Back from the DEAD??

A typical sunday over the last couple of years - sleep in till late, laze around, walk around the house half eyed, munch on something all day and end the day with beers!!

"Last couple of years??", that makes one feel so old and even more lethargic on thinking of the same.

So, what was different about the last sunday (10/10/10)??

A passion that died in the year 2008 (the year a beautiful not so old classic motorcycle was sold, Black Venom*) came back alive. 3 days before this, a plan hatched in the back of one particular "old mans**" head. He was alive with thoughtful energy, and all that energy pointed out to his not so new modern day premium commuter motorcycle#. A conversation that bought this out was the thought of taking the plunge and riding one's own motorcycle to Leh-Ladakh. Incidentally this same old man was to take the plunge on a hired classic motorcycle in the month of September 2010, but a schedule at his work place changed all those plans. Disappoint galore, and this old man, grew older when he learnt he couldn't go.

Flowing thoughts of what, when, where, how and why were all abuzz, bouncing in that brain of his at 160kmph*** and a decision was taken. Let it be done!! Let the premium commuter become more than just what it is, but yet retaining its originality, class and overall feel. But here is where the problem is, ideas were galore, but what was really needed and what wasn't was the bigger issue and picture here.

So another idea bounced at the same rate and out came a plan, a Sunday Morning Ride!! It had been ages since this old man had pulled his motorcycle out to go on a sunday morning ride and the thought of it also brought alive the minds of other old men around him. A head count (in this case, more like a motorcycle count) was taken, the idea was spread to those like minded other older men in the same circle. A route was hatched, a schedule was put in and there was a transformation that took place amongst all these old men. The old man inside was shed and emerged energetic young men who were ready to roll.

Irrespective of the super early hour wake up on this sunday, to getting out in the relatively cold weather (even during the beginning of October 2010) and missing out on the warm cozy sleep in late routine, this Sunday was different. 6 motorcycles with riders set off on a rather simple ride, some busy highway and then serene arterial roads that most people probably do not even know off was the route. Great breakfast along the way, awesome conversation all the way, a really peaceful water canal along the way and an even more peaceful larger water body at the end made the ride totally an amazing experience.

As trivial as it may sound, young men do turn into old men and the thought of doing something with passion sheds the old man on the inside and brings them back to life. Its not a thought but a fact that is so true..

Everyday mundane routines and work allow this to to happen to not only the "old man and his friends" referred to here, but people all around you and me!!

*Black Venom - Bullet Machismo 350 5S, that got her make over to a retro stylized classic motorcycle.

** Old Man - A metaphor describing my mental age that comes from various factors of everyday mundane life.

***160kmph - The metric equivalent to 100mph, otherwise in the classic motorcycle era referred to as the "Magic Ton"

#Premium commuter motorcycle - A motorcycle that really isn't your janata two wheeler commuter's motorcycle. A typical definition of any motorcycle in India with an engine displacement of 150cc.

A journey!! A reflection!!

During the month of May 2000, there was this phase where I did not know where I was going in life! No college admission, no part time job and no idea in life generally what, when, where and how!!

Then came along a small workshop I attended, and little did I realize it would lead me to where I am. Literally, as a professional and as an individual being. The workshop led to joining what was then a youth forum called "The Activity", which later on over the years developed into a full fledged company that did a lot of good work in the completely unorganized education sector to create a phenomenon called "Education beyond Curriculum".

5 years ago, when all my college mates were running helter-skelter getting their resumes ready and brushing up on their presentation skills, I was sitting outside at the 'adda' taking in a dose of nicotine and thinking to myself "bah, why should I bother, I already have a job. I was absorbed for a whole lot of reasons (one of them being the part time work and travel that I had done).

The job was fun, there was plenty of travel, plenty of learning and meeting new people. 3 years later the growth on the inside was phenomenal and soon I left behind a lot of people I thought I shared brainwaves with. The hunt for more meaningful conversations and people became important to me. Professionally I grew quite a bit as well, taking on responsibility, making sure I did my job (even if I did not like it or did not giving it 100%)

The year 2007 saw a downfall, I quit in the search for something more meaningful to do according to me. It was the year I made a lot of mistakes. From quitting with no plan in mind to loosing my individuality to something that was totally irrelevant at that point of time. But then a lot of us really think with our hearts more then our heads at times like that. 2007 - 08 led to the downfall of the individual, the professional. In a dire need of something meaningful to do, I started my own little unregistered company called "M I Concepts", the concept of bringing out simple products that would make everyday tasks a lot more fun and exciting. But when something as fragile as the heart breaks, it is a task to try and focus and pick up the pieces and quickly move on.

The possible thing to do was to find a job quick, any job that led to distraction and let life roll back onto its tracks. A meaningless job at a larger event management company. 8 months of forcing myself to work from the basic need of funds led to a lot of serious thinking. Finally on a warpath to want to do something in life, I set out to want to study. Wrong selection of course and wrong ideas in mind I almost gave away 3 years of my life to a college. Thankfully my uncle got me thinking, my mentor got me digging for information and conversations with people in the field led to me give up the idea and get back to doing what I loved doing the most, get back to working for the company that gave me my first jump in the professional world.

A few conversations over coffee with my mentor, friend and first employer I went back to what had transformed from "The Activity" to "EduMedia India Pvt. Ltd." into new role, with new responsibilities, economic requirements as per what I wanted and a team to work with that I had come to know a lot better over the years. There started a new journey again. This journey was marked onto me permanently with a tribute tattoo that took 2 months to design and quite some saving up on my part to put together.

A year later, a good appraisal, some great words and fantastic learnings, I come to realize I have grown as a person in the last 5.5 years with everything that happened - Good, Bad and Ugly. From a jumpy kid straight out of college to a decently composed, mature and responsible being, it has been a journey that I have taken and learnt a lot from. And my journey still continues to bring me more learning and a lot more reflections...

This too will pass!!

A very interesting phrase I came across over the last weekend as part of a training workshop I attended along with my colleagues from office. It was quite an intriguing workshop with a lot of learning on my end that took place at a subliminal level.

The phrase is even more intriguing, it doesn't say much but at the same time it says a whole lot. I have been on a positive energy streak ever since. But does that mean that it shall pass too?

Everything happens for a reason; money, people, joy, sorrow, excitement etc.. all come and go. Some in small phases and some that last really long. Hence anything that stays for however a long period of time, shall pass as well.

Something about the workshop has put me in the same mode "This too shall pass!!". "You live life only once, live it king size" is what most people would say. I say "You live life only once, live it one day at a time; for you don't know what is going to happen next and whatever happens next, you don't know how long its gonna last!!"

This too will pass!!