The Subtle Corners of Life We Overlook

The Subtle Corners of Life We Overlook

Life is not only measured by milestones but also by the quiet pauses in between. Too often, in chasing after goals and survival, we ignore the finer details that quietly weave happiness, contentment, and purpose. These details — health, relationships, time, spirituality, gratitude, learning, and balance — are the pillars of a life well-lived. Paying attention to them is not a luxury, but a necessity.

Health: The Silent Wealth

Health is like the foundation of a house — often invisible, but crucial. Without it, even the most beautiful structure collapses. Too many of us overlook the need for moderation in food, sufficient sleep, or mindful exercise until ailments force us to reconsider. Stress, anxiety, and fatigue are not badges of honour; they are alarms that demand change.

Attention to health is not merely about adding years to our life, but life to our years. Choosing a walk in the park over another hour on the couch, drinking water instead of sugary drinks, breathing deeply instead of rushing — these little habits can transform our well-being. In essence, health is the only form of wealth that, once lost, cannot always be regained.

Relationships: The Heartbeat of Existence

At the end of our journey, it is not achievements but people who matter. Relationships are the threads that bind us to meaning. Yet, in the pursuit of success, we sometimes reduce family dinners to rushed meals and friendships to digital interactions.

True attention to relationships requires presence — listening without glancing at phones, valuing conversations beyond utility, and showing care not only in grand gestures but in simple consistency. Relationships thrive not on perfection, but on patience, kindness, and forgiveness. Paying attention to the people around us is paying attention to the very heartbeat of existence.

Time: The Irreplaceable Treasure

Time is democratic — it gives each of us 24 hours a day, no more, no less. Yet, how differently it is spent determines the quality of our lives. Often, we squander hours scrolling endlessly or worrying about things beyond our control.

Paying attention to time means recognising its fragility. Prioritising meaningful work over mindless busyness, choosing quality over quantity, and reserving time for rest, hobbies, and reflection are all ways of honouring this gift. When we learn to live in the present, instead of being imprisoned by the past or consumed by the future, time reveals itself as a treasure chest brimming with possibilities.

Spirituality: The Inner Compass

Material possessions satisfy only the surface of life; spirituality nourishes its depth. Spirituality need not always be bound to rituals — it can be as simple as sitting in silence, contemplating the vastness of the sky, or feeling connected to humanity at large.

When we pay attention to the inner self, we cultivate resilience. Failures hurt less, success feels humbler, and loneliness turns into solitude. Spirituality is the compass that guides us when life’s maps no longer make sense. Without it, we may have direction, but no true meaning.

Gratitude: The Lens of Joy

Gratitude turns scarcity into sufficiency and ordinary days into celebrations. Yet, we often overlook it, taking people, opportunities, and even our own abilities for granted.

When we pause to notice the fragrance of flowers, the smile of a stranger, or the love of family, life transforms. Attention to gratitude builds contentment — for it reminds us that happiness is not about chasing what we lack, but honouring what we already have. A grateful person carries light in their heart, even in the darkest valleys.

Learning: The Eternal Flame

The human spirit is restless when it ceases to grow. Learning is not confined to school or university; it is the lifelong act of staying curious. When we stop learning, we stagnate, but when we continue, we evolve.

Attention to learning does not mean collecting degrees; it means remaining open — to books, to new skills, to experiences, to perspectives different from our own. It keeps the mind agile and the heart adventurous. To learn is to live many lives in one.

Balance: The Forgotten Art

Life is neither to be lived in constant labour nor in endless leisure. Too much of one drains us; too much of the other dulls us. Balance is the art of harmony — of ensuring that career does not suffocate family, that rest is not mistaken for idleness, and that ambition does not overshadow joy.

To pay attention to balance is to embrace the middle path — where one can work with dedication and still find time to laugh with loved ones, where one can pursue dreams without abandoning peace of mind. Balance is the rhythm that turns the noise of life into music.

Life whispers softly in fleeting ways,
In dawn’s first light and twilight’s haze.
Not in the trophies or gold we hold,
But in the stories quietly told.

Attend to health, for strength is brief,
To love that comforts, to time that’s chief.
To gratitude’s glow and wisdom’s flame,
To balance that steadies the shifting game.

For life is not measured in years alone,
But in seeds of kindness that we have sown.
A heart attentive, both gentle and true,
Finds joy eternal in all it will do.

My Dawn’s Pledge: A Priority Wrapped in Prayer and Poetry

My Dawn’s Pledge: A Priority Wrapped in Prayer and Poetry

As the curtain of night gently falls and tomorrow whispers its promise, I find myself pondering a single question: What shall be my number one priority when the sun rises again?

In this ever-demanding world, priorities often scatter like autumn leaves, carried by the restless winds of duty, desire, and distraction. Yet, in my heart, I long to choose one—one that stands tall, like a flame on a brass lamp, guiding the hours to come.

Tomorrow, my foremost priority is not a task penned in a planner, nor a meeting inked on the calendar, but a deeper vow: to celebrate life in its wholeness—through gratitude, reverence, and the embrace of beauty.

The Philosophy of Choosing One Priority

Life often places us in the marketplace of choices, where philosophers from Aristotle to Tagore remind us that clarity is the soul’s compass. To choose a priority is not merely to select an activity—it is to shape a way of being.

I think of Marcus Aurelius, who spoke of living each day as if it were the last, and of Indian sages who urged mindfulness as a path to liberation. Tomorrow’s priority is then not about achievement but about alignment—with the self, with nature, and with the divine.

Romance with Life and Nature

What could be more romantic than waking to the orchestra of birds at dawn, or watching the eastern sky blush in hues of rose and saffron? Tomorrow, I wish to romance life itself—to breathe deeply, to walk among trees adorned with festive flowers, to let the cool breeze trace poems on my skin.

Every leaf holds a love letter written by nature, every petal whispers secrets of eternity. My priority shall be to pause, to listen, to let these gentle romances remind me that joy is found not in grand possessions but in delicate presences.

Durga Pooja: A Festival of Priorities

The timing feels almost celestial, for tomorrow falls within the sacred days of Durga Pooja, when lamps glow in courtyards, conches resound, and the goddess is adorned with vermilion and garlands.

Durga is not only the vanquisher of demons but also the mother who reminds us to fight the chaos within—our fears, doubts, and distractions. My number one priority tomorrow shall be to let her spirit enter my being, to vanquish the demon of restlessness, and to restore the calm courage needed to live fully.

In the rhythmic beats of the dhaak, in the fragrance of incense curling upwards, I find a reminder that devotion itself is a priority—not as ritual alone, but as a lived experience, a surrender to the greater order of existence.

The Social and Spiritual Weave

To make life meaningful, priorities must weave through both the social and the spiritual. Tomorrow, I wish to look into the eyes of people with kindness, to share words that heal rather than hurt, and to extend small courtesies that ripple like blessings.

Economists may call time the rarest resource, but saints remind us that love is the rarest priority. To hold a child’s hand, to speak gently to the elderly, to share laughter with friends—these shall be the economy of my tomorrow.

As I seal this pledge in words, I close my eyes and imagine tomorrow not as a burden to bear but as a garden to walk through. My number one priority is to make it fragrant, sacred, and serene.

When dawn shall break with golden hue,
My soul shall rise, refreshed, anew.
With Nature’s song and Goddess near,
I’ll choose to live with love sincere.

No crown, no coin, no fleeting fame,
Can light the heart or lift the flame.
My pledge, my prayer, my earnest plea—
To make tomorrow’s hours holy, free.

For in the beat of the festive drum,
A whisper says: “Let joy become.”
So be it, then, my heart’s decree,
Tomorrow’s priority—to simply be.

Nikola Tesla: The Forgotten Conductor of Light and Thunder

Nikola Tesla: The Forgotten Conductor of Light and Thunder

There are lives that read like poetry written in sparks of fire and currents of lightning. Nikola Tesla’s story is one such tale—a saga of brilliance, solitude, and the unrelenting pursuit of a future his contemporaries could scarcely imagine. He was a man whose very soul was tuned to the hum of the universe, hearing music in the crackle of electricity and visions in the dance of energy unseen.

A Life of Unwavering Vision

Born in 1856 in Smiljan, within the Austrian Empire (modern-day Croatia), Tesla was a child marked by imagination and intensity. His mind strayed beyond the limits of what was, daring to glimpse what could be. As a student of engineering and physics, he quickly surpassed the confines of his education, for textbooks could not bind his vision. His obsession was clear: to harness energy in ways that would liberate humankind from toil and darkness.

Scientific Journey and Triumphs

Tesla’s greatest contributions to physics and technology are woven deeply into the fabric of modern civilisation. His development of alternating current (AC) power transformed the very arteries of society. Unlike the fragile reach of direct current, AC could travel vast distances, carrying light to cities and villages alike. The world was forever changed.

He dreamt of a wireless future—power transmitted through the air, communication leaping across oceans without wires, and energy flowing freely to all corners of the earth. His experiments with resonant circuits, wireless transmission, and high-frequency waves became the very foundation of radio and modern wireless communication. His work with magnetic fields, induction motors, X-rays, and the early conception of radar placed him years—sometimes decades—ahead of his peers.

Tesla was not merely a scientist; he was a seer of physics, bending Maxwell’s equations into living inventions, hearing in mathematics the rhythm of nature itself.

Hurdles and Tragedies

Yet, genius often walks hand in hand with isolation. Tesla’s journey was fraught with betrayals, rivalries, and financial ruin. The infamous “War of Currents” against Thomas Edison was more than a technical contest—it was a clash of egos, economics, and power. While Tesla’s alternating current triumphed, he himself remained in the shadows of commercial success.

Time and again, he was exploited. Investors abandoned him, patents slipped from his grasp, and dreams of a global wireless energy system crumbled. In his later years, the world dismissed him as eccentric, a forgotten prophet feeding pigeons in a New York park. His final days were lived in obscurity, his brilliance dimmed by poverty, though his mind never ceased its dance with ideas.

A Legacy that Outlived Tragedy

Tesla’s story is a paradox of tragedy and triumph. Though denied wealth and recognition in life, his legacy shines brighter than ever today. He foresaw renewable energy, wireless technology, robotics, and the power of clean, boundless energy long before the world was ready to listen. Physics remembers him not only as an inventor but as a dreamer who bridged the gap between imagination and reality.

He reminds us that knowledge is not always rewarded in the present, but it carves an eternal path for future generations.

Beneath the storm’s electric glow,
A lonely figure walked below,
He whispered truths the world ignored,
And lit the skies with thought’s reward.

The wires sang, the towers dreamed,
Through every spark his vision gleamed,
Though silence cloaked his final years,
His thunder echoes through our spheres.

The man who courted light and flame,
Left us a world that speaks his name;
For Tesla’s soul, though lost to sight,
Still hums within the veins of night.

The Jewel Within: Cherishing the Trait I Value Most

The Jewel Within: Cherishing the Trait I Value Most

In the vast theatre of life, where personalities collide and ideologies contend, one often pauses to ask a simple yet profound question: What is the trait I value most about myself? To me, the answer is resilience—that quiet fire which keeps burning even when storms rage and when the world appears to be dimmed by shadows.

Resilience is not merely about surviving hardships; it is about transmuting them into stepping-stones. It is the alchemy of turning grief into wisdom, failure into strength, and loneliness into reflection. Like a river cutting through stone, resilience does not boast of its power, yet it reshapes landscapes.

Philosophically, the ancient Stoics considered endurance the cornerstone of human dignity. Socrates embraced death with unshaken calm, and Gandhi transformed political oppression into a movement of moral resilience. In a socio-political climate where voices are stifled and inequalities abound, resilience becomes more than a personal virtue; it is a form of silent resistance, a declaration that the human spirit will not be crushed by systems, nor by the weight of economic injustice.

Economically too, resilience plays its part. In societies where financial instability haunts countless families, the ability to rise again after loss or scarcity becomes essential. Resilience teaches us to find dignity in modest means, to stand tall when consumerism seduces us into thinking that worth is measured only in possessions. It speaks of survival, but also of self-respect—a currency no market can devalue.

On a personal scale, I treasure resilience because it has allowed me to navigate seasons of uncertainty without losing faith in the dawn. It has gifted me patience when opportunities were delayed, hope when companionship faltered, and courage when expectations outweighed recognition. It is this inner jewel that tells me: the journey matters more than applause, the effort more than the outcome.

Yet, resilience is not a solitary companion. It thrives in the symphony of other virtues—empathy, honesty, humility—that give it shape and music. For what is resilience if not softened by compassion, or guided by conscience? It is not merely the art of withstanding life; it is the art of living it fully, tenderly, and fearlessly.

Beneath the weight of worldly schemes,
Resilience guards my fragile dreams;
Through storms of doubt, through nights so long,
It moulds my soul to rise up strong.

And so, I guard this trait as a sacred inheritance. It is my answer to chaos, my prayer in silence, my bridge between despair and hope.

No crown of gold, no fleeting gain,
Could rival what this trait sustains;
For in my depths it softly sings—
A timeless gift, on steadfast wings.

If Money Were No Object: Callings of the Heart

If Money Were No Object: Callings of the Heart

There are moments in life when one wonders—what would I do if the chains of money, status, and expectation did not hold me? The world, as it is, is framed by economy and necessity; livelihoods are often measured by salaries, promotions, and survival. Yet, if we set aside these metrics and listen to the whisper of our inner calling, the answers can be profoundly revealing.

I imagine three pursuits, not as professions dictated by market forces, but as vocations of the soul.

1. A Teacher of Wanderers

Teaching, in its purest form, is the most sacred of callings. To ignite curiosity, nurture thought, and prepare young minds for a world not yet born—this is not employment but an act of devotion. Were money irrelevant, I would seek to teach not within the narrow confines of examination halls, but beneath the banyan trees, on mountain trails, and across rivers where life itself becomes the curriculum.

Philosophers such as Socrates taught without fees, offering dialogues instead of degrees. In today’s world, where education is often commodified, returning to such untainted pedagogy would be an act of quiet rebellion against a system that reduces learning to business. It would be to resist the commodification of curiosity and to affirm the dignity of knowledge as a human right.

2. A Poet of Everyday Life

Poetry, for me, is not mere ornamentation of words but a way of living truth. In a world swayed by political campaigns, corporate slogans, and the endless noise of consumerism, poetry offers resistance through simplicity and depth.

Were money irrelevant, I would write verses that draw from the soil of everyday life—the laughter of a child chasing a butterfly, the resilience of a labourer in the marketplace, the silent grief of a widow by the riverbank. Poetry has the power to confront injustice, to heal wounds, and to remind societies of their forgotten humanity. Pablo Neruda once declared that poetry is an “act of peace,” and perhaps, in a fractured political climate, it remains the balm that people desperately need.

3. A Caretaker of Forgotten Spaces

The modern world moves with ruthless haste, erecting skyscrapers where forests once stood, and forgetting heritage in the rush towards ‘development.’ If freed from the compulsion of income, I would dedicate myself to restoring what has been neglected—ruined temples, abandoned libraries, desolate gardens, and even fading traditions.

This role is not merely nostalgic. It carries socio-political meaning, for it challenges the narrative that progress lies only in newness. Reviving forgotten spaces and practices is to preserve collective memory, reminding us that societies without roots are societies without resilience. It is to resist the global tide of cultural homogenisation and affirm the dignity of local heritage.

A Reflection Beyond Wealth

To dream of these callings is to acknowledge a deeper truth—that vocation is not always synonymous with profession. Money, while essential, often narrows our imagination of work to survival alone. But human life, in its essence, seeks meaning. Whether as a teacher, poet, or caretaker, the real measure of labour lies not in coins but in contributions to humanity, culture, and the flourishing of future generations.

If wealth were but a fleeting breeze,
I’d sow my hours beneath the trees.
To teach, to write, to guard the past,
To give my breath to things that last.

For coins may rust, and empires fall,
But truth in verse will outlive all.
In service, song, and sacred land,
I’d shape my world with open hand.

Roots that Bloom: A Journey through Cultural Heritage

Roots that Bloom: A Journey through Cultural Heritage

Culture is not merely the ornament of a society; it is the pulse that sustains its spirit. To me, cultural heritage is not a static museum of rituals but a living river that carries wisdom, memories, and melodies from one generation to the next. It gives me both identity and humility, teaching me that I belong to a continuum where past, present, and future are intertwined like threads of a timeless tapestry.

I find pride in the plurality of my heritage. The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus once observed, “No man ever steps in the same river twice,” for culture, like rivers, evolves yet retains its essence. From the songs sung at twilight to the stories whispered around village fires, my heritage is alive in rhythms and silences, myths and morals, faith and festivities.

What fascinates me most is its inclusiveness. The Upanishadic ideal of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the world as one family—resonates deeply with me. But alongside it, I admire the African proverb that says, “Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it.” Both remind me that no culture stands alone; every heritage gains richness in dialogue with another.

There is pride in its resilience too. Despite wars, exiles, migrations, and modern distractions, cultural roots have survived, branching into music, art, literature, philosophy, and even the simplest forms of daily courtesies. From Confucian thought in the East stressing harmony, to the Celtic mystics of the West who saw divinity in forests and stones, culture has always been humanity’s compass to navigate meaning.

What captivates me most are the intangibles—the values that whisper through rituals. Respect for elders, compassion for the poor, reverence for nature, the celebration of harvests, the shared laughter in festivals—all of these are fragments of eternity placed in ordinary time. My cultural heritage is not merely about what I inherit; it is about what I choose to nurture, reinterpret, and pass on.

As Rabindranath Tagore once wrote, “Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.” Heritage is that bird—it carries songs of resilience even when storms rage. To be proud of one’s cultural heritage is not to claim superiority but to hold a lamp that lights both our own path and that of others.

Beneath the soil, my roots run deep,
Through time’s vast corridors they creep;
From chants of dawn to evening’s song,
They teach me where I still belong.

Heritage whispers, tender, profound,
In every silence its echoes are found;
Not chains of the past, but wings to rise,
A bridge from earth to eternal skies.

Brands that Breathe Beyond Logos

Brands that Breathe Beyond Logos

There is a strange alchemy in the way we humans attach ourselves to brands. They are not merely names on billboards or imprints on glossy shopping bags; they are stories stitched into fabric, philosophies whispered through design, and promises carried in quiet subtleties. A brand, at its purest, is not just about consumption—it is about identity, belonging, and resonance.

When I reflect upon the brands I truly associate with, I find myself not dazzled by flamboyant advertisements but drawn by authenticity. It is not the price tag that captivates me, but the values that flow beneath the surface. A fountain pen that glides like a river across paper becomes more than a tool—it becomes a companion in moments of solitude. A car that hums steadily through the countryside is not only a machine; it is a bridge between dreams and destinations.

Philosophers have long debated the nature of symbols. Plato spoke of ideals beyond appearances, and in a way, brands too can be shadows of deeper ideals. A pair of shoes may symbolise resilience, carrying the weight of countless journeys. A watch may embody the philosophy of time itself, ticking gently as a reminder of life’s fleeting beauty. These objects, adorned with logos, become almost talismanic—they carry the essence of who we are and what we aspire to be.

Yet, there lies a subtle caution. When brands overshadow our essence, when we allow them to dictate rather than reflect, we risk losing our freedom. The Bhagavad Gita warns against bondage through desire, and consumerism can easily weave its silken threads around us. True association with a brand, then, must be conscious—chosen for meaning, not dictated by marketing.

I find myself leaning towards brands that whisper rather than shout, those that embody sustainability, artistry, or endurance. They are like trusted friends who do not boast, but quietly stand by you. In their design, I see poetry; in their endurance, I sense philosophy.

And so, brands for me are not possessions but extensions—gentle echoes of my inner world, testaments to journeys taken and dreams still unfolding.

A name embossed, a logo etched,
Yet deeper still, a tale is sketched.
Not wealth nor glitter calls my hand,
But spirit woven through the brand.

For brands are more than fleeting flame,
They guard a soul, they frame a name.
And when they breathe with truth inside,
They walk with me, as silent guide.