Why do we complain?

This is the text of the speech that I delivered as part of my Advanced Project 1 from the Humorously speaking manual (Toastmasters) at my club yesterday

In a village there lived a wise minister who solved the problems of the people.  Every day the people would come to him with their problems and he would tell them how to solve them.  Now he realized, that most people come to him with the same problem over and over again.
So he wanted to make them understand.
One day he told them a joke .  The people roared in laughter
The next day he told them the same joke and only a few of them smiled
When he told the joke for the third time no one laughed anymore.

The wise man smiled and said: You can’t laugh at the same joke over and over.  So why do you always complain about the same problem!

 

Distinguished guests and fellow toastmasters,
Why do we complain?   There are three reasons –

1)      It is human nature to complain:

I have yet to hear of a baby who comes into this world laughing.  From the time we come out of the womb all the way to the tomb it is a story of constant whining.
  When a child screams you can put a pacifier in it s mouth but when an adult complains what do you do?

Take  a teenager on a date – he complains because he wants the perfect girl – must be 36 – 24 – 36, long hair, fair, not too tall – not too short  — to him it is like ordering a pizza  – thin crust, extra cheese, Hawaiian.

For married men or women complaining is a daily chore.. As soon as you wake up in the morning you say the water is too cold or there is no more toothpaste. At lunchtime the husband complains  to his  wife –“. It’s the same old food”.

The wife complains that the m-in-law gives her too much housework

The father complains to the  child: “Why don’t  you do your homework without watching TV all day”,   And the child complains that with the load of homework every day – he will turn into a zombie someday.

The employee complains to the boss:

“Sir – the work is too much – I desperately need a raise”

To which the Boss will reply–“ the company is running a loss because of people like you – go and do your job before I fire you

If it rains, we complain of too  much water, flooding   If its hot and sunny we complain its stuffy and sweaty

2)      Too many choices

. Picture this scenario –  If we were told when young… there is only roti prata at home and you must have it.  There is no choice and if you are hungry you will eat it.

But Singapore is a foodies paradise – you want plain prata, murtabak, or icecream prata – you want Adam road nasi lemak or katong laksa, chicken rice or  mee goreng.     Now that is a problem.. so we complain!  What to eat!

3)      We want only the best – or the Kiasu syndrome

Take P1 admissions – To get their children into the best  school  parents buy a home near the school and do volunteering jobs in the school and they still compare with other children and complain.

Singapore is shielded from floods,  tsunamis,  hurricanes and  earthquakes. So when there is a small disturbance like a haze we get over reactive and  run to the pharmacy to get the best mask.

If they build a workers dormitory near your home –complain.  If your maid takes an extra day off complain  and if the rubbish dump is close to your home complain.

Take public transport – we complain that we are stacked like sardines.. and some even complain they have to sit near poor people .

We are blessed with good health, friends, family, and we can have 3 meals a day. We can enjoy a movie, sip a coffee at Starbucks and occasionally go on a getaway to a neighbouring country.  So why are we still complaining?

Abraham Lincoln  said – “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

© copyright, skm, 29th Jan, 2014

 

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Your days are numbered

It’s January 26. Write a post in which the number 26 plays a role.
Photographers, artists, poets: show us NUMBERS.

                   (Pic:  rediff.com)

26th January is celebrated as Republic day in India – the day when India’s constitution came into existence in 1950.

This day evokes strong memories for me. I loved to watch the republic day parades, floats and displays of air crafts, battle tanks and missiles. The air show by the Indian Air force is the main attraction. The march past by the army, airforce, police, border security is majestic to watch and the shows by school children adds colour and splendour to the show.

India’s military might, its multi-hued cultural heritage and the nation’s achievements in various fields were on display today at Rajpath, the ceremonial boulevard in the heart of Delhi, as the nation celebrated its 65th Republic Day amid tight security

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://passionatelybored.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/the-26-letters/
2) http://bzzybz.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/26-twenty-six/
3) http://aballofgoof.wordpress.com/2014/01/27/tdp-your-days-are-numbered-26/
4) http://vannillarock.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/numbers-26365/
5) http://swordfishradio.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/daily-prompt-your-days-are-numbered-26/

Mirror, mirror

Look in the mirror. Does the person you see match the person you feel like on the inside? How much stock do you put in appearances?
Photographers, artists, poets: show us MIRRORED.

Mirror, mirror on the wall – who is the fairest of them all? The obsession for beauty and good looks goes all the way to fairy tales of Snow White & Cinderella.

We are looking for a reflection, a confirmation from someone that we look good. This gives us that much-required ego boost to make us feel wanted, to give us a fan-following.

The cosmetic industry thrives on this fad. Cosmetics, perfumes and surgery can change the shape and features to make you look like a barbie doll or a model. Actors, models and Miss World pageants are all responsible for all the glitz and glamour of this industry.

But the sad fact is that it is not cosmetic surgery that the people of today need but an inner surgery – a reflection into our behaviour, our attitude and our values in life.

Our character, our values and beliefs and our actions are in essence the beautythat should shine forth. They project our charisma, a rare beauty, a gem that needs no polishing. When our heart is pure then we do not need a mirror to see any reflection. Our face, our gestures, our words and our actions will be synchronised with our thoughts and the world will see an integrated personality of true beauty!

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://imagineimmortality.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/mirror-mirror/
2) http://dpgentry.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/facing-the-mirror/
3) http://365daysofthankyou.com/2014/01/22/mirror-mirror/
4) http://jonathandumlao.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/mirror-mirror/
5) http://passionatedreaming.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/mirror-mirror-who-are-you/

Predictions

There are 344 days remaining in the year. Describe what you’d like to be doing on day 211. (Hint: that’s July 30th.)
Photographers, artists, poets: show us the FUTURE.

My answer to todays prompt is  the lyrics of the song Que Sera Sera” was written by Livingston, Jay / Evans, Ray

When I was just a little boy
I asked my mother, “What will I be?
Will I be handsome, will I be rich?”
Here’s what she said to me

“Que Sera, Sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be”

When I grew up, I fell in love
I asked my sweetheart, “What lies ahead?
Will we have rainbows, day after day?”
Here’s what my sweetheart said

“Que Sera, Sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be”

Now I have children of my own
They ask their father, “What will I be
Will I be handsome, will I be rich?”
I tell them tenderly

“Que Sera, Sera
Whatever will be, will be
The future’s not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be”

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://criticaldispatches.com/2014/01/14/timeline-of-the-far-future/
2) http://nicolesloanswriting.com/2014/01/21/daily-prompt-predictions/
3) http://lostexplorations.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/day-44-a-prediction/
4) http://picayunepieces.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/daily-prompt-predictionsthe-future/
5) http://wordsinsilver.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/the-future-unseen/
6) http://perksofacharlie.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/daily-prompt/
7) http://starvingactivist.com/blog/2014/01/21/daily-prompt-through-the-looking/
8) http://flowersandbreezes.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/will-they-come-true/
9) http://willowblackbird.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/daily-prompt-predictions/
10) http://mylittleavalon.wordpress.com/2014/01/21/predictions-a-daily-prompt-post/

 

 

Miracles

Tell us about a time when everything actually turned out exactly as you’d hoped.
Photographers, artists, poets: show us PERFECT.

That house, that car
that dream job is mine
I can do wonders
With a wave of my magic wand

Pride knows no reason
No logic, no emotion
Looking up at the skies
One forgets the ground under

An inflated ego
Swelling with pride
Strayed by delusion
Claims mastery over nature

Every wave in the ocean
Was created by water drops
Can the wave forget
Its origin, its cause

As we eat that morsel of daily food
Do we spare a thought
For the farmer, the sun, the rain, the plough
The trader, the workers, the driver ,the mother?

So when everything works
Exactly as you had hoped for
Do not forget the unseen efforts
That make miracles happen!

© copyright, skm, 16th Jan 2014

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://belindabroughton.wordpress.com/2014/01/16/a-perfect-green-ribbon/
2) http://angirach.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/daily-prompt-perfect/
3) http://nomadfashionista.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/day-8-what-i-see/
4) http://kevindeisher.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/252-picture-perfect/
5) http://angloswiss-chronicles.com/2014/01/15/daily-prompt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/
6) http://nicolesloanswriting.com/2014/01/15/daily-prompt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/
7) http://awlscribe.wordpress.com/2014/01/16/daily-prompt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/
8) http://lilmisspoutinessegues.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/daily-prompt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/
9) http://publictransituser.wordpress.com/2014/01/15/daily-prompt-perfect/
10) http://365daysofthankyou.com/2014/01/15/all-its-cracked-up-to-be-exactly-as-i-expected/

 

Singular Sensation

If you could have a guarantee that one, specific person was reading your blog, who would you want that person to be? Why? What do you want to say to them?
Photographers, artists, poets: show us ONE.

I would love my blog to have a wider audience and this has been my focus all along. So I have been trying to post as regularly as possible. I also try to visit other blogs, like and comment on interesting posts.

I would like my readers to not only read but comment on my posts and offer valuable feedback to motivate me to keep posting.

Let us all connect to have an enriching experience!

Ohter interesting posts in this category:
1) http://wileyschmidt.com/2013/01/05/let-me-be-a-lantern-of-love/
2) http://medicinalmeadows.com/2014/01/14/daily-prompt-singular-sensation/
3) http://l5gn.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/singular-sensation-terry-pratchett/
4) http://geekergosum.com/2014/01/14/singular-sensation-2/
5) http://sayingeverything.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/singular-sensation/

Quirk of Habit

Which quirky habit annoys you the most, and what quirky habit do you love — In yourself or others“

One annoying habit that I dislike is people eating crackers or other fried stuff in a cinema hall next to me when I am enjoying a movie. This really annoys me but so far I haven’t told them off.

As far as my quirks are concerned I have many but they are not habits as I do them only at home. One of them is that I tend to buy/keep things that I do not actually need. I am trying my best to get over this one.

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://nodustollens.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/excessively-loud-gum-chewing/
2) http://silverleafjournal.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/habits-quirks-books/
3) http://hotchocolateandbooks.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/daily-prompt-quirk-of-habit/
4) http://barbycrabb.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/quirk-or-superstition/
5) http://thisblogneedsatitle.com/2014/01/12/daily-prompt-quirky-habit/
6) http://flowersandbreezes.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/quirks/

 

Heroic

When you were five years old, who was your hero? What do you think of that person today?
Photographers, artists, poets: show us a HERO.

(Pic courtesy: ndtv.com)

When I was five and in school, I was in awe of the Bollywood superstar Rajesh Khanna. Some of the memorable movies and songs that I grew up with were all related to Rajesh Khanna Movies like Anand, Amar Prem, Kati Patang, Aradhana, Aap Ki Kasam
and songs like ‘Jindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli Hai”, “Kahi Door Jab Din Dal Jaye” etc are evergreen even today.

Even though Rajesh Khanna passed away in 2012, he has numerous fans who will remember him for the great performances.  He  is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors that Bollywood cinema has produced.

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://jayashreetrao.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/my-childhood-hero/
2) http://mybeautifulmessedupworld.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/daily-prompt-hero/
3) http://angloswiss-chronicles.com/2014/01/10/daily-prompt-heroic/
4) http://patcoyle53.wordpress.com/2014/01/11/staying-in-focus-daily-prompt-my-hero/
5) http://angirach.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/daily-prompt-heroic/
6) http://ivymosquito.wordpress.com/2014/01/11/my-first-word-was-tata/
7) http://jffdrawings.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/heroic/
8)  http://afsheenanjum.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/first-hero/
9) http://exploratorius.us/2012/08/26/neil-armstrong-rip-and-godspeed/
10) http://thebohemianrockstarpresents.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/super-mario-can-do-anything/

Looking inward

Tell us about the experience of being outside, looking in — however you’d like to interpret that.
Photographers, artists, poets: show us OUTSIDE.

Sight, sound, smell, taste and touch
Mesmerised my being
I jumped from one to another
Confounded by conundrums

Everything was so scintillating
The gadgets, the brands, the food
I was bowled over
Lost in the world outside

Engaged in trivial pursuits
The mind cooked numerous thoughts
Chasing ephemeral joys
Obscuring its true nature

As I sat down in peace
A certain joy enveloped me
That no worldly joy can compare with
It was just bliss

I discovered myself
When perspectives changed
From inside out
To outside in

© copyright, skm, 10th Jan 2014

Other interesting posts in this category:
1)http://lifeobjectified.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/inside-out/
2) http://healstar.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/outsider/
3) http://tjbarkerseattle.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/looking-out-looking-in/
4) http://emotionalfitnesstraining.com/2014/01/09/insider-outsider-depends/
5) http://lauraslittlethings.com/2014/01/09/outsiders-how-does-it-feel-to-be-on-the-outside/
6) http://theteentheme.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/outside-looking-in/
7) http://amidnightblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/daily-prompt-the-outsiders/
8) http://moderndayruth.net/2014/01/10/the-outsiders-five-coins/
9) http://nicolesloanswriting.com/2014/01/09/daily-prompt-the-outsiders/
10) http://thelandslidephotography.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/outside/

 

 

Style icon

Describe your personal style, however you’d like to interpret that — your clothing style, your communication style, your hair style, your eating style, anything.
Photographers, artists, poets: show us STYLE.

Clothing; I love to dress casual except for a formal occasion. I also prefer light colours and not too shiny or glittery outfits. I like to dress according to the culture of the place where I am. So when I am relaxed and at
home I prefer bermudas and a t-shirt.

Communication style: I feel that the important thing is to make oneself understood. So I like to speak slowly, articulate my words and check with the listener on whether I have made my conversation clear.

Hair style: My hair is all combed backwards and it is easy to maintain this way.

Eating style: I am conscious of what I eat as it effects how I feel during the day. I prefer light, vegetarian food. I sometimes tend to eat at a fast pace and I am trying to take my time and enjoy my food. .

Parenting style: As a parent I am more of a friend and a guide. However, I do set some ground rules for my daughter. I feel that she should have the freedom to find her true nature and expression. So I only help her to balance her work time and free time so that she can develop a balance which will help her in future

Relaxing style: When I am on holiday I try to forget all about work and enjoy to the best.

Life style: I prefer a life of simplicity. I like to travel light. I have realised that there are many things we buy which we find we no longer need after some time. So I am thankful  to God for blessing me with all that I need and more.

Work style: At work I am focussed and sincere. I also love to work in a team and as a leader I love to empower my team to excel.

Other interesting posts in this category:
1) http://gildedlotus.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/daily-prompt-style-icon/
2) http://complexitythroughjoy.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/daily-prompt-sense-of-style/
3) http://barbycrabb.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/bohemian-wild-child/
4) http://amoebakat.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/amoeba-kat-style/
5) http://basicallybeyondbasic.com/2014/01/08/daily-prompt-style-icon/
6) http://geekergosum.com/2014/01/08/style-icon/