I am alive… I am alive…
It has been 1 month and 2 days and i am slowly getting the itch to start writing again. Not only here, but it’s been quite a while since i wrote any poetry or for that matter, just about anything else.
Life has been good. Trying to make the step into the next phase. Initially, bit unwillingly, but now going with the flow to see what’s gonna happen 
. Lots of learnings life does throw when you least expect it. I found one, more than once, many people have a life size ego and it’s tough to make them see the reality. Perched on a pedestal (they build for themselves), they refuse(d) to come down and make life difficult for many.
At the same time i did find that whatever happens there are some stubborn, arrogant and fucked up people in this life and sadly at one point in time, they used to friends of mine. Can’t really call them friends anymore, but in someways i am glad they are outta my life now. I guess there are far better things to do, than bitch and moan about those who i do not care a dime anymore
One thing that did happen and scared the shit outta me was when a “nice bloke” sent me a good personalised threat over email one fine morning. For the first time, i was scared for the well being of my family. Its a time when anyone and everyone can arm themselves with stuff or it just takes a few thousand to send some.
But amazingly enough, i am still around doing what i like and in some ways, what i want. To an extent i must admit, i am pretty relaxed, happy and feel good about everything so far – Past, present and future.
Yeah, there are good stuff to share… but then again a plenty of unwanted eyes are lurking around, so i do not want any evil spells cast on me. So, i ain’t gonna mention it here. But then if you are already in my good books, you would have known about it by now 
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Nothing much and nothing exciting is happening in my life… boring eh? Sad to disappoint, thats how my life is… good, boring and the usual. But i love it
Jigsaw Falling Into Place
It’s been a long time since i wrote here something proper and meaningful.
Except for the occasional “i am alive” kind of messages, i have’nt actually written anything worthwhile in the last six months.
Without delving into the reasons for the low level of activity, what is now important is the way forward.
The future holds a lot of promise and definitely has a lot in store for me – both personally and professionally. Things that I thought were going to happen have not. Things that I did not think would happen have.
Mysterious Girl
As I made my way into the marriage hall, I could not find any familiar faces. I had come to a friend’s wedding reception yet I was feeling so lonely and irritated.
The events from the previous evening still haunted me and try as much as possible, I couldn’t shake them off my mind. I decided not to come to this reception yet I needed to break out of the cage that I have found myself in. Since this was also my best friend’s wedding reception I cannot avoid it as well. So with a heavy heart and a fake smile, I dressed up decently, made my way into this "party loving crowd", wished them and promptly took my place in the last few rows of the hall.
"Son, what are you doing here?" a huge voice billowed from the room next to me.
The Web of Life
Disclaimer: This is not the continuation of the previous writing. My second attempt at non-poetic writing.
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As I lay there on the bed after a hard day at work, my phone rings just like every single day. Lifting my head slowly and answering the phone for answering sake, I listen to the entire speech without interrupting.
"I want to meet you in person." I spoke in a soft voice that was barely audible.
"Sorry I cannot see you now, but I will see you tomorrow morning " the voice on the other side whispered in a trembling voice.
Having agreed to meet the next day, I had nothing else to say and promptly disconnected the line.
Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I went back to bed and dozed off soon or at-least tried to.
Matter of Choice
Disclaimer: This is my first attempt at something non-poetic. Infact the very first time i have written something in a story format. So, if you find anything wrong or anything that could be written differently/better, please let me know so that i can make the changes in the next attempt.
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I reached home and hit the bed straight. Everything has been said and done. All the things have come to a grinding halt and there is nothing else left to do anymore.
Emotions knew no meaning and I was trembling with uncertain thoughts. All my hopes and all my dreams have just come crashing down within a span of 30 minutes.
All things that I treasured meant nothing and try as much, "I couldn’t sleep". Until today afternoon, everything was so good. I felt like a "prince" living life to the fullest.
But in one fateful afternoon, I witnessed what I "never dared to dream". And that ended it all. My whole world came "crashing down" like a toy house. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to live or if I wanted to die. "Life had become a question mark to me".
Know Your Strength for More Success: Are you a Connector, a Maven, or a Salesman?
Originally posted in Stepcase Lifehack by Mary Jaksch
In his book “The Tipping Point”, Malcolm Gladwell describes three different types of people, Connectors, Mavens, and Salesmen.
Which are you?
Connectors are people specialists.
The following questions will help you decide whether you are a Connector:
- Do you know a lot of people?
- Do you like people?
- Do you tend to remember peoples’ names?
- Do you enjoy going to parties and meeting new people?
- Do you collect acquaintances?
If you answered ‘yes’ to four or five of these questions, you are a Connector.
The strength of Connectors is that they know and keep in touch with many people.
They also tend to associate with other Connectors. Because of their rich network of friends and acquaintances, Connector are trendsetters. The upside of a Connector is that he or she is able to create and maintain long-lasting friendships. The downside is that Connectors can be dazzled by their vast collection of acquaintances, without investing in real friendships. Gladwell explains:
Connector are people who link us up with the world. People with a special gift for bringing the world together.
The power of Social Media on the Internet is the power of connectors. Power-users of StumbleUpon or Digg are Connectors. They can make or break the success of a blogpost because they are people specialists who cultivate a network of online friends.
Mavens are information specialists.
They are the ones who tell Connectors about what’s hot. They always have the newest inside scoops on gadgets and specials. The upside of Mavens is that they amass a vast store of knowledge and are eager to share it with others. The downside is that Mavens can sometimes be a bit geeky and awkward around people.
Here are some questions that will help you decide whether you are a Maven:
- Do you enjoy reading junkmail?
- Do you seek out the specials in your local supermarket?
- Do you tend to watch trends and know what’s ‘in’?
- Do you study the market before buying a new gadget?
- Do you tell your friends about special deals?
If you said ‘yes’ to four or five of these questions, you are a Maven.
Mavens want to educate, not to sell.
They take delight in finding out the special deals that will save them money. And they are interested in new technology. They are the ones on the Internet who are the first to investigate new software, or a new laptop or mobile phone. And they don’t keep what they find to themselves. They publish articles about their findings or let their socia media friends know what they think.
Salesmen are charismatic.
They are able to build instant rapport with another person and gain their trust. That Salesmen are able to build rapport implies that they can tune in to others. But there is also another dimension: others find it easy to tune into the emotions of Salesmen. Gladwell explains that some people are very good at expressing emotions and feelings, which means that they are much more ’socially contagious’ than others.
Here are some questions that will help you find out if you are a salesman:
- Do you find it difficult to sit still when hearing good dance music?
- Do you have a loud laugh?
- Do you touch friends when you talk with them?
- Are you good at seduction?
- Do you like being the center of attention?
If you answered ‘yes’ to four or five of these questions, you are a Salesman.
Salesmen make good politicians, spiritual teachers and pastors, and, well…salespeople. Salesmen are larger than life and can make others feel good with their high spirits. The downside of salesmen is that they can be dangerous if they use their charisma in order to manipulate others.
Are you a Connector, a Maven, or a Salesman?
Maybe the results aren’t clear cut? Most of us have some talent in all three areas. But there will be one area where you have answered most answers with ‘yes’. That is your primary orientation.
Now let’s take a look at what to do with this knowledge. How can knowing whether you are a Connector, a Maven, or a Salesman improve your life?
There are two basic schools of thought in the world of personal growth. One is that one should work on one’s weak sides in order to prosper. The other is that one should accept one’s weaknesses gracefully and focus on developing one’s strength. I tend to agree with the second strategy. For example, I pour my energy into becoming a better writer, instead of taking up painting – which is one of my talent wastelands.
The strategy of enhancing our talents means that we should foster the strength we have as a Connector, a Maven, or a Salesman.
- As a Connector we can focus on connecting others with each other, as well as creating groups where people feel at home.
. - As a Maven, we can focus on sharing our information with others so that they can benefit from our research.
. - As a Salesman, we can focus on making others happy with our good cheer.
What is your experience of being a Connector, Maven, or Salesman?
Originally posted in Stepcase Lifehack by Mary Jaksch
