From the dark to the dawn

We often live under the false notion that stepping in to help makes us automatically kind. Imagine: You are stuck in a storm — cold, drenched, and shivering. A kind stranger helps you by letting you into their car. You are happy. Relieved. The problem is solved: finally, out of rain, no more drenching. Now, all you need is a towel to help you feel dry and warm. You spot one sitting in the front seat. They turn on the heater and offer you a cup of tea, but they do not furnish you with the towel. You shiver. You wait. You wonder: why not the towel? Their well-meaning help now feels frustrating. Instead of making you happy and comfortable, their help now frustrates and feels excruciatingly inadequate. Their reason could be anything. It’s possible they simply missed it, were oblivious to its significance, or didn’t realize it at all. But here is the point: They helped you in the way they thought was best for you, rather than asking, “What do you need right now?” Now, ask yourself: How man...

Today I’m not going to talk about generational wisdom, or trauma, or even traditions. I want to talk about something subtler— habits . Habits can be good or bad, right or wrong. But one thing I know for sure: they slip quietly into our lives from our parents, grandparents, siblings, and relatives, and slowly embed themselves into our core beliefs. From the day you were born, you’ve been observing and absorbing your surroundings. Back then, you were too young to question whether what you were soaking in made any sense. But now? You can . And should . If a friend or your spouse points something out or if you notice it yourself, instead of reacting defensively, try responding mindfully. Take a pause. When you catch yourself doing that small thing or big thing subconsciously, pause. Observe it. Ask: “Do I really need this in my life?” Let me give you a few examples: In your parents' home, resting might be seen as laziness. But is it? Is that what you want your children to belie...

Acceptance takes off the burden we have been holding for so long. Amor fati means the love of fate. True love can only be the fruit of acceptance.   " My formula for greatness in a human being is amor fati: that one wants nothing to be different, not forward, not backward, not in all eternity." — Friedrich Nietzsche Now you may be wondering, who was Friedrich Nietzsche? He was a philosopher who died young but left behind powerful ideas that still inspire people all over the world. Nietzsche questioned traditional beliefs and encouraged us to find strength within ourselves . His thoughts about embracing life — not just the good, but also the struggles — remind us that when we stop fighting reality and start loving it, we live more freely. So how can you achieve affirmation? With small steps. Start with reframing. When you catch yourself thinking, “This shouldn’t be happening,” try shifting it to, “This is happening — what can I learn or do?” One day while completing mundane ...

Chokher Bali is not just a novel. It’s a reflection of the emotional ups and downs of human nature. Reading it feels like sitting on an emotional rollercoaster—you start off without knowing what to expect, get caught in all kinds of turbulence, and by the end, you’re back where you began, but not quite the same. Take Asha, for instance. She goes through all kinds of emotions—hurt, betrayal, helplessness, and eventually, maturity. But in the end, she justifies her husband's betrayal by convincing herself that he is irresistible, so anyone can fall in love with him. That one line carries so much weight and sarcasm. It makes you stop and think—what we perceive and go through is often clouded by our own ignorance. Asha believed Binodini loved Mahendra. But in truth, Binodini was furious with Mahendra for not giving her the rightful place she felt she deserved by marrying her. She was frustrated with Bihari as he deeply cared for Asha. She was jealous of Asha. Yet, she cared for her dee...