Ushering Changes through New Software.

In the preface to the second edition of the book - The Road Ahead - Bill Gates writes that he works in the software industry, where change is the norm. Any software, as in life, requires upgradation with new features and improvements. The customers, and those affected by the changes too need to be flexible to adapt to them. This is fine. But, any changes should also not be complicated for the users to understand. Even a dummy, like me, should be able to understand and adapt. Those features in the old software which are essential need to be preserved and left untouched. A little deft changes here and there, would give a new look to them as well.

This is similar to rearranging the furniture in the house for a fresh look to relieve the monotonous appearance.

The recent changes to the reader’s blogs brought in by The Austin-American Statesman, where I post my blogs, has a few new features which are welcome, and have potential to become popular. At the same time, certain old features have been removed, which the Internet editor is considering to retain them in the overall scheme of Changes. I appreciate the Paper for its flexibility to adapt to the feedback from its readers. Right now, I do get confused while navigating through some of its new features, but hope to get familiarized with it soon. I am looking for a new simple URL to my blog. Though tinyurl does give a new identity, it is devoid of statesman tag. There is no aura about it.

Here is a lesson to all of us in the form of a reminder. In every walk of progress, we need to adapt and surge ahead together. A simple lesson we all forget repeatedly. Every nation in every continent in present times ignores this. Be it super power America, India, China, or a tiny Kingdom - Nepal.

In the name of being independent, many joint families in India are disintegrating, and the outcome is pathetic. Value systems are broken, redefined to suit to their needs, and morals are taking the road to nadir.

Changes in the name of reforms need to be steady, and initiated step by step. This is a good thinking, and sadly human nature does not always think so. Sometimes, the ushering of changes rebound with criticism, and in the process of answering critics, the changes are diluted much to the dismay of those ushering them.

But, changes need to be initiated, and how well it is initiated depends on the attitude and adaptability of partners to the change.

On a Detour.

It is more than a month since I posted a blog, which habit I indulged for close to two years now to keep myself partly busy in a sedate life pattern due to physical immobility. I now move in a wheel chair within my house. I was spending a great deal of time reading magazines, newspapers online; sending and receiving mails; and browsing the net. Yet, posting a blog does give me pleasure and satisfaction.

Other habits of mine are reading books; solving sudoku and crossword puzzles; reading magazines on travel, sports, and general. As no other person is involved in these activities, I derive greater pleasure since the feelings were equally shared by the author and me in silence. Currently I am reading a voluminous book on one of the Hindu epics. I am taken to a different world altogether, where god’s way of thinking dominates, and all his sermons engulf me with peace.

I feel the interchange of these habits, is similar to taking detours when we drive on a highway. Sometimes, we are directed to take the detour by the sign boards, indicating repairs on the highway, or we change our direction at the spur of the moment by our instincts when we feel like seeing nearby places of attraction.

In my case, may be it’s a coincidence that on many occasions, the detours occurred while driving, and every time it was adventurous, unforgettable, and pleasant. Last time, the detour occurred when we were returning from Niagara Falls to Detroit. The detour drive was almost an hour that took us to nature’s beautiful sceneries, amid small towns with the folks waving at this unexpected flow of traffic through their towns.

Much can be learnt from these escapades, though it does interfere with our routine. It is worth while. We do not get to travel on long journeys quite often to take these detours. But sitting at home, frequent detours are possible. Thanks to the fickleness of the mind.

My mind takes me on such tours more often than not. In fact I allow it. I found this is one way of learning and exposing your mind to new ideas and rejuvenated thought process. The state of boredom is pushed aside. These periodical mental detours keep your mind fresh, make it vibrant, and keep it in balance. They are better antidotes than anti- depression tablets.

Very often I read articles on the problems faced by retired people about difficulty in spending their time. I hear many of them say “They have to do something”. My advice to them would be - Do those things which you could not do in your life so far. Take detours, you will come across interesting aspects of life, hitherto unexplored.

My advice to those in career life - Indulge in frequent physical detours to keep your mind well lubricated, well energized to get back on your career highway with your mind on full throttle. What sort of Detours? Visit new places; meet friends, relatives, and people from different walks of life. All of them have some better things to offer. The most powerful devils in your mind - EGO and GREED - slowly disappear. Just try.