Rivers or Banks?

Apart from the people like me, with a total consumer mind-set, who would happily trade off some cash for a load full of fun; I reckon two other extreme of personalities.

I notice this guy in my office who disposed of a significant fixed asset and holds a GIANT sum of money right now! He's got that money saved up in a bank somewhere; and sleeps sound everynight with a big grin on his face - the 'rich man' grin!

And then there is this other guy; same office, same team! But he's got small sums collected here and there, and he keeps on fiddling among various investment opportunities. Some he floats up in share market while some he's sunk down on medium term-deposits on some 'trusted' finance companies and cooperatives that have blossomed in recent years; and soon, as the amounts size up, he plans to plough on the real estate markets. He doesn't care for immediate liquid safety but believes in growing. Now he doesn't sleep with any smile on his face! But keeps battering his mind among alternate investment opportunities and the risks involved. He is farming money, is proud of himself, life is exiting - all glamorous! But is his life as PEACEFUL as of the latter? I ain't really sure about this!

Everything tells me I should try follow the second guy's attitude on oppose to the latter, but I keep hearing whispers out of nowhere pointing out to this careless grin he's got with significant savings up in a secured big bank account he's got! 

Nobel Peace Prize

A guy had once made a lot of money by creating a means of mass destruction. Well, sure you may say he created it for the good of mankind, but DESTRUCTION was what it was used for. Nevermind all that though. C'z he used his proceeds from such discovery that changed the human race forever, and put it together in a permanent fund, the returns of which would be used to recognize the best men in the world that'd do the best work for bettering the humankind. He named it after himself - called it the Nobel Prize.

That was then... Maybe people around the century have devised a new way to interpret his vision. Maybe he meant we could recognize people for the potential they hold and forget about the possibility of him realizing them. Its not like a job promotion you know, where you get recognized for your potential to work in the enriched and more responsible position. Like they say, you shouldn't be promoted for working hard at a job and doing it right. You should be promoted for your promising ability to perform better at that new job description. That's just fair enough as the renumeration comes only as u take up the new responsibilities and live to it.

Now take the awards for example. What would happen if world cup shield was handed over for the potential at being the best team in the world? What if exam results were based on how good a potential the students held during the classes? And what if a man was put to jail just c'z he had the potential of doing a crime? Doesn't bring no sense to the idea does it?

Well of course, Obama Barack 'promises' to reduce nuclear weapons' stockpiles to zero during his April's speech in Prague. And as he envisioned, the Barack administration is 'supposed' to negotiate a new strategic arms reduction treaty with Russia before the current one expires at the end of this year. The Norwegian committee did actually confess that their choice should be seen as an 'early vote of confidence in Obama' - intended to build global support for his policies. Personally, I think the Nobel Committee needs a major CHANGE!

Now lets try giving some credit to the old guy. He did bring a revolution and help bring the United States to the mainstream global-thinking on issues like climate change and multilateralism. I have seen people shrink their faces at the sight of Mr. Bush and applaud when some strange guy threw his shoe at him. And I've also seen people smile and share a pleasant expression full of potent promises as Obama took the oath to presidency. So I do agree he's got potential to deliver world peace through his own means.

Nonetheless, I'd rather wait for him to do it, before I paid him for it. Mankind shouldn't change the oldest rules since the beginning of mankind. I see no sense in quenching thirst from the water that shall rain in the unforseeable future.

But I think its a good start. He's going to donate all the proceeds of the prize (all 1.4 million dollars, equivalent to more than 10 crores) to some organization. Of course he'll decide on the winner of the windfall in the near future. Maybe its his turn to see his potential in me now... just maybe!!!