Last night I was at a barbeque with a few people on Claudia’s roof.
After midnight and a lot of drinks we got to reciting poetry. Here’s one by Ralph that I want to share:

Yes, I will grab the world by it’s horns and shake it until it gives me what I want!
Not wasting any time anymore.
No! Proactive and full of power and energy, making the best of my life and my current situations.
And as the last shirt has no pockets, lets give it all now.
Already by 9am I start.
In front of my computer, ready for action.
When it crashes and freezes all my personal and professional documents.
Leaving me in utter disbelief, helplessness, despair and finally panic.
10 hours later by 7pmish – no progress!
I am shattered, but on the way to a meditation workshop in Wales.
Driving through heavy rain and snow in a tiny car with no heating and a very tired windscreen wiper.
Maharishi talks about the absolute and relative aspect of life.
And the beauty of a flower and other manifestations of this higher intelligence.
And I meditate.
On anti-virus software, firewalls and frozen computer screens.
So much for taking my destiny by it’s horns!

Ralph is a rock star, poet and yoga teacher. He spends most of his life touring the world. In his spare time he is a GP.

Software engineers, what can we take from this? The software we produce can have profound effects on the lives of the people who use it. Always remember this. By taking the time to make it robust, resilient, effective and pleasant to use, we can improve in part the lives of others.