Do you define or constrict?

It’s funny how I find things funny. Funny at times because no one else seems to find it funny. Human nature in itself is funny to me-the way we act and respond to the situations and how each of us deals and gives a personal touch and definitions to them.

Human nature continues to amaze me- the imperative need to label and give name and meaning and definition to each thing. Best friend, holiday, death, betrayal, trust….Are we really better off with this so called ever growing development and civilization? Has this smartness compared to other animals made us a better survivor or has it created more complexities to survive? Labeling and defining makes identification easier but sometimes do we really need an Identification? At times are we not happy just to let it be and not be constricted by the boundaries of definition? Where do you have a boundary when your mother is your best friend? Where do you have a boundary when your lover becomes your worst enemy? If labeling and identifying was so important why is it that the very nature of the thing that we try to label is dynamic in itself? What’s the use of giving me a name and changing it so often as the situation /role/proximity changes? Am I not better off if you don’t label me at all?

One might argue identification makes an individual unique, be it a noun or adjective. But thinking about it, don’t you think the words actually constrict the subject/object in question? That the word doesn’t quite well describe the multidimensional attributes? And do we really believe that there is anything unique in this world at all? People come and go, things have substitutes and replacements. In this sense no one is unique in itself. We, the perceivers, perceive it as unique because of the familiarity and attachment we have created with the subject/object. And this, my friend can be changed if we try and create the same with the other subject/object. Now not willing to do this is entirely a different thing.

Does a guy really need to say I love you, you are my girlfriend, and we are in a relationship? Does just saying so guarantee the claim is true? Do we call someone a best friend just because we shared our highs and lows and confided our deepest secrets? Who defines the criteria for best friend and is it really essential to tick all the boxes? If it is so, then don’t you think our life is merely a Mathematical formula based on the criterion?Now the dictionary defines the words, gives meaning to each but shouldn’t we consider the fact that dictionary is created, edited and regulated by a group of people? And it changes as the situation, society and way of living changes. Aren’t we all aware of how many new words have been added to the dictionary because of how people have been using it frequently in particular scenarios?

Now, I don’t even know why I am writing this or what I am trying to prove. It’s just something that struck me in my thoughts and I want to share/question the very existence of the system of definitions.

Do we really need it?



As I get comfortable doing nothing at home, missing the gym class that I had planned to go and doing nothing particularly interesting, I try to give possible plausible explanations to my laziness. And the best part is I come with none. What is it about this laziness then? Well I am aware that laziness takes you nowhere (I'm pretty sure everyone is) but why do we still be lazy and not do things that needs to be done. Is it the answer to everything in life? Is it THE SECRET ? Well everyone knows had the student not been lazy he would have passed the exams with flying colours or had Gandhi been lazy, he wouldnt have been able to bring such a revolution in India.

And despite the knowledge,we prefer laziness. Maybe its mainly because its easier to be lazy than to put in our efforts and hard work. And its only human to always take the easier way out. It takes a lot to be determined, put in your hard work and most importantly be consistent with it. And that's where most people fail and only few succeed. And my friends, those few are the ones whom we get to see and read about in papers. Success definitely doesn't come easy.

And still with dreams so high and ambitions beyond the vastness of ocean, I fail to be anything else but LAZY.. :(

just another bookshop???

I discovered a paradise yesterday. Nestled in the buzzing Picadilly Circus, a few minutes’ walk from the tube station, I never noticed or even imagined that the grand Waterstone’s at Picadilly Circus would outlive the expectation of its exterior grandeur. I am finally realising how I missed on so many beautiful things about the modern -in-an-ancient way city that I have been calling home for three years now. And I knew this was only the beginning.

One of my colleagues took me to this place and I was awed at the mere glimpse of it . I thought to myself how I failed to notice this place before (or was it an underrating on my side?). While I was trying to enter through the glass door, I saw one of the staffs taking off the posters from the doors that signified that we missed Cheryl Cole’s autobiography signing by an hour or so. Not a fan of Cheryl Cole but well you could tell this Waterstone’s was not like any of its other branches. And call me a bookworm or a nerd, as soon as I entered the shop I was jumping at books trying to gobble every one of them. It was like a child being let loose in Hamley’s store and I wanted most of the books displayed there and it was only the ground floor to start with. Me and my friend took the lift to the fourth floor which had the Philosophy section and that’s where my friend had to buy the book from. Sofas at different places, nice music in the background and possibly every book printed in the world about various subjects, now what more could you ask for? I fell in love with the place instantly. I took a good 5-6 books and started leafing through them. It was really relaxing. And the best part was it had a café and a bar as well and it opened till late. The view from the bar on the top floor was just amazing. Getting used to the view from a height is a rare experience in England, what with its old not so high buildings and no terrace/balcony apart from the apartments and some grand offices in the city.

Nevertheless, I am in love with this city. It’s a case of falling in love with the person whom you hated at the first sight. Its like gradually falling in love with someone whom you never considered you’d fall in love with. And then one day, Baaamm!!! You realise you’ve been love struck. But like all the confusions at all times, I fail to understand , have I really fallen in love with this city that is slowly unravelling its mystical beauty over time or have I got used to it? Now being in love and getting used to are clearly two different things or aren’t they?

With ever present confusions and blurred lines aside, I am simply happy at this undiscovered find. Yeah I know it’s a big deal for me, but trust me, try to leave everything behind and enter this Waterstones’ and you’ll enjoy one of the best few hours of your life. ;)

And no, Waterstone's didn't pay me for this article :)