We turn two! We recap the journey of our second year of existence. It has been a fun ride. We hoped to get a lot more guests but will do with whatever we could get.
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'Do not judge someone by their destination unless you have traversed their path' is what Rajeev wrote in his book 'RISE'. It is easier to judge others and yourself when you are in competition with others. The trick to self-improvement is to avoid falling in the trap of competition and judgement in comparison to others. In this episode we talk about how one can inculcate a habit of competing against oneself and set on the path of self-actualization.
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The young monk goes to his master and asks, 'Master, are monks allowed to use email?'. After careful thought, the master replies, 'Only if there are no attachments'. Lame joke, but serious topic of attachments (not the email kind). Why do we get attached to something in life? Why are we afraid to lose something that we have proven to have earned? Why do we fall slaves to our belongings? Is there a way to be detached from our attachments?
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While most of us surrender to our fate and call it our destiny, there are few who believe we are in control of our destiny. In this episode we talk to one such individual, Nritya Ganesh. She not only refused to let fate dictate the path of her life but actively shaped her destiny at every step of her life.
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Why do we take the well trodden path when the world of possibilities is open before us? Are you a non-conformist because you question the traditions or because you are a 'rebel without a cause'? Can there be a balance between being a conformist and a non-conformist?
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In 1961, a social psychologist and professor at Yale University, Stanley Milgram conducted controversial experiments designed to measure conformity, conscience and free will. Do we succumb to authority without questioning its orders because it takes the burden or repercussion away from you or because you believe that the authority should be obeyed, no matter what?
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Why do we take the well trodden path when the world of possibilities is open before us? Are you a non-conformist because you question the traditions or because you are a 'rebel without a cause'? Can there be a balance between being a conformist and a non-conformist?
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Does failure pull you down or invigorates you to pivot and try new approaches? "I have not failed 10,000 times. I have just found 10,000 ways that won't work." This quote by Thomas Edison emphasizes the idea that failure can be a learning process and a stepping stone to success, rather than a cause for discouragement.
How you approach and react to failure, success and fame define the path you take in life and the results you get.
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The adage "Do what you love, and you'll never work a day in your life" has proved false. There comes a day when that love and passion ceases to inspire, crushed by office politics, hustle culture, and the rat race. In reality the only choice you have is to either do whatever it takes to get the lifestyle you want; or, accept the lifestyle you get by doing what you are passionate about.
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Is learned helplessness another case of self-gaslighting? It is known to be a condition in which a person has a sense of powerlessness. The psychiatry says that it arises from a traumatic event or persistent failure to succeed and is thought to be one of the underlying causes of depression.
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Pranks and jokes subtly test our social boundaries and relationships. They reveal how well we know someone, how they react under pressure, and the strength of our bond. It appears that over the last decade or so, social humor is almost dead. Is that also the reason why depression and similar other mental illnessess have increased?
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It is said that money does not change you, it simply amplifies what you already are! There are two thresholds of money - financial independence (also know as FI money), when you feel secure enough to not be worried about earning. The second threshold is know as F*** You (FU) money, when you feel liberated from the obligations to people around you.
If you win a $billion lottery today, how will it change you?
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The more laws there are, the more corrupt the society becomes - Lao Tzu (paraphrasing). Do laws really bring justice to society? Every law, introduced with best of intentions, has unintended consequences that then requires that the legislature adds more laws. Soon enough we have a heap of laws that are so intermingled that an old communist saying comes true - If you are alive and breathing, you must have broken a law. We just need to find out which one!
Book reference: The Law by Frederic Bastiat
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When is the right time to quit the rat race? Why is the 'hustle-culture' becoming a norm and is celebrated rather than a pursuing a meaningful and fulfilling life?
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There are a million jokes on marriage. Most people, when asked, will claim that the jokes do not apply to their marriage. If you ask their friends and family, a different picture emerges. Almost everyone looks at the other couple and wonders - why are they still married? Is it all black and white or are there shades of grey when it comes to complex relationships like marriage?
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We revisit the topic of economic slavery triggered by a comment by Mr. Narayan Murthy (founder of Infosys) about working 70 hours a week.
Is it economic slavery if you have an idea that requires that you work all your waking hours to bring it to life? Is it economic slavery if you are extremely passionate about what you do?
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What are your New Year resolutions? How long do you stick to them? Why do we see the same resolutions being repeated year-on-year with similar results? Is there a better way than making and then breaking New Year resolutions and then feeling miserable about them?
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When you are riding the gravy train, how to do you find balance in life? Will you walk away from a choice that will turbocharge your career and resent later? In this episode we talk to Preethi Madappa about how to find balance between work, life and be content with the choices you have made.
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Is masculinity all about power structure, aggression, and demonstrating 'manly' behavior as described by the social norms? Is masculinity only limited to men or can women exhibit the same behaviours? What would you consider as genuine or fake masculinity?
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Do you gaslight others or are gaslighted by others? Psychological manipulation of someone to benefit from it got termed as 'gaslighting' based on a play in 1938 and is now used to describe any kind of provocation.
Have you ever considered that the person we most 'gaslight' are ourselves? Think about it after you listen to this episode and let us know your thoughts.
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