R@J aur Sweety ka Scribble Pad

When we go through the worst times alone We don't really care about who stays or who wants to stay in our lives anymore The struggle becomes so consuming that the need for validation or reassurance fades away In those moments, we realize that the only person we truly need to rely on is ourselves. People sticking around is a distraction, while the mind searches for the quite secluded space Lying can be incredibly tough, maintaining a false version of reality is emotionally draining Guilt, anxiety, and a sense of disconnection are not worth the silly pleasure

Sometimes, the person who loves you most is also the one who struggles the most to show it. Love can often be hidden behind walls of silence. It’s easier to avoid vulnerability than to admit just how much someone means to you. Loving deeply comes with the risk of pain, and silence can feel like the safer option—protecting oneself from the fear of hurt. At times, choosing to ignore rather than confront their emotions is easier, because of the fear of being overwhelmed by need, or that it may leave them too exposed

Relationships We all are unique pieces of art, best displayed in our own museum. Our personal ‘art’ may not always fit the ‘decor’ our partners bring. Minor customization of our art can help, but a fundamental misfit remains a misfit. Peace Peace is the ability to focus deeply on one thing without distractions. True peace needs no external stimulants—no liquor, caffeine, nicotine, or drugs. Some find peace in spirituality, others in love, and some through passions like art or sport. It's natural for youth to find focus in sex Attraction In youth, physical attraction dominates. With age, mental connection enhances physical attraction. The most profound orgasm is when minds align and bodies intertwine.

Life's essence lies in what tomorrow may bring, Don't dwell on what yesterday could have been, Let them go, let them follow, For, Yesterday's chapter is done, Tomorrow's sun shall rise and paint the sky with a radiant glow, But by evening, it too shall bow low, Whether we are present or lost in the endless night, In the grand scheme, our relevance is but transient.

Life is full of lessons, and often, the most profound ones emerge through self-reflection. Bhagwad Gita helps me introspect. One such introspection journey thoughts Life is not always fair Life cannot be fair for everyone all the time Envy is not going to change it You will attract what is due to you and you will always get what is yours, sooner or later No one will be able to deprive you of what is truly deserve Only when you relinquish your longing for the outcome Relinquishing longing does not mean you simply sit and wait for your time  You have to continue to make an effort and keep collecting Karma points In the stream of time, the results of our Karma will keep coming back to us

I was listening to an interview with Sadguru of the Isha Foundation, and a few points he made really resonated with me: 1. "Somebody else or something else will never determine how I am." In other words, our inner state should not be dependent on external factors or influences. This is very easy to say but difficult to practice.  2. "In Sanatan Dharma, our view is that this life is a preparation for the next life." This suggests that in the context of Sanatan Dharma, life is seen as a journey of spiritual growth and learning that spans multiple lifetimes. 3. "The soul continues to journey through various physical bodies." This highlights the belief in reincarnation and the idea that the soul evolves through different life experiences. 4. "We make a choice, to continue with the cycle of life and rebirth, or choose to break the cycle of reincarnation and merge with the divine."  This emphasizes the importance of individual choice in determining one...

it's ironic how easily we overlook the treasures that surround us daily.  As a parent navigating the challenges of raising kids amid the allure of gadgets and goodies, I've come to a profound realization: the sooner we learn to keep it simple and adhere to the basics, the sooner our kids—and even our pets—grasp the true value of what they have. Living in a consumerist culture, the perpetual quest for the next big thing becomes an intrinsic part of our lives. Children, in particular, are influenced by the world around them—be it through advertising or the desire for the latest gadgets that their friends may possess. In their pursuit of the latest trends and upgrades, we inadvertently diminish the significance of the possessions and experiences we already have. Simplicity is about figuring out what are the basics, and then ensuring the basics are met. For anything beyond the basics, kids need to work for it. Sticking to the basics isn't just a matter of frugality; it's a ...

Recently, I found myself explaining the concept of Ahinsa to my children. As I delved into the explanation, memories from my own childhood surfaced – the teachings we received, the lessons we learned. Among them, Mohandas Gandhi's cherished Sanskrit sloka " Ahinsa Paramo Dharma - Non-violence is the ultimate duty " stood out, as well as his depiction of the three monkeys: Bura Mat Dekho - See no Evil Bura Mat Suno -  Hear no Evil Bura Mat Kaho - Say no Evil During COVID-19, as I delved deeper into my understanding of the Bhagavad Gita, a question emerged – an inquiry about Ahinsa itself. I grappled with the apparent contradiction: If Ahinsa was truly the highest virtue, why did Lord Krishna, a central figure in the Gita, encourage Arjuna to engage in the Kurukshetra war when Arjuna himself was hesitant to do so? The very foundation of non-violence seemed to be shaken by this apparent encouragement towards conflict. As I dwelled deeper into this I realized, that all these ...

 "Neighbours envy, Owners pride", this was a tagline of one of the prominent television brands in the 80's and 90's. As a kid, I never understood the meaning of envy, though I looked up the dictionary, the meaning was not well understood. As I grew up, slowly realized envy is an emotion that occurs when we lack something — whether it be a specific personal attribute or an object — that someone else has. Basically, Envy is the desire for something possessed by another, accompanied by a feeling of discontent or resentment There is a subtle difference between Jealousy and Envy, and often these words are used interchangeably. Jealousy typically arises in situations involving perceived threats to a valued relationship or possession. It often involves a fear of losing something that is already possessed or enjoyed, such as a relationship, a status, or a possession. Until now I used to think that these emotions are very much limited to humans. Yesterday I realised even anima...

In the 80's and 90's, as children growing up in India, we were often instructed to withhold our questions and obediently follow directives. Occasionally, when we mustered the courage to inquire, we were unjustly branded as argumentative rebels. While my father would make an effort to explain his reasoning, my mother on the other hand would usually quell the conversation. As most of my generation completed our education and entered the professional realm, a common observation was that we lacked the habit of asking probing questions. Yet, as we progressed, we began to recognize that exceptional leaders and thinkers stand out for their ability to pose insightful questions, unearthing perspectives that lead to transformative solutions. It takes time to undo the conditioning we had received. During the period of Covid and its aftermath, I found myself delving into the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. This revered scripture unfolds on the eve of the Kurukshetra War, a monumental confl...

During a recent social gathering, I had the privilege of being introduced to an exceptional individual – a name widely respected by old-timers in Hyderabad. While he keeps a low profile, he commands significant recognition among the elder generation. While those of my generation might not be familiar with him, our parents would undoubtedly recall his influence. Delving into his intriguing life story revealed a remarkable journey that started with his parents' arrival in India during the tumultuous partition of 1947. From humble beginnings, his father laid the foundation of a modest trading shop, which served as the stepping stone for their family's future. Growing up amidst the bustling streets of Hyderabad, he followed an unconventional path. Though formal education was limited, his innate curiosity led him to the realm of real estate and construction. Over time, he emerged as an emblem of resilience and vision. Today, nestled in the heart of the city near the iconic Birla Man...

Our thoughts, potent and persuasive, often mold the contours of our self-conception. During moments of solitude, our minds operate on hyperdrive, tirelessly dissecting past experiences and contemplating the ever-evolving future. This cerebral dance frequently triggers self-examination and self-critique. Regrettably, these introspections can at times birth negativity. The habit of overthinking becomes a magnifying glass for negativity, amplifying its impact through various lenses: Exaggeration of Flaws: We tend to amplify negative aspects, undermining our positive attributes. Fault-Finding: Whether it's self-blame or blaming others, we dissect what went wrong, intensifying negativity. Cascading Failures: One setback leads us to anticipate further failures due to a domino effect. Unrealistic Self-Blame: Imposing unattainable standards, we unjustly hold ourselves responsible for any lapse. Polarization: Our tendency to categorize situations as either good or bad leaves little room for...

Humans naturally gravitate toward preserving options, driven by an aversion to limiting choices. The mere thought of relinquishing alternatives triggers anxiety and frustration. For e.g We maintain an array of open windows on our laptops, even while engaged in crucial tasks, swayed by the allure of notifications from emails, LinkedIn, or messages that interrupt our flow. Likewise, our closets host garments untouched for years, bound by sentimental value, appearance, or cost. The OLX India motto, "Purana jayega tabhi to naya ayega" (Only when old is removed, can the new arrive), resonates, urging us to release the past first to embrace the future. When venturing beyond our comfort zones, uncertainty often prompts us to cling to alternatives, akin to having a lifejacket while venturing into uncharted waters. This hinders our full commitment, it is similar to not swimming wholeheartedly knowing that we have a lifejacket at hand. We see this often, parting messages when people le...

A Smile can be a disguise Concealing both joy and sadness It can be potent yet contagious Can break barriers and ease tensions  Yet only a few practice faking it and fewer master the art Those who truly grasp your soul  Can see through the disguise  When you've got someone who can read the smile, Hold them close, they are a gift from a previous life

In a world driven by material pursuits and societal expectations, it's easy to lose sight of what true success means for each of us. A recent conversation with an old classmate from my master's program got me thinking about the essence of success and the importance of introspection in defining our paths. He was talking about his current role, and how he has been in it for 5+ years, how he has been with the company for 20+ years, etc.  I heard him for some time and then asked him what success means to him. He had a tough time articulating it. Breaking Free from the Norm: As we go through life, we often find ourselves imitating the dreams and aspirations of others, believing they hold the key to happiness and fulfillment. However, the real success lies in breaking free from such conformities and forging our own unique path. Only after distancing ourselves from the noise, can we discover our true purpose. Rethinking Success: We've been conditioned to believe that success is sy...

Communication Communication is essential for any relationship Serving as a vital bridge between hearts and minds Yet often we talk past, missing vital intersections Sometimes silence is golden and helps repair the relationship or just sustain it from further erosion   Aging As we age, there is a  profound shift occurs in the dynamics of attraction From physical attraction, it transcends to the realm of a profound mental connection Having a partner who speaks the same language (thought process, wavelength, perspective, etc) helps, or else it is a lifetime of translation and ideas being lost in translation. Partners may share physical space, yet often dwell in isolated worlds due to the inefficacy of translation Maturity  People mature and  eventually  become spiritual sooner or later.  People who have experienced ups and downs, turn spiritual earlier than others.  Life experiences eventually help us accept our fears, douse our anger, enable our minds to...

A few years back I read an interesting article about generational wealth and how 70% of families lose their wealth by the second generation and 90% lose their wealth by the third generation. The link to the article  Generational Wealth . In Indian context, I have actually seen this happening within my mother's family. My maternal grandfather was a farmer, he had inherited an Agrahara from his father (almost 120+ acres of land). Over the years, some of this land was sold to marry the daughters, some to take care of debt, and so on. When my Grandfather passed away, in 1987 he had about 50+ acres of land which were inherited by the four sons. Each son (my mama's) got approx 15+ acres of land. Within 15 years, two of the four sons lost everything (gambling, drinking, cigarettes, petty loans, carelessness etc.). While the other two retained whatever they got.  Since the other two Mama's were employed in outside the state, they would give out the land to other farmers on contract...

I wonder what percentage of Indian parents return home with their heads held high after school Parent Teacher Meetings, When the teachers share the progress and give direct feedback about the child. I had this humbling experience last week when I went to kid's school. Meeting each teacher, and hearing a set of complaints about my daughter who is studying 5th grade was not an enjoyable experience.  As I was returning from school, my mind was thinking about how my father handled feedback about me when I was a kid. I probably had potential but was too distracted to ever live up to potential during my early years. After PTM's, my father used to say nothing to me, my mother would continue to nag for the whole week. My mother would always bring in the comparison with the next-door neighbor's kid who was doing great. My daughter also displays some similar traits, like being overconfident, wanting attention, being unable to focus, and being too lazy to write anything in class.   ...

It would be an understatement to say Covid Pandemic has changed lives. People Across the globe experienced Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Loneliness, or isolation. This weekend I took some "ME" time out to reflect on the 3.5 years since the lockdown. Covid had a positive effect on me as I reevaluated myself. As a child, we used to watch Mahabharat on Television, it was a Sunday ritual for the whole family to get ready and sit down to watch the serial. By the end of the series, I had learned the Mahabharat title song by heart. There was a verse in the song . yada yada hi dharmasya gyanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam adharmasya tadatmanam srjamy aham paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ  vināśhāya cha duṣhkṛitām dharma-sansthāpanārthāya  sambhavāmi yuge yuge I never really understood the verse, one of the covid lockdown days I was googling the meaning of this Sanskrit Shloka. I actually found that this verse is from the Bhagwad GITA Chapter 4 Verse 7 and 8.  Before this day the onl...