I am always happy. God brought me to this world and He has no choice but to take care of me.”
“ThoughI expect to live for 90+ years, I am prepared for the worst, ready to leave this world today.”
“I capitalize on what comes.”
“I continue to do what I love every day.”
“I have adequate money to live comfortably. But I love to work anytime, anywhere and earn.” Yes, he’s available for hire as a consultant, a coach or a speaker!! He expects to give talks on IKIGAI soon.
“I love doing Manava Seva (helping people).”
He’s W, X, Y and Z personas rolled into one!!!
Different like I promised – In his own ways interesting, intriguing, inspiring and instructive?
Looking forward to my next chat with him – am sure to hear something more about IKIGAI.
End