In undivided India, there was a saying “Jine Lahore nahin dekhya…Wo janmyaa hi nahin!” (Meaning “the one who has not seen Lahore is as good as not-born)!
…Few weeks back, a close student said “If you aren’t on facebook, you don’t exist”!
………..
Well! Belying every bit of my professional persona, I am basically an introvert…who likes to live close to his heart! However, I am also someone who keeps challenging his comfort-space! So, although being at a public platform is the last thing on my wish-list, when he said that line…I was struck by its intensity!
That’s when I said to myself “Let me first experience what…I’ve been trying to avoid”!
And an ‘Experience’ it was…
… To me, life is all about ‘Flow’…to keep moving ahead…without any desire to hold on to the slippery sands of time! I find neither glory nor affection worth an effort to pause or possess! So, I would prefer to live a moment completely than to capture it for re-living it later! In short, photos appeal less to me! Imagine, there were photos, photos everywhere…
…For ever, ‘getting people interested in one’s personal life’ was an exclusive-right of celebrities! But here, everyone could feel like a celebrity in his or her own right…! Speaking-up…Showcasing… Sharing; and almost ‘Summoning’ the ‘Compliments & Likes’ (no ‘dislike’ button)! Such a contrived way to feel special…
…To me, relationships are pious and pure…to be steered into, worked upon and arrived at! Can you imagine? For first few days, I was either asked “Kitne Hue?” or was told “Aapke to bohot saare ho jaayenge”! So disillusioning it was…
…I have always valued human-touch! And I am scared that the virtual-relating will make it redundant! All mushiness…the speaking silences, the nuanced expressions, the warmth, the feel, the vibes…all will get killed in impulsive hands of ‘Poke, Ping & Post’…
Uh!!! So much to hate…
But you know something?
There are also a few things I loved about facebook….And strangely…they are the same things that I have criticized it for!
………………….
In life, Love and Hate share the same border! When love reaches extreme then it is only a flip away from hate (and vice versa)!!! Only a fine line separates the two…
…On that fine line lies…Facebook!
Mark Zuckerberg…!!! You Bloody-Bugger Genius!!!
About Sandeep Atre
Dr. Sandeep Atre:
• Counseling Psychologist and an internationally recognized ‘Emotional & Social Intelligence’ Expert, with experience of more than two decades in helping people ‘sort out’ and ‘excel in’ intrapersonal and interpersonal matters. He holds a PhD in Management and a Master’s degree in Psychology (www.dratrecounsels.com).
• Founder of Socialigence – a venture specializing in development of ‘Social & Emotional Intelligence’ and its offshoot interpersonal skills through workshops and an award-winning online course rooted in neuroscience and psychology (www.socialigence.net).
• Author of two books related to his domain, namely - “Understanding Emotions Logically” and “Observing Nonverbal Behavior”; and third book on various aspects of life, named “Two Paras of Everyday Wisdom”. Moreover, the collection of his Nazms and Ghazals is published as a book titled “Baat Jazbaat Ki”.
• Corporate Trainer, with experience of close to two decades. Has conducted 150+ workshops/sessions for 50+ organizations & institutions like CSC, Cummins, Piramal, Ranbaxy, Lupin, Bridgestone, Michelin, Eicher, Maruti, Force, Idea, Airtel, NBHC, SBI, HDFC, L&T, Zydus, Thapar University, Banasthali, Narsee Monjee, Symbiosis, IIFM Bhopal, Azim Premji University, Nirma, Welingkar & IBS Hyderabad.
• Co-Founder and Director of CH EdgeMakers – a leading ‘Coaching and Training’ organization of central India for more than 24 years. He has trained close to 100 thousand students for ‘Soft Skills’ & ‘Entrance & Recruitment Preparation’ (www.ch-india.com).
• ‘Management Speaker and Orator’. Has featured at platforms like TEDx, IIM, IIT, NIT, CII, YI, CII-IWN, TCS, IMA, ICAI, ECA, ISHRAE, NEN, Sahodaya, Aditya Birla Education Academy, Round Table, LinkedIn Local, Rotary International, MP State’s Teachers’ Training, Academic Staff College DAVV, Police University Rajasthan, Police Training Academy Indore & more than 100 institutions.
• Member of noted associations and boards. Has been an ‘Executive Committee’ member of Indore Management Association. Associate Editor of IMA publications. Governing Council Member of Banasthali University’s SBBJ Centre for Research in MSME & Promotion of Entrepreneurship in Women. Executive Member of IMS, DAVV Alumni Association. Member of Rotary International’s ‘Group Study Exchange’ team to Minnesota, USA. ESI Coach with FWSA Australia.
Note: For glimpses of work, watch YouTube Channel ‘Dr. Sandeep Atre at Socialigence’.
