Hi friends,

I had prepared this post some days back but was a bit hesitant to post it. I had my doubts regarding this post. And before you read it, I would like to tell you that it would appeal only to a small section of people.

Over some 4 or 5 years, I have had a realization. We Indians, always have a binary way of looking at things; the good and the bad, right and wrong and so on. From our very childhood, we are taught what is sahi and what is galat. Hence till the end of our teenage or even till the end of life, a dual perspective to any object or situation becomes an inherent trait.

Thankfully, of late I have got rid of this bi-fold classification and only concentrate on the magnitude aspect of both. What I mean to say is that ‘+10’ and ‘-10’ are equal in all aspects to me. The modulus or the potential of both is the same.

I have come to this conclusion after a number of observations and personal experiences which I am now going to share in this post.

Why I would love to make you, my enemy?

Let us imagine you are in a fix. There are 3 people whom you can ask for help.

A- A common friend.

B- A stranger.

C- An enemy/fierce competitor.

Now, you are in desperate need of help and your helper would have to undertake a huge risk or discomfort. Who will definitely help you out?

A- Less than 50% probability.

B- Less than 25% probability.

C- More than 50% probability.

Reasons: Expect a half-hearted response from your “common” friend ‘A’. Unless he’s your best buddy he definitely won’t take the risk.

The stranger ‘B’ would be indisposed to take any action at all UNLESS you are an attractive woman and he’s a man.

Let’s focus on ‘C’- he would immediately rush to your help depending on the magnitude of animosity between you 2 guys. I assume that you would be most polite while asking for help (considering the situation), if you don’t it is YOUR ego problem.

Some random examples spanned over different times, categories etc.

To understand this concept I would like you to brain-storm over these sightings listed below. In all the sited instances, you are required to specially focus on 2 things:-

1. The constant magnitude OR potential of a person or personality trait.

2. The unimportant and ever flickering sign or nature of the same as in 1.

 Let’s start with Raavan from our Hindu mythology. He was a great pundit. Then suddenly he became the greatest king of rakshasas.

Lucifer, the brightest angel fell too! He became Satan- the greatest devil in hell.

Macbeth, the most faithful soldier to a king turned a complete 180 degrees.

Rajat Gupta, IIT Delhi-Harvard Business School Alumnus, acknowledged as a generous philanthropist by Bill Gates himself, suddenly lands up in jail for conspiracy and securities fraud.

Munna bhai! Involved in 1993 Mumbai blasts; is now spreading Gandhigiri in Yerwada jail.

Sallu bhai! How he has suddenly started ‘Being Human’! We all know his past records; I don’t need to highlight them.

Natalie Portman(Black Swan)-“ A ballet dancer wins the lead in “Swan Lake” and is perfect for the role of the delicate White Swan – Princess Odette – but slowly loses her mind as she becomes more and more like Odile, the Black Swan.”  // Source-imdb.com

Spiderman 3- Good Spider-Man turns Black Spider-Man.

Beauty and the Beast-Beast transforms into prince.

I have now listed numerous examples for you to ponder over. This post would definitely have a sequel; the realization is yet to be shared. For the time being, re-think over these examples over a cup of coffee or during the 15-min breaks at office or college.

I will be back with the continuing post in some time. Till then…

Respect the magnitude and forget the sign!

If you have any similar experience or thought to share, feel free to post below.

Happy Gandhi Jayanti.