Old and Helpless

Today I got a call from an old man, about 70-80 years old, trying use his old digital camera he once got as a gift when he was a professor in a college. He’s a painter and intellectual but today he’s frustrated and irritated. The reason he gave me is probably the same for other people of his age.

He had a family once and now’s helpless and alone in his house. His wife has passed away and his children have moved away. The feeling of being deserted at the weakest time in your life after raising a family is probably the worst feeling.

Is this what most of us will probably go through when we get older? After having a life full of friends, family and fun, why the end has to be sad and lonely? Maybe not so lonely if there’s a loving partner and not so sad if there are some 6 figures in your bank account, but most people are just depressed because they get older.

Old age should be perceived as a symbol for various accomplishments in life. Accomplishments don’t only mean career accomplishments but also the people you loved and helped, lives you changed, and the contributions you made to the society that somehow nudged the way of life for the younger generation in a better direction. It symbolizes love, experience, good judgments, and the services you provided to the nation and the people in your youth — when you could.

So, be proud, love, be loved and respected.

Few movie flash in my mind when I talk about this. These are among my favorites: About Schmidt [2002], The Bucket List [2007],  and Big Fish [2003].

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Earth Day

A tradition which was founded by peace activist John McConnell in 1969 is being celebrated today in most of the world as the Earth Day to increase awareness for environmental protection and to promote conservation and appreciation for planet Earth. Earth Day focuses on recycling, clean energy, global warming, wildlife protection and open-space preservation programs.

Earth Day Network, founded by the organizers of the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide.
Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a half billion people participate in Earth Day Network campaigns every year. 

We should all be aware of consequences of our actions that lead to degradation of the environment. Educating and spreading knowledge to people is only a portion of the effort, but it is the citizens of this blue planet who can collectively make a difference. Action is required at every level of our society — from every home to every nation.

[Source: Wikipedia; Image: University of Richmond]

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Black Friday

Saw few people outside the stores on Thanksgiving Day for the grand sale. Usually the sale period starts around 5-6 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, but is the overnight wait outside the store doors reasonable or insanity? Is the money saved worth the aggravation, the rush, and the stampede?

Share your experiences: whether you were in the line waiting for store to open, witnessed road rage to the mall, or enjoyed a gruesome cat-fight inside the store.

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Random Song at the Right Moment

How does it feel when your music player plays the right music at the right moment?

The first song my car cd/mp3 player played is “Paigham” from Lakeer on a drizzly morning. It set my mood to “content and happy” for rest of the day. It’s somewhat like the riding that yellow Camaro in Transformers and the radio auto-tunes to the right station at the right moment only it’s random luck in real life and not “Bumblebee” doing it.

Have you had that random chance of luck?

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