History....As You Like It!

I love History,.......Political History, to be specific. But,  I'd venture into any category of history, given the gift of time. In everything that history has to offer, there is always that element of magnanimity that stands out. It's one reason why history shouldn't be erased.

In the spirit of attributions, I'd gather that whatever good is taught through history can never be reciprocated in it's entirety. Maybe, that's one reason why history tends to repeat itself.

But on a comical note, if I were to just draw reference to all the famous congregations that were held through the ages, and change the scenarios to suit my imagination, would it have resulted in a better outcome?

Let's say Nostradamus should infact have lived to tell a famous perpetrator of his futuristic misgivings well in advance- then Stalin would have been obliged to leave Poland alone in the aftermath of WW2, and Hitler would not have had the will to write Mein Kampf, Franco would infact have accomodated the ideas incorporated by the nationalists, and Mussolini would not have had a friend in Germany.

Trusting that it would infact allow for a greater good of all, it would also not have resulted in the technological advancement that the war brought with it.....( the Enigma, radar and sonar technology...), or of  heroes founded in adversity..( Schindler), or of the general upstart to patriotic chants,.. otherwise unknown  to their predecessors. It's this weird predicament of 'what would not have happened' if events turned out to be a little different that's intriguing. 

Because war disrupts humanity, it cannot be the solution to our problems. But the essence of a historical event is not the event itself, but the sequence of major and minor outcomes that has culminated in such an event.

The effects of the nuclear power has taught many nations to tread on soft ground, so much so that today, we have learnt to not handle power in the clumsy manner that we did fifty years ago. But if we are to survive the ordeal of not repeating  history, then we need to learn history.

Now here's the lame predicament that has dented my sanity: If we are to learn history, and everyone else also must follow suit, .....then it's feebly suggestive that all the notorious leaders  have also drawn the explicit justification for  their misgivings on the basis of the history of their land.

 Aren't we reversing our judgement of what history might offer as and when it fits a country's biblical..aka political agenda?

Next time a leader draws reference  to the history of the region, in order to put forth his agenda, I'd wonder whether to blush with patriotism or be doubly cautious as to what that referral might offer. 

Nandini Rao.

Calorie Glow :)

I've been on a good and healthy diet for a while now....but there are always those weak moments that break you. Not that I do not stick to resolutions, but I feel I'm being subconciously teased and my mind juggled with ( by mother nature I hope....and nothing more) everytime I hit that 7:00 O'Clock curfew time.

It's surreal, it's peaceful....in the company of your family. I picture my Mom browsing the channels, a staunch believer in good living. Nothing, almost nothing can melt her mood as far as food is concerned,....she's in absolute control of her surroundings and herself.

Dad's on an intellectual high every evening; he loves winding up with a good book. But I also assume he makes good disguise of his cravings, what with a major sweet tooth that he has. (He'd rather argue those were sweet thoughts!).

My sister has got accustomed to this new found military routine overnight, and almost nothing can break her too. Taken after Mom I guess, ...military time, military workouts,...food ofcourse,.. if there is a thing as military food, that too. Basically military everything!

Well, I'm good until 21:00, miltary time, and then there is the thought,... well just a thought,...no harm in that right?

So I'm thinking junk, easily the most comforting thought, almost therapeutic. So it's either molten cheese on everything,..... fondue, aesthetically put,... or fries. Cheese,..well I'll give it a rest, for I need a cooler climate for that kind of warmth.

Fries are your best bet,... actually it's potatoes that should be mentioned frequently...it's still a vegetable right?

Here's a little diversion, did you know most American food junkies don't know that fries are actually potatoes, and have a hard time when it comes to knowing vegetables?

Anyway, back to my situation. Spicy food is also comforting,...spicy snacks are a good pick, and they seem harmless everytime, what with their fluffiness or light weight, and almost no signs of oil too! I still heavily doubt whether spicy snacks are that harmful,...but I've had numerous discussions,.... well arguments really. So no more ifs and buts there,..... just listen to what you need to listen to.

Actually, here's the contradiction, a major one. They say listen to your heart always, and things will be just fine. Ofcourse, I admit it's the mind that has taken a detour, but what say, the mind may have been listening to the heart!  I'd go a bit further and claim it to be a cognitive meltdown, more that an emotional one! So here I go....just upto the cupboard, not even the kitchen. Snacking would be a good way to express what I'd do next.

I'd give Dad another half hour or so,...before he follows suit. Yeah, he needs to get into the kitchen,.... sweet tooth remember? But who's to say what guilt might offer? Guilty on the outside, and glowing inside! That's what I call Calorie Glow. Comfort food it is indeed!

Nandini Rao.