Connecting with thoughts - My thoughts and Me

Posts

The Trap of Who vs. The Power of What

In any conversation, debate, or discussion, we often find ourselves fixated on who is speaking rather than on what is being said. The easiest response is to judge the messenger, dismissing their words based on our perception of them—their biases, history, or even our own prejudices. This reflexive focus on 'who' rather than 'what' creates barriers to understanding and blinds us to the essence of the message. The Judgmental Trap When we become obsessed with the speaker rather than their words, we risk falling into a judgmental trap. We start assessing their intent rather than engaging with their argument. We question their credibility, label them based on past interactions, and dismiss their perspective outright. In doing so, we fail to listen. Every speaker, no matter how well-intentioned or knowledgeable, is inherently flawed—just as every argument, no matter how sound, carries its own set of assumptions and imperfections. But if we allow our perception ...

Emotions in Business - Fear

Fear is an uncomfortable word. In business, it’s often swept under the rug, dismissed as weakness, or masked by bravado. Yet, whether we acknowledge it or not, fear is a constant companion in the boardroom, the startup garage, and every decision in between. It’s the quiet pulse behind risk-taking, the shadow lurking in innovation, and the unspoken tension in every handshake deal. Far from being a mere obstacle, fear is a powerful force—one that can paralyze or propel, depending on how we engage with it. So why does fear matter in business, and what happens when we stop pretending it doesn’t exist? Let’s start with the obvious: fear keeps us alive. It’s hardwired into us, a primal instinct that signals danger and sharpens our focus. In business, this translates to a healthy skepticism—think of the entrepreneur double-checking cash flow projections or the CEO hesitating before a massive merger. Fear, in this sense, is a guardian. It forces us to ask hard questions: What if this fa...

Of Listening and Speaking - A Reflection

The world often glorifies the eloquent speaker, the charismatic orator, and the constant contributor, a quiet wisdom whispers a different truth: the profound power of listening. We are bombarded with messages, encouraged to voice our opinions, and often equate speaking with influence. Yet, beneath the surface of this vocal frenzy lies a deeper, more transformative force – the art of truly listening. The Greek philosopher Epictetus wisely observed, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” Similarly, the biblical book of James advises, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” These age-old teachings challenge our modern perception that speaking carries more value in communication. The Speaker vs. The Listener: A Fundamental Difference At the heart of every conversation, there are two roles—one who speaks and one who listens . The distinction between speaker and listener is far more than just ...

The Tongue: A Source of Joy and Sorrow

There’s an old anecdote about a wise master who once asked his servant to bring him the best dish in the world. The servant returned with a dish made of tongue, explaining, "The tongue is the source of wisdom, kindness, and love. It can build relationships, inspire greatness, and spread joy." The master then asked the servant to bring him the worst dish in the world. To his surprise, the servant brought back the same dish. "The tongue is also the source of pain, deceit, and destruction. It can break relationships, shatter confidence, and spread sorrow." This simple yet profound story highlights the immense power of our words.The tongue, that seemingly small and unassuming organ, holds immense power. Our tongue can be both a tool of healing and a weapon of harm. It has the potential to create joy, build bridges, and foster understanding, or to inflict sorrow, create division, and damage relationships And in a world, where words travels at the speed of the light,...

The Whispered Truth: When Stories Outgrow Reality

We've all encountered them: tales that shimmer with emotional truth, narratives that resonate so deeply, we accept them as gospel. Take the story of Albrecht Dürer's "Praying Hands." A heart-wrenching tale of brotherly sacrifice, a coal-dusted hand forever stilled, a masterpiece born of love. It’s a story that paints a vivid picture, a narrative that elevates a simple depiction of hands to a symbol of profound devotion. Except, it isn't true. Dürer's path was paved by his goldsmith father, not a brother's toil. Yet, the story persists, whispered and retold, because it taps into something profoundly human: our longing for meaning, our desire for narratives that reflect our deepest values. This begs the question: how often do we embrace stories, not for their factual accuracy, but for their emotional resonance? How often do we blur the lines between "what is" and "what feels true"? We are, after all, storytelling creatures. We...

Idioms: The Hilarious Philosophers of Life

Ever wondered why we say "break a leg" to wish someone good luck? Or why we're "over the moon" when we're happy? Well, blame it on idioms, those quirky phrases that color our language and, surprisingly, shape our philosophy of life. Let's be honest, idioms are a bit like that eccentric uncle who speaks in riddles. They're often contradictory, at times inspiring, sometimes nonsensical and sometimes baffling, yet they somehow manage to impart profound wisdom. Take "absence makes the heart grow fonder" and "out of sight, out of mind," for instance. Which one is it, idioms? Are we pining or forgetting? And don't even get me started on the literal interpretations. Imagine someone actually "kicking the bucket" or "spilling the beans." It's a recipe for disaster! Yet, these absurd images paint vivid pictures in our minds, making the message stick. But here's the beauty of idioms: they're n...