The Weight of Grudges and the Light of Letting Go

The Weight of Grudges and the Light of Letting Go

A grudge is a strange companion. It arrives silently, like an uninvited guest, and lingers in the chambers of the heart longer than it should. It feeds on old wounds, nourished by pride and hurt, until it becomes a shadow that darkens one’s path. But does carrying such a shadow truly serve us? Or is it better to let it dissolve into the ether of time?

I do not hold grudges. They are heavy, cumbersome, and unworthy of the space they demand in my soul. Instead, I choose to shut the doors that lead to bitterness and close the windows that let in the cold winds of resentment. Life is too fleeting to keep rehearsing the theatre of past injuries. Like autumn leaves that fall to enrich the soil, I allow past wrongs to drift away, turning them into nourishment for self-growth.

Philosophers and mystics across the ages have advised against the clinging of grudges. Marcus Aurelius spoke of rising above the offence of others, reminding us that it is not the act itself but our perception that stings. In the Bhagavad Gita, the counsel is clear: the wise do not bind themselves with attachments of pain or pleasure, for both hinder the journey of the soul. To forgive is not to excuse—it is to free oneself from the invisible chains that hold one captive.

When I choose not to grudge, I am not proclaiming victory over others; rather, I am declaring victory over myself. My energies are redirected towards polishing the mirror of my soul, refining my ideologies, and cultivating inner harmony. Each closed door is not an act of bitterness but a conscious decision to guard my peace. Each shuttered window is not isolation but an act of prioritising serenity.

It is not silence that is empty; it is silence that protects, heals, and creates. In silence, I find my strength; in forgiveness, I rediscover my freedom.

Grudges are thorns that pierce unseen,
Shadows that cloud where light has been.
I choose not chains, but wings to rise,
To see new dawns with clearer skies.

I shut the door on spite’s loud call,
And close the window that darkens all.
For peace is wealth, and love my creed,
In silence I find the strength I need.

Not bound by hurt, nor trapped by pain,
I till my soul like fertile plain.
Where grudges die, new dreams will grow,
And wisdom lights the path I go.

Beyond Horizons: A Journey into the Unknown

Beyond Horizons: A Journey into the Unknown

There are journeys that take us away from our physical homes, and then there are journeys that peel us away from the cocoon of our known selves. The furthest I have ever travelled was not merely measured in miles, but in the widening arc of my imagination, my courage, and my spirit.

I remember the voyage—long, winding, and dotted with unfamiliar landscapes. The train of time seemed to move both faster and slower, as if testing my patience and resolve. Each bend of the road carried me away from comfort and closer to uncertainty. Yet, in that very uncertainty lay the thrill of discovery. I could feel in my bones the truth of T. S. Eliot’s words: “We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”

The practical difficulties were plenty. Finances were strained; the air of loneliness often grew heavier than the luggage I carried; and my heart, though brave, often longed for the soothing embrace of familiarity. There were days when the very ground beneath my feet felt alien, when the taste of food carried no echo of home, and when language barriers turned simple conversations into riddles. Yet, every stumbling block became a stepping stone, shaping me into a traveller of not just lands, but of life itself.

Along the journey, I stumbled upon subtle romances—not the loud proclamations of love that novels glorify, but the silent courtesies, the ethical gestures that bloom in human encounters. A stranger who offered guidance in a crowded station, a local who shared food from their basket, a fellow traveller whose eyes carried the warmth of companionship without asking for names. These small romances with humanity stitched a fabric of belonging in foreign lands. It was not the possession of another’s heart, but the recognition of a shared soul.

Philosophically, I learnt that to travel far is to travel deep. The landscapes I crossed—the mountains, seas, and cities—mirrored the landscapes within me: of fear, of longing, of resilience. The further I went, the more I understood that home is not merely a place; it is a state of peace carried in one’s heart. In every sunset that dyed the sky with molten gold, in every temple bell that echoed across valleys, in every silent star-strewn night, I realised that the universe itself was gently whispering: you belong everywhere and nowhere.

And so, the furthest journey became the most intimate one. It was not about reaching a destination marked on a map, but about discovering the vast, untapped horizons within.

Beneath the arch of foreign skies,
I learnt that truth in silence lies,
Each road a verse, each mile a song,
To travel far is to belong.

Beneath strange moons, in lands untold,
I bartered warmth for nights of cold,
Yet every dawn, with crimson hue,
Unveiled a world both strange and new.

The rivers sang of time’s embrace,
The mountains spoke of inner grace,
And in their whispers, soft and deep,
I found the truths I yearned to keep.

The sea may part, the winds may roam,
Yet in my heart I carry home,
Beyond horizons, near or far,
I found myself—a wandering star.

A Dwelling Beyond Bricks: My Ideal Home

A Dwelling Beyond Bricks: My Ideal Home

Home is more than a structure of walls and a roof; it is the soul’s sanctuary, a sacred space where silence speaks and the heart finds rest. When I imagine my ideal home, it is not merely measured in square feet, but in the abundance of warmth, grace, and meaning it holds.

I see it nestled amidst nature, perhaps at the edge of a hill where the winds hum their eternal tunes or by a quiet lake where the waters mirror the sky. The garden is alive with bougainvillaea and marigolds, whispering to the butterflies and singing with the birds at dawn. The fragrance of jasmine, carried by the breeze, would linger like a prayer offered each evening.

Inside, simplicity reigns supreme. No gaudy ornamentation, no race for luxury—just an elegant balance of comfort and minimalism. Wooden beams and soft lights would create a warmth that soothes both body and spirit. A small library, with shelves sagging under the weight of timeless wisdom, would occupy a sacred corner. There, under the glow of a lamp, I would travel through the thoughts of philosophers, poets, and dreamers, who long ago left their footprints on the sands of time.

My ideal home would be a haven of conversations, music, and silence alike. A place where laughter rings freely, but where solitude is also deeply respected. The walls would not only echo with human voices but would also hold the resonance of hymns, ragas, and whispers of prayer. In such a dwelling, time would feel like a gentle river, not a raging torrent.

Philosophically, my home would embody the Upanishadic wisdom—“Tat Tvam Asi”—reminding me that every guest, bird, or breeze that enters the door is not separate, but a part of the greater whole. It would also reflect the biblical thought, “My peace I give unto you,” making the space a temple of harmony where even silence becomes eloquent.

Above all, my ideal home would not be defined by grandeur, but by goodness. It would be a place where compassion breathes in every corner, where kindness flows like incense, and where one learns daily that true wealth is measured not in possessions, but in peace of mind.

A home of light, not built of stone,
Where hearts unite, and none feel alone.
A garden of dreams, where hopes take flight,
A lamp of wisdom, forever bright.

In its quiet, the spirit shall roam,
Yes, that is my vision—my ideal home.

A Tear of Joy – The Soul’s Silent Hymn

A Tear of Joy – The Soul’s Silent Hymn

There are moments in life when words fall short, and the heart chooses to speak through the eyes. A tear of joy is no ordinary tear—it is a silent hymn of the soul, a crystalline pearl born out of gratitude, fulfilment, and profound beauty. Unlike the tears of sorrow that weigh us down, a tear of joy lifts us, reminding us of the invisible threads binding human emotions to the divine.

Joyful tears are the paradox of life—they come not in times of laughter alone but in moments when the spirit feels overwhelmed by grace. When a long-cherished dream sees the light of dawn, when the impossible bends before perseverance, or when beauty transcends reason—a symphony, a sunset, a whispered prayer—these are the occasions when the heart trembles and the eyes well up.

Philosophers have often spoken of such moments as the unveiling of truth. Plato likened beauty to the recollection of perfection; in that revelation, the soul rejoices with a sweetness too deep to contain. Spiritual texts too remind us that tears can be a form of worship. In the Bhagavad Gita, devotion is said to be complete when love overflows beyond the boundaries of the body. Similarly, the Psalms of David echo that tears of joy are an offering at the altar of the Divine.

Yet perhaps the most delicate tears of joy are found in the garden of romance. When two souls, once strangers, discover a bond too pure for description, the eyes often betray the heart. The first confession of love, the promise whispered under a quiet sky, or the moment when hands intertwine after long separation—these are occasions when emotion transcends words. A single tear glistening on the cheek of a lover is not weakness but an eloquence beyond poetry. Shakespeare wrote that “the eyes are the window to the soul”; in romance, they become the very stage where passion performs its truest act.

A tear of joy is thus not fragility but a testament of depth. It is the mark of being human, of being able to feel life in all its intensity. Sometimes, it arrives at the smallest gestures—a kind word, a selfless act, a touch of forgiveness. Other times, it flows at the grand realisations—that we are still alive, still capable of love, still worthy of grace.

These tears are sacred droplets, uniting us to the eternal mystery. They tell us we are not mechanical beings but vessels of emotions, capable of carrying both pain and bliss together. They whisper that life, however fleeting, is profound enough to bring the heavens into our eyes.

And when one such tear gently escapes, it baptises the soul with a soft reminder—that joy, when pure, is always touched by the divine.

A tear rolls down, yet no sorrow it bears,
It glistens with sunlight, a hymn of prayers.
A pearl of the spirit, too tender to hide,
A river of rapture, where grace does abide.

In the warmth of love, when two hearts meet,
A tear slips quietly, tender and sweet.
It speaks of devotion, unspoken, profound,
A silence of passion where true love is found.

It falls without reason, yet reason it brings,
A melody silent, a bird without wings.
O tear of sweet joy, you silently prove,
That the heart still remembers, the power to love.

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