Book Review - Unleash The Warrior Within

Reading is one of the most crucial and critical aspects of communication. It helps in effective speaking, writing, and also listening. We all read for various purposes; sometimes for fun (comics), sometimes for studies (the normal text-books), and sometimes for genuine interest (programming books, novels). Whatever may be the reason, reading definitely stands out upfront in the communication scenario.

As an avid reader, I have read a couple of book but I still do go by the page count of the books. Keeping it honest, my interest lies in picture stories and inspirational books. Recently, I had an opportunity to visit a book exhibition in Mumbai. The exhibition helped me to across one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. The name of the book is ‘Unleash the Warrior Within’ written by Richard J. Machowicz. About the author, Richard is an ex-navy seal officer and currently runs a fitness and training center called ‘Bukido’ in the U.S. I was really skeptical when I first seen this book. But, trust me on this one; the book has some of the most interesting topics about combat and how to apply them in our day-to-day life.

The book goes on to tell how the author, Richard, faced different challenges during his navy seal training. The best part is when the author tries to relate the aspects of combat training in real life. He explains how these training ground rules can be applied to our regular life when faced with difficult situations. I could not help myself from mentioning some of chapters, namely:-
1. Crush the enemy called ‘Fear’
2. Create an Action-Mind set
3. Guarantee the Win, etc

The book tells you how to live life to the fullest and teaches you Constructivism. Constructivism is an art that teaches you to problem-solve in ambiguous situations. Complex right? But, the author has made sure that all these complex components are put down in simple English, thus not only focusing on the pro’s at reading but also provides confidence and the urge to read to novice readers. Also, one of the best practices of the book is, that the author has provided a guide-book kind write up to face negatives of life, like Fear, Failure, etc.. Apart from the guide book strategy, the author has made sure that its not fictions. Putting it in simple word, he has given real-life examples for each of the topics. The detailing given to constructivist strategies is really commendable. The best part of ‘Unleash the Warrior Within’ is that every individual can apply and relate every chapter, every lesson, and every word read to his/her own life.

To summaries, this book may not have created history worldwide, but if you ask me, it has definitely been a ‘historic-read’ for me. I would also like to advise beginner’s and the pro's to read this book as it helps you to apply every page of information read in your practical life. Icing on the cake, the language is simple and easy to read. To end it, I must say, Richard does really help you to ‘Unleash the Warrior Within’. In one word, ‘AWESOME’.

When Soft Toys Attack!

Statutory Warning: This post contains explicit content. Parent’s Discretion is advised.

It was usual Tuesday afternoon. I was enjoying my coffee with ummm, chicks flashing on my computer screen. Damn! I should not have clicked the advertisement. After a while I was bored and decided to get some chips for myself from the kitchen. Spotty sat right behind me on the couch doing what he does best, relaxing. He looked all calm and cool as usual, but little did I know what wad going on in Spotty’s evil head.

(Image 1: The Culprit)
Spotty, as the name suggest is a pet dog. People at home tell me it’s a soft toy, but I have seen that bastard come alive. We had got him just a few days back as he hung on the discount counter of the Big Bazaar's sale shelf. Discount, did the trick. My sister found this thing very cute. Coman, people girls always like soft toys no matter how much they deny it. So, my sis liked it and she picked it. May be my denial to take him home fueled the bitter rage in Spotty. Not insulting enough, he could be bought at half the price.

(Image 2: Minutes before the attack)
It was late afternoon. The house was quiet, I moved to get my daily dose of junk food. Chips, kurkurey, rasna nimboo-pani you name it people. When I moved for my first session itself, I could sense something unusual. Spooty had move to the other end of the couch. I was wondering what it could be. But, who cares about soft toys. Without any further delay, I went to kitchen to grab my comp food waiting for me. As was returning I seen a shadow moving. No-one was in the room, except Carmen Electra’s wallpaper, my portable porn and my MP3 player. It never even striked me about Spotty.

(Image 3: The Battle)
I mustered all the guts, could be Carmen Electra come to life, even better Mikayla from the portable hard-disk. Suddenly, they was a ferocious roar, silent enough thou. It was not Carmen, it was no hot Mikayla, it was Spotty. It jumped on my back, the attack strong. I was struggling. I didn’t know what was happening. I was fighting something soft. Was it Carmen, I thought again. But, hikkies don’t hurt. Suddenly, my fixation reached the couch. Spotty wasn’t there. I knew it was this soft bastard. I pulled him by his ear, he grabbed me by my……leg. It was Man v/s Beast. I really wonder who’s the beast here thou. I missed my balance and I was on the ground. Spotty was on top of me. Naah! not what you guys are thinking, it was a wrestling match. After moments, I was on top of Spotty. Again, not what you are thinking. Spotty already had a brown eye, I was planning to give him a black one…ahoooo!

Chew Chew Chew, rang the bell. (Yeah! it’s not ding-dong. It’s got some bird chirping as an alarm). Spotty suddenly got normal. He gave up his battle. My sister was back home. I knew he will always listen to his master. Faithful jo hai saala. I was astonished by his insane behavior. As my sis entered the room, she seen Spotty being crushed with my right hand. She was furious, Spotty motionless and I expression-less. I got the scolding of my life for touching girly soft toys. She kept Spotty on the couch and continued to blast at me. Behind her back I could see Spotty laughing his guts out and showing me the middle finger. All the firing and cross-firing came to an end as she settled for a promise from me not to touch Spotty ever again. People, I never touched him, it was that punk who started the shit. But, who’s going to believe me. I was left with a scar that could not be healed not could be understood. Spotty and me still got the Chatis-ka-akda. I can still see him smiling, but one day dude you going to get old and I’m going to burn you alive…hehahahaha. Waiting for that day, Spotty……

Lesson Learnt: Barking dogs seldom bite. Including Soft toys.
(Image Courtesy Nokia 6300)

The Basic of Communication

Communication is an important aspect in every individuals journey; the journey of life. I had read in one of the books which states- ‘Communication starts right from the womb and ends in the tomb.’ We communicate right from the time we are an infant through our teenage life and the final stage- the old age. So, communication is a vital element in every person’s life; man and women alike. In the broader perspective, even animals communicate. In fact, every living creature does take part in the process of communication.

Let’s primarily define communication. Communication means transmission of ideas and thoughts from the sender to the receiver. It ensures that the message has been transmitted from the sender to the receiver successfully. This communication can be further sub-divided into:-

* Verbal Communication
Verbal Communication uses language, words to communicate.

* Non-verbal Communication Non-verbal communication on the other hand, uses body movements to send the message across to the receiver.

The Communication Process

1. The Sender: The Sender is the one who constructs the message and needs to communicate the same across to the receiver.

2. The Message: The Message is the content (ideas, thoughts, words, etc.) that need to be sent across to the receiver.

3. The Medium of Communication: The Medium of Communication is the tool through which the message is sent across.

4. The Receiver: The Receiver is the one who receives the message.

5. Response/Feedback: Response is the message sent by the receiver to the sender. It completes the communication, unless, the communication is a one-way message. For example, the announcements made at railway stations. They are one-way communication, wherein, the announcement is made about training arriving on the respective platforms. Response could also be Feedback.

4 C’s of Communication

The 4 C’s of Communication are important to ascertain there is a successful communication process.

* Creditability: The message should have some creditability to receiver. If the message has no creditability to the receiver, the message adds no value to the user.

* Clarity: The message should be clear and understandable cutting cultural barriers.

* Correctness: The message should be correct and provide authenticated information. It should be also provided at the 'Right Time'.

* Consciousness: The message should be to the point. The sender has to make sure that there is no message overload.

If these 4 C’s are followed and analyzed before any communication process it can ensure that the communication process is achieved with no ambiguity.

Summary

Thus, communication is an important element in one's life, especially on the career front. Therefore, we must make sure that we communicate, and we communicate effective. Also, we must make sure that we follow the 4 C's of Communication for successful and effective communication.

Thoughtless

It felt numb, it felt unreal,
All the words I could not grasp.

They were simple words, words of damage,
They were harsh words of reality.

I could not think, I could not talk,
Every felt a bullet in your head?

Easy to say and difficult to practise,
The battle I'm forced to fight again.

The world is ruthless, it ain't calm,
The pain inflicted; the broken wings.

As days pass, the feelings settle,
The tension rises, no option to cease.

Brain dead and thought fail to appear,
I could not stop, as I lay thoughtless.

Naaak-Poarh! Can you Dig it?

We all know about this. We all have done it. We all sometimes even like to do it, don’t we? It has no age bar, No one knows when its going to take priority and it is commonly found among men. Didn’t wanna be gender bias but guys, we have to admit it. Still wondering about what I’m talking about? People I’m talking about the infamous yet famous activity of Nose Digging. Disgusted? Keep reading.

I strongly believe that Nose-Digging can be traced back to the days when our forefather where in the phase of inventing the wheel. What do we, mostly men do when we think? One, scratch our head or two, correct, dig the bitter symphony. Evolution and technology has changed the face of the world, but some habits haven’t. Why haven’t they? Simple, ‘coz men will be men. Talking about its preliminary stage Digging symptoms are deep thinking, comatose of thoughts, thinking about your girlfriend etc. Synonyms are nose digger, municipality and in our very own desi words, Naak main Ungli.


It was 9:20 and I was happy to get a seat to travel all the way back home. My opposite seat was taken by Mr. Bunny Face (Image2: face has been covered to protect identity). Soon the train moved and heading to its destination saying goodbye to Andheri. Bunny Faced looked tensed and deep in thoughts. Very soon it was comatose, comatose of thoughts. I was reminded of the game called, “Statue! Statue!”. This game is played by middle-class family children in the common yard. Nice naah! Coming back to Bunny Face with so much of thoughts running through his head the next action was evident and inevitable. The pinky finger rose, the target was clear yet unclear and boom! The uphill activity started.


The mission looked difficult, the tool was small, the target refused to budge, the reward--priceless. I could now see Bunny face multi-tasking. On one side there were numerous thoughts that he was continuously battling and on the other side lied the golden evil treasure. But, our soldier was fearless and also shameless. The mission was looking to turn into mission impossible. But Bunny Face was still the same, he was no Tom Cruise. Our soldier was in pain as he chuckled his eyes to look like a Chinese immigrant. “Coman Bunny Face you can do it.”, this piece of sarcastic encouragement got to him without the sarcasm and he was not more determined for the reward. Suddenly, things looked to get back on track. Bunny Face got his eyes looking like an Indian again. Bunny Face looked quite content with this success. He took his pinky finger out and there the culprit was. Brilliant buddy! His happiness was expressed with the culprit being smashed between his fingers for over 3 minutes. I wanted to give him a standing ovation. Where do you get brave hearts battling without a tissue and performing such a task with so much attention. After he made sure that the goldern treasure was no more alive he knocked it on the floor. The same place where my feet were 10 seconds ago.

To end this post, I don’t blame Mr. Bunny Face totally, may be it was the thought process that led to such an action. Mr. Bunny Face however, wasn’t a quitter. He hung in there battling, fought hard and the result was right in front of us, on the floor. After all, ”Dil sey chaooo tho puri kaeenath usey ek karney main lag jati hai.” Go Bunny Face!


Coming soon: Bunny Face using only his bunny teeth to clip his finger nails blindfolded.