Life

The Paradox of Our Time

Vishal Khandelwal · Aug 25, 2014 · 1 Comment

I recently found this inspiring message on the Internet. It is sometimes attributed to George Carlin, Jeff Dickson, the Dalai Lama, and Dr. Bob Moorehead.

Whoever the author is, what you’re going to read below is a wonderful message that I am sure will inspire you to live a wonderful life ahead.

The paradox of our time in history is that
we have taller buildings but shorter tempers;
wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less;
we buy more but enjoy less

We have bigger houses and smaller families,
more conveniences, but less time;
we have more degrees, but less sense;
more knowledge, but less judgement;
more experts, yet more problems,
more medicine, but less wellness.

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How Schools Kill Creativity…andWhat to Do About It

Vishal Khandelwal · Apr 8, 2014 · 2 Comments

“We are students of words: we are shut up in schools, and colleges, and recitation-rooms, for ten or fifteen years, and come out at last with a bag of wind, a memory of words, and do not know a thing.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Education as learning stemmed from our natural curiosity and desire to know the world around us.

Acquiring knowledge will never be out-of-fashion because it is the very essence of education, and “a good unto itself.”

However, sadly enough, today’s schools are driven by curriculum serving other purposes, mistaking rigour for vigour, killing curiosity and creativity, and robbing kids off the enjoyment that learning can provide.

In fact, what has gotten in the way of education in India or at most places around the world is a theory of social engineering that says there is just ONE RIGHT WAY to proceed with growing up.

An Education Beyond Textbooks

Vishal Khandelwal · Mar 30, 2014 · 2 Comments

“I have never let schooling interfere with my education.” – Mark Twain

You could laugh it off as a humorous quote, but if you pause and reflect, it is a profound observation – that, rather than facilitating, schooling is an impediment to education.

Everyone has an opinion about what is wrong with the existing education system. However, the emphasis continues to be on skill development, learning by rote and the dependence on examinations to assess intelligence.

Everyone agrees that the machinery needs to be repaired, nay overhauled. However, the repairs – changing syllabi, pumping in more funds to make better classrooms or score more in examinations – only perpetuate the problem.

Almost everyone agrees that the existing education does not deliver on expectations.

How to Reinvent Your Life in 2014

Vishal Khandelwal · Dec 31, 2013 · 1 Comment

Here is a clip from a 1995 interview of Steve Jobs, where he captures a lot about life…

Here is what Steve says…

When you grow up, you tend to get told that the world is the way it is and your life is just to live your life inside the world, try not to bash into the walls too much, try to have a nice family life, have fun, save a little money.

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The Suitcase

Vishal Khandelwal · Dec 20, 2013 · 1 Comment

The Suitcase Here is a beautiful story from my collection of short stories I have found in books and on the Internet. I am sure you would relate to it for this is how most of us live our lives.

A man died. When he realized it, he saw God coming closer with a suitcase in His hand.

God said, “Alright son, it’s time to go.”

Surprised, the man responded, “Now? So soon? I had a lot of plans.”

“I’m sorry but its time to go,” the God replied.

“What do you have in that suitcase?” the man asked.

God answered, “Your belongings.”

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