Self-Control

Probably this is one area which we seek to address during our lifetimes, but we fail to. Often, we end up doing things that we don't want to. There are times when we lose control over ourselves.

Control is all about power. The truth is, some entity must have control on our minds. Either it is ourselves, or, if we relinquish our responsibilities, it will be others, over whom we have no [or less] choice. If we don't have self-control, we will end up being like one of those dolls in the puppet plays.

We gain control over ourselves by asserting the functionality of our minds. This way, we have a clear idea of what our mind intends to do. Then, we can clearly define our thoughts and actions. Once this is done, our persona assumes a clear boundary within which we can function independently without interference from external sources.

But why is this so important? This is because most of us have a tendency to listen to others and act on the basis of thoughts that are not one's own. For instance, we often choose to study a particular course based on the trends in our peer group. Thus we lose an opportunity of independent decision-making.

There are times, when we have no control over what we are doing. We get angry, we do things thoughtlessly. As long as they are harmless, there is no problem. But once it crosses the line, trouble is awaited.

Thus, we must have self-control. Think and act.

Ignorance is bliss - or is it?

This is a rather famous quote that I have heard very often. The last time I encountered this was while solving a crossword. Since then, it has been at the back of my mind, but now I bring it to the fore.

This quote derives its strength from the idea that if people don't have access to some information, they are better off. That is, without the burden of some unnecessary information that will disturb the still waters of the pool, they will be at peace. Thus, it is decided to withhold information.

But withholding of information leads to a loss of power. The person who does not have access to this information has to take decisions without the knowledge of its existence, which has potential ramifications. It may result in an erroneous decision being taken, or the decider may regret taking the decision after coming to know of the existence of the withheld information.

In some situations, it is needed to withhold some information. This may be when the use of the information is unnecessary to the target subject, or when it simply creates an unnecessary burden on the receipient. For instance, citizenry need not be informed of every strategy of the intelligence agencies.

But, in other situations, timely dissipation of information is needed. Lack of dissemination may result in potential disasters. Lack of information also results in the grinding of the rumour mills.

On a more mundane scale, the necessity of secrecy must be avoided as much as possible. Sometimes it may be unavoidable, but it need not be that way always.

Is ignorance bliss? Not necessarily.

Instant Gratification

So much on my not posting anything for quite a bit of time. I was stuck up in some processes. One of the hallmarks of these processes is the desire for what is known as "Instant Gratification".

This is a very prevalent part of human nature. We all do activities; and we also seek immediate results. It is very common to hear people at weddings talk about the names to be given to the babies-yet-to-be-born. Physically imbalanced people also tend to eat more without thinking. So do people take very hasty and rash decisions only to repent later. The truth is, that processes take their own time to produce results. Also the results are not necessarily in the form which we desire. But this aspect of human nature is with us, and is here to stay.

Why are we like this? Are we impatient by nature? Or is it a part of our evolutionary ancestry, where the animal in us seeks to get the maximum out of the present before being overcome by the forces of nature? Does adrenaline have a role to play in this? Can't we be a little patient? Can't we work out worst-case scenarios before proceeding to act? Can't we, to put it short, think before we act?

I do not know. Everyone I know has this trait to some extent. In every action that we perform, there is a part of us where we seek immediate results. So we are so immersed in doing, that we seldom think of the consequences of our actions. If only we think a little, we can entirely dispense with instant gratification.

Let us work using our heads, instead of our heart and hormones.