You don’t need a marketing-professor to understand the difference between ‘Needs, Wants & Desires’…If you are from middleclass, you know it instinctively!
Well! Some feelings are just ‘© Middleclass’….
…the guilt after buying something expensive…the relief when you are able to justify it… the temptation of ‘Rs. 999 only’ trap…the pride of exploiting ‘Sale’…the thrill of real-time ‘cost-benefit analysis’ of menu-card… or for that matter the awkwardness if a guest comes while you are dining (as dining room is also the living room doubling up as to-be bedroom)..
Well! …We can actually file ‘for a patent’ on them…
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In such households, children feel almost a sense-of-duty to run ‘for their life’ towards the balcony when they hear the sound ‘Swooooooosh…’! As for them, Airplane is as much a heavenly body as sun and moon…to be fantasized about! Possibly that’s why, even today, …To me, it always seems like ‘The First time’!
Recently, with no other options left within the given constraints of time and space, I had to live my fantasy again to visit my sister! To my jealousy (the vintage-jealousy of every elder sibling), the window seat was occupied by someone else! With his Bermuda, light stubble, slow eyelash-movement, stiff lips and easy gait, it was pretty clear that for him ‘being there’ was ‘just usual…No Big deal’!
Well! The moment it took-off, the child in me was back to fore! And when I saw God’s aesthetic sense at work, he almost went out-of-control! Almost unknowingly, I stuck my Ostrich-Neck out…trying to find the best posture, to see outside the window…
It was then that the guy gave me one of those stares…of a blend of disbelief and disgust (In short…a Maya Sarabhai stare)! In an awkward attempt to salvage my pride, I looked elsewhere and then pretended to get focused on reading a book (I can’t tell you how stupid I felt, wasting time in reading a book up there)!
For next many minutes, I continued at the Heights-of-Stupidity! Then, I looked from the corner of my eye…! And after being convinced that he was asleep……I again stuck my Ostrich-Neck out.
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In life…Denying ‘what you actually are’ can be so suffocating! That’s why, as long as it is not hurting anyone, you shouldn’t miss any chance to connect to your original-self! Trust me, it feels so…Light!
I can feel her around…Giggling with pride!
PS: If you do not know Monisha or Maya Sarabhai, ask someone who knows! They will have fun explaining it to you…
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’.
