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Juggling Priorities!

1–2 minutes

Does life ever slow down? I don’t think so!

As we age, time often feels like it’s slipping away. Everything demands attention. Career, health, family, finances, self-care, and relationships (if any, lol). It can feel like life is a constant juggling act, with no room to pause. Does it slow down? I doubt!

There’s a common notion that effective time management is simply a skill. You can see lot of webinars and courses available. But in practice, managing priorities often requires trade-offs! Sometimes, you have to spend money to save time. It’s less about perfection and more about who juggle their priorities carefully.

The other day, I checked my website analytics. I don’t look at them often, maybe once or twice a week. The graph made me think. It showed my habits. You might see as well!

A graph showing peaks and lows on different dates.

Guilty as charged! Some days, I’m fully engaged (peaks) and present, other days, I disappear (flats) for 10 – 15 days. Then, suddenly some inspiration hits, and I dive back in.

Its been a week since I touched the book! Hoping to read!

It’s not that reading or writing isn’t important. It is. but are just one of many priorities, often shifted around with others. You simply need to master the art of juggling between them!

With that said, which is better? Juggling priorities or maintaining consistency?

And how do you balance?

Cheers

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Weekend Movie Picks!

2–3 minutes

It’s been almost 20 days since I wrote my last movie blog. I’ve watched a few movies since then and even thought of writing, but the blank screen stopped me every time. Tho, I was little occupied, I managed to watch two new ones and even rewatched an old favorite. These three movies are perfect for a weekend watch.

I also started a K-drama called Brewing Love. After 3–4 episodes, I decided not to continue. Strange, I know! Anyway, here are my recommendations for this weekend!

KD (2019)

This delightful movie takes me back to the first COVID lockdown in 2020. Movies was my coping mechanism back then. It’s heartwarming and filled with warmth. The story revolves around an old man rediscovering his inner child through a little boy’s company. Their bond is refreshing and pure bliss to watch. The small things they do for each other make the movie special. I won’t spoil it, watch it yourself. It’s available on Netflix and Amazon. Highly recommended!

Kishkindha Kandam (2024)

Initially, I thought this movie would be about monkeys, given the title. But it turned out to be very different and surprisingly good. The story explores the power of memory. Unlike many movies that deal with lost or unwanted memories, this one shows how Appu Pillai has gains the ability to retrieve and delete memories. Though he didn’t wish for this power, curiosity drives him to uncover and destroy parts of his life’s memories. It’s available on Amazon.

Lucky Bhaskar (2024)

This is a great entertainer. I’m unsure if it’s based on a true story, but the plot draws inspiration from Harshad Mehta’s case. The movie portrays middle class mentality and struggles very well. One of the key messages that I understood from the movie is that winners know when to quit. The dialogues are strong and relatable. Maybe, Dulquer’s hairstyle could’ve been better. It’s available on Netflix.

Cheers

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Crimson Bloom

A white rose bounded by thorns sharp as secrets,
She reached out ignoring the risk, hope over fear.
Soft petals, pure and untouched, waiting for a love.
Thorn, sharp and bright whispered of what could be,
Each drop of blood a story untold.

The rose watched her silent, still and cold, 
Promising everything, yet offering emptiness 
Her fingers traced its delicate edge, feeling the pain of too much.
Droplets of red slowly painting the white as crimson,
Turning beauty into something raw with each wound.

The thorns kept their promising future, 
Singing, dancing between touch and distance.
She bled with agony, wondering as love or the price of belief
Each tender tear, white turning red, unforgotten,
Her heart caught between what is and what might be,

If pain is love or love's cruel will
Between the thorns and the rose grace, she dwells red! 
Bleeding, believing, breaking, and becoming.

Cheers

PS: Wanna edit but ‘m done for now!

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KISS

Take your pick!

Keep It Short and Sweet or Keep It Simple, Stupid!

I’ve subscribed to a mix of newsletters, some long, some short. While I don’t want to unsubscribe, I often find it hard to make time to read them. Instead, I usually skim through and only dive deeper if something grabs my attention. But when it comes to Seth Godin’s emails, I never miss them. I either open them right away or read them straight from the notification bar.

This habit reminds me of something my boss once said about email writing. Back then, I wrote formal, corporate style emails with phrases like “Dear…” and “Hope this mail finds you well,” followed by neatly structured sentences. One day, he told me, “Your current job involves communicating with busy people. Keep your emails concise and to the point.”

Now I see why I’m drawn to Seth Godin’s newsletters. They’re short and impactful. I also prefer keeping my writing brief these days. That doesn’t mean I’m busy or will avoid longer pieces. I’ll still write them when the subject demands it. What about you?

Cheers!

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The Reading Contrast!

1–2 minutes

The difference between reading a novel and a self-help book is quite interesting.

Novels are immersive and easy to remember. You can breeze/skim through them quickly. You can read them at your own pace and easily pick up the story whenever you return.

On the other hand, self-help books demand your full attention. You need to absorb, reflect, and sometimes reread to truly grasp the ideas.

They take longer to finish, requiring focused attention and energy, but in the end, they reward you with that satisfying “aha” moment.

Cheers!

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Metamorphosis & Invisible Threads!

2–3 minutes

Finished reading Metamorphosis. At first, the book takes you to an imaginary world. So far, I’ve been reading non-fiction or self-help books, where the scenes are easier to imagine. This was different. I found myself trying to visualize the vermin as described in the book. I’m not sure how much it matches Kafka’s. No where near!

The first two chapters didn’t affect me much. It was interesting to see how people initially react when the breadwinner of the family turns into a vermin. But the third chapter hits you hard. It truly made me understand the meaning behind the title Metamorphosis.

Here’s what stood out to me:

  • His struggles to accept the transformation: At first, he finds it hard to believe he has turned into a vermin. The physical appearance!
  • Hiding from others: He avoids facing anyone and hides. By the end, he doesn’t even care. Swept off by the violin music.
  • Losing his voice: He tries to speak at first but eventually loses even the thought of communicating.
  • Family dynamics: Grete, his sister, cares for him. She tries feeding him different foods. But over time, even she gets tired of cleaning and feeding him.
  • Adapting to darkness: He gets used to staying in the shadows.
  • Pain changes: The pain is sharp at first but dulls over time.
  • Family’s independence: The family, once dependent on Gregor, slowly learns to fend for themselves.
  • Longing for connection: Despite everything, he craves human connection especially Grete.

While reading, I kept linking this book to The Courage to Be Disliked. I’m not entirely sure why. One is a novel, and the other is philosophical. Yet, both made me reflect on this: to feel alive and truly live, a person needs to feel useful to others

Now, if we consider Adlerian philosophy, it teaches us to find meaning by contributing to others without expecting recognition or validation. However, Gregor longed for connection. His value was lost, and complete isolation broke him. This shows how isolation can harm us psychologically.

While internal meaning is important, we are social beings at heart or by nature. The real challenge is finding balance. Feeling worthy on our own while staying meaningfully connected to others or to the community. Balance is one of the hardest things to do, extremes are always easier!

Books like Kafka’s Metamorphosis and The Courage to Be Disliked explore these intriguing ideas. They teach us that human value isn’t just about productivity or society’s expectations. It’s much deeper, multidimensional and complex. Hard to get a grasp of it!

That’s what I’m taking away from this book.

Cheers!

P.S. Nudge – Next reading!

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Sara’s Journey (Sara’vin Payanangal)

Sara evolved from seeing journeys as mere destinations to valuing experiences, companionship, and personal growth throughout her travels.

2–3 minutes

There was once a traveler called Sara (Iykyk) who carried two different maps in her backpack. One was old, crushed, torn and marked with lines. The other was new, still crisp but with soft edges.

When she was younger, she thought the map was everything. Each destination was a goal. Every mile was a success to her. She walked with a fixed pace, following the lines with no questions and arguments.

But maps do change right? Landscapes changed. And so did she.

As the years passed, she learned that paths are not always straight. The journey itself had its own stories. The stones underfoot, the unexpected turns, and moments of doubt became more evident and important than any destination.

She also learned that companionship changes the journey.

Some people she met were like strict compasses. They always pointed north and didn’t understand if the path shifted. They measured progress by their own rules. They judged, instead of encouraging and hindered the path (Kulla nari).

Other companions were different (Buji). They walked beside her. Sometimes their steps matched, sometimes they didn’t. When the journey got hard, they helped to carry the weight.

When new things came along, they looked with curiosity and not criticism. They didn’t just see the path their way and they were open to seeing it through others’ eyes.

She understood that the journey is about moving forward and not being perfect. It’s about all growth. Their presence invited her to explore, not to follow a set direction.

In these moments, sometimes it was quiet. Sometimes full of conversation, she realized that a journey isn’t about how far you go. It’s about how much you understand and make it meaningful.

The destination once important, now not mattered. The journey was and with the right company. The journey could become something shared something richer and beautiful said Dora. Who knows, in five years, Dora might say something else!

Cheers!

P.S. Couldn’t use Original pic ! (CRs)

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Within

Sometimes, we already have the wisdom we need. we just need to trust it.

This wisdom might come from advice, books, or our own experiences.

It’s not about searching for something new but about recognizing and using what’s already within us.

Believing in what we know can make a big difference.

It Ends With Us (2024) Movie review

2–4 minutes

I finally got around to watching It Ends With Us. Initially, I planned to see it when it was released in theaters, but I ended up watching it now on OTT (pestered few of my friends for movie link or the platform to watch). When it first came out, it was only available for rent. Later, I got busy with work and kept postponing it.

I’ve read a lot of reviews saying the book is far better than the movie. Many readers felt that the characters of Atlas and Ryle didn’t meet their expectations. I stopped reading fiction after COVID. I had started with Revolution 2020 by Chetan Bhagat and read a few books after that, but I’m not sure if I lost interest in fiction or if the gap affected me. Watching this movie, however, makes me want to read the book and understand Atlas better. Some parts of me are curious about the conversations and details from the book.

Now, coming to the movie itself. Since I haven’t read the book, my thoughts are based only on the movie. The title It Ends With Us felt meaningful by the end. The opening scenes were engaging and set the story well. Lily struggles with her feelings about her father, and Ryle has uncontrollable anger issues. The “naked truths” they revealed early on were bitter yet important to the story.

Here are some of my observations:

  1. Ryle’s unresolved childhood trauma was revealed as part of his “naked truths” early in the story.
  2. Lily’s compassion, whether for flowers or Atlas, stood out. Did she like Atlas because he understood her pain?
  3. Atlas’s early warning and the card he left under the case were thoughtful touches.
  4. The heart made from oak wood and the heart tattoo near Lily’s collarbone were symbolic and added layers to her character.
  5. Alyssa, as Lily’s best friend, did an amazing job supporting her.
  6. Lily’s experiences with her parents helped her understand her own abusive relationship. This realization was critical for her decision.
  7. Lily’s mom shared how she got used to loving her husband, even though he abused her. She depended on him for many things, like fixing things in the house, which made it hard for her to break free
  8. The portrayal of an abusive relationship was simplified, but it still touched on the impact it has on children. The way Lily explained this to Ryle was powerful.
  9. Ryle acknowledging that Lily should live alone was amazing (I was like, what he understood easily??).
  10. Atlas’s empathy was clear when he told Lily, “If you’re ever ready to love again, fall in love with me.” That scene stayed with me.
  11. The way Lily’s father beat up Atlas was terrifying, yet Atlas stood up for her despite the risk. (I know, it’s novel, lol !)
  12. The metaphor of roots and lily blooms was beautifully placed. The idea that healthy roots are essential for growth connected well with the story.

Overall, the movie had its moments, but I feel the book might offer more depth, especially with characters like Atlas. I might pick it up anytime sooner. Its available in Netflix.

Cheers

PS: obsessed with Love the Hell Out of You (Lewis Capaldi)

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Regret Loop

1–2 minutes

We often consume a lot of information these days. we refine and decide it based on what we truly need in life. These learnings usually remain at a surface level because they are just that learnings.

When chaotic situations arise, we often react in unexpected ways. Later, we regret not handling them better, even though we knew how. This triggers the brain to recall past moments where we failed, pushing us into a cycle of regret and self-doubt. I believe breaking this cycle comes down to practice. Time consuming tho!

Bruce Lee once said

I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times

Similarly, life teaches us to handle things better with repeated experiences. This applies to all aspects of life. Sometimes, it’s about believing in ourselves.

Trust that we can improve and handle challenges better each time. That doesn’t mean we need to expose yourself to negativity intentionally, but when difficult situations arise, trust that we’ll grow through them.

Cheers!

P.S. I’m currently reading Metamorphosis and just finished The Courage to Be Disliked. Both are eye-opening reads!

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Think Twice!

Social media offers income opportunities, but education remains vital for some, teaching essential skills and patience for future success.

1–2 minutes

With the rise of social media, many people are now making money through these platforms. It’s great to see more diverse ways to earn an income. People are able to make good lifestyle. But this trend is causing some to think that education is no longer necessary. Is it creating a bubble that education isn’t needed? Is it right?

For some, it’s easy to say, “Forget a degree,” especially if they have support to fall back on. But for those without this privilege, a degree is something essential and crucial. Might realize these at a later stage. At least if not a degree, skill sets are required.

Education has some hidden benefits. The skills it builds may not seem immediately useful, but they help in ways we don’t always see right away.

For eg, you may wonder what algebra or Pythagoras’s theorem have to do with real life. Even I have no clue what they do in life. But they teach that us patience, that not every problem has to be solved. Some can be ignored.

Base your choice on what you want for your future, not on someone else’s influence. After all, you’re the one who’s going to live with it.

Cheers!

Lubber Pandhu (2024) Movie Review

“Lubber Pandhu,” highlights the themes of ego clashes, relationships, love, and strong characters, while encouraging viewers to ponder its deeper meanings.

1–2 minutes

Happy Deepavali and Halloween to everyone reading! Let light sparkle into your darkness.

I had the chance to watch Lubber Pandhu today—yes, on Disney OTT. The theatres here are all booked! It was a great watch, yet left me thinking about a few things. Some might wonder, “What’s there to think about in a movie?” But each movie can show us something different, whether it’s about competition, cricket, love, ego, or just feeling good. For me, Lubber Pandhu had a mix of it all.

Some observations maybe

  • The clash of egos between the men was shown clearly. It showed how relationships can be more important than pride. Between Anbu and Gethu, friend’s clash of ego, the Jolly friends team’s clash.
  • Anbu’s sportsmanship and his drive to win were impressive. Gethu’s acting and talent also stood out.
  • The bond between couples both the young ones and the parents. It was beautifully portrayed. They each showed love, compassion, and an understanding of what the other wanted. It was good to see their realization that they couldn’t live without one another. Anbu accepting that she might learn to live alone, and Gethu’s tears as he asks her to stay, added depth.
  • The lead female characters were strong and confident in their choices
  • Friends had a meaningful role too. Important moments were handled with sharp, thought-provoking lines whether it was in the brotherly like scenes or when Akila entered the game.
  • The plot was engaging throughout the story.

This film left me with few things to think about, and I’m sure it will resonate with you when you watch.

Cheers

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Beneath the Surface!

Kind gestures you stumbled upon and loved
A fragment piece of mine, remaining untamed
Felt calm and tranquil, seeing the waves 
Ignoring the ocean depths of storms in head
You dream of me all sweet and sugar 
Beautiful doll, built inside your mind
Praising all the soft and pureness 
Wanting to hold your illusion of me 
Seeing the smile, you ignore the scars
For in these scars, a new story begins.

Cheers

PS: FI – Deadly nightshade

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