Wanabi Stoic

  NEERAJ MAHAJAN 2021 was clearly the most defining year of this century. And why so? Because, we are  lucky survivors who beat corona virus ( Physically , emotionally and financially). And that's no mean achievement. I don't take credit for it, neither should you as our survival could be sheer random ! Putting the year in perspective and with the clear cut benefit of hindsight , I share my expose of the year went by viz: The Serendipity of Non Linearity   We have all heard of the platitude, " The last straw breaks the Camels Back " or " a single drop can spill the waters ". Seems so cliché but this is  non linearity in plain simple terms ; a highly underrated concept I had read in books but understood only during lock downs. To simplify it further, if you aspire for something and are diligent in your approach towards it , the dream might continue to elude you . You will hear a lot of confusing noise but the dream shall  reveal itself in due course of time ;

  NEERAJ MAHAJAN What is intervention ? Interference in any system we either don't fully understand or do or suffer from illusion of understanding. As the complexity in modern societies has increased exponentially, we don't understand most things , yet we intervene?. Why? There is an element of deceit associated with interventionism in modern society. And it is very easy to sell "Look what I did for you " than "look what I avoided for you ".( Taleb in Antifragile). Be it in relationships ( in Giving biased advices), our bodies ( by popping up pills or surgery on doctors advice or self medication at the drop of a hat), our investment portfolios ( in quick churning),our society ( by infighting or non cooperating), our environment ( by littering, emitting CO2), politics in socioeconomic matters ( like exploiting religion for gains or destroying things that are LINDY ) or US attacking small nations  ( oil political economy) and so many, inter alia. The damage th

  NEERAJ MAHAJAN Did you ever ponder over your past? Do you have unfulfilled dreams ? Do they they remain elusive ? What exactly went wrong? I do  , and  persist with deep thinking. Over time, a realization has dawned that inter alia, short term shallow thinking was the malaise that afflicted most my thoughts.  As we think, so shall we act and become, says the epic Bhagwat Geeta . And ,  this piece is on the indispensability of long term thinking and how to do it and dream big.  As to what denigrates our thoughts, here's my thing: TOURISTIFICATION & AVERSION TO UNCERTAINTY Uncertainty is the bane of human mind. Most abhor it.  Don't agree ? Try postponing action on an important matter indefinitely. Your mind will be drained in no time. This is akin to Procrastinating. But we were told it was bad ! False. What is uncertainty ? It is when you don't know the outcome of your actions, the future ; To a mother it is about her Childs future; to a businessman it is survival and

  NEERAJ MAHAJAN I grew up listening homilies about things big and beautiful ; Centralized big nations, big schools, cities, cars, big bureaucracies,  corporations, universities and what not ? One common thing that characterizes all of them is you know what ? Most of them are fragile. Anything with little upside and huge downside is fraught with fragility. And why they are so ? Because these so called man made modern inventions are in direct contravention to what the mother nature loves : Small Robust Systems as they are beautiful. When I write small robust systems, I refer to decentralized nations like  Canada, USA or a city State Switzerland which are strong sub systems within a big system.  Swiss Cantons and municipalities are near Sovereign & confederation of States in US , Canada are largely independent entities with even a national flag and constitution for a few in the US.  Highly centric systems as India's, China's ,ex USSR are fragile as one error and the system g

  NEERAJ MAHAJAN Mankind dreads old age. Yet too many people become too old too soon ; loosing their energy, drive, enthusiasm towards life. Are they subject to the universal law that one attracts one's worst fears ? And the fear of becoming old is potent. So the answer probably is yes!  Benjamin Franklin  said, " the tragedy of the world is that too many people become old too soon ".  After attaining the age 50, most retire or at least obsess on retirement. Why? Is 50 cul de sacs for humans? My guess is a No . And here's my thing : The Ritual Of Age Aging is considered a ritual. And this ritualization is partially responsible for the malaise. In most societies, age is the marker of every thing important. At age 4 you start schooling, 16 is the time to enter high school, 18 you go to university, earnings commence in early 20s and before you hit 30s its time to tie the nuptial knot.. By the time 50s end, its time to hang your boots and retire. Everything is time linked

  NEERAJ MAHAJAN The world is full of souls with unfulfill ed dreams, curtailed ambitions, broken hearts. At the same time, there is class that is its opposite ; achievers, fulfilled happy rearing to go lucky types. While there are plethora of differentiators, a key that merits mention is The Abundant Mindset . And what exactly is that. Here's my thing : Mark Twain said, " If you want love and abundance in your lives, you must first learn to give it away ". Most are seekers. Givers are a few. We are wired to be selfish and it  was very much needed when we lived in wild Savannahs 2000 centuries ago. With evolution to settled lives & towns, our needs changed but, our basic instincts didn't change at all. That underscores why its tough to be abundant. As it goes against our grains, it needs to be developed conscientiously. THE ABUNDANCE PARADOX The problem is that abundance is a mindset. Most don't realize that. During my casual chat with an Uber cabbie in Ne