Change is mostly looked at as an escape from monotony. Some seek change through hobby that may just lighten ones mind, some make that hobby as a change itself a serious one, engaging the intellect just as at profession! I feel that a change that relaxes and at the same time teaches us , enabling new horizons , whether monetarily gainfully or not is the ideal one to have.
Change is welcome. But not change for change sake. Change must be for the better. Behind every change there is an eternal unchanging set of values. That should not be lost sight of. Old roots with new shoots makes the tree beautiful.
Change is awesome…. but be firm on your principles and respect others too…
Not changing at relevant times is good too..
Sharing excerpt from a write up by Dr.JJ Irani about JRD Tata….
“ JRD Tata, then Chairman of the Tata group, and senior Tata Directors used to meet for lunch at Bombay House (the Tata Group's headquarters) every day. One day, JRD came to lunch, sad that he had lost his favourite pen. He used to always carry a Parker pen set - a fountain pen and a ball pen.
"Look", he said sadly, "I have lost the ball pen. I don't know where it has gone. I have looked all over...but it's gone."
One of the Directors in the lunch room that day was Dr. Jamshed (JJ) Irani of Tata Steel. He made note of JRD Tata's loss. A few weeks later, when he was visiting London, he went to a small shop near Selfridges specialising in pens, and found a ball pen identical to the one JRD had lost. He bought it immediately. The next time he met JRD Tata, he presented that pen to him.
JRD was delighted. "Yes, Jamshed, it is exactly like the one I lost." For the first one or two minutes, he used it and tried it out. Then, Dr. Irani saw JRD's expression change slowly.
After a couple of minutes, he gave the ball pen back to Dr. Irani, and said - "Thank you for the thought. This is exactly what I wanted, but I cannot accept it."
"Why?" asked Dr. Irani, "I thought you were looking for this."
JRD answered - "Yes, Jamshed. But it is a principle of mine not to accept any gifts from any of my colleagues at work. If I did, then I know my colleagues would try to outdo each other and give me exorbitant gifts."
Dr. Irani tried to persuade him. "But Sir, nobody would know that I have given you this pen. You can say that you found it in your room. I am not going to go around saying that I have given JRD an identical pen."
JRD responded - "Jamshed, I know you will not do any such thing. But I would know. I would know that I accepted this gift against my principles. I am sorry, but I cannot accept it."
Each of us decides the principles by which we lead our lives. The principles that we will stand by, even if no one is looking or speaking about them. The principles that define who we really are. This story of JRD Tata's lost ball pen can help us reflect on what our own life's principles are.
Change has an element of mystery which makes it exciting and adventurous. As we get older, we can't undo a bad change so tend to play safe. Our excitement comes from seeing change in physical and material terms around us, realising through this that the basic principles and values of life never change. The ten demons we try to conquer remains a battle generation after generation. Therefore, the relevance of Dussehra. Happy festival season!!
Sunday is not different from other days in your twilight years but LO what I see when I lazily pick up the phone to see what is in store and there pops up the steaming brew of FILTER COFFEE!!!!!
It streams down as a manna from heaven, each sip rejuvenating and you slurping with delight wanting more and more.
Blessed yee my delightful cousin who gives us this joy week after week.
This joy breaks the monotony that dropeth as a gentle rain from heaven interspersed by warm rays of sunshine and spreads a rainbow 🌈 bringing the joy and CHANGE that one needs to a mundane routine!!!!!!!!
I just love this writing...you do come up with interesting stuff and points to ponder. Nowdays I see myself practicing this a lot...and at the same time feel that am not accomplishing any work as such. Further, am hyper and need a change way too often during the day that am doing different things throughout the day....except for resuming my career work while saying that I am on a sabbatical.......sometimes one needs a change to rest especially after long hectic summer holiday spent with lovely grandchildren. Let's see when I decide to get back to reality 😀
It's just an off the spur comment of what i felt after reading your article at 6am while sipping my morning tea.
Thank you Rita for sharing your experiences. I too have moments when my mind wanders and thoughts flood my mind. Sudoku and crosswords help distract myself. A change that brings rest to my restless mind 😀 Have a nice day.
Change is mostly looked at as an escape from monotony. Some seek change through hobby that may just lighten ones mind, some make that hobby as a change itself a serious one, engaging the intellect just as at profession! I feel that a change that relaxes and at the same time teaches us , enabling new horizons , whether monetarily gainfully or not is the ideal one to have.
Change is welcome. But not change for change sake. Change must be for the better. Behind every change there is an eternal unchanging set of values. That should not be lost sight of. Old roots with new shoots makes the tree beautiful.
Wow! Such profound observations!! Thank you Sir. Much valued.
Change is awesome…. but be firm on your principles and respect others too…
Not changing at relevant times is good too..
Sharing excerpt from a write up by Dr.JJ Irani about JRD Tata….
“ JRD Tata, then Chairman of the Tata group, and senior Tata Directors used to meet for lunch at Bombay House (the Tata Group's headquarters) every day. One day, JRD came to lunch, sad that he had lost his favourite pen. He used to always carry a Parker pen set - a fountain pen and a ball pen.
"Look", he said sadly, "I have lost the ball pen. I don't know where it has gone. I have looked all over...but it's gone."
One of the Directors in the lunch room that day was Dr. Jamshed (JJ) Irani of Tata Steel. He made note of JRD Tata's loss. A few weeks later, when he was visiting London, he went to a small shop near Selfridges specialising in pens, and found a ball pen identical to the one JRD had lost. He bought it immediately. The next time he met JRD Tata, he presented that pen to him.
JRD was delighted. "Yes, Jamshed, it is exactly like the one I lost." For the first one or two minutes, he used it and tried it out. Then, Dr. Irani saw JRD's expression change slowly.
After a couple of minutes, he gave the ball pen back to Dr. Irani, and said - "Thank you for the thought. This is exactly what I wanted, but I cannot accept it."
"Why?" asked Dr. Irani, "I thought you were looking for this."
JRD answered - "Yes, Jamshed. But it is a principle of mine not to accept any gifts from any of my colleagues at work. If I did, then I know my colleagues would try to outdo each other and give me exorbitant gifts."
Dr. Irani tried to persuade him. "But Sir, nobody would know that I have given you this pen. You can say that you found it in your room. I am not going to go around saying that I have given JRD an identical pen."
JRD responded - "Jamshed, I know you will not do any such thing. But I would know. I would know that I accepted this gift against my principles. I am sorry, but I cannot accept it."
Each of us decides the principles by which we lead our lives. The principles that we will stand by, even if no one is looking or speaking about them. The principles that define who we really are. This story of JRD Tata's lost ball pen can help us reflect on what our own life's principles are.
Excellent anecdote. Thank you for sharing.
Nice read Pras!
Change has an element of mystery which makes it exciting and adventurous. As we get older, we can't undo a bad change so tend to play safe. Our excitement comes from seeing change in physical and material terms around us, realising through this that the basic principles and values of life never change. The ten demons we try to conquer remains a battle generation after generation. Therefore, the relevance of Dussehra. Happy festival season!!
Thank you Tarun for the insightful comments.
I open'd Filter Coffee this morning
And read what you've written with zest
Some things not changing is welcoming
Tho' a change is as good as a rest.
(with apologies to the unknown poet of the original)
Sunday is not different from other days in your twilight years but LO what I see when I lazily pick up the phone to see what is in store and there pops up the steaming brew of FILTER COFFEE!!!!!
It streams down as a manna from heaven, each sip rejuvenating and you slurping with delight wanting more and more.
Blessed yee my delightful cousin who gives us this joy week after week.
This joy breaks the monotony that dropeth as a gentle rain from heaven interspersed by warm rays of sunshine and spreads a rainbow 🌈 bringing the joy and CHANGE that one needs to a mundane routine!!!!!!!!
Bless you Prasanna 🙏 ♥️
Wow! Thank you Krupa. Hope to continue to delight the readers.
I just love this writing...you do come up with interesting stuff and points to ponder. Nowdays I see myself practicing this a lot...and at the same time feel that am not accomplishing any work as such. Further, am hyper and need a change way too often during the day that am doing different things throughout the day....except for resuming my career work while saying that I am on a sabbatical.......sometimes one needs a change to rest especially after long hectic summer holiday spent with lovely grandchildren. Let's see when I decide to get back to reality 😀
It's just an off the spur comment of what i felt after reading your article at 6am while sipping my morning tea.
Keep writing for us. Thnx
Thank you Rita for sharing your experiences. I too have moments when my mind wanders and thoughts flood my mind. Sudoku and crosswords help distract myself. A change that brings rest to my restless mind 😀 Have a nice day.
Thnx, u too.