Gresham’s Law of Planning

Gresham’s Law of Planning states that a person with responsibility for both routine activities and long-term planning is likely to find the routine activities taking the greater part of his time.

I found this to be very true. Daily routine takes more time or most of our time under two scenarios.

Case 1:
When we are too obsessed with our routine we tend to neglect our long-term plans. This may be true when our priority is inclined towards the routine activities as the rewards it can gain are quick and more visible.

Case 2:
This happens when we are totally detached with our routine. Routines cannot be skipped. So we tend to drag it on and on, eventually leaving behind very less or practically no time for our long term plans.

In either case, the culprit is not time. We are the only person responsible for our actions. In my opinion, Case 1 is far better a scenario to have in life than Case 2. We end up spending time and energy for what we actually want or enjoy doing. Case 2 is a nightmare. It draws nothing good from you and your efforts. Neither you are happy nor do you build the capability of keeping others happy. Life goes waste whining. Job satisfaction, perfection in what you do, the net result of the job you do, the customer satisfaction and relation, all these depends on which case you belong to. Case 2 will definitely leave you dissatisfied while Case 1 may bring out the best in you.

Finally all I have to say here is…. I’m a victim of Case 2. My routine activities, kept me out of my long term plans and also my most favorite ‘world’, the world of dreams, stories, and blogs. I have fought my way back to my dream place. So my point here is, it’s always possible to do WHAT YOU WANT.

All irritations and hatred arising by virtue of reading this blog can be shown at the comments section 

One ...two...three

Saturday, November 25, 1963, 6:00AM, Near Besant Nagar Beach

“Adi Serupala Naaye…Nee thunga en auto than kidachudha?” Karthick woke up to his usual suprabhatam. Gathering his books, he hurried up to vacate the Auto. He had no other place on earth to sleep. Street autos were his house. Except for the scholarship of college fee, he had nothing to his credit to be named as lucky charm. Drive to become a Pilot was the only motivating force for his existence. Karthick hated weekends. If it was a weekday, a bath at the corporation bathroom followed by a full day at college was more comfortable than finding a place to sit and study during weekends. Still Saturdays were special to him. He set out to meet his two friends Thiru and Muthu. Thiru and Muthu weren’t as poor as Karthick. They had the lavishness of the sleeping in the big seats of the MTC buses. The Thiruvanmiyur bus depot was their permanent address. Nothing catchy in life still these youngsters lived with the will to win.

That day Karthick felt very tired after walking nearly 4 Km to meet Thiru and Muthu. On the other hand Thiru and Muthu had a tough time sharing their breakfast in a single plate. Their mood was bad. Irritation grew within them. But they wisely used it as a motivating force to make good out of it. They had no idea of what they are going to do. But then, they all set out in search of scrap items. They spent the whole day collecting waste products that can be re-used. That night they all met at the beach with their collections. That night was the most interesting night in their lifetime. Their creativity and technical skills overflowing with unbound enthusiasm reflected in the final product. The first rays of the sun sparkled bright across the shore. The shine on the three friends’ face was even brighter. They stood there admiring their work. Piece of Art, Technical extravaganza, they didn’t know how to classify it. They had before them a self designed single wheeled vehicle which runs on force. All you have to do is place one foot on the rider machine and gently have it running with the thrust from your other foot. Karthick proudly demonstrated his invention to his friends while Thiru and Muthu watched it cheerfully. Thiru had a sheepish smile hidden within him. Muthu too couldn’t resist an emotion of great satisfaction overflowing through his eyes. Karthick pondered over what could be the reason behind their happiness. He had no clue until Thiru revealed his masterpiece. He had assembled a small calculator display with a type writer and other electronic articles and made something unique. It looked like a type writing machine with a display! He could show date, time and make other simple mathematical calculations with his new TY-DISP. TY-DISP…this is how Muthu called Thiru’s electronic machine. Thiru was a brainy techno-chap with high ambitions of becoming a space engineer one day. Muthu too is brainy but led an aimless life. Thiru’s company had great influence in him ultimately sowing interest of becoming a scientist in future. The three friends were rich in all aspects except the fact their pockets were empty always.

Jyotsna had returned from the US just a week back. She had gone there for her Masters degree. She was the best friend of Muthu. She tried to contact Muthu, but he was not reachable in any of the conventional ways. She knew that these friends will always be found along the seashore over the weekends. Keeping that in mind she came there to the beach that evening. And as expected she met the TANGO gang there. Karthick, Muthu and Thiru were very happy to see Jyotsna after a long time. They all studied together at the St.Peter’s college. Though Muthu was close to Jyotsna, Thiru and Karthick were good friends too. It was she who named the trio as the TANGO gang. Jyotsna and the TANGO gangsters exchanged the initial cordialities, having met after 3 years. Without any delay, Jyotsna started with her usual mantras of sweet-chilly words. “You guys will never come up in life…How many times I have told you guys not to be loitering around the city like this? Won’t you guys ever have the mood to have a proper shave? Be sensible…first find a job, find a place to reside, learn to be neat…only then you people will be ever able to think of your dreams coming true..” She was unstoppable. Every sentence she speaks will end with a stern stare at Muthu. Thiru wanted to divert her with their new inventions. She was in no mood for that. She said bye and turned away. She went few steps ahead and came back and shouted at Muthu…”Won’t you come at least till the road to get me an Auto? Should I beg you for this?”

Muthu quickly moved forward saying “Ya sure…lets go”. On the way, Jyotsna with all her love and affection spoke in a tender voice to Muthu. “See… listen to me. I will arrange for a temporary part time job for you. My Cousin said he will work it out for you. Join that. Initially do that job; this will help you in many ways. Please do it for me…” Saying this she got into the auto and left the place waving bye to him. Muthu had no clue on what to do next. He scratched his head and headed towards his friends again…



Today…March 7, 2008

Muthu-No idea about his whereabouts
Thiru-People say he is taking care of his farm house at his native place
Karthick-He was a clerk in a bank, then cashier, then manager, now retired and at home playing with his grand children.

Jyotsna- She frequented the US for studies and never married. She is the eldest and most respected woman in her family. “God Mother”


The mechanical scooter developed by Karthick is now automated…runs on a battery.
The TY-DISP of Thiru and Muthu is now called Laptop… I want one too!

Sanjana will go to School

Krish had to drop his tour midway. Sanjana his 3 yr old daughter had suddenly fallen ill. Riya had no intention of letting Krish know that Sanjana wasn’t feeling well. But when she failed to recover even after two days, Riya had no other way but to call up Krish. Riya’s low tone clearly conveyed her pain to him. Krish was not in a situation to start back home. He had this presentation scheduled the following day. He cannot afford to skip it. So he did not mention about getting back home. But just consoled Riya to take his sister and parents help to take care of Sanjana. The presentation went fine. Krish couldn’t push time anymore. He left rest of the program to his colleagues and rushed to catch the next available train. The next morning he was there at home. Riya’s brows went up seeing Krish, not because she was shocked to see him the very next day, but surprised how Krish could be so late even after hearing Sanjana’s health condition. Krish could see his mom and sister there at the bedside with Sanjana. Sanjana was sleeping. She looked very tired and weak. “Last night we took her to the hospital. 2 drips of glucose were given. Only then paapa turned better” Krish’s mom told in a feeble voice. Krish turned quickly with a shocking look at Riya. His eyes conveyed his displeasure with Riya for not having informed him of the serious condition of Sanjana. Riya silently left the room. Sanjana felt sudden pain in her hands. Her little hand was injected for the glucose supplement. She woke up wit tears. Her tears doubled on seeing her father. Krish was quick to take her in his arms. Sanjana felt very secure in her father’s arms. His shoulder was more comfortable than her favorite pink pillow. Mild tears of pain turned into heavy crying. Sanjana couldn’t help herself stop the crying. Krish comforted her with his usual loving words. Sanjana then jumped to her mom’s care. Food, medicine and care, nothing else prevailed at Krish’s home that day.

Sanjana was getting back to normal. Krish’s attention slowly (though late) turned towards Riya. He saw Riya taking serious care of Sanjana with lots of pain inside. She at the same time had to do enough for his mom and sister. The house had to be clean, food had to be prepared for all and Sanjana required special attention. Riya never slept properly for the past two days. She was always around Sanjana giving her medicine and love. That night Krish couldn’t sleep too. He was observing how Riya toiled the whole day with her day to day chores amidst Sanjana and her health. Riya never compromised on anything. Krish knew she would be tired. Still she never halted for rest. Krish never had time to talk with Riya since he returned from the tour. His love and respect for Riya grew more. He felt gifted with Riya as his wife. He wanted to convey this to her. It was around 5 am, when Krish saw Riya start her day. Riya was pleased to see Sanjana sleeping peacefully. Sanjana had lost her weak looks. She was getting better. Krish too got up but was still in bed with little Sanjana. Riya was about to leave the room when Krish called her. “I want to say something to you”, Krish spoke softly. Riya came close to him eagerly listening to him say…“My love for you is growing”. Riya had no words in reply. She simply hugged Krish and said “Tomorrow Sanjana will go to school”



Note :

Special Thanks to Girl Of Destiny for her significant contribution towards the successful publication of this piece of blog.