Vision Over Goals

Two years ago when Pallav and I had sat over a cup of coffee at Kuzart Lane and discussed doing something - I'm not quite sure we knew what it meant or what we wanted out of it. For me it was rather a challenge - something I had to do. The back story in a nutshell is when I was in school I wanted to start a business of my own; I wanted to prove to my family amongst many others that "I can". I hated how people simply assumed, I wasn't capable of it. Now don't assume my family looked at me as a dud guy, I was quite casual with life - I mean to an extent I still am. I like to do things because they interest me, not because they hold any greater value. Anyway, 17 and charged me along with two of my mates decided to go ahead and start a venture of our own - which failed. Needless to say, I wasn't going to stop. I told one of them, that I will get something on and I'll go somewhere with it.

Now understand something - Together For A Cause isn't a business. Not quite yet. We're working out our product. And we're working very hard for it. I have seen the look people give me when I tell them I work with an Youth Led Organization and I intend to make money. I don't get it. I mean - I have always believed in life you have to give back to the people who helped you reach where you are. Sometime it's your family, sometime friends, sometime it's the world. In my case, it was all three.

But this post ins't about the concrete idea of what we intend to become. This is of much more value. It's about where we were, and where we have come to. It's a journey that I know only starts now - but seeing this length I know it's going to be nothing short of thrilling, yet sheer hard work. Two years ago, when I had my first meeting with a team - who much like myself had no idea what to do - were just engaged and engulfed with a reason to do something met me. I the novice self, was lost in the idea of ranks and hierarchy - elsewhere the core idea of work and a vision suffered. That's fine however, I don't quite mind - a young blood, full of ambition - I started backwards - and I know I'm moving forwards which is fine. 

It was a tough first meeting - I was scared to death of our Research Head. She was older, smarter, and I knew she knew better. That in my head and the knowledge that I'm to lead in my heart - having never done that before (well at least in this circumstance. And then came meetings and meetings and meetings. As I said young blood - I was also stupid. I was over my head of the initial response (not success) of what I was doing and I assumed this will function. The problem however remained there was no product. It was all intangible.

I became arrogant, wrong, and to sum it up - a butthole. I was managing the whole organization in the worst possible manner. I had no idea of what I was doing (or at least in retrospect it seems) and I was trying to make something of nothing. Till a point in time when the whole thing came to a haul. For a long time. And I thought this is it. One more of my endless part-time adventures. Which ended in nothing but futile efforts. But then it hit me. Together For A Cause isn't "Nirjhar". It's not "I". And it's most definitely not "mine". It's about a team which had worked timelessly and with all their heart and soul which I would let down if I didn't pick up my game. That an organization does not run simply because of one person - who leads. But because of leaders who work twice as hard than you to make sure your work is easier. At that point I realized much had to change. We couldn't be a team with aimless working and just ideas and no product. Withing a scope of 2 months from that deadlock we had a classroom in collaboration with Save The Quest in the National Association for the Blind. Where we met bunch of wonderfully talented kids, who taught us that world is indeed beautiful - and you need not see it to understand that.

Eight - None months from that deadlock - I can assure you - we're to hit many more speed bumps. But these stop overs are the only thing that make the journey more meaningful. We're expanding the three other locations with over 5 classrooms in hand. And we will grow only bigger in size and opportunity. We have lost a lot of people in the organization - who expected better of us and we couldn't stand to that, others who found better venues. And we thank them all. They have indeed made Together For A Cause what it is. They helped us build ideas, network, and most of all - people management. Today, we're stronger as team and I'm stronger as a part of that. We're not one, but we're all.

The world wasn't changed by those who said they'll try. It's not for those who think they can. It's for those who go out and find out. People have called me crazy to dream so big. And I know I haven't done much. But I know one thing in my heart, if I don't dream big - I'll never wake up to big reality. And that I will never compromise on.

"If they wanted money they would have asked for it. They wanted something bigger, more persistent - Success."

SO FAR AWAY!

Relationships are well rather a lot of hard work, believe it or not! Even the finest of relationships can fall into pieces if adequate time, understanding and effort isn't given to it! Well, of course that's the most basic of facts that everyone knows about relationships... so what is this entire blog about? Well read on, you'd find out yourself

You see, there is always this one person who always loves more in a relationship. Try not being that person, it's a bitter feeling. Which of course, doesn't mean you shouldn't put your heart and soul into making this relationship the most special thing, but you know just some downsides to be reckoned with! Well here is the thing, once you do figure out that you're the one who loves more, it'd always remind you that the other person falls short in some way or the other and you'd always want them to try harder.  Happens with everyone.

What really does bother pretty much anyone in a relationship is when the other person starts taking them for granted, intentionally or unintentionally... either way, hurts a bitch. See what bothers is the fact that somehow, you are always suppose to understand, and change your plans because supposedly the other persons plans are more grande! Well that's not true, in a relationship there is no "my problem is more serious, or bigger". Both the people need to see what they can do to satisfy the other person, that's why you compromise  in a relationship not sacrifice ! 

Expressing ones views are a major concern! You see, it all starts when you want to communicate but just becomes a dull activity because the reciprocative signals are aghast or even dead! Neither the guy nor the girl are magicians and as you kids like it now a days, Edward Cullen! No one can actually read anyones mind, shocking ... but nonetheless true indeed! Ever wondered why things go awry and you can't do anything about it? Well it's probably because you're not communicating your feelings thoroughly! Look it up on the net, and you'd find tons of thread posts referring to the same! You have to tell us that you'r sorry and mean it and make sure that we understand. Saying sorry isn't enough, I mean if someone hurt you would you be satisfied with just a sorry? No! of course not, so why do the same? Make them feel that you're sorry for what happened and you want to fix it. And it's not only about apologizing. If you can't express your love, even that goes down the drain, majorly! I mean how do we know if you can't tell us you love us. Yes it's not a routine exercise, but everyone needs to reminded (and believe me - a lot of times) that you love them, not just verbally, but physically, emotionally, etc, etc! Don't expect the other person to always take the initiative to hold your hands, to kiss you, to tell you that s/he loves you or pamper you! You're not here for recreational purposes! You're suppose to do all that your other partner is doing as well!

There are so many reasons that things can go wrong, not listening to the other person, not understanding, undermining, etc, etc. Probably one last one that i'll blog about today is how s/he is the last person to be bothered about. See, when that starts happening, it's a  m.a.j.o.r.  concern! If you're concerned about what your friends and family will think about your action more then how the other person would feel if you acted in a particular way, well then that's a big bad ass no! Few things need to be understood here however:

1. no one is trying to snatch you away from your friends, and most definitely family.
2.  it's not like your act is something of felony, it's something in regards to the relationship.
3.  it has nothing to do with offending anyone or anything of that sort,  because if that be the case, everyone is very smart i'm sure s/he would always understand why you decided to put your friends and families concerns above theirs!

But if it isn't as mentioned in the last point above, that is bound to leave some mark and a lot of scars! All of us should be more empathetic towards each other, and it's your relationship at the end up the day and  only you can make your call. If you choose to bother about silly little things and how they'd effect your image over the other persons feelings and concern then it shows something about you and not necessarily positive.

Just because a person works out a solution to problems whenever they arise, doesn't mean they'll do it always. Sometimes you need to do it to show that you actually care about this relationship and about his/her feelings. Don't run or shy away from facing the consequences or the situation. Both of your actions brought it upon you guys, then be sensible enough to figure out a solution to the problem. Don't wait for the other person to do it always! Don't push someone so much that they fall right off the cliff, because once that happens, there is no coming back. Guys must not go mad and crazy about every little tip off, and girls do not have to cry about everything that is not going according to their fairy tale version of "real life"

Breaking up is the easiest of things to do! Making a relationship is what proves that you're meant for it. It's better to fix what matters to you and what you love rather then let it all fall apart!