Never Give-in; Never Give-up; Everything is Possible.

"Never Give-in; Never Give-up; Everything is Possible". Those were the words that kept on ringing in my head long after the book release function that I attended. And I'm talking about the launch of the book "Gray Wolves and White Doves" at ITC Windsor Sheraton on 25-Feb, that I was fortunate enough to have attended (thanks to a fellow Book worm, Gopinath, who also helped organize the launch in Bangalore). Dr. John Ballian, the author, was gracious enough to sign a copy of the book.

I haven't read much of "fiction" type books and I was wary of investing so much time to read a fiction. One quick look at Amazon told me that there were 82 reviews and all of them had given 5 stars. I read the free chapter available at Amazon and was immediately drawn into it and was looking forward for the launch.

The launch was a typical function, with several dignitaries, book lovers and well wishers of Dr. John had dropped by. Dr. John read out a few para-graphs and answered a ton of extremely interesting questions. The book, as it turns out, is Dr. John's own story of sorts. “This novel is the story of a child’s search for his self in the middle of the feuds and turmoil of the ever-changing world we live in,” Balian said. Asked for the main message of the book, without taking even a second, Balian said "Never give-in, never-give-up, everything is possible".

I came back intrigued and spent almost the entire Sunday and completed the book. Gray Wolves and White Doves is a "can't put it down" adventure/thriller. In Balian's story, a young boy overcomes nearly insurmountable odds, oppression and danger through a journey that takes him from the wheat fields of Anatolia, to the birth place of Jesus Christ and finally to salvation and safety. It's a journey that takes a child to manhood packed with experiences that could only be had in a hundred lifetimes. John's writing style is so vivid, gripping and rich in detail and full of authenticity. The protagonist and the hero Hanah Ibelin personifies courage, perseverance, hope and inspiration and the triumph of human spirit.

There is a reason why the tag line of the book is: "A story unlike any told before; A story told unlike any before". And it is completely justified.

Itinerant: The trip to Thirthahalli farm

Itinerant: Wikipedia says itinerant is a person who travels from place to place with no fixed home. Luckily, I do have a fixed home and a great family to come back, but some how I tend to like that wor(l)d. I don't know the equivalent kannada word, but feel Alemaari kind of fits in. I've significantly increased traveling short distances from Bangalore in the last 3years. I took into trekking in 2010, marathon running in 2011 and biking this year, which has increased my travels - mostly undertaken over weekends (and occasionally include a Fri/Mon). I always wanted to blog about these trips and today is most auspicious to start.

A close friend had purchased a piece of plantation near Tirthahalli in Shimoga. Few days ago, he called me and asked me whether I'm game for a quick dash to his farm, now that he managed to get "bhatru" who not only manages the place, but also can cook some good traditional food of Malnad. I said OK, without wasting a second (my wife has long back given up on me and knows I'll always manage to go on my visits - hell or high sea, and has been happy to support me albeit with a note "would you ever listen to me").

We were supposed to get off in a village on the Shimoga-Tirthahalli Road, some 10kms before Tirthahalli. After 2-3 attempts at wrong places and much to the annoyance of the driver, the Rajahamsa dropped us around 5:30AM. Pitch dark, deadly silence barring some chirpy early birds and some stray dogs greeted us. Cheetah sighting is quite common in that region and it was a tense 15min trek to the farm house. "Bhatru" was fast asleep, there was no power for the calling bell and we decided to hang around for some more time.

It was very misty, even at around 6:30AM.

And it slowly happened. As Sun rose, the 80year old house stood if front of us majestically as if a veil has been removed.

 We managed to woke-up "Bhatru" and got a great morning coffee. After morning rituals, my friend took me around and I instantly fell in love (I have a habit of falling in love at first sight frequently!) and this majestic lake/pond (katte in local lingo). It was time for meditation.

Back in home for the breakfast and we went about exploring the plantations. Got an opportunity to talk to local farmers about their expertise, stuff they grow, their problems and concerns.

After having a simple, yet traditional lunch we retired for an afternoon nap, only to be woken-up by screaming of the dogs which had spotted a snake. Unfortunately, by the time I got up, understand what was going on, the snake had disappeared. The region houses tons of King Cobras, possibly I missed sighting one (its a terrific experience seeing snakes in their natural habitat).

It was now time to visit the river Tungabhadra, which flows quietly nearby.

Back home, some general discussion: Sachin Tendulkar, Yedyurappa, Start-ups vs MNCs, Product companies vs Services companies etc., "Dinner ready" said Bhatru. In a while the same Rajahamsa that dropped us, came back to pick us up. A lovely day went just in seconds.

Reading list for Mar-2012

Tough month from a reading perspective. Only two books. May be one more if time permits.


HBR's 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself
This is a set of arguably the best 10 HBR articles on managing oneself, from Peter Drucker to Stephen Covey. I have read all these articles in the past and it would be a different experience to read all of them together.




HBR's 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself will inspire you to:

• Stay engaged throughout your 50+-year work life
• Tap into your deepest values
• Solicit candid feedback
• Replenish physical and mental energy
• Balance work, home, community, and self
• Spread positive energy throughout your organization
• Rebound from tough times
• Decrease distractibility and frenzy
• Delegate and develop employees' initiative

 Read This Before Our Next Meeting
This is another books from Seth Godin's Domino project in association with Amazon.com. The book is a call for action:  you (or your boss) needs to create the company that does the meaningful work it was created to do. How many times have you dreaded going to a meeting either because you viewed it as a waste of time or because you weren’t prepared. Dread no longer: Read This Before Our Next Meeting not only explains what’s wrong with “the meeting,” and meeting culture, but suggests how to make meetings more effective, efficient, and worthy of attending. It assesses when it’s necessary to skip the meeting and get right to work. Al Pittampalli shares examples of transforming workplaces by revamping the purpose of the meeting and a company's meeting culture.

Even More Notes from the Universe
Another great spiritual book by Mike Dooley in which he continue to dispense wisdom, humor, and insight into the truth about creating the future we desire. Focusing on the desired results joyfully and with gratitude is infinitely more engaging than struggling and stressing about them. Relax, laugh, and enjoy the footwork the Universe has to share.