Day 311: Can news ever spread joy?

Image Source: Google Images

For once let us imagine if every single news channel only shares headlines and breaking news that invariably talks about positive and happy news that showcases the altruistic and selfless side of people. Imagine reading a headline that talks about the extraordinary capabilities of individuals, the joyous occasions and simple things in life. Well, I bet the world would be a different place. It is like this 'ripple effect' that will spread only waves of positive thoughts and continue to share only such news. Every time we set to read a newspaper or watch a news (any channel), all we read today is the hate and more hate. Every channel in every part is sharing either news about the natural calamities or most often the man-made ones. Then if none of these happen, then it is politics of religion, the politics of countries, power, and color. It just keeps spreading the 'hate' news more and more and all people are thinking about is how to keep themselves safe. In an information processing paradigm, there is surely a difference in how different genders process the message based on its valence. For instance, women are found to pay more attention and importance to positive news vs. men who can handle negative news too. The media sets the agenda for the kind of news they want to share and that shapes the perceptions of people/viewers. These have been studied for long and there have been significant results that showcase the importance of how news can influence perceptions. If that is the case, why aren't we just focusing on the good news for a little bit and share all good things from around the world. At least change the balance of good vs. bad news. May be it is the easiest way to sow seeds of goodness and joy in the minds of million viewers.

Day 307: Happy Chingam !

Today is Chingam 1 (to be read as onnu). It is the new month according to the lunisolar calendar. This month is also called as Avani and Shravana. So, why is this month special? This month marks the beginning of the festival season back home and the it is fun to have small celebrations through the months until mid- December. It is also the month of Onam (Harvest festival in Kerala).

The first festival we have this month is the 'sacred thread' changing ceremony for men/boys who wear that. This is followed by usually the birthday of little Krishna and then the elephant-head god, Ganesha. Then comes Onam followed by the beautiful month of Navaratri or Durga Pooja. So, the big set of festival season is here and here is a wish to all of you on Chingam 1. Wishing you all blessed and excellent months ahead. Have fun!

Day 315 : What's on your bucket list?

Bucket List. A term that has become popular much after the famous movie with the same title in 2007. The term would have probably taken after the euphemism 'kick the bucket', which was again popularized in the movie, 'It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world'. The 2007 movie was a massive hit and how would it be not? It had Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in the lead. The term was meant to have a list of things you wish you can do before you leave this world.

It is like a goal list that can evolve as you grow and change perspectives in life. I used to have a wish list that worked as a to-do list mostly like a work list for short-term goals. However, off late, I have decided to make one and keep it as an ever evolving list.

The first one on my list as of now (that was from the past too) is to get my biggest degree in life. Hopefully I will tick that one off my list soon.

Do share your thoughts on your list and how do you plan on getting it all checked out.

Love,
M

Day 306: Most beautiful things in this world

"What are the most beautiful things in this world?", asked a little child.
"Ah! well, the list is long, really very long." , said I, Do you have the patience to listen and hold on? "Yes, I do", said she. I smiled, "I will first tell you all that I have been told, and then will narrate all that I uphold."

Listen, oh, little girl, I was told it was in places to go by a long way, Like the light blue shores in the Caribbean isles, and the beautiful Icelandic summer nights. It was also in the streets of Tokyo, and the serene charm of Canadian winter snow. Some said it was the street food in Bangkok, and yet others claimed that it was the chaat masalas of India. The haute couture in Milan fashion show, or for a few, the royal palaces of big Europe. I was confused just like you, for,
all these are places afar very distant from my present home .
But what if I wanted to enjoy a few beautiful things,
should I go this far or are they just wi…

Whimsical sketches of a curious mind all captured in "ideasnet".

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