Why Programming?

The first question to ask is why you want to do something. Thus, this is obviously the first question I must answer here as well. The answer to this is- I love computers.

Programming is not just a way to control them, but to understand them as well. Besides, with the coming of Android and iOS, the prominence of the computers in everyday life has increased manifolds. There are two things the computers are great at- Doing boring repetitive work and Remembering stuff. So, anyone stuck doing anything remotely related to that will find learning programming of immense use.

I must add here that I am not exactly noob in programming. In fact, I seem to be learning it since beginning. BASIC was the first language that I learnt (along with Logo). After that I learnt C++. However, I have not used any programming language since past 6 years, making me practically a starter in it. The number of changes that might have happened in the world of programming are remarkable and I stand nowhere in the pyramid of programming.

And while I would suggest everyone to atleast learn as much programming to automate the tasks that they find repetitive and boring, my plans are to learn at least two languages and end up at least in application development and game programming. This is a mammoth task and might take me a long time which is good as I can write a lot in this blog. ;)

Baby Steps

Everything that happens while you are away are things that you should be glad you are away from. There are too many experiences in life and its better to not be present in all of those experiences. Not because I have anything against life but I sharply feel that humans are not capable of handling that. More importantly, I feel that in life you have to chose a few things that you become excellent at. Jack of all trades is good to be but unless you are master of at least one, there will always be a gaping hole in satisfaction level.

I have been feeling this for long now. Not exactly knowing how to put in words I did not understand it as well as I would have wanted. Maybe I am still learning it and need more time to grasp what exactly is going on but the pieces seems to be coming into place.

 

Just watched a movie with these lines- “Take up a cause. Fall in Love. Write a book.”

I believe I am not alone in this world who thinks there is more to life that whatever I am doing right now. I have found a cause right now, something that supposedly, will make me happy. Whenever that will happen is next that I will fall in love. At least that is what I think. Its either that or I am lying right now to myself and ignoring what I feel. And the third is something that should have already been finished but is still in the cards. Thankfully, the energy is coming back to me for doing that.

The only thing that is left is to go back and pick up where I left. Something that I have always found difficult.

Anyways, before the movie quote, as I was saying, I am still trying to understand everything but somehow I feel I am closer to Enlightenment (Buddha kind) than I have ever been. But the path is a long one and the steps that I am taking are baby steps at best. I do not think I can run to the destination and I definitely do not think that impatience is going to be a virtue here.

So, let the baby steps continue!

Productivity vs. Procrastination

Maybe I am the only one in this world. Or maybe I am not any different than any other person in this world but why is it that my happiness is a direct function of my productivity and yet procrastination finds its way to smother me. Am I a masochist? I do not think so but sometimes when I am inflicting pain on myself with no idea as to why I am doing so, the thought creeps in.

Today was a great day! I worked. Yes, that gives me happiness. The pure joy of finishing things. The unbounded feeling of seeing a finish. Completion (or death or ending) is one of the most inbred experiences. The feeling comes from within and is truer than any other feeling that a person might feel. It has a certain finality to it and whether it is a positive feeling when you finish your task or finish reading a book (in one sitting… *wink wink*) or it is a torture of going through death, the feeling is raw and unadulterated. And yet, why can’t I simply do this more often and enjoy the feels.

Why is procrastination, the big blerch (see-theoatmeal.com), always winning despite anything and everything of happiness lying on the other side of the bridge. The mind knows it, the heart knows it and the body knows it as well. Yet, when it comes to actually creating the perfect trifecta, the blerch simply shits on everything, eats and remains merry and happy on the pile of my sorrow.

Why is there a constant fight between what I want, desire and wish and simply be comfortable where I am?

This is not a sad tale however. This is a tale of me learning the importance of self-discipline.

As much as Procrastination might be powerful, what I want matters far more than what I can settle for.