Discover tons of free, unsolicited advice on daily prompts, flash fiction, free verse, and short stories on this blog. Read, enjoy, and comment.

The last live performance watched

My first and last live performance watched list has only one entry. It was the Live Aid concert held on 13 July 1985. It is estimated that nearly 40% of the world's population, or around 1.9 billion people, watched the concert worldwide. I was one of them. For those who have no clue what I am talking about, this was a charity-raising, multi-venue concert in which Sting, Queen, U2, Dire Straits, The Who, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Elton John, and George Michael performed in London, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Madonna, and Tom Petty were at the JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Concerts inspired by the initiative were held in other countries, such as the Soviet Union, Canada, Japan, Yugoslavia, Austria, Australia, and West Germany. The charity single 'We are the World' was part of the efforts. One of the main ideas behind the concert was to generate awareness and finances for famine relief in Africa. Forty years later, it would be interesting to evaluate if famine in Africa has been eradicated. Have we been able to make the world disease and poverty-free? The answer remains no, despite the noble efforts of these great singers, or the continuing actions of thousands of charities that genuinely work to improve conditions worldwide. But at least they tried. Hats off to these great singers and all those who made that concert a part of history and showed us how we'll make a better day, just you and me

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Community involvement

My community involvement is negligible. Communities in my area are usually organized on political or religious lines. I prefer to keep away from both. I sincerely believe that politics and religion in their present-day avatar have evolved into monsters. I prefer to serve the community in my own way. I try to plant trees where possible, clear up litter, and keep my surroundings clean. Likewise, I contribute financially to charities or help those who genuinely need assistance. You do not need to be part of a slogan-shouting mob to generate awareness. Sincerity and empathy are all you require to save the world.

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Just for a day

If given the option to select a job just for a day, I would like to be Superman 😂 I would use my superpowers to scoop up all the weapons on this planet and transport them to some distant star. Next, pick up all the weapons manufacturers and their buddies politicians, and throw them onto an uninhabitable planet. With all of these clowns out of the way, I hope people of this planet will get some time to think and create a better world for future generations. Then I will return to earth and spend the rest of the day cleaning and organizing my store room. Now that is a task that can exhaust even Superman.

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Favorite brands

My favorite brands are those that symbolize quality, and reliability, and are not exactly pricey. Brands that do not push an agenda or contribute to political causes. Products that are led by people who focus on innovation and change and give back to humanity instead of splurging on themselves.Names? Google already has all the details. They probably know more about me than I do.

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A list of admired people

An advantage of getting old is that your list of admired people keeps getting shorter. My list had two names. Both of them are now dead, and I can't blame them for dying. They were in their fifties when I came in contact with them. Now I am in my fifties. One was a senior-level government official. His wife was one of the first lady nurses at the state hospital. They were a deeply religious couple, who lived a simple life. They had no enemies in their lifetime, and now even though they are no more, no one speaks ill of them. The other was a retired government engineer. This gentleman was an intellectual, well-read, an atheist, and a huge fan of ancient Indian architecture. I was still in my teens and had just learned to drive a scooter. He would tell me fascinating stories about how the ancients constructed buildings that still stand, while modern structures crumble and collapse. I cherish his advice to follow my gut instinct. Returning to the old age advantage, with all your learning and experience, you are now expected to develop into someone others can admire and come to for advice.

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Voting in elections

It is election season across the world. Voting in elections is the duty of law-abiding citizens. Yes, I know all that. But I also read newspapers and realize there are no true democracies in any part of the world today. It is all about suppressing opposition voices, geriatric politicians with monstrous egos, and finally, power-hungry multinational business conglomerates running the show from behind the scenes. The question is, how does a person vote? My method is simple: Check the list of candidates in your area Filter out the criminals, illiterate, corrupt, and senile - this would reduce the list considerably in most countries Never have a permanent voting preference. What it means is that do not be like 'my parents voted for 'xxx' party, which is why I also vote for them'. Learn to make your own choices. Vote for individuals, you think are best for your area, state, or country. Forget saving the world. The world will take care of itself. Think of your country first. I also noticed that in general, the candidate I vote for loses! While this may say a lot about the popular choice of voters, it gives me a clear conscience. I did what was correct.

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Directions in life at crossroads

Most of us go through a phase when we need directions in life. You could be driving through unknown terrain and may have reached a crossroads, or floundering with a career choice. I realized that I have always had a distinct style of getting advice. I would listen to everyone and do what I think suits me best. It could and usually would be contrary to my elders' suggestions, but I would be determined to make my own choices.It all boils down to how well you know yourself. I do this by, understanding my limitations, and basing my decisions on that.

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Best quote ever

We all have quotes we like, admire, and do not follow. For me, the best quote ever, one which I adhere to in all seriousness, is an old Sanskrit verse. The above image shows the quote in Sanskrit and its pronunciation in English. Now allow me to share what it means. Whatever work is planned in one's mind should never be revealed. One should try to implement it while keeping it a secret. This has been a guiding principle in my life. The minute you share your aim and goals with one and all, there will be folks who will try to destroy your dreams. Instead, if you believe in your abilities, as I do in mine, plan your journey, work hard and you will certainly reach your destination.

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My favorite holiday

Flashback time. My favorite holiday was one I undertook decades ago. I must have been fourteen then and living in the picturesque state of Kerala. A few families from our town got together and organized a two-week trip. I was a last-minute inclusion, as a designated traveler was too busy to make it. The tour included visiting temples, tourist spots, suicide points, and houseboats. We started by visiting the island town of Rameshwaram, then moved on to the temple town of Madurai Meenakshi. There I saw corridors full of stone pillars, so massive that even ten elephants would not be able to move them—intricately carved granite statues, pillars that produce musical notes when struck. Forget the religious aspect, the sheer beauty of the architecture in these temples will blow your mind. We then visited the tourist spots of Kodaikanal a hill station in south India. Then we returned to our state and, on the way, saw the majestic houseboats floating on the backwaters. Isn't it worth considering why ancient heritage sites and nature continue to enthrall and amaze us even in this age of science and technological advancement?Anyway, back to our topic, I plan to make a sequel of that trip in a couple of years, this time with my wife.

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A camping trip

A camping trip that I undertook decades ago lingers in my memory. It was part of a one-month high-altitude training which was a part of my job. The location was Sikkim, a tiny but exceedingly beautiful state in North East India. It was a month of wild orchids, shy yaks, peaceful monasteries, accommodating locals, and enchanting sceneries. We trekked up to the tip of a glacier, ran to save our lives from an avalanche, slept for a night inside a cave, and woke up to see the sun rising from behind Mt Everest on the horizon. This trip to the heavens was divine for someone from Kerala, where some districts are below sea level. Camping trips and experiencing diversity across cultures and scenery, like this, makes you want to preserve the planet all the more. After all, this is the only place we all can call home.

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