STEPHEN HAWKING, THE EINSTEIN OF OUR TIMES

 

Stephen Hawking needs no introduction. This Einstein of our times was born in 1942. When he was just 21 , he contracted with 'motor neurone disease' which only gave him 2 years to live, but that kept on extending till March 2018   to the utter amazement of medical fraternity.

This former Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge gave mathematical proof for the Big Bang theory.

As far as I remember, it was during 2001, I got a glimpse of his much acclaimed book ' The Universe in a Nutshell' I was terrified to comprehend the concept and scientific jargon used in the book.  It  narrates the origin of Universe in common man's parlance. His other amazing books include 'A Brief History of Time', 'The Grand Design'.

I read so many articles about him especially his computer-aided voice synthesizer without which he can not share anything with the outside world. The science came to the aid of this physicist to share his insights on the mysteries of Universe.

I personally feel that the scientific temper might have kept Hawking alive till 76 years. Under normal circumstances, a crippled body could have led to diminishing mental efficacy.   But in his case, it proved the opposite. He personifies that scientific temper which helped for ground-breaking theories on Big Bang and Black Holes etc. What I have learnt from his life is his unparalleled scientific temper to remain inquisitive all through life.


Science is fast changing the way we see the world and we must constantly update our knowledge dished out by these great minds.   It will be a fitting tribute to this man if we ever expand our scientific temper which refines our everyday living.

SOLITUDE


I find it wholesome to be alone the greater part of the time. To be in the company, even with the best, is soon wearisome and dissipating. I love to be alone. I never found the companion that was so companionable as Solitude.

                                          - Henry David Thoreau

In the hustle and bustle of city life, I need one constant company that is my own solitude. Outer world is a poor substitute when it comes to inner serenity. Hours will pass like a blip of second when I sink into myself.

When I was a bachelor for 5 years after entering into government service, I never rubbed my shoulders too much with anybody. In fact, I have a very limited number of  friends . I feel scared of having too many friends as I can't carry the burden of their expectations. In fact, the liberty or the chastity of freedom has driven me to take a step of being aloof from the crowd. I really cherish my moments in solitude than meeting anybody else.

But ordinary folks never like solitude. They term it as loneliness which is different. They usually go to others to converse issues from heaven to earth till the other person gets bored from that non-sense. When you ask such people why they do so, they argue that they don't like loneliness which means that they don't want to be in their own company.  The question here is when you don't like your own company, how can others bear you ?

Some people connote solitude with elements of spirituality. There is no denying in that. Solitude is such a silent ocean of energy that will not only churn your creative juices and also gives a higher level of awareness which helps you to go to magical realms of infinite possibilities. If you want to know the gross description of solitude, read Henry David Thoreau's magnificent Work : "Walden”. Every word of Thoreau in the chapter "Solitude" touches your soul and you will relish its prose.

On Solitude, Albert Einstein says : I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity. Solitude and writing are inseparable twins. Great writing happens in the deeper chambers of your soul. I personally feel that the best inspiration comes only in solitude. It could be affirmed in the words of one wise man that "one can be instructed in society, but one can only be  inspired only in solitude".

The inventor of electric bulb Thomas A. Edison sagely says that the best thinking has been done in solitude. So do take regular chunks of solitude  to bounce back with creativity.

IS THERE REALLY ANY GOOD DAY OR BAD DAY


“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.”

                                                                         -Robert Louis Stevenson 

 

When anything crucial is to be undertaken, normally we in India look for an auspicious day/moment. Some people consult their family astrologer to see if there will be any impediment in the coming days in their lives. Some others remain frenetic regarding movement of their stars.  Is there really any good day or bad day as we think of ? This question needs a closer look.

Good or bad depends on our thought process and it is our attitude that counts. If you march forward by following  trial and error basis, then there is no need to be panic when bad moment comes. In the constant flux of events, we should have the soldier's spirit to handle the situation on hand, rather brood on planetary positions. But modern life is fast becoming a  complex web of problems and happiness remains a dear commodity even within family life. Impatience becomes hallmark of our personality. Nobody likes to tolerate the difference of opinion. Your spouse may ask you some suggestion and when you don't respond according to her/his expectation, the tirade will sweep away your own happy mood. 

 

The problem lies in  giving much more credence to your predestined beliefs rather application of  your intellectual ability to understand the things in a larger scheme. 

 

Before you label any day good or bad, start your day by gazing magnificent sun-rise. Is there any change in the quality of sun rise ? Further billions of flowers blossom on the planet Earth. When the Creator shows no difference between a good day or bad day , why do we ? It is in fact our inclination to have no failure that is blocking the road to enjoyment. In difficulty, there is an opportunity to learn. In sorrow, your cherish the moments of happiness. So it is time to look beyond the  fickle mind so that the idea of good or bad day will never crop up and wisdom always prevails to deal any  situation.

 


MY WRITING FOR MY OWN SAKE

 

Though I am an avid reader  and having a blog for  years but  I never  posted even a single  article until March 2011 when a friend of mine persuaded me to do so.   He said that  I should write something regularly so that my creative ideas will find a natural expression and those writings may inspire and benefit at least some people. In my friend's words I should contribute something to society about my ideas/insights/ experiences on life.

After being inspired with his words,  I started writing  articles in  my blog  which  graduated me finally to write for leading newspapers.   

Writing is a tough hobby which needs tremendous mental energies to sustain it . It is in fact a kind of evolving into a higher self.    When I analyzed the lives of highly successful people, I found that Travelling, Reading and Writing ruled their lives. When asked about his life's ambitions after retirement from public life, Shri P. Chidambaram, a prominent Indian politician and ex-cabinet minister  once said that he wants to take a serious pursuit of his three hobbies i.e. Reading, Writing and Travel .

It is true that when your basic  needs are catered, this trio should rule the life.