Because we are Alive !

When we start something new we need to find answers for two questions. Even if you don't have them, do start. Find the answers later. One is Why are we doing it and the other is What do we hope to accomplish.

I started this weekly writing activity two weeks back but will try to answer these questions to put this weekly newsletter in context.

Why am I doing this?

Over the past few years I realized that I have spent more time on Videos and Podcasts. While these content forms gain more traction, they are not the best for my personal growth. The thinking that happens while writing, as the sentences shape in front of you is totally missing. And I need that back.

People might ask what is the point of writing when ChatGPT is around. I don't write for others alone, I do it for me as well. Writing helps me form my thinking and learning in a better usable form.

What do I aim to accomplish?

My daily Penpositive Outclass Podcast topics need more thinking that I am able to do daily. It needs to be reflected weekly so I can plan my week ahead and also see what I can use in my Personal Development Journey. And LinkedIn is a place where people seriously want to develop themselves on a personal and professional level. This might be the best way I can get more insights.

Over the week I read, listen and watch from a variety of sources and I need a way to collate them and make it usable and reusable. With that said here are the daily thoughts I had this week.

What we cannot do: If we cannot do something it does not mean others can't. I was thinking about the conversation I have with my kids and realized how much I limit them with the limits I have set for myself. I forget that they are very different from me and I am not the person who should be deciding or limiting how wide their wings can spread or how far and high they can fly. I am also not the person who decides for them. I can only guide them. I cannot be them, I cannot make them be like them. They are who they are.

My Encounter with Learning: Looking back at my childhood I realized that I studied only because I had to score in tests. I never studied anything in school because I was curious and wanted to learn. I got good marks in my test while at the same time I was just going through a mechanical process. But today, I find it hard to study for a test. I just can't But I spend learning so many new things every week.

Today I love to learn but hate at the thought that I will be tested for what I know.

Changes to Routines: I think we start Routines so it can be changed. It gives us a starting point to figure out what we know about ourselves and what works for us and tweak it and change it so it becomes sustainable. Routines have a long life and a goal to building habits. Habits that positively impact us. But every routine should we consciously selected and evaluated so we can internalize them as they become a habit. There is a point where we become our routine.

Finding a Lost Dog: A lost dog found its way to our home when our daughter saw it as she was walking our dog. What do we do if we find one at night? Do we take it home? Who do we call? Especially when there is no tag. We decided to bring it home and keep with us for the night. The next day we took it to vet and we scanned the microchip, but we could not locate the owner and we handed it over to the shelter.

Our worry was what will happen to her as she was so sweet and well behaved 1-2 year old. They told us that they wait for 10 days to see if the owner comes and if not they will put it for adoption. We also contacted a rescue place so they know this dog is available and we know it is so well behaved. The 'We' I refer is just my daughter and our dog giving her company.

I am just the narrator and not the one who made a change.

When I drank instead of exercising: We all have choices, and sometimes we take the right ones sometimes not. My rule now is to only have my drinks during Friday and Saturday. But I do break it. This Wednesday, just because I had a conversation about whiskey with a colleague at office, I ended up making the wrong choice at home. Instead of exercising I decided to have two shots. I felt bad, but realized how much more work I need to do on my willpower.

Bad Vinod! Don't be a Vinod

What Am I Teaching my Kids?: Driving from office back home one evening I got stressed thinking what am I teaching my kids that they will cherish in their life. Am I trying to teach them anything that will be useful for them in their life. Are they learning. I looked back at my life and realized that everything I feel like I need to learn today are what my parents wanted to teach and I never learned. Will I be as unsuccessful as my parents when it comes to parenting. Or was it never about parenting but the kid of brat I was. It is a Nature vs. Nurture argument.

But even having the best parents don't help you at times. I am the example. My kids I hope cherish the time I spend with them, If not for the lousy advice I give. I once wrote a poem and it asked my kids not to follow me as I will stop walking sometime in the future and they should not be lost at that time.

Because I am Alive: I write this and I do podcasts and videos and connect with people and read and do all these things only because I am alive. There is probably no bigger purpose than the fact that I am alive. Just because I am Alive !! Today Now! this moment..... Here is a quote by Joan Rivers

“I enjoy life when things are happening. I don’t care if it’s good things or bad things. That means you’re alive.”

If you prefer podcasts here is the episode from today morning.

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