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How Twitter will change the way we live By Steven Johnson Jun. 05, 2009

How is Life?

I begin my day by asking my friends, colleagues and students: how is life? I get serious to funniest reply. I often get to hear "Life is cool" accompanied by a million dollar smile which makes me feel delighted. At the end of the each greeting sessions, I do not forget to mention that "Life is beautiful. Now, it’s a ritual for me. My students told me that there is group in the Facebook called How ijj (is) life? Do I deserve to be on Facebook. I am not a philosopher. I just try to avoid complications in my thought process. I simply try to look at life differently. Like all, I love life.

So what is my take on life? I see life in a four fold category system: Learn, Invest, Family& Friends, and Empathy. Learn to listen and listen to learn is my motto. This I borrowed from John Hopkins Health communication Program. I learnt patience and self-dignity from my father. I learnt the essence of sacrifice and basic values from my mother. I take regular lessions to learn simplicity from nature.

Some of my friends see spendings in terms of expenditures. I suggest them to see the same in terms of investments. Whenever, I buy a book I invest in myself for knowledge. When I dine in a decent restaurant, I invest in good food and ambience. Try this. Invest in relationships. In return you will get love and respect.

Family is a universal social value. I have my doubt if there is a society without family as an important social institution. Life without friends is simply unimaginable. Look back. Try to recall your childhood. I assure you will most certainly get nostalgic. Every moments you spent with your childhood friends is unforgettable.

Once I met an accident. When I returned to my senses after six hours, I was not at all surprised to see friends around me and I will not be surprised to see them again whenever I am in distress. I know for sure they will be there. Any time, Any place, Any where. Dr. Sanjay Chauhan, you are at the University of West Arizona but you have been with me everyday. Misbahuddin Fahad, you own a hardware and manpower company. You also have an independent bungalow in New Jersey but I cannot forget that early morning cup of tea. I simply cherished that cup of tea from you every morning.

I know what you are going through? I also went through this stage. Do not worry. It’s a phase and it will also pass. Wait for the sunrise, darkness will go and life will not be the same again. These are few words and sentences I do not wish forget which came from my immediate elder brother Naushad Ali. Once I asked my mother, how did I come to this world? She said you came to this world on your brother’s shoulder. He gave me life’s most precious lesson. He empathized with me and I learnt to emphathize.

And as life goes on, my friends, collegues and students always gives me some or the other reasons to smile. I have learnt to learn, invest, and empathize from them. They taught me the real value of family and friendship.

Desmond Tutu once said, "You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them". On friendship, Ralph Waldo Emerson said that the glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to you when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you.