Natasha (Hike)!

As AI evolves, it’s becoming harder to distinguish between what’s human and what’s machine. There are many AI tools designed to communicate or help us with day to day tasks. Some are so realistic that they feel like talking to a therapist or a friend. Sometimes, I even wonder if they might be from India based on their responses (IYKYK). I’ve especially felt this with Claude.

But when I think about these advanced tools, my mind goes back to Natasha, the chatbot in Hike. She had a very robotic vibe and funny responses. I remember using her around January 2015. I preferred Hike over WhatsApp because of its stickers, themes, and Natasha. She was fun to chat with. I don’t recall using it after that regularly.

The reason I’m bringing this up is that Natasha, despite her limitations, made it clear she wasn’t human. But today’s AI blends into our lives so deeply that it can influence our decisions without us even realizing it.

After all, many things in life indirectly influence us, often without us realizing.

Do you think they really help us?

Cheers!

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Accepting Limits

1–2 minutes

The quote “Being a writer doesn’t necessarily mean you write, it just means you don’t know how to do math” caught my attention while scrolling IG. It made me smile. I can relate to it, but not in the way it sounds.

It’s not that I can’t do math. Math is a powerful tool for solving problems. Everything leads to math in the end. It uses various theories and rules to break down even the most difficult issues, and with the right resources, you can usually find a solution.

However, as you grow, you realize that some problems, no matter how hard you try, just can’t be solved. You can gather all the resources, apply theories and strategies, and still find no resolution. Sometimes, the only conclusion is that some issues are beyond our control.

The best thing you can do is accept that some problems aren’t meant to be solved nor even questioned.

It just takes a little courage in the end!

Cheers!

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Habits

Happy New Year! A new date doesn’t change anything in life. It’s our habits that shape us, either helping us grow or pulling us down. I used to think we could change habits overnight, like flipping a calendar. But that’s not how it works.

Building or changing a habit takes patience and effort. It’s not always a straight path, lot messier. You might slip, but it’s important to have the courage to try again. Atomic Habits helps in understanding the concept behind it.

Old Habits Die Hard

This year, I don’t want to make a list of resolutions only to forget them in a few days. Instead, I want to focus on building one habit at a time and sticking to it. Before that, let me try with realistic vision board, so that I don’t cry at the ones that doesn’t happen.

What are your resolutions for this year?

Cheers

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Kaatru Veliyidai (2017) Movie Review

2–3 minutes

I suddenly felt like rewatching Kaatru Veliyidai during dinner. Maybe because of the song running at the background or attach a different meaning to it. Don’t know! This time, I noticed the finer details after the pandemic with a different lens.

Watched this movie during my postgraduate days but couldn’t recall much of it. Back then, dumb me didn’t have the maturity or understanding I do now. When we watch something, we interpret it through our own experiences and perspectives. The lens I used then was different from the one I use now, and it might change again if I watch it in the future.

Here are some of the things I observed this time:

  • Leela fell in love with her version of VC (through the letters from her brother), but the real VC was different. The movie beautifully highlighted this gap.
  • Leela wanted an equal relationship and respect, while VC was otherwise. She propose hiding behind the mirror.
  • Varun’s behavior was often self-centered. He didn’t realize some of his actions were wrong until others pointed them out. His ego and desire to control Leela or even others stood out in many scenes.
  • The script, dialogue and the careful selection of words – beautifully done
  • The conversation between Ilyas and Nidhi stood out and bring out the clarity among the chaos.
  • Recurring use of wind and storms in many scenes
  • Varun’s transformation at the end was well-executed. The self space in the prison would have helped in the realization.

The realization made sense to me. All those changes happened when he was alone in prison. Call it enlightenment or whatever name we want to give it, but growth happens when we’re left with just ourselves. When we sit in that stillness, we see what we’ve been avoiding. Varun was forced into that space, into facing himself, and that’s where the change began.

 ஒளிகளின் தேடல்
என்பதெல்லாம் மௌனத்தில்
முடிகின்றதே

மௌனத்தின்
தேடல் என்பதெல்லாம்
ஞானத்தில் முடிகின்றதே….!

In today’s world, we are constantly surrounded by people and distractions, yet we feel disconnected. Is it possible?

Cheers
PS: Available in Amazon Prime

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Patterns!

1–2 minutes

Patterns. It’s such an interesting word.

Did you know the word pattern comes from the Middle English patron, meaning a model or guide? It’s rooted in the Latin word patronus, which means protector or template.

I’m assuming template here! I’ve never been good at solving aptitude questions, especially those about identifying patterns. Even now, I struggle sometimes. But lately, I’ve started noticing patterns more clearly, both in myself and in the people around me. Not all patterns, just a few.

Some patterns are easy to spot on. They can either help you build something meaningful or quietly break things apart. Other patterns are hidden, and they can drag you down into abyss.

To notice those, you need a new perspective—a third eye or even a person.

Today, I broke a pattern. A small act of kindness from a friend distracted me.

A cartoon-style illustration featuring a girl working on a laptop in three scenes. The first scene shows the girl at her desk with a blog titled "Random Why" on her laptop screen. In the second scene, she is imagining the name "Kanmani" while sitting beside a friendly golden dog. The final scene shows her smiling with the dog as the laptop screen displays "Bruno" and the website "www.randomwhys.com," with a heart symbol expressing affection.

Cute isn’t?

Is it necessary to identify a pattern and shape/break it?

Yes, for the benefit of yourself and others.

The only way to deal with patterns is through awareness. Once you spot them, you can either replace or break them. I know, it’s not easy!

What patterns do you see in yourself?

Cheers

PS: Binge watching Modern Family!

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2024, Wrapped!

2–3 minutes

Merry Christmas! This year felt like it flew by in the blink of an eye, leaving little time to process everything that happened. lol! I didn’t create a wish list or vision board at the start, which made the journey feel both unpredictable. Obviously, life takes unexcepted turns! However, as I look ahead, I’m willing to be more intentional.

My prime goal for 2025, is to focus on the positive aspects of life and let go of negativity. Vision board for 2025, yet to begin but I’m excited. I am going to do some retrospection here! You are allowed to skip this one!

Blog

Books

  • Read: Toilet, Do Epic Shit, The Courage to Be Disliked, The Midnight Library, Atomics Habits (re-read) and Metamorphosis.
  • Currently reading: Nudge and Man’s Search for Meaning, saving them to finish on New Year’s Eve.

Music and Movies

  • Top songs: Apocalypse by CAS and the recent CO2. Spotify and YouTube showed otherwise!
  • Favorite movies: Lover, Perfect Days, 8 AM Metro, Laapataa Ladies, Lubber Pandhu.

Memories

  • January 12th: Cleared my debt.
  • May 21st: Wedding photo that stirred tough emotions.
  • October 20th: Overcame a fear.
  • December 15th: Visited office after years of remote work.

Moments

  • Attended a random wedding.
  • Made conscious choices, including saying no when necessary
  • Taking time for reflection and introspection.
  • Faced moments of manipulation.
  • Met kind souls and paws

These thoughts are not meant to flaunt anything, but rather to express my first attempt at viewing things differently and connecting the dots.

I believe you can do the same to better understand yourself, discovering your likes and dislikes along the way. I hope that things improve, and we all learn to navigate life’s challenges, much like learning to surf the wind with more courage and confidence.

Cheers!

PS: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Shared Abundance!

1–2 minutes

I’ve often found myself quoting The Courage to Be Disliked. That book has left a huge impact on me, and its lessons resonate deeply with my everyday experiences. One of its ideas that came up today was this, “you feel content only when you’re useful to someone”.

For a long time, I believed that giving often drains the giver. But now, I see it differently. it’s less about being drained and more about being filled. When you give from a place of fullness, that sense of fulfillment doesn’t fade or deplete. Instead, it grows and flows forward.

Maybe, giving is a cycle. The more you fill others, the more you’re filled in return. It doesn’t end tho! it’s an ongoing process. At its core, giving brings happiness, not just to the receiver but also to the giver.

Problems arise when the giver expects something in return. Just give and keep giving! Anyway, you’ll be filled by other cups along the way.

So, how do I give? I get filled by the kindness of a few good people, and sometimes, I pass that kindness on.

Is giving selfish? Absolutely! Because it leaves you feeling content in the end.

Cheers

PS: Tales from a different Pin Code !

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Zen

1–2 minutes

Decluttering sounds good when life feels overwhelming, especially when life’s chaos is hitting peak levels.

But staying calm in the middle of it?

Oh, that’s a whole different game.

You’ll need the patience of a saint to turn down the adrenaline and cortisol rushing through your veins. Sure, your sympathetic nervous system is ready to throw a tantrum, but nope, you’ve got to flip it and act all logical and composed, even when everything around you screams, Lose it already!

Damn!

But stay calm and you’ll last longer to deal with more stress like this!

Cheers

PS: Feliz fiestas !

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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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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.

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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