Are we built for our purpose in life?

What makes a good Researcher? When I tried googling this, I got the following:

• Honesty, Logic, Intuition, Curiosity, Persistence and an Open Mind.
• Never try to prove your hypothesis, just try to test your hypothesis. Let your data show you the way.
• Your productivity is only as good as the people that you attract into your research group. Give them the resources that they need to make the project a success.
• Great ideas are good but one needs to really painstakingly develop and follow them.
• Drive to persist. You need to persist when you believe in your ideas, and when others - such as funding agencies and journal editors - don’t.
• Good imagination distinguishes great researchers. To wrestle with the unexpected and arrive at new understanding that challenges old ways of thinking is the crux of good research.
• Keep your mind open and keep yourself up with the new information and techniques. Be positive and do not be afraid of failure.

I was so excited to read this list, because if I or anyone were to describe me, I am sure they'd use the first line. There is a reason why we are the way we are. I wonder sometimes how would it be if I were not so persistent and could comply more; if I could sometimes be less honest -- if I could lie to make someone happy, if I'd be less logical and more emotional, but we are put on this earth for a purpose, and we are built for that purpose. Our job is to find our calling and follow it.

When I asked my husband if it bothered him that I am the way I am, he said, "No, it is what attracts me to you. And I'd wish you spend less time bothering to change yourself and more time being yourself. There are very few people who get a chance to recognize their calling so early on in their life, you are one of the few who knows what it is you are meant to be, are good at it and actually have a chance to follow it... if in future your purpose will require for you to change, you will change."

I love him! And a very happy 8th Anniversary to us:))

10 things that make me happy:)

I had read about this in some magazine somewhere: that 'every now and then it is a good idea to make a list of 10 things that make you happy'. So here is my list. I can safely say that this list has been the same for quite some time now, and however stressed I am, one of these work for sure...the first two work almost always.

1. If my toddler eats well, finishes his plate or asks for more.
2. If my husband decides to take a day off, stay with us a little while longer, come home even 15 mins earlier than expected. Basically whenever he is around, my son and I are all smiles (I know I am sounding really needy here, but hey! it works, and we can never seem to have enough of him).
3. When I cleanup/de-clutter/organize.
4. When I realize my 'to-do' list is over and I can't think of anything to add to it at the moment ( My life last year was at the climax of being unsettled. It always had been that way, still is, but I didn't seem to able to cope with it after having a baby with absolutely no help what so ever. Even today, my heart fills with admiration for single moms. Anyways, my devised solution to having no-control over the circumstances was taking control over little things like cooking a perfect meal, or cleaning the bathroom to a shine...but after having a baby even those small things seemed out of control. It led to a feeling of being completely overwhelmed and living in a constantly changing environment. So I resorted to 'to-do' lists instead of actually being able to do it; my way of pretending 'I have it under control'. I however was never able to finish any of my lists. Hence the joy when I actually see it done.)
5. When I finish a task before time - anything, read an article, make notes, finish a presentation...and have some 'free time'.
6. When I get a good review or some really constructive criticism.
   
7. When I chance upon a really well researched, well written paper or book. Actually even a movie or documentary.
8. Going on a well deserved vacation.
   
9. A long walk with my husband/my mom. In the same category would be a fun evening out with friends or a long phone conversation with my sisters/friends.
   
10. When I am cooking a very simple meal from scratch and it turns out perfectly.
    

I will amend the list if/when it changes. But for now this is it.