Quotable Quotes
Calvin says to Hobbes, "To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is like choosing immobility as a means of transportation".
Hmmmm!!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Monday, February 20, 2006
Trust vs. Cynicism
Two small words, yet a world of difference between them-trust and cynicism. Just to clarify what they mean, I thought it would be best to go back to the dictionary for their accurate meanings:
Trust Pronunciation: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b : one in which confidence is placed; dependence on something future or contingent TRUSTWORTHINESS; a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship; something committed or entrusted to one to be used or cared for in the interest of another b : responsible charge or office c : CARE, CUSTODY- in trust : in the care or possession of a trustee
Cynical-having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic : as a : contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives b : based on or reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest - synonyms CYNICAL, MISANTHROPIC, PESSIMISTIC mean deeply distrustful. CYNICAL implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity. MISANTHROPIC suggests a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their society . PESSIMISTIC implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life .
(Source: http://www.m-w.com/)
When something bad happens, we have one of two choices to make-either get bitter or cynical about it, or just gather oneself, and move on, trusting and faithful that whatever happens, is for the best, and that this too shall pass. To be forever cynical and doubting of the world around oneself, its people and its relationships is putting oneself up for a lot more disappointment, because, ironically, the cynicism that "protects" us from hurt that is inevitable in a relationship, also isolates us from possibly stronger, deeper, and more trusting bonds in the future.
This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from Calvin and Hobbes. Calvin once says, "To choose doubt as a philosophy of life, is to choose immobility as a means of transportation." Although witty, it reminds us that in order to keep moving through life, one must learn to trust others, inspite of risking further hurt from new relationships. One should balance one's sense of doubt and need to feel secure, with the confidence that better things are in store. It is important to be careful as we move on in life, but not to the extent that we can no longer trust anyone. Pain is inevitable in relationships. Its how we deal with them that matters. That's life.
I write this in a moment of sharp clarity and insight, and will come back to this point sometime later as well. What I have just written applies to me too. I do tend to be shaken when faced with a problem, but I have survived, and you will too, my friend. Just keep the faith. :)
Its all about TRUST. :)
Two small words, yet a world of difference between them-trust and cynicism. Just to clarify what they mean, I thought it would be best to go back to the dictionary for their accurate meanings:
Trust Pronunciation: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b : one in which confidence is placed; dependence on something future or contingent TRUSTWORTHINESS; a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship; something committed or entrusted to one to be used or cared for in the interest of another b : responsible charge or office c : CARE, CUSTODY
Cynical-having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic : as a : contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives b : based on or reflecting a belief that human conduct is motivated primarily by self-interest - synonyms CYNICAL, MISANTHROPIC, PESSIMISTIC mean deeply distrustful. CYNICAL implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity
(Source: http://www.m-w.com/)
When something bad happens, we have one of two choices to make-either get bitter or cynical about it, or just gather oneself, and move on, trusting and faithful that whatever happens, is for the best, and that this too shall pass. To be forever cynical and doubting of the world around oneself, its people and its relationships is putting oneself up for a lot more disappointment, because, ironically, the cynicism that "protects" us from hurt that is inevitable in a relationship, also isolates us from possibly stronger, deeper, and more trusting bonds in the future.
This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from Calvin and Hobbes. Calvin once says, "To choose doubt as a philosophy of life, is to choose immobility as a means of transportation." Although witty, it reminds us that in order to keep moving through life, one must learn to trust others, inspite of risking further hurt from new relationships. One should balance one's sense of doubt and need to feel secure, with the confidence that better things are in store. It is important to be careful as we move on in life, but not to the extent that we can no longer trust anyone. Pain is inevitable in relationships. Its how we deal with them that matters. That's life.
I write this in a moment of sharp clarity and insight, and will come back to this point sometime later as well. What I have just written applies to me too. I do tend to be shaken when faced with a problem, but I have survived, and you will too, my friend. Just keep the faith. :)
Its all about TRUST. :)
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Back after a week of courses and work. This is the start of the week long mid semester break for us to catch up with what we have studied so far and what needs to be done-a time to reflect, take stock and make sense of what one has learnt and where one wants to go from here. It is important that one gets time to think in an uninterrupted manner about what it is that one is interested in and wants to pursue.
Research in Organizational Behavior is so cool because it can be applied to our own lives in so many different ways. And what we choose to pursue is often an indication sometimes of who we really are. I dare say that we become what we study, specially in a field as personally relevant as the study of behavior at work.
I have had several moments of inspiration for possible areas of research based on my own work life, and in my interaction with the people in my University. These moments of inspiration are sometimes out of situations that went right, and some that went wrong. Both these situations offer an opportunity for learning about what to do right, and what to improve, and sometimes opportunities for work.
One of the fundamental assumptions one makes in any kind of research is that the researcher be unbiased, non judgmental and objective. I wonder if that can really happen since we live so closely with our research work. Sometimes there are phases where we eat, drink and sleep research (although those phases are uncommon for me, but still very there!). And specially if we choose our research areas based on our experiences of interactions with our peers or superiors, how unbiased is it, really? I think that some sense of identification with the research problem does offer insights into the problem which we otherwise wouldn't have, if we had not undergone similar experiences, so yes, I think its important to be able to identify and to relate to one's topic of research, either intellectually, personally or both.
Learning is a pleasant, fulfilling experience at most times, but sometimes it can be painful to learn things the hard way, specially when it is given to us in a painful way thru harsh criticism. Maybe it is subjective, what is harsh criticism to me, is probably just 'feedback' from the source. Insight from such experiences-practise a bit of perspective taking, just use the 'feedback' to improve one's work, and ignore the rest. :) Makes life a whole lot simpler. :)
Another insight gained in research is to watch and learn from the experts-what they do, and how they do it, can help us acquire skills which are likely to come into focus later in our careers as researchers and academics when we will be in the mentoring or supervisory role for a budding researcher.
So watch and learn is the message for the day! :)
Research in Organizational Behavior is so cool because it can be applied to our own lives in so many different ways. And what we choose to pursue is often an indication sometimes of who we really are. I dare say that we become what we study, specially in a field as personally relevant as the study of behavior at work.
I have had several moments of inspiration for possible areas of research based on my own work life, and in my interaction with the people in my University. These moments of inspiration are sometimes out of situations that went right, and some that went wrong. Both these situations offer an opportunity for learning about what to do right, and what to improve, and sometimes opportunities for work.
One of the fundamental assumptions one makes in any kind of research is that the researcher be unbiased, non judgmental and objective. I wonder if that can really happen since we live so closely with our research work. Sometimes there are phases where we eat, drink and sleep research (although those phases are uncommon for me, but still very there!). And specially if we choose our research areas based on our experiences of interactions with our peers or superiors, how unbiased is it, really? I think that some sense of identification with the research problem does offer insights into the problem which we otherwise wouldn't have, if we had not undergone similar experiences, so yes, I think its important to be able to identify and to relate to one's topic of research, either intellectually, personally or both.
Learning is a pleasant, fulfilling experience at most times, but sometimes it can be painful to learn things the hard way, specially when it is given to us in a painful way thru harsh criticism. Maybe it is subjective, what is harsh criticism to me, is probably just 'feedback' from the source. Insight from such experiences-practise a bit of perspective taking, just use the 'feedback' to improve one's work, and ignore the rest. :) Makes life a whole lot simpler. :)
Another insight gained in research is to watch and learn from the experts-what they do, and how they do it, can help us acquire skills which are likely to come into focus later in our careers as researchers and academics when we will be in the mentoring or supervisory role for a budding researcher.
So watch and learn is the message for the day! :)
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Speaking of Garfield earlier takes me to the subject of animation movies....
Recently saw Wallace and Gromit.. a hilarious movie about a good natured but crazy scientist Wallace and his faithful companion Gromit, who actually is the sane voice in the movie, inspite of being silent! I was amazed to see that even animation movies these days have their moments of truly 'adult' humor. You have to watch the movie to know what I am talking about. I couldnt stop laughing at some of the scenes in the movie, particularly one involving Wallace and a cardboard box, and Lady Tottington and her prized melons! Funny stuff! :)
Humor, according to me, is God's gift to mankind..and man has revered happiness, so much so that ancient civilizations across the world have gods named after laughter and cheer. A brief search on the internet, and there's a mindboggling selection of gods named for laughter, cheer, happiness and prosperity..all the good things in life, in a nutshell. At the risk of sounding cliched (or too much like Reader's Digest!!!!) I must say that laughter is good medicine for the soul....I just read up a funny article online, and that makes my day..any day! A healthy sense of humor is necessary in today's high powered world, where there are constant pressures and demands to perform and prove oneself. This is the one thing that keeps me going..would love to hear what keeps you all going..is it laughter or something else? Happiness is truly the medicine for MY soul!
Keep smilin! :)
Recently saw Wallace and Gromit.. a hilarious movie about a good natured but crazy scientist Wallace and his faithful companion Gromit, who actually is the sane voice in the movie, inspite of being silent! I was amazed to see that even animation movies these days have their moments of truly 'adult' humor. You have to watch the movie to know what I am talking about. I couldnt stop laughing at some of the scenes in the movie, particularly one involving Wallace and a cardboard box, and Lady Tottington and her prized melons! Funny stuff! :)
Humor, according to me, is God's gift to mankind..and man has revered happiness, so much so that ancient civilizations across the world have gods named after laughter and cheer. A brief search on the internet, and there's a mindboggling selection of gods named for laughter, cheer, happiness and prosperity..all the good things in life, in a nutshell. At the risk of sounding cliched (or too much like Reader's Digest!!!!) I must say that laughter is good medicine for the soul....I just read up a funny article online, and that makes my day..any day! A healthy sense of humor is necessary in today's high powered world, where there are constant pressures and demands to perform and prove oneself. This is the one thing that keeps me going..would love to hear what keeps you all going..is it laughter or something else? Happiness is truly the medicine for MY soul!
Keep smilin! :)
Word for the day (is actually inspired by a Garfield cartoon!)
Sauerkraut-Chopped or shredded cabbage salted and fermented in its own juice; n : shredded cabbage fermented in brine.
Its funny where inspiration sometimes comes from..but now my blog will feature any new words that I come across and find intriguing..one way for me to remember them as well! Watch this space for more! ;)
Sauerkraut-Chopped or shredded cabbage salted and fermented in its own juice; n : shredded cabbage fermented in brine.
Its funny where inspiration sometimes comes from..but now my blog will feature any new words that I come across and find intriguing..one way for me to remember them as well! Watch this space for more! ;)
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