I want to be useful !!!!
“You know, I quote in the book a wonderful letter that Benjamin Franklin wrote to his mother because he obviously had an aptitude for business and she kept on wondering why would you go into politics? And he said that, you know, on his tombstone he wanted it said not that he had been rich but rather that he had been useful. And, I love that idea of deciding what will be most useful to me. “
– Senator Barack Obama {Illinois, USA}
A Brilliant idea indeed. How does one become useful? What is the purpose of being “useful” and to whom? Just oneself or to society? How do you decide on such factors and the consquences? I began thinking about these questions about 2 weeks ago when I watched the Larry King interview with the charismatic senator from Illinois and was just impressed by his answers, his humble arrogance and intelligence and of course the title of his book “The Audacity of Hope” {Going to get it soon}.
So how do I become useful? Hmmm been thinking about that and well I have come up with three scenarios:
1.) Be useful to my parents – well i guess its ever kid’s dream to do something for his/her parents, but i want to make it a reality. Do whatever they would like me to do for them, except for of course stop partying 
.
2.) Be useful to the organization that i am working for – I guess this is important as well because this is a deciding factor for the 1st option. So need to add value to my organization – thus enjoying the rewards that ripe from it.
3.) Be useful to society – Do something once in a while, well where I do not necesarily feel that i am expecting something back in return. I guess i am selfish to feel good about the deed I have done but then again i am just human.
So I guess this is the overall high level analysis. Option 2 and 3 can be broken down into detail, and well I guess I will sit down and decide them during this weekend. Option 1 – well even if i say NO to it – my mother would make sure i carry it out LOL.
Think about it – How are you being useful ???
Cheers,
Posted in Philosophy 5 Comments »
. Overall Excellent – Love Sri Lankan Airlines and not because i am Sri Lankan. So arrive in london, and i had to go through security. Now the “old testament” rules stated that i can carry one cabin baggage along with my laptop bag but the new one says NO. Laptop Bags are also considered as “one” bag. So now I had to check in the damn bag into United Airlines but in order to do that , i needed to leave the airport. Oh yes leaving an airport means I needed a valid UK visa/transit visa. Oh well, didnt have that and being Sri Lankan didnt help because the officer at the Passport Control said UK doesnt do Sri Lankan transit visas on the spot. Heard a “not so funny” joke from the officer’s colleague whom I suspect is a Sri lankan as well because well we tend to be idiots at times – instead of helping each other we like to cause panic and harm. He said “shall we deport him, let him get his UK transit visa and than come back”. Well knowing i had a backup solution – “Put laptop in big cabin bag and throw laptop bag away”, I said “WTF”, to which he replied “Talking to my colleague mate”. LOL. Felt like telling him please dont meet me in that uniform next time. Anyways the officer was nice and he ended up giving me a 24 hour transit visa. {I need to verify whether Lankans really dont get this choice, or was i just lucky or were they playing me}. Well the trip from London to Chicago sucked cause the seats were small and me being 6′ 4” – well i like my leg space. The guy in front didnt help much by pushing his seat backwards and it ended up being a not so enjoyable ride. Immigration and Customs in Chicago was cordial and quick and the flight to Houston was fast. But after arriving in Houston, I realized that UA had forgotten my bags in Chicago. They promised to deliver it the next day and so they did. Checked into hotel. Need to find apt soon. 
