Your Friendly Philosopher & Guide

In India we have this major problem. We refuse to accept that there could be anything under the sky we cannot do. We think we know to repair the footwear, we think we know to fix a fan, we think we know to cut our hair, we think we know to fix a fuse, we think we know to cook, we think we are the best photographers, and we think we are masters in spiritual subjects. If we all know everything – then why do professional exist? They can just masturbate and die in solitude!

There ought to be a difference between an amateur and a professional. And the difference is subtle - an amateur has not done enough mistakes, which a professional has already committed. And that is what experience is all about.

We all know to drive a car, but all who know to drive a car cannot drive on the racetrack. All who know to operate a camera cannot be a photographer. And all who have read books on astrology or or Numerology or Vaastu Shastra of Feng Shui or Palmistry cannot be astrologers.

I face this funny situation sometimes. Few clients suddenly in middle of the consultation start talking about astrological jargons – just to show off that they aren’t illiterate. I simply tell them – if you know, you need not ask me. And if you ask me then you better keep your mouth shut. I know it is arrogant, but it important too. No wonder when we visit a doctor, he makes us close our mouth by placing a thermometer! I need to invent a similar tool I guess.

It is good that people try to understand new subjects. But when you seek help, it simply means you haven’t found the answer yourself. And when you haven’t found the answer, it is better to listen to someone who knows the answer than to argue about what you already know.

So the next time when you meet a professional – it could be a cobbler, a painter, a mechanic, an IT professional, or an electrician just allow him to do his work. You of course can watch what he is doing, but avoid poking your nose – it really irritates anybody even me!