Unified in heaven...???

They say marriages are made in heaven… Is it? The concept of merger between two souls is definitely most widely accepted in every society. Marriages actually work just in the similar manner a merger works – eligible partners are selected, a consideration of a lifetime is set (nothing financial, all emotional), the two parties agree to it and the shareholders (family members, friends and relatives) usher their consent (through blessings). The deal is ultimately finalized with one more financial management concept – higher the risk, higher the return! All these risks are high in case of an arranged marriage (leave aside the love factor, for now!) – leading to only another statistical concept – it’s all a probability!

Deal is closed – success or failure of the merger would only be known in the days to come. Allowing hope to remain with us, heaven-made mergers (oops! marriages) can only bring eternal bliss. Or was there something planned on the contrary? All faults of those who haven’t read the rule book of merger and as a result, disclaimers have only piled up to bring solace.

No, be it anything but marriages are neither a financial methodology nor a valuation (de-success of which can allow it to be called off). It takes understanding, maturity, focus, strength of character, proper implementation of plans, third-party smiles and a forgiving attitude to build up a successful marriage! No hard and fast steps for a successful marriage – these are just the broad outlines that knocked my brains (though I am unmarried). Do let me know the traits, that you think, would act as catalysts for a merger (marriage) success! Only one conclusion, they should now at least say, mergers are heaven-made! Don’t blame Tata or Corus for that matter – they probably hadn’t read the rule book properly or hadn’t come across the blissful touch from heaven…

Honey! When did you last taste money?

How about a debate? How about arguing? How about putting forth your views to others in a way that people understand you? How about being informative? Too many how’s??? Well… actually faced a debate topic (Job satisfaction is more important than money) at office on the eve of Independence Day celebrations and successfully had put across my views to a host a people listening to me. The day at office started off in the usual manner, a hitch in my mind –whether I will be able to speak well! Actually would be on a debate forum after a long time. Avoided too much of self indulgence – as that was making me a bit skeptical. But then, the ironical part of the entire debate process was that I was the last speaker – one who would be closing the debate (talking against the motion). I tried to cool down, stay calm and just be myself. Just that did happen – to my surprise…

Went on my speech – though had jotted down a few pointers, but when I started everything went on haywire and I formulated a different flow all together. Excerpts of what I spoke –

Actually my last opponent had ended on a note of marriage – making it easier for me to take the cue. All thanks to him!

“We look at security. Financial security. Yes, talking about a girl who is getting married. Will parents get their daughter married off with a guy who is not financially secured? Would they ask the groom – are you satisfied with the job or would indirectly try to know (sometimes directly also) how much is the monthly earning capacity? Will my daughter be well off? The society that we live in today says outright – ‘The man who has the money makes the rules’.

Making it simpler, with one real life instance. X is a management student of finance – geared in a way to believe that working in a core finance environment – doing valuations for various firms, number crunching is what X should be doing after getting graduated. And also to add to that, it is something that X also liked doing, so pursuing higher studies in that field made him realize the dreams more. But destiny had something in store. X had a load on his back of a hefty educational loan and also had to support his family for personal reasons. With no option, he accepted a job in a media house – entirely swayed from his dream that he was pursuing till now. Though once, twice – but didn’t have a chance to think thrice as the duties and responsibilities called for sacrificing the ‘job satisfaction’ mode. He was paid handsome enough to sustain his cost of living, pay the loan off and also support his family to some extent. Initial few months – he argued with his conscience – is it money all that I need? Why am I doing this? Every time, mind out spoke the heart and he stayed back at the job sacrificing the ‘satisfaction’ quotient. Came a time, when gradually he was succumbing to the pressure and was made to satisfy himself with the job – after all his needs and wants were being fulfilled by the employer.

This social evil – (I mean money) is something which one can’t deny. The one who denies it – I am sure he/she loves to stay in the ‘self-denial’ mode. Be it getting a house for yourself, or getting a decent respect in the society or up keeping all your responsibilities you need this evil to be with you.

Job satisfaction is not that important as compared to money in today’s world. You work and you get want your pay – there are a lot of commitments waiting for you back home. Otherwise who shall take care of the ‘necessary jargons’ – like ‘recession, crunch, crisis….’ (The list is endless)?

Those who say ‘Money, isn't everything’, ‘Don't be so money minded’, ‘I don't care about money’, with due respect to their thoughts, the crude fact remains like this – money is that important component which makes the entire world spin. Next time you plan a vacation with your family but you do not have the finances to meet the requirements – would you excuse yourself and your family with the thought? – ‘I am satisfied with my job’?

Answer this question yourself and be true to yourself (nobody is hearing you(((:))))!