What's your passion?

The other day, in the midst of a casual conversation, a dear friend asked me, "What's your passion, Priya?".  I was about to rattle of my favorite pastimes which I typically liked indulging in but then I held myself back.

My train of thoughts suddenly found a new turn. 

I have a variety of interests in my life, be it traveling to unknown places, reading, writing, philanthropy (contributing to society), marketing and communication. I love doing all these but can I call any one of these my passion. As I tried to mull over this question...a faint 'NO' echoed in my head.

 The dictionary defines "Passion" as a powerful emotion or boundless enthusiasm for a particular thing or person.

By that definition, none of the above interests could qualify as my passion. 

Why? Because, honestly I have not done enough and that too consistently to engage deeply in any of my interests as per the dictionary meaning to qualify them as my 'Passion'

So when I asked myself again the same question, I heard a a big and resounding 'NO' this time.

There was suddenly a feeling of heaviness which started weighing on my head.  I was feeling dreadful for not being able to answer such a easy question. I realized that I truly didn't have a passion for a single interest though I liked to believe I had many.

Later that night, I kept thinking about that innocuous question and then I asked myself again, 'Priya, what really is your passion in life?' 'And are you doing enough to call it your passion?' For all the interests I mentioned earlier, I may have my moments of passion when I chase or follow or indulge in the activity with single-minded purpose. But at the end of it, its just a phase. This is what I have come to realise. Once I achieve a certain level of engagement, I move on to my next interest. This lapse or movement from one interest to another, whether it happens because of boredom or a feeling of wanting to do something new or wanting to do many other things at the same time, I am not sure. But it surely happens.

In a nutshell, I was becoming Jack of all trades but Master of none. (Calling myself Jack would also be inappropriate and pompous)

If one is passionate about a certain interest, object, hobby or anything, one definitely needs to have dedication, sincerity, discipline and complete engagement in it.  Its about being unreasonable with yourself in order to achieve it. No compromises and no excuses!

And that quality, my friends, separates the wheat from the chaff.

I looked around myself, and also thought about all the successful people (my idols) who make/who have made it to the newspaper headlines for the right reasons. The one thing which made these successful people what they are was that they have this boundless and unbridled enthusiasm and unwavering discipline for their passions. Their love for what they do is so immense that the lines between what they call passion and their work completely blur. Both collapse together becoming an integral part of their life and what my friends, we can  truly call as passion.

We see this quality in only few people on the face of the earth and that's why they create History and become part of  our History books and we remain mere passive readers of these books.

So the next question to me is, does that make me a confirmed invalid as regards being considered passionate goes or is their hope for people like me too.

The answer which came back to me was nothing new which I (we) didn't know already. But it was just a question of application of these traits which I or we may have all present within us but we don't want to practice it or because we don't want to extend and stretch beyond our comfort zones. We excuse ourselves, we justify our lack of discipline or we are too kind (read lazy)towards ourselves. That indeed is what separates the truly passionate people and those like me who I would like to call as mediocre.

I believe, to be passionate or have an unwavering passion one needs to have or be is :

P - Purposeful or Focused

A - Action oriented

S - Sense of Discipline

S - Strong willed

I - Involved

O - Original or creative

 

N -Not afraid to take risks or experiment

So simple and absolutely nothing new, right but why is it so difficult to implement then??

Having said all of the above, I did a self evaluation exercise. I measured all my interests on the above parameters. It provided me a good perspective of what interests could be focused on and developed into passion.

Right now, all I can say is that I don't carry the feeling of heaviness anymore and what I can see is a clear path to achieve the state of being passionate.

Next time you meet me and ask  'Priya, whats your passion in life?' please don't be surprised if I have a ready answer, said with great belief, conviction and passion.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit - Aristotle

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.

Aristotle

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/aristotle145967.html#hcjbrgJRBwOclr0l.99

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/aristotle145967.html#hcjbrgJRBwOclr0l.99

Eka Jhakaas serialchi doosrich goshta (Different perspective of an awesome serial))

According to my dear hubby, when I am watching "Eka Lagnachi Doosri Goshta" on Zee Marathi, I seem to carry an invisible sign on my forehead which reads "Please Do not disturb". Well, a sign which apparently only my hubby can read.

I genuinely understand the sarcasm underneath his keen observation and I also know that I am one amongst the growing statistics who has fallen prey to this  uniquely titled serial. It is not only worth watching but to its credit it has brought together an eclectic mix of audience back to their respective living rooms.

Mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, teenagers, young children and grand parents too... all are hooked on to it equanimously. Friends are discussing with each other over tea breaks about Ghanashyam and Radha's life's ups and downs (the stars of the show)as if they are talking about their next door neighbors, housewives are dying to know what next, the youth completely identify with the young characters and their lifestyles and old folks simply love the family bonding.

A serial be it in any language, the viewer profile is very clearly defined. In the typical parlance of TV advertisers, media buyers/planners and producers, the target audience would strictly be a 'SEC (Socio Economic Class) AB, Female, 25years plus, Mostly Tier 1/2 cities'. And this is whichever geography you chose to focus on. For instance, a Tamil serial or Kannada serial or Marathi serial would have the same audience profile, largely women. The only difference would be the language.

But this serial, has after a long time completely changed the audience profile dynamics. Sitting in the drawing rooms of Maharashtra whether a city like Mumbai or mofussil like Nasik has at 8.30 pm on week days a long with the women are tweens/teens, youths, males  to even aajis aani ajobas sitting in their favorite chairs glued to the TV and watching gleefully the drama in the lives of Ghana and Radha unfurl.

For those who are new to Eka Lagnachi Doosri Goshta (ELDG), its a light hearted romantic story of a young guy and girl, Radha and Ghanashyam who are ambitious and have their own goals & aspirations in life. Ghana's passion is to land a software job in US. He is very focused and will go to any limits to achieve the same. Radha is very independent girl and confident about her career moves and choices in life. She adores her father and dotes on him. She is doing great in advertising industry. Both full of fun come together and get married for reasons known only to them, and there on the story progresses with comic situations in their life and the twists and turns that are to follow.


I must say that I got hooked on to this serial a little later after it was launched.But after watching once or twice, I have not only got hooked to it but look forward to it  each weekday evening. And knowing that I may not be able to watch it every day, I have even pre-recorded the entire series.(Thank you Technology). This way I can catch it even later on if required.

What needs to be noted here is that the serial has a never before lethal combination which has got the simple Marathi manoos hooked on to it.

A hatke story + fabulous acting by one and all (more so Radha and Ghana for the nuances)+ great script + bang on casting (Koohoo, Devaki Kaku and Mau) + brilliant direction (Satish Rajwade) = Eka Lagnachi Doosri Goshta (ELDG)

Talking about the actors, their absolutely natural acting breathes so much life into the fictional characters of  Mahesh Rao, Devaki Kaku, Dnyana, Mau, Atya etc that they seem like our real life cousins, uncles or aunts or mother or father or niece or nephew. Either you identify with one of the characters or you feel like you know them from before.

Today's youth can be pretty blase about 'liking' a serial on FB especially if its non English. A typical reaction would be ..marathi serial...bah ..! or turning up of noses.
But Eka lagnachi...'doosrich goshta' aahe.
The fact that its FB fan following is 36000 plus (yes, I checked that as well) in a short span of few months itself proves that even the Marathi yuva pidhi has appreciated it and is flaunting its new interest on its FB profiles. It was a known fact that erstwhile Marathi serials have been always popular for all the right reasons such as good script, realistic acting and story but limited only to women, housewives or elderly folks. But after a long time we have seen the family coming back together to watch a serial.
For me too, it had been quite some time that I had seen the liquid crystal display emit any light on channel 836 (Zee Marathi). And now it does every week day without fail (mostly) at 8.30 pm since past many weeks.

Kudos to the entire team at ELDG and Zee Marathi for this pure entertainment...indeed you have scripted a doosrich goshta (a different story) here. And I am loving it!

Happy viewing to all my friends!

National Park - Mumbai

 I stay in Goregaon, a part of the western suburbs situated just a few kilometers away from Sanjay Gandhi National Park aka Borivali National Park. On Sundays, the park seems even more close considering there is no traffic on the road (and which many Mumbaikars will endorse). But in spite of the close distance, I hate to admit that I have been to the National Park only once before. It is supposed to be the largest park in the world, located within city limits and truly a place to be visited many times over. But today was just my second visit to these sylvan surroundings. Such a shame!

A walk through the Shilonda trail inside the National Park was what the e-brochure of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) enticed me with its foliage of words. And so here I was, on a chilly morning in February, ready to bathe in the serenity of the green expanse and soak in the knowledge, the birds and the bees (pun unintended) had to offer. The brochure had mentioned that the trail is about 15 minutes walk from the main gate of the National Park and so it was. Typically, this trail is out of bounds for general visitors unless they have permission. Its accessible only through naturist clubs like the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and NIC etc. And that's exactly what excited me even more. I prefer quieter locations such as these where one can enjoy nature at peace, away from the din of the picnickers and the clamor of motley crowd. Its so unbelievably peaceful that its difficult to believe that this is the same noisy Mumbai just a few meters away.
The trail itself runs for about 2 km into the jungle up to a stream. The dense growth of deciduous trees mixed with the bamboo groves provide an elusive tranquil all through the walk in the woods.  The vast variety of birds, insects, butterflies add their own beauty which is a visual treat and a welcome respite. For any Mumbaikar this is truly the right place to relax, find solace and their true self. Neither a biologist, ornithologist nor an entomologist I am but a Sunday ensconced in the lap of mother nature was just the kind of getaway my frayed nerves were seeking for.

There were myriad of tidbits we heard all through this trail. But there was one fascinating fact, Mr. Jagdish Vakale, Naturalist at NIC and our guide recounted to the group that has still not left me.

He told us the intriguing fact about a bird and colony of ants. The ants are popularly called as soldier ants and crematogaster by the entomologists. They use dry leaves, their saliva and mud to build a robust nest for its colony. This nest resembles a Pagoda and hence gets its name as Pagoda Ants nest. This nest is almost impregnable to any species as these ants are known to be fierce and attacking and also the nest is as hard as a card board. However, there is  one bird in spite of these challenges actually considers this nest as its home and stays inside it along with the colony of ants. The bird is known as Rufus Wood pecker. This bird secretes a chemical, pheromone. And this is the same pheromone which the soldier ants also secrete and makes them think that the bird is part of its own family. So, in spite of Rufus Woodpecker not being an ant or an insect but a totally different species, the soldier ant allows it to stay in its well built nest.
Rufus Woodpecker on the other hand just does not stay there like a ghar jamai but it in turn   provides food to the ants. All the tidbits and insects it collects and hunts for its family does not get consumed completely. The babies eat a little and litter the nest with crumbs. This leftover is then eaten by the soldier ants. Thus saving the ants the energy to go out and hunt for food.

An incredible example of give and take between completely different species at work here. It shows how 2 different types, completely unlike each other, by helping one another in a symbiotic relationship can live together peacefully and graciously.

For me its a wonderful lesson which nature has provided! We as humans and considered as the most evolved species on earth can take a big leaf out of the Pagoda Ant's nest. I am sure there will always be differences and contrasts between each of us in the way we think, live, eat, drink, communicate, behave and function. However, its up to us to find out how we can use these differences to learn from other, respect each other, give and take and live in harmony and peace. On the occasion of Valentine's Day, a beautiful insight from nature on how to have beautiful and meaningful relationships.


Some more captures of National Park below:

Walk thru the National Park

Gulmohur....summer lover!

A home ...work in progress~

A dry river bed...thirsty for the rains.

A laidback backyard

History of Boudh Gufa aka Kanheri Caves

Let there be light!

Monkey Business!!

Kanheri Caves from Sanskrit word Krishnagiri meaning Black Mountain

The wall

Basaltic rock cut sculptures

Buddhist sculptures dating 1BC to 10 AD

Road to enlightenment

Chaityas or Halls for worship

'

A family that "plays" together, stays together!

Need fresh air in Mumbai, come here...Aarey in Goregaon

Resting

Indestructible

The Protector

Make hay while sun shines

Bathing beauties

Aah...Gulmohur!

Road less traveled

A Baobab in Mumbai

Life is about making decisions

As dusk settles

वीरान

A beautiful sunset in Mumbai

Mumbai Meri Jaan- Circa 2012

(To be sung in the tune of the old classic Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan - CID, 1956 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlAOZrst6fQ

Hey there, better beware of this melting pot of sorts

The city like planet Saturn, makes you wiser and strong

Hustle bustle, lot of tussle, and you jostle for space

A little pause and some rest will leave you out of the race

There is push and you shove, makes you tougher than all

This is Bombay, this is Bambai, this is Mumbai Meri Jaan!!!

There are temples and churches, gurudwaras and mosques

More importantly, there are Christians, Muslims who call Ganpati their GOD.

The city and Mumbaikars have seen bad days and braved it all.

It rises like Goddess Phoenix in spite of it all

It has people of different colours and dialects by far

This is Bombay, this is Bambai, this is Mumbai Meri Jaan!!!

Unruly Taxis, wayward Rickshaws, speeding motor bikes galore

Loud honking, bumpy roads that irritate, anger one and all

Life is like a run on a tread mill that never stops

If you pause for a second, there's a chance you may get lopped

Hey there, better beware of this melting pot of sorts

This is Bombay, this is Bambai, this is Mumbai Meri Jaan!!!

The city that never sleeps as the night turns into dawn

Bubbling energy and passion, excitement and charm

If ever you get any opportunity you got to grab it with both arms

Its a now or never story, there is sweat, toil and no aaram

Hey there, better beware of this melting pot of sorts

This is Bombay, this is Bambai, this is Mumbai Meri Jaan!!!

A city that's more giving than it takes back from us all

Its your tough teacher, caring mother, able guide and best pal

There's a method in the madness: in function and form

There is little poise and frequent fury like little calmness before the raging storm

Hey there, better beware of this melting pot of sorts

This is Bombay, this is Bambai, this is Mumbai Meri Jaan!!!
The city is a great leveler for every hardcore Mumbaikar
On the road there is power struggle whether cycle or scooter

It makes you crib, makes you shout, even curse or cry foul
But the city overwhelms you, with its kind heart and soul

The city like a Akshay Patra always gives you a dole
Some times difficult, sometimes tough but never easy is the goal
It believes in lot of hard work, die hard passion and lots of elan
Whether Big B, Sachin Tendulkar, Lata Mangeshkar or Amir Khan!

Hey there, better beware of this melting pot of sorts

This is Bombay, this is Bambai, this is Mumbai Meri Jaan!!!