Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts

Friday, April 19, 2013

It's Time to Break the Chain

Have you noticed how this craze of violence, destruction, and terror, in the world,  occurs in waves, but in is also a constant?
What I mean is that although death, violence, destruction and devastation... what we call terror and war, is continuous globally,  there is something major that affects you, your country, something near you every 2-3 months, or makes it big in the news in terms of violence. In Nov, Dec, and Jan we were plagues with the headlines: girl is gang raped in Delhi, Colorado shooting, Connecticut School shooting... Now we have this focus on US drones killing many in Afghanistan and Pakistan; This week: 5 yr old raped in Delhi, Boston marathon bombing.
There is violence, death and destruction, everywhere that always doesn't make it to my attention, or big in the news that is shown in the US, but exists. We must be aware of this fact.
“World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.”
― Dalai Lama

That quote leads me to the next one:
 “There is a saying in Tibetan, 'Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.'
No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that's our real disaster.”
― Dalai Lama XIV

Knowing there is violence, death, destruction and terror in the world, we must not lose hope, love, passion and give into fear or anger. Those two emotions lead to more of the violence, and destruction. Also always keep the ego in check!

So this pattern of violence, that turns good people into scared, and angry people, which thus turns them violent, hateful and destructive (you have been through it, even in a small way), people. We are unable to get over our egos, and calm ourselves down and see the bigger picture (simple psychology, philosophy and Buddhism, please read up on it, and try to keep your heart and mind open). I dunno much, but I do know this guy, the Dalai Lama has some keen insights into life, living, the world and peace, and although so hard to follow at times, the simple messages he communicates speak such truth.

Is it time to break the pattern or what? There is a chain of violence that needs to be broken. It can not be broken by death, war, punishment, revenge, hate, anger, fear, destruction, devastation, or more killing. Although sometimes the ego says "oh yeah you think you can hurt me? I'm gonna stamp you out!" "I will kill you to protect myself my family" Instead of trying to approach a situation of threat in a different way.
I've been using different approaches to situations that hurt me, make me angry, frustrated and scare me.

Sometimes we feel that the world is a huge place and nothing we do can make a difference?
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”
― Dalai Lama
We are all mosquitoes and we CAN make a difference. And the difference we will make is through love, kindness and compassion.
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” ― Dalai Lama, The Art of Happiness

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.” ― Dalai Lama

“The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, and forgiveness.” ― Dalai Lama

 “If you can cultivate the right attitude, your enemies are your best spiritual teachers because their presence provides you with the opportunity to enhance and develop tolerance, patience and understanding.” ― Dalai Lama


Instead of wondering how to end it, think of why they are doing this so we can prevent it in the future. Instead of thinking of punishing, or revenge, why not think about forgiveness, and killing them with kindness. When I say kill them with kindness, I don't mean death, but show them so much compassion that it melts away their evilness. I swear it works! It is so hard to do, because we are hurt, in pain, angry, and scared, and it takes so much to become a bigger better person. So much energy, love and mindfulness to forgive, and love in exchange for hate.

I'm not saying wrong doers must not be punished, they should be, but it is time to break the chains, to create real change. And warn evil doers, and help change them before they act. These depend on us though, our behavior, we are mosquitoes, we are the world, the people and we are all connected. As my friend Celeste said today on a facebook status, "Hate begets hate. Anger begets anger. How many horrendous things will have to happen before we choose love and connection? Clearly, hate and separation really isn't working." This is my message and question too!

In the end of your life though you choose what you want to be...

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
― Dalai Lam

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”
― Dalai Lama

“Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek.”
― Dalai Lama

“All suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their own happiness or satisfaction”
― Dalai Lama

 Breathe!



Monday, May 14, 2012

Breast Feeding

Went over to my parents house this morning. The morning news was on. Topic: Politics and latest magazine covers!

So we have the Newsweek cover with our gay President Obama on it.


Mom: He's not gay, but even if he IS, so what!
Dad: They did a bad thing by doing this. Too far.
Me: That's just stupid.


George Takei - Congrats, Mr. Prez. Well earned. As Beyonce might say, "I can see your gaylo."- George Takei
 
I guess the ability to think of news agencies as something serious is an age long gone. I feel bad for people who want to be journalists.

Next magazine cover. Epic: Time Magazine's breast feeding


Controversial and stirring as it is! I think Times may have made record sales this week!

Mom: it's totally natural.
Me: What?
Dad: In some villages it's as good as Pepsi/Cola (shrugs)
Me: right. Free food!
Mom: There's nothing wrong with it, you can breast feed even when you are thirty.
Me: Ok out with it then! Give me your breasts!

No. It didn't happen, cause her body doesn't produce the hormones anymore.

Later this morning:
Me: there are some birds making a home in our building. I think it's a mommy bird and little babies.
Dad: Oh yeah! Maybe they are breast feeding!

:-O


Topic definitely trending. At least he's getting a kick out of it.


Management Meeting:
Dad: He is milking us of all our money through these payments. We must convince him to bring the prices down.
All: Indeed. Yes.
Dad: It's like he's sucking all the milk out.
:-/
Dad: Sorry I just thought I'd bring it up because of the Time magazine thing.
All: Oh yeah. Breast milk is supposed to be very healthy. It's as good as Pepsi in some villages. My mom was a wet nurse for 10 children, only 3 were her own...
 Me: Okay then!

Hopefully some of you got a few laughs out of it. SNL did a skit about this. This past SNL was really great. One of the best this season.

 Don't take news agencies and their articles seriously!

But you may take this seriously : Breathe!






Tuesday, March 20, 2012

The NEWS

Some believe that the word NEWS came about because of the acronym for North East West South
Today it means the same thing - current events from the North, East, West and South of any place.
It also means that if there is a big buzz on the news, that there's probably something bad happening... to someone, somewhere or something. We like to watch the news to stay informed about good things and bad, but mostly its bad - stock market, economy, politicians, country against country, who lost what game, who shot who, murder, rape, suicide, accidents... the happy things if any, are so whimsical that not everyone is stirred by it. The News is so peculiar in that way. The News is also owned by individuals with their own agendas, so I believe, no news is unbiased. In fact that's why I enjoy the shows that make fun of The News (although it took me a while to find the humor in such serious issues) because in the end it's all a matter of perspective. The News can be disheartening or uplifting at times, in example when a country gets freedom, or something successful happened somewhere (ie. a safe rocket launch), or when an endangered species in a zoo gives birth, or your home team won a game! Those moments are lovely. Then there are those moments that are unforgettable, ie. when Columbia Crashed, When 911 happened, when the tsunami hit India, when the tsunami hit Japan, when Egypt got freedom... etc. Some crazy stuff! The News just reflects how crazy we get as we progress in the years, or are we becoming more developed?
Most of the time weather it is local (Ohio) or world news, it is just painful to watch- the suffering, the violence, the pain, and the stupidity, intolerance, hate... Other than the weather, that might be the best part to the whole "News" Or in case of paper it might be the comic strip section... Radio- might be the music section, internet might be the Movie reviews... It is all NEWS!!

To me: The day "The News" doesn't make me cry or bring me close to tears, will be a great day! We will have learned to live in peace, to love each other despite differences, to help and give jobs, take care of the planet and the people; ... who knows!

Let's stay positive and be conscious of making the NEWS in our lives a good one for those around us!

Breathe!

Teenager was shot dead while talking to his girlfriend near his house!

New species of frog found in NY!

Children Suffer from strange nodding disease! :-/
(Seizures?)

Witnesses of a massacre in a village

Politics at its worst!

Study shows digital devices make us read more NEWS!



Tuesday, October 25, 2011

I am the 99%... We are the generation!

I look back and I see I have a lot of unpublished blogs from 2009-2010... most of them reflecting my angst about my applying for jobs... occupy movement would appreciate those blogs. it took them three years to organize, when I was so raw with emotion then. However I realize I made it happen for me (with a little support from my friends, and family). I fear its not only the government, Wall-street, the 1%, but also institutions, a generation of people - who sell the idea that "once you go through college you will have an awesome career". of course you have to get the formula right - grades, participation, leadership in college, internships, assistant-ships...

Today, things have changed. They do not follow this "formula" anymore, unless you are a doctor or engineer (these too, might change) but it seems to be back to those days where you have to fend for yourself, intelligence, commonsense, sharpness and HARD WORK are what counts. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes.

After graduating with my masters - i expected a GIS analyst job. That's what they told us - with a masters you should be able to get a GIS analyst job. Bachelor degree holders usually get a GIS tech job. This idea is fed to us, also this IS why we are going to school, to get the BETTER job. World changes, history catches up... we can blame whoever we want, the presidents in the past, Bush, Obama, 1%... In the end, life comes at you, and you make of it what you want.

What are you waiting for another day, another storm, another talk? Take action...(peaceful action please).
I went on my own path. The whole "path" for Pree has been very interesting so far. Who knows where it will lead next.
The occupy people, I don't disagree with them, because they sought action which they seemed will/might help them.

"Change does come from within, but the winds of change can be blown from many different directions"

"Be strong, Be precise, Be the Tiger"

"You are the Generation" - Mr. L. Hartnett

I became the tiger, I am strong, I am working on being a better me! If I can do it, you can too! We all fall, get hurt, but we get back up and kick @$$ harder, stronger and better!


image credits: http://img.ibtimes.com/www/data/images/full/2011/10/14/174091-occupy-wall-street-march.jpg


Breathe!

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Shakespeare and His Literature and its Relevance in Today's World

NPR, BBC and PRI, been listening to it a lot lately, and honestly, its nice to stay informed about the world, universe etc. I dislike wasting time on this topic, but Rupert Murdoch, his crew and the whole cell phone hacking scandal have been dominating the news stories lately; even though there are pressing matters such as the economies suffering all over the world, famine in Somalia, War in Libya, etc etc etc. No Murdoch and his new empire which was thriving on way to much power, was proven to be corrupt in the end, will make front page news everyday. When we give so much focus, energy and attention to such a "not good" thing, we are in fact giving it more power. We need to stop.
So this whole Murdoch deal, like all other things which are given so much power, is a classic example of Juvenal's quote (Circa 2nd Century AD) "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?". Who Watches the Watchmen? So who keeps and eye on the police? Who keeps the people who keep justice in check, in check?

So there's this crazy balance/imbalance in our lives... (which I can later go on to prove that everything is relative and there is no perfectness in a universe so full of chaos, because it is in the end a perfect chaos! {maybe Einstein would appreciate that observation, it might be that profound}), which is that the one's who would once give us the news, and expose the truth, became the one's forfeiting that "trust". That trust has long been owned by who knows... people like Murdoch? Politicians? People in power (power = money)? Trust being the newspaper, which is now generalized as "media".

I just happened upon this quote from the German punk rock scene -
"When justice becomes injustice, resistance becomes duty"

(I shall tie that in to all the above now... and to the title... I tend to ramble, but thank god, no one is grading me on it! That is why it is a blog)

On a program on KCRW (NPR, BBC, PRI) they brought on a Shakespeare expert to analyze what was being said about Murdoch case becoming a tragic Shakespearean drama, example King Lear. however in King Lear, we feel sorry for the great who has led himself to trip over his own doings. The speaker goes on to say a more proper comparison would be Claudius from Hamlet. Claudius is the manipulator from the beginning, we dont feel sorry for him, as he makes calculated plots, and then loses everything in the end. Things got out of control there, and with Murdoch's company. They didn't care about the means, because they had the power, but they got the job done. So ethically its not right, morally its not right, and no person who wants a clean conscience would do that. However sometimes we get hungry and greedy for success, power and wealth. We have to check ourselves, because sometimes there is no one checking us.

A different point of view, sure there will sympathizers of Murdoch, example his peers and friends; they would want to see him have justice, but then what kind of justice? "With great power comes great responsibility" and with that there also comes great penalty (Spiderman is fiction).
So the victims of the injustice they should get their justice. It's easy for him to dump the blame on his employees, but in the end he is the owner. With any success it is always shared success, but when there is a failure, a true leader will come forward to take full responsibility of that failure, without pointing fingers.

This is what has been taught over centuries, as good ethics and morals. However it seems we have forgotten humanity and the world, and become utterly selfish and self serving in our motives.

(I might break out into a rant of love, but I shall hold my tongue currently). So if Murdoch had apologized sincerely, and had taken the blame for the corporate irresponsibility, then he would have won the public hearts. However his arrogance and attempts to cover up, have made him untrustworthy.

So there are no doubt good genuine leader's out there, and then there are ones that make bad decisions.

Shakespeare wrote a lot of plays, and all of them had political undertones. We can all relate to one or more of his characters... who will you be? who do you want to be?

And just a side note, personally I think Obama is a great leader, carrying the troubled, and burdened times of this country and the world. Yet he is harshly judged. I was sad to hear that NASA had to end it's space shuttle program and Outer Space travel is becoming commercialized/privatized. The federal budget can not support it any more... We spent too much money on WAR!

I will end on the note:

There was never a Good War
Or a Bad Peace.

But was there EVER a peace?





Breathe!



(When I end on "Breathe", it's to remind us that we are here, and now. We are alive and breathing is so pure. So let us let that purity into us).