Why I Choose to Blog: A Dialogue with My Soul

Why I Choose to Blog: A Dialogue with My Soul

There are questions in life that are whispered rather than asked aloud. Why do I blog? Perhaps the answer lies not in the mechanics of writing but in the metaphysics of existence itself.

Writing, for me, is not merely an exercise of words; it is a pilgrimage of the mind. Every blog I compose becomes a bridge—between thought and expression, between silence and sound, between solitude and companionship. It is as if the soul, laden with unspoken tales, finds a window to the world through the fragile lattice of sentences.

When I blog, I converse not only with readers but also with myself. The words that flow are both confessions and contemplations, both revelations and reminders. They are my way of tracing the outlines of life’s tapestry, woven with joy, sorrow, triumph, failure, and the eternal search for meaning.

Philosophers have long argued that man is both a being of memory and a seeker of eternity. To blog is to honour both dimensions—it is to preserve fleeting thoughts as memory while casting them into the river of time where others may drink from its flow. Just as Marcus Aurelius wrote his meditations not for the applause of the world but for the refinement of his spirit, I too write to cleanse the dust that gathers on the corridors of the mind.

There is also a poetic undercurrent in this endeavour. Words, when aligned with imagination, become like wildflowers blooming along the roadside—unnoticed by many, yet fragrant enough to make a traveller pause. Blogging is my way of planting such wildflowers, in the hope that some passer-by will linger, breathe deeply, and leave a little lighter.

In an age where noise often drowns nuance, where haste overshadows reflection, blogging stands for me as an oasis of stillness. It is where I reconcile with my past, converse with my present, and reach for my future.

And perhaps, above all, I blog because to write is to resist oblivion. Long after my voice falls silent, words may remain as lanterns, guiding unknown wanderers who stumble upon them in the corridors of time.

In whispers of ink my silence speaks,
A candle of thought in the night it seeks,
Each word a prayer, each line a song,
A journey within where souls belong.

I write to heal, I write to be,
A mirror of truth, a window to me,
If someday these words find your heart,
Know that from silence, love took its start.

“Cocktails, Cutlery, and Cackles: An Interview Over Dinner”

“Cocktails, Cutlery, and Cackles: An Interview Over Dinner”

The restaurant lights glowed, glasses clinked, and dishes made their theatrical entrances. Between sips of cocktails and bites of dinner, I interviewed my friend — let’s call him Mr. Spirited. What followed was an evening of laughter, satire, and truths dressed up in humour.

Q: If life were a cocktail, which one would you be?

A: A Long Island Iced Tea. I look simple, but spend enough time with me and the world starts spinning in mysterious ways.

Q: How do you usually tackle life’s problems?

A: Like appetisers. Take a bite, chew carefully, and if it’s too spicy, swallow with dignity and order another drink.

Q: Do you believe in fitness?

A: Certainly! I jog… my memory. I lift… mostly glasses. And I stretch… the truth, when necessary.

Q: What do you think of smartphones and social media?

A: They’re like cocktails. One sip is refreshing, the second sip is exciting, and by the tenth you’re dancing with strangers on Instagram reels.
(Pauses) The most suspenseful thriller of modern life? Watching your phone battery die at 20%.

Q: If you were to redesign politics, what would you change?

A: Easy. Every debate in parliament should be held over dinner. Imagine ministers negotiating with plates of biryani — they’d at least agree on who gets the last chicken leg.

Q: What about the state of education today?

A: Education now is like ordering a three-course meal and only getting the bill. Students leave with degrees hotter than their parents’ tempers, but colder than the job market.

Q: And health consciousness?

A: I’m very health conscious. I believe in balanced diets — a burger in each hand. And I walk daily… from the sofa to the fridge. Besides, laughter burns calories — we’re practically exercising now.

Q: What’s your view on climate change?

A: Serious matter. But if we’re truly saving the planet, can we please invent straws that don’t collapse halfway through a mojito? Saving Earth shouldn’t taste like soggy cardboard.

Q: And society as a whole?

A: Society is like this tiramisu we’re eating — sweet on top, complicated in the middle, and hiding secrets at the bottom. Everyone’s busy adding filters, forgetting the original flavour is usually the best.

Q: What’s your philosophy of happiness?

A: Happiness is dessert. If you wait too long, someone else eats it.

Q: And wisdom?

A: Wisdom is realising pasta is just flour in fancy clothes. Never be fooled by appearances — in food, or in people.

Q: If you became Prime Minister for a day, what’s the first law you’d pass?

A: Free dessert for every citizen. Peace treaties may fail, but no one argues with chocolate in their mouth.

Q: Finally, what’s your greatest achievement so far?

A: I once resisted ordering a second dessert. That, my friend, is self-control at Olympic level.

Curtain Call

The interview ended with laughter echoing louder than the background jazz. Between satire and silliness, truth slipped onto the table like an uninvited dish — reminding us that humour is often the sharpest knife to cut through the meat of reality.

Over cocktails and plates we played,
Jokes like garnishes neatly laid.
Between each laugh, a truth took seat,
Satire made the evening sweet.

So here’s to friends, to food, to fun,
To wisdom masked in puns well-spun.
For life’s a feast when humour flows,
And friendship is the wine that glows.

Book Review: Quantum Vision – From Optics to the Universe

Book Review: Quantum Vision – From Optics to the Universe

Available at
http://www.amazon.com in digital and print format

About the Book

Quantum Vision – From Optics to Electronics – the Universe is more than just a Physics textbook—it is an intellectual companion for learners, educators, and enthusiasts of science. The book provides a comprehensive syllabus coverage for Class XII Physics, meticulously designed to align with CBSE, State Boards, ICSE, and A-Level curriculum. Beyond board examinations, it also serves as a powerful resource for students preparing for competitive examinations, offering clarity of concepts, rigorous practice, and insight into applications.

The text is structured to make complex ideas in Optics, Modern Physics, and Quantum phenomena accessible, while still retaining the depth and rigour needed for advanced learners. Carefully curated illustrations, problem sets, and explanatory notes ensure that the reader develops not just theoretical knowledge but also analytical thinking.

About the Author
Prashant Kumar Lal, an educationist with over 38 years of experience, has served as a Principal, academic trainer, and consultant to leading schools. His lifelong engagement with teaching Physics has enabled him to blend pedagogical wisdom with scientific clarity. Having authored books, conducted teacher training workshops, and led institutions, he brings both scholarship and practical experience to his writing. His deep-rooted passion for guiding young minds shines through every page of this book.

Target Readers

1. Students of Class XII (CBSE, State Boards, ICSE, A-Level)

2. Competitive exam aspirants (JEE, NEET, and other entrance tests)

3. Teachers and educators seeking a reliable reference and teaching aid

4. Lifelong learners and enthusiasts of Physics and cosmology

USP (Unique Selling Proposition)
What sets Quantum Vision – From Optics to the Universe apart is its holistic approach:

1. Curriculum integration: Covers multiple national and international syllabi in one text.

2. Exam-oriented clarity: Ideal for both board exams and competitive preparation.

3. Concept-to-application flow: Bridges the gap between textbook Physics and the wonder of the universe.

4. Educator’s insight: Written by an author who has trained thousands of students and teachers, ensuring simplicity without losing scientific rigour.

This book is not just for passing exams; it is for developing a vision—quantum and cosmic—that shapes a student’s understanding of the world.

Available now at:  http://www.amazon.com

“Echoes of the Heart: How I Am Feeling Now”

“Echoes of the Heart: How I Am Feeling Now”

Feelings are elusive travellers; they come and go like shadows under the sun, sometimes bright, sometimes faint, but always present. At this very moment, I feel as though I am standing on the edge of a quiet shore, listening to the waves of my inner world roll in. There is a strange mix of serenity and yearning—an intermingling of calm acceptance and restless curiosity.

I feel the weight of silence, not as an emptiness, but as a vessel filled with meaning. It is like sitting under a twilight sky, where every star seems to whisper secrets of the universe. My heart carries gratitude for the gift of breath, for the rhythm of time, and for the unseen hands that guide my path. At the same time, there is a subtle ache, a reminder of life’s impermanence, echoing the words of Heraclitus—“No man ever steps in the same river twice.”

Philosophically, I find my feelings aligned with the thought that existence itself is a conversation between the finite and the infinite. The Bhagavad Gita reminds us that the soul is eternal, untouched by the cycles of joy and sorrow. Yet, in this human vessel, I cannot escape the touch of both. My feelings rise and fall like the pendulum of a timeless clock—swings of delight and pangs of longing interwoven into the tapestry of being.

Right now, I am neither fully joyous nor deeply sorrowful. I am simply aware—aware of the present moment as a sacred intersection of what was and what is to come. The philosopher Marcus Aurelius once reflected, “Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” I feel as though my heart is doing exactly that—running alongside the stars, though my body remains grounded here on earth.

And so, I welcome these feelings, not as burdens but as blessings. For to feel is to be alive, and to be alive is to carry both the fire of hope and the calm of acceptance.

Beneath the sky of endless hue,
I feel the old, yet find the new,
A tide within, both deep and wide,
Where silence and my soul abide.

Not joy alone, not sorrow’s chain,
But gentle sun after the rain,
This present breath, this fleeting now,
Teaches me life’s sacred vow.

In every tear, in every song,
The heart learns where it may belong,
And so I walk, both still and free,
A traveller through eternity.

The Quiet Rituals that Shape a Life

The Quiet Rituals that Shape a Life

Life is often compared to a river — sometimes rushing with force, sometimes meandering gently, and at other times resting in pools of silence. Amid this ebb and flow, I have discovered that a simple daily habit holds the power to refine the quality of my existence: the practice of mindful reflection each morning.

When dawn breaks and the first rays of light touch the earth, I sit in stillness — not merely to plan the day, but to listen to it before it begins. In that hushed moment, when the world is half-awake, I breathe deeply, gather my thoughts, and let gratitude unfold like the petals of a morning flower. This quiet pause offers me clarity that no storm of the day can entirely sweep away.

Philosophers and poets across centuries have recognised this truth. Marcus Aurelius wrote in his Meditations that “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” Similarly, the Upanishads remind us that within silence lies the doorway to the eternal. By cultivating this habit daily, I find my soul tuned to a higher rhythm, where ordinary moments glisten with extraordinary light.

It is not an elaborate ritual. There are no grand gestures. Just a notebook, a pen, and my own wandering reflections. Some days I write down a thought that inspires me, some days I sketch a fleeting idea, and on others I merely breathe and let silence do the talking. But this consistent act, like polishing a mirror, clears away the dust of confusion and brings inner harmony.

In a world clamouring with noise, the gift of such a habit is immeasurable. It lends strength to face trials, softens the heart to embrace joys, and steadies the spirit when shadows lengthen. It is not time stolen from life, but time invested in its deeper unfolding.

And so, as days weave into weeks and weeks into years, this small daily practice becomes the loom on which the fabric of life is woven — strong, simple, and radiant.

At dawn I sit where silence sings,
A breath, a thought, and hope it brings,
The world may rush, yet here I stay,
To greet the calm before the day.

A pen, a page, a whispered prayer,
A soul unburdened of its care,
This little habit, soft yet deep,
Is where my truest treasures sleep.

The Rock That Became God: A Legacy of Faith and Ganesh Chaturthi

The Rock That Became God: A Legacy of Faith and Ganesh Chaturthi

In the quiet corners of our ancestral home, there stands a modest temple, no more than three feet tall, yet towering in its spiritual presence. Adjacent to our well—our lifeline in days gone by—and beside a sanctified platform of Tulsi, dwells Shri Ganesh Jee, not sculpted by human hands but revealed by nature herself.

Inside this humble shrine rests a huge rock, miraculously shaped in the very likeness of Lord Ganesha. Its contours, its trunk-like form, its divine semblance—all whispered to us that this was no ordinary stone but a manifestation of the Vighnaharta, the remover of obstacles.

Every morning, as children, we would pour water over this rock, bathing the Lord, and then smear Him with vermilion (sindoor), until He glowed with a radiance that even the rising sun seemed to envy. To us, this was not a mere ritual—it was the act of conversing with divinity, of making Him part of our daily lives, from dawn till dusk.

But the story of how He came to reside there is, perhaps, even more divine. My grandfather, a man of immense devotion and strength, once found this rock in the wilderness. Solid, weighty, and majestic, he recognised the sacred aura it carried. With unflinching determination, he carried it on his back, walking for miles through forests and mountains. His journey was not just a feat of physical endurance but an act of pure surrender—an offering of his sweat and spirit to the Lord. What a pious venture! That day, a stone became God, and faith became heritage.

Decades have passed since my grandfather left us, but his devotion breathes through this temple. On every occasion—be it joyous or sorrowful—our family bows before this Ganesha. He has become the eternal witness of our celebrations, our prayers, and our tears.

And today, as the world celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi, my heart returns to that temple beside the well, to that Tulsi platform, and to that vermilion-covered rock that became the soul of our home.

Philosophical Reflections

Lord Ganesha, the embodiment of wisdom, intellect, and auspicious beginnings, teaches us that God need not be sought in the grandiose, but often resides in the humblest of places. Our little temple, modest in size yet infinite in grace, reminds us of the Sanskrit verse:

सुखकर्ता दुःखहर्ता वार्ता विघ्नाची ।
नुरवी पूर्वी प्रेम कृपा जयाची ॥
(Sukhakarta Dukhharta Varta Vighnachi |
Nuravi Purvi Prema Krupa Jayachi ||)

Pronunciation: Sukhakarta dukhaharta varta vighnachi, nuravi purvi prema krupa jayachi.

Meaning: “O Ganesha, the one who brings joy, removes sorrow, and eradicates obstacles, you shower your boundless love and grace upon your devotees.”

How perfectly this encapsulates what our temple has meant to us—it has been the fountain of joy, the eraser of sorrows, and the anchor of grace in our lives.

Another timeless verse resonates as I reflect upon my grandfather’s sacrifice in bringing the Lord home:

वक्रतुंड महाकाय सूर्यकोटि समप्रभ ।
निर्विघ्नं कुरु मे देव सर्वकार्येषु सर्वदा ॥

Pronunciation: Vakratunda Mahakaya Surya Koti Samaprabha |
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada ||

Meaning: “O Ganesha, the one with a curved trunk and mighty form, whose splendour equals a million suns, may you remove obstacles from all my endeavours, always.”

Is this not what my grandfather sought—that the Lord bless his family, that the coming generations may find shelter in His grace?

A Living Heritage

Ganesh Chaturthi is not just a festival of clay idols, pandals, and processions. It is a reminder that the divine is both near and far, both formless and formed. It teaches us that the truest temples are not those that touch the sky but those that touch the heart.

Our little shrine stands even today, weathered by monsoons, blessed by the sun, and perfumed by Tulsi. It continues to teach us that devotion is not measured in grandeur but in the purity of intent. The rock our grandfather carried has become our spiritual inheritance, a symbol of resilience, humility, and unending faith.

On this Ganesh Chaturthi, as millions welcome Lord Ganesha into their homes, I silently bow to that ancient rock in our temple, to my grandfather’s back that bore its weight, and to the timeless truth that when faith moves mountains, even stones become Gods.

“Faith is the well, devotion is the Tulsi, and God is the rock—eternal, steadfast, and unshakeable.”

Tracing Curiosity in the Digital Mirror

Tracing Curiosity in the Digital Mirror

The last thing I searched for online was the origin of a word. At first glance, it may appear trivial, a mere act of etymological inquiry. Yet, beneath its surface, it held a whole ocean of meanings waiting to be unravelled. Words, after all, are not just sounds or symbols etched upon a page—they are vessels of thought, carriers of culture, and echoes of time itself.

The question that led me to this search was simple: where does this word truly come from, and what journeys has it undertaken through history to rest upon my tongue today? Curiosity nudged me forward, much like a candle flickering in the quiet chambers of the mind, illuminating forgotten corridors of knowledge. The online world, often accused of breeding distraction, became in that moment a gateway to deeper reflection.

In peeling away the layers of language, I stumbled upon philosophies of life itself. Each word seemed like a seed scattered across centuries, nurtured by countless voices and reshaped by human experience. My search was not about filling a gap of ignorance but about stitching myself closer to the grand fabric of existence. In chasing a single word, I felt connected to generations past and those yet to come.

Why was I looking for it? Perhaps because words have always been my silent companions. They do not betray, they do not wither—they stand like lighthouses amidst the stormy seas of life. To know their roots is to know a little more about oneself, for we are but stories woven in letters, sentences, and verses.

In truth, every online search reflects more than curiosity—it reflects the soul’s quiet yearning. Some seek answers to practical problems, others chase fleeting entertainment, but at the heart of it lies an ancient human instinct: the desire to know. My search, though modest, was my way of listening to the whispers of time, of bending my ear to the past, and of honouring the invisible threads that hold our world together.

As I closed the digital window, I felt lighter, as though a small door had been opened in the labyrinth of the mind. And it left me pondering: perhaps every search we make online is not just about finding—but about remembering, connecting, and awakening.