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Messages & Messengers.....

Have you realized that there's way too much information floating around these days? It almost seems impossible to get by an hour, forget about a day, that we're not bombarded with words around us. Visually, it's either the loud marketing messages when you're watching the TV, or the in-your-face pop-up ads (can block them all you want but they're there to cleverly "boo" wherever you go) when we're browsing the net or take even the billboard ads, posters, signposts staring at us when we get out of our house.

And, then there are the audio messages thrown, starting from those living with us like our parents, spouse, siblings giving an earful, or our teachers, bosses, co-workers telling us to do things better. I know i'm skewing on the negative side here, but honestly, how often do you hear anyone praising each other these days (except on the Utopian, fairytale world of FaceBook where everybody "likes" everything). I suppose some of this, we have to take blame. It's that immense urge to improve our quality of life, which makes us these perfect sitting ducks for anyone to pass comments on - the good, bad and the ugly.

Where am i going with this? Yeah. The point is that there's too much noise out there, which are drowning out the more important and crucial messages which we completely miss out. I'm talking about the big, wise, advisory, knowledge-transfer kind of deeper ones that comes our way once in a while. And, let's admit it, we're all not chiseled pieces of art, and could definitely use some trimming here and there, but the big IF is that these messages have to be constructive, and not deflate our fragile egos. They have to be tailored to our personality, suit our own sensibilities and made sure they sink into the brain. I know, tough, eh?

And, if you thought that was hard, even more peculiar is that it's crucial who delivers the message - the all-important "Messenger". You can have the world's most important and critical information all you want, but if you're not the right person, sorry times buddy. I have bad news for you. Yes, the stage is all set, the mike is ready. Of course, we know you've been bursting to speak since dawn of humanity. But, heelloo? Smell the coffee, please. And, come back to Earth. The stark reality check is that no one's listening. The seats are empty, the audience have left the building already.

But, no, don't give up yet. Salve your bruised ego, and save up all your speech.  The silver lining on this otherwise gloomy picture is that you can still try your luck somewhere, with someone else. Why? Because it's also kind of weird how we humans process whom we decide to hear. We first identify and create our own imagery of who's good and who's not, based on our prejudices and past experiences. And, then use this critical information and proceed to listen to them with awed reverence or shut them out completely. So, there's still a miniscule chance that you'll find any life form that'll pay attention to your worldly advice. Ok, pitching in a piece of advice here - me thinks you should start your search right now.

Ahem, ahem....for the brave ones who made it to this last line....let me finish my very important, mission-critical message here....Quirky lot, aren't we?

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