Science fiction : Always stay positive

 

Science fiction : Always stay positive

This blog post is inspired by the book titled, “The Courage To Be Happy” written by : Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga, whose use of analogies and style of writing by citing Adlerian psychology, is remarkable.

 

Where both writers enter into an argument about offering autonomy to children when it comes to their decision making, where they believe they are the masters of their destinies and they are gifted with this power to rely on self made decisions at individual levels, without seeking too much involvement from teachers or parents.

However, my argument is based on facts that do not contradict these beliefs portrayed or explained by both writers, but my chief argument rests on one fact, that in reality, the sun shines, it scalds too, it can shine harshly and sometimes turn pleasant. But a child who only knows that the Sun shines, would fail to tackle this fact of reality in the Sahara desert. Where the Sun is the same, it shines, it is bright too, but when you are cast in it in the unforgiving  reality of the Sahara, the place turns extremely hostile and you are against the elements where everything wants to consume you. 

This reality is difficult to comprehend for a child who is growing and is in his/her teens.

However, there are exceptions, because few people are built differently and their brains and will power is at different level. All due to genetics, and upbringing, I guess. And thinking that every child can be like these select few, is a psychological blunder. No matter how hard one tries, you cannot grow lilies in the Sahara desert, that is why nature has cacti for the Sahara desert, and they too bear extremely beautiful flowers. 

By the way, few cacti produce flowers that are extremely bright in colour and one is spellbound on seeing them.  And if you are a flower lover, and you bring one of these cacti to your home in England, you better build a greenhouse. 

And that is exactly the point, a child who is still growing and learning, achieving a green house like adaptation is impossible. 

Again, a select few can. But, everyone is not designed to achieve this adaptation. Maybe it is a genetic gift possessed by a few, because if this gift is offered to everyone, the world will lose its social balance.

However, it does not mean that all others should sulk and not excel in their lives. Excellence, according to me, can be achieved by everybody, provided he/she knows what he/she is good at. But it comes with caution, there are few who for some reason believe they are good at nothing, it is not that they really are not good at something, but in reality, they are knowingly playing a serious psychological game, where they know, that by playing this innocent person, they gain sympathy of few individuals who have committed a part of their lives to supporting him/her. And when this person realises it, he/she becomes a compulsive and habitual manipulator, sometimes quite vicious with predatory attitude. Without realising its obnoxious consequences, both at personal and social level.

And as children, we are more susceptible to evolving into these manipulators if they are not offered proper guidance. Because their minds, for genetic reasons and other social factors; mostly family dynamics, tend to pick these tendencies easily, compared to positive ones.

And it is here that an educator plays a pivotal role, and according to me this is where  Adlerian psychology does not hold valid. Because at times, it makes a reader believe that a cactus imported from the Sahara desert will survive in the open, in the winter of the United Kingdom. Now that is a fantasy where reality is propounded as the greatest fantasies of all.

Indeed a good fantasy, and imagining a fantasy does not cost anything, it is free. But reality, costs, it can even cost someone his/her life. For the pleasure of reading, I am letting the cactus die, in the freezing cold of winter in the UK, and not someone else.

In addition to these facts, I believe, as technology evolves and it reaches a stage where it becomes a part of every individual's life, then it is not merely a technology, it is much larger than this. It is a driver of evolution in humans. A social change facilitator with psychological and cultural reflections as well. Because at this level, the person acts and behaves partly due to this technology that has become an insegregable part of his/her life.

So every new technology that defines human lives, from a technological point of view, has a direct influence on social behaviour exhibited by people living in that society. 

Thus leading to the evolution of the science of psychology. 

So, what Mr. Freud considered to be right as a psychological behaviour during his time, may not be 100% applicable in 2023. When we are using technology at every step.

For example:

With the use of smartphones, people have access to a lot of information. And one can use YouTube. Google and other online platforms to know what other cultures are like and what they do, what are their cultural preferences etc. 

Now as people are using smartphones, in a few countries in Asia, where sitting on the floor is normal, you will witness a shift in this trend. Now families are investing in sofas, chairs and furniture for their homes. It has direct and visible, social, cultural and psychological impacts.

Many would like to argue, whether it is a good change or a bad change? 

I think it is a good change, because sitting on a chair while studying is a good body posture, and sitting on the sofa while watching TV is very convenient compared to sitting on the floor with nothing supporting your back.

It is a change I appreciate, and the driver of this good change is indeed the use of smartphones. But it has cultural reflections too and thus psychological reflections as well. 

These may not matter in the USA, Europe and other parts of the West, where sitting on a chair and sofa is very normal. But in Asia, it adds a neo component to the psychology of social status.

And, it has so many other influences, most of them good and a few of them negative. 

Use of smartphones also comes with one more behavioural change among children in particular. It is a great tool to gain knowledge, and with knowledge comes confidence. However, if a child who is still in school comes across a headline in one of the articles, that he stumbles upon while surfing the internet.

The headline reads as follows:

How to live on the top floor with no insulation, just a layer of bricks, in two rooms, when it is 48 degrees hot. And still survive without an AC. 

With Global warming on rise it is a great topic to go through.

Anyway, this child clears his school and then his high school, and for many personal and other reasons, chooses a college in a city that experiences 48 degrees heat in Summer for 4 months. Based on the information gathered from online sources he feels fully equipped to move to the new city. The child who is now pursuing college is a confident college aspiring young boy in the new city. 

It is June, and it is 48 degrees, and all of a sudden this college going student finds the heat unbearable and calls his parents to take him back or buy an air conditioner for him.

Do you know why?

Because, every online source that he referred to when he was young, especially the article where the headline claimed to equip the person with everything needed to live comfortably without the Air Conditioner, in a place where the temperature rises as high as 48 degrees. But none of the sources mentioned that in an uninsulated flat, with just a single layer of bricks, the temperature inside the room will be above 55 degrees, and if you just have one window, it will be enough to drive anybody crazy.

So, there was a social change that was responsible for this . Had it been 20 years ago. The father/mother would have consulted someone living in that place and then worked out a plan. And in these one on one consultations this fact would have surfaced. However, due to this very slow social shift in information gathering and evaluation of facts, the college going student had to cope with the reality that was not mentioned anywhere online. That when it is 48 degrees, in a simple, uninsulated flat, where the rent will be low, the temperature inside the rooms will be above 55 degrees. The college going student being from a cold place, entered into a crisis state from every angle : mental, physical, financial etc. etc.

As a result of this, the parents of the college going student had to work on a war footing basis to think of a rescue plan. And now it will have a direct psychological impact on the boy, because he has been proven wrong in his first face off with reality. And it will to some extent influence his decision making ability in the future. 

But it will have a positive impact as well, this individual will not make hasty decisions in future and will take time to vet every information. And perhaps, learn to use better search keywords in future. There is every type of information available online, provided one is willing to take time to search every detail before arriving at a conclusion.

Based on these thoughts and drawing from the book, “The Courage To Be Happy” I have compiled a fictitious scenario, wherein a psychology consultant is in conversation with an individual, who is baffled by the reality of Adlerian psychology and presents his views, while seeking few suggestions in between.

For ease, let me name this fictitious person “Stranger” and the psychology consultant as “Reality.”

Stranger : Hello, how are you?

Reality : Good, can’t you feel it or see?

Stranger : Oh yes I can, but just for the sake of social courtesy, I thought of greeting you.

Reality : No need to greet me, because I am reality, I can stare into your heart’s deepest feelings and know everything. So, come to the point!

Stranger : Well you see, I am facing a situation that has been puzzling me and I wonder why it is the way it is.

Reality : I know what you are referring to, but for clarity, please share details.

Stranger : You know, I went out for Summer vacation and I stayed in an apartment with a good and decent neighbourhood, with many neighbours around.

Reality : I see. Neighbourhood with neighbours means, you are living in a certain ecosystem where the old or native residents have got used to living in, and have adapted to live in, this particular ecosystem fashioned according to their likings, if not needs. And you are new and perhaps expected to adapt too.

Stranger : But to what extent?

Reality : As per the law of nature, to some extent, so that you live your life your way, but if the expectation to adapt is extremely high, then the ecosystem has adapted in ways where it will collapse into its own self. Because, adaptation is not one way, it is both ways. It cannot be a spike of expectation that is always supposed to stay at its peak when it comes to this new resident, whereas the expectation on the ecosystem’s part never leaves its bottom line.

Anyway, what happened?

Stranger : One day, I went out, and I saw a few flower pots lined symmetrically in front of the apartment. The flower pots had few flowers, which were purple, red and yellow.  When I returned, there were only yellow flowers and almost 60 flower pots, with all yellow flowers. And there were few people appreciating them and saying, “ wow these yellow flowers have been here for 2 weeks now, we water them everyday and they look amazing. We never put any other flower pot here with different colours. Just yellow, always yellow.”

Whereas I know, that is a lie. 

I look at them, and they ask me, “isn't this true? We are sure you like them. The yellow flowers, and always yellow and never any other colour.”

Reality : Well let me confess, it was yellow, purple and red flowers. I noticed them. So you are correct. And it was quite wise on your part to say, “yes you are correct!” In sheep mentality, offering acceptable answers is good. It helps you avoid unnecessary, stupid and time wasting altercations.

But when you went to your room, and you rested your head against the pillow, you thought for a while. “Why did they lie, what was the need?”

The answer is simple, but with many probabilities:

1- They want to try your patience

2- They want to kill your confidence completely

3- They want you to accept retirement and believe “you are a good for nothing person too” But I know you know, what is your worth. You have proven a lot and you still have not stopped. You are still doing things, experimenting, exploiting new possibilities, which is something you learned from me, “Practical Reality.” So I was your teacher, and you have always been one of my favourite pupils. And by staying quiet and saying, "yes, they were yellow and there were no flower pots with any flower of any other colour. And of course hey are amazing!" You have achieved something commendable in terms of self restraint. 

By doing so, you won some free time to do what you like doing, and for them, to invest and waste time in thinking about some new tactic like yellow flowers. Now that costs a lot of time and money. So you should feel proud, because if they have done this, they will still do it. You have every reason to enjoy your celebrity status and just ignore it.

4- They want you to become completely dependent, and when that happens, you will have no option left, but to adapt yourself to the demands of their ecosystem. Where you will be part of the ecosystem, it will be a part of you and in all this, you will be lost. Your individuality will reach its crisis state and it will drown completely. Then these flower pot incidents will stop suddenly.

Do you know why?

Because now you too will have a lot of time, you too will believe you are good for nothing, except for one thing, gossip and a lot of gossip, and thinking how to implement the same confidence killing tactics on others. The new victim. With just one difference, this time you will be part of the sheep heard.

Stranger : My God I too thought so! But they have tried it several times and in different forms.

Reality : They will, otherwise how will they prove they are part of the sheep heard. It is a trait and demand of the ecosystem, a part of the herd mentality, and one cannot blame them as well, because just like you, they too were made a part of the ecosystem. By someone, somehow, and they were not wise to realise and demand their individual existence.

But in your case, I guess you have been too strong and too stubborn. I call it healthy stubbornness or ego. Without it and self respect, we are as good as sheep. Virtueless and valueless- A smartphone with battery but no sim card and balance to call somebody. 

You have faired well stranger. And it was good to know, Stranger .......... that there were moments when you wanted to help them and wanted them to live happy, healthy lives; where they participate in the success of others, their own selves and as such develop a society that is highly productive and advanced.

I have felt it in your eyes and in your heart. You tried too, but you were quick to realise it will take a lot of time. And time is something that even I cannot control, because it defines me as well. That is why, for societies, in every part of the World, adapting to new changes is important, otherwise they enter into a self degradation mode. And then, nothing remains, nothing at all. The sheep wander into musings where they are led into an unreal world and coping with the reality that surrounds them becomes difficult.

Stranger : I agree with you. But here is the funniest one. At the airport, there were two girls, one was wearing black trousers and the other one was wearing blue jeans. Sitting right in front of me. They went to the nearest counter to order for some coffee. And they sat in front of me. And here is an extract from their conversation:

Names : No. 1 and No. 2

No. 1 : Ah haaa, coffee is awesome!

No. 2 : Yes it is. By the way, the white trouser that you have been wearing suits you a lot. You have been wearing it since morning and it just suits you so well.

No. 1 : Thank you. A suppressed giggle and then a smile, followed by a blush

No. 2 : Stares at me.

No. 1 : Also looks at my face.

But I was busy reading although I noticed their look. And I knew, while going to buy coffee, the one with black pant, went to the washroom and changed her trouser. Now should I be confused? 

Na, na, na! 

Again, I kept calm, stayed quiet, and laughed at their effort and the importance being offered to me, who actually is so insignificant.

Reality : Haa haaa!

Yes it can reach an extreme in a few cases. You have been one such person. Again, by now you should know why. Haa haaa. Changing trousers. They actually bothered to take so much trouble, again, time must have sighed in some corner of that airport and lamented its fate that day; and perhaps submerged itself in their coffee cups for a while. Haa haaa!

I am enjoying this actually. Can you relate to some other incidents, although I know them all, hearing them from you is hilarious. Haa haa!

Stranger : Haa haa. Thank you! Yes I can. Yes, this was one of the best ones. I was in the garden, loosening some soil with a hoe, which had a wooden grip. In the meantime someone got me some tea, as I turned, I held the tea with my right hand, and placed it on a nearby brick, and returned to my work. The moment I held the hoe in my hand, I realised the grip of the hoe had changed, it was metallic. 

“Wow, magic, I shall be crazy, I need to eat more almonds or consume a lot of fatty fish.” No I did not feel any of this. 

Naa naaaa, again none of that. 

It was simple, when I turned to secure the cup of tea with my hand, the hoe with wooden grip was replaced with the hoe with metallic grip. Simple, and only practical answer. And sometimes, to execute a trick that requires a lot of scientific thinking, one needs to hire a magician. Again, time was spent on something trivial and perhaps a lot of money too. They had to buy a new hoe with a metallic handle, and then never use it again. What a waste.

Reality : And what was your instant reaction!

Stranger : I have been on my own from the age of 17, and when I moved to a big town, totally new to me. I rented a room. And during the night, underneath the door I saw a white paper like thing, rolling in and then rolling out. It was scary, because I had not experienced anything like that. As I opened the door, I noticed, someone had done this on purpose. 

Because when I opened the door, I noticed footsteps near my door. So I knew, even magic needs practical reasoning and logic. And it made me stronger.

And when I turned and realised that the hoe was different, I smiled and instead of thinking why they did it, I focused on how they did it. Then as I went back to the scene of tea, there was my answer.

I was not surprised at all, instead I had learned something about magic. 

Reality : Oh, oh, oh! This is incredible! Human psychology is strange and very very complex, few experts try to generalise it based on societies. And to get an output that they believe is correct, they often ignore realities of that ecosystem or habitat. 

For example: Juvenile condition. 

Few people find it hard to come out of it. But applying a universal standard to determine juvenile condition is totally incorrect, because it depends on many factors:

Individual > Family > Relatives > Experiencing deep emotional trauma in childhood > Friends > Schooling > Society > Culture > State > Country > Level of exposure to other societies and countries > Information received via TV, Internet, Books etc. etc.

• A person living in New York should have certain factors to define his/her juvenile state like symptoms

• A person living in Asia should have certain factors to define his/her juvenile state like symptoms

• A person living among nomadic tribes of Antarctica, Mongolia etc. should have certain factors to define his/her juvenile state like symptoms

• A person living in the Vibrant capital of India, but living in joint family, should have certain factors to define his/her juvenile state like symptoms

• A person living in the vibrant capital of India, but in a nuclear family should have certain factors to define his/her juvenile state like symptoms ( and in his/her case these symptoms will be minimal, though due to cultural and social structure there will still be traces of it.

But with few exceptions. Like I said, few of the men/women are different and they, due to their genetics tend to act very differently, and in extremely good ways, socially healthy and productive ways. But it is a rare species of men/women, and every society treasures such individuals.

And Adlerian psychology does not consider this micro level approach, it adopts a more generalised approach, thus, missing the minute psychological details which are at play at societal and individual levels.

Adlerian psychology believes that individuals define societies. Failing to admit that when societies settle, then it is society as a single component that influences every individual at various levels, one of them being psychological level.

For that matter even the father of psychology, Mr. Freud, at times, tends to show deviations, which exhibit these anomalies. Most of the psychologist study a certain individual or individuals, and then based on this study they determine social implications, but they forget that each individual is a biological being, and being a biological being, he she will always showcase genetics induced behaviours ( variable )  by 35% to 40%, rest is based on family, society, culture and so many other factors.

And, in this too, few individuals, for some unknown reason, let this 35% seek control of their lives. To the extent that it buries the remaining 65%. Maybe they like an easy lifestyle. Easy life style maybe an incorrect phrase, “they like going with the tide and enjoy floating.” Maybe they find it relaxing.

But there are a few, who always retain this 35% but they define their traits, actions and preferences based on the remaining 65% , because they do not enjoy floating, they like swimming; and often against the current that they feel is not complimenting their belief, that is established based on what they have read, learned, experienced, and how they tend to be individuals with a strong sense of wrong and right, good and bad, and they often are individuals who are extremely ambitious, but at the same time highly sensitive. A very rare combination. But mostly, they are individuals, who like swimming and not floating, they enjoy investing effort and in return rejoice in its returns. 

Let me explain it with further elaboration. I offer you a pen, which is very small and slim, and is red. I stand next to you and ask you to write. When you place it on paper and write, it does not write at all. You try, try again.

Then the person who gave you the pen, asks you to hand it over to him. You give him the pen, and for a few seconds you focus on paper, to remove some stain or whatever. And then this person says, “hey, it is writing,”

He gives it to you, but again the same thing, You cannot write. All of a sudden you are surrounded by these feelings:

1- Dejection

2- Superstition

3- Felling less fortunate

4- And you think of this person as someone with great power and whom destiny favours.

Haa haaa! But it is nothing like that. When you were not looking at the person, in a matter of a few seconds, he pulled a new pen that he was hiding between his fingers, and started writing. An old magicians, old and flawed trick. Had you been swimming time, you would have asked for the pen again, scratched it at some place, then returned the pen. And then as he wrote, you would ask for the pen, without letting him replace it, check for the scratch. Smile, on noticing that this pen does not bear the scratch- Your proof that it was just a trick, to turn you into this floating type of personality. But, you just smile and hand over the pen to him without entering into any argument, because that is unnecessary in such situations.

Here too, the purpose is to kill your confidence and force you to accept allegiance to the sheep, that likes floating and hates swimming. Because swimming needs effort.

It is always practical, and there will always be a reason that will be supported by reality acting upon it. There is nothing like voodoo! Even a Harry Potter fan will vouch for it!

But in this situation, we cannot expect everyone to behave or act in the same way. People from different societies, countries, and different individuals, will react differently to this situation. But if you have been someone who has survived in the Sahara of life, you will always think practically, and then arrive at a conclusion. You will not panic and act erratically.

Here you might want to know why few people like to keep themselves in juvenile state? To find the answer read : The Courage To Be Happy.

Also in Vedic India, and in Greek Mythology, there are references where few people are supposed to possess powers to know other people's thoughts, control their motor movements of the brain and a lot more. In India they also have a word in Sanskrit for this “Antar Yaamee '' meaning, someone who knows your thoughts.

In the holy book of Muslims ( The holy Quran ) and in the holy book of Christians ( The holy book of Bible ) Allah and God are referred to as “All knowing!”

Now, if you are eating lunch, and someone tells you something that you just thought, you will think of this person as God. It is natural. Because he/she read your mind and also dived into your memories.

But in modern times, this will sound foolish. To someone who believes in science it is a highly interesting project. Because it is a fact, brains have a spectrum of electromagnetic waves, by tapping into this, and by using electrodes, with sensors, that work like musical notes, the thoughts can be relayed on a digital screen in the form of musical notes, where every wave/note represents a letter, assigned to feelings, thoughts, memory, imagination, in the target human brain. 

And a man/woman who is practical, and believes in the God whose world is based on logic and principles of mathematics and science, would look at this person, ignore what he/she said, resume his/her work, and not think of anything. Just one thing, "how did he/she capture and then translate these electromagnetic waves of my brain into humanly understandable thoughts. And at an advanced level, even control human thoughts, movements, judgements, and overlap memories too. Simple!”

Word of caution : Nature is extremely unique because genetics is random. It is random on purpose. Because by adopting this mode, nature ensures its own safety. Only because of this randomness in genetics there will always be someone, who will have the ability to be an individual, irrespective of this technology triggered lock. Because nature likes offering freedom, especially freedom of will and freedom of happiness. And to all, happiness has different meanings.

As for the person who believes in voodoo , I will leave that to Harry Potter fans to decide about his/her fate. 

Alder refers to a story of a young boy, who is scared of the dark. And needs his mother beside him, whenever he is trying to sleep. And whenever he wakes up in the middle of the night, he cries loudly, he keeps crying until he sees his mother, standing next to him saying, “I am here now. Do not cry.” The boy stops crying and falls asleep.

In this situation many things are taking place at psychological level which will define many traits as he grows up to be a mature man:

1- He has managed to learn how to make his mother his slave

2- He has learned that a weakness can be managed by crying and seeking help from others

3- His mother stands as an obstruction to his ability to deal with his fears

4- He has become less sensitive, because he cares more about his own sleep and not about others 

5- His dependency on weakness management is reaching dangerous levels

For him to be able to manage his fear, his mother will have to make a conscious effort to help him overcome his fear. Sometimes leave him crying till he falls asleep, or accept the fact that she wants him to grow with this fear as long as he lives. 

And she will be a selfish mother, because she will not live forever. How will the man ( the child who has grown up now ) deal with this fear when his mother is dead? Maybe his wife cannot be as cooperative. 

We all have different sleeping patterns and not all of us can deal with sleeplessness, like the child’s mother. In extreme cases, lack of sleep can lead to their divorce. Single oversight can have so many implications in the future, and only the wise and those who prefer swimming and not floating, possess this foresight.

And when it comes to countries, I call it Political psychology, that offers a few countries the foresight to look 200 years into the future and devise policies and schemes to ensure continuous growth of their countries. Whereas there are many countries that lack this foresight. And it is very sad, they lack it and make their extremely talented , gifted and intelligent youth remain slaves to stereotypes and dogmas of economic mediocrity. For some reason they cannot see beyond 20 years. They prefer this mother and boy approach, or relationship, without realising that the mother will not be there forever. And in political psychology, few political parties fail to realise that a single political party cannot remain in power forever. 

Therefore, it is the duty of political parties to promote policies and strategies that are designed to deal with realities of the future, thinking 200 years ahead. So that, no matter which political party comes to power, these policies shall receive primary attention. In this case also, it is the swimming type of mentality that works well, the floating type of mentality, will always meet the fate similar to that of the Titanic. 

(Now that was a great loss of lives and so much love and feelings onboard that ship. Many of us think the ship, Titanic sank, but for a true psychologist, like Mr. Freud, it was a titanic proportion of feelings, human emotions, interactions, a micro society that existed on that ship during that time, that sank and was lost forever.)

And the country I live in and have come to love, India, as a nation has always failed in designing policies for the future. Most of the politicians possess no political psychology to define a roadmap that is 200 years ahead of its times. Few countries in Europe, along with the USA possess this foresight with an enviable precision. They amaze me, but teach me as well, because swimmers are very good learners. 

( And based on my study many of these countries are losing this grip on the future and are dealing with a lot of confusion and turmoil at policy level. But, I believe they will find a way out, because their past trends hint at this. And their ability to adapt is incredible. ) 

Nevertheless, Stranger, that was too much of psychology class for you, I suppose. Do you have any doubts or do you wish to share anything in particular?

Stranger : Yes, so what is your advice to me?

Reality : Just be you, stay calm, react less, act more , and always use your scientific sense and do not let logical thinking ever forsake you. You have finally crossed all rivers of life, now relax, and look at them flowing and enjoy the moment. And never forget the special someone you love and always stay devoted to her. I can tell, you draw your moral and physical strength from her love and her smile. Let that never change, Stranger. 

Now that we both know, swimming is a better approach than floating. Swim again when it is time and I shall always be there with you. You know that. Haaa ha!

Stranger : Thank you for showing me the mirror of reality.

Reality : By the way, read this amazing science fiction novel, They loved in 2075, it talks about the future and how human emotions will evolve in 2075. I am sure you will love it, because its author is reality. Now if you are thinking how can that be, because They Loved in 2075, talks of 2075, whereas we are still in 2023? Well that is possible, I exist by virtue of time, and time that you see now, is already in the future as well, so I am part of this reality too. The reality of the future.

Stranger : Ah! So you knew that we will have this conversation.

Reality : Haa haa! Read the science fiction novel, They Loved in 2075 and you shall know!

By the way stranger, that changing of trousers at the airport, was the best one. Haha haa. You have an inborn penchant for humour. Haa haa! Incredible and I pray, that may I always be able to be kind to you now onwards! Amen!

Stranger : Now you are sounding religious. And it is good to know, Reality too believes in religion.

Reality : I do. Because without this even time will lose its purpose and light will lose its nature. But I believe in religion, that promotes humanity, love, amity, peace, science, logical thinking, reasoning, and religion that allows an individual to swim, and not just float! And the religion that loves and respects women!

Take care, Stranger. By the way, your name is Stranger, but I know you more than anything and anyone ever can.

Stranger : Although I know I am a part of you, as much as you are a part of me, I will always swim, knowing that you will make the tide a bit more favourable for me. Now that we are well acquainted.

Reality : Time may not allow me to do that, because it is everywhere a nano moment ahead of me, but as long as you wish to swim, I will always be and only “Your Reality.” That is my promise!

Reality : Now next time, you might see them carrying umbrellas, all of them, when it is pleasant and Sunny. But all of them are walking hurriedly, and saying, “Oh it is raining heavily. Walk properly and quickly!” What will you do then?

Stranger : Simple, I will tell them I enjoy getting wet in the rain!

Reality : Haa, haaa, very good, you are learning the game of psychological exploitation. And come what may, never quit being you and always hold on to self respect. Do you know, Poet P. B. Shelly, one of the greatest poets in English, did not publish his best collection of poems himself?

Stranger : Thank you. I will! By the way no, I did not know this. Who did then?

Reality : It was his wife who loved him a lot and also used to read his poems back to him when he was alive and she was his best critic too. P. B. Shelly thought they were not that great. But she compiled them, put them together and finally published them, and she was so honest, she mentioned her husband’s name ( P. B. Shelly ) , and not her name ( Mary Shelly ) as the name of the Poet. Do you know why she did that Stranger?

Stranger : No. I have no idea, though I have some idea.

Reality : Because she was a swimmer and not someone who liked floating. Just like you. 

Stranger : I wonder how would the science of psychology define this act? 

Reality : I too wonder that Stranger, and often. I actually carry a lot of burden,

because I do not know so much, my burden lies in the fact that I know everything.

Stranger : It was great knowing the one who knows everything, and also realising that for me, in my every moment of life she is everything! Exclusively and always my reality!