Adjudicated Parallels

It is a well-known fact --at least in some circles-- that people hover around those who are very popular and sinister in their dealings with others. But the veritable statement is the disciples of these people are around them only for their selfish gains. After these ends are met, such followers part the company. I know about a good acquaintance who was very manipulative and terse with everyone. Slowly, the company with the person dwindled and the man himself withdrew into a shell, nowhere to be found. This is a true incident with full of lessons. The fact that the trendsetter was a difficult person, lead to this situation. Admirers, as they sound to be, surround such people in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. What remains is a clear conviction that the approach to being rude and terse was wrong. Be in the news for the right reasons by being polite and no snubbing. The pain of being deserted doesn't stand a chance.

There is quite a speculation among people about how to arrive at an informed decision with foresight. The checklist may be plentiful with items developed with experience. But, it's a fact also that nobody has ever learnt to be adequately equipped in handling these inviting traps. I was privy to one such incident wherein the qualms of a particular person were exposed. The family friend of ours was pestered and nagged by his neighbour a few months after they developed a shared borewell. He set many rules about this quasi tradition and this poor person even had to bear the cost of maintaining and refurbishing the tubewell. This is quite common and everyone experiences it. The only antidote is to not share anything with others- especially a property. Make your own norms and earn happiness in life. What belongs to others is not yours. Not even half of it.

There are superiors at many of our workplaces. These people want to get the best out of us in everything we do. Though they may be nagging to us at times, their work is all the more necessary for our workplaces to get these going and in fine shape. Whatever field of work you are in, the best way to tackle these taskmasters is to do the right thing. This means that you should appear upfront and honest with clear conscience at everything they ask you to do or what they manage. I met a conductor who used to ask people to tender exact change for buying tickets on her bus. This she did as it was a trip during the wee hours of the morning- there was no change in currencies with her. Soon, I bought her the exact change on daily trips and she developed respect for me. The other people who didn't bring small amounts of currency for buying the tickets, were not lavished with such respect. Always do the right thing and please the ones in control. There is a great reward attached to it....

People in everyday dealings with others have a lot of misconceptions and assumptions. They believe these from their heart. The outcome of it can scare them and it only happens when they act out of sheer gullibility. Being at your wittiest best and expecting it beforehand can do wonders. I was privy to one such instance when an old lady was standing in a queue. The moment I saw her, there was an assumption from my side. Later, the assumption was found out to be wrong. To be precise, I thought the old woman was a sociable person and a lady with gentle manners. This was because of her age. She was quite a quarrelsome woman. The moment some people from a VIP background entered into the office she was in queue, this woman created a ruckus. I was flabbergasted and her quite irate behaviour put many to shock. This lady was even ready to beat up the people who blocked her into getting through the VIP counter and stirring trouble. This is not about old people and many instances can be fo...

Habits define a person. People are respected for their timely and good habits. The minute people see in others lives, they see them making it big in their near future. These were seen in many people of repute and such people followed them religiously throughout their lives. One of these was JRD Tata. The great businessman that he was used to be reflected in many incidents involving his peers. People close to him testified that he had a program of reading 50 pages a day. This was a routine for him and his business acumen could be noticed in every way. He used to encourage many of his fellow workers and bring the best out of them. More so, good habits --if at all encouraged-- can stay throughout one's life and serve as a beacon for future. I know a person who has a penchant for learning and aimed to inculcate it in his own son's life. Instilling discipline in him through brow beating and fear of rod, he succeeded. The very fact that the young man has blossomed into a good ed...

It's heartening to note how family and friends can turn into foes, given the materialistic possessions coming in the way. There cannot be a second's discretion from these kinsmen to usurp properties or assets and live a life of luxury. This luxury rarely transcends violence and a peaceful coexistence becomes just a fabled thought. Relatively, all that remains is mired relationships and barely-there bonds. I know a person who was very cordial with his siblings- and more precisely, one of his own brethren. The familial bond developed into trust and this relationship exhorted him to share an asset with the person without a binding agreement. Soon, the sibling usurped the property because of dire needs and sent the real owner into exile to a nearby town- well, literally. These type of incidents has made it necessary for people to put the purchase of assets on paper. And even more so, the legally binding papers are necessarily given a forethought as to how the lacunae can be pl...

Those who commit deeds in the leeway do not expect it to come to light. But, their very thought is self-defeating. There is no deed of people that is elusive to light, unless properly disguised and organised to be hidden. Well, if everyone can be this high-handed, there won't be the need for people to dream of becoming a successful person. But, trust me, nobody wants to be such a person. There were many letters written by the former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru to his daughter. He mentioned many things in these. The advise that stands out to many children among these is very enlightening. This father asked his daughter not to do anything that may make her feel ashamed to talk about it in the open. Or, more precisely, her deeds need not be afraid of the light. This is a great thought and all-encompassing. The very thought is mentioned in the Bible, wherein God wants all his people to be such. It also warns them that every deed that is done in the dark and the absence of ligh...