Latest

developing self-respect through personal agency

Joan Didion, one of America’s most incisive essayists, possessed a rare ability to dissect the cultural and moral undercurrents of her time. In her collection Slouching Towards Bethlehem (1968), she examined the turbulence of the 1960s with a sharp, unsentimental gaze. Among its many insights, her reflections on self-respect

interview summary: Vicky Kaushal reflects on his decade in cinema

don’t let the college dream turn into a nightmare

Most parents share a common aspiration: seeing their child walk across a stage in a cap and gown, college degree in hand. This dream, deeply woven into the fabric of modern parenting, often comes with an unspoken assumption that student loans are simply part of the package. However, this acceptance

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj: the architect of the Maratha Empire and his enduring legacy

Today marks the birth anniversary of the founder of the Maratha Empire, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who stands as one of India's most revered and visionary leaders. Born in 1630 in the hill fort of Shivneri, Maharashtra, Shivaji Maharaj rose to prominence during a tumultuous period of Indian history,

embracing the process: lessons from Demosthenes' journey

In the bustling streets of ancient Athens, a small, weak boy with a speech impediment dreamed of reclaiming what was rightfully his. This was Demosthenes, whose name would one day echo through the corridors of history as the greatest orator Athens had ever known. But how did he transform himself

seize the moment, take action

The gap between intention and achievement is bridged by one thing alone: action. We often wait for the perfect moment, the right feeling, or some external signal to begin. But life's greatest truth is that these perfect conditions are illusions that keep us trapped in stasis. Consider your

the 15% solution: building a dignified retirement

In an era of economic uncertainty, one question looms large in many minds: Will we have enough money to live comfortably in our retirement years? The answer lies in making bold, deliberate choices today about our financial future. At the heart of this strategy is a seemingly simple yet powerful

spread your love seeds wherever you go

Today is Valentine’s Day, a day often associated with romantic love, but it is so much more than that. It is a universal celebration of love in all its forms—a day to generate sincere warmth, appreciation, and recognition for others. It is an opportunity to spread the seeds

silent signals: how your body warns you about nutrient deficiencies

Our bodies have a remarkable way of signaling when something is off balance. Subtle symptoms like brittle nails, twitching muscles, or easy bruising may seem minor, but they can be early indicators of nutrient deficiencies that, if left unaddressed, could lead to more serious health issues. Dr. Sethi, a leading

mindfulness meditation: a potent tool for pain relief

For centuries, mindfulness practices have been revered across cultures as a means to alleviate pain and emotional distress. Often dismissed as a mere psychological trick or placebo effect, mindfulness has long been thought to work by simply shifting our perception of discomfort rather than addressing its root causes. However, a

why little actions are key to realizing big dreams

We are often driven by grand ambitions, by powerful "whys" that define our purpose and fuel our aspirations. Whether it’s building a successful career, launching a business, writing a book, or making a meaningful impact in the world, our motivations tend to be vast and far-reaching. However,

15 things that make a relationship great

The notion of a "perfect" relationship is a myth that has led many to chase an impossible ideal. While flawless relationships may not exist, strong and healthy ones certainly do. These relationships aren't defined by an absence of challenges, but rather by how couples navigate life&

the remarkable benefits of a simple embrace

In our increasingly digital world, where connections are often mediated through screens and keyboards, recent scientific research has unveiled something remarkably analog: the profound impact of a simple hug. While humans have intuitively known the comfort of an embrace for millennia, modern science is now quantifying just how powerful this

“The Roshans” docuseries: an engaging watch with an inspiring narrative

“The Roshans” takes a close look at the trials and triumphs of Bollywood's iconic Roshan family. It focuses on the legacy of music director Roshan Lal Nagrath, his sons Rakesh Roshan and Rajesh Roshan, and his grandson Hrithik Roshan. IMDB Page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31189484/ Documentaries

podcast summary: the first steps to finding love

the false promise of the 80-20 rule

Powered by RedCircle The popular wisdom that we can eat healthy 80% of the time and indulge the remaining 20% sounds appealingly balanced. But this apparently reasonable compromise ignores a crucial reality about human biology and behavior: processed foods, particularly those high in sugar, hijack our brain's reward

the drum major instinct: a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today we’re celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Observed annually on the third Monday of January in the US, this day honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a leader of the American civil rights movement. Established as a federal holiday in 1983, it

why legal drama Suits demands your immediate attention

Suits, the legal drama that aired from 2011 to 2019, has left an indelible mark on television, captivating millions of viewers worldwide. Set in the high-stakes world of corporate law, the series goes beyond legal jargon and courtroom battles to deliver compelling storytelling, dynamic characters, and thought-provoking themes.  At its

interview summary: Hrithik Roshan reflects on his acting journey

breaking free: the journey to financial stability and fulfillment

"Financial peace isn’t the acquisition of stuff. It’s learning to live on less than you make so you can give money back and have money to invest." — Dave Ramsey Managing your money and avoiding unnecessary debt is a cornerstone of realizing your dreams and achieving lasting

podcast summary: James Clear on improving 1% daily with stoicism

Sneak Peek Discover how small, consistent actions can lead to significant personal transformation with insights from James Clear, the author of "Atomic Habits," and Ryan Holiday's "Daily Stoic" podcast. In this engaging discussion, James and Ryan explore the power of building better habits, emphasizing

starting the new year on the right foot: five transformative practices

As one year closes and another begins, many of us feel the weight of expectation to craft elaborate resolutions or embark on drastic life overhauls. Yet, starting the New Year on the right foot doesn’t require grand gestures; it can be as simple as adopting a few intentional practices.

new year, new perspective: embracing change with intentionality

The arrival of a new year often fills us with a sense of optimism and determination. We set ambitious goals—to lose weight, secure a new job, travel more, or forge meaningful relationships. This tradition of resolutions reflects our innate desire for self-improvement and growth. Yet, as inspiring as these

celebrating the new year like a true stoic

As the calendar turns and the world celebrates the arrival of a new year, the Stoic philosopher finds an opportunity not for revelry, but for reflection, intention, and virtuous living. While others may be swept away by resolutions, parties, and fleeting pleasures, the Stoic embraces the new year as a

the art and science of goal setting: turning aspirations into achievements

Goal setting is more than a mere exercise of jotting down wishes on paper; it is a deliberate and strategic process that bridges the gap between where we are and where we want to be. Jim Rohn offers profound insights into goal setting by emphasizing four critical areas: evaluation and

rituals for the coming year: a path to lasting change

As we stand on the cusp of a new year, many of us find ourselves setting resolutions, envisioning transformative changes that will reshape our lives. Yet, all too often, the steadfast resolve we feel on January 1st begins to wane as weeks go by. This is where an often-overlooked yet

the engine of self: understanding your inner drive

Imagine your inner vitality as a finely-tuned engine, powered by four essential pistons working in perfect harmony. This metaphor, explored by John Kim (known as "The Angry Therapist") in his book Single on Purpose, offers a compelling framework for understanding personal drive and sexual wellness. At the heart

the cookie jar christmas

Sarah stared at the empty space beneath their small artificial Christmas tree, trying not to let disappointment show on her face. This year had been tough – Dad had lost his job in October, and Mom had been clear that Christmas would be "different." At twelve years old, Sarah

the christmas discovery: a lesson in human dignity

Today we’re celebrating Christmas Eve. On this special occasion, I’d love to share with you a beautiful, little story that Dr. Norman Vincent Peale experienced one Christmas Eve and later featured in the SUCCESS Magazine many years ago. The title is “It happened on Cincinnati Street” by Dr.

the three essential components of life-changing goals

Learning to set goals can be one of the most transformative skills you develop in your life. Goals allow us to reach into the future, design our ideal outcomes, and refine those plans as we evolve. The beauty of goal setting lies in its flexibility: you can revisit your goals,

the winter solstice: a global celebration across cultures

On the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, as the Earth's axis tilts farthest from the sun, cultures worldwide pause to mark a profound astronomical event - the Winter Solstice. This celestial phenomenon has inspired rich traditions, mythologies, and celebrations that span continents and millennia,

the four stoic virtues: a brief overview

Stoicism, a school of philosophy established in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC, has endured the test of time as a guide to living a meaningful and resilient life. Named after the stoa, or porch, where Zeno taught his students, this philosophy centers on the

the podcasts I enjoyed listening to in 2024

Podcasts are amazing, aren’t they? They’re free and bring with them tons of value in each episode. If you’re an audiophile, podcasts can be one of your biggest delights.  I’ve found podcasts to be a great complement to audiobooks. They’re more flexible, freestyle, and personal,

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra: translation and meaning

ॐ त्र्यंबकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।  उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥  Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam  Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat Translation “We worship the three-eyed

borrowed future: summary and key takeaways

podcast summary: Matthew McConaughey on living passionately

podcast summary: how to live to 100 with Dan Buettner

the owl as a symbol of wisdom: ancient origins and modern resonance

this is the true measure of success

"People try to create an outwardly perfect life, but the quality of life is based on the inward." — Sadhguru In a world obsessed with external markers of achievement—wealth, status, recognition—we often overlook the most profound form of success: inner peace. Our society consistently presents success as

experiences trump stuff: embracing a minimalist lifestyle

this is where true wealth lies

Thanksgiving Day stands as a cherished annual tradition in the United States, a moment when families and friends converge to celebrate the profound power of gratitude. More than just a holiday, it is a meaningful pause in our busy lives—an opportunity to reflect on our blessings and reconnect with

stoic wisdom vs. knowledge and intelligence

the holy grail of investing: key insights to achieve extraordinary financial success

two simple phrases that strengthen relationships

In any relationship, especially romantic ones, communication serves as the lifeblood that sustains emotional connection and trust. Among the many words and phrases exchanged, two stand out for their profound ability to foster intimacy, repair fractures, and maintain mutual respect: "thank you" and "I'm sorry.

10 tips to prevent burnout when you feel stressed and overwhelmed at work

In today’s fast-paced world, burnout has become a common challenge, especially for ambitious professionals and entrepreneurs. The pressure to meet deadlines, achieve targets, and manage multiple responsibilities can lead to stress and fatigue. However, burnout is not inevitable. Here are 10 practical tips inspired by successful professionals and entrepreneurs

understanding stoic wisdom

The Stoic virtue of wisdom, known in Greek as sophia, is foundational to Stoic philosophy and encompasses the pursuit and application of knowledge to live a noble and fulfilling life. It is the ability to discern what is truly good and bad, right and wrong, and to act accordingly. Wisdom

November 11: a spiritual portal to awakening and alignment

November 11th holds profound spiritual significance, offering a unique opportunity for introspection, alignment, and connection with higher realms. In the realm of spirituality, certain dates resonate with a particular vibrational energy, and 11/11 stands out as one of the most potent. The alignment of these numbers, often referred to

the role of stoic wisdom in navigating everyday life

The Stoic virtue of wisdom, or sophia, stands as a beacon guiding us through the complexities of everyday life. It is not merely the accumulation of knowledge, but rather the application of understanding to navigate the world with equanimity and discernment. In our fast-paced, information-saturated age, wisdom becomes an indispensable

the eternal student: a meaningful lesson from marcus aurelius

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” — Mahatma Gandhi Picture the most powerful man in the world hurrying through palace corridors, arms laden with books. This was no imagined scene, but rather a real moment from the life of Roman Emperor

the present is where your power lies

Life grants us one extraordinary opportunity – a single canvas on which to paint our legacy. This singular chance can feel overwhelming, as if every brushstroke must be perfect. Yet perfection isn't the goal; progress is. Think of life as a river, constantly flowing forward. When we fixate on

a heartfelt prayer for cultivating the stoic virtue of wisdom

Dear God, I bow to the Eternal wisdom that flows through all things. Grant me the clarity to distinguish What lies within my power from what does not. Let me face each moment with equanimity, Finding strength in reason and virtue, Not in fleeting pleasures or hollow praise. Guide my

the spiritual essence of Diwali: the festival of lights and a pathway to inner illumination

Diwali, known as the "Festival of Lights," is among the most cherished Hindu festivals, celebrated with immense joy and fervor across India and by Indian communities worldwide. Its vibrant displays of light, joyous gatherings, and acts of charity are outward expressions of the festival’s deeper spiritual essence.

memento mori: the constant presence of death

Humanity has always been fascinated, yet often horrified, by the idea of death. Despite advances in medicine and the hope offered by radical life extension, we all know, deep down, that life on this earth has an expiration date. Regardless of our youth, health, and positive outlook, the reality is

the spiritual significance of Dhanteras

Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, holds immense spiritual significance in the Hindu calendar. Traditionally dedicated to wealth, health, and well-being, Dhanteras is not merely a day for material prosperity but embodies deeper spiritual undertones rooted in ancient Hindu teachings. Observed on the 13th lunar day of Krishna Paksha in

the secret to winning in life: merging theory with practice

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe The pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor. To engage in self-education, reading, and gathering wisdom is to walk a path that promises personal growth and transformation. In this journey, we collect

the stoic framework for navigating a chaotic world

taming your temper: choosing calm in difficult situations

“Keep this thought handy when you feel a fit of rage coming on—it isn’t manly to be enraged. Rather, gentleness and civility are more human, and therefore manlier. A real man doesn’t give way to anger and discontent, and such a person has strength, courage, and endurance—

my morning routine (2024 version)

I have made some changes in my morning routine and here’s my new routine as of now in brief. I hope it inspires you to start your own morning routine – a series of rituals that work best for you and optimize your fitness and productivity for the day ahead.

mastering the uncontrollable: the stoic path to peace and purpose

“Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our actions. The things in our

the stoic path to happiness

It has been eight years since I embarked on the epic journey of philosophy and Stoicism when I picked up the landmark book, The Daily Stoic, on the day of its release. Needless to say, the book has made a profound impact on me and my thinking. It paved the

tips for making the most of autumn scents

To fully enjoy the uplifting and soothing effects of pumpkin spice season, you can incorporate these comforting scents into your daily life in various ways. Here are some tips to help you make the most of this awesome aromatic time of year: 1. Scent Your Home * Use essential oils: Diffusing

choosing the right handle in challenging circumstances

“Every event has two handles — one by which it can be carried, and one by which it can’t. If your brother does you wrong, don’t grab it by his wronging, because this is the handle incapable of lifting it. Instead, use the other — that he is your brother,

the morning ritual: a common thread among the successful

“Ask yourself the following first thing in the morning: - What am I lacking in attaining freedom from passion? - And what for tranquility? - What am I? A mere body, estate-holder, or reputation? None of these things. - What, then? A rational being. - What then is demanded of

the pumpkin spice magic

As the air turns crisp and the leaves transform into shades of red, orange, and gold, a familiar aroma begins to fill the atmosphere—pumpkin spice. The scent of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves brings with it a wave of nostalgia, evoking memories of cozy autumn evenings, family gatherings,

gratitude: the stoic path to mental resilience

“In all things we should try to make ourselves be as grateful as possible. For gratitude is a good thing for ourselves, in a manner in which justice, commonly held to belong to others, is not. Gratitude pays itself back in large measure. — Seneca, Moral Letters, 81.19 The Stoics

making fear a catalyst for greatness

In a world that often preaches the comfort of complacency, there lies a powerful counterargument: the transformative potential of disciplined fear. While it's easy to remain passive, watching life unfold from the safety of the sidelines, true growth and achievement demand that we step onto the battlefield of

the battle within: choosing love over fear

The Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. — Reinhold Niebuhr Remember those childhood cartoons where a character faced with a decision suddenly had a devil and an angel

amitabh bachchan: an icon for the ages

Amitabh Bachchan, often referred to as the “Shahenshah” (Emperor) of Bollywood, is much more than just an actor in Indian cinema—he is an enduring symbol of excellence, resilience, and versatility. His remarkable career spans over five decades, during which he has not only shaped the course of Bollywood but

how to achieve financial freedom in America

In the wealthiest nation on Earth, where abundance seems limitless and prosperity ever-expanding, one might assume that financial security in retirement is a given. Yet, for many, this assumption couldn't be further from reality. The stark truth is that a significant portion of the population faces a precarious

how Gandhi influenced millions to fight for a single cause

“Let us consider the power of faith as it is was demonstrated by a man well known to all of civilisation, Mahatma Gandhi of India. In this man the world experienced one of the most astounding examples of the possibilities of FAITH. Gandhi wielded more potential power than any man

know yourself… now

“Death lies heavy upon one who, known exceedingly well by all, dies unknown to himself.” — Seneca, Thyestes, 400 Self-awareness, the ability to introspect and understand one's thoughts, feelings, and motivations, is a cornerstone of a fulfilling life. It is a prerequisite for authenticity, happiness, and meaningful relationships. Yet,

the power of disciplined aggression

Discipline is often portrayed as a quiet, restrained force, a guardrail that keeps laziness at bay and ensures that we stay on the straight and narrow. While this image of discipline is true, it only scratches the surface. Discipline is not just a shield; it’s also a sword. It

akshay kumar: the karma yogi of indian cinema

Akshay Kumar, one of the most versatile and bankable stars in Indian cinema, has carved out a unique position for himself over the course of his three-decade-long career. Revered not only for his onscreen performances but also for his offscreen conduct, he embodies qualities reminiscent of a "Karma Yogi&

practicing emotional discipline in investing

"The investor’s chief problem—and even his worst enemy—is likely to be himself." — Benjamin Graham "The biggest investing errors come not from factors that are informational or analytical, but from those that are psychological." — Howard Marks In the realm of personal finance, a critical

the myth of the everlasting love affair

"Love is not about how much you say ‘I love you,’ but how much you prove that it’s true." – Unknown The cinematic portrayal of love often paints a picture of a whirlwind romance, filled with passionate declarations, grand gestures, and a seemingly endless supply of butterflies in

the five elements in ayurveda: a microcosmic perspective

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, posits that the universe and everything within it is composed of five basic elements: Ether, Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. These elements, present in varying proportions, govern the transformation and behavior of all matter, from the smallest particle to the grandest celestial body.

the best revenge: a stoic perspective on responding to injustice

the lessons we can learn from “tumbbad”

Tumbbad (2018), directed by Rahi Anil Barve and Adesh Prasad, is an Indian horror-fantasy film that masterfully combines mythology with a cautionary tale about greed, ambition, and the consequences of human desires. The narrative is steeped in folklore, centering on the cursed village of Tumbbad and the search for a

the wisdom of passive investing

In the intricate world of finance, a counterintuitive truth has emerged: simplicity often outperforms complexity when it comes to investment strategies. This insight forms the foundation of passive investing, an approach that has gained significant traction in recent decades. By embracing index funds and resisting the urge to actively beat

accepting the perpetual nature of relationship challenges

In the realm of human relationships, we often find ourselves caught in a peculiar illusion. We tend to view the turbulence and difficulties we encounter as temporary roadblocks, mere bumps on the road to an imagined state of perpetual harmony. This perspective leads us to engage in what can be

50 remarkable Jim Rohn quotes to elevate your game

Jim Rohn was an incredible force in the personal development world. Through his work, he nudged everyone to ignite their dormant potential and expand their horizons, both in personal and professional realms. When he passed away 15 years back in 2009, he left a priceless gift for all of us:

the myth of the quick fix: why discipline trumps life hacks

In our age of instant gratification, we're constantly bombarded with promises of shortcuts to success. "10X your productivity with this one weird trick!" "Get six-pack abs in just two weeks!" "Learn a language while you sleep!" These seductive pitches tap into our

choosing extreme ownership over denial

the path to liberation: the quest for “what next?”

What is the fruit of these teachings? Only the most beautiful and proper harvest of the truly educated—tranquility, fearlessness, and freedom. We should not trust the masses who say only the free can be educated, but rather the lovers of wisdom who say that only the educated are free.

Ganesh Chaturthi: celebrating the Elephant-Headed God of new beginnings

“The significance of Ganesh is that he is supposed to remove all obstacles. This does not mean that he is going to come and take away all your obstacles. Ganesh has a big head. They removed his small head and put a big head on him. He is supposed to

the stoic path: a journey of consistent practice and training

“That’s why the philosophers warn us not to be satisfied with mere learning, but to add practice and then training. For as time passes we forget what we learned and end up doing the opposite, and hold opinions the opposite of what we should.” — Epictetus, Discourses, 2.9.13-14

practicing the art of creative silence

In our fast-paced, constantly connected world, the idea of silence is often overlooked, if not outright ignored. Yet, the simple act of pausing in stillness can have profound effects on our mental and emotional well-being.  Norman Vincent Peale, a well-known proponent of positive thinking, emphasized the importance of taking a

focus on the process, not the end goal

“Those obsessed with glory attach their well-being to the regard of others, those who love pleasure tie it to feelings, but the one with true understanding seeks it only in their own actions.” “Think on the character of the people one wishes to please, the possessions one means to gain,

become the craftsman of your mind

“The raw material for the work of a good and excellent person is their own guiding reason, the body is that of the doctor and the physical trainer, and the farm the farmer’s.” —Epictetus, Discourses, 3.3.1 The pursuit of excellence is a cornerstone of human endeavor. Whether

the essence of true beauty

“Then what makes a beautiful human being? Isn’t it the presence of human excellence? Young friend, if you wish to be beautiful, then work diligently at human excellence. And what is that? Observe those whom you praise without prejudice. The just or the unjust? The just. The even-tempered or

strive for excellence in every action

“This can be swiftly taught in very few words: virtue is the only good; there is no certain good without virtue; and virtue resides in our nobler part, which is the rational one. And what can this virtue be? True and steadfast judgment. For from this will arise every mental

a good person never settles for easy

the diya within: nurturing your inner light

“Protect your own good in all that you do, and as concerns everything else take what is given as far as you can make reasoned use of it. If you don’t, you’ll be unlucky, prone to failure, hindered and stymied.” — Epictetus, Discourses, 4.3.11 Each of us

why you must cultivate a discipline of detachment

The world in which we live now is a world of access. Never before in the history of humanity has it become so much easier to acquire things. Just a click of a few buttons, maybe a phone call, and you can get whatever you want. Due to this ease,

the power of habits: cultivating excellence through intentional living

“Every habit and capability is confirmed and grows in its corresponding actions, walking by walking, and running by running … therefore, if you want to do something make a habit of it, if you don’t want to do that, don’t, but make a habit of something else instead. The

the y factor: the role of pleasure in food choices

Food is not merely sustenance; it is a source of pleasure, a social glue, and a cornerstone of culture. While the nutritional content of what we eat is undeniably crucial for maintaining health, the role of the “Y factor,” i.e. the “yum factor,” in food choices cannot be overlooked.

it’s the little things that add up in the end

“You must build up your life action by action, and be content if each one achieves its goal as far as possible—and no one can keep you from this.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.32 In the fabric of human existence, it's often the tiniest threads that weave

the path to inner peace: ancient wisdom for modern serenity

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson In our fast-paced and often chaotic world, the quest for inner peace and emotional control has never been more critical. To be effective in our lives—whether as participants, leaders,

the power of social influence on money habits

“The wealthy are often careful about the social influences they allow in their lives.” – Thomas J. Stanley, The Millionaire Next Door Human behavior is profoundly shaped by the social environment. We pick up habits, both good and bad, from those around us: parents, teachers, family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, mentors, celebrities,

letting go of false love stories: the importance of intentionality in romantic relationships

In the quest for love, it is easy to fall into the trap of romanticizing brief, fleeting connections. We meet someone who captivates us on a first date, and suddenly, we envision a future filled with shared experiences, deep conversations, and mutual growth. However, it is crucial to recognize that

inaction in the face of evil is itself a form of evil

“Often injustice lies in what you aren’t doing, not only in what you are doing.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 9.5  Throughout history, humanity has demonstrated an alarming capacity for evil, not only actively but also passively. The Holocaust stands as one of the most harrowing examples of this dual

the significance of self-control in financial success

“The ability to discipline yourself to delay gratification in the short term in order to enjoy greater rewards in the long term is the indispensable prerequisite for success." – Brian Tracy In the mid-1970s, a pioneering team of behavioral scientists, psychologists, health professionals, and experts from diverse fields embarked on

the psychology behind addiction

why buying used cars is a smart financial move

In the realm of personal finance, savvy habits separate the spendthrifts from the self-made millionaires. One such habit, often overlooked, is the choice of vehicle ownership. While the allure of a brand-new car holds undeniable charm, it can wreak havoc on your wallet. Just like soaring housing costs, car payments

food as preventive medicine: the power of plant-based diets

"The evidence now overwhelmingly suggests that the most effective way to reduce your risk of chronic diseases is through a plant-based diet." – Dr. T. Colin Campbell In recent years, a growing body of scientific evidence has illuminated the profound impact of dietary choices on human health. Research consistently

mastering focus to overcome adversity

“Our minds become magnetized with the dominating thoughts we hold in our minds and these magnets attract to us the forces, the people, the circumstances of life which harmonize with the nature of our dominating thoughts.” – Napoleon Hill Have you ever wondered why some people can handle tough situations better

understanding addiction (part 2)

The worst part of addiction is the shame, guilt, and the victim mindset that comes with it. We are so imprisoned by our own repeating patterns that we feel defeated and lost in the dark. There are different kinds and forms of addictions that plague our current society. The leading

understanding addiction (part 1)

The word “addiction” is derived from a Latin term for “enslaved by, or bound to”; addiction is akin to slavery and bondage. It is easy for our human brains to yearn for things from which we derive pleasure. Addictions have a great power to influence our brains that manifests in

the 10% entertainment rule: saving for a better future

Many people dream of having enough money to live comfortably, both now and in the future. But achieving this dream can be challenging if we're not careful with how we spend our money today. One key to financial success is following the 10% entertainment rule. This rule suggests

the silent culprit: how unhealthy diets fuel disease

"Every time you eat or drink, you are either feeding disease or fighting it." – David Wolfe For decades, public health efforts have focused on the dangers of unhealthy diets for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. However, recent research unveils a more alarming truth: these processed, sugar-laden

the unseen bars: the internal price of wrongdoing

“The greatest portion of peace of mind is doing nothing wrong. Those who lack self-control live disoriented and disturbed lives.” – Seneca, Moral Letters, 105.7 The lure of the shortcut, the thrill of the forbidden – these are powerful motivators. Yet, beneath the fleeting highs of wrongdoing lies a hidden punishment,

finding the funny: a prescription for better well-being

“No mind is thoroughly well organized that is deficient in a sense of humor.” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge In our fast-paced world, prioritizing laughter can feel like a luxury. Yet, cultivating a habit of humor isn't just about fleeting amusement; it's a potent tool for enhancing our

honor the miracles happening around you

It’s raining outside, and as I stood on the balcony admiring the pleasing event, a random thought crossed my mind. What if witnessing rain was once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon – an occasion that only took place once in 100 years? Would we be still ignoring it as we spend our time within

two steps to overcome addictive behaviors

Every era comes with its own difficulties. Although we are living in the best age that humanity has ever seen, the trade-off is that we have become more susceptible to falling prey to the attachments and addictions around us. Getting attached and becoming addicted is human. It happens to all

busy doesn't always mean better

“I can’t call a person a hard worker just because I hear they read and write, even if working at it all night. Until I know what a person is working for, I can’t deem them industrious.… I can if the end they work for is their own

how to integrate humor in your daily life

"Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it." – Bill Cosby In the relentless rush of modern life, we are constantly bombarded with stressors and traumas on

the strategic path to lasting wealth: more than just numbers

Creating lasting wealth is not merely about crunching numbers; it is about developing a thoughtful and strategic approach. The most successful individuals and organizations understand that budgeting goes beyond simple arithmetic. It involves a comprehensive strategy that focuses not only on managing expenses but also on increasing income. The journey

understanding and managing cravings

“From craving arises sorrow, from craving arises fear, but he who is freed from craving has no sorrow and certainly no fear.” – Gautama Buddha Cravings, a natural part of the human experience, are potent urges that can be directed towards various things such as food, stimulation, or mind-altering substances like

taking the road to financial freedom

always give more value than the money you receive

"The universe operates through dynamic exchange… giving and receiving are different aspects of the same flow of energy." – Deepak Chopra In the realm of business and professional endeavors, the principle of equal value exchange stands as an unwavering pillar of success. Simply put, the value you contribute must

meaningful work: the source of lasting joy

overcoming self-doubt and nurturing self-esteem

Do you ever feel like you're not good enough? Many of us struggle with doubting ourselves. We might think we're not smart enough, talented enough, or just not worthy. This negative self-talk can really bring us down and hold us back. But there's good

you must honor and respect your body

international yoga day: 30 timeless quotes by Swami Vivekananda

International Yoga Day, observed on June 21st, celebrates the profound impact yoga has on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. This day highlights the ancient practice that originated in India and has become a global phenomenon. In honor of this occasion, let’s turn to the wisdom of Swami Vivekananda, a

a resilient heart: a testament to the healing power of hope and optimism

Recently, I stumbled upon a remarkable story that reaffirms the extraordinary power of optimism and the unwavering strength of the human heart, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable health challenges. There was once a young woman who seemed to have everything going for her. She was fit, active, and

the entrepreneurial mindset: your key to unlocking success in the modern world

“Under the contributor mindset you receive money as payment for your social service. The money you earn is society's way of saying: 'In exchange for your valued contribution, you are hereby granted the right to extract equivalent value from society at a time of your choosing.” ― Michael

success is about building momentum

forget income, make impact your primary goal

“Money is the reward rendered for usefulness rendered. Barons pick businesses that raise the lives of billions of human beings. Which, in turn, makes them billions in income.” – Robin Sharma When people fixate on how much money they make, they often lose sight of a more important goal: the impact

you must select your partner consciously

“Ninety-five percent of the happiness you’re going to have in life is going to come from who you select as your partner. So we’re going to get absolutely clear about what is it that you really want because it’s impossible to get there otherwise.” – Tony Robbins Choosing

feeling good to receive positive outcomes in health checkups

When it comes to our health, whether it's a routine checkup, a specific test, or receiving results, our emotional state plays a crucial role in influencing the outcome. The Law of Attraction, a fundamental principle of the universe, dictates that we attract experiences that match our vibrational frequency.

focus on making choices that honor your best self

Powered by RedCircle “Where is Good? In our reasoned choices. Where is Evil? In our reasoned choices. Where is that which is neither Good nor Evil? In the things outside of our own reasoned choice.” – Epictetus, Discourses, 2.16.1 In the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, Vibheeshan, Ravan’s younger

reconnecting with our authentic selves

Powered by RedCircle “It’s not hard to create self-beliefs that produce a successful and happy life. The main job is to unlearn your limiting beliefs.” – Maddy Malhotra As newborns, we are the epitome of unblemished purity, untouched by the world's anxieties and preconceived notions. We are the

choosing the right intoxication for yourself

“I’m completely drunk, all the time. Not on wine – on the Divine.” – Sadhguru I love this quote by Sadhguru. If you’re someone who prefers a drink or two in the evenings, maybe on the weekends for recreational purposes, how about choosing a different kind of intoxication moving forward?

self-education is key to remarkable success

Powered by RedCircle “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” — Jim Rohn The Internet has changed everything, and we live in an era that humanity has never experienced before. In this information age, we can basically learn anything that we want anywhere in the

harnessing jealousy for growth in relationships

the power of gratitude in cultivating health

Gratitude, the simple act of being thankful, is a transformative force that can significantly enhance our well-being. It is often said that gratitude is the great multiplier, and this holds particularly true when it comes to our health. The adage "health is wealth" has been reiterated time and

stop caring about what other people think

“I’m constantly amazed by how easily we love ourselves above all others, yet we put more stock in the opinions of others than in our own estimation of self. . . . How much credence we give to the opinions our peers have of us and how little to our very own!

the healing power of faith: a return to holistic wellness

In today's world, many religious practices are focused on helping people heal from various forms of suffering—whether it be in the mind, heart, soul, or body. This shift in focus is actually a return to the roots of religious traditions, where the well-being of the whole person

you must always be driven by selfless service

In the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, the demon-king Ravan abducts Sita and takes her away to his island kingdom of Lanka. To save her, Ram and Lakshman take the help of the vanaras and declare war against Ravan. In this war, Ravan’s son Indrajit strikes Lakshman with a deadly

the key to lasting business success

Have you ever wondered why some businesses take off like rockets while others stay stuck in a rut? The answer may surprise you. It's not just about having a great product or service. The real key to business success is something that goes much deeper – it's

using the power of love for optimal health

Here’s one potent way to achieve fantastic health: start giving love. It's true! The love you send out comes right back to you in the form of amazing health and wellbeing.  You can't fight sickness with negativity and anger. Feeling hatred or fear toward an

how meditation can change your life

“Meditation is a way for nourishing and blossoming the divine within you.” — Amit Ray In this world of distractions and noise everywhere around us, we need to develop a practice of mindfulness to lead a happy and fulfilling life. We have to be mindful of our thoughts, our actions, and

the secret to attracting money and fulfilling work

Powered by RedCircle “It's the attractive force of love that moves all the money in the world, and whoever is giving love by feeling good is a magnet for money. You don't have to earn money to prove yourself. You are worthy of all the money

a heartfelt prayer for cultivating the stoic virtue of courage

Dear God, Grant me the heart of a lion, that I may face each trial with fortitude. Let not fear cloud my judgment nor doubt cripple my resolve. Instill in me the courage to act justly, even when the path is fraught with adversity. Let me stand tall in the

the stoic who turned pale in a storm

In Aulus Gellius' The Attic Nights, there's a fascinating tale about a Stoic philosopher who found himself in a dire situation at sea. This anecdote, to be specific, describes the Stoic doctrine concerning involuntary emotional reactions or “proto-passions” (propatheiai), and thus, paints a vivid picture of human

the stoic mantra to overcome all adversities

“Let us not wait for other people to come to us and call upon us to do great deeds. Let us instead be the first to summon the rest to the path of honor. Show yourself to be the bravest of all the captains, with more of a right to

the mighty lion: a symbol of courage through the ages

Throughout history, the lion has held an enduring position as a potent symbol of courage. From the sprawling savannas of ancient Africa to the bustling metropolises of our modern world, the image of this majestic creature evokes profound feelings of bravery, strength, and unwavering determination. Its presence within folklore, mythology,

how the ancient stoics embodied courage

The ancient Stoic philosophers believed that living a virtuous life according to reason and nature was the path to true happiness and fulfillment. Of the four cardinal virtues – wisdom, justice, temperance, and courage – they saw courage as particularly important and inspirational. To the Stoics, courage meant having an unwavering strength

embrace every opportunity to give love

“Love has no limits. It cannot be measured. No one can own it or hedge it in. The more you have, the more you can give. And the more you give, the more you can have.” — Leo Buscaglia The most potent force we possess is love, and each of us

unlocking the healing potential of love

“The greatest healing therapy is friendship and love.” – Hubert H. Humphrey For centuries, love has been revered as a profound emotion, shaping our thoughts, relationships, and overall happiness.  But what if the power of love extended beyond our minds, seeping into the very fabric of our physical bodies? Increasingly, scientists

stoic courage: facing life’s storms with virtue

For the Stoics, courage wasn't just the ability to charge fearlessly into battle. It was a cornerstone of a fulfilling life, a virtue that allowed one to navigate the inevitable challenges and uncertainties of existence. Unlike the fleeting bravery of the warrior, Stoic courage is a deep-seated fortitude,

“Daily Pearls From Hanuman Chalisa”: your new spiritual companion

Hanuman is an ardent devotee of Ram and one of the central characters in the renowned Hindu epic, the Ramayana. According to the Hindu legend, Hanuman is considered an incarnation of Shiva, the hermit God. Numerous folk tales acclaim the virtues and supernatural powers of Hanuman. Recitation or chanting of

lessons on courage and bravery from star wars

The Star Wars saga, with its sweeping narratives of good versus evil, is a timeless source of inspiration for those seeking lessons on courage and bravery. Within the fantastical realms of the galaxy far, far away, ordinary individuals become extraordinary heroes, facing unimaginable dangers in a testament to the indomitable

success costs more than you think

“The unrestricted person, who has in hand what they will in all events, is free. But anyone who can be restricted, coerced, or pushed into something against what they will is a slave.” — Epictetus, Discourses, 4.1.128b–129a Success is often seen as the ultimate achievement, bringing with it

the many faces of courage

Throughout history, the word "courage" has conjured up images of heroism – warriors charging into battle, firefighters storming into burning buildings, or activists standing firm against oppressive forces. But courage encompasses far more than just these extraordinary acts. It is a multi-faceted virtue woven into the fabric of our

embracing the pain: stoicism and the path to resilience

“Men, the philosopher’s lecture-hall is a hospital—you shouldn’t walk out of it feeling pleasure, but pain, for you aren’t well when you enter it.” — Epictetus, Discourses, 3.23.30 In the realm of healing, whether it’s physical therapy or rehabilitation, the journey is often marked

the power of morning attitude to shape your day

Every morning is a blank canvas waiting to be painted with the colors of our attitude. How we greet the dawn sets the tone for the entire day ahead. It's like setting sail on a journey; if we start with a positive wind, we're more likely

the significance of raising your vibration

“If you had one goal, and that was to feel good, you would never again need to hear another word from anyone.” ― Abraham-Hicks We try to live in the future and think that we’ll be happy when we get a certain outcome or when our desires will come true.

attracting prosperity through an inviting entrance

In the ancient Indian system of architecture and design known as Vastu Shastra, the entrance to one's home is considered a pivotal element that can shape the flow of energy and have profound impacts on the lives of the occupants. More than just a physical threshold, the main

the power of positive thought: émile coué's transformative insight

In the early 20th century, a French psychologist and pharmacist named Émile Coué made a revolutionary discovery about the transformative power of the human mind. Coué recognized that our thoughts and internal self-talk had a profound impact on our health, well-being, and ability to achieve our goals. Through his clinical

celebrating earth day with feng shui

“When people ask me to describe Feng Shui, I tell them that it’s about much more than moving furniture around. Feng Shui is the original “green design,” and it is about creating harmony with Mother Earth by unifying our inner and outer environments. The inner and outer are not

one ancient practice to resolve all health issues

As per ancient Hindu scriptures, Hanuman, the superhuman warrior, is seen as an embodiment of exceptional health and is often worshipped by bodybuilders, wrestlers, boxers, and athletes. It is widely believed in India that chanting Hanuman’s name on a consistent basis dissolves all forms of diseases and pain. Being

celebrate the success and prosperity of others

“Celebrate the success of others not as a duty, but as a delight. It's the fastest way to create your own.” – Anonymous Whenever you hear about someone else receiving more money or experiencing great success, try to feel excited instead of jealous. This is actually a good sign

the unending tussle: embracing the feminine

keep your fortress strong and impenetrable

“No, it is events that give rise to fear—when another has power over them or can prevent them, that person becomes able to inspire fear. How is the fortress destroyed? Not by iron or fire, but by judgments…  here is where we must begin, and it is from this

the taxes of life: a different perspective

“Nothing will ever befall me that I will receive with gloom or a bad disposition. I will pay my taxes gladly. Now, all the things which cause complaint or dread are like the taxes of life—things from which, my dear Lucilius, you should never hope for exemption or seek

the difference between happiness and pleasure

living life to the fullest with wealth

"True wealth is the freedom to live your life on your own terms." – Anonymous Imagine for a moment that you are wealthy. Envision that you have all the money you could ever need right now. How would your life be different? You would feel a profound sense of

respecting another’s right to choose in relationships

"Love does not claim possession, but gives freedom." – Rabindranath Tagore Here’s a story that illustrates the importance of respecting others' freedom of choice in intimate relationships, even when it is painful: Jacob had been dating Emily for two wonderful years. They had fallen deeply in love

you have more power than you realize

“Consider who you are. Above all, a human being, carrying no greater power than your own reasoned choice, which oversees all other things, and is free from any other master.” — Epictetus, Discourses, 2.10.1 Suffering is an inevitable part of our lives. We all experience different levels and kinds

living the law of attraction through fair exchange

When we embrace the principle of fair exchange in our lives, we tap into the power of the law of attraction. The law of attraction teaches that we attract into our lives what we focus on and put our energy towards. By living according to the rule of fair exchange,

how to maintain your elasticity in life

“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” – Chinese Proverb Once, a great Chinese emperor visited a renowned Zen master. When the emperor arrived, he found the Zen master rolling on the floor, laughing heartily, and his disciples were laughing along with him. The emperor

how to become a karma yogi

Karma Yoga is a journey of dedicated work towards fulfilling our goals, but in this path, we focus on our actions and let go of our attachment to results and desired outcomes. Instead, the results are renounced as a spiritual offering rather than using them to boost our ego. Becoming

the money multiplier: how love can transform your finances

"Money flows through life, and in its flow, blesses all it touches if we allow it to keep moving with love." – Anonymous Our relationship with money is often fraught with tension. We spend it with a twinge of regret, fearing the emptiness left behind. But what if we

why love is a vital force for health

the mighty heart: the timeless seat for love and emotion

your thoughts and words shape your life

"The words you speak become the house you live in." – Hafiz The things you think and say to yourself have an incredible power over how you experience life. It's like magic - but it's not some trick, it's just the way reality

an easter story: the gift of unexpected kindness

Sarah stood outside the bakery, nose crinkling at the enticing aroma of warm cinnamon rolls. Her stomach rumbled, a harsh reminder of the meager breakfast she'd managed to scrounge. Easter Sunday, a day usually filled with family, joy, and a table overflowing with food, felt hollow this year.

cultivating a divine glow

As per ancient Hindu texts, Hanuman, as a child, spent a great deal of time in the proximity of the sun. First, while he attempted to swallow the sun as an infant, and then later during his education when the Sun God Surya became his teacher. Due to this, sunshine

money makes the world go round

“The Jewish believe money is an entity that strengthens the bond between people. It symbolizes trust when it flows from one person to another during a transaction. Money is something that needs to keep moving between people and is not to be hidden. The more active your money is, the

the inner drive: understanding your sexual essence

the 100 trillion team: how your body is under your command

“Our body is a machine for living. It is organized for that, it is its nature. Let life go on in it unhindered and let it defend itself.” – Leo Tolstoy Imagine a tireless team of 100 trillion dedicated workers, functioning 24/7 for your sole benefit. These aren't

why the easy life isn't praiseworthy

“Success comes to the lowly and to the poorly talented, but the special characteristic of a great person is to triumph over the disasters and panics of human life.” — Seneca, On Providence, 4.1 You may know some people who seem to have had it made in life from the

designing the life that works for you

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to how we should spend our time. The conventional notion that we must grind endlessly to achieve career success and wealth can be an unhealthy trap. We don't have to shackle ourselves to paths that cause us constant stress and keep us

holi: stories, symbolism, and significance

Holi, the exuberant festival of colors, is a vibrant tapestry woven from threads of mythology, history, and seasonal joy. Celebrated in India and across the globe by the Indian diaspora, Holi is more than just a riot of color; it's a celebration of good over evil, love, and

train yourself to stay in the present

what does it really mean to give love?

"Love doesn't keep a score of wrongs. Love doesn't bring up past mistakes. None of us is perfect.” — Gary Chapman We often hear phrases like "give love" or "share love" when talking about relationships. But do we truly understand what it

how your emotions impact your physical well-being

“Your emotions affect every cell in your body. Mind and body, mental and physical, are intertwined.” — Thomas Tutko How you feel inside doesn't just stay in your mind and heart. Every emotion you experience actually spreads throughout your whole body, reaching into every single cell and organ. It&

conquer fear once and for all

“But there is no reason to live and no limit to our miseries if we let our fears predominate.” — Seneca, Moral Letters, 13.12b The ancient Stoic philosophers had an interesting take on fear. They said we should be more afraid of being afraid than of the things we'

keep planting seeds of positivity each day

"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results." — Willie Nelson   We all have negative thoughts sometimes. It's normal and natural for our minds to go to dark places every now and then. But we don't need to

how to be a happy person

getting paid? don't forget to feel great!

“When you change the way you feel about money, the amount of money in your life will change. The better you feel about money, the more money you magnetize to yourself.” — Rhonda Byrne When you get your paycheck, how do you feel? Excited? Relieved? Or maybe just stressed about bills

rekindling love: one woman's journey to heal her marriage

"Love cures people - both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it." — Karl Menninger We've all heard stories of couples who stay together through thick and thin, letting their love conquer any problems they face. But one woman's tale of

life is more than just seeking pleasure

the real meaning of education

In 1919, The Chicago Tribune published articles calling Henry Ford an "ignorant pacifist" for his opposition to World War I. Incensed, Ford sued the newspaper for libel and took the extraordinary step of testifying to refute the "ignorant" allegation. The Tribune's lawyers grilled Ford

true leadership is never about gathering knowledge

“An ‘educated’ person is one who knows how to acquire everything he needs in the attainment of his main Purpose in life, without violating the rights of his fellow men. It might be a surprise to many so-called men of ‘learning’ to know that they come nowhere near qualification as

balancing desire and destiny

In Hinduism, it is believed that the only way to live a purposeful and joyful life is to create a healthy balance between enjoying desire (kama) and accepting destiny (karma). Once we do that, we go deeper — we go beyond happiness and suffering, pain and pleasure, desire and destiny. This

the three components of happiness

Mahashivratri: overcoming spiritual darkness through devotion

“Maha Shivratri is the best time for one to take refuge in Shiva (the divine consciousness) which brings peace and solace to all layers of consciousness.” — Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Mahashivratri is one of the biggest festivals celebrated by Hindus all over the world. It honors Lord Shiva, who

harnessing the force of love to dissolve negativity in relationships

“You can change any relationship right now by looking for the things you love, appreciate, and are grateful for in that person. When you make a deliberate effort to look for the things you love more than you notice negative things, a miracle will take place. It will appear to

the placebo effect: how beliefs shape health

"The mind and body are inextricably entwined. Belief and thoughts can either dis-regulate and dis-balance their equilibrium or bring about homeostasis of the whole system." — Bruce Lipton Have you ever heard of the placebo effect? It's one of the most amazing proofs we have of just

the only thing you ever have is now

“There are more things, Lucilius, likely to frighten us than there are to crush us; we suffer more often in imagination than in reality.” ― Seneca, Letters from a Stoic Most of us live anxious and worried lives. And the sad part is that we hardly ever live in the present.

the timeless essence of leadership: embracing the power of "i don't know"

“A man may become a walking encyclopedia of knowledge without possessing any power of value. This knowledge becomes power only to the extent that it is organized, classified, and put into action. Some of the best educated men the world has known possessed much less general knowledge than some who

untangling life's problems with heavenly help

A young man once wrote to his father about a personal problem:  “Once again, just yesterday, I have put this whole matter in the Lord’s hands, and asked Him to guide me about it all. I often think of how I’d get my fishing line all tangled up.

how to make money stick to you (part 2)

how to make money stick to you (part 1)

your relationships are a mirror of what you put in

"Whatever is expressed is impressed. Whatever you send out into the Universe, you receive that back, from the Universe." – Rhonda Byrne Have you ever wondered why some of your relationships, romantic and otherwise, seem to flourish while others feel difficult and strained? The answer may lie in a

choose rational thinking over good fortune

personal growth is not a sprint

"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves." — Rainer Maria Rilke Many people think that changing yourself or growing as a person is something that should happen quickly. They treat it like a race, rushing from one self-help book

trusting the master weaver’s voice

Imagine a workshop humming not with the clang of machines but with the soft melody of chanted instructions. This is not a scene from a fantasy novel, but the reality of carpet weaving in some parts of India. Here, the act of creation transcends mere craftsmanship, becoming a rhythmic dance

suffering holds the key to happiness

“The more time you spend thinking about yourself, the more suffering you will experience.” ― Dalai Lama XIV, The Book of Joy Suffering is inevitable and a constant occurrence in our human lives. Whether it be waking up early to go to your day job, tackling countless bills that come your

money malaise: untangling the roots of financial discomfort

“Money isn't the problem or the solution. It is merely a side effect of what is going on inside your head.” – Robert T. Kiyosaki Why do so many people, even those who achieve financial success, experience a persistent unease around money? It's not simply a lack

film therapy: jab we met

2007 | Comedy, Drama, Romance | 2h 18m A depressed wealthy businessman finds his life changing after he meets a spunky and care-free young woman. Director: Imtiaz Ali Writer: Imtiaz Ali Stars: Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan Why You Should Watch It? Jab We Met is a beloved Hindi-language film that has

embrace empowering beliefs about your health

"What you believe, you receive." – Rhonda Byrne Beliefs shape our lives in profound ways. They are like seeds planted in the soil of our minds, growing into the reality we experience. What we hold to be true, whether consciously or subconsciously, becomes the lens through which we perceive

finding grace in uncommon places

“Life is an inexhaustible treasure, but only the heart of the poet can know it.” — Osho The world is filled with poetry, if only we have eyes to see it. As Marcus Aurelius wrote in a passage in Meditations, even simple sights like stalks of grain bending in the wind

the path to outer success starts from inner mastery

“If you really want to improve your outer world, whether this means your career, your relationships, or your finances, you must first improve your inner world. The most effective way to do this is through the practice of continuous self-improvement. Self-mastery is the DNA of life mastery. Greatness is an

Hanuman Chalisa: the complete text with english translation

“Every time I experience negativity in the world, and in myself, every time I encounter jealousy, rage, and frustration manifesting as violation and violence, I hear, or read, the Hanuman Chalisa… As verse follows verse, my frightened, crumpled mind begins to expand with knowledge and insight, and my faith in

the happiness formula

abundance vs scarcity: how wealth shapes our feelings

"Poverty is a state of mind more than a matter of income." — Herbert N. Casson Money is a funny thing. Most people say they love having it, but unless they have enough, they just don't feel good about money at all. It's only when

trust the Universe to deliver your perfect partner

"The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper." — Eden Phillpotts We can't see the whole picture, but the Universe can. Sometimes we think we know what's best for ourselves, especially when it comes to relationships. We meet

a chuckle-worthy guide to understanding how men and women talk

Communication! It's like trying to decode an alien language sometimes, isn't it? Especially when you're talking about how men and women chat it up. They might as well be from different planets, right? But fear not, fellow Earthlings, for I am here to shed

our circumstances don’t dictate our happiness

Powered by RedCircle “Don’t be the person who is waiting for this, that, or the other thing to happen before she can be happy.” “Our expectations about what our lives should be like are greater than ever before; we believe that we can do anything, and we are profoundly

take charge and act now

Many people spend their lives waiting—waiting for the perfect moment, the right opportunity, or a surge of motivation. But the truth is, nothing changes until you do. Your ideas won’t bring themselves to life. Your body won’t grow stronger by itself. Your bank account won’t grow

unleashing the impossible through unwavering faith

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 Nestled within the pages of the Bible lies a verse with the power to ignite hope and shatter limitations: "With God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:

happiness is an inside job

Happiness plays an important role in our lives. If you ask people about the purpose of life, most would say that we are all seeking some form of happiness. However, happiness remains an elusive concept that we struggle to fully understand or obtain. External events can temporarily influence our happiness,

mistrust is not an option

Continuing with last week’s theme of the significance of trust in love, I’d like to share a beautiful passage written by Osho on this subject. I’m sure it’ll inspire you to make trusting others a key discipline in your life and your relationships. . . .  It is very

focus on well-being, not disease

"What we think, we become." — Buddha Have you ever heard the saying "what you focus on expands"? This idea is central to the law of attraction. It suggests that we draw into our lives more of what we put our attention and energy towards. When it

labeling breeds suffering

“Don’t use the words happiness and unhappiness, because these words carry judgments. Simply watch without judging—just say, ‘This is mood A and this is mood B.’  The A mood has gone, now the B mood is here, and you are simply a watcher. Suddenly you will realize that

reinventing yourself through joyful work

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." — Howard Thurman Life, in its grand tapestry, isn't a static portrait; it's

you must learn to tell captivating stories

your professional success depends on this key skill

the magnetism of gratitude: how to attract abundance with a positive mindset

Money can be a source of both immense joy and paralyzing anxiety. We chase it, obsess over it, and often, find ourselves locked in a frustrating tug-of-war with its elusive nature. But what if the key to attracting abundance wasn't hidden in cunning financial strategies or tireless hustle,

trust: the unwavering anchor in love

Love, in its purest form, is a beautiful fabric woven with threads of vulnerability, intimacy, and, most importantly, trust. Trust is the cornerstone upon which a healthy and fulfilling relationship is built, a foundation that allows two souls to truly connect and flourish. While the allure of passion and excitement

finding oasis in the storm: 5 ways to recharge in a stress-fueled world

“Just like the devices we use daily, our bodies and minds also require regular recharging. Without it, we can find ourselves feeling unproductive, drained, and even detached from our own lives. And with burnout and stress seeming to increase more and more the last few years, across all professions, it’

the art of adaptability: a stoic secret to happiness

Imagine a student, eager and ambitious, approaching the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. "Master," he pleads, "show me the path to wisdom and success. Lay out the steps, the formulas, the secrets to achieving greatness." Epictetus, wise and ever-observant, refrains from offering a rigid roadmap. Instead, he gently

prioritize happiness over external rewards

the magic of tithing: how giving away money brings abundance

“One of the biggest things you can do to change your circumstances around money is to take ten percent of what you receive and give it away. This is called the spiritual law of tithing, and it is the greatest action you can take to bring more money into your

infusing divinity: the spiritual significance of the Pran Pratishtha ceremony

Pran Pratishtha, meaning "establishment of the life force," is a sacred ritual in the heart of Hindu and Jain traditions that breathes the divine spirit into a murti (temple idol), transforming a sculpted form into a living conduit to the divine. It is a meticulous tapestry woven with

Ram’s journey: a spiritual manual for turbulent times

As life's tempestuous waves threaten to overwhelm us, finding a beacon of equanimity can be our greatest solace. In the vast ocean of Hindu epics, the luminous figure of Ram, the protagonist of the Ramayana, emerges as a guiding star, demonstrating how to remain anchored in spiritual awareness

how to boost your happiness

love's labyrinth: navigating attachment and red flags

The Buddha, in his profound wisdom, uttered a truth that resonates across all aspects of life: "The root of suffering is attachment." This principle holds immense power, particularly in the realm of relationships, where our hopes and desires can intertwine with an intoxicating cocktail of infatuation and projection.

things you must know as a leader

echoes of hope: martin luther king jr.'s most inspiring quotes

Martin Luther King Jr.'s words were not mere pronouncements; they were torches illuminating the path towards a more just and equitable world. On this MLK Day, we revisit some of his most potent quotes, not as relics of history, but as beacons that continue to guide us through

you must detach yourself from your desires

“The moment you relinquish your attachment to the result, combining one-pointed intention with detachment at the same time, you will have that which you desire.” ― Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success The Law of Detachment is rooted in the idea that attachment to specific outcomes can lead to

the paradox of giving: building extraordinary relationships from within

"Love in its essence is a gift that requires no obligation or repayment. It is simply the giving of something precious to another freely." — Leo Buscaglia We often approach relationships like treasure hunts, eyes scanning for the hidden gems nestled within another. This mindset, however, is fundamentally flawed.

manifesting wealth: the power of thought, gratitude, and creative harmony

What's your take on the initial step towards wealth? Is it diving into the stock market or launching a business? Well, it actually begins on a more profound level—the realm of thoughts. In his landmark book The Science of Getting Rich, Wallace D. Wattles explains that our

the ripple effect: how giving breeds happiness

“Happiness is a byproduct of an effort to make someone else happy.” — Gretta Brooker Palmer Happiness is like an elusive butterfly, flitting just beyond our grasp. We chase it with relentless zeal, sometimes exhausting ourselves in the pursuit. Yet, what if the secret to capturing joy wasn't a

summary of the science of getting rich

I am re-reading the iconic book “The Science of Getting Rich” written by Wallace D. Wattles and first published in 1910, and what a wonderful experience it has been so far. I am learning some new nuggets as well as getting re-acquainted with some old ones. The insights are nothing

discovering your true self: a journey through inner peace and connection

15 inspiring intentions for a vibrant year

Here are 15 well-crafted intentions you can use to inspire and motivate yourself for a remarkable year: For my mind: 1. To cultivate curiosity, not certainty. I'll embrace the unknown, ask questions even when answers seem elusive, and let wonder be my compass. 2. To be a learner,

motivation and inspiration day: a spark for your new year's flame

Every year, on January 2nd, we celebrate National Motivation and Inspiration Day. It's a day to dust off the cobwebs from the holiday season, reignite the embers of our New Year's resolutions intentions, and fill our sails with the fresh winds of possibility. This day wasn&

5 secrets for setting new year’s intentions that work

“Whatever you put attention on will start manifesting in your life. Intention, attention, manifestation; that is how the Universe works.” — Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar The allure of a fresh start beckons with each New Year, and with it, the well-worn tradition of resolutions. But how often do they actually

10 ways to ring in the new year with a positive mindset

As the final embers of 2023 dwindle and the crisp anticipation of 2024 rises, what better time to cultivate a positive attitude and set the stage for a fulfilling year ahead? While flashy parties and grand resolutions often steal the spotlight, true New Year's magic lies in embracing

the eagle who found his wings

High on a wind-swept crag, nestled amongst ancient pines, lay an eaglet's nest. Among the three siblings, one egg tumbled down the mountain, carried by a tremor in the earth. It landed with a gentle thud in a faraway valley, on the threshold of a bustling chicken coop.

navigating the sea of life: how goals steer us to success

“I have seen many people with average intelligence run circles around supposed geniuses. The one who learns the skills of effective goal setting and achieving will become far more wealthy, successful, and happy than geniuses who don’t know what they want! Put it this way: A genius will still

hygge holidays: celebrating comfort and joy this season

As the holiday season unfolds, a familiar feeling takes hold: anticipation and excitement mingle with a tinge of stress. Between gift-giving, gatherings, and endless to-do lists, it's easy to lose sight of the true essence of the holidays – joy, connection, and warmth. This is where the Danish concept

the books and audio programs that influenced me the most in 2023

As this year ends, as part of my annual ritual, I wanted to again look back at all the useful books and audio programs that helped me in my journey of personal development, philosophy, and holistic success this year.  Of course, I’m not counting the old books (such as

building mental toughness: the foundation of lasting happiness

“For even peace itself will supply more reason for worry. Not even safe circumstances will bring you confidence once your mind has been shocked—once it gets in the habit of blind panic, it can’t provide for its own safety. For it doesn’t really avoid danger, it just

true joy lies in the warmth of togetherness

In a bustling city apartment, lived Sarah, a single mother, and her eight-year-old daughter, Lily. Times were tough. Sarah juggled multiple jobs, leaving little time for Christmas frills. Yet, Lily's eyes sparkled with the season's magic. She decorated their shoebox apartment with homemade paper snowflakes, carols

25 Christmas quotes to ignite the holiday spirit

Christmas, a time of twinkling lights, crackling fires, and hearts overflowing with warmth, stirs something deep within us. It's a season woven from childhood laughter, the aroma of gingerbread, and stories whispered by the glow of a Christmas tree. Yet, as the years tumble by, the magic sometimes

decoding attachments

some fun ways to welcome the winter solstice

The winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, arrives like a cozy hug from Mother Nature. It's a time to embrace the darkness, huddle close with loved ones, and celebrate the slow, steady return of light. While traditions vary across cultures, the essence remains the same: a

how to feast consciously this holiday season

The holidays are a time for joy, family, and...endless piles of cookies? It's true, the season can be a battleground for our waistlines and willpower. But fear not, fellow foodies! With a few simple tricks, we can navigate the buffet of deliciousness without blowing our belts or

giving the gift of self-care: 15 ideas to promote joy and well-being

In our fast-paced world, prioritizing self-care is more important than ever. It's not just about bubble baths and face masks (though those can be lovely too!), but about nurturing our physical, mental, and emotional health in ways that bring us joy and fulfillment. And what better way to

days that shine in our hearts

Calendars are filled with holidays, those special days everyone celebrates. We decorate, give gifts, and gather with loved ones, remembering important events that shaped our nation and touched our faith. But tucked away within each year, hidden from public calendars, are other special days—ones that whisper instead of shout,

the many benefits of staying detached (part 2)

ditch the autopilot, embrace the auto-awesome

Feeling like your finances are flying a plane on autopilot? Destination: Brokeville? Don't worry, you can take the controls and land smoothly in Moneyville! Here's the secret: ditch the impulsive autopilot and switch to a deliberate and chill auto-awesome mode. Think of it like this: your

keeping the flame alive: nurturing passion in relationships

Long-term relationships, like embers in a fireplace, need tending to keep the flames dancing. The initial spark of passion, though potent, can flicker and fade without conscious effort. But fear not! Here are a few simple ways to fan the flames and keep your love story warm and bright. Firstly,

navigating winter: a guide to ayurvedic herbs for inner bliss

As winter's icy grip tightens, our bodies crave warmth, not just from the outside, but from within. This is where Ayurveda, the ancient Indian science of life, offers a treasure trove of herbs to nourish our spirits and bolster our defenses. These potent botanical allies, known as rasayanas

the podcasts i enjoyed listening to in 2023

Podcasts are amazing, aren’t they? They’re free and bring with them tons of value in each episode. If you’re an audiophile, podcasts can be one of your biggest delights.  I’ve found podcasts to be a great complement to audiobooks. They’re more flexible, freestyle, and personal,

the inner compass: a journey from the battlefield to the soul

Imagine a warrior, honed for battle, ready to face any external threat. This was Arjuna, the great archer in the Mahabharata, before he encountered Krishna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. His mind was focused outward, consumed by the action, the glory, the external world. But then, Krishna, his charioteer and

the many benefits of staying detached (part 1)

money isn’t the magic ticket to happiness

We often hear about celebrities and billionaires who seem like they have it all: fame, fortune, and everything they could ever want. Yet, we also learn of their struggles with depression, loneliness, and addiction. It makes us wonder, if they have everything they could ever dream of, why aren'

the significance of boundaries in romantic relationships

Imagine a beautiful garden, teeming with life and color. Yet, without fences separating it from the wild, it would soon be overrun by weeds and chaos. Just like this garden, a romantic relationship thrives on a delicate balance of closeness and individuality. This is where healthy boundaries come in, acting

helping someone heal through the power of visualization

When someone faces health challenges, their journey back to well-being can be filled with uncertainty and fear. Yet, amidst these difficulties, there lies a profound power waiting to be tapped into: the power of visualization. Visualization is the practice of creating vivid mental images of a desired outcome. In the

the art of empathetic listening: connecting beyond words

In a world abuzz with constant communication, the art of genuine listening often gets lost in the cacophony of voices. We often misinterpret listening as merely waiting for our turn to speak, our minds already formulating a response while the other person is still expressing their thoughts. This egocentric approach

unlock the hidden potential of everyday moments

"Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence." — Abigail Adams  In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to let precious moments slip away. But what if you could transform those seemingly mundane moments into opportunities for

why you must embrace your desire for wealth

embrace self-love: the sunshine of your soul

“When we love ourselves, it becomes easier to correct our mistakes, admit our wrongs, share our deepest feelings, and love others. Our spirit dances, thrives. Self-love energizes us. It attracts more love. The universe responds directly and immediately to our choice to love ourselves.” — Melody Beattie, Journey to the Heart

the power of thought in shaping our health

“The illness is only an indication of your vibration, and whenever you change your vibration, the indicator will change to match the new vibration. Illness is nothing more than a physical indicator of Energy out of balance.” — Esther Hicks Our minds are powerful creators, sculpting the landscape of our well-being

the stoic art of dealing with uncertainty (part 2)

“Anyone with any degree of mental toughness,” artist Georgia O’Keeffe wrote with regard to life and the art of setting priorities, “ought to be able to exist without the things they like most for a few months at least.”  Seneca, the Roman philosopher, who served as Nero's

a beautiful gift of the digital age

“The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. In the vast landscape of the digital age, we find ourselves endowed with a remarkable gift—an opportunity that transcends the confines of time and space. It is the gift of

a spiritual perspective on life's ebb and flow

In the rhythmic dance of life, we all experience moments of both low and high energy. It's like a natural ebb and flow, where dynamic and active phases intermingle with passive and contemplative ones. The essence of ancient Hindu texts beautifully encapsulates the wisdom of embracing both types

beyond black friday: nurturing relationships over materialism

“Truth be told, the Black Friday deals aren’t actually that good. Sure, they’re designed to look appealing in the newspaper’s FSI (free standing insert), but the flip side of that coin is that the deals are designed to get you to act on impulse. Retailers lure you

the transformative power of gratitude

Today marks the occasion of Thanksgiving Day in the US — a special time when people gather with family and friends to give thanks for the good things in their lives. It's a day to appreciate the blessings we have and to share a delicious meal together. One of

unlocking your natural state of wellness

Our natural state is one of wellness, a state where our bodies resonate with absolute health. Yet, many find themselves grappling with ailments and conditions that seem to defy this inherent harmony. The key to unlocking our true well-being lies in the balance of our thoughts. Napoleon Hill, once said,

the stoic art of dealing with uncertainty (part 1)

In life, fear often goes hand in hand with the unknown. It's natural to shy away from unfamiliar territories, whether it's the fear of failing on stage, the apprehension of rejection, or the anxiety of living paycheck to paycheck. This fear, born out of uncertainty, has

the power of music in our lives

“I know that the most joy in my life has come to me from my violin.” — Albert Einstein Music is nothing short of a magic spell — it can transform our everyday experiences into extraordinary moments. Its enchanting notes have the remarkable ability to elevate our spirits, paint smiles on our

take charge and fight all demons

Mahabir Bikram Bajrangi. Kumati nivar Sumati ke sangi. . . . Mighty warrior, Valiant and brave, strong as a thunderbolt. Dispeller of evil thoughts, And a forever companion of goodness and wisdom. (Quatrain 3, Hanuman Chalisa) . . . Through this verse, the poet identifies Hanuman as Mahabir or Maha-vir, a mighty hero who protects against

get started with the seven baby steps

in praise of nature: a thanksgiving prayer

The holiday of Thanksgiving is approaching soon, and so continuing with yesterday’s theme, here’s a Thanksgiving prayer for nature’s blessings, designed to be read on the day of celebration right before the big meal begins. I hope it brings more magic to this auspicious occasion. . . . Dear Creator

cultivating gratitude for nature’s gifts

Have you taken a moment to feel gratitude for nature today? In the midst of our daily routines, it's easy to overlook the constant and selfless gifts that nature bestows upon us. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the warmth of the sun—all essential

nourishing the temple within: a daily investment in health

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to overlook the profound connection between our bodies and minds. As Robin Sharma writes in his landmark book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, “As you take care for the body, so you care for the mind.

the battle within: respecting the right limits

In the journey of life, we often find ourselves at crossroads, faced with choices that define who we are and who we want to become. It's easy to succumb to the soothing whispers of the little voice inside us, urging us to take a break, to rest when

diwali: a festival of light, triumph, and symbolism

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, holds a special place in the hearts of millions around the world. Celebrated with fervor and joy, this Hindu festival symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. As families gather, homes are adorned with colorful

your beliefs dictate the quality of your life

index funds vs. etfs: a beginner's guide

Investing can be like navigating a vast ocean of opportunities, and for those setting sail for the first time, it's crucial to have a reliable compass. In the financial world, index funds and ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) serve as two such compasses, helping investors navigate the waters of the

mastering love: tony robbins' 5 disciplines unveiled

In the intricate dance of love, Tony Robbins offers a profound guide through his 5 Disciplines of Love. These disciplines serve as the pillars for successful and enduring relationships. Let's delve into these principles in simple terms, unraveling the secrets to a fulfilling and lasting connection. Discipline 1:

the benefits of triphala: nature's elixir for well-being

In the bustling world we live in, where the pace of life seems to quicken each day, it's easy to overlook the treasures nature has provided for our well-being. One such hidden gem is Triphala, a traditional herbal remedy rooted in ancient Ayurvedic wisdom. Composed of three potent

start a chain of goodness today

In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius wrote, “Find joy and rest in one thing alone: in moving from one socially useful act to another, while remaining mindful of God.” (6.7) In general, Marcus, like other Stoics, wrote about being indifferent to both pleasure and pain, and hardly touched on the question

the wisdom within: finding solutions by focusing on the self

It's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of our thoughts and problems in the modern world. Thomas Weiner's words, “Life resolves itself in the process of life itself,” remind us that life is a continuous journey of challenges and solutions. Instead of being consumed

the marriage savior

few ideas to help you feel good about bills

I am reading a book titled “The Secret to Love, Health, and Money: A Masterclass” book by Rhonda Byrne at the moment and I stumbled upon a few ideas that can help us feel good, not bad, about the bills we receive every month. I wanted to share these tips

practicing gratitude: the key to rich relationships and radiant lives

“When you are grateful, you’re happy, and you become a magnet to happy people, happy situations, and happy events in your life. Gratitude is the bridge from misery to happiness, and from despair and loneliness to a life filled with love, joy and amazing relationships.” — Rhonda Byrne In the

day of the dead

Yesterday was Halloween in the US, and today and tomorrow, we celebrate its Mexican counterpart Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos. While the former is more or less a juvenile event involving candies, cosplay, and partying until late, the latter is a much more mature and poignant

a riveting ghost story from ancient greece

Today we celebrate Halloween, and since it’s a spooktacular time to share ghost stories, why not we talk about one right now? This story is from the land of the Stoics and it does come with some meaningful lessons so stay tuned for them at the end of the

a simple mantra for perfectionism and ocd

In the intricate world we navigate, many of us get trapped in the web of perfectionism and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It's like trying to juggle too many balls at once. But, here’s a simple three-word phrase that I myself have started using consistently, a formula that I

fix the mind on your own self

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” — Buddha In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, our attention is like a wandering traveler, always exploring the external world. We are engrossed in the problems and challenges that surround us, from the demands of work to the complexities

stoicism in the modern era

the significance of self-discipline in financial success

“Self-discipline is the No. 1 delineating factor between the rich, the middle class and the poor.” — Robert T. Kiyosaki In the journey toward financial success, there's a silent force that often goes unnoticed but plays a pivotal role—self-discipline.  Self-discipline serves as the indispensable seasoning to financial success,

the power of being happy now

“BE and FEEL happy now! It is the fastest way to attract love, happy relationships, and anything else you want into your life. Focus on radiating out into the Universe those thoughts and feelings of joy and happiness. When you do that, you will attract back to you more things

using visualization to unlock a greater sense of well-being

“The mind-body connection is real. By using techniques like deep breathing and visualization, we can tap into the body’s natural healing mechanisms.” — Andrew Huberman In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, finding moments of peace and tranquility can be a challenge. Yet, there is a simple and

the significance of virtue in stoic philosophy

“The man who has virtue is in need of nothing whatever for the purpose of living well.” — Cicero Stoicism was a school of philosophy established in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC. It gets its name from the Greek word stoa, which translates to porch.

the art of building trust and authority

In both our professional and personal lives, the ability to earn trust and cultivate authority is a fundamental key to leadership and success. Whether you find yourself in the role of a team member, manager, parent, aunt, uncle, coach, or volunteer, the principles of becoming a trusted advisor remain universal.

never feel alone or abandoned

Norman Vincent Peale once wrote that he always carried a card with him in his pocket. The following five statements were written on it: The light of God surrounds me The love of God enfolds me The power of God protects me The presence of God watches over me Wherever

the fiercest gatekeeper

“You are the gatekeeper Of Ram’s abode. No one can enter it Without your permission.” (Quatrain 21, Hanuman Chalisa) . . . Gatekeepers play a crucial role in Hindu mythology. Like security guards, they protect the deities and maintain peace and integrity inside the perimeter. They keep a constant watch and decide

guard your time (part 2)

While we might be good at safeguarding tangible possessions, constructing walls around our physical domains, Seneca gently nudges us to redirect our vigilance towards a more subtle but invaluable realm—the sanctuary of our minds. Physical possessions, subject to loss and gain, possess a certain resilience. A stolen treasure can

guard your time (part 1)

“Were all the geniuses of history to focus on this single theme, they could never fully express their bafflement at the darkness of the human mind. No person would give up even an inch of their estate, and the slightest dispute with a neighbor can mean hell to pay; yet

embracing the virtue of temperance (part 3)

In essence, the Stoic virtue of temperance is a guide to a well-lived life—a life where desires are mastered, and the soul remains unshaken amidst the chaos. It's a blessing that helps us stand tall and walk with grace and poise through the highs and lows, neither

embracing the virtue of temperance (part 2)

In Marguerite Yourcenar's Memoirs of Hadrian, the emperor Hadrian conveys to Marcus Aurelius that excessive eating is a prevalent flaw among Romans. He points out that many citizens indulge in “poisoning themselves with spice” and drowning their dishes in rich sauces, resulting in overwhelming their taste buds and,

embracing the virtue of temperance (part 1)

“So-called pleasures, when they go beyond a certain limit, are but punishments.” — Seneca Embracing the virtue of temperance is like finding the perfect balance on a tightrope, a harmony in the midst of life's cacophony. At its core, temperance is the art of navigating the turbulent seas of

the spiritual essence of navratri

Navratri, a vibrant and joyous festival, holds profound spiritual significance in the hearts of millions. Celebrated with fervor and devotion, Navratri spans nine nights, dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. This sacred festival is a tapestry woven with threads of spirituality, symbolism, and divine energy. The word "Navratri&

a man always stands up for his beliefs and values

“The masculine chooses a single goal and moves in that direction. Like a ship cutting through a vast ocean, the masculine decides on a course and navigates the direction: the feminine energy itself is undirected but immense, like the wind and deep currents of the ocean, ever changing, beautiful, destructive,

how to tame your ego

“Ego is the enemy of what you want and of what you have: Of mastering a craft. Of real creative insight. Of working well with others. Of building loyalty and support. Of longevity. Of repeating and retaining your success. It repulses advantages and opportunities. It’s a magnet for enemies

simplifying is an act of self-care

choose success over neglect

Continuing yesterday’s discussion, I wanted to share Jim Rohn’s insights on neglect and its dangers. Please find below his beautifully crafted article titled “Success Is Easy, But So Is Neglect.” I hope it inspires you to get rid of neglect once and for all and not give it

the silent infection that can ruin your life

“Neglect starts as an infection. And if you don't take care of it, it becomes a disease.” — Jim Rohn Neglect, much like an insidious infection, has the power to silently infiltrate our lives, slowly corroding our system of disciplines and ultimately leading to the collapse of the joyful

don’t try to grab them all

“When children stick their hand down a narrow goody jar they can’t get their full fist out and start crying. Drop a few treats and you will get it out! Curb your desire—don’t set your heart on so many things and you will get what you need.

finding peace in troubled times

In recent years, it's hard not to notice the growing sense of worry that has taken hold of many of us. We worry about our children and their future in an ever-changing world. We worry about the state of our communities, plagued by various challenges. And we worry

a guide to letting go of scarcity mindset

In the hustle and bustle of life, it's not uncommon to find ourselves stuck in a scarcity mindset, especially when it comes to our hard-earned money. We diligently save, work hard, and make sacrifices, yet the fear of scarcity lurks in the background, hindering us from relishing the

swedish death cleaning: things to keep in mind

“Death cleaning is not about dusting or mopping up; it is about a permanent form of organization that makes your everyday life run more smoothly.” ― Margareta Magnusson, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Swedish death cleaning or döstädning is a relatively new decluttering trend that is mainly geared towards

how to attract money using the law of attraction (part 2)

Take Inspired Action While believing, visualizing, and practicing gratitude are crucial, you also need to take action. The Law of Attraction is not a passive process; it requires you to take inspired action towards your financial goals. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Action expresses priorities." Set clear financial

how to attract money using the law of attraction (part 1)

If given the chance, most people wish to gather more riches, earn more cash, and enjoy a life filled with plenty. Yet, many individuals have a poor relationship with money. They find it hard to bring money and wealth into their lives, and because of this, they never reach the

real change begins at the individual level

Today, we celebrate Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary. This occasion is not merely a commemoration but a celebration of a life that shaped the course of history through the principles of nonviolence, truth, and simplicity. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, fondly known as

let the universe take care of your needs

In the vast canvas of the universe, where stars twinkle like promises and galaxies dance to the cosmic rhythm, there exists an abundance that transcends the boundaries of worldly limitations. It is a truth often forgotten amid the hustle and bustle of our daily lives—a truth that whispers in

a straightforward guide to manifesting your ideal relationship

Are you yearning for a meaningful relationship? The Law of Attraction can be your wingman. Let’s cut to the chase and explore a no-nonsense guide to manifesting your ideal relationship. 1. Define Your Ideal Partner: Be clear about what you want. List the qualities you seek in a partner.

law of attraction basics

Do you ever wonder why some people seem to have everything they want in life while others struggle to achieve their goals? The answer may lie in a concept called the Law of Attraction, which suggests that to attract what you want, you must work from the highest (the spiritual

you must discard first

balancing the six human needs

Now that we've explored the six human needs in depth, let's consider how we can balance and fulfill them in our lives to achieve greater happiness and well-being. 1. Certainty and Uncertainty/Variety: Finding the Middle Path Balancing the need for certainty and uncertainty is crucial.

the six human needs: understanding what drives our every decision

What makes us humans tick? What drives our thoughts, actions, and emotions? Understanding our fundamental needs can shed light on these questions. We all share six core human needs that guide our lives: 1. Certainty 2. Uncertainty/Variety 3. Significance 4. Connection/love 5. Growth 6. Contribution These needs are

don’t let your critics dim your shine

In the grand theater of life, each one of us has a role to play. We're all given a unique set of gifts and talents, and it's up to us to make the most of them. Yet, as we step onto the stage of life, we

unveiling our perfect selves

Michelangelo’s extraordinary sculptures, including the Pietà and David, are not merely carved stone; they are masterpieces that transcend time and space. When asked how he brought these magnificent creations to life, Michelangelo offered a profound insight: “The statue already existed within the marble. God Himself had created the Pietà,

the importance of radiating positivity and happiness

Have you ever noticed how someone becomes more attractive when they smile, laugh, or exude confidence while looking into the eyes of someone they find appealing? It's like a magnet that draws people in. But there's more to it than just physical attractiveness. The happiness that

heal your broken heart

“There comes a time in the journey to the heart when it is time to let it heal. The deeper we go into the healing, the freer we will be, the more we will know what we feel, and the more we will feel joy.” — Melody Beattie Throughout our lives,

providing proper education and support to teenagers

go out and explore the unknown

As we journey through our lives, we often find ourselves confined within the cozy boundaries of our comfort zones. These zones, though familiar and reassuring, can become the very limits that hold us back from realizing our full potential. It's a truth as old as time, eloquently captured

the meaning and spiritual significance of Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a Hindu festival celebrated with great joy and devotion in India and by Hindus worldwide. It usually falls in the months of August or September and lasts for ten days. This festival holds a deep meaning and spiritual significance in the hearts

creating wealth through belief

Money has always been a subject of fascination and concern for many of us. We work hard, save diligently, and strive to earn more. We often believe that if we need money, we must chase it tirelessly. But what if I told you that the key to attracting money is

the power of positive attitude and self-belief

Are you facing a grave problem right now in your life? Or are you simply wishing to bring more vibrancy and vitality to your everyday routine? In any case, know that making a positive change is absolutely possible. You must realize that you have the resources to infuse your mind

choosing healthy romantic connections

We all yearn for love, connection, and romantic fulfillment. It's a beautiful desire, one that adds color and meaning to our existence. However, in our quest for love, it's important to adopt a healthy attitude when it comes to potential romantic partners. Imagine a scenario: you&

you are the director of your life’s movie

Imagine your body as a magical movie projector, and the film it runs is made up of your thoughts and feelings. Everything you witness on the screen of your life is a result of what you've projected from within yourself. It's a captivating idea, isn'

the commonalities between stoicism and modern psychotherapy

creating value: the path to true security

Are you stuck in a job that feels like a dead end? Do you often find yourself daydreaming about a better job, one that offers more excitement and opportunities? If so, it might be time to rethink your approach. You see, the feeling of security in your workplace might not

you must choose formlessness over rigidity

Seneca wrote, “We must also make ourselves flexible, to avoid becoming too devoted to the plans we have formed.” Following the rules and living a purposeful life is extremely important. However, being rigid all the time is not a sound strategy. You must be willing to adapt yourself as per

you must consistently think of your future self

Struggling with discipline is like trying to balance between your future well-being and your current happiness or pleasure. Imagine wanting to eat a whole bag of candy now, even though you know it might not be good for your health later on. This battle between what feels good now and

choose to see the divine perfection within you

“I desire to think of myself as God thinks of me, and to know myself as He knows me. I was created, as was everyone, as divinely perfect. Though I don’t manifest my perfection on a consistent basis, my spirit, having been created by God, is perfect nevertheless. I

things to keep in your mind while seeking love

In your journey to find a mutual and fulfilling romantic connection, there are a few key principles to keep in mind: 1. Self-Love and Self-Worth: It all starts with you. Cultivate self-love and recognize your own worth. Understand that you are deserving of a love that comes freely and willingly,

the paradox of wealth and joy: striking a harmonious balance

Diverse viewpoints surround the concept of money. Some perceive it as a boon and a lifeline, while others view it as a curse and a malevolent force. Money holds a captivating allure. It occupies a significant role in our daily existence, yet it isn't the entirety of existence.

designing a life that honors your values

Do you think the way you work and live right now matches what's most important to you? Most people work mainly to earn money, not because they really enjoy it. They don't often think about what truly matters to them or where they're headed.

loving your work: the key to happiness and fulfillment

The concept that loving your work contributes to a happier and more meaningful life is rooted in the idea that the majority of our waking hours are spent on our jobs or careers. If these hours are filled with tasks and responsibilities that resonate with our passions and interests, it

put the day up for review

“I will keep constant watch over myself and—most usefully—will put each day up for review. For this is what makes us evil—that none of us looks back upon our own lives. We reflect upon only that which we are about to do. And yet our plans for

walking with faith: trusting in the goodness of life

“Faith is trusting in the good. Fear is putting your trust in the bad.” — Rhonda Byrne No matter what crossroads we find ourselves at in this odyssey of life, we always have two companions by our side: faith and fear. Think of faith as a friend who believes in the

the importance of actions over words in relationships

“You teach people how to treat you by what you allow, what you stop, and what you reinforce.” — Tony Gaskins In life, we all want to be perceived as someone fun to hang out with, a good friend, or a great partner for the opposite sex to date. Being a

harnessing the power of positive imagination to unlock abundance

In our world today, money holds a significant place in our lives. It's the key to acquiring the things we desire, the experiences we dream of, and the opportunities we seek.  Many of us aspire to draw greater financial resources into our lives. Although this might initially seem

the three stoic disciplines

enthusiasm can transform your life

Enthusiasm has the potential to elevate your life to a whole new level. It is akin to a magical spark that can transform your life in amazing ways. When you're enthusiastic about something, it means you're really excited and passionate about it. This energy can make

beyond dollars: exploring the various dimensions of wealth

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of financial success and material possessions. We often measure our prosperity solely by our stock market investments and the number of zeros in our bank accounts. However, it's essential to remember that there

live a life devoted to excellence

Life is a journey filled with opportunities, and within each of us lies a treasure trove of talents waiting to be unearthed. Yet, to let life pass by without a commitment to excellence is to overlook the splendor of these gifts. Embracing excellence is more than a personal pursuit; it

different situations demand different roles

“In a tiny, subtle form, You appeared before Sita. In a giant, formidable form, You burned Lanka.” (Quatrain 9, Hanuman Chalisa) This verse describes Hanuman’s ability to shrink and expand his physical form as the situation demands. He first took the form of a small non-threatening monkey before the

love beyond numbers: age does not matter in relationships

fill your life with good feelings

Imagine your feelings are like rainwater, falling gently from the sky. Your body is like the ground, waiting to catch this rain. Just as rainwater fills up ponds and rivers, your feelings fill up your body. Good feelings are like pure rainwater, and your body is the catchment area where

make managing money a fun and enjoyable experience

action is the key to unlocking our full potential (3/3)

It is through action that we can break free from the chains of excuses and pave the way for personal growth and achievement. Action is the catalyst for change and progress. Each step we take, no matter how small, brings us closer to our goals and propels us forward on

how to escape the trap of excuses (2/3)

Excuses confine us to a limited mindset, where our potential remains untapped and aspirations unrealized. All our excuses, as per retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer Jocko Willink, are nothing but lies. He explains this observation of his in these words: “You have to realize… You have to know, you

excuses don’t help make things better (1/3)

Over the course of our life, we often encounter challenges and obstacles that test our resolve and determination. It's natural to seek ways to overcome these hurdles, yet too often, we find ourselves trapped in a cycle of excuses. Excuses, though tempting, provide a convenient way to avoid

seven magic words that can change your life

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 No matter what undertaking you participate in, personal or professional, you must realize that the Almighty is forever with you.

let the people you date feel independent

In all personal relationships, whether they are intimate or simply close friendships, trust and freedom are like the pillars that hold everything together. It's essential to recognize that trying to control every aspect of someone's life can lead to the unraveling of even the most loving

enhancing your financial well-being through the subconscious mind

When it comes to achieving financial prosperity, the power of the subconscious mind often remains untapped. By understanding how our subconscious thoughts influence our financial decisions and adopting an abundance mindset, we can pave the way for improved financial situations and greater success. Our subconscious mind plays a pivotal role

become a superior man (mature theme)

you are the creator of your financial reality

“Poverty is attracted to the one whose mind is favorable to it, as money is attracted to him whose mind has been deliberately prepared to attract it, and through the same laws. Poverty consciousness will voluntarily seize the mind which is not occupied with the money consciousness. A poverty consciousness

how much sleep is enough?

For adults, the recommended amount of sleep varies depending on age, individual needs, and lifestyle factors. Generally, most adults require 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night to maintain optimal physical and mental health. However, some individuals may function well with slightly more or less sleep. It's

the negative effects of sleep deprivation

Renowned sleep researcher William Dement said, "Sleep is not an optional lifestyle luxury. Sleep is a non-negotiable biological necessity." Sleep deprivation occurs when individuals fail to get sufficient rest required to maintain their health and well-being. Many individuals willingly sacrifice sleep for work, school, or leisure activities, but

love God's law

Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. (Psalm 119:165) In our modern, fast-paced, and highly interconnected society, the human mind is susceptible to various negative influences, including fear, anger, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and despair. Unfortunately, these detrimental mental states can have significant

unyielding spirit: the key to a glorious future

Life is a journey marked by its unpredictability, where we experience the highs of prosperity and the lows of adversity. As we navigate this path, it becomes crucial to embrace a mindset that remains steadfast through the darkest nights and the sunniest days. Christian D. Larson, a New Thought leader

you are unique and beautiful (mature theme)

embracing change: welcoming the new with faith and optimism

“Why should anyone be afraid of change? What can take place without it? What can be more pleasing or more suitable to universal nature? Can you take your bath without the firewood undergoing a change? Can you eat without the food undergoing a change? And can anything useful be done

less thinking, more action

“No matter who you are or what may be your lifework, you are playing checkers with TIME! It is always your next move. Move with quick DECISION and Time will favor you. Stand still and Time will wipe you off the board. You cannot always make the right move, but

live in the now

“Stress, worry, and anxiety simply come from projecting your thoughts into the future and imagining something bad. This is focusing on what you don’t want! If you find that your mind is projecting into the future in a negative way, focus intensely on NOW. Keep bringing yourself back to

practicing spiritual attitude at work (and otherwise)

A great role model to look up to as we find ourselves overwhelmed with life’s challenges is Ram, the protagonist of the Hindu epic Ramayana. Even though is an incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu, he still lives a normal human existence — a life journey where he encounters crises and

building rapport and attraction through positive conversations

Creating a strong connection with someone from the opposite sex can be a delightful and rewarding experience. One effective way to establish rapport and attraction is through positive and uplifting conversations that evoke good feelings. Whenever you’re worried about what you’re going to talk to the other person

key insights on the subconscious mind (part 3)

Autosuggestion Technique 1: Affirmations * Affirmations are statements of positivity and reflections of the life that we want to live. * When we keep repeating these positive affirmations on a daily basis they can be great tools to keep us aligned with our true purpose. They can be healthy ways to change

relentless service is the path to greatness

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Everyone can be great… because anybody can serve.” This quote is a powerful reminder that greatness is not measured by one’s academic achievements, social status, or wealth, but by one’s willingness to serve others with a heart full of grace and

mastering the art of wanting less

26 quotes that showcase the significance of love in philosophy

Here are some quotes by ancient thinkers as well as esteemed authors and thought leaders that emphasize the significance of love in both personal growth and philosophical exploration, highlighting how it plays a crucial role in our understanding of the world and ourselves. . . . "The only way to deal with

let love be your guiding force

overcoming afflictions and setbacks with divine help

you must embrace your dominant sexual essence

“Masculine and feminine aspects exist in all beings. For real passion to occur, there needs to be a ravisher and a ravishee. Sexual attraction is based on sexual polarity. All natural forces flow between two poles. The North and South Poles of the Earth create a force of magnetism. The

key insights on the subconscious mind (part 2)

fast action beats perfectionism

Someone said, “Done fast, even if not perfectly, is better than done perfectly, but much later.” My Aussie friend Willem Flach also operates his business with this philosophy: “Better half done and out the door than perfectly done and in the drawer.” We all strive for perfection in everything we

you don't need approval from others

"Your self-worth is determined by you. You don't have to depend on someone telling you who you are." - Beyoncé We often find ourselves seeking validation and approval from others. We desire recognition, acceptance, and admiration from our peers and society. But does this constant need

don’t delay an act of goodness

One important lesson we can all learn in our spiritual journey is this: If you want to do something good, do it immediately, but if you want to do something bad, brush it aside. In other words, make virtuous deeds your main priority. Our mind has the tendency to be

leaders hold their ground and take charge

Powered by RedCircle “A leader is an ordinary person, put into an extraordinary circumstance, who chooses to step up and take action.” – Darren Hardy “Everyone is tough until they get punched in the face.” – Mike Tyson A leader is not always born with exceptional abilities or extraordinary qualities; rather, they

material desires vs. spiritual connection

prioritize mutual giving in relationships

key insights on the subconscious mind (part 1)

the power of decisiveness (part 2)

Let's continue our discussion of the detrimental effects of indecisiveness and why prompt decision-making is critical for achieving success. . . . 5. Leadership and Influence: Decisiveness is a hallmark of effective leadership. Leaders who can make decisive choices inspire confidence in their teams and foster a sense of direction. As

the power of decisiveness (part 1)

“Successful people make decisions quickly (as soon as all the facts are available) and change them very slowly (if ever). Unsuccessful people make decisions very slowly, and change them often and quickly.” – Napoleon Hill In the journey toward success, one of the greatest roadblocks people often face is indecisiveness. Indecision,

become a proactive helper

A wise person once said, “Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.” In a world often consumed by self-interest, the power of asking "How can I help?" stands as a beacon of empathy, connection, and positive change.

one simple question that holds incredible power

"The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." - Ralph Waldo Emerson In our fast-paced and often self-centered world, here’s one simple

break the chains of limited thinking

"Your task is not to change the world; it is to change yourself. The world is, after all, just a reflection of your own mind." - Jack Kornfield Today, make a commitment to break free from a belief in limits. Come to a realization that there are no

enthusiasm matters: rejecting second-class treatment in love

sparking joy: the gentle art of tidying up

embracing gratitude: a sincere appreciation for life's blessings

When you start your day, take few a moments to feel grateful for all the good things around you. Be grateful for the comfortable bed you slept in, the roof over your head that keeps you safe, and the floor or carpet beneath your feet. Be thankful for having running

modesty and silence reveal true wisdom

"Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something." - Plato In life, true wisdom often shines brightest when accompanied by modesty and silence. It's not about showing off or boasting, but rather about quietly and humbly embodying knowledge

15 quotes to help you tame your material desires

Here are some quotes that highlight the spiritual understanding that indulging in desires only perpetuates the cycle of craving and dissatisfaction. They encourage us to seek fulfillment beyond material possessions and transient pleasures, and to discover a deeper sense of peace and contentment within ourselves. . . . 1. "Happiness is not

the cross you bear is the best of all (part 2)

"The Changed Cross" is a deeply profound poem that carries within its verses a powerful message of transformation and spiritual growth. This literary piece invites readers to reflect upon the significance of embracing life's challenges and finding meaning in the midst of adversity. The central metaphor

the cross you bear is the best of all (part 1)

Carrying his own cross. (John 19:17) "The Changed Cross" is a poem that recounts the story of a weary woman who believed that the burden she had to carry, symbolized by the cross, was undoubtedly heavier than those of others. Consequently, she longed to exchange her cross

love is about contribution, not possession

becoming a minimalist parent

don’t play the blame game

Epictetus once taught his students this lesson: “Finding fault with others when things are going badly for him is what an uneducated person does. Finding fault with himself is what a partially educated person does. Finding fault with neither others nor himself is what a fully educated person does.” (Handbook

invest your time and energy in the right “mo”

In his book Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual, Jocko Willink writes, “Don’t worry about motivation. Motivation is fickle. It comes and goes. It is unreliable and when you are counting on motivation to get your goals accomplished—you will likely fall short. So. Don’t expect to be motivated

embracing inner freedom: empowering yourself to soar above circumstances

“True freedom is an inward state of being. Once it is attained, no situation in the world can bind one or limit one’s freedom.” — Jack Canfield Today is July 4th, which marks the occasion of Independence Day (colloquially the Fourth of July) in the US. For the unversed, this

the narrative shift: overcoming self-created barriers

"Your beliefs become your thoughts, your thoughts become your words, your words become your actions, your actions become your habits, your habits become your values, and your values become your destiny." - Mahatma Gandhi "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you&

turbulence is essential

love and enjoy your single life

"The most profound relationship we'll ever have is the one with ourselves. Loving ourselves first is the key to finding a genuine and fulfilling love with another." - Mandy Hale Love is a beautiful thing that involves two people coming together in a special way. It&

get up and get going

why most people live mediocre lives

“The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but rather in our complacency; not in our doing too much, but rather in our doing too little; not in our living above our ability, but rather in our living below our capacities.” — Benjamin E. May Many people settle for

how to nurture your soul amidst chaos

In our busy lives, solitude and stillness hold remarkable significance. They provide us with the opportunity to reconnect with ourselves on a deeper level and gain clarity amidst the chaos. Solitude allows for self-reflection, helping us understand our thoughts, emotions, and desires without external influences. Stillness, on the other hand,

take worry apart

“Take worry apart. Since worry is an irrational thought, you must take worry apart, lay it out, dissect it, cut up, and look at it piece by piece. Do this with cool, collected, rational thought. Worry is a deceiver, but once you face up to it squarely, you will be

fear is a great motivator

Kenneth McFarland, a captivating orator, once shared a story: There was a hardworking man who consistently labored until midnight and usually opted to walk home. One enchanting night, bathed in the moon's luminous glow, he decided to take a shortcut through the cemetery instead of walking around it,

choosing the right bondage

Most of us easily fall prey to material attachments, however, we hardly direct our karmas toward the path of spiritual liberation. It’s unfortunate, but we prefer worldly bondage over bondage with the Almighty on any given day. And sooner or later, we understand that the former only brings imprisonment

real love is magical and worth the wait

"Love is friendship that has caught fire. It is quiet understanding, mutual confidence, sharing, and forgiving. It is loyalty through good and bad times. It settles for less than perfection and makes allowances for human weaknesses." - Ann Landers Real love is something truly special, and it'

strengthening our inner fortress

it’s time to unmask your true self

Powered by RedCircle “Most of us live our entire lives wearing a social mask that hides our true selves. Rather than showing the full colors of our humanity, we work hard to sculpt an image of the person we think the world wants us to be. We say the things

embracing serenity and oneness: a guided meditation for international yoga day

Powered by RedCircle The International Day of Yoga is a special day celebrated worldwide on June 21st each year. It is a day dedicated to the practice and promotion of yoga, an ancient practice that originated in India. Yoga is more than just stretching and performing pretzel-like body postures. It

the quick vs. the dead

"The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper." - W.B. Yeats The great naturalist John Burroughs believed that there are two types of people in the world. He didn't mean differences like men and women, young and old,

living authentically: the path of bravery

“Nothing’s more important than having the bravery to live your life.” — Robin Sharma In the vast canvas of existence, nothing holds greater importance than the bravery to live your life authentically and fearlessly. You must summon the courage within you to navigate through life's labyrinth and create

adipurush: far from ramayan

philosophy: a homecoming for the soul

The more we fill our days with work, content (both constructive and destructive), and constant activity, the further we find ourselves drifting away from our core, losing touch with our true selves. We fall into a rhythm, engrossed in the pursuit of money, achievement, stimulation, and just “being plain old

hanuman: the eternal savior

“You brought the Sanjivani herb And saved Lakshman’s life. Brave scion of the Raghu clan (Ram) Cheerfully embraced you with his heart full of joy.” (Quatrain 11, Hanuman Chalisa) . . . In the ancient Indian epic Ramayana, the demon-king Ravan abducts Sita and takes her away to his island kingdom of

fasting > fast food (part 2)

Fasting comes with some psychological benefits as well. First of all, it helps us cultivate mental toughess and resilience. Seneca once wisely stated, "Fasting is the greatest self-discipline that a human being can impose on themselves." One of the prominent voices in the realm of discipline and leadership,

fasting > fast food (part 1)

In today's fast-paced world, we often find ourselves caught up in the whirlwind of our busy lives. It's common to prioritize convenience over health when we're out and about, resorting to quick and easy fast food options. However, let me introduce you to an

the transformative power of toil

In the grand scheme of life, our greatest gift does not come from the external fruits of our labor, but it actually lies in the profound transformation we undergo within ourselves. As John Ruskin puts it, “The highest reward for one’s toil is not what he gets for it,

discipline builds self-worth

"Here is the greatest value of discipline: self-worth, also known as self-esteem. Many people who are teaching self-esteem these days don't connect it to discipline. But once we sense the least lack of discipline within ourselves, it starts to erode our psyche. One of the greatest temptations

don’t lose yourself in the senses

One of the profound spiritual lessons we can learn for working and living to our highest capacity is: “Keep thoughts of sense-enjoyment in check.” You must always ensure that you have a focused, non-distracted mind. The Sanskrit term for this state of mind is Ekagrata, meaning "one-pointed" or

24 quotes to help you choose forgiveness in love

When two people come together in a relationship, they are bound to make mistakes and unintentionally hurt each other. It's natural because we're all imperfect. But forgiveness allows us to heal and rebuild the bond that love creates. Forgiveness is an essential ingredient in love. It

be curious, be humble

persistence is key to accumulating fortune

“Temporary defeat should mean only one thing: the certain knowledge that there is something wrong with your plan. Millions of men go through life in misery and poverty, because they lack a sound plan through which to accumulate a fortune.” — Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich In his quest to

quitting is not an option

One key personality trait of highly successful people is that they are flexible and always willing to adapt. If their plan fails, they come up with a new one. If the new plans, they replace it with another one. And they keep doing it until they reach a plan which

relaxation is the key to manifestation

"Don't resist the resistance; relax into it and watch it dissolve." — Adyashanti Resistance arises when we feel anxious or worried about what we want, creating tension that blocks the delivery of our desires. This self-imposed barrier acts like a dam, obstructing the flow of abundance and

take charge and escape the mediocrity trap

"The unexamined life is not worth living." — Socrates A majority of the population in the urban world spends more time researching and planning their summer vacations than they do introspecting and designing their lives. It’s sad but true. Are you one of those people? If yes, do

open yourself to limitless support

“Open your heart, your mind, your soul, and let the universe teach you about Divine love. Stop limiting your source to only one person. Open to a limitless source of support and energy. Open to the universe.” — Melody Beattie, Journey to the Heart Observe yourself as you journey through each

you must practice vigilance every day

When it comes to success, consistency is key. One of the most toxic habits that we can ever cultivate is putting things off. Rory Vaden once wrote, “Success is not owned, it is rented, and that rent is due every day.” Procrastination coupled with momentum, as I have previously stated,

how to listen actively to make people feel safe

embrace the magic of sunlight

"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." — Victor Hugo The universe, with its vast and intricate design, operates in harmony with an underlying rhythm—a graph that governs every aspect of existence. From the celestial bodies that dance across the night sky to the

practice deep listening to alleviate suffering

Powered by RedCircle “The most effective way to show compassion to another is to listen, rather than talk. You have an opportunity to practice deep, compassionate listening. If you can listen to the other person with compassion, your listening is like a salve for her wound. In the practice of

key lessons from "agneepath"

"Agneepath" invokes the metaphor of fire to symbolize the transformative power of relentless focus and discipline. Fire represents passion, intensity, and unwavering commitment. By walking the path of fire, we embrace an austere lifestyle that helps us live our personal legend and fuels our pursuit of excellence. It

agneepath: the path of fire

In the realms of literature, there exist timeless works that ignite the fire within, awakening our spirits to the power of determination and resilience. One such masterpiece is the Hindi poem "Agneepath" by Harivansh Rai Bachchan. Like a blazing torch, this poem illuminates the path of self-discovery, urging

the sure cure for depressive feelings

Several research findings have established the fact that religion and belief in a higher power is an incredibly effective antidote against the stresses of life. In fact, even if you don’t subscribe to traditional religion, you can still discover a higher power and a type of prayer that works

freedom: the essence of true love

“You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh Love, at its purest form, is not possessive or controlling; rather, it embodies liberation, understanding, and compassion. True love transcends possessiveness and control. Instead of confining the person we love, it liberates them.

how to make others feel safe in a conversation

don’t be a slave to regret

“Don’t let regret beat you down. Don’t be a slave to regret. NO. Let it teach you. Let it make you better. Let the fear of regret fuel you—to take action—today—now. Take action now to become a person not filled with regret, but a person

you will be forgotten

“People who are excited by posthumous fame forget that the people who remember them will soon die too. And those after them in turn. Until their memory, passed from one to another like a candle flame, gutters and goes out.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 4.19 After Marcus Aurelius took the

what makes michelle obama a stellar communicator

I recently read an interesting fact about the Obamas: Back in January 2017, when they packed their bags and left the White House, Michelle was actually more popular than former President Barack Obama. Check out the results of the final Gallup poll published in the Washington Post to gain some

choose rest over fatigue

Powered by RedCircle In today’s world, fatigue and overexertion have become a badge of honor. We have started harboring the false belief that the more we work, the better our standing in our personal and professional circles. If you’re someone who lives and works by this social mandate,

the og dark knight

“Because he’s the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we’ll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he’s not our hero. He’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector. A dark knight.” These lines by Jim Gordon at the end

grow the chasm

“All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow. The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us.

how to dominate the human jungle

what would make you happy?

“What do I need right now to be happy?” As we lose ourselves in the daily grind and the labyrinths of responsibilities and obligations, we often forget to ask ourselves this one key question. How are you feeling right now? Is there something you can do for yourself that would

the number one quality all remarkable leaders have

If you had to guess one powerful personality trait that all extraordinary leaders throughout human history have had in common, what do you think will it be? What do you think made Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, the 14th Dalai Lama, Winston Churchill, and Mohandas Gandhi truly

the muddled memo: a case study of poor messaging

In today's fast-paced world, effective communication has become more crucial than ever. Unclear expectations, vague instructions, and ambiguous messages can lead to unwanted confusion and misinterpretation. When communication lacks clarity, employees may make assumptions or engage in guesswork, resulting in errors and delays. For example, here’s a

acceptance is key to lasting love

“The beginning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image.” — Thomas Merton Love, as an all-encompassing force, entails accepting the person we love with all their flaws, imperfections, and idiosyncrasies. It means embracing their

you must open yourself to God’s blessings

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you never you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 A frustrated couple once consulted a minister and said, “We don't understand why

the greatest kind of mastery

“Mastering others is strength. Mastering yourself is true power.” — Lao Tzu If someone hurls a negative comment or a rude remark at you, do not react. I know it’s easier said than done, but you must train yourself to get to a point where you can stay calm and

the food we eat shapes our health

"The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison." – Ann Wigmore What we put on our plates every day has a big impact on our health. Many people eat a lot of unhealthy foods like sugary

how to get a “buy-in” from others

mastering communication: the key to success and fulfillment

On August 28th, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. His powerful and inspiring words, which called for racial equality and an end to discrimination, helped to galvanize the civil rights movement and inspire

leave people to themselves

“Learning how to leave people alone and go on with your life is a needed skill. Master it, for the sake of your own dignity and peace of mind.” — Michelle Rogers-Wright In his private journal, Marcus Aurelius once wrote, “It’s best to leave someone else’s transgression there with

what does your biggest life look like?

“Every human being needs to carve out the time to articulate a philosophy for his or her life—it’s one of the most important things a person can do. Every person, to live truly and greatly, must define how he wants to live and what his biggest life will

why you must limit your entertainment spending

Financial wellness is a marathon, not a sprint. While the urge to indulge in instant gratification is strong, particularly when it comes to entertainment, true security and peace of mind come from a commitment to long-term financial health. Here’s a simple yet powerful rule: dedicate no more than 10%

it's okay to feel a little jealous in relationships

Do you ever get a twinge of jealousy when your partner talks about how great their co-worker is? Or feel a little green monster stir inside when they get a flirty text from an old friend? Don't worry, it's perfectly natural to experience mild jealousy in

some key points to help you get along with people

10 incredible life teachings from yoda

Today is May the 4th aka Star Wars Day, and a wonderful opportunity to not only celebrate and enjoy Star Wars movies, shows, events, and contests, but also revisit some key life lessons taught by the Jedi Master Yoda. Yoda, who can be rightfully called the OG life coach from

don’t let perfectionism rob you of your feats

“We don't abandon our pursuits because we despair of ever perfecting them.” — Epictetus Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can push you to strive for excellence and achieve great things. On the other hand, it can lead to a never-ending cycle of self-criticism and

imagination: the magical power that can transform your life

“Imagination is the true magic carpet.” — Norman Vincent Peale Imagination is nothing short of a magical power bestowed upon us. It’s a force that has improved and enhanced human life for centuries. Imagination is the ability to create mental images of things that do not exist in the physical

your internal mindset shapes your future

Once, many decades ago, there were two men who suddenly found themselves without jobs. Here’s what these two folks did. One knelt down and said to the Almighty: “I don’t understand why this misfortune is upon me, but I know that You have an answer for me.” He

the more we indulge, the more our desires grow

“Indulging in desires creates a temporary pleasure that fades away quickly. The real joy lies in finding contentment beyond the cravings of the mind.” - Amma (Mata Amritanandamayi) Humans often have a strong desire to obtain more things in life. For example, if someone gets a car, they might start

20 enlightening quotes to help you overcome internal resistance

Tension can often arise within us, acting as a hindrance to the manifestation of our dreams. When you find yourself feeling tense while contemplating what you truly want, it is a gentle reminder that it is time to unwind, let go, and embrace a state of deep relaxation. Here are

rediscovering our true selves: a journey back to perfection

As infants, we come into this world in a state of perfection. In those early days, we are still deeply connected to the force that created everything around us. We are pure, untainted by the fears and doubts that will later shape our lives. At this stage, we exist in

put all your problems in God’s hands

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10 Problems are a part and parcel of life. And feeling overwhelmed by the

earth day: every small act matters

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” ― Dalai Lama XIV “We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” ― Native American Proverb Today is Earth Day, an annual event celebrated globally on April 22nd, to

progress is the name of the game

Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Jack who loved to draw. He dreamed of becoming an artist someday, but he didn't believe he was good enough. One day, Jack's art teacher noticed his talent and encouraged him to keep practicing every day,

feel good about spending money

"The universe operates through dynamic exchange. Giving and receiving are different aspects of the same flow of energy in the universe." – Deepak Chopra When you hand over money to pay for something, you have a choice in how you think about it. You can feel sad that your

the miracle cure: how to heal your body and mind

Once upon a time, in a small village tucked away in the mountains, there lived a wise old woman named Mama Eka. Mama Eka was renowned for her herbal remedies and healing touch, and villagers from far and wide would seek her out for their ailments. One day, a young

easter: a wonderful time for reflection

“Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.” — S.D. Gordon “The beautiful spring came, and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” — Harriet Ann Jacobs Easter is a time of renewal, hope, and reflection. It is a time when Christians around

wake up and take charge

“You’re the president of your own career, your own life, your own finances, your own body, your own family, your own health. You are totally responsible.” — Brian Tracy Taking 100% responsibility for everything in their lives is a hallmark of all successful people. In his blog, Jack Canfield points

first impressions matter

settling is for the faint-hearted

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” — Nelson Mandela When it comes to settling in life, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking it's the safe

15 quotes to help you develop a positive outlook

Your outlook on life can greatly impact your future. By cultivating a positive outlook and focusing on gratitude, growth, and positivity, you can transform your experience of life and create a better future for yourself. Here are some quotes that emphasize the importance of your outlook and attitude in shaping

one important character trait to achieve holistic success

“Copy the following epigram in large letters and place it where you will see it daily. ‘TELL THE WORLD WHAT YOU INTEND TO DO, BUT FIRST SHOW IT.’ This is the equivalent of saying ‘deeds, and not words, are what count most.’” ― Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich In the

the flow of trust: a jewish perspective on money

“Money isn’t just physical; it’s a spiritual reality. It’s ‘spiritual’ in that it isn’t about folded pieces of paper, and it isn’t about what those little slips of paper can buy. It is about people and relationships. Money is the buzz; the connection that makes

why you must build a strong network

some inspiring anecdotes from lord rama’s life

Lord Rama is a revered figure in Hindu mythology and is known for his exemplary character and moral values. His life and teachings continue to be relevant today, and we can learn a lot from them. Here are some interesting and inspiring anecdotes from Lord Rama's life that

don’t postpone goodness

I have always been fascinated by the following quote by the Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie: “I'm going to spend the first half of my life accumulating money... And I'm going to spend the last half of my life giving it all away.” While these

don't let fear overpower you

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 Fear has become a prevalent aspect of modern society. In today's world, fear seems to be lurking around every corner, whether it be fear

forgiveness is an essential ingredient in love

“Forgiveness is important in every relationship, but it is essential in love. When two people love each other deeply, if one makes a mistake, the other doesn’t lose respect or say, ‘I’m going to do that too; then we’ll be even.’ That is the time to stand

life and work are all about relationships

the magnetism of money: how mindset attracts abundance

"If you approach money with an energy of joy, abundance, and gratitude, you will attract it in the same way." — Rhonda Byrne Ever wonder why financial success seems to snowball? People with money often seem to attract more, while those struggling financially can feel perpetually stuck. The answer,

the inspiring comeback of brendan fraser

Just a few hours back, Brendan Fraser won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in The Whale. Sure, I had wondered about the disappearance of Brendan Fraser sporadically over the past years, but I didn’t pay much attention to his story and the underlying reasons. Until

choose in-person conversations over digital communication

digital media diminish the quality of social interactions

harnessing the subconscious’ power to realize financial abundance

“Fortunes gravitate to men whose minds have been prepared to ‘attract’ them, just as surely as water gravitates to the ocean.” — Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich In the pursuit of financial success, the latent potential of our subconscious mind often goes unnoticed. By delving into the connection between our

breaking the chains of self-limiting narratives

"The only thing standing between you and your goal is the story you keep telling yourself as to why you can't achieve it." - Jordan Belfort The main reason why countless men and women fail to achieve what they desire in life is because of the

anyone can master public speaking

never fear public speaking

real love is easy and effortless

"True love is not about perfection, it is hidden in flaws and accepting them with all heart." - Unknown Real, true love is like a gentle breeze that fills your heart with warmth and joy. It's a kind of love that flows effortlessly, without any struggle

the magic of imagining possibilities: a key to attracting money

It’s naive to underestimate the role of our thoughts and emotions in shaping our experiences. If there is a lack of money in our lives, it's not merely a matter of numbers; it's a reflection of our inner landscape. Our feelings and beliefs about money

20 inspiring quotes to help you overcome obstacles

Obstacles and setbacks are an essential part of our lives. They help us become stronger, learn how to navigate our path, and reach our most desired goals. Sometimes these challenges may seem overwhelming, and we may feel defeated by them. However, we must choose optimism over pessimism and have faith

you must never feel bad about money

"Your net worth is determined by your thoughts and beliefs." – Darren Hardy Money. For many of us, it's a complicated topic fraught with emotional baggage. As children, we absorb all kinds of messages about money from parents, teachers, society at large. Many of these messages are

it’s all in the state of mind

“Just as electricity will turn the wheels of industry and render useful service if used constructively, or snuff out life if wrongly used, so will the law of auto-suggestion lead you to peace or prosperity or down into the valley of misery, failure, and death, according to your degree of

put that phone away

“It seems like we rarely converse anymore. I mean, we talk and we chat (often over text or e-mail), but we don’t really hash things out. We spend a lot of time avoiding uncomfortable conversations and not enough time making an effort to understand the people who live and

the sacred night of Shiva: unveiling the legends of Mahashivratri

“Mahashivratri is of great significance for all those who aspire for the Ultimate. May this night become an exuberant awakening for you.” — Sadhguru Mahashivratri, the "Great Night of Shiva," is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated annually, steeped in rich mythology and symbolism. Two prominent legends weave the narrative

embracing prosperity: the natural path to fulfillment

"The purpose of wealth is not just to accumulate wealth; it is to use the wealth for the greater good." — Sunday Adelaja In the grand fabric of existence, nature whispers a simple truth: the essence of life is growth and expansion. From the smallest seed pushing through the

revel in self-love

"Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world." — Lucille Ball In the grand story of life, there's a profound chapter that often gets overlooked, and that's the chapter of self-love.

don’t quit

I was listening to an audio program by Brian Tracy today morning while taking my daily walk outdoors and in that particular segment, he talked about the importance of perseverance and persistence in achieving our grandest goals. He recited the famous poem “Don’t Quit” and I felt inspired to

with god, all things are possible: a spark to ignite your life

Sometimes life can feel impossible. We set goals, dream dreams, but obstacles arise. Financial struggles, health issues, strained relationships - so many challenges block our path. We try to muscle through, but often we just spin our wheels, exhausted and discouraged. "I'll never get ahead." "

life is a continuous journey of self-discovery

"Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you." — Oprah Winfrey Life is a continuous journey of self-discovery and reinvention. We are always growing, evolving, and creating new versions of ourselves as we gain new experiences and insights. At each stage of life,

why trusting others is worth the risk

Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship, but it is especially critical in romantic love. When we open our hearts to another person, we make ourselves vulnerable and rely on their care and fidelity. Trust allows us to build intimacy, believing that our partner has our best interests in

take control of your information diet

“If you wish to improve, be content to appear clueless or stupid in extraneous matters—don’t wish to seem knowledgeable. And if some regard you as important, distrust yourself.” — Epictetus, Enchiridion, 13a The world has become smaller because of the Internet and technology. Now, it's easy to

you must defy the slow death of conformity

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson Many of us wear a social mask, concealing our true selves and conforming to societal expectations. We mold our image to please others, saying and

seven signs your life is spinning out of control

Life can be like a roller coaster, with its ups and downs. But sometimes, it can feel like you've lost control of the ride altogether. If you've been feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or just plain out of sorts, it might be a sign that your life is

what to do when you find yourself in a dilemma

The first step to gaining clarity is acceptance. You must accept that you don’t know what’s the right path ahead for you. No matter your age, gender, or status in the socio-economic spectrum, there’s no shame in admitting that you are clueless and confused. Rather, it’s

12 strategies to master the art of communication (4/4)

[Continued] 10. Speaking slowly: In spite of being the most powerful computer in existence, the human brain can only hold four bits of information in one go. Therefore, if we want others to take in more of what we say, we must speak at a slower pace. Along with improved

12 strategies to master the art of communication (3/4)

[Continued] 8. Expressing appreciation: If you want to make people more receptive, giving a compliment works like a charm. As you begin and end each of your conversations with a compliment, you acknowledge the other person and their efforts and foster a positive and joyful exchange. The only rule you

12 strategies to master the art of communication (2/4)

[Continued] 5. Reflecting on your inner values: Communication is analogous to driving in a foreign land. If you want to reach your chosen destination in a place where everything around you is unfamiliar, you need a reliable GPS. This is where inner values come in. They act as your GPS.

12 strategies to master the art of communication (1/4)

It’s ironic that even though we spend a good chunk of time interacting with one another, we’re still terrible at communicating. And sooner or later, we face the consequences of this ignorance. Poor communication can be a big roadblock in our conversations and exchanges at work, home, and

key insights on happiness (2/2)

[Continued] * In order to get in tune with the happiness within us, we need to master the art of personal alignment. * We need to live our personal legend and live in accordance with our ultimate spiritual destiny. * If we want to live a life that is true to our purpose

key insights on happiness (1/2)

“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” — Denis Waitley Here are some key insights on happiness. I hope they help you change your perception and empower you to create a life enriched with

unlocking happiness: a journey of mind and perspective

Happiness holds a profound significance in the human experience. When pondering life's ultimate purpose, the majority of individuals would invariably circle back to one core truth: the pursuit of happiness in its myriad forms. However, despite its universal appeal, happiness often remains an enigmatic and elusive concept, leaving

courage is key for authentic living

"Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." — Steve Jobs In the grand tapestry of life, nothing holds greater importance than the bravery to live authentically and fearlessly. It is this courage that

how to show validation in your workplace

“It's important to make sure that we're talking with each other in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.” — Barack Obama You might be wondering what validation looks and sounds like. Some statements that you can employ include phrases like “Good job,” “Keep

understanding validation

“There are two things people want more than sex and money... recognition and praise.” — Mary Kay Ash Validation essentially is a communication skill that helps the people around you at work feel seen and heard and thus affirms their sense of self. When you show appreciation and respond positively to

validation plays a crucial role in communication

yes, you can be both rich and good

A few days back, I was asked the following question by a student on Skillshare: Hello Parth, this class is helping me to reconsider some of the ideas I was taught as a child. I was taught that all rich people are bad, that they got that way by abusing

following through on your plan (5/5)

Most of us make great plans, but we never end up executing them. As we pursue the path of Essentialism and craft a plan based on it, we also need to act upon it and garner the necessary skills and habits to follow through with it. As the popular adage

questioning constantly and course-correcting when needed (4/5)

It’s never a guarantee that things will work out exactly as we planned them to. Life happens. We may change as people. That’s why it’s important we pivot when it’s required. Certain things may be essential in one phase of our life but not in another.

do your one thing (3/5)

A true Essentialist focuses on maximizing their gifts, talents, and strengths. Living an aligned life, whether it be personal or professional, is the best decision we can make for ourselves. Rather than trying to do everything, we can only focus on things where we can tap into our genius; the

doing less and doing better (2/5)

Focus on quality, not quantity. The more things we try to accomplish, the more rushed we end up feeling. Instead, it’s best to focus on fewer tasks and do them exceptionally well. In that way, we perform better and produce more. We are no longer motivated to reach the

walking on the path of essentialism (1/5)

“Essentialism is not about how to get more things done; it’s about how to get the right things done. It doesn’t mean just doing less for the sake of less either. It is about making the wisest possible investment of your time and energy in order to operate

fear not while setting goals

“Don’t set your goals too low. If you don’t need much, you won’t become much.” — Jim Rohn As you work towards setting goals in order to transform your intentions into actual results, here’s one important tip that you must always follow: Do not fear. Don’t

just cut the strings and get focused

“Understand at last that you have something in you more powerful and divine than what causes the bodily passions and pulls you like a mere puppet. What thoughts now occupy my mind? Is it not fear, suspicion, desire, or something like that?” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 12.19 We live in

the perks of undergoing a "beautiful torture"

A few days back, the track ‘Naatu Naatu’ from the Indian epic action drama RRR, bagged the Golden Globes Award in the “Best Original Song” category. Penned by Chandrabose and composed by MM Keeravani, the song competed against tracks including Taylor Swift’s ‘Carolina’ from Where the Crawdads Sing and

nine secrets of top public speakers

add humor to your presentations

if you want to feel happier, think and act happier

Do you feel that your emotions largely dictate how you think and act? If yes, it’s time to change your mind. According to psychologist William James, they go hand in hand and can most certainly impact each other. It’s true that we can’t directly influence what emotion

you must listen to your heart

What kind of person are you: someone who depends on their head or someone who follows their heart? When you rely solely on your head, you subject yourself to a dull and gloomy life. A life of fear, misery, and despair. It’s wise to let go of the constant

be authentic on the stage

“It’s just about being you and being cool with that. And I think when you’re authentic, you end up following your heart, and you put yourself in places and situations and conversations that you love and that you enjoy. You meet people that you like talking to. You

the cookie connection: spreading warmth through homemade treats

A few years ago, in a bustling city, a young woman named Maya found herself in a difficult situation. She had recently lost her job and was struggling to make ends meet. Christmas was just around the corner, and Maya couldn't afford to buy gifts for her family.

25 heartwarming quotes about christmas

The holiday season is a time of warmth and togetherness. As we experience the spirit and cheer of Christmas and the beautiful moments of the season with our friends and loved ones, the mood shifts into nothing short of magical. It’s time to enjoy the warm, fuzzy holiday feelings

embracing the winter solstice: a simple guide to celebrating nature's quietude

“During the window of heightened energy on the Solstice... there is a powerful Cosmic Opening to the Zero Point field of infinite possibility! This means an unprecedented opportunity to tap into new levels of love, light and the Divine Blessings of the Infinite now available for you to call forth

simple words and phrases have a greater impact

“There’s a time and a place for showing off the William F. Buckley vocabulary – but it’s probably not in a speech to your constituents, a sales pitch to a prospective client, or at a job interview.” ― Frank Luntz, Words That Work It’s always wise to use simple

keep your language simple and concise

“They learned the hard way – or not at all – that language is like fire: Depending on how you use it, it can either heat your house or burn it to the ground.” ― Frank Luntz, Words That Work How often do you take out your phone in the middle of a

you must refrain from putting things off

“Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: it snatches away each day as it comes, and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today. You are arranging what lies in Fortune’s control, and

nurturing winter wellness: ayurvedic herbs for holistic health

As the frosty breath of winter settles in, our bodies and minds undergo subtle transformations, requiring a harmonious approach to maintain optimal health. Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine originating from India, offers a wealth of wisdom and a holistic perspective on well-being. In the winter months, Ayurvedic herbs play

you are worthy of love

Do you believe you are worthy of love? Give an honest answer to yourself. If your response is no, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Millions of people all around the globe feel this way. If you routinely shut down when it comes to openly and freely expressing your

innovation begins within

If we want to stand out in the marketplace, we must bring a unique offering to our fellow humans. And how do we develop the idea for that special product or service? By looking within, by embracing our talent and gifts, by figuring out our ikigai. Innovation always begins within.

the inner journey: wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita

In the epic tale of the Mahabharata, Arjun, a skilled warrior, finds himself at the crossroads of duty and despair on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Before the profound teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Arjun's mind was outward-bound, entrenched in the external world of action. However, Lord Krishna, his

your work must align with what you care about

Meaningful work is not about motion, it’s about emotion. It’s not just about knocking tasks one by one, rather it’s about investing your time, energy, and presence in pursuits that matter the most to you without any apprehensions or mental/emotional blocks. At the end of the

beyond the money: happiness isn't found in fortune

We've all heard stories of the rich and famous. They have everything money can buy: luxury cars, mansions, designer clothes... yet, they often seem unhappy. It's puzzling, right? They've reached the peak of success, so why aren't they grinning ear to ear?

you must honor and celebrate your loved ones

Since this is Thanksgiving weekend in the US, and many people would be celebrating the occasion with their families, I wanted to share a traditional story that I read a couple of days back. There once was a man, who was raising his young son. The mother had passed away

take a moment to say "thank you" to nature

Nature is like the ultimate gift-giver, providing us with countless presents every day. From the air we breathe to the food we eat, nature is the silent benefactor that keeps on giving. It's like a magical friend who never asks for anything in return but showers us with

a meaningful reflection for thanksgiving

Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday about gratitude, about love, about togetherness, and about family. It’s a great occasion that not only brings people together to celebrate the end of the harvest, but also gives them a chance to look each other in the eye and share a few

aim for the riches

the meaning and spiritual significance of November 11th

Few dates in the calendar carry as much spiritual weight and cultural significance as November 11th. This day stands as a powerful testament to humanity's enduring search for meaning, combining ancient spiritual wisdom with modern commemoration in a remarkable synthesis of sacred and secular observance. The date itself

you must know what you want from life

“If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.” ― Jim Rohn A great majority of the human population is just drifting through life. They are totally clueless

requests work better than orders

One of the most essential skills you can learn as a leader in the modern world is the art of converting orders into requests. If you want your employees and team members to exude excellence and perform their tasks exceptionally well in the given time, you must ask them, not

solitude makes you limitless

“Only in solitude can you discover a sense of your own beauty.” — John O’Donohue If you want to tap into the power of the Infinite Intelligence within you, open the channels of creativity, and experience limitlessness in all aspects of life, you must embrace solitude and quietude.

why you must get rid of resentment

“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” ― Nelson Mandela Resentment usually develops when you are unable to forgive someone and move on with your life. Many times, what worsens the situation is your inability or unwillingness to confront the people you did you wrong.

how to capture someone’s interest

Here are two important things you need to keep in mind if you want to captivate others and hold their interest: 1. Have something to say: You must become an avid learner so that you are always equipped to hold an intelligent conversation on a wide range of topics such

my new morning routine (2022 edition) – [3/3]

With the coffee mug in my hand, I sit at my work desk and fire on my laptop computer. I quickly check my Google calendar, update and track my progress on my Weekly Rhythm Register spreadsheet,  and read my “morning mentorship” emails (I’ve sorted these via a filter in

my new morning routine (2022 edition) – [2/3]

Next, I perform my sacred trifecta routine comprising three disciplines: * Discipline 1 – Exercise * Discipline 2 – Reflection + Spirituality * Discipline 3 – Learning I spend around 20 minutes with each discipline. Exercise First, I start playing some inspirational music on YouTube Music (the Rocky playlist is my all-time favorite and always works) and

my new morning routine (2022 edition) – [1/3]

This year, for the most part, I had been able to honor my habit of waking up early by 5 am every day. However during the summertime, my sleep discipline and hygiene got massively compromised as against my better nature, I was constantly glued to the screens around me. i.

gratitude is an antidote to negativity

“Gratitude is an antidote to negative emotions, a neutralizer of envy, hostility, worry, and irritation. It is savoring; it is not taking things for granted; it is present oriented.” ― Sonja Lyubomirsky, The How of Happiness When you are grateful, you choose appreciation over criticism. When you are grateful, you stop

virtue is the highest good

It has been six years since I started my journey of philosophy and Stoicism when I began reading The Daily Stoic. Needless to say, the book has made a profound impact on me and my thinking. It paved the way for me to learn from Stoic giants, both ancient and

kantara: a compelling earthy tale rooted in culture and mythology

IMDb Description: It involves the culture of Kambla and Bhootha Kola. A human and nature conflict where Shiva is the rebel who works against nature. A loop leads to war between villagers and evil forces. Will Shiva be able to reinstate peace in the village? Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama Kantara

two timeless principles of effective leadership

If you desire to be a great leader, it’s crucial that you keep the following two things in mind: 1. Be a doer, not a talker. 2. Share the credit with others, and reserve blame for yourself. In his play Richard III, William Shakespeare wrote, “Talkers are no good

dussehra: celebrating the victory of good over evil

Today marks the occasion of Dussehra or Vijayadashami, the tenth and final day of the festival of Navratri, which is dedicated to the worship of the divine feminine. Dussehra is celebrated on the tenth day of the Hindu month of Ashvin which usually corresponds to September or October in the

the right time to train your subconscious mind

Our subconscious mind is not too different from fertile soil. In order for the seeds to be sown properly, they need to go deeper into the soil. The same applies to ingraining thoughts in the subconscious mind. We need to look for the right times when our conscious thoughts can

how to get the best deal from anyone

Whenever it comes to buying something, small or grand, ignorance is definitely not bliss. And while this applies to everyday shopping, it bears more weight when it comes to purchasing big-ticket items whether it be for your workplace or your home. It doesn’t matter where you live in the

do less, live more (part 2)

do less, live more (part 1)

choosing impact over making money

In our culture, making more money is equated to success. And countless people choose their vocations and later navigate their professional lives based on this belief alone. But working just for the sake of making money is a hollow pursuit, and an absolute waste of your precious resources. Let’s

our happiness lies in the happiness of others

Once a group of around 70 people was attending a seminar. Suddenly the speaker stopped and started giving each person a balloon. Each one was asked to write their name on it using a marker pen. Then, all the balloons were collected and put in another room. Now, these attendees

come join the 5-week minimalism fest

Autumn is here, and it’s a good time to create some outer order in our homes and in our lives. So, how about we have a festival that focuses exclusively on simplifying our lives? I’m calling it the 5-Week Minimalism Fest. Here’s how it goes: Each person

choosing discipline over procrastination

If there’s one crucial difference between the superachievers and those who never end up living their true potential is that the former do those things that the latter don’t like doing — even though they might not enjoy doing them either. You must embrace the pain of discipline over

understanding the four personality types (part 2)

understanding the four personality types (part 1)

the ancient babylonian law of tithing

Through several records, historians have learned that the ancient Babylonians were astute financiers and traders. These records also demonstrate some of the principles of wealth accumulation and management for which the Babylonians became widely known. The Babylonians followed the discipline of setting aside at least one-tenth of their income and

be like a lotus leaf

“Work becomes pure when it is done as service to me. And he who performs actions, dedicating them to me, becomes like the lotus leaf that, while being in the water, is still untouched by the water.” — The Bhagavad Gita Ancient Hindu and Buddhist scriptures have numerous analogies of the

changing the dominating thoughts in your mind

“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln You are a product of the dominating thoughts that you allow to occupy your mind. In truth, you are not too different from a magnet — you attract toward you whatever you feel from the

step out of the rat race

philosophy is for life

turning lemon into lemonade

I’m sure you would be familiar with the popular proverbial phrase “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Lemons suggest sourness i.e. difficulty or adversity in life; making lemonade is turning them into something sweet i.e. something positive or desirable. It’s widely used to encourage optimism

immerse yourself in the tales of the divine

ask better questions

books worth your time: recommended reading list (august 2022)

The fundamentals of accumulating extraordinary riches will never change. And when you master these core principles and align your actions with them consistently, financial success and freedom become inevitable. If you’re looking for timeless secrets for building lasting wealth and prosperity to implement in your everyday life, then I

you must conquer indecision to become wealthy

“The man of decision cannot be stopped! The man of indecision cannot be started! Take your own choice.” — Napoleon Hill One of the biggest obstacles that we all face, which can stop us in our tracks and keep us from moving forward in both our personal and professional lives, is

your mental attitude shapes your destiny

“You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations “The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have

just go ahead and do it

Maybe you’re thinking of starting something new and scary in your chosen field, maybe you’re getting ready finally to make the switch from a career to a calling, maybe you want to push the boundaries and make a bold and audacious move in your professional journey that might

letting go of things that don’t matter

imagine you have all the money you desire

“Anything you can imagine, you can create.” — Oprah Winfrey Your internal beliefs create your external reality, and your dominant thoughts determine what you attract in your life. Therefore, if you want to attract more money, it’s crucial to visualize it as if you already have it. Visualizing as if

ephemeral impediments are not permanent defeats

Success is something we all desire, whether it be our personal or professional lives. However, life doesn’t go as per our desired plans. Life is unpredictable and as we all know, success is never a linear and straightforward journey. No matter how hard you work at your studies, at

seeing others through the eyes of god

“In denying love to anyone, I deny myself a miracle. In withholding forgiveness from anyone, I withhold it from myself.” — Marianne Williamson It’s easy to judge others. It’s easy to blame and criticize others. But it takes an incredible amount of wisdom, objectivity, maturity, kindness, and empathy to

don’t live your life in a prison box

Most people end up spending lives of quiet desperation; they never step out of their self-constructed prison boxes defined by their identities and limiting beliefs. We, humans, dislike pain and hence take the path of inaction and stagnation. We tend to avoid rejection, failure, disappointments, and not feeling good at

you must give before you get

The law of cause and effect is always in action. The Bible states that we reap what we sow. So, a wise move that we can all make on our parts is to use this universal law to our advantage. The relationship between giving and receiving is never-ending and applies

15 quotes to help you understand the significance of hard work

Hard work is your best and biggest ally, both in good and prosperous times as well as in times of adversity and unimaginable distress. A strong work ethic, along with practicing self-control, persistence, and diligence, plays a key role in helping us achieve freedom and enjoy holistic success for years

you need harmonious relationships to unlock greatest successes

We, humans, pride ourselves on strength, independence, and self-reliance. It fuels both our ego and our confidence. But the truth is that most of us are ill-equipped to travel the success journey alone. We’re all going to have moments when it won’t be possible to stand by ourselves

wake up and get to work

Each of us is pulled by our lower nature and wants to avoid suffering and struggle and instead feel pleasure and comfort whenever possible. This holds true especially in the early mornings when we find ourselves under the spell of sweet and deep slumber. Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius was not

make your ‘thank you’s more meaningful

Thankfulness is key to success and abundance in all aspects of life. And so, “Thank you!” are two magic words that, when spoken, can make any situation brighter and better. However, there’s one catch. If empty and devoid of genuine emotion, these two words quickly lose their impact and

how to reach a state of superconsciousness

you must not use service for selfish ends

Many of us get tempted to use service as a means to selfish ends. When we serve, our life expands. When we give more, we get more. And through generosity, we equip ourselves to open the gateway of abundance and prosperity. Therefore, we must constantly remind ourselves that service that

book summary: the richest man in babylon by george s. clason (part 7)

Save 10% of Your Income No matter how little you currently have saved or how small your paychecks are, you must cultivate a discipline to regularly set aside at least 10% of your income and invest it, so it will grow and bring you prosperity for years to come. It’

book summary: the richest man in babylon by george s. clason (part 6)

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way Debts are your enemies and ill fortune will follow any person who thinks more of borrowing than repaying his debts. They who spend more than they earn will sooner or later encounter trouble and humiliation. A man with the soul of

how to be free: practical insights by a former slave

“If you feel that you are not free, look for the reason inside you.” — Leo Tolstoy What does being free mean to you? As per Stoic philosopher Epictetus, freedom is all about making peace with things that lie outside the realm of your power. To accept and understand your limits

the aphorisms of love

book summary: the richest man in babylon by george s. clason (part 5)

Things to Keep in Mind While Lending Money Here are some rules on how to lend money to others: 1. If you wish to help out a friend, you must do so in a way that won’t bring their burdens upon you. And so, never lend your money to

book summary: the richest man in babylon by george s. clason (part 4)

The Five Laws of Gold The five laws of gold are as follows: 1. Gold comes easily and in increasing quantity to the person who saves at least 1/10th of their earnings. 2. Gold labors diligently and multiplies for the person who finds it profitable employment. 3. Gold clings

book summary: the richest man in babylon by george s. clason (part 3)

Seven Cures for a Lean Purse Here are the seven Babylonian principles for wealth management you must start practicing: 1. Begin to fatten your purse 2. Control your expenses 3. Grow your savings 4. Guard your wealth against losses 5. Become a homeowner 6. Save money for the future 7.

book summary: the richest man in babylon by george s. clason (part 2)

Welcome to Ancient Babylon Babylon is widely considered a wonderful example of the ability of man to achieve incredible accomplishments, using whatever resources are at his disposal. Money is the medium by which earthly success is measured. Money makes possible the enjoyment of the best the earth affords. Money is

book summary: the richest man in babylon by george s. clason (part 1)

Key Message When you work hard, seize opportunities bravely, live within your means, save a certain portion of your income every month and invest it wisely, over time you will become wealthy. Introduction Money management and investing are skills anyone can learn no matter their background, profession, age, gender, or

becoming a mighty warrior

24 life-changing quotes from “the richest man in babylon”

The Richest Man in Babylon, written by George S. Clason, is a compilation of pamphlets providing financial advice that were distributed by banks and insurance companies in the 1920s. The book, termed as an essential guide to financial understanding, presents timeless principles for managing money, increasing wealth, and protecting assets

the incredible power of absolute faith

“Neither knowledge, nor austerity, nor charity, nor sacrifice can bring the vision you have seen. But through unfailing devotion, Arjuna, you can know me, and see me, and attain union with me.” — The Bhagavad Gita, 11:53-54 “We can believe in a thing, we can know that it exists, even

there is only one true religion

I’ve been reading Eknath Easwaran’s work consistently for the past few years and one thing that I truly admire about his writing is that he doesn’t limit his spiritual teachings to one primary religion. In fact, he draws inspiration and nuggets of wisdom from different faiths and

18 soulful quotes to celebrate international yoga day

The International Day of Yoga is a special day celebrated worldwide on June 21st each year. It is a day dedicated to the practice and promotion of yoga, an ancient practice that originated in India. Yoga is more than just physical exercise. It is a holistic approach to health and

a perfect blend of hugeness and humility

moving from self-centeredness to selflessness

aimlessness is never an option

“To put away aimlessness and weakness, and to begin to think with purpose, is to enter the ranks of those strong ones who only recognize failure as one of the pathways to attainment; who make all conditions serve them, and who think strongly, attempt fearlessly, and accomplish masterfully.” — James Allen

where the determination is, the way can be found

the story of the camel trader

understanding and eliminating negative states

the trifecta of blissful existence

you can become a millionaire

Sure, the road to building wealth and achieving financial freedom is far from easy. But do you feel doubtful that you could ever be a millionaire? If yes, you may want to reconsider. Becoming a millionaire doesn’t need to be a far-fetched reality. If you choose to live below

go where you are valued the most

Here’s a short story that I heard a few days back, and I absolutely love the lesson that it teaches. Personally, I found it quite timely, and I’m sure it’ll resonate with many of you as well. A father said to his daughter “You have graduated with

your thoughts define your character

“Every thought you release becomes a permanent part of your character.” — Napoleon Hill Thoughts are the starting point of all creation. Whether we like it or not, what we think consistently, manifests. I’m sure you would’ve heard the adage “Thoughts are things.” It has been shown that every

the solutions are within, not without

The core reason for every attachment is to feel a connection and to feel good. We are inundated with boring spaces and phases in our day-to-day life and don't know what to do with our time. We feel a lack of stimulation. And so, we constantly want reassurance

30 memorial day quotes to honor all fallen soldiers

Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 30th, this year. And while the long weekend is usually packed with family fun and summer activities, it’s also important to reflect on the real meaning and history of Memorial Day and honor the military members who have fought and died for our

keeping your mind-mirror unsoiled

build impregnable walls around your finances

pithy insights on money management and wealth-building (part 2)

Here are some more key takeaways for you in the realm of personal finance management and investing: * Build trust and credibility in your professional relationships, and always make money through honest and ethical means. Prioritize ethics over profits. * Get disciplined, organized, and track your expenses. Monitor your habits and avoid

always keep death in your perspective (part 2)

A wise person once said, “Don’t ever put things off until tomorrow. How do you know you will be here tomorrow?” Seneca wrote something in the same vein, “Let us prepare our minds as if we’d come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let

always keep death in your perspective (part 1)

“I am time, the destroyer of all; I have come to consume the world. Even without your participation, all the warriors gathered here will die.” If these words sound familiar to you, then you’re not wrong. In fact, this quote has been circulated numerous times among people through different

the more you get, the more you want

We all get attached to something or someone in our lives. Being attached is human nature, but once we understand why our brain prefers attachment over detachment, we are better able to steer ourselves from the seductions of our everyday society and choose freedom over being imprisoned by our desires.

always do more than you get paid for

> “My father taught me to always do more than you get paid for as an investment in your future.” — Jim Rohn Here are a few common traits among people who get promoted to the best positions in their respective organizations: * They have developed the discipline to go the extra

how to lend money to others (part 2)

how to lend money to others (part 1)

pithy insights on money management and wealth-building (part 1)

As I read the top books on personal finance management and investing, I noticed some patterns emerging over time. When internalized, these recurring themes can be an indispensable guide for any individual on their quest to become rich and wealthy. In this two-part essay, I have gathered all the important

reconciling the notions of destiny and duty (part 2)

One important lesson we can learn from Ram and even other characters in this epic tale is that even though all of them refer to destiny at one point or another in the narrative, none of them act as helpless puppets that could be made to act this way or

reconciling the notions of destiny and duty (part 1)

If you’re into philosophy and spirituality, I’m sure you would have pondered upon some critical questions with regard to human existence: * Are certain events destined to happen in our lives? * Should we surrender and go with the flow of life or take charge and make things happen? * Do

mastery maxims

I am currently in the process of selecting and putting together a collection of short yet impactful quotes from my past 1000+ essays and sharing them with the world, one quote each day, Monday through Friday. If you’d like to access this comprehensive list of pithy quotes called “Mastery

message to yourself

Today, just let go of your inhibitions and judgments, and trust yourself. You’re much better, smarter, and wiser than you think you are. [insert an inspirational message here]

the five laws of gold (part 6)

the five laws of gold (part 5)

what is ashwagandha?

Across the deserts, plains, and mountains of northern India, there’s one herb that has been gathered for more than 6,000 years to be used in cooking, religious rituals, and in Ayurvedic medicine. The name of this versatile herb is Ashwagandha. Its botanical name is Withania somnifera, and it’

the most pernicious habit of all

> “Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: It snatches away each day as it comes and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today…The whole future lies in uncertainty: Live immediately.” — Seneca

the best antidote to negativity

> “Dig deep within yourself, for there is a fountain of goodness ever ready to flow if you will keep digging. — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 7.59 What is negativity at its core? The absence of goodness. Therefore, the best antidote to negative thoughts is to replace them with good thoughts.

understanding money

> “Money is like a beautiful thoroughbred horse-—very powerful and always in action. But unless this horse is trained when very young, it will be an out-of-control and dangerous animal when it grows to maturity.” — Dave Ramsey Chasing wealth just for the sake of becoming wealthy is an empty

how to overcome self-pity

Napoleon Hill referred to self-pity as an opiate. He wrote, “The most insidious problem with drugs is that the human body develops a tolerance for them and requires larger and larger doses to achieve the same effect. The same is true with self-pity. The more you allow yourself to indulge

the five laws of gold (part 4)

the five laws of gold (part 3)

always start with why

Imagine you are walking down a street at the local park, and you see two homeless people sitting on the bench, each with a piece of paper in hand and a cap for money on the ground. One of them has an empty cap and a piece of paper, stating:

one important contributor to long-term success

A crucial component of perennial success is being able to adjust and adapt whenever the situation demands. If you want to achieve long-term success, you must be willing to make short-term sacrifices. Success is never a linear journey, and you must train yourself to become mentally and emotionally strong no

being good is your supreme duty

> “We must also make ourselves flexible, to avoid becoming too devoted to the plans we have formed.” — Seneca Following the rules and doing your job is extremely important. However, being rigid all the time is not a sound strategy. You must be willing to adapt yourself as per circumstances.

don’t mistake continual activity for meaningful work

> “Consider this: A man comes home at night and flops down on the couch. He says, ‘I’ve been going, going, going.’ But the real question is, ‘Doing what?’ Some people are going, going, going, but they’re doing figure eights. They’re not making much progress.” — Jim Rohn

embrace the gentler way of being

Have you ever tried opening a jar with a tight lid, and you tried and tried, and the jar just wouldn’t open? You gave all your strength, but still no success! The more force you applied, the harder you tried, and the more frustrated you became. Right? And then,

the five laws of gold (part 2)

the five laws of gold (part 1)

work is key to living a happy and fulfilling life

> “When a person sets to work, even if it is the most unqualified, primitive, simple work, the human soul calms down. As soon as a person starts to work, all the demons leave him and cannot approach him. A man becomes a man.” — Thomas Carlyle Work provides essential nourishment

how to attract good luck to yourself

the true meaning of luck

we are all trustees of the planet

> “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” — Psalms Today, April 22nd, marks Earth Day, our planet’s very own special day. It’s a good time to reflect on our roles and responsibilities as citizens of the world and

do your best, let go of the rest

> "For us, there is only the trying. The rest is not our business." — T.S. Eliot It’s true that as human beings, we belong to a superior species on the planet, and thanks to our gifted faculties, each one of us has an incredible amount of

don’t look back, look ahead

Your past does not equal your future. You can either be a prisoner of your past or the architect of your future. You can’t be both. What you choose today determines your destiny. Temporary defeats, as gruesome as they might be, are not permanent failures. Let go of the

money doesn’t last, good deeds do

Have you ever wondered how your epitaph would read after your mortal existence slips into eternal darkness? What would people talk about you? How would they remember you? What anecdotes or stories would come to their mind when your name pops up? Most of us value material over spiritual, and

a beautiful poem to celebrate easter

> “Let every man and woman count himself immortal. Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in His resurrection. Let him say not merely, ‘Christ is risen,’ but ‘I shall rise.’” – Phillips Brooks Easter is a holiday when all Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after he was crucified

how i became a hanuman enthusiast

the greatest gift you can give to your child

> “When no buyers were near, he talked to me earnestly to impress upon me how valuable work would be to me in the future: ‘Some men hate it. They make it their enemy. Better to treat it like a friend, make thyself like it. Don't mind because

don’t lose your natural instincts

> “A lion doesn't concern himself with the opinions of a sheep.” — Tywin Lannister (Game of Thrones) In his book, Relentless, Tim Grover talks at length about each of us having ruthless natural instincts. A great example of this notion is the basketball legend Michael Jordan. Jordan had

you don’t need that fancy mba

If you’re someone who is planning on getting an MBA from a prestigious business school to improve your future career prospects, and is willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to get this fancy degree, then it’s time to stop yourself in your tracks before it gets

joy is our natural state

> “If you do not disturb the basic process of life within you, joy is a natural outcome. Joy is not an achievement; joy is your original state.” — Sadhguru Life can get hard at times. Everything seems to be going pretty well and then, boom!... All of a sudden, we’

always remember the law of humor

> “Whenever we can’t remember the last time we laughed, it’s time to do it.” — Melody Beattie A middle-aged man once went to see a therapist a few months after his daughter’s untimely death. The therapist listened to his story with utmost patience and compassion. Once he

you are limitless

Even though your life experiences may feel limited right now, don’t let them bog you down. Your current circumstances don’t define you, nor do they dictate your destiny. Know that you are a magnificent being, know that you’re limitless. Trust the Universe and remind yourself again and

you must choose the right talent over family

Many people, especially if they’re involved in a family business, tend to hire their immediate family members and blood relatives for important positions in their company. But often in my personal opinion, this just opens Pandora’s box and brings countless troubles both in their work and family life.

seven cures for a lean purse (part 4)

seven cures for a lean purse (part 3)

did will smith act like a real man at the oscars? (part 2)

What we can learn from this incident is that there’s no one in this whole wide world, who doesn’t face the threat of losing their calm in an instant and doing something stupid, such as resorting to violence to get back at the other person. No one is

did will smith act like a real man at the oscars? (part 1)

The short answer is no. Absolutely not. As much as I like Will Smith’s carefree attitude, his inclination towards personal and spiritual growth, and his incredible cinematic work, it breaks my heart to say that Will was out of line during the Oscars night. One of my favorite Stoic

let go and let god

Many years ago there was a monk who needed olive oil, so he planted an olive tree sapling. After he finished planting it, he prayed, “Lord, my tree needs rain so its tender roots may drink and grow. Send gentle showers.” And the Lord sent gentle showers. Then the monk

the biggest challenge for each of us

The laws of Nature (also known as God’s laws) are infallible. Your life is a mirror reflection of how aligned you are with these laws. It’s unfortunate that most of us are not aware of this truth. Our misguided and misaligned thoughts, words, and actions keep us stuck

restoring the magic in our lives

When we are little, every day is a new adventure — a miracle in its own right. Our curiosity and our quest to find happiness in little, ordinary things energize us round the clock. However, as we grow up, we get so tangled up with our goals, deadlines, desires, and dreams

seven cures for a lean purse (part 2)

seven cures for a lean purse (part 1)

to love is to be responsible in all things

> “It doesn’t matter if I’ve been wronged — I still have a responsibility to use my influence in a way that never causes harm.” — Shaun King You must take extreme ownership of everything in your life – every thought, word, action, behavior, and habit – not only for yourself but

never assume anything

Once an American executive was on a train in northern India with his business partner. The train’s departure time was delayed. They sat across a table from two Indian monks wearing saffron robes who looked to be in their late thirties or early forties. Much to their chagrin, the

how to amass true wealth

> “Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.” ― Epictetus The Stoics believed that the pursuit of possessions was futile. Less is in fact more. True wealth lies in a simple life, not in material accomplishments. When we get rid of clutter and invest in experiential

you must cultivate a red-hot desire

> “Many people think they want to be successful, but since they do not back that thought with an intense drive, they never achieve success.” — Napoleon Hill In order to succeed, you must act. And if you want to act consistently and tirelessly, you must embrace a purpose that aligns

being human: a tough job

The hardest part of being human is being human.

the secret to becoming wealthy (part 2)

the secret to becoming wealthy (part 1)

make contribution an active part of your life

Whenever you feel life has been unfair to you and start criticizing your fate, just look around you and start counting your blessings. This will instantly change your perspective and you’ll begin to appreciate how fortunate you are. The truth is that you’re living the dream life of

the “peace of mind” fund

An emergency fund is simply money you’ve set aside for life’s unexpected events. Sometimes it is also referred to as a rainy-day fund. However, a good alternate name (and the positive of all!) for this fund which I personally love is the “Peace of Mind” fund. You sleep

key insights on yoga and pranayama (4/4)

* When the breathing becomes deep we become calmer and in tune with the inner tranquility within us. We are able to soothe our mind and gain better control over our body. * “The restless monkey breathes at the rate of 32 times a minute, in contrast to man’s average 18

key insights on yoga and pranayama (3/4)

On pranayama (breathing exercises) * Pranayama basically translates to the control or regulation of Prana (breath). * In ancient Indian scriptures, Prana is referred to as the life force; without Prana, there is no life. All our biological functions are directly or indirectly related to our breath. * Pranayama is akin to a

key insights on yoga and pranayama (2/4)

On asanas (body postures) * It’s not about how flexible you are as compared to other people, but it’s about how far you can stretch yourself. It’s all about how you grow and improve with every session. * Contrary to popular belief, yoga asanas are easy and are for

key insights on yoga and pranayama (1/4)

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.” — The Bhagavad Gita “Yoga is the artwork of awareness on the canvas of body, mind, and soul.” — Amit Ray Here are some key insights on the subject of yoga and pranayama that’ll inspire you to develop

your time is limited

A majority of us avoid thinking about our mortality; instead, we prefer getting sucked into the vortex of the daily grind. And so, rather than focusing our precious time on things that matter and have weight, we end up spending it on frivolous stuff that we don’t even enjoy.

be the rider, not the horse

It’s crucial that you take extreme ownership of your life. When it comes to running your life, you must take a stand — no compromises, no negotiations, no regrets. Obstacles and setbacks are inevitable. And so, you must either take charge and live an intentional and productive life of your

self-assessment is key to greatness

“Know thyself.” — Socrates In order to achieve personal greatness, you must discover your sacred mission on this planet. And the first step in doing that is self-assessment. “Reflection is the mother of wisdom. Carve out some time each day to ask ourselves why we are here, how we are living

24 empowering international women’s day quotes

Today, March 8th is International Women’s Day, a global holiday that recognizes women’s incredible achievements, raises awareness, and encourages others to advocate for gender equality. This is a great time to celebrate all the women in our lives and commit to working towards eliminating the restrictions and hurdles

how to support ukrainian small business owners

If you’re looking to support people in Ukraine, here’s something I learned that can directly benefit a subset of entrepreneurs there. Go to Etsy.com and use its ‘Search’ function to find sellers specifically in Ukraine who sell digital products. (Also, Etsy is waiving all Ukrainian seller fees

get lucky by working hard

never place any limits on your thinking

> “You can’t conceive how high ‘up’ is, except for the limitations of your own mind.” — Pat Ryan Whenever you brainstorm, make sure you don’t put limits on any idea. Just let the ideas flow without any filter. You never know when an idea that seems craziest at

“no” is not the end

Napoleon Hill once said, “The better portion of all sales I have made were made after people had said ‘no.’” Don’t let preliminary rejections discourage you or bog you down. You must stay persistent and continue to have unshakable confidence in the value that you’re offering someone via

a negative mind leads to the manifestation of diseases

In today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected world, it’s easy for the mind to be influenced by fear, anger, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and despair. And these toxic mental states could lead to the manifestation of physical ailments such as skin rashes, allergies, insomnia, hypertension, and indigestion. Several studies have proven again

don’t trust a novice with your hard-earned money

> “Advice is one thing that is freely given away, but watch that you take only what is worth having. He who takes advice about his savings from one who is inexperienced in such matters, shall pay with his savings for proving the falsity of their opinions.” — George S. Clason,

mahashivratri — meaning and spiritual significance

> “The entire universe, animate and inanimate, comes from me. Everything is seen through me. Everything comes to rest in me. I am no different from it and nothing in this world is different from me.” — The Shiva Samhita Mahashivratri, which means “The Great Night of Shiva,” is one of

save 10% of your income

No matter how little you currently have saved or how small your paychecks are, you must cultivate a discipline to regularly set aside at least 10% of your income and invest it, so it will grow and bring you prosperity for years to come. I personally follow Dave Ramsey’s

some thoughts on war and its perils

As the world witnesses the Russia-Ukraine war, let’s pray that this crisis ends soon and peace and sanity prevail. War is never the solution, peace is! This is a good time for all of us to become conscious and aware of war and its futility and the irreversible, long-term

live below your means

> “To live beyond your means today is to live below them tomorrow.” — Hans F. Sennholz Taking a day job where you work for 35-40 hours per week and then spending everything you earn is never a good strategy. Of course, you don’t have to stop drinking the occasional

a short recovery prayer

In this fast-paced, technology and consumerism-driven world, the unfortunate truth is that we’ve all become addicts in some shape or form. That’s why it’s crucial that we practice intentionality and become conscious of our everyday actions. Making prayer a part of our daily routine can be an

all prayers are potent and acceptable

Prayers come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it be asking for blessings for ourselves or our near and dear ones, expressing gratitude for help, gifts and good things received, asking for guidance, or seeking forgiveness for any misdeeds, most religions and spiritual traditions provide formal prayers, guidelines, and even

start emulating successful people

Andrew Carnegie once said that the principles of success are definite and real, and can be learned by any person who is willing to take the time to study and implement them. Do you want to achieve remarkable success? If yes, then start observing the behaviors and actions of successful

connecting with the divine every day

“Prayer is a good thing to wrap around us every day. Whenever we get in a jam, get confused, need help, or don’t know what to do next, taking a minute to talk to God and asking for guidance is a good call.” — Melody Beattie We’re all aware

let go of unhealthy complications and attachments

Life is supposed to be easy and effortless. Whenever life becomes a struggle, it’s a sign that we’re not in alignment with God’s laws. You must align yourself with the natural way of things. When you live in accordance with your nature, working on your sacred mission

developing a loving relationship with money

“Any relationship worth having is worth deepening by taking regular, loving actions.” ― Kate Northrup, Money: A Love Story Managing your money can be a fun and loving process if you choose it to be. In order to get financial freedom, we need to change our relationship with money. Make handling

don’t try to control your partner’s behavior

“You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh If you’re in a relationship with someone and if you’re always trying to control your partner, telling them to do this or not do that, then it’s a clear indicator

how to deal with inspirational dissatisfaction

> “Joy for human beings lies in proper human work. And proper human work consists in: acts of kindness to other human beings, disdain for the stirrings of the senses, identifying trustworthy impressions, and contemplating the natural order and all that happens in keeping with it.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.

misused time brings misfortunes

“The only luck in the world is the luck you create for yourself.” — Napoleon Hill “The amount of good luck coming your way depends on your willingness to act.” — Barbara Sher In the real world, the more you misuse your time, the more misfortunes you invite into your life. When

becoming a love wizard

“Love is the strongest power there is.” — J.K. Rowling Today is Valentine’s Day, the day when love is in the air. And considering all the negative news from all around the globe that constantly floods our screens and makes us feel uncertain, pessimistic, and fearful of the future

making money management a top priority

In order to get financial freedom, we need to make money management a top priority in our lives. When you take care of your finances, you take care of yourself. And hence, it’s an act of self-care. You are in a better place when you are in control of

the anatomy of a perfect marketing message

When it comes to creating a perfect marketing message for your business, you must make sure that it is clear and presents your brand in the right light without a shred of doubt and confusion. At its core, your chosen message should convey three things: 1. Who you are 2.

understanding the mystery of unanswered prayers

There’s a beautiful old story of how one person of faith dreamed she saw three other women in prayer. When they knelt the Lord drew near to them. As He approached the first of the three women, He bent over her with tenderness and grace. He smiled with radiant

rebel against the forces that take you down the false path

“If you’re on the false path, get off. Find energy in rebellion.” — Robert Greene When it comes to choosing our life’s work, many of us, unfortunately, take an incorrect path in our lives. The simple reason is that we’re driven by certain erroneous pursuits, namely, money, fame,

the common thread among remarkable entrepreneurs

All successful entrepreneurs have one thing in common: money is not their end goal. As paradoxical as this may sound, they don’t do what they do just for the sake of money. Sure, profit is an important part of the equation, but the primary factor that drives remarkable leaders,

if you can imagine it, you can create it

Daniel Burnham, an accomplished architect and civic planner whose plan for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair had a substantial influence on the contemporary civic design once remarked, “Make no little plans.” There’s great wisdom behind these four simple words. Burnham knew that if we want to achieve extraordinary

let go of the pursuit of miracles

Miracles are like butterflies. When you keep pursuing them and running around to fetch them, you’d never get them in your grasp. However, when you get still and align your thoughts, words, and actions with God’s laws, miracles will come find you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fun Fact! All swans in

trusting the almighty when your heartstrings get struck

Think of God as a harpist. He loves you dearly, more than any harpist loves his harp. But when He finds you giving out harsh, discordant sounds, He knows it’s time to tune you. He doesn’t want to hurt His dear child, but He still plucks your heartstrings

hanuman chalisa: a brief introduction to the most popular indian hymn

TheHanumanChalisais, without doubt, the most popular Hindu devotional hymn ( stotra) not only in the land of India but around the world. It’s also one of the most powerful prayers and meditations of humanity. It is widely believed that chanting theChalisainvokesHanuman’sdivine interventionamidstgrave problems and challenges. The HanumanChalisawas authored in

using your tithe as a backup emergency fund

I watched this video today and it made me quite emotional and I involuntarily started crying in the middle of it. We’ve all been through times when we want to give a certain percentage of our income towards charity, but we can’t because we have some more pressing

marbles in a jar

Like other areas of life, the compound effect holds true in relationships as well. For the unversed, the compound effect is the strategy of reaping huge rewards from small, seemingly insignificant actions. Here’s the key formula Small choices + consistency + time = significant results In essence, it’s not big choices,

be a lion, not a sheep

“There is nothing worth doing that is not scary. There is no one who has achieved greatness without wrestling with their own doubts, anxieties, limitations, and demons.” ― Ryan Holiday, Courage Is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave People who choose to be the exception and who achieve extraordinary success are those

five things you must do every single morning

> “Success in life is founded upon attention to the small things rather than to the large things.” – Booker T. Washington Our lives are nothing but a long series of single days one after another. The sun rises, we begin our day, the sun sets, we end our day, the

the five best antidotes for fear

The five best antidotes for fear are: 1. Faith 2. Self-confidence 3. Knowledge 4. Gratitude 5. Hope -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fun Fact! The current U.S. flag was designed by a 17-year-old for a school project.

adding enthusiasm in people’s lives

> “Enthusiasm is contagious. Be a carrier” — Susan Rabin It’s normal and natural for us to get caught up in the humdrum and monotony of daily life. You’ll come across countless people, whether it be at the grocery store, on the bus or light rail, or at your

your life is the result of your moment-to-moment choices

Your little, everyday choices dictate the course of your life. Jillian Michaels, one of the leading fitness experts of the world and a celebrity trainer of The Biggest Loser fame, once shared in an interview a profound story from her childhood days: “When I was a kid, my mom would

the two life-changing words

There are two words that can change your day, and in the broader scheme, change your life, when you say them over and over again: Thank you. You can improve any day instantly by saying and feeling “Thank you” multiple times in a row. So, today be grateful no matter

using supplements to reduce the nutritional gap

Thousands of years ago, our ancestors used to live in hunter-gatherer tribes that only survived on plants growing from soil that was organic and rich in minerals, along with animals that also fed on the natural vegetation around them. Consuming these plants and animals thus provided them with a pretty

how to overcome the burden of self-consciousness

“Closing their eyes, steadying their breathing, and focusing their attention on the center of spiritual consciousness, the wise master their senses, mind, and intellect through meditation. Self-realization is their only goal. Freed from selfish desire, fear, and anger, they live in freedom always. Knowing me as the friend of all

avoid the western diet at all costs

A major cause of poor health in the developed world, whether we like it or not, is the Western diet. Research studies all around the globe have shown that people who avoid this type of diet as a general rule also avoid its associated health risks. In the 1930s, a

dump all debt payments

What happens when you try to fill a sack with gold coins when there are a few holes on the bottom? Yup, it never works! No matter how hard you try, the sack never gets full. The same applies to your personal finances. Your income (your metaphorical gold coins) is

don’t let the desire for riches enter your heart

If you want to build extraordinary wealth, you must cultivate a burning desire within you for riches. The object, as Napoleon Hill outlines in the book Think and Grow Rich is to want money and become so determined to have it that you convince yourself you will have it. He

make success consciousness your number one priority

In his landmark book Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill writes, “Success comes to those who become success conscious. Failure comes to those who indifferently allow themselves to become failure conscious. The object is to help all who seek it learn the art of changing their minds from failure consciousness

balance achievement with significance

> “How often do we stop and ask, ‘What is really important? What matters most to me?’ If every one of us starts asking this simple question, it will transform our daily lives and even the world in which we live. After all, we need clean air and water more

the four candles: a story about the power of hope

> “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” — Desmond Tutu I came across this simple yet powerful story about hope recently and thought I would share it with you. If you’ve ever felt despair, suffered setbacks or tragedies, or generally been

focus on your diet, not the nutrients

If you really want to get in shape this year and/or improve your overall health, it’s best to avoid the “Western diet.” Numerous research studies have shown that people who avoid this type of diet as a general rule also avoid its associated health risks. Here’s why

your vibrations dictate your reality

The idea behind the Law of Attraction is that if you believe good things will happen in your life, you make it more likely that those things will happen. The basic premise is like attracts like. And so, if you focus on positivity, things start going in your favor. However,

why you must develop integrity in your everyday life

> “Encountering integrity can be like a breath of fresh air. A person of integrity has honorable intentions, is trustworthy, and is honest. An air of high drama or manipulation does not surround acts of integrity. Acts of integrity stand on their own.” — Melody Beattie Integrity has become a rare

you must build your life plan first

A few years back, my mentor Darren Hardy shared a life-changing insight that made an incredible impact on how I plan and prioritize things and manage my time, energy, and attention. He advised making a subtle but powerful shift before proceeding with any kind of goal-setting. Darren said, before you

bringing balance in your life again

> “Life without balance can cost you your relationships. Life without balance can cost you your health. Life without balance can cost you your spirituality. Life without balance can cost you your wealth and your happiness. So find things to motivate you from all areas of life. Your success depends

you must dedicate your life to a holy crusade

There’s a reason why people such as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa, Albert Einstein, Benjamin Franklin, and Nelson Mandela have become household names. They all discovered a cause bigger than themselves and they made that a divine mission in their lives. All

without purpose, there’s no passion

> “Nothing in life is more liberating than to fight for a cause larger than yourself, something that encompasses you but is not defined by your existence alone.” — John McCain Nothing in this world can motivate a person more than a noble purpose. If you want to develop an insane

you must trust the journey no matter what

> “Sometimes we don’t know what we’re learning, or whether we’re learning anything at all. It’s easy to look back on a situation—once it has worked itself out—and be in awe of the process and all that we learned. The time we most need

guided meditation to let go of negativity and set conscious intentions for 2022

The New Year is here! Now is a great time to allow ourselves to begin anew. It’s an opportunity to write a new chapter in our lives and we can start writing our story by letting go of all the negativity of the past and setting conscious intentions for

setting intentions for the new year (part 2)

It’s time to ponder the road ahead and put some plans into action. Here are three simple questions to help you get crystal clear about your intentions. 1. What activities do I want to indulge in more? Your days weave the fabric of your life. So, it's

setting intentions for the new year (part 1)

“Intentions are the starting point of every dream—the seed of creation.” — Deepak Chopra Instead of setting resolutions that have very little emotion attached to them and can easily be made and broken, try setting intentions that will empower you to live and give your best every single day.  Over

a simple ritual to let go and move forward

The holiday season is nothing but awesome. It’s rich with tradition, festivities and spending time with people close to us. While it’s great to celebrate the New Year’s Eve hosting or going to a grand party, watching the ceremonial Times Square Ball Drop, and doing all the

the podcasts i enjoyed listening to in 2021

Podcasts are amazing, aren’t they? They’re free and bring with them tons of value in each episode. If you’re an audiophile, podcasts can be one of your biggest delights.  The pandemic isn’t over yet, and I’m sure podcasts helped many people get through difficult and

let us give for the joy of giving

“The true Christmas spirit is putting other’s happiness before our own, and finding you’ve never known such happiness.” — Toni Sorenson Giving with noble intentions is the hallmark of humanity.  This holiday season, instead of giving for the sake of getting, let’s give for the joy of giving.

you must adjust your vision

> “Change your vision and your vision will change you.” — Gaur Gopal Das Negative vibrations never lead to anything good. Choosing to dwell in them is always a bad decision on our part. It’s best to get ourselves onto the positive frequencies where our desires and dwells reside. Rather

having a positive and fun-filled christmas

Today is Christmas Day and you’re probably reading this early in the morning before your siblings or kids are up or before you’ll be going to visit your friends or family members to exchange gifts and spend some wonderful and joyous time with them. So, I think this

25 christmas quotes to fill you with cheer

For a majority of us, Christmas festivities start the second we wrap up our Thanksgiving dinner. But if you need a little help getting in the holiday spirit and transforming the grouchy Scrooge inside you into the effervescent Buddy the Elf, these quotes will take you there in no time

it’s time to shed the shackles of self

One of the best and noblest things we can do this holiday season is to give to others freely and openly. Now is a good time to get yourself out of the ego trap, to dissolve all self-consciousness, and instead focus on kindness, benevolence, and generosity. You must choose a

key insights on developing an abundance mindset (3/3)

On cultivating gratitude and appreciation * When we are in a state of gratitude, we feel content and satisfied with what we have. This emotional state fuels abundance. * When we keep complaining that things are not working out for us and we don’t get what we want in life, it

the spiritual significance of winter solstice

This year the Winter Solstice falls on December 21. This event signals the official beginning of the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere. During the Winter Solstice, the Sun appears to stand still at the southernmost point of the equator, also known as the Tropic of Capricorn. Finally, it will

key insights on developing an abundance mindset (2/3)

On getting rid of limiting beliefs * In reality, we do not even know our capabilities. We start believing what other people think of us and trusting their perceptions. Instead, we need to ignore those voices, become aware of our potential, and create a healthy self-image. * Many people don’t go

key insights on developing an abundance mindset (1/3)

> “There is a lie that acts like a virus within the mind of humanity. And that lie is, ‘There’s not enough good to go around. There’s lack and there’s limitation and there’s just not enough.’ The truth is that there’s more than enough good

spider-man story: don’t let some idiot talk you out of a great idea

I’m not sure if I have mentioned this before, but I am a huge Marvel fan, and as a kid, I used to have Spider-Man posters on my walls and loved doing the web-shooting gestures and crawling postures whenever I got a chance. Today, on December 17th, as the

some thoughts on karma

“A good action is never lost; it is a treasure laid up and guarded for the doer’s need.” – Pedro Calderón de la Barca “Our karma fuels our momentum in one direction or the other and eventually dictates whether we attract the success that we’re aiming for or not.

some food for thought this holiday (shopping) season

Thanks to retailers and giant corporations, the holiday season has transformed over years into the “holiday shopping season,” and the most wonderful and happiest time of the year has, unfortunately, become the most stressful and difficult time of the year. Yeah, this is the sad truth. We’re ruining the

please yourself first

When you say the truth, you might disappoint others, but you please yourself. When you say a lie, you might please others, but you disappoint yourself. Living an authentic and honest life is not exactly a cakewalk. Vulnerability can be scary at times. But here’s the good thing: The

purpose breeds righteousness

Purpose breeds righteousness. When you have a strong WHY guiding you, you always focus on doing the right thing. When a noble cause lies at the foundation of your business or organization, when your core intent is pure and unblemished – something that tugs your attention and curiosity every single day

aligning with the higher power when you’re at your lowest

Being in touch with the Higher Power and your superior self during times when you’re at the deepest and darkest point of life is all about knowing that you still have love within you, that you are love in your truest and purest form, and believing in your heart

being comfortable and having riches are poles apart

Comfort never leads to becoming rich. To become wealthy, you must become someone different than who you’ve been. You must consistently add value to other people’s lives and provide them exceptional service. In his book Uplifting Service: The Proven Path to Delighting Your Customers, Colleagues, and Everyone Else

best of 2021: top 10 daily success podcast episodes of this year

Since the Daily Success Podcast launched in October 2020, every weekday I’ve produced and published a new podcast episode in addition to essays on this blog. You can find all the podcast episodes listed here [https://open.spotify.com/show/4U4YKmpGcpdlgYxfOiHikW]. Daily Success Podcast is designed to be your

the top five podcasts i listened to this year

In this post, I wanted to share with all of you the top five podcasts I listened to this year as per the list compiled by Spotify Wrapped. Quote of the Day Show [https://open.spotify.com/show/1tA9C1DNuxu9ULG8yVS70x]: The Quote of The Day Show is your daily dose of

how to create a happier home

> “My home should calm me and energize me. It should be a comforting, quiet refuge and a place of excitement and possibility.” ― Gretchen Rubin, Happier at Home Here are four steps to help you figure out what needs changing and get you started on the journey to creating a

accept and embrace the new path

Sometimes, a big, unexpected change comes about in our lives, and we are forced to leave our previous life or career trajectory and embark upon a new one. The new journey may or may not be to our liking, but nonetheless, we have to carry on. The first few miles

make being happy your default

Happiness is your birthright. Don’t let external events and circumstances dictate your emotions. Train yourself to always look at the brighter side of life. Make being happy your way of being. Make it your default starting today. Soon, things will start lining up and your life will become easier

there’s no genius without teamwork

When a music composer delivers a breathtaking live performance on the stage, it’s natural for everyone to heap praises on her and label her a “maestro.” However, we forget that there’s an entire orchestra and their epic, matchless synchronicity and collective skill behind the stellar performance. Without an

look for the good in everything

We can either look at our lives as a series of challenges or a series of opportunities. A series of misfortunes or a series of serendipities. Why look at your life as an ordeal, when you can perceive it as a beautiful gift given to you by the Creator? Let

inner purification contributes to outer healing (2/2)

> “What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves and to one another.” – Mahatma Gandhi Along with becoming better and making positive changes in the external world, we must also work towards becoming wiser and changing

we all have the power to heal the environment (1/2)

> “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi We humans mistakenly think that we as a species and the planet Earth that we reside in are two different entities. In reality, we are not separate; we were born from Mother

time is precious

Time is precious. Time is priceless. We can make up for lost money, but we can’t make up for lost time. Choose wisely!

you want to buy that thing? read this first

> “After the thrill of the chase, when the adrenaline of acquisition has worn off, things will almost always go back to the way they were before. The main difference is that we have fewer resources because of the time, energy, and money we spent on that new whatever.” — Colin

eliminate distress from your system

If we take a broader view, stress can be classified into two categories: eustress (good stress) and distress (bad stress). Stress is a natural and normal part of human life. When stress happens in response to actual challenges or threats, it can be helpful in providing the energy, motivation, and

clarity precedes mastery

> “Writing is another powerful way to sharpen the mental saw. Keeping a journal of our thoughts, experiences, insights, and learnings promotes mental clarity, exactness, and context.” — Stephen Covey Writing down your thoughts and feelings in a journal is an important and highly rewarding practice for self-discovery and personal development.

designing a thanksgiving lifestyle

The holiday of Thanksgiving is upon us here today. It’s a wonderful tradition practiced here in the US when loved ones and friends get together and appreciate each other. Presence and presents are exchanged without any guilt, selfishness, or expectations. It’s a great time of the year with

some beautiful thoughts on gratitude

Learning to be thankful every single day is a wonderful discipline that we all must cultivate to live a happy, prosperous and abundant life. Since Thanksgiving is around, here are some beautiful quotes on gratitude by Melody Beattie in honor of the holiday. I hope they inspire you to prioritize

key insights on meditation and mindfulness (2/2)

* Meditating is simply sitting in silence and watching your thoughts. It’s not a one-stop remedy for the woes and challenges that we face. It’s a medium to get in tune with our thoughts. * The best approach is to understand the nature of the mind and participate in a

key insights on meditation and mindfulness (1/2)

> “Meditation practice isn’t about trying to throw ourselves away and become something better. It’s about befriending who we are already.” — Pema Chödrön Here are some key insights on the subject of meditation and mindfulness that’ll inspire you to develop and/or continue your own practice with

let go of bad feelings

How do you feel when you criticize or blame something or someone? How about those instances when you complain incessantly or get into an argument against your better judgment? Not good, right? It’s time you start listening to those bad feelings. They’re telling you clearly that you’re

brian tracy’s 21 secrets to become a self-made millionaire

Not too long ago, author and speaker Brian Tracy created something called 21 success secrets of self-made millionaires. These are the fundamental principles and practices of all men and women who become millionaires in one generation. These secrets are based on 15 years of teaching and research about the habits

exercise pays excellent dividends

According to a research study involving 17,000 Harvard alumni, it was reported that every hour you exercise adds another three hours to your life. That’s an amazing return on investment (ROI), right? It has been established that around 50% of overall health status is determined by our daily

find happiness in small things

Becoming a happier person is a simple and straightforward journey; you don’t have to make dramatic and risky life changes to experience more happiness. If you’re searching for a way to bring more joy, cheerfulness, and comfort to your life, a great strategy is to prime yourself to

your vibration dictates your life

Everything in the Universe is energy. And every single moment of every day we’re all sending out vibrations. It’s crucial to keep in mind that the quality of energy we send out always comes back to us. This is how the Law of Vibration works. So, if you’

how to deal with the fluctuations of consciousness

Developing a strong association with Yoga is one of the best and most effective ways to achieve optimal mental and physical health. In classical yoga, consciousness lies at the heart of the practice. According to Patanjali‘s Yoga Sutra, the so-called contents of our consciousness — thoughts, feelings, emotions, perceptions, memories,

you must manage your energy diligently

When it comes to achieving extraordinary success in any area of life, taking a slow and steady approach is the key. Never forget that if you truly want to win whether at work or in life, it’s always rewarding to be the tortoise, not the hare. When we focus

working with the laws of the universe

> “Do you think if you ignored gravity, it would stop working? No, of course not. Gravity isn’t dependent on your belief. And neither are the other laws. You can ignore these Laws of the Universe, but they’re still working. When you learn and apply the Laws of

five quick and easy steps to manifest more money

Here are five quick and easy ways to manifest more money using the universal laws of life: 1. Focus on the abundance around you: Rather than dwelling on lack of money, think more thoughts of abundance during the course of your day. 2. Develop extreme thankfulness: Be truly grateful for

you must prioritize your happiness

> “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me ―This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see

stress is essential for growth

Stress is not inherently bad, however, when you don’t limit it and tackle it well, it can transform into distress, which can be unhealthy and difficult to go through. You need some tension and constructive stress to live well. After all, growth and antifragility come from struggle. You become

what’s motivating you?

You have to make sure that you’re driven by the right kind of motivators. Rather than doing things because of external goals and rewards or making other people like you, focus on pursuits that you truly love and enjoy. When you let money, admiration, or shiny objects consistently motivate

a quick reminder to laugh more

> “We don’t laugh because we are happy. We are happy because we laugh.” ― William James Laughing regularly can do wonders for our health, our creativity, our productivity, and our overall success. The good old adage, “Laughter is the best medicine,” is indeed true. A good sense of humor

your thoughts don’t define you

> “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn Oftentimes, we are advised to change our thoughts if we want to change our circumstances. However, getting a grip over unwanted thoughts and feelings and replacing them with positive, uplifting ones is far easier said

the growth cycle

> “Stress + rest = growth. This equation holds true regardless of what it is that you are trying to grow.” ― Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness, Peak Performance The key to long-term growth, whether it be in your mindset, bodyset, heartset, or spiritset, is to achieve a good balance between stress and

start giving money right away

> “To attract money, you must focus on wealth. It is impossible to bring more money into your life when you are noticing you do not have enough, because that means you are thinking thoughts that you do not have enough.” — Rhonda Byrne When you come across opportunities to donate

how to practice the counting technique

There are different techniques that we can employ in our meditation practice. We can do them individually or combine them, based on what suits best for our needs. In the counting technique, once we are settled, we start bringing our attention to our breaths. We don’t need to change

the significance of diwali

Like all other Indian festivals, Diwali too has a spiritual significance. Even though it is celebrated quite differently all over the world, one thing that remains common is that each place is lit up with lamps everywhere. This central theme of lighting lamps signifies the victory of good over evil

diwali - the festival of lights

Diwali or Deepavali, also known as the “festival of lights,” is one of the biggest festivals celebrated by Indians all around the globe. This grand festival is an integral part of India’s vast cultural landscape and signifies the victory of good over evil, and light over darkness. It is

the three wise monkeys

I’m sure you would have seen the three wise monkeys and read the proverbial principle that they represent: See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil. What this maxim also means is: See only good. Hear only good. Speak only good. A tough, if not impossible, challenge for

overcoming the gravitational pull of the crowd

Living an authentic life that aligns with your core values and your most treasured desires is not exactly a cakewalk in the modern world. It never has been! It takes great resolve, guts, and inner strength to walk on the path less traveled. You must exert incredible power to leave

do not fear the ghosts of past and future

> “Whenever we worry about something in the past or the future, we are setting up our own little haunted house and peopling it with our own special ghosts.” – Eknath Easwaran “We are more often frightened than hurt; and we suffer more from imagination than from reality.” – Seneca Most of

ask for others as you ask for yourself

As you work towards creating a life and lifestyle that you truly desire, one simple but powerful thing that you do on your part to accelerate the process is to ask for others as you ask for yourself.  Life is not a zero-sum game. When you ask for others, God’

pranayama - importance and benefits (2/2)

A consistent practice of Pranayama makes our lungs stronger and improves our blood circulation enhancing our health and our life span. The exercises in respiration help us fill lungs to their maximum capacity. The rich oxidation that we get nourishes different parts of the body while the deep exhalation helps

pranayama - brief introduction (1/2)

Pranayama basically translates to the control or regulation of Prana (breath). In ancient Indian scriptures, Prana is referred to as the life force; without Prana, there is no life. All our biological functions are directly or indirectly related to our breath. Pranayama is akin to a purification process both for

my new morning routine (2021 edition) – [3/3]

With the coffee mug in my hand, I sit at my work desk and fire on my laptop computer. I quickly check my Google calendar, update and track my progress on my Weekly Rhythm Register spreadsheet,  and read my “morning mentorship” emails (I’ve sorted these via a filter in

my new morning routine (2021 edition) – [2/3]

Next, I perform my sacred trifecta routine comprising of three disciplines: Discipline 1 – Exercise Discipline 2 – Reflection Discipline 3 – Learning I spend around 20-30 minutes with each discipline. Exercise First, I start playing some inspirational music on Spotify (the Rocky playlist is my all-time favorite and always works) and begin

my new morning routine (2021 edition) – [1/3]

I’m glad things took a turn for the better this year and I have been able to cement my habit of waking up early by 5 am every day. Unlike last year, I experienced a much better sleep schedule during the spring and summer months and I’m immensely

you must not give away your power

> “I spent a lifetime giving my power away, assuming that everybody knew better what was right for me than me. And then there comes a point in your life you go, Oh, wait a second! There’s an a-ha moment when you realize that the only person that can

body scan meditation

Body scan can be used both as a meditation by itself or as a practice for the preparation of another technique. It is an indispensable technique to acknowledge the different areas of our body and explore how each body part feels with curiosity and openness. Some instructors believe that body

you get what you put out

Hate never benefits anyone. And if you’re looking to create a positive change in your life, then you must get rid of it altogether. According to the Law of Attraction, we get exactly what we put out. So, when you hate something, the Law continues to give you more

40 best wealth-building quotes from the richest man in babylon

1. “A part of all you earn is yours to keep.” 2. “Advice is one thing that is freely given away, but watch that you only take what is worth having.” 3. “Invest thy treasure with greatest caution that it not be lost. Usurious rates of return are deceitful sirens

the significance of slowing down your breathing rate

It is said that nature determines our lifespan on the basis of the number of breaths we take. If we look at different animals, we can conclude that the life span of each of the animals depends on their respective respiratory rate. In his book Autobiography of a Yogi, Paramahansa

you attract what you focus on

Whatever you strongly focus on is what you’ll end up attracting. This is a law. Many people work tirelessly to attract more money in their bank accounts. They earn some money, and then they lose it all. This is because their focus is on earning money. Instead, it’s

the daily success podcast completes one year!

Today we celebrate the first anniversary of The Daily Success Podcast and I’m so happy and grateful for reaching this special milestone. My chief aim with this short-form podcast has been to present to you key ideas and insights rooted in personal development, philosophy, and holistic success, as well

meditation for beginners (2/2)

* Let go of expectations: We are all conditioned these days to get instant benefits and rewards. But if we keep the same approach for meditation, we will be hugely disappointed. Not all meditation sessions will be the same, whether you are a beginner or someone who has been meditating for

meditation for beginners (1/2)

If you are new to meditation, here are some useful tips that will help you get started in your meditation practice. * Start small: As you begin the practice of meditating, start with meditating for 1 to 2 minutes a day. Once you find that easy, try meditating for 5 minutes.

the spiritual significance of dussehra or vijayadashami

Vijayadashmi or Dusshera marks the tenth and the last day of the festival of Navratri, which spans nine nights and ten days, is dedicated to the worship of the divine feminine. In its purest sense, Dussehra is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. The various parts of

you must sustain your faith in others

The notion of passion doesn’t apply exclusively to our professional lives; it’s equally true for our personal lives as well. Passion requires an unwavering commitment and resilience. The word ‘passion’ comes from the Latin root pati, which means ‘to suffer’. Passion, at its core, demands suffering as it’

a to-do list for self-care

You are your home. And just like you need to maintain your living space, you also need to nourish your mind and your body. Here are some things you can do to take care of yourself: * Smile more. * Stay positive, no matter what. * Focus on your own lane. * Don’t

be grateful for all the magnificent things in your life

Most of us in the urban landscape are living better lives than kings and emperors who lived a few centuries back. Yet, we hardly acknowledge these advantages and blessings in our fast-paced lives. We must all become increasingly aware of all the amazing things, amenities, and services in our lives,

how to practice mantra meditation

This practice is an ancient one originating in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. A mantra is a syllable, word, or phrase that is chanted repeatedly while meditating. There is a dual purpose of this practice: repetition of our chosen mantra, i.e. sound, words, or affirmations to raise our vibrations as

world mental health day: making emotional well-being a top priority

Today, October 10th, is celebrated as World Mental Health Day, an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. This day, each year, thousands of people come together to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on

worshipping the feminine nature of divine

The worship of the feminine in divine form is considered one of the most ancient forms of worship on the planet. But as centuries passed, countless goddess temples all over the world disappeared due to a myriad of reasons. However, this tradition has stayed strong in India, and even today,

let life flow through you

I had a friend a few years back who worked in a yoga studio that I used to visit often. Just talking to her, even for a couple of minutes, made me instantly relaxed. And this happened every single time! It’s still a mystery to me how she did

you must study to understand, not to remember

There’s a quote in the book College Sense: What College And High School Advisors Don’t Tell You About College: “If you study to remember, you will forget. If you study to understand, you will remember.” A majority of us, poorly trained by the school system at large, perceive

negativity is a waste of energy and vitality

> “Staying positive in stressful situations isn’t about fooling yourself, it’s about understanding that negativity is a waste of energy.” ― Unknown Our mind is like the engine of the body, similar to the engine of the car in your garage. And while we know how to use our

how to practice visualization meditation

Visualization is a powerful tool to elevate our vibrations and well-being. While we can visualize our desired future to accelerate our success, we can also use visualization to deepen our enjoyment of the present moment. As compared to other techniques of meditation that are passive in nature, visualization meditation can

you must go through deep pruning

John H. Vincent, an American bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a leader of the Sunday school movement firmly believed in the significance of deep pruning whenever necessary and in those challenging times finding comfort and solace in knowing this higher truth: “My Father is the gardener.” He once

live as if you’re already dead

> “Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now, take what’s left and live it properly. What doesn’t transmit light creates its own darkness.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations A philosopher-warrior lives as if he/she is already dead. When you think that you have no life

the precious copper coin

Mahatma Gandhi, honored as the ‘Father of the Nation’ in India, is renowned all over the world for his relentless service to humanity. Today, October 2nd is Gandhi’s birth anniversary. In celebration of his birthday, I’d like to share a short story that illustrates one of the many

you are on the right track

Have you failed multiple times? Are you constantly facing dead ends? Have you been trying different strategies, different tools and techniques, yet nothing seems to be working? This is great, you are a fortunate soul! Because now you know some of the things that you must NOT do. Now, you’

you must train your senses

> “Even as a tortoise draws in its limbs, the wise can draw in their senses at will.” — The Bhagavad Gita Imagine a group of school kids approaching a tortoise with sticks in their hands. When he sees the children coming, the tortoise issues a command to his body, “Withdraw!

let your uniqueness come shining through

> “You are you. The wonder of life comes in finding your own rhythm to the dance, your own way of seeing the world, your own brush stroke, phrase, or special combination.” ― Melody Beattie There is an old story about a writer who goes to his teacher and says, “Teacher,

best stoic quotes to help you overcome stress

Whether it be the ancient world or the contemporary one, stress has always made its presence felt. Human life has always been challenging. And it will continue to be both in the near and the distant future no matter how advanced we get as a species. Because stress is timeless,

you must leave no stone unturned

The legendary American basketball player – Kobe Bryant – is a great example for anyone looking to move forward on the path to greatness. Through his example, he showed how to stay focused and determined in every walk of life. Kobe and his successful life journey touched millions of hearts all across

richest blessings come from the greatest sorrows

> “It is a comforting thought that trouble, in whatever form it comes to us, is a heavenly messenger that brings us something from God. Outwardly it may appear painful or even destructive, but inwardly its spiritual work produces blessings.” ― L.B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert If you want

who is the captain of your ship?

A ship with no one at the wheel to steer it will easily get lost in the seas and sooner or later crash into rocks and sink to the bottom. The same applies to us humans too. Think of your life as a ship, your mind as the engine, and

how to practice the noting technique

As we meditate, we may get so inundated with our thoughts or feelings that we may lose awareness of our breath or our object of attention. When we gain awareness again, we can simply note the nature of distraction, whether it was a thought or feeling, and again start focusing

the three gunas

According to the yogic philosophy, the entire creation is made up of five elements. And each of these five elements has three primary qualities (gunas). These are: * Sattva (clarity, harmony, righteous action), * Rajas (passion, activity, restlessness), and * Tamas (negativity, laziness, darkness). Everything in this creation, including us humans, is governed

are you a believer?

There are two kinds of people in this world: 1. Non-believers: The ones who say, “I will believe it only when I see it first.” 2. Believers: The ones who say, “If I want to see it, I know I must believe it first.” Who are you: a believer or

balance helps you experience fulfillment

In today’s world, a majority of us harbor a desire to become fulfilled. To choose a path that best aligns with us. To use our God-given gifts and live up to our maximum potential. To achieve extraordinary success and experience happiness and joy in the long term. However, most

you must be willing to wait patiently

> After waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised. (Hebrews 6:15) Abraham’s life was far from easy, and he was tested for an extremely long time. By postponing the fulfillment of His promise, the Lord put him to the test. Satan put him to the test by temptation,

speed bump vs. barricade

As we progress forward in our everyday lives, we encounter two kinds of obstacles: speed bumps and barricades. Speed bumps come out of nowhere. And they slow us down. They interrupt our intensity and our rhythms. Even though they are unavoidable and cause disturbance in our lives, the best way

life is change, change is life

> “Whatever the nature of the whole does, and whatever serves to maintain it, is good for every part of nature. The world is maintained by change—in the elements and in the things they compose. That should be enough for you; treat it as an axiom.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations,

the six essentials to having a good life

Today, September 17th is my mentor Jim Rohn’s birth anniversary. We can all agree that Jim was a legend — someone whose teachings had a profound impact on countless people’s lives and helped them achieve extraordinary results, both in business and in life. Jim once remarked, “We’ve all

the three principles of digital discipline

> “Digital minimalists see new technologies as tools to be used to support things they deeply value—not as sources of value themselves. They don’t accept the idea that offering some small benefit is justification for allowing an attention-gobbling service into their lives, and are instead interested in applying

little acts of contribution can go a long way

Late Dr. Gene Sharp was someone who made a meaningful contribution to numerous people’s lives. He articulated and advanced the cause of non-violence for change in his academic and professional career that spanned more than six decades. His books and writings influenced numerous anti-government resistance movements around the world

developing a victory mindset

Jack Canfield in his book The Success Principles [https://amzn.to/3nbbYt0] explains that we need to take 100% responsibility for our lives. We need to let go of blame, excuses, and complaints. They are toxic to our lives and our success. In your journey to your desired destination, whether

the three sources of knowledge

In his book Think and Grow Rich [https://amzn.to/3l1tblK], Napoleon Hill explains that power is essential both for the accumulation of money as well as for the retention of money after it has been accumulated. If you don’t have sufficient power, you can never translate your plans

start listing things you’re grateful for

In these days where media and news constantly bombard us with negativity and stress-inducing stories, one of the best and wisest things that we can do for ourselves is to take out our journals and write down things that we are grateful for. Over the past few years, I have

you must demonstrate honesty and integrity

> “There are no moral shortcuts in the game of business — or life. There are, basically, three kinds of people: the unsuccessful, the temporarily successful, and those who become and remain successful. The difference is character.” — Jon Huntsman, Sr., Winners Never Cheat “Integrity means doing the right thing because it

8 short stories about Lord Ganesha

Ganesh Chaturthi, a popular festival observed across India (particularly in Maharashtra) begins today, September 10th, this year. On this occasion, giant Ganesha statues are made months in advance, and gorgeous pandals are decked to commemorate the 10-day event. According to Hindu mythology, Ganesha is the Hindu god of new beginnings,

things are unfolding in your best interests

> “Difficulties in your life do not come to destroy you, but to help you realise your hidden potential and power.” — Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam We all go through deep and dark valleys in this journey of life. We all face times when negative thoughts of fear, uncertainty,

you can’t do everything alone

No man or woman can do everything alone. Humans are social animals and we all need help to achieve success. Even ancient philosophers agreed with this notion. Aristotle once said, “He who is unable to live in society, or who has no need because he is sufficient for himself, must

becoming a victor, not a victim

Victimhood gives us the incentive of using as many excuses as we can because we get the ‘pass’ to live an easy and lazy life. It fuels our addictions, our obsessions, and compulsions, and we get inside the negativity loop never getting better. Becoming a victor from a victim demands

win your days, win your life

Each and every one of the days that we get to live is a gift from the Almighty. And that’s why it’s wise to never forget their importance and use them intelligently. Our days are nothing but a compressed form of our lives. And so, when you live

what you do trumps what you say

Learning and understanding aphorisms and tenets of philosophy are one thing, but employing them in your day-to-day life is a whole different game. The ultimate goal, as Seneca suggested, is to turn words into works. It’s good to always keep the writer’s golden rule in your head: Show,

you must understand your partner’s needs

Disclaimer: This essay contains mature content that is unsuitable for children, and for some adults as well. If you are easily offended or are under the age of 18, please do not proceed. Reader discretion is advised. . . . Today, September 4th is celebrated as World Sexual Health Day. Each year, the

money brings comfort, not happiness

We all have a few common misunderstandings regarding money, and it’s good to consistently remind ourselves of its true purpose and importance in our lives. Having enough money is necessary for living a happy and comfortable life. However, being comfortable and being happy are not the same thing. Happiness,

become an essentialist

Successful and prosperous people are always focused — they set big goals for themselves, and hence, they know where they are going and consistently take steps to get there. Instead of repeating misaligned, hamster-wheel patterns like the majority,  they walk on the path of Essentialism, which is nothing but a disciplined,

horizontal vs. vertical travel

> “There are many going afar to marvel at the heights of mountains, the mighty waves of the sea, the long courses of great rivers, the vastness of the ocean, the movements of the stars, yet they leave themselves unnoticed!” — Saint Augustine There’s a popular expression by the Zen

book summary: pithy insights from ‘meditations’ [3/3]

* Marcus firmly believed that serenity is always accessible to us at a moment’s notice; you don’t need to alter your circumstances to experience it, instead, you must choose to immediately eliminate any negative and upsetting impressions from your mind. * We must choose to elevate ourselves and be superior

book summary: pithy insights from ‘meditations’ [2/3]

* Ambition is not a bad thing, but we must also understand that fame, recognition, and status are transient and making their pursuit a chief goal in our lives is downright stupid. * Oblivion is inevitable. Countless men and women — famous, wealthy, and powerful during their respective times — have been forgotten. * Fame

book summary: pithy insights from ‘meditations’ [1/3]

* Logos, which roughly translates to reason, is considered as an essence that gives form and divine order to all the forms of life and the Universe. It reflects that all things happen for a reason. * The concept of logos encourages us to see a silver lining even when we are

happy, or crappy?

> “Heraclitus would shed tears whenever he went out in public — Democritus laughed. One saw the whole as a parade of miseries, the other of follies. And so, we should take a lighter view of things and bear them with an easy spirit, for it is more human to laugh

curious + conscious

> “The best and the most important object for every person is his inner self, his spiritual being. A person who knows all sciences but does not know himself is a poor and ignorant person. He who does not know anything except for his inner spiritual self is an enlightened

victimhood leads to powerlessness

Our attachments and addictions keep us entrapped and because we lose grip over our own behaviors, we feel we have lost all control. We become victimized. We think life is happening to us and our fate is decided. There is no way the tables can be turned and we are

the optimist creed

I came across this beautiful piece of writing today and thought I’ll share it with you. We all go through difficult times and challenges in our lives, and if we’re not careful, we can easily slip into the negativity spiral and stray away from the purity and divinity

leadership is a process, not a position

A close look at all the exceptional leaders human history has seen will reveal one simple truth: leaders aren’t born, they’re made. Becoming a leader is not a one-off event, it’s a journey. And leadership is not about acquiring a position or a title, it’s a

you must confront your fears

> “Don’t give in to your fears. If you do, you won’t be able to talk to your heart.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist Leaving the beaten path, shunning the crowd, and charting your own course to fulfill your destiny is not for the faint-hearted. It has never been

success comes in unlimited supply

Many people think success and prosperity is a zero-sum game. They think of success as being in a limited supply, and hence believe that someone else’s success somehow limits theirs. They perceive success as a rare commodity and feel that someone else’s achievement restricts their ability to succeed

how giving benefits your mental health

A 2008 Harvard study found that giving money to someone else instead of spending it on ourselves lifted participants’ happiness. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Riverside observed similar outcomes when she asked people to perform five acts of kindness each week for six weeks.

this is the ultimate source of your power

Power lies in the eye of the beholder. For some people, it resides in the outside world, and for others, it lies within the inner realm. Some people feel empowered by external things such as fame, wealth, status, education, and professional achievements. While others look inward and attribute their power

the fundamental cause of unhappiness

In the modern world, mechanisms such as advertising and social media, and constant overstimulation provided by the materialistic culture that we all live in keep driving the infinite loop of desire. And as long as these elements keep adding fuel to the fire of insatiable desire, we’ll all find

subscribe intentionally

We should be aiming for selective listening and viewing. The best way to move forward is to exclusively subscribe to blogs and/or updates that add value to our life and are relevant to us and our goals. We can also set up RSS feeds that pull information that is

the simple formula to bring happiness into your life

If you want to attract happiness in your life, then you must consciously choose to become happy right here, right now. Like attracts like. And so, happiness attracts happiness. It’s a simple formula that unfortunately most of us miss implementing in our lives. So many people deny themselves happiness.

restrict your social media usage

> “When it comes to social media, there are just times I turn off the world, you know. There are just sometimes you have to give yourself space to be quiet, which means you’ve got to set those phones down.” – Michelle Obama There’s no doubt that social media

how to overcome constant friction and difficulty

Are you encountering too many hardships and difficulties in your life? If yes, then it’s a sign that you need to look at your life objectively and make some positive changes. Maybe you need to untie some knots, maybe you need to lighten your personal or professional load, or

best marcus aurelius quotes from meditations

“The person who follows reason in all things will have both leisure and a readiness to act—they are at once both cheerful and self-composed.” “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” “Not to live as if you had endless years

tune in to your feelings

> “Our feelings are our most genuine paths to knowledge.” – Audre Lorde One of the best things that we can do for ourselves is to listen to our own being, listening to the feelings that are simmering within us. It’s wise to always keep at the back of your

pithy insights on happiness and contentment (3/3)

* Life can be hard, times can be tough. But we can bring warmth and comfort in our lives whenever we want by following the practice of hygge. * The key thing to always keep in our minds is that there’s no recipe for happiness. * In the big picture, setbacks and

pithy insights on happiness and contentment (2/3)

* Your enduring level of happiness is the sum total of your genetic set-range for happiness, the circumstances in your life, and certain variables under your control. * Simply increasing the number of transient positive feelings has no impact on your enduring level of happiness. * Each of us has a “happiness set-point”

pithy insights on happiness and contentment (1/3)

* Happiness is in the journey, so when we actively pursue meaningful tasks, instead of putting them off, and focus on staying true to ourselves and living our personal legend every step of the way, we naturally feel better. * Don’t make happiness your end goal. Instead, focus on doing things

develop a grateful mind

In his book The Science of Getting Rich, Wallace D. Wattles writes, “The grateful mind is constantly fixed upon the best. Therefore, it tends to become the best; it takes the form or character of the best and will receive the best.” Practicing gratitude is a lifesaver; when you express

it's never too late to get healthy

If you correct your diet, incorporate some kind of exercise or physical activity in your everyday life, and sleep well consistently, you’ll become healthier than the majority of the population. There may be some unhealthy habits that you may have accrued over time — you may be living a couch

light of knowledge vs. darkness of ignorance

Light has been a popular symbol in numerous spiritual and religious traditions including Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Islam. In particular, it has been employed as a beautiful metaphor for knowledge, in contrast to the darkness of ignorance. When it is dark, we don’t know what’s happening around us.

trusting a higher power (2/2)

We need to change our vantage point and undergo an ‘identity transplantation.’ The obstacles that we may face are the monkey mind (the incessant chatter that does not help us), our numb heart (that is depriving us of experiencing love, connection, and the beautiful feelings that we are not able

trusting a higher power (1/2)

We have evidence of a Higher Power all around us. There is an intelligence that is way beyond the comprehension of the human mind. When we are struggling with our addictions and attachments and not able to overcome them, we may feel powerless and weak. In those times, we can

who was marcus aurelius? learning more about the roman emperor

> “If we seek Plato’s philosopher-king in the flesh we could hardly do better than Marcus.” ― Gregory Hays Born in 121 AD and educated extensively in rhetoric and philosophy by his teachers, Marcus Aurelius succeeded his adoptive father Antoninus Pius as Emperor of Rome in 161 AD and reigned

you can have great health at any age

A lot of people operate with the limiting belief that as they get older, it’s natural for their health to deteriorate. This is far from the truth. By taking care of a few things, we can ensure that we have great health at any age. Whether you’re a

be careful about the words you use with people

> “It is so easy to say something at the expense of another for the purpose of enhancing our own image. But such remarks – irresistible as they may be – serve only to fatten our egos and agitate others. We should be so fearful of hurting people that even if a

success demands trading problems

> “Your financial success is directly related to the size of the problem you solve for other people (solve BIG problems and you’ll make BIG money).” — Brian Tracy Optimists come in two flavors: one who are delusional and think that their most pressing problems will disappear in the near

generosity brings prosperity

> “Generosity brings prosperity, but withholding from charity brings poverty. Those who live to bless others will have blessings heaped upon them, and the one who pours out his life to pour out blessings will be saturated with favor.” — Proverbs 11:24-25 TPT If you want to invite prosperity in

embrace the joy of helping others

> “For as these were made to perform a particular function, and, by performing it according to their own constitution, gain in full what is due to them, so likewise, a human being is formed by nature to benefit others, and, when he has performed some benevolent action or accomplished

take the easy path

Every day we get two choices: to be positive and upbeat or to be negative and cynical. Our natural state of being is joy, and the more we distance ourselves from it, the more challenging our life becomes. Negativity drains us and robs us of our precious time and attention.

my three key takeaways from ‘meditations’ [3/3]

Key Takeaway #3:  Change is inevitable — everything has a fleeting existence > “Constant awareness that everything is born from change. The knowledge that there is nothing nature loves more than to alter what exists and make new things like it. All that exists is the seed of what will emerge

my three key takeaways from ‘meditations’ [2/3]

Key Takeaway #2: Be kind to people even when they hurt or attack you. > “When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous, and surly. They are like this because they cannot tell good from evil.

my three key takeaways from ‘meditations’ [1/3]

Key Takeaway #1: You can find peace and contentment in your own mind > “People seek retreats for themselves in the country, by the sea, or in the mountains. You are very much in the habit of yearning for those same things. But this is entirely the trait of a

reading vs. applying

> “Knowledge is nothing without action. Nothing changes until you do something. What you do will directly determine what you learn.” — James A. Belasco As you go through inspirational and educational books in the subjects of personal development, philosophy, and success mindset, you start developing an ever-increasing awareness and appreciation

never underestimate the power of gratitude

As we get busy in our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to take things for granted. To stop appreciating the little things that bring joy, comfort and certainty in our lives. And that’s why, it’s crucial that we build a solid discipline of gratitude and commit to expressing

let go of “needing money”

According to the Law of Attraction, the things that you believe inside and project outside are the things you end up attracting in your life. Hence, if you want to attract more money in your life, it’s crucial that you visualize it as if it’s already there in

the role of perception in overcoming addiction

As we go further on the path to recovery, we undergo the most important shift that we need, a shift in perception. It’s all a matter of discarding our previous lens and looking at life through a new one. It’s fascinating how we start viewing people, events and

the eight-hour rule

> “This library afforded me the means of improvement by constant study, for which I set apart an hour or two each day, and thus repaired in some degree the loss of the learned education my father once intended for me.” — Ben Franklin It’s well established that the most

complaining is futile

> “Everything that happens is either endurable or not. If it’s endurable, then endure it. Stop complaining. If it’s unendurable… then stop complaining. Your destruction will mean its end as well. Just remember: you can endure anything your mind can make endurable, by treating it as in your

avoid ruminating about your past

When you constantly ruminate about the past, about the things that went wrong, you not only rob yourself of your precious time and attention but also create an incredible amount of dissatisfaction and misery in yourself that impedes you from making forward progress. Instead of looking back at your past

be willing to pick up brass

So, you’ve been promoted to lead your team. Congratulations, that’s awesome! However, as you continue your journey, remember this: You might be one step higher on the career ladder now but that doesn’t mean you’re actually superior to others. In his book Leadership Strategy and Tactics:

detachment brings lightness and freedom

The primary benefit of letting go, whether it be in terms of physical stuff, emotional attachments or addictions is that we let go of the baggage that has been weighing us down all along. The non-essentials and junk are disposed of and we get a clear sight of our values,

break up difficult tasks into tiny chunks

If you’re like most people, it’s highly likely that your afternoons are not as productive as your mornings. There’s plenty of evidence that shows afternoons are indeed the most unproductive part of the day. It’s easier for us to be productive in the mornings — our mind

living in accordance with logos

> “The person who follows reason in all things will have both leisure and a readiness to act—they are at once both cheerful and self-composed.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 10.12b Like other ancient philosophers, Marcus Aurelius’ meditations too were built around the central aspect of logos. Logos, which roughly

have a granular vision of your ideal future

> “You can’t hit a target you can’t see. You can’t accomplish wonderful things with your life if you have no idea of what they are. You must first become absolutely clear about what you want if you are serious about unlocking the extraordinary power that lies

you must develop an unshakeable belief in yourself

Success is hardly a linear journey. It comes with both ups and downs. Sometimes things may work out for you perfectly, however, many times, they won’t. Obstacles and setbacks will conjure up on your path. People will throw criticism at you and try to keep you small. Negative thoughts

believe you can be prosperous

No matter what your current circumstances are, no matter how broke and broken you are today, don’t let your past or your present overshadow your future. Regardless of what you’re going through right now, your future is still spotless and pristine. You can be whoever you want, you

what is a mantra?

We’re all aware of the notion of ‘mantra’ and although it originated in the East, the word has become a part of everyday lingo in the West today. However, this usage is only a superficial one. Many people are still not aware of what a mantra truly is and

focusing on the five values

Minimalism in its core essence is living a meaningful life and when we focus on the five values — namely health, relationships, passions, growth, and contribution — we set up ourselves for success. We need to strive to be the healthiest version of ourselves. We need to assess the quality of our

becoming a committed giver

When we get attached or addicted to an activity or behavior, consciously or unconsciously, we become takers. We start feeding off other people or things to satisfy our urges. We think happiness comes from transactions, and that tempts us to participate in actions that we later regret. But as we

take a pause and be grateful

> “Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson How about you take a step back and simply focus

finding meaning amidst suffering

When life gets messy, when things don’t work out, the best thing we can do for ourselves is to figure out a purpose, big or small, find meaning in our suffering, and do little positive things every day that improve our circumstances. Suffering is an inevitable part of our

making healthier food choices a priority

Many times, we enjoy eating so much that we go overboard and end up eating more than our body actually needs. We fill our appetite but not our greed. As a result, this makes us overweight, unhappy and depressed. The sad truth is that so many of us have been

when things get messy, simplify

Our lives are already complicated. Add to that, economic downturns, job losses, health crises and other personal and professional challenges, and things can easily get out of hand and overpower us. The best thing you can do for yourself when life gets incredibly messy and difficult to navigate is: Simplify,

15 beautiful quotes to honor and celebrate freedom

On the occasion of 4th of July, as people get together again this year in the US and collectively immerse themselves in the colors of red, blue and white and watch the sky light up with an awesome display of fireworks, it’s good to remind ourselves (no matter we

don’t resist your feelings, give in to them

Have you been feeling anxious, confused, scared or uncertain? Or how about clever, confident, powerful, and content? Regardless of what emotion you’re currently experiencing from the wide and colorful spectrum, know that it’s absolutely okay to experience that emotion. We’re all humans and we’re allowed to

your body is not a checking account

Eating a healthy diet is not easy. We, humans, are complex beings. It doesn’t matter how much we educate ourselves about the fact that our main motive to eat is to fuel our bodies, we actually make our food choices based on their enjoyment factor. In fact, we find

how to increase your worth

> “To the illumined man or woman, a clod of dirt, a stone, and gold are the same.” — The Bhagavad Gita If we rely on our things and material possessions to help us feel worthy, we’ll be hugely disappointed. You don’t have to acquire something or go through

the importance of repetition in autosuggestion

Repetition is fundamental when it comes to autosuggestion. The law of the subconscious mind is the law of compulsion. Doing once is not enough as it cannot change the beliefs that we have inculcated in the past. The important part that most people don’t get about affirmations and visualization

why sex detox is a good idea

Sometimes things just get out of control and this holds true for sex and relationships as well. In that case, it may be wise to take a step back and realign with ourselves and what we truly want. When it comes to our body and health, many people sign up

simon sinek’s thoughts on the millennial generation

Sometime back in an interview with Tom Bilyeu, bestselling author and speaker Simon Sinek shared his thoughts on the millennial generation. He gave some wonderful insights on what’s exactly stopping the millennials from achieving resounding success in the marketplace and in life in general. In the interview, he shares

say no to news

It’s important that we limit our intake of news and irrelevant information. We don’t need notifications from The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal to keep popping up again and again on our phones and computers. We can let go of our compulsive need to check

be like an elephant [2/2]

Here, Buddha does not sugarcoat things; he doesn’t pretend that every single person you’ll come across would be an angel and be loving and respectful to you. This is wishful thinking! He gives it to you straight that most people lack courtesy and will hurt you in one

be like an elephant [1/2]

In his book Strength in the Storm [https://amzn.to/3jfyfnj], author and spiritual leader Eknath Easwaran shares a beautiful teaching by Buddha and encourages us to be like an elephant. Why is that? Because it is the mightiest yet the gentlest of creatures on the planet. They have a

keep an eye on your e to e ratio

Brian Tracy created a simple concept of E:E ratio, that explains the amount of time a person spends on education vs entertainment. It reveals the primary difference between the top 5 percent of people who are wealthy and those who are not. The 95 percent focus their attention and

you have to fall in love with your work

The famous Japanese sushi chef Jiro Ono is a prime example of living a life enriched with a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment. Chef Ono runs a small, exclusive 10-seat sushi restaurant in Tokyo and has devoted his entire life to innovating and perfecting sushi-making techniques. Having achieved the

why a scarcity mindset is bad for you

We can take one of the two approaches to success and life: the first one is thinking that we have finite resources around us and in order for us to be successful we need to compete with everyone; another approach is believing that we have unlimited resources at our disposal

guided meditation for stillness and peace | international yoga day

Yoga, now widely practiced all around the world, is not a religion but a way of living that promotes a balanced development of the body, mind and spirit. Unlike other physical exercises that focus primarily on physical well-being, yoga takes a comprehensive approach and helps in our spiritual development as

make deliberate gratitude a daily habit

If you’re passionate about self-improvement and cultivating a success mindset, I’m sure you would’ve heard the psychological term “hedonic adaptation.” Hedonic adaptation, also known as “the hedonic treadmill,” is a concept studied by positive psychology researchers and others who focus on happiness and well-being that refers to

the battle between two mighty warriors

Today I’d like to share a short but profound story from the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, that chronicles the struggle of power and property between two groups of cousins — the Pandavas and the Kauravas, their face-off in the Kurukshetra War and their respective fates. I’m sure this story

you decide how much alone time you need

It’s easy to develop the assumption that the amount of alone time a particular person needs depends on one key question: Are they introvert (shy and reserved) or an extrovert (socially open and outgoing)? However, it’s not that simple. There are a plethora of traits and tendencies that

you must keep your word to yourself

> “When you do whatever it takes to keep your word to yourself, that confidence will spill over into every area of your life.” ― T. Harv Eker It’s easy to get distracted as we pursue the path of personal and professional development. To let temptations and unexpected disturbances intrude

momentum and flow [2/2]

If we stop pedaling, i.e., taking inspired actions consistently, we will lose our momentum causing us to reach a standstill. We will be back to square one. Now, to again get the bicycle moving, we will have to put tons of our time and effort again so that we

momentum and flow [1/2]

If we enjoy taking action, and know why we’re taking them, we naturally get inspired to continue to take action irrespective of the circumstances around us. This ends up generating stronger momentum inching us towards accomplishing our most important goals. As time passes, our achievements keep piling up and

let go of blame

> “The more strictly and mercilessly you judge yourself, the more just and kind you will be in the judgment of others.” — Confucius “Letting go of blame allows us to be free, to take back our power, and to avoid the trap of thinking that someone or something else has

the importance of hydration

We have all been educated about why we need to drink more water but still most of us don’t pay attention to our water intake. We have a vague knowledge that it’s good for health but we don’t make it a priority. I believe it’s mainly

the great paradox of life and success

> “You have the right to work, but never to the fruit of work. You should never engage in action for the sake of reward, nor should you long for inaction. Perform work in this world, Arjuna, as a man established within himself – without selfish attachments, and alike in success

why it’s hard for an employee to become rich

If you have been raised in a middle-class household like me, you’ll be well familiar with the standard advice that your parents or other family members might have given you to attain financial security. While the words would have been different for many of us, essentially the common man’

give yourself a valuable “time out”

> “Renewal is the principle—and the process—that empowers us to move on an upward spiral of growth and change, of continuous improvement.” — Stephen Covey If you’re a personal development enthusiast like me, I’m sure you’ll be aware of the notion that the best investment you’

the benefits of spending time alone

Do you think you spend enough time with yourself? If not, you can’t blame yourself entirely. Society in the contemporary world puts a lot of pressure on people to focus on hectic work schedules as well as stay socially active whenever possible. This naturally leads to less time to

some powerful benefits of laughter

With its power to renew, heal,and rejuvenate, laughing frequently can help us tackle challenges, strengthen our relationships, find greater happiness and support both our physical and emotional well-being. Here are some amazing and powerful benefits of laughter: 1. It relieves stress and physical tension, relaxing your muscles for up

race against yourself

It takes extraordinary strength and courage to leave the herd and follow your own path. To commit to being true to your original nature. But that’s what living your personal legend is all about. You must let go of the crowd mentality. You must run your own race. You

you must succeed on your own terms

Relying on other people’s decisions and modeling our life’s path based on someone else’s thinking is not the right approach to live our best and most authentic life. It never leads to achieving success in the true sense. As Robin Sharma writes, “The greatest danger of success

world environment day 2021: quotes to inspire you to save our planet

Today, June 5th, marks the global celebration of World Environment Day. The significance of the occasion is that on this day various steps are taken by nations all around the world to educate and generate awareness among the masses about safeguarding our environment. The theme of World Environment Day this

you must work at your dreams every day

Entrepreneurship is messy; it’s akin to a rollercoaster ride where you never know what to expect at the next turn. It can be a high, it can be a low. But if you want to succeed in the long run, you must cultivate detachment from these ups and downs

5 self-care practices to boost your confidence levels

If you don’t take care of yourself in the right way, feeling good about yourself becomes an insurmountable challenge. You must take the initiative and practice self-care every single day. Because when you do something positive and beneficial for your mind, body, heart and spirit, you naturally start feeling

be thoughtful about your life

A majority of people spend more time researching and planning their weddings or summer vacations than searching within and planning their lives. You get only life, be thoughtful about it. Start living your life by design, not by default. And raise your standards regardless of what others tell you. Take

the stoic approach to decision making

We all participate in countless decisions in our everyday life. And that’s why learning the art of making sound decisions both in our personal and professional lives can be a worthwhile endeavor on our part. There are many things that can get in our way and negatively impact our

your thinking is the navigation system of your destiny

It’s crucial that we understand the importance of being aware of what we allow to influence our thoughts and what kind of people we surround ourselves with every day. Our dominant thoughts play a significant role in shaping our reality and determining the quality of our lives Oftentimes, there’

your personal development dictates your income

> “You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration.” ― James Allen “Growth is the great separator between those who succeed and those who do not. When I see a person beginning to separate themselves from the pack, it’s almost always due to

a better alternative to “someday” thinking

Today, I’d like to share a simple but impactful insight that I learned from a blog post by Seth Godin. In this article, he proposes a much better and powerful alternative to someday. We all fall into the “someday” trap, don’t we? We create a wishlist or bucket

choose to become happy first

Right from our childhood, many of us have been taught that we can only experience happiness when we achieve something significant i.e. we do substantial amounts of great work, accomplish extraordinary feats and become a phenomenal success. We’re all programmed with the belief that happiness is something you

find joy in ordinary things

> “Joy comes to us in moments—ordinary moments. We risk missing out on joy when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary.” ― Brené Brown, Daring Greatly Many of us get so involved in hustling and crushing goals that we start focusing too much on our destinations, and stop

why developing financial literacy is a worthy pursuit

If you have been reading and listening to useful and uplifting content in relation to business, personal finance management, and investing, it’s highly likely that you would have come across the term financial literacy. So, what exactly is financial literacy? Essentially, it’s about developing a healthy  and positive

how to achieve lasting happiness

> “Happiness is determined more by one’s state of mind than by external events.” “Whether our action is wholesome or unwholesome depends on whether that action or deed arises from a disciplined or undisciplined state of mind. It is felt that a disciplined mind leads to happiness and an

if you’re feeling a lack of motivation, do this

Maybe things are not going as they should. Maybe you’re feeling a lack of purpose in your life. Maybe you’re a 9-to-5 employee who is no longer interested in their profession and for whom work has started seeming like a chore. Maybe you’re a college or university

it's human to seek pleasure

In Hindu Mythology, when God created men and women, He set out the rules of existence with respect to three core ideas – dharma: to fulfill one’s duty, artha: to accumulate wealth of material possessions, and kama: to gain pleasure through the five senses. Many people think that seeking pleasure

you can create the life you want

Thoughts become things. All the great pioneers, inventors, and leaders throughout human history have unanimously agreed with the notion that we become what we think about. The key to attaining extraordinary success and abundance is knowing how to unlock your inner potential and using the power of your mind in

how to make your financial goals a reality

There’s a quote by Robin Sharma, “Vague goals lead to vague results.” As you march forward towards your big financial goals, clarity is incredibly important. It empowers you to make the right decisions and adjust your strategy. Without a crystallized and compelling vision, and without a well-defined objective, you

to lead is to express your truth

Leadership is not for the faint-hearted. It involves constantly going against the grain and steadfast dedication and unwavering commitment to your mission and your vision. We all have to make a crucial choice at some point in our lives: To fit in with the herd or to work towards making

you are the experiencer, not the experiences

The key component of living a happy, peaceful and joyous life is to detach yourself from the experiences. You are not the experience, you are the observer, you are the experiencer. As soon as you realize you’re not the experience that you’re going through, negativity dissipates and you

laughter obliterates stress

> “Ten years from now you’ll laugh at whatever’s stressing you out today. So why not laugh now?” – Tony Robbins Laughing is by far the easiest and most fun way to get healthy. As the popular adage goes: “Laughter is the best medicine.” On top of that, it’

how to tame your temper in difficult times

We all go through challenges and crises in our lives, and we never truly know when life may throw a curveball at us. Someone might be rude and disrespectful, your spouse might wreck your newly bought car, a business partner might make a huge mistake, or your kid might intrude

allow yourself to dream

> “Cherish your vision and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.” ― Napoleon Hill If you’re reading this blog, there’s a good chance that you may be a young entrepreneur or aspiring to be one in the years to

pithy insights from the best books on time management and the art of extraordinary performance [3/3]

* You must remind yourself that the sands of time are slipping away from your hands, and once they’re gone, they are never coming back again. * Highly successful people consider time to be their most valuable asset. You have to make sure day in and day out that you remain

pithy insights from the best books on time management and the art of extraordinary performance [2/3]

* In order to become time-rich for real, it’s crucial that you take charge of your work calendar. * You must be able to pinpoint what exactly you want to achieve in your career. With a definite outcome in mind, you’ll be in a better position to identify your priorities.

pithy insights from the best books on time management and the art of extraordinary performance [1/3]

In this three-part essay, I would like to share with you the most important takeaways that I have gathered from the best books on time management and the art of extraordinary performance. Through these pithy insights, my intention for you is to develop a focused and highly productive mindset that

confront your reality

It has been more than a year since the pandemic struck, and yet there’s still loads of uncertainty in the air. While things have gotten better in the US, UK, Australia and other countries with vaccination widely available, there are still countries like India, where fear, panic and uncertainty

slow down and live fully

> “All things will be clear and distinct to the man who does not hurry; haste is blind and improvident.” ― Livy Rushing is in vogue right now. If you’re not rushing, if you’re not busy, people don’t take you seriously. People advise you, “If you want to

three questions to ponder upon every morning

A wise king came across a beggar on the street one day. The beggar, not knowing to whom he was speaking, stopped the king and asked him three questions: 1. Why are you here? 2. Where are you going? 3. Is there an important reason that you are going there?

how to become a millionaire

> “Money should never change one’s values… Making money is only a report card. It’s a way to tell how you’re doing.” ― Thomas J. Stanley, The Millionaire Next Door Contrary to the popular belief, a millionaire life is a modest life. Despite the stereotype of having glamor,

all beings are interconnected and interdependent

> “The concept of self as a solo thing is so toxic to the way we relate to one another and the earth—it’s so non integrative, when integration is not present you get chaos and rigidity… So whether you are talking about social justice issues, or climate injustices,

there’s infinite goodness within you

We often try to find goodness outside us. But relying on external circumstances for goodness is not a sound approach. Goodness lies within us. It’s a treasure within our soul waiting for us to be discovered. We need to excavate and bring goodness in our thoughts and our actions.

myths and misconceptions about sex

> “Modern media and popular culture tell us that young single people are dining at a buffet of almost unlimited sexual options — and doing sex ‘right’ means taking advantage of those opportunities.” ― Rachel Hills, The Sex Myth [https://amzn.to/3bbBeIO] The ideas of sexually active singles, same-sex marriages and

you read or you lose

> “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller “Show me a family of readers, and I will show you the people who move the world.” – Napoleon Bonaparte Do you want to win in life? Then you must read. Do you want to achieve your dreams? Then you must read.

a life-changing lesson from george lucas

Today is Star Wars Day, and I think this is a great opportunity to not only celebrate and enjoy Star Wars movies, shows, events and contests, but also learn an important lesson from George Lucas, the founding father and genius filmmaker behind this immensely successful franchise that started as “a

#uniteforindia: help the country fight covid-19

India is overwhelmed with the second wave of this catastrophic disease, and this is a remarkable opportunity for all of us, no matter where we live, to practice effective altruism and give with a generous heart. There is a desperate need to support the exhausted health infrastructure, breaking under the

donate to india: how to help the country during its catastrophic covid-19 surge

At the moment, India, my home country, is going through a deadly second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. This wave is ravaging the nation, leaving millions infected, at least 200,000 dead (according to the official tally, though many estimate the true number is much higher), and an entire population

laughter is the sweetest medicine

> “Your body cannot heal without play. Your mind cannot heal without laughter. Your soul cannot heal without joy.” — Catherine Rippenger Fenwick Laughing and having fun not only makes our life more enjoyable, but it also helps us develop our problem-solving skills, become more creative and easily connect with others.

you must commit to growing every day

If there’s one life-changing business philosophy that can skyrocket your success, it’s this gem by Jim Rohn: “You get paid for bringing value to the marketplace, and if you’re not very valuable you don’t make much money.” Many of us spend a good number of years

it just doesn't matter

> “Watch the stars in their courses and imagine yourself running alongside them. Think constantly on the changes of the elements into each other, for such thoughts wash away the dust of earthly life.” — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 7.47 I started watching Planet Earth [https://amzn.to/3eDGNR2] a few

spending money on this can boost your happiness

If there’s one effective way you can use money to enhance your happiness levels every day, then it is by buying time. Is there something that you absolutely hate doing and you feel is a terrible use of your time? If yes, then it’s best to buy your

don't wait! take action right now

Powered by RedCircle [https://redcircle.com?utm_source=rc_embedded_player&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=embedded_v1] > “There’s a secret you need to know: the world’s happiest and healthiest women [and men] never ‘feel ready’ to make a bold move—they just go… They

why having fun leads to greater success

This excerpt is from my bookThe Way of the Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj]. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fun is an essential contributing element in attracting success. If we do something that brings fun to us and we excel at it, we invite success and abundance in our lives. Once we

you must guard your mind every day

> “Every day, stand guard at the door of your mind.” — Jim Rohn Today, thanks to technology and the Internet, and the innumerable resources available at our disposal, more and more of us are getting informed about the right nutrition for our bodies. We are all understanding the negative consequences

the art of setting limits

start dreaming about your future

When it comes to money, we all make irrational decisions. That’s why many people struggle to stick with their written budgets, and constantly look for tips and tricks to spend their money in clever ways. However, no matter how many “hacks” you learn about managing money, you’ll never

you are a citizen of the world

Today, April 22nd, is widely celebrated as Earth Day. It’s a good time to not only show support for environmental protection and engage in activities that benefit the planet, but also a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the interconnectedness of the world. As we all go through this global

a lack of freedom can make us happy

We humans are complex beings. Most of us think that it is always good to have more options, no matter the situation. However, this is far from the truth. When we have multiple options in our hand, we instantly wear the thinking hat and start wondering which one of those

change your vision and your vision will change you

Powered by RedCircle [https://redcircle.com?utm_source=rc_embedded_player&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=embedded_v1] Whenever things seem out of control and chaotic and you feel powerless and helpless, just know that this is temporary and a Grander plan is in action. As you trust

fun is a necessity

This excerpt is from my book The Way of the Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj]. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In our day to day life, as we get bombarded with obligations and distractions, we forget the core essence of our existence: enjoying ourselves and having fun. Fun is a necessity, a

you must focus on the right things

> “There is a time and place for diversion and amusements, but you should never allow them to override your true purposes.” “Some things are in our control and others not. Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things

be an investor, not a borrower

If you want to become wealthy and reach the top, you must take either one or both of these elevators: stocks (I recommend mutual funds, not single stocks!) and real estate. These two asset classes are the elevators that’ll take you up. Along with that, you need to make

you got to get addicted to something good

Money, if you choose to do the right things, can make you a better person. You too can win this game of life and business, you too can become great, you too can become successful, you just need to get addicted to things that are good for you. Related essay:

outer order contributes to inner calm

> “Getting in control of our possessions makes us feel more in control of our fates. If this is an illusion, it’s a helpful illusion—and it’s a more pleasant way to live.” ― Gretchen Rubin, Outer Order, Inner Calm [https://amzn.to/3srnj70] Our physical space directly influences

how to turn your house into a staycation haven

We all enjoy periodic vacations, who doesn’t? We eat amazing food, check out new places, take a nap wherever and whenever we want, and just enjoy the freedom to do anything or even nothing during our day. However, sometimes going out for a “normal” vacation just isn’t possible,

you must assess your relationship with sugar

Have you ever reached for a nice and chewy chocolate chip cookie for a quick late afternoon snack, only to “accidentally” end up eating the entire bag? Or maybe you prefer your morning cereal or cup of joe to be loaded with sugary treats? If yes, then it’s a

happiness is the ultimate human goal

We are all living in the best and most opportune era that humanity has ever seen. If you live in a developed country in the West, then you have everything you could ever ask for — awesome food choices, great income, cleaner air, and thanks to technology, the ability to live

you must allow yourself to change and evolve

Have you ever seen hermit crabs? They are pretty interesting and thrifty little creatures. A hermit crab never lives in one shell for a long time. It finds a suitable shell, crawls inside and lives in it. But over time, as it grows and becomes bigger, the shell no longer

balance intense work with deep rest

With the lines blurred between work life and home life thanks to the ongoing pandemic, it’s natural that many of us have become the victim of work addiction, especially those who are working on a new venture, side hustle or start-up. But we have to remind ourselves that continual

one key concept to win with money

No matter where you are in the financial spectrum, there’s one important idea that you must embrace wholeheartedly. It doesn’t matter whether you’re paying off your student loan and consumer debt, saving for an emergency fund or for the downpayment of a house, or investing in your

acknowledge your negative emotions

just let go of your past

Until time-travel becomes the norm, our past cannot be erased or altered. What has happened has happened, and there is no going back. But we can still change the way we perceive our past and the events that happened by changing the lens through which we see it. We can

practice daily gratitude to attract more abundance (2/2)

It’s not only gratitude but also the appreciation of things that helps us access to the happiness within us. We need to practice gratefulness and appreciation in all aspects of life. Appreciate the good things about life and focus on the things that you’re grateful for even though

practice daily gratitude to attract more abundance (1/2)

On numerous occasions we feel dejected that we have not achieved the life that we truly desire or the success that we have been aspiring forallalong. But instead of brooding and getting engulfed in despair, we need to find ways to be at peace with ourselves. Instead of focusing on

how to quiet your restless mind

“Chanting is a way of getting in touch with yourself. It’s an opening of the heart and letting go of the mind and thoughts. It deepens the channel of grace, and it’s a way of being present in the moment.” ― Krishna Das In the Hindu tradition, there’s

why you must learn to tackle boredom

The famous adage ‘An idle mind is a devil’s playground’ is very true. Boredom can quickly become an easy excuse to engage in addictive behaviors. In reality, it is simply a manifestation of lack of purpose, inspiration, self-motivation and running out of creativity. People get imprisoned by the monotony

a short story about taking responsibility

I came across this short story a few days back and wanted to share it with you because of the powerful lesson it teaches us. Here we go: The day when the jobs were handed out was one of the most exciting for all the children in the class. It

the five key elements of well-being

For thousands of years, many extraordinary minds have grappled with these profound and challenging questions: What truly makes us happy? What should we aim for in life? Should we be “worldly” and focus on accumulating money and material possessions, or should we let go of all attachments and choose a

the home of your choice

> “Minimalism isn’t about removing things you love. It’s about removing the things that distract you from the things you love.” ― Joshua Becker, The Minimalist Home [https://amzn.to/3ufbS3F] A key problem that affects most of us is that we live in homes that retailers and mass

regular movement can help you live long

Age is just a number. We’ve all met older people who are full of energy and vigor despite their age. How do they manage to do that? Most likely, the secret to that is they’ve been physically active throughout their lives. Regular movement plays a key role in

breaking inertia

If you go back to the fundamentals of physics that you learned in high school, you’ll recall studying Newton’s Three Laws of Motion. Let’s focus on Newton’s First Law for now, also called the Law of Inertia: An object at rest stays at rest and an

get moving

I used to hate exercising when I was growing up, but over time I have fallen in love with it. Exercise has become an integral part of my life and I can’t imagine spending a day without doing any workout, however light it may be. Engaging in some kind

freedom leads to happiness

> “People are not disturbed by things, but by the views they take of them.” “If you ever happen to turn your attention to externals, for the pleasure of any one, be assured that you have ruined your scheme of life. Be contented, then, in everything, with being a philosopher;

there’s no one true recipe for happiness

> “We exaggerate the effect a life change will have upon our happiness because we cannot foresee that we won’t always be thinking about it.” ― Sonja Lyubomirsky, The Myths of Happiness Are you happy right now? If not, when do you think you will be happy? Will you be

find a creative outlet in your downtime

While there are days when we feel purposeful, driven and excited about our work, there are also days when work feels like drudgery — especially in the current pandemic scenario where it’s easy to get in the “Groundhog Day” trap and find our daily work routine boring and monotonous. As

healthy habits require healthy boundaries

Having good intentions is one thing, but making them an active part of our daily is a different ball game. We all struggle with forming new better habits that we know at our core can transform our lives and help us achieve greater success. We want to become an early

when you hurt others, you hurt yourself too

When someone hurts us, it’s natural to feel the desire to hurt them back. However, acting on that desire can be a bad move from our part. When you wound another person, emotionally or physically, you feel wounded as well. It has been reported that hurting others may lead

dream big no matter what

The beginning of anything starts with a dream. No matter who you are right now, no matter what your financial situation is at the moment, and no matter what environment you live in presently, if you can see yourself in much better circumstances, living an abundant life, fulfilling your purpose,

döstädning

> “Death cleaning is not about dusting or mopping up; it is about a permanent form of organization that makes your everyday life run more smoothly.” ― Margareta Magnusson, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Swedish death cleaning or döstädning is a relatively new decluttering trend that is mainly geared

it’s okay to splurge on important things

If you don’t write a budget before the start of every month and spend your money unconsciously, money will easily escape from the grasp of your hands. Small, insignificant amounts like delivery charges for groceries and meals that we could easily pick up in person, and unused subscriptions and

making money vs building wealth

Do you think there’s a difference between making money and building wealth? If you think like a majority of the population, you probably would say both these phrases mean the same thing. However, there’s a substantial distinction between them. “Making money” comprises a short-term process where you get

develop new habits and behaviors around established actions

Countless people want to improve their lives and bring better versions of themselves. Yet, they never actually take positive actions on a consistent basis and develop constructive habits to bring a lasting change in their lives. There’s a popular Chinese proverb that goes like this: “A journey of a

the best gift you can give as a leader

> “The three most important ways to lead people are:… by example… by example… by example.” — Albert Schweitzer Great leaders know that vision without execution is pointless. They know that merely communicating their vision to others is not enough; they must embody it wherever they go so that it crystallizes

understanding productivity

The classic definition suggests that it is “a way to measure efficiency.” Many people assume that productivity means getting more things done on a given day. If you think the same, you’re wrong. Productivity is getting the most important things done on a consistent basis. No matter what line

what you eat affects both you and the planet

What we choose to eat has a direct impact on our health. Researchers have revealed that up to 80 percent of chronic diseases can be prevented by making healthy and conscious lifestyle choices. And of course, our daily diet plays a huge role in this. As the popular adage goes,

taking responsibility for our past mistakes

We can spend countless hours blaming the circumstances or other people for our addictions and attachments. But there was only one thing that got us down into the rabbit hole: our lack of judgment. We are 100% responsible for our actions and for the consequent mistakes that we have made.

practice abundance 24/7

We must practice abundance in every aspect of our lives. Abundance breeds power and trust. When you have abundance, you attract, you never pursue! With abundance, you have enough of what you want and are in tune with the Source. As previously discussed, visualization is an amazing, life changing process,

think like a billionaire

In order to manifest abundance in our lives, we need to think abundance 24/7. This is not denial, but it is the first step to changing your reality. We need to ask ourselves: How would I act if all my dreams came true and I was living my ideal

how to achieve perennial happiness

Many people, consciously or unconsciously, start believing that happiness depends on external factors such as material goods, experiences or events.They associate happiness with cars, vacation destinations, gadgets, clothes, sexual partners, social media following, or any significant personal or professional achievements. They rely on money, fame, popularity, and rewards to

the dichotomy of control

> “However, the majority of people mistakenly judge external things to be ‘good’ and therefore experience feelings of desire for things beyond their control, leading to frustration and suffering.” ― Donald Robertson, Stoicism and the Art of Happiness The Stoics advise us to distinguish between things that we can control and

the key to living a happy life

What does happiness mean to you, and most importantly are you feeling happy right now? The fascinating thing is that your answer to this question might easily reveal what country or region of the world you’re from. There’s a night and day difference between the Western conception and

24 inspiring quotes to celebrate international women’s day

Today on the occasion of International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate all the women in our lives. This is a great time to reflect on how far we’ve come, applaud the acts of courage and persistence by ordinary women who have led extraordinary lives, and to commit to

happiness is everlasting

> “Happiness is not the fleeting emotion of excitement that comes and goes, but rather a deep sense of contentment that is everlasting.” —  Andy Puddicombe Happiness is analogous to the blue sky. No matter how many clouds, storms and bolts of lightning come up, the blue sky is always present.

how to stay calm as a leader

One of the most important qualities of great leaders is their ability to stay calm and keep their emotions in check under all circumstances. This helps them come up with effective solutions to navigate personnel issues, think clearly in stressful and challenging situations, and maintain better relationships with their team

how to take charge of your mornings

The best morning routines are all about doing activities that matter to you but require an extra dose of self-motivation. These are essentially things that are neither urgent nor have an immediate payoff, but still might positively impact your life in the long run. A great example is writing a

eliminate the needless wants

embrace the hygge way to happiness

> “Happiness consists more in small conveniences or pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happens but seldom.” ― Meik Wiking, The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well Denmark is consistently ranked among the happiest countries in the world. It ranked

dealing with unexplained chronic pain

Are you going through some unexplained chronic pain? Maybe you went to the doctor and took some prescription drugs, yet the pain didn’t fade away entirely and emerged back soon. While persistent pain is usually an indicator that something isn’t right in our bodies, in many cases it

use early mornings to your advantage

A typical morning for most adults is incredibly hectic and often passes in the blink of an eye. You jump out of bed, dash around fixing breakfast, packing lunch, getting kids ready for school and then rush out the door off to work. But it doesn’t have to be

happiness is in the journey

We need to realize that happiness is not bound by conditions. If we make happiness our priority, there will be times when we will be disappointed. We are conditioned by society, media, news, magazines, tabloids and social media that happy people are the ones who are visiting all the amazing

some quick tips for eating healthier

Switching to a healthy diet overnight is not possible, but we can strive to make gradual changes that help us improve what we eat. We can slowly and steadily eliminate unhealthy food from our diet and substitute them with better ones that enhance our physical health and well-being. As previously

the stoic art of living a good life

> “We should use our reasoning ability to overcome negative emotions. We should also use our reasoning ability to master our desires, to the extent that it is possible to do so. In particular, we should use reason to convince ourselves that things such as fame and fortune aren’t

your success depends on your happiness

> “When we are happy—when our mindset and mood are positive—we are smarter, more motivated, and thus more successful. Happiness is the center, and success revolves around it.” ― Shawn Achor, The Happiness Advantage [https://amzn.to/37Gk9Fa] In the pursuit of success, many of us do whatever it

minimalism + zero waste

> “Minimalism is inherently a form of environmental activism… you choose to buy less overall with a focus on purchasing quality, long-lasting goods… when you refine your consumption habits to support your pure needs and selected wants, you are, in a small but significant way, decreasing your demand for the

how to use your time efficiently

> “Strive for excellence in few things, rather than good performance in many.” ― Richard Koch, The 80/20 Principle In today’s hectic world, most of us find ourselves overwhelmed with complexity, trying to tackle super long to-do lists each day. It can be exhausting to juggle multiple projects like

happiness is always within us

I remember a few years back, I was blessed to have a Buddhist Meditation Center in the neighborhood that I used to live in. I had a great friendship with one of the Buddhist monks and enjoyed talking to her when I was in the midst of despair and suffering.

declarations to develop a millionaire mind

I just finished listening to the best-selling personal finance book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker again last week, and was greatly inspired by the millionaire mind declarations at the end of every chapter. And then soon, I discovered that Bob Baker had made a video on

a simple time-blocking system to become more effective

> “To become fit requires discomfort, to earn a significant income requires discomfort, to become great at anything, requires you to pay the price… To become great, you must choose to allocate your time to your greatest opportunities. You will have to choose to spend time on the difficult things

how to structure your time better

> “Intentionality is your secret weapon in your war on mediocrity.” ― Brian P. Moran, The 12 Week Year Let’s discuss a common workplace scenario. You know you need to start working on that epic presentation for the next meeting. But just as you sit on your desk to get

aligning with the emotions of our inner being

Once we start doing things that are positive and bring us joy on a daily basis, that’s when we embrace the lifestyle of a Karma Yogi wherein our actions are congruent with what we truly enjoy doing. Hence, we take inspired actions and not motivated ones. My suggestion for

how to gain total control over your work

> “The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small, manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one”. ― Mark Twain > “You don’t actually do a project; you can only do action steps related to it.

optimism is good for your health

When faced with a sickness or any other health-related challenges, we’ve all been at the receiving end of this universal advice: Don’t worry and stay positive. However, there are times when negativity gets the better of us and it’s just hard to muster up any motivation to

take charge of your work calendar

> “Ideally, there should be almost nothing during your work hours—whatever you choose those to be—that is not advancing you toward your goals for the career and life you want.” ― Laura Vanderkam, 168 Hours As we go through the pressures and obligations of modern life, it’s normal

the world needs more love

> “All you need is love.” ― The Beatles Today is Valentine’s Day, the day when love is in the air. And considering all the events that have recently happened all across the globe, it’s fair to come to this one conclusion: The world is in dire need of

start with a blank slate

A great strategy that I personally use when I experience a negative emotional state is to go sleep or take a nap. Sleep is the best reboot for our emotions. Once we wake up, our mental state is like a blank slate and as previously discussed, it is a fertile

eliminate dead weight from your life

> “If we do not create and control our environment, our environment creates and controls us.” — Dr. Marshall Goldsmith > “You are responsible for shaping and choosing the environments that will ultimately shape the person you become and the destiny you have. Environmental design is your greatest responsibility. Choosing and

willpower alone won’t take you far

> “According to psychological research, your willpower is like a muscle. It’s a finite resource that depletes with use. As a result, by the end of your strenuous days, your willpower muscles are exhausted, and you’re left to your naked and defenseless self—with zero control to stop

understanding the mind-body connection [2/2]

Coming back to the fundamentals, we need to understand that the mind is not synonymous to the brain. The mind consists of mental states such as our emotions, thoughts, feelings, beliefs and attitudes whereas the brain is the organ that processes them. So basically the mind is software to the

understanding the mind-body connection [1/2]

As we have previously discussed, cultivating a consistent practice of mindfulness can prove to be immensely beneficial for our body, mind and spirit. The state of our mind greatly influences our body and as we train our mind, we take care of our body as well. This holds true in

set realistic expectations

> “Reality always wins.” ― Elizabeth Grace Saunders, The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment Many of us have incorrect perceptions about how much we can accomplish in a single day. We keep cramming things into our schedules and falling victim to the “superhero syndrome.” But no matter how invincible or

become the master of your inbox

> “Staying engaged with meaningful work—and fending off the allure of email— is all about making progress visible.” ― Jocelyn K. Glei, Unsubscribe Keep this in mind, no one is pointing a gun at you demanding you to immediately respond to an email or forcing you to respond in a

why you’re addicted to checking emails

How many times during the day do you stop to check your email? Do you have fixed times to do it or are you like those people who refresh their inbox every few minutes in anticipation for the next message? Addiction to email checking has become a major problem in

three components of a minimalist mindset

manage your energy, not your time

> “Energy, not time, is the fundamental currency of high performance.” “We live in a world that celebrates work and activity, ignores renewal and recovery, and fails to recognize that both are necessary for sustained high performance.” ― Jim Loehr, The Power of Full Engagement In the pursuit of achieving peak

surrendering to our emotions

This essay is an excerpt from my bookThe Way of The Karma Yogi [https://amzn.to/2SpVnmi]. Oftentimes, we are compulsively driven towards things that we relate to emotionally, for instance listening to sad songs after a breakup, or watching something that reminds us of our lonely lives. In the

15 time-management maxims you must follow

> “Time is unique because it’s the one true equalizer. Some people are born rich, others born poor. Some have Ivy League degrees, while others are high school dropouts. Some are genetically gifted athletes, others physically challenged. But we all have the same minutes in a day. Time is

focus on what you want, not on what you fear

While last year was about surviving and overcoming stress, fear and uncertainty for many of us, there’s no single soul who doesn’t want to bounce back and thrive in 2021. Sure, there’s a lot of uncertainty looming this year as well and it might seem extremely difficult,

rely on systems, not on willpower

As we look at our mighty goals, most of us rely on willpower to bridge the gap from where we are right now and where we desire to be in the future. However, this approach doesn’t work all the time. An effective strategy is to set up systems that

the four stoic virtues

> “One of the first lessons from Stoicism, then, is to focus our attention and efforts where we have the most power and then let the universe run as it will. This will save us both a lot of energy and a lot of worry.” ― Massimo Pigliucci, How to Be

stop adding, start eliminating (2/2)

> “Success is no longer related to the volume of tasks you complete but rather the significance of them. As Peter Drucker once said, ‘There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.’” ― Rory Vaden, Procrastinate on Purpose Multipliers — the most productive amongst

stop adding, start eliminating (1/2)

> “Realize all the things you are doing that are not taking you where you really want to go. It will help you see all the things you are doing that are not helping you create the results you want in your life. Those things will become more and more

controlling our emotions

We think our emotions drive us because we feel that they are largely involuntary and we have no control over them. Our emotional impulses sometimes work in our favor and sometimes we end up doing actions that we regret later on. The Stoics explain that there are different causes of

set mini-deadlines to fight procrastination

> “There are people who literally cannot start a project until the deadline is four hours away, even if it’s a big one. And those people have a serious problem. My recommendation is [to] set up mini-deadlines. You might say, ‘Okay, here’s my deadline after three days for

why you must develop high emotional intelligence

Many people think that high IQ is a sole contributor to phenomenal success in the modern world. However, it has been found that people with average IQs outperform those with the highest IQs 70 percent of the time. Research has shown that emotional intelligence (or EQ) is the critical factor

the recipe to building incredible wealth

When it comes to attain long-lasting success with respect to personal finances and build incredible wealth, here’s the simple and straightforward recipe: 1. Spend intentionally by getting on a budget 2. Live below your means 3. Avoid debt 4. Save or invest a dedicated percentage of your income every

how to achieve deep work

> “Efforts to deepen your focus will struggle if you don’t simultaneously wean your mind from a dependence on distraction.” “To produce at your peak level you need to work for extended periods with full concentration on a single task free from distraction. Put another way, the type of

set up ulysses contracts

Money brings up emotions within all of us and it’s natural for people to be irrational about spending it. This is why writing a monthly budget and sticking to it is so darn difficult for a majority of the population. No matter how many tips and strategies you learn

how you spend your time defines your life

> “If you design your life so that you spend most of your time working on things you are passionate about and proficient at, the discipline to do those things comes easily.” “Productivity is not about getting more things done; it’s about getting the right things done.” ― Michael Hyatt,

leaders are active listeners

One of the most important qualities that a man or woman in the modern world can cultivate to be an effective leader is emotional intelligence, or EQ. A high-EQ is a crucial asset to not only recognize your emotions and keep them in check, but to also understand what emotions

paying attention to our thoughts

> “The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations Our thoughts have the power to either elevate our lives or deteriorate us. We act upon the thoughts and impulses that we get and hence it’s very important that we learn how to manage them.

it’s time for peace, healing and connection

It has been a challenging year for the entire world. And we can’t deny that it has been extremely difficult for the people in the US. From the COVID-19 deaths to social and political unrest, many big problems have erupted in the country’s landscape. But all these problems

helplessness is not an option

With millions of people all around the globe struggling to find work and finding themselves in murky waters personally and professionally, many people are feeling lost and helpless. Setting goals and New Year’s resolutions in this scenario may not seem to be a wise choice for them; in fact,

like attracts like

We have seen numerous occurrences in nature and otherwise in our lives where things that are like each other tend to get together effortlessly. As the popular adage goes, “Birds of the same feather flock together.” This is the universal principle famously called as the Law of Attraction. Much has

simplify your approach

> “The easiest way to manage your money is to take it one step at a time—and not worry about being perfect.” ― Ramit Sethi, I Will Teach You To Be Rich Managing our finances can be effortless if we know the inner workings of the financial world and automate

pushing through resistance

> “Our enemy is not lack of preparation; it’s not the difficulty of the project, or the state of the marketplace or the emptiness of our bank account. The enemy is our chattering brain, which, if we give it so much as a nanosecond, will start producing excuses, alibis,

listen to your heart

Each of us human beings has been blessed with an amazing gift — the vision of creating a better life for ourselves and our loved ones and the ability to make our dreams a thriving reality by setting and sticking to meaningful goals and eventually accomplish them. The first step in

save yourself or slave yourself

I hate debt, totally resent it. We may naively think that it opens the gateway of opportunities and experiences but if we let our debt situation get out of hand, it shuts off more doors than we can imagine. Living with debt is constant stress, a burden that we need

why meditation is a lifesaver

Meditation brings focus and clarity in every aspect of our lives. Like working out, you may not realize its benefits instantly, but it may take you a few months or even years to truly reap its benefits. In his book 10% Happier [https://amzn.to/3oA87DE], Dan Harris mentions how

the seven key habits to become effective

> “If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control – myself.” “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” ― Stephen Covey, The 7

giving is a wealth-building habit

If you study the principles of wealth on a consistent basis, you’ll learn over time that the Universe truly wants you to have an abundant life. That’s the way nature works, there’s abundance all around you. Whether you believe it or not, you are born abundant and

mastering the money game

> “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain. It’s about removing the fear in this area of your life so you can focus on what matters most.” ― Anthony Robbins, Money: Master the Game Are you working hard

why you must cultivate a practice of mindfulness

In this world of distractions and noise everywhere around us, we all need to develop a practice of mindfulness in order to lead a happy and fulfilling life. We have to be mindful of our thoughts, our actions, and the words that we speak. We are in the prime of

be diligent with your most precious resources

> “That which holds the attention, determines the action.” – William James Once, there was a lighthouse keeper who worked on a rocky stretch of coastline before the days of electricity. Once a month, he would receive a new supply of oil to keep the light burning so that ships could

focus on yourself, not the noise

> “Keep your attention focused entirely on what is truly your own concern, and be clear that what belongs to others is their business and none of yours.” “There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our

why you must think like a craftsman

This essay is an excerpt from my bookThe Way of The Karma Yogi [https://amzn.to/2SpVnmi]. It’s best to adopt a craftsman mindset that primarily focuses on the value that we can offer to the world through our work. We become proactive about developing valuable skills instead of

guided meditation to detach from the past and set intentions for the new year

As the New Year stands before us, now is a great time to allow ourselves to begin anew. It’s an opportunity to write a new chapter in our lives and we can start writing our story by clarifying our intentions and setting new goals for ourselves. This guided meditation

pressing the reset button

The new year has started, and we have one more chance to start things fresh. A brand-new blank slate. The whiteboard is in front of us and we have the markers in our hands. It is time to lay the foundation. Now is the time to set goals and become

let the pull of the future guide your life

> “Goals give us direction. They put a powerful force into play on a universal, conscious, and subconscious level.” — Melody Beattie, The Language of Letting Go The New Year is here. And while some people would still continue to live in the past and relive the horrors, tragedies and setbacks

detach from everything that’s not serving you

As we bid goodbye to this year and step into a new one, we have another chance to start with a blank slate. As you prepare to welcome the new year, this is also a wonderful time to let go. This is the time to detach from all the negative

the books and audio programs i loved the most in 2020

As this eventful year comes to an end, as part of my yearly ritual, I wanted to again look back at all the useful books and audio programs that helped me in my journey of personal development and philosophy this year. Among them, there are certain books and resources that

the podcasts i enjoyed listening to in 2020

Podcasts are amazing, aren’t they? They’re free and bring with them tons of value in each episode. If you’re an audiophile, podcasts can be one of your biggest delights. I’m sure podcasts helped many people get through this remarkably difficult year and helped them cope with

be ready for death wherever you go

This essay is an excerpt from my book The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://amzn.to/2SpVnmi] Meditating on death can be a great way to experience a sense of awareness and enlightenment, and work towards both our and other people’s happiness and well-being. We have this life

be the miracle

In the movie Bruce Almighty, there’s a scene where God, played by Morgan Freeman, leaves the Jim Carrey character Bruce Nolan to solve things on his own. He tells him, “You want a miracle, Bruce? Be the miracle.” We all look for the quick fix, the instant cure, the

it’s all good, even when it isn’t

If there’s one thing that we can take away from the various challenges and crises that most of us went through in 2020, it’s this: problems are a part and parcel of life and they will never end. Although I did have some privileges and was able to

being different can be a blessing

The year was 1939, the Great Depression was waning and a manager at Montgomery Ward in Chicago decided that the store should create its own children’s book for the annual holiday promotion. The boss tapped Robert L. May, an ad man for the store, to take a crack at

25 quotes that’ll bring you the christmas joy

This year has been a rough ride for all of us. But hey, the most wonderful time of the year is here. And nothing can come in our way from having a holly, jolly Christmas. Yes, the holidays might look quite different from what most of us are used to

you must treat everything the same

> “Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought.” ― James Allen, As a Man

just do that thing right now

> “Putting things off is the biggest waste of life: It snatches away each day as it comes and denies us the present by promising the future. The greatest obstacle to living is expectancy, which hangs upon tomorrow and loses today…The whole future lies in uncertainty: Live immediately.” — Seneca

why you must strive for big and audacious goals

> “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” — Michelangelo It’s true that we’ve all had a crazy and challenging 2020. Both our personal and professional lives

10 best personal development gifts to give to your loved ones

The holiday season is here and that means it’s the time for gift-giving. While giving material gifts to your loved ones is totally optional, if you still want to participate in it, I’d encourage you to buy meaningful things that would continually add value to their lives. It’

why you need a monthly written budget

For starters, writing a monthly budget plan before the start of every month is one of the best decisions you can make to start transforming your finances. Budgeting is both an art and science. When we budget our dollars, we assign a specific destination to them. We prepare a blueprint

navigating the winds of change

Change is inevitable and we may find ourselves in the midst of one as life flows. Sometimes, the winds of change are like a breeze, and sometimes they may show up as tropical storms. Because we’re not sure certain if a change is happening for good or not, we

what can you make of this?

> “Never let a good crisis go to waste”. — Winston Churchill The world today has become a canvas of disruption and desperation. Fear and uncertainty is in the air, and there’s no concrete solution in sight. Illness, unemployment, poverty, loss, frustration, lack, anger, disappointment — we’re all going through

substitute caffeine with a short nap

It has been reported that one of the biggest peaks in the production of sleep-inducing hormone melatonin happens from 1 to 3 pm and this is the reason why most of us sleepy in the afternoon. If you aren’t getting enough sleep at night, there’s a good chance

professionals never complain

The creative journey is not for the faint-hearted. The rewards don’t come easily, and it takes years to cultivate mastery. Fame and wealth are not guaranteed, and you’ll often go through unanticipated spells of loneliness, frustration and self-doubt. Yes, you have the freedom and privilege to capitalize on

why you must cultivate the right attitude

> “It is your attitude, more than your aptitude, that will determine your altitude.” — Zig Ziglar As humans, we have been bestowed the gift of having absolute control over our attitude. While we may get swayed by other people’s opinions and remarks, no one has the power to influence

the pursuit of a good life

> “Demand not that things happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do, and you will go on well.” ― Epictetus, The Discourses For Epictetus, the primary goal of philosophy was living a good life rather than understanding the world and that started with attaining inner tranquility.

focus on positive thoughts

The human brain has a natural negativity bias. We can’t command our mind to get rid of negative thoughts. The more effort we put towards not thinking about them, the more we end up thinking about them. According to the Law of Replacement, “you can’t replace something with

frustration and confusion precedes growth

[This essay is an excerpt from my book, Elevation [https://books2read.com/elevation-essay-collection].] There are times when we feel stuck and resent our situation. Gaining clarity seems improbable, and we just can’t seem to find the path that leads us to a better and aligned life. We get angry

responding to “thank you”

When someone says “thank you” to us, it’s a great gesture. It means that they appreciate whatever contribution, help or service we offered to them. But an even greater gesture — both to that person and the Universe — than those two widely used words of gratitude can be our response

be mindful of your health

The pursuit of money, richness, and comfort is not a bad thing, but in this process, we need to be mindful of our health as well. Oftentimes when we prioritize our work assignments and other people’s needs, we end up keeping our health and well-being in the back seat.

how to define your ideal self

It’s so important to have an image in our mind about how our ideal, higher self is and what kind of traits he/she possesses. If we have a blueprint of what kind of person we want to be in say 3 years, only then we’ll have a

are you spending time with the right people?

> “Even Socrates, Cato, and Laelius might have been shaken in their moral strength by a crowd that was unlike them; so true it is that none of us, no matter how much he cultivates his abilities, can withstand [the influence of their surroundings.]” — Seneca No matter how optimistic, hopeful

the fundamentals of goal achieving [4/4]

When we focus on these three aspects and let go of the need to accomplish our mighty goals, we start making progress. Little progress every day can lead to big achievements. As Coach John Wooden has said, “When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur. When you

the fundamentals of goal achieving [3/4]

3. Focus on growth: Let go of your BHAGs and simply focus on learning and growing every day. We need to embrace small, continuous improvements on a daily basis. The Japanese have even given this idea a name: Kaizen, which is the Japanese word for continuous improvement. Worry less about

the fundamentals of goal achieving [2/4]

2. Focus on a system: In his book How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life, Scott Adams talks about using systems instead of goals. For instance, losing 15 pounds is a goal whereas learning to eat right is a system.

the fundamentals of goal achieving [1/4]

The unfortunate truth behind why most people fail at accomplishing their BHAGs is that they get overwhelmed by their loftiness. They become like a deer caught in the headlights paralyzed by the mightiness of what they want to achieve. In order for you to not succumb to the same fate,

adding value to other people’s lives

This essay is an excerpt from my book, The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj] . -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adding value to other people is a fundamental principle that we need to live by if we want to build better relationships, friendships, businesses, organizations, and connections. We need to

start appreciating money

> “Money isn’t the most important thing in life, but it’s reasonably close to oxygen on the ‘gotta have it’ scale.” — Zig Ziglar Many people unfortunately live by the debilitating adage, “Money is the root of all evil,” and start justifying the lack and misery in their lives.

cook a meal today

As I have been spending more and more time indoors, an activity that I have been doing a lot in my downtime is cooking. I am not a great cook by any means but I have been finding spending more time in the kitchen quite satisfying. Along with being the

go for what you really want

These modern times have made it incredibly easier for us to fall in the trap of chasing perfection. We constantly try to keep up with the Joneses and in the process keep our own priorities and happiness on the back burner. Identify what you really want, not what you think

focus on effective communication

There’s a lot of uncertainty and stress in the air during these times, and you’re not sure what form of unrest or personal setback might come unannounced in your life or others’. And that’s why clear and effective communication has become more important than ever. If you’

you must become immune to rampant materialism

Black Friday is upon us. And while things are drastically different this year, its threat still looms over us. Not having desperate and misguided people pushing and shoving each other and not acting with each other in an inhuman way for the most part is definitely a silver lining in

gratitude in the time of corona

It’s Thanksgiving today, a holiday that symbolizes nothing but togetherness. But this year things are going to be drastically different. Our family feasts will most likely be arranged online, our celebrations will undergo a few adjustments, and many cherished traditions will sadly be off-limits this year. Thanksgiving in the

26 inspirational quotes to help you cultivate gratitude

Gratitude is a miracle emotion. And it can be our antidote to release us from the cycle of fear and stress as we approach the holiday season this year. There’s nothing wrong with preparing for the worst case scenario, but if you find yourself stuck in the constant rehearsal

eliminate “never, no one, every time or always” thinking

It’s natural and normal to have negative thoughts come up in your head. Some of us, unfortunately, are primed to see the bad in every situation. But here’s the good news — you are in control of your thoughts and emotions, and if you choose, you can always counter

you must stop “doom scrolling”

I just stumbled upon the term “doom scrolling” online today. If you haven’t heard of it, it basically represents the human behavior of scrolling mindlessly through the posts on social media to see what negative stories are dominating the day’s news. A majority of us fall in this

pithy insights from the best books on simplicity and clutter-free living [3/3]

* Minimalism in its core essence is living a meaningful life and when we focus on the five values — namely health, relationships, passions, growth, and contribution — we set ourselves up for success. * Once we give ourselves permission to stop becoming a “superhuman” and try to do it all, only then we’

pithy insights from the best books on simplicity and clutter-free living [2/3]

* As we simplify our lives, we will be able to finally let go of the burdens of obligations and complications. We will empower ourselves to dodge the traps of competition and comparisons. * Through a minimalist life, we will be able to get rid of our bad habits, stress and all

pithy insights from the best books on simplicity and clutter-free living [1/3]

In this three-part essay, I would like to share with you the most important takeaways that I have gathered from the best books on simplicity and clutter-free living. Through these pithy insights, my intention for you is to develop a minimalist mindset that will help you in navigating through the

your memory is not always accurate

Unlike computers, our human brain does not store new information in the exact form that it’s presented to us. Our memory extracts the gist of the experience or the interaction and stores it in a way that fits best for us. This helps us avoid any internal conflicts. We

why you should try a meal delivery service

Your health plays a crucial role in your success, both personal and professional. If you want to perform well and produce more in the long run, you must ensure that your body gets the proper fuel. After all, it’s the only true vehicle you have in your life. Think

you must strive to become better every day

Becoming a better version of ourselves is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s a renewed commitment that we make every day. Most of us look for a magic bullet — a radical change — that will help us alleviate our stresses, worries and obstacles. We all want instant gratification and most

become your biggest supporter

Are you feeling behind in your life? Do you feel lonely and deserted, and that your friends and family have abandoned in your time of need? If your answer is yes, then it’s time to stop looking around you and start looking within. As much as you’re tempted

embracing voluntary simplicity

> “If you scale back your possessions and commitments to just what you really need, you will have more time and energy for those things that truly bring you joy and enrich your life.” ― Rachel Jonat, Do Less Contrary to what most of us think, it is possible to live

how your little everyday choices can make or break your life

> “Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure.” — Jim Rohn As glamorous as it

a heartwarming story of kindness

Today, November 13th, is World Kindness Day. It is an international holiday that was formed in 1998, to promote kindness throughout the world and is observed every year in many countries including the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, India and the U.A.E. While we’re all bombarded with

let go of your troubles

A woman hired a carpenter for some repairs on her old farmhouse. One day, things just went haywire — a flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and then his good old pickup truck refused to start. The woman volunteered to drive him home, and

why daily gratitude is so important

“The whole process of mental adjustment and attunement can be summed up in one word: gratitude.” — Wallace Wattles, The Science of Getting Rich If you have been following my work, you probably already know how much I value making a list of things that you feel grateful for every morning.

what truly drives the fear of success

If you’re constantly seeing average results in your work and your life, and no matter how hard you try you always feel that there’s a glass ceiling that is stopping you from achieving bigger and better things, then it’s an indicator that you might be afraid of

the captain of my soul

> “So what Epictetus was telling his students was that there can be no such thing as being the ‘victim’ of another. You can only be a ‘victim of yourself.’ It’s all in how you discipline your mind.” ― James B. Stockdale, Courage Under Fire James Bond Stockdale, one of

change your perception of failure

Overall, the human tendency is to avoid pain rather than embrace pleasure or joy. A majority of us would rather not lose something than work towards gaining something. At the risk of generalizing, here’s the truth: Many people are so afraid of losing or failing that they never make

reserve mornings for tackling complex decisions

Decision-making is akin to a muscle. It works fine initially, but as we use it throughout our day, it gets exhausted over time and stops functioning effectively. One way to make sure decision fatigue doesn’t negatively affect your life is to take care of highly important decisions first thing

big obstacles represent big opportunities

While we can all wish to have a smooth-sailing and comfortable living experience, the truth is that we will all face storms and adversities as we go through life. But here’s the good thing: Challenges and crises always compel us to grow and become better, and teach us some

life can be long

> “It is not that we have so little time but that we lose so much. The life we receive is not short but we make it so; we are not ill provided but use what we have wastefully.” ― Seneca, On the Shortness of Life We get so busy in

change your money script

Have you ever told yourself these words, “That’s so expensive,” or “I’ll never be able to afford that”? Or lived under the assumption that you’ll never be as successful as your wealthy friends and relatives. If yes, then it’s a sign that you have a negative

practicing honesty in relationships

Once, a young boy and girl were enjoying a pleasant afternoon playing outside in their neighborhood together. The boy showed the girl his collection of beautiful, unique marbles. In turn, the girl showed the boy the handful of candy that she had just gotten for her birthday. The boy proposed

you must take care of your inner world

Whether it be a personal crisis or a global one, every facet of our life gets negatively impacted by it. Because of this, it gets easier to feel overwhelmed and fall in the trap of stress and anxiety. To feel a sense of powerlessness. While some of us start harboring

your life expands in proportion to your courage

> “It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live.” — Marcus Aurelius Fear anchors and limits us, while courage propels and liberates us. Being the exception, cultivating life mastery, and designing an extraordinary life demands us to to become courageous in our

31 inspiring quotes to help you confront and overcome fear

There are so many things to be afraid of especially right now as we all are going through a massive health crisis — change, uncertainty, failure, adversity, financial meltdown, the unknown. You can either let these fears stop you on your tracks and keep you from going after your most important

don’t let fear take the driver’s seat

No matter what circumstances you’re put into, you can always tame fear. Think of your first time interviewing for a job in the real world. Or going out on a date for the first time. You were incredibly nervous, but you still mustered up courage within you to get

cultivate a growth mindset

2020 has been a rough year for all of us; we have gone through a multitude of changes within a short span of time. While we may be overwhelmed with these continually adjustments, the truth of the matter is that change is a constant part of life, pandemic or not.

my new morning routine (2020 edition) - [3/3]

With the coffee mug in my hand, I go to my work desk and begin with the first part of my recalibration process, wherein I read my mission statement, go through the tasks that I need to accomplish that day as per my weekly plan (inspired by my mentor Darren

my new morning routine (2020 edition) – [2/3]

I’ll now go through my new morning routine step-by-step. This is what I have been performing on most of my days this year and is the basic framework that I try to stick to every day when I wake up early at around 5 am. This might look different

my new morning routine (2020 edition) - [1/3]

To say that this year has made everything in our lives topsy-turvy is not an understatement. We’ve all been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. And like a majority of you who were indirectly affected by this health crisis, I faced many personal struggles as well during this time.

your decisions are impacting your future self

We have no control over our past; we cannot change it. However, we can always change our future by taking charge of the choices that we make in our day-to-day life. What we do today will dictate our future, and when we become aware of this truth and act accordingly,

what's your financial plan?

> “The best financial plan has nothing to do with what the markets are doing, nothing to do with what your real estate agent is telling you, nothing to do with the hot stock your brother-in-law told you about. It has everything to do with what’s most important to

dump shallow work

Building up on yesterday’s idea of doing less, if we want to go one step further in order to maximize the quality of our work and our productive output, then we must create the right environment to achieve deep focus. In the modern world filled with distractions and temptations,

do less to achieve more

Many people think that the key to superhuman productivity is doing more. In truth, it’s the exact opposite: doing less. If you want to ramp up your productivity and your happiness, instead of focusing on your to-do list, take the road less traveled, and focus on your not-to-do list.

stop networking, start building relationships

> “Saying hello doesn’t have an ROI. It’s about building relationships.” — Gary Vaynerchuck No matter who you are, no matter what you do, no matter where you live, keep this important truth always in mind: Life is relationships. No single human can thrive in their life — as brilliant,

free yourself from anxiety

> “Today, I escaped my anxiety, or rather, I discarded it, for it is within me.” ― Marcus Aurelius Anxiety is a slow poison, a silent parasite that clings to us and destroys our well-being and our lives. It’s easy to get anxious and overwhelmed. To become worried and get

you must wean yourself from distractions

In this modern, fast-paced life and attention-driven economy, if there’s one thing that you must become cognizant of, it’s the fact that the world around you is built to constantly interrupt you. It doesn’t matter if you consider yourself a focused person or not, if you don’

take charge of your emotions

Our emotions dictate our thoughts. As humans, we are emotional beings and we bring things and people in our lives that we relate to on an emotional level. It’s all about what emotions we experience that dictates the manifestations that we are going to achieve. Our basic premise is

how to improve the quality of your video calls (3/3)

* Make sure you have a strong Internet connection: While all the above-mentioned tips will significantly improve the quality of your video calls, the most important thing is ensuring a high-speed Internet connection. Otherwise, all your efforts will go down the drain, especially if your connection is slow and/or unreliable.

how to improve the quality of your video calls (2/3)

* Eliminate the background noise: One aspect of working from home is that many of us are starting to notice how noisy our homes can actually be. When it comes to video calling, here’s an important insight to know: People might tolerate bad-quality video, but they won’t listen to

how to improve the quality of your video calls (1/3)

Times have drastically changed in the course of the past few months. More and more people are working from home than ever before. You’re probably taking more video conference calls and attending more online events than you have ever had; that’s why now is the perfect time to

how to incorporate apple cider vinegar in your daily diet

If you’re a health and fitness enthusiast, you already know the usefulness of apple cider vinegar. For the uninitiated, here are the various benefits that it provides: * Supports heart health * Helps lower blood sugar levels and manage diabetes * Supports healthy weight management * Supports gut health for healthy digestion * Helps

automate your finances

you must become conscious of your habits

Whenever we feel stressed, overwhelmed or exhausted, we fall back on our habitual patterns in order to cope with them better. No matter how high we set our standards, when we face challenges and setbacks, we don’t rise to the level of our commitments, we fall to the level

how to make your custom green smoothie

Green smoothies are the easiest and most effective way to not only energize and nourish your body on a consistent basis, but also to ensure optimum health and vitality in the long-term. While making a green smoothie is simple and straightforward, one obstacle that you might face from time to

don’t sell, help

> “When you are genuinely trying to be helpful when it comes to addressing your customer’s needs, your sales pitches will be far more successful.” — Brian Tracy Whether you’re a scientist, a musician, a software engineer or an architect, at the end of the day we’re all

why you must learn the art of saying no (5/5)

Key Takeaway #3: Why You Must Learn the Art of Saying No If there’s one useful skill that we all need to master for better productivity and performance, it’s the art of saying no, and also being comfortable when others say no to us. It’s wise to

failure is the way forward (4/5)

Key Takeaway #2: Failure is the Way Forward We are well well familiar with the famous old adage, “Failure is a stepping stone to success.” Yet most of us think of failure and success as mutually exclusive. Both failure and success are intertwined and are crucial to living an exceptional

how to experience genuine happiness (3/5)

Key Takeaway #1: How to Experience Genuine Happiness Pursuing happiness is an integral part of the human condition. But a majority of the population goes about it the wrong way. We commonly equate happiness to pleasure. But finding and experiencing happiness is not about how much pleasure we can have,

the three subtleties (2/5)

Thanks to the news and social media and the ensuing negativity, it’s easy to get stressed and anxious in the modern world. To fall in the trap of constant comparison and get caught up in the unending rat race. To feel like a loser, to think we’re falling

key takeaways from 'the subtle art of not giving a f*ck' (1/5)

[https://amzn.to/3liG9u7]eBook [https://amzn.to/30ztWJD] | Audiobook [https://amzn.to/2GEuLcG] | Paperback [https://amzn.to/2GAR435] | Hardcover [https://amzn.to/3liG9u7] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In his New York Times bestselling book The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Mark Manson talks about how you can master the

movement does not equal achievement

We all know people who run around haphazardly throughout their days busy being busy. It’s almost as if they are addicted to constant motion. I’m not judging anyone, in fact I’ve been one of them. Working hard yet not achieving your desired outcomes is a double whammy.

becoming vulnerable

This essay is an excerpt from my book The Detachment Manifesto [https://books2read.com/u/bo7Yda]. Vulnerability is a tough choice to make, but it comes with the maximum benefits. Brené Brown explains, “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from

15 inspirational quotes by mahatma gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi is revered all over the world as one of the most inspirational figures in recent human history. Gandhi — fondly called as “Bapu” — was a fearless campaigner of people’s rights and played a significant role in securing freedom for India from the British rule. He constantly advocated both

get rid of the fairy dust

> “Like seeing roasted meat and other dishes in front of you and suddenly realizing: This is a dead fish. A dead bird. A dead pig. Or that this noble vintage is grape juice, and the purple robes are sheep wool dyed with shellfish blood. Or making love—something rubbing

let go of the illusion of struggle

[This essay is an excerpt from my book, Elevation [https://books2read.com/elevation-essay-collection].] > “When you’re following your energy and doing what you want all the time, the distinction between work and play dissolves.” — Shakti Gawain We are all bombarded with the notion that there are two phases of

how to experience more happiness in your everyday life

Most of us think of happiness as a scarce commodity, something that we only experience when we participate in certain major milestones or life events such as birthdays, weddings, vacations, and family gatherings. But if we choose, we can make happiness an integral part of our everyday life. Like success

don’t let other people’s opinions bother you

> “In my life, I have given a fuck about many people and many things. I have also not given a fuck about many people and many things. And like the road not taken, it was the fucks not given that made all the difference.” ― Mark Manson, The Subtle Art

closing the gap

No one is an ‘average human.’ There is a genius in all of us. No matter what you have been told up to this point in your life, there is infinite brilliance locked inside of you. What influences your success is the gap that lies between the two Ps: your

live like a king

Most of us give up our power to external things. It’s sad, but true. It’s important that you look at your life closely and evaluate if you are living a wholesome life like a king or just passing through existence like a pawn. We need to live a

upstream vs downstream

This essay is an excerpt from my book,The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj]. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An invaluable insight that I learned from the teachings of Abraham-Hicks is that there is a perennial flow of energy from the Source part of us towards the physical expression

how to regulate temperature for better sleep

If there’s one thing that titans, high-performers and elite achievers have in common, it’s the fact that they are always striving to get a little better in their personal and professional lives every single day. They’re always looking for tiny improvements that can help them gain the

you must conquer these two blocks

The month of September has started wrapping up and we’re already in the Fall season. Hard to believe that, right? While it’s a good time to enjoy heavenly cups of PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte), it’s also the perfect opportunity to remind ourselves of our priorities. Only three

focus on growth, not results

Success comes to those who are patient and persistent. And that’s why if you’re interested in attracting extraordinary success for the long term, you must focus on the process, not the outcome. You must focus on the journey, not the destination. The key is to keep growing, keep

5 simple ways to celebrate world gratitude day

Today, September 21, is World Gratitude Day. First celebrated in 1965, the purpose of this special day is to create an opportunity for us to step back and express our thankfulness and appreciation for all the things and people in our lives. To say that this year has been rough

why you must stay away from internet porn

Today, I’d like to share a short meditation that I wrote sometime back inspired by the bookYour Brain on Porn [https://amzn.to/32OWfoX] [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/099316160X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=099316160X&linkCode=as2&

a simple recipe to let go of stuff

Letting go of our possessions is not always easy. As much as we’d like to admit, the human mind tends to procrastinate and complicate things. And that’s why we all need a simple and straightforward recipe to let go of possessions that no longer bring meaning, joy and

make tracking a daily habit

Tracking is super important when it comes to starting a new habit and building momentum. It’s wise to set up effective systems in place for yourself so that you’re able to track your progress day in and day out. The beauty of tracking is that it’s a

17 life-changing quotes by jim rohn

Personal development legend Jim Rohn helped countless people all around the world during his lifetime. He encouraged everyone to develop themselves and expand their horizons, both in business and in life. Jim is not with us anymore, but his philosophy and life-changing insights continue to inspire and motivate masses even

practice true benevolence

When you give gifts, do you expect something in return? A thank you, a smile, a favor, or may be a return gift. If yes, then that’s not gift-giving, it’s a transaction… an exchange of services, isn’t it? To practice true benevolence, you must cultivate extreme selflessness.

you must let go of blind panic

> “For even peace itself will supply more reason to worry. Not even safe circumstances will bring you confidence once your mind has been shocked–once it gets in the habit of blind panic, it can’t provide for its own safety. For it doesn’t really avoid danger, it

saying no to debt

> “Every time you borrow money, you’re robbing your future self.” — Nathan W. Morris In today’s world filled with tempting deals and gadgets, both online and offline, we are so blinded by the shiny objects around us that we stop caring about the amount of money we are

truly successful people are honest

> “Leaders never lie to themselves, especially about themselves…. You are your own raw material.” — Warren Bennis, On Becoming a Leader [https://amzn.to/2GXFRtw] In the modern world, the drive to become honest and authentic has unfortunately been eclipsed by the pressure to perform well, to impress, to win,

why plant protein is better than animal protein

It’s a myth that vegans and vegetarians don’t get enough protein through their diet. In fact, upon investigating the eating records of a large group of people who consumed a plant-based diet, it was found that they got 70% more protein than their daily requirement on average. You

failure isn’t forever

> “I didn’t fail 1,000 times. The light bulb was an invention with 1,000 steps.” — Thomas Edison The only people who never try new things, who never experiment, who never chart unknown territories, never fail. It’s your choice — do you want to be a ship tied

the three foundational principles for perennial success (3/3)

[This three-part essay is an excerpt from my book,Elevation [https://books2read.com/elevation-essay-collection].] Principle#3: Always Be Kind and Compassionate We need to be able to detach ourselves from the rude remarks and the negative criticism that comes our way and not hold on to them. Irrespective of what’

the three foundational principles for perennial success (2/3)

[This three-part essay is an excerpt from my book,Elevation [https://books2read.com/elevation-essay-collection].] Principle#2:Always Be Giving Giving is living. The way to a superior life is the way of service and contribution. We can never aim for an abundant life if we are not givers. Some people

the three foundational principles for perennial success (1/3)

[This three-part essay is an excerpt from my book, Elevation [https://books2read.com/elevation-essay-collection].] If we want to have extraordinary success in all aspects of our lives, then it is important that we establish few key foundational principles to guide us and light our paths, especially in the midst of

see yourself as deserving of money

One of the major blocks that people have about making money is their subconscious programming that they don’t deserve it. They tell themselves in a thousand different ways that they’re not enough — not smart enough, not capable enough, not educated enough, not experienced enough, not attractive enough, not

get in sync with the seasons of life

One downside of living a fast-paced, digital lifestyle in the urban setting is that we’ve lost (or mostly diminished) our touch with nature. We hardly appreciate the lessons that Mother Nature provides us every day. And one of those pertains with the seasons that we experience periodically. We must

dr. greger’s daily dozen

As I have been researching relentlessly over the past several days in the pursuit of bettering my diet and nutrition, after getting inspired by the CuriosityStream docuseries Prescription: Nutrition [https://www.jdoqocy.com/ri97gv30v2IKJJLKLSQLIKMLRPJQR], I decided to know more about Dr. Michael Greger’s work and check out his website

what you do now will determine your future

This is a time when all our lives are pretty much stagnant. It’s normal to feel stuck. It’s normal to encounter pandemic blues. It’s normal to sometimes get in the downward negative spiral. This global event is not our fault. But how we respond to it, what

you must feed your mind

This essay is an excerpt from my book,The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj]. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If we want to find good ideas and think differently, we need to be proactive about feeding our mind. We need to continually and constantly feed our mind ideas, information

watch something funny

Do you feel stressed, overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious or down sometimes? It’s nothing unnatural, we’ve all been through a lot this year. But if you’ve been experiencing these negative emotions consistently, then it’s a sign that you need to hit the pause button. Just unplug and take

two years completed

Today is a special day. I started The Daily Apple blog two years back on this very day. Time has flown, and I feel happy and blessed that I have been able to share a new insight with you every single day and maintained this streak of daily writing for

just take a pause and be grateful

It’s easy for high-achievers and intrinsically driven people to get stuck in the “hustle” mode. To get caught up in accomplishing mighty goals, unlocking bigger achievements, accelerating their personal and professional growth, expanding their influence, and causing disruption in the marketplace. Ambition is a double-edged sword. While it can

money isn’t everything, but money is essential

Chasing wealth just for the sake of becoming wealthy is an empty pursuit. We have touched on that in my previous writings. But that doesn’t mean becoming rich is an ignoble desire. It’s true that money isn’t everything. It’s true that we shouldn’t make money

focus on time, not timing

> “It’s hard to get rich quickly. It’s easy to get rich slowly. It doesn’t happen overnight. With conservative investments, it takes a while. It takes discipline to keep adding value to your future, a little every month. It takes time to build your fortune and become

endure discomfort for bigger gains

Many of us run away from discomfort. And when we do encounter it, we get tempted to look for shortcuts and easy, unhealthy ways to feel better. Instead of handling the situation at hand, we take the road of instant gratification and choose to do things that bring us immediate

setting healthy boundaries

Often, getting attached to something or someone means that we have failed to create and maintain healthy boundaries for ourselves. As an act of self-deception, we delay forming boundaries around our behaviors. We think boundaries mean sacrificing and giving up our freedom. We fantasize discipline but at the same time,

you must keep moving forward

> “Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty. Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.” ― Winston Churchill The whirlwinds are blowing against you. The odds are not in your favor. Your back is against the wall. Life is

change your mindset about debt

> “There’s no such thing as good debt.” — The Minimalists Many people think debt is a friend, an ally that helps you fulfill your needs and wants. This is far from the truth. Debt is your number one enemy; it’s incredibly toxic for your financial life. When it

you must love yourself first

Before you work hard and work smart about expanding your influence, enhancing your performance and productivity, increasing your sales, fine-tuning your leadership, and strategizing and planning your next move, here’s what you must do first and foremost: fall in love with yourself. Didn’t expect that, did you? Self-love

how to deal with your past

Until time-traveling becomes the norm, our past cannot be erased or altered. What has happened has happened, and there is no going back. But we can still change our past and the events that happened by changing the lens through which we see it. In order to take control of

write your problems down

There are numerous benefits to having a journal and consistently writing in it. One of them, and this is the big one, is that it gives you a helpful and effective avenue to solve your problems. Your journal offers you the much-needed space to figure out whatever problem that’s

momentum leads to monumental

This essay is an excerpt from my book,The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj]. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Momentum works both ways, it can either elevate us or sabotage us. Repetition of a few small bad habits generates a negative momentum that can lead to a life of

lose small or win big

Here’s the key difference between the successful and the mediocre. Successful people exclusively focus on the roads to success before thinking about the exit routes. Mediocre people exclusively focus on the exit routes before thinking about the roads to success. Where your attention goes energy flows. What you focus

just pretend to be happy

Life has a way of bringing us down, doesn’t it? If we’re not careful, the daily stresses and challenges can steal our light and easily cage us in the victim mindset. We start looking at life through a negative lens, and complaining about anything and everything, distancing us

an apple a day

It has been a good amount of years since I heard that inspirational speech by Jim Rohn, however the impact of those words is still there. In that talk, he said, “We’ve all heard the expression, ‘An apple a day keeps the doctor away.’ Well, I’ve got a

getting rid of distractions (3/3)

[This three-part essay is an excerpt from my book, The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj].] Social media puts pressure on us to become someone who we are not. We end up broadcasting everything that we do and get into the trap of comparing our lives

getting rid of distractions (2/3)

[This three-part essay is an excerpt from my book, The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj].] A good start would be to restrict our usage of social media and unnecessary digital tools and reconnect back to the physical world. Many of us are hooked to our

getting rid of distractions (1/3)

[This three-part essay is an excerpt from my book, The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj].] We live in an amazing time of opportunities that humanity has never seen before. But this is also a time when we have infinite distractions everywhere we go. There are

the key difference between rich people and poor people

Jim Rohn once gave a simple definition of “rich” and “poor”. He said, “Poor people spend their money and save what’s left. Rich people save their money and spend what’s left.” Money management is not rocket science. Building wealth, at its core, is all about staying disciplined. Prioritize

knowledge without execution is useless

As I discussed yesterday, work towards creating a healthy balance of learning and taking actions daily. They both should complement each other. Only in that way, you’ll both sustain the inner coach in you and improve your learning curve. Tracking your behaviors and journaling can be incredibly helpful as

you must act on what you learn

It’s a sad truth that because of the current information and knowledge overload, many people are entering a sphere of confusion. They do not know whom to listen to, whose advice to take, and what habits to incorporate in their lives. That leaves us with only one solution: taking

how the ben franklin effect works (2/2)

Researchers have tested this phenomenon and found it to be true. They suspect that the Ben Franklin effect works because of ‘cognitive dissonance.’ It is difficult to reconcile the facts that we are doing someone a favor and that we hate them, and so we assume that we like them.

the story behind the ben franklin effect (1/2)

Making someone like you is a challenge especially if there are differences between you and that person. The tactics that most people use are compliments or buying stuff — as bribes — so that they can build a positive impression. But these can pose as fake and gimmicky and the lack of

you must avoid the blaming trap

Blaming other people and external circumstances robs you of your personal power. It gets you caged in a victim mindset. It strips you of the energy and vitality needed to make progress. The more we blame, the more we reinforce our laziness and procrastination habits, degrading our intrinsic motivation and

becoming antifragile

> “Difficulty is what wakes up the genius.” ― Nassim Nicholas Taleb, Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder [https://amzn.to/33dqh4t] According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, fragile is 1. easily broken or destroyed 2. constitutionally delicate: lacking in vigor When subjected to volatile situations, fragile things break. But there are

don’t give up your spiritual self for materialism

Materialism is not a bad thing. Bringing beautiful things in our lives and enjoying the pleasures the world has to offer are not superficial pursuits. In fact, they’re absolutely worth it. After all, abundance is our birthright, correct? We humans are sensual beings. And therefore it makes sense (no

let go of your limiting beliefs around money

The quality of your life is largely dictated by the quality of your beliefs. If you have limiting beliefs around money, like money is the root of all evil, or that rich people are greedy and make money through illegitimate means programmed in your mind, then no matter how much

superachievers get out of bed early

A common thread among superchievers is that they are all early risers. If you look at the most successful entrepreneurs, CEOs and top-tier performers, you’ll quickly notice that they never sleep until late in the mornings and thus show up to work sometime in the late morning or close

are you a drama queen?

Many people want drama in their lives, whether they accept this truth or not. But some of them thrive on it. It’s akin to a need. They need drama to relieve themselves from boredom and monotony; but what they don’t understand is that it has the potential to

the importance of comfort erosion (2/2)

Comfort erosion is a blessing in disguise so that we learn how to orient ourselves to finding solutions and tap into the infinite abundance even when all the signs around us show lack. It’s going with the flow even if we experience rapids and get shaken. The pain and

letting go of comfort (1/2)

Letting go of comfort is not easy but sometimes we do encounter difficult circumstances in this everchanging rollercoaster of life. There are times when we find ourselves in places and surroundings where our comfort is challenged. But here’s what I’ve realized from my previous experiences: We don’t

the irresistible pair

In his book Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill explains that persistence is an essential factor in the procedure of transmuting desire into its monetary equivalent, and the basis of this persistence is the power of will. In my attempt to further elaborate and clarify this insight, I’d like

not using mindfulness as a tool for self-criticism

I have been trying to practice more mindful eating this past month. I realized that I was not paying a good amount of attention to what I ate, how I ate, and how much I ate because instead of focusing on my food, I was paying attention to consuming either

oblivion is inevitable

What do most of us run after in this modern world? Wealth, status, power, fame, recognition, pleasure, material desires. In fact, we make it a mission of our lives to attain one or more of them and hustle day in and day out to achieve them. Ambition is not a

cap your days

This essay is an excerpt from my book,The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj]. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Let’s face it, days are unpredictable. We don’t have control over the course of events that will take place during the day. Our work schedule may change, some

the downside of being gifted

As a beginner, as a student, intelligence and natural ability can be a double-edged sword for a person. On one hand, innate talent, quick learning curve and unparalleled focus can be incredibly advantageous with regard to mastering a sport, a craft, or a field of study. On the other one,

trust the timing

Sometimes in spite of our actions, we don’t get the outcomes that we know we deserve. We try tweaking our approaches, we change our methods, we analyze, but still, the success is not in sight. In those situations, instead of feeling disappointed and discouraged we need to keep going

you can’t please everyone

A man and his son were once going with their donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed them and said: “You fools, what is a donkey for but to ride upon?” So the man put the boy on the donkey and they went

it’s all about getting up again

If you’re on your way to achieving something significant and meaningful, then you have to make peace with the fact that encountering obstacles, failures and setbacks is inevitable. This is what you signed up for. The path of success is not for the faint-hearted. But here’s the good

don’t judge people before you truly know them

A young man in his late twenties, looking out from the train’s window, shouted, “Father, look at the trees! They are going behind!” The young man’s father smiled and nodded at him. A couple sitting nearby, looked at the young man’s childish comment with pity. Suddenly, the

reading is a necessity

While I was growing up, my favorite bookstore had these beautiful set of bookmarks and they would always give a few of them as complimentary gifts whenever I purchased books from there. Taking in the beautiful smell of new books and collecting these bookmarks filled me with great joy. In

a quick money experiment

Here’s a quick money experiment for you. Take a $100 bill (or a significant currency note) and place it on a table in front of you. And then keep your debit or credit card beside it. Now close your eyes and imagine going out to purchase an item that

raise your success iq

It’s all cause and effect. If you want to attain long-lasting success, you must study success. You have to understand the ins and outs of your trade. You have to learn more about yourself — who you are and what values you stand for. The better knowledge and understanding you

make stillness a priority in your life

It has been a crazy ride so far this year. We have all faced both personal and professional crises and we’re not quite sure how the immediate future looks like. Millions of us have fallen prey to the terrible consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, a collective economic crash, and

why you must embrace delayed gratification

This essay is an excerpt from my book,The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj]. Our current society is designed for us to fall into the trap of instant gratification. We end up making choices that don’t support our overall well-being and our quest for

consume with intention

The exceptionalists, superstar performers and billionaires out there are extremely intentional with what they consume, especially information. They practice moderation and are incredibly thoughtful about what they put in front of their eyes, ears and mouth. In other words, they are highly committed to feeding their minds with positive information

you must have a plan and take calculated risks

We are all going through uncertain and challenging times. But guess what? Adversities and obstacles bring with them new opportunities as well. The “old normal” is gone for good. And if you want to attain long-term success in the new world, you must have a plan — a definite chief aim

what are your core values?

In order to live our truth and a life of meaning and authenticity, we need to figure out our core values. These values communicate the individual essence of a person and help them in identifying their most important priorities. Whether it is designing your lifestyle or your business, you need

you can be happy right now

Once a school of fish gathered together and as they talked about the different natural wonders of the world, they started discussing who among them had seen the ocean. None of them had had that experience.Then one fish said, “I think my great grandfather had seen the ocean!” A

use silence to explore your inner world

“‘Quiet is peace. Tranquility. Quiet is turning down the volume knob on life. Silence is pushing the off button. Shutting it down. All of it.’ – Amir” ― Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner One positive thing that has happened in my life thanks to the lockdown and living alone for an extended

feel it to release it

Do you think that it’s possible to go through life without feeling heartbroken, without having friction with your fellow humans, without feeling dis-ease, without experiencing pain whether it’s physical or emotional, or without losing someone or something that you hold dear to your heart? Of course not, in

replace your addiction with meaningful activities

Anyone can become a victim of addiction. While developing addictive behaviors such as gambling, sex, shopping, excessive eating, and substance use may seem a huge character flaw, it isn’t. Addiction is not an indicator of weakness; nonetheless, overcoming it does require insane amounts of courage, commitment and self-belief. Not

true power lies within you

When we think of power in the modern world, what comes to the minds of most of us? Wealth, authority, high position, status, fame, privilege — overall a superior life as compared to others. Right? Here’s the truth, all the things mentioned above have a limited shelf life. Worst, all

if you feel stuck, try this

Are you feeling stuck in your life? If yes, don’t worry, it’s not an uncommon situation. It happens to all of us at some point in our life, whether we reveal it or not. We all encounter times when we feel that we have reached the end of

take time to give personal care and attention to your customers (5/5)

In this last part, let’s discuss the third and final takeaway from Superfans [https://amzn.to/2KSuQIZ]. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Key Takeaway #3 –Take Time to Give Personal Care and Attention to Your Customers Apart from establishing a strong, connected community for your brand or company, there are a few more

strive to create a tight-knit community (4/5)

Let’s dive into the second takeaway from Superfans. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Key Takeaway #2 – Strive to Create a Tight-Knit Community If you want the members of your audience to engage on a better level, a great strategy to create a connected community. When people feel that they belong to a community,

understand the lyrics of your target audience (3/5)

So, having discussed the Pyramid of Fandom model, from today through Thursday, I’ll be discussing the three key takeaways fromSuperfans. Let’s get started right away. Key Takeaway #1 – Understand the Lyrics of Your Target Audience Pat explains that the lyrics are nothing but the words you say that

the pyramid of fandom (2/5)

Before I proceed with discussing my key takeaways fromSuperfans [https://amzn.to/2KSuQIZ], I wanted to go through the core model that Pat advises us to use to create superfans. He refers to this model as thePyramid of Fandom. The Pyramid of Fandom is nothing but a hierarchy that categorizes

key takeaways from ‘superfans’ (1/5)

InSuperfans [https://amzn.to/2KSuQIZ], Pat Flynn, active keynote speaker and host of the popularSmart Passive IncomePodcast, highlights the importance of creating superfans instead of just looking at the numbers and accruing followers, subscribers and customers. It’s easy to just pay attention to the numbers, but as entrepreneurs and

with freedom comes responsibility

As we go through the COVID-19 crisis, day-to-day life in many parts of the world has gotten slightly better. Either the lockdowns have been lifted or the restrictions have been relaxed to some extent. Even in the places where the cases haven’t seen a downward trend yet, people have

get gladdicted

> “Small, Smart Choices + Consistency + Time = RADICAL DIFFERENCE” — Darren Hardy The word “addiction” has a negative connotation. When we say we’re addicted to something, it basically means we have an unhealthy dependency towards it. This behavior is compulsive and obsessive in nature. No matter what addiction we have, there’

what handle are you going to choose?

In his handbook, the Enchiridion, Epictetus shared a simple and powerful insight that we can all employ as a tool in making sound decisions when we encounter challenging circumstances. He said, “Every event has two handles—one by which it can be carried, and one by which it can’t.

are you in the right environment?

Once, a mother camel and her baby were lying down, soaking up the sun. The baby camel asked his mom, “Why do we have these big bumps on our back?” The mom after some thinking replied, “We live in the desert where there is not much water available. Our humps

one simple rule to catapult your success

As high-achievers, we all know the importance of living below our means. Why we must spend less, save more, consume less, create more, buy less, sell more. Why we must be wary of hoarding and bringing non-essentials into our homes and our lives. Why it’s best to live an

are you in tune with your strengths?

People who are productive and know how to use their time wisely know that they are most effective when they play to their strengths. If you want to attract success and abundance in the long run, you have to stop settling, you have to stop being “average.” As John C.

balancing human connection with solitude

Too much of anything is bad. And this applies to both human connection and solitude as well. Too much connectivity or too much time alone can be detrimental for your health, happiness and productivity. That’s why it’s good to maintain a constructive balance between them as we navigate

there are no coincidences

We have all come across happenstances, lucky accidents, serendipities in our lives. In everyday life, as we go through our days, we may shrug them off as mere coincidences, but there’s more to it than what meets the eye. There are no coincidences, but only signs of alignment. These

cook with love

According to Ayurveda, whenever you cook for your friends or loved ones, it’s important to be in a happy state of mind. This is because the emotions you pour into your food while cooking directly affect those who will be eating the food. So, keep in mind that you

eat two cupped handfuls of food for every meal

Most of us eat until we are uncomfortably full. And the simple reason for this is our lack of awareness. In our day to day life, we’re barely conscious of how much food we’re actually putting in our body. Even if you’ve never had an eating disorder,

why it’s good to reserve some money for fun

If you’re committed to attaining financial freedom, I’m sure you’re working hard and smart to get there. You’re setting a monthly budget, you’re attacking your debt as soon as you get your paycheck, you’re building your emergency fund and you’re making some short-term

accept the abundance that comes your way

When we think of a certain segment of people such as the Stoics, the minimalists, and the yogis, we naturally assume that we they are content with living with the basic essentials and have insulated themselves from any wants or materialistic desires that the rest of population pursue in their

give yourself grace

If you’re a high-achiever, there are some great things going for you — you set mighty goals and you have an action plan to accomplish them, you want to show up and give your best every single day, and you have pretty high standards for yourself. But there’s a

guided meditation on unity for international yoga day

Yoga, now widely practiced all around the world, is not a religion but a way of living that promotes a balanced development of the body, mind and spirit. Unlike other physical exercises that focus primarily on physical well-being, yoga takes a comprehensive approach and helps in our spiritual development as

doing what has to be done -- a dedication to my father

This weekend it’s Father’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating fathers, mostly in the US, but basically everywhere. So, I thought I would write about my father and how he has impacted me and my life. I lost him two years back due to cancer. And I miss

the test of three

Once there was a man who, after hearing an unflattering rumor about a friend of Socrates’, rushed to the philosopher to spread the gossip. When he found him, the man said, “Socrates, you wouldn’t believe what I just heard about your friend.” “Wait a moment,” Socrates replied, “Before you

sit with what’s bothering you

It’s natural to have negative and unpleasant thoughts, feelings and emotions stewing within us whatever the source might be. And on many occasions, because we don’t know how to deal with that brewing negativity, we avoid it altogether and simply try to escape by focusing our attention on

spend time in nature to lift your spirits

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that you’re an urban dweller. And if you are one, you would like to know that as a resident of the concrete jungle, you are far more likely to have stress, anxiety and mood disorders as compared to people

share what you’re really going through with a trusted few

“Hi _____, how are you?” “Hey ______, I’m good, thank you.” *Smiles exchanged* When someone asks you about you, “I’m fine” or “I’m good” or something similar is the default response, right? We’re trained to show up like this. This is what people want to hear. This is

perform a passion test

If you’re struggling to find your passion and your true life purpose, there’s a simple yet powerful process that you can perform. It’s called The Passion Test [https://thepassiontest.com/], developed by Chris and Janet Attwood. You start with the statement, “When my life is ideal, I

it’s okay to spend some time alone

These are times when couples have spent more consecutive time together than over the course of their entire relationships. This can be both good and bad. One thing that can help your relationship thrive under these uncommon circumstances is to understand that you don’t have to feel guilty or

start budgeting early

Many people think they don’t have to worry about their finances, plainly for the reason that they don’t make enough money. Because their monthly income is low, they start believing that they are exempted from creating a plan. If you’re one of them, don’t fall into

face reality, but be hopeful

You may be going through some difficult times, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be optimistic about your future. You can still harbor positivity within you in the present as you encounter setbacks and negative emotions. Maybe you’re separated from your family right now due to travel

morning affirmations for abundance

Jumpstart your mindset by listening to these affirmations as part of your morning routine every single day. I have curated and designed them to help you reprogram your brain for success, abundance, and prosperity. To get the most out of these affirmations, listen to them every morning for the next

learn about healthy eating

If you have been working from home or furloughed during the lockdown, you’ll have surely realized the advantages of having access to your own kitchen at all times during the day. While this is a good thing to have, the downside is that you might be having fake and

embrace ikigai to protect your holistic health

Passion. Mission. Vocation. Profession. When these four elements combine, when you find your ikigai [https://thedailyapple.me/2019/07/26/ikigai/], that is, your true purpose, not only does the life force within you get ignited, but you also equip yourself to make your highest contribution to the world. You

the secret to success

Once a young man asked the wise scholar, Socrates, the secret to success. Socrates patiently listened to the man’s question and told him to meet him near the river the next morning for the answer. The next morning Socrates asked the young man to walk with him towards the

we can fight this together

Police killings. Racial discrimination. Communal riots. Vandalism. The visuals are nothing but appalling. Yes, it’s best to not let negativity and toxic news seep into and dominate our life. I’ve communicated many times why we must stay away from news and focus on personal growth and skill development

6 anti-racism books to read right now

The incessant injustice that has been going on for several decades in the US along with the rage and violence over the past week has left the hearts of many people both in the country and all across the globe aching. The death of George Floyd and innumerable other people

injustice to one is injustice to all - part 2

We are not alone, we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are all part of the same mighty living being. Instead of cultivating a narrow-minded perception of life, we need to take a broader perspective. We all have a duty to work for the common good. It’s

injustice to one is injustice to all - part 1

America is going through some tragic times. What happened was wrong, what’s happening is wrong. And it’s time to take a stand and work towards fixing this problem together. It doesn’t matter whether you live in Germany, Australia, India, Japan or any other country, we are all

stop hurrying through

Are you hurrying through your days, your weeks, your months, your life? If yes, then it’s time to stop. There are no upsides to hurrying. Even if you think that you need that adrenaline rush to get things done, it comes with its own consequences. Instead, it’s best

health benefits of turmeric milk

Turmeric is a key spice that is not only used in Indian recipes but also prescribed as an effective medicine in the ancient books of Ayurveda. The reason why turmeric is so effective is that it contains a magical compound called curcumin. Curcumin is considered to be the most potent

bringing more money in your life

Money is not everything; I absolutely agree with this. But we all know in our hearts that money does play a role in helping us live peaceful, joyous and fulfilled lives. Sure, there are sages in mountains and hermits in distant caves and forests who live happy, satisfying lives without

designate an office space while working from home

COVID-19 has interestingly brought some of the typical challenges of a digital nomad lifestyle to the living spaces of hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. It’s now more important than ever to have a conscious work-life integration and make clear boundaries with respect to both time

how to deal with diminishing focus and productivity

Have you noticed your focus and productivity decline over the past few weeks? If yes, you’re not alone. According to a Thrive Global survey, over 75% of employees feel overwhelmed and significantly less focused and productive due to the pandemic-related notifications and distractions and working from home. Along with

learn to embrace solitude

COVID-19, the novel virus has taken the whole world by storm. In the past several weeks, all our lives have changed drastically. The danger is real. As surreal as it seems, these are times of physical distancing and social isolation. Everyone is a threat and it’s best to spend

act with an honest heart

Once, there was a farmer who regularly sold a pound of butter to a baker. One day, the baker decided to weigh the butter to see if he was getting the right amount. Upon checking, he found that he wasn’t. Angry about this, he took the farmer to court.

now is a good time to reflect on your life

Smart people who take up key leadership roles don’t immediately start barking out commands. No, they take their sweet time to get a clear picture of the reality in front of them. They focus their first few weeks on important meetings and briefings that give them more sense of

waiting is a part of life

A direct downside of the instant gratification and microwave culture that we have all been exposed to is that we humans have forgotten the virtue of waiting. Yes, I call it a virtue because it’s a trait of the most courageous amongst us, not a sign of timidity or

why we must cultivate joy even amidst difficult times

When we’re bombarded with tragic stories and bad news, it’s natural to get overwhelmed, discouraged, stressed, or even depressed. But going in the negative spiral and allowing ourselves to get engulfed in darkness and despair doesn’t do us any good. It neither helps us nor our loved

start budgeting today

Budgeting is scary and we all dread it. We know we need a budget, a potent plan, to get our finances in control, but it sounds too much work. We feel that we’re being too anal about how we spend our dollars. The reason most of us hate budgeting

overcome negative emotions with gratitude

It’s easy to get engulfed in negativity and immerse ourselves in emotions that cause us harm in the long-run. If we’re not careful, external stimuli such as news, social media, the people that we associate with can have a negative impact on our lives. One way to become

practicing digital minimalism in a pandemic

Like there’s duality in everything around us, there’s duality within us too. We have both the good wolf and the bad wolf, the sage and the saboteur, the creator and the destroyer within us. This yin and yang is something that lies at the core of the human

just take it one day at a time

So many of us would have started building important key behaviors and positive habits in our daily schedules to advance forward to our big goals and become better in different areas of life as this year began. And then, out of nowhere, the coronavirus crisis happened. Our pursuits got negatively

the holy hindu trinity

Being born and raised in India, there’s something that I learned many years back when I was growing up and now in these times of uncertainty and global crisis, I’m gaining more clarity and understanding about this concept and seeing it in a completely new light. According to

retail is not therapy

We think shopping and buying new things, gadgets and clothes for ourselves makes us feel better as we face the challenges of everyday life. But the reality is that ‘retail therapy’ does not exist. Therapy is meant to bring us long-term happiness and heal us. But shopping is far from

abundance blocks

We all experience times when we think that the flow of money and resources to us is getting challenged. If not kept in check, we may start giving incremental attention to these negative thoughts. As our focus grows on lack, we eventually manifest scarcity in our lives keeping us stuck

the asshole and the awesoul

None of us is purely good or purely evil. It is impractical for a person to believe that she is either black or white. We are all different shades of gray. And based on the circumstances and situations of life and the way we deal with them, our shade gets

cultivate a spirit of kindness

We’re all collectively going through the COVID-19 crisis, and it’s a jarring experence, to say the least. But like all adversities that we have faced and will face in the future, there’s a silver lining in this chaos as well — exceptional acts of kindness and generosity happen

who do you look up to?

As we go through life, it’s easy to lose perspective as we get pulled in different directions and to get distanced away from our top priorities. Whether it be tackling our own emotions and personal challenges, navigating technological platforms and devices, or engaging in interactions with the different people

it’s time to heal your inner child

A majority of people grow up in either dysfunctional or less than optimal family environments. Even if you think that your childhood was healthy and perfect, there’s a good chance that you might have encountered some kind of trauma. We all have our own wounds to deal with and

chipping away the excess

Excess has no purpose; it is meaningless. Excess indicates a lack of focus and clarity. Excess stops your life and your progress. Whether be it an excess of materialistic things in your life, or excess of body weight, they all anchor you down. It’s time you dump all the

take one step today

If there’s one common denominator among people who are extremely successful in their chosen line of work, it’s this: They embrace the work that they love and are passionate about and take consistent, aligned actions to move themselves forward. In The Bhagavad Gita, Krishna promotes both the paths

recalibrate your ecosystem

There’s a genius, a maestro, a magician within you. You know that, right? But in order to unleash that supreme self and unlock your maximum potential, it’s important that you bring order in your environment. As Robin Sharma writes, “Your environment influences your ability to unlock the door

the mother who made the genius

One day in his childhood, Thomas Edison came home from school and gave a sealed note to his mother. He told her, “My teacher gave this envelope to me and told me to only give it to my mother.” His mother took the envelope from young Thomas’ hands and started

are you wearing the right lens?

We all have a lens through which we see other people and this world. This lens is built by our beliefs, our culture, and the people around us. All of us humans are the same but this filter varies. Imagine a set of twin babies were born in the US.

practice inverse gratitude during adverse times

It’s a great virtue to have gratitude and appreciate things in our lives but an even greater one is to have gratitude and appreciation when things don’t work out for us and for the obstacles and adversities that we face. We get so overwhelmed with the current scenario

change your direction before it’s too late

Vince Molinaro, managing director of the leadership practice at Knightsbridge Human Capital Solutions, Canada’s largest HR advisory, tells clients he knows exactly when his career direction snapped into focus. It was at his first job out of college, with an organization that helped needy individuals get back on their

how to connect with nature while staying indoors

While social isolation and strict measures enforced by various governments may be forcing us to continue to live within the concrete walls of our home, there are still some ways to connect with Mother Nature and experience some peace and serenity in her proximity. Here are some suggestions: * Grow houseplants:

success is just a few questions away

Do you truly feel successful in your life? Do you think you are getting better, wiser, healthier, wealthier, smarter and faster in your life? If not, why not? Asking questions is important in life. It helps us discover new things both outside and within us. It helps us transcend our

don’t succumb to fear

Today is Star Wars Day, and I wanted to share a key piece of wisdom from the movie series that we can use right now to empower ourselves to thrive in the new normal. Here’s the insight: Don’t let fear overpower you. In Star Wars: Episode I — The

developing your own personal development library

These are the ideal times to become stronger in all the key aspects of our life — mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. We have to constantly take good care of our body, mind, heart and soul if we want to get to the other side of this pandemic as a better

leap before it's too late

A lady was once heating up a pot of water on a gas stove with the intent of cooking pasta for her family for dinner. A frog fell into the pot while it was sitting on the stove. While it wasn’t the frog’s intention to be stuck in

add conscious distractions in your life

It has been over a month of social distancing for most of us. Unless you are cooped up with friends or family members in your home, human touch has become a distant privilege for the single souls, especially for those whose primary love language is physical touch. Chances are it’

create a new routine for yourself

We cannot control the external world, but we can control the inner one. We can take charge and adopt a few strategies to help us cope with this crisis better. One of them is designing a new routine for ourselves and adhering to it as much as possible. When life

make reading a daily habit

Reading comes with numerous benefits. It has been reported that reading for as little as six minutes every day can lower stress levels by 68%. In addition, reading helps us live longer, boosts our memory, improves our vocabulary and communication skills, makes us more empathetic, enhances our creativity, and develops

engage in the three ‘r’s

“These are unprecedented times.” I’m sure you would have heard this phrase multiple times over the past few weeks. Yes, we’re all stuck in our homes, and the future is uncertain. It’s not an overstatement to say that every day, it’s a new battle with stress,

you must adjust your sails

Back in World War II, General Dwight D. Eisenhower remarked, “No plan survives contact with the enemy.” This holds true not only for the battlefield but in our work and life as well. No plan stays intact once we start executing. We have to be willing to adjust our strategy

calm is contagious

There’s a leadership maxim that often gets circulated among the Navy SEALS. It’s a piece of simple advice that helps them whenever they find themselves amid chaotic situations, even when they’re out there in the front line fighting a war. The mantra is: Calm is contagious. The

are you in the burn box right now?

In his book The Happiness Equation [https://amzn.to/3bA9zzn], Neil Pasricha lays out an interesting figure, basically a scribble with four quadrants. He labels the horizontal axis as “doing,” and the vertical axis as “thinking.” Along with the two extremes high and low, we can see four boxes — Space,

you can choose how the story ends

Have you been through times when you felt hopeless and helpless? When you encountered great difficulty, particularly during a crisis? When you didn’t know exactly when and how it will end, and how the world and your life would look like when it finally did? If yes, then here’

act from a place of logic, not emotion

Worrying is never a solution. It only perpetuates anxiety and breeds negativity within us. The “what if” thoughts can surely help us prepare for the worst-case scenarios, but we must make sure that we don’t go overboard and not think about them continually for a significant portion of our

this is the time to be heroic

Many years back, in the middle of the global financial crisis, musician and activist Henry Rollins offered some sage advice [https://bigthink.com/60-second-reads/a-60-second-commencement-address] to the youth (and everyone else) which holds true even in these turbulent times. He wrote, “People are getting a little desperate. They might not

we must take care of each other

Recently, a fake letter claiming to share Bill Gates’ thoughts on the COVID-19 crisis has been doing the rounds, and while it has received a polarized response from several people online, there are a few important reminders that we all must internalize as we go through these terrible times: * We

guard your arc reactor against negativity

These are times when we have to constantly remind ourselves of this core success principle: We have to be the gatekeepers of our mind and be hyper-protective of it. We may find ways to rationalize and convince ourselves that we need to keep in touch with the COVID-19 pandemic news,

embrace the magic of the unknown

Sometimes, we feel that we’re at a dead end. We brainstorm yet we arrive at no solutions. We think and think but nothing shows up. We run out of ideas, we witness our own creativity and resourcefulness diminish. We think we’re at the end of the road and

stop thinking that you’re helpless

Have you ever sold some furniture items before moving to a new place and during this process had to wait for a prospective buyer? They might have told you that they would be there between 10 am and noon, but it’s 2.30 pm and you still haven’t

how to thrive in this war - part 2

5. Connect with your loved ones: Don’t let social isolation take a toll on you. Reach out to your family members, friends and neighbors via phone or digitally to offer them support, share how you’re doing and exchange anecdotes and stories so that you remain connected and not

how to thrive in this war - part 1

This pandemic has become nothing short of war. We are all facing stormy and turbulent times. Millions of people all around the world are being affected by this virus directly or indirectly, and global economies are collapsing day by day. But this is a time to remind ourselves that we

this is an opportunity to build mental resilience

The COVID-19 pandemic is not only costing the lives of tens of thousands of people all around the world, but it’s also causing harm to the mental health of millions. Even before Coronavirus, the human population was already in the midst of a mental health crisis. And it’s

the best retreat is within you

Did you have a vacation that you were excited about and got canceled? Do you look forward to weekends to escape from work-related whirlwinds and find some respite and relaxation? Or maybe you want to go on a trip once things get back in order again, or once you finish

you must nourish your roots

Here’s a truth that we all must understand in our lives: Our everyday choices determine the magnitude of our success. A great example to remember this is a tree. When the roots are well taken care of, the fruits will naturally appear over time. The sweetness, the quality and

saying no to make space for the right yes

Saying no is a master skill of the exceptionalists and the extraordinary people amidst us. It’s their secret weapon to ensure that they rise above the crowd and pursue effective leadership. When we commit to too many things, we sacrifice our focus, performance, productivity, happiness and health and well-being

read some “real” books too

A couple of weeks back when I started reading Siddhartha [https://amzn.to/2JVMuL9] (it was a new paperback that I gifted myself for accomplishing a milestone), I couldn’t help but admire the beauty of the book. It seemed fresh out of the printing press. The pages were crisp

start your day with positive affirmations

Whether you are new to the self-development world or a pro, we are all well aware of “the power of positive thinking.” It’s a concept that has widely become popular and sort of cliché. But numerous scientific studies have demonstrated the physical, mental and emotional benefits of positive thinking.

10 productive things to do during social isolation – part 3

7. Optimize your morning routine: I’ve talked extensively about the importance of having a morning routine. When you win your mornings, you win your days. And this is incredibly important during these hard times. Every day, I perform my daily dawn routine that I have talked about before, which

10 productive things to do during social isolation – part 2

4. Meditate and/or pray: There are numerous benefits to meditation or prayer. To truly do nothing but meditate or pray might be a challenge for you in the everyday rush. Now, with zero commute and plenty of extra time, you can. Start small by dedicating 5 minutes to practice

10 productive things to do during social isolation - part 1

Staying indoors 24/7 can be incredibly challenging, but trust me you’re doing the right thing by isolating yourself in your house. I know it’s tough but staying home and practicing social distancing is the best and most effective strategy to stave off this COVID-19 pandemic and “flatten

stream a virtual class

Unless you’re an extreme introvert, staying indoors can be a challenging ordeal for you. We are all social creatures, and for most of us, daily socialization involves not only interacting with our co-workers, fellow commuters and spending time with family and friends, but also having regular visits to the

remove distractions to use your time well

More often than not, we let the sands of time slip through our hands. We let the distractions and temptations that we encounter in our daily life rob us of our precious time and attention. And then, later we regret it. We have to break this vicious cycle and take

acknowledge the change and prepare for it

Change is constant and inevitable. When it is expected, we are more equipped to deal with it and work towards making the transition easy. On the other hand, when it’s not, all hell can break loose and we might find it difficult to cope with it. There’s no

your vibe attracts your tribe

An essential truth that applies to all facets of life, whether it be business or relationships, is like attracts like. Birds of a feather flock together. A magnetized block of iron can lift 12 times its own weight, however, if you demagnetize it, it can’t even lift a needle.

the power of simple daily disciplines

Most of us think that the most successful people amongst us, the people that we genuinely admire, are simply cut from a different cloth. But this is far from the truth. They are ordinary people who display extraordinary commitment, grit and discipline. The difference between them and others who failed

spend some time on self-reflection

Self-reflection is an important skill if we want to sustain success for the long-term. If you don’t review and reflect, you rob yourself of the opportunity to course-correct, whether it be on a microscopic scale or in terms of your life. Spending a little time on self-reflection, daily and

alive time vs dead time

Bestselling author Ryan Holiday once received a great piece of advice from his mentor and friend Robert Greene. He told Holiday that there are two types of time: alive time and dead time. One is when you are doing nothing and simply sitting around, when you wait until things and

discover sunnier beliefs about yourself

Has it ever happened to you while traveling the same route on different occasions that at a certain juncture, no matter how sunny the day and clear the sky, it would rain at that place every single time? In contrast to the rest of the journey, that place would have

how are you going to use your time?

The COVID-19 crisis is here. It’s a weird and quite paradoxical situation, to say the least. We are all together in this fight, yet not together as we stay indoors to ensure our safety. We’re amidst a war that we can only win when we stay isolated. While

the importance of energy management

Time management is a misnomer; at its core, productivity is all about energy management. We have to learn practical strategies and self-care rituals to manage our energy both in our personal and professional lives. Only then, we’ll be able to stave off burnout, stress overload, performance decline, and mental

combating the covid-19 pan(dem)ic with stoicism

The COVID-19 pandemic is a wise occasion to practice the tenets of Stoic philosophy. We can all employ Stoicism to empower us to step up and be a shining example in these difficult times. Amor Fati, cultivate a love for your fate. Premeditatio Malorum, prepare for the worst. Memento Mori,

how to practice financial optimism under all circumstances (3/3)

Assign a destination to every dollar that you earn: Writing a monthly budget plan before the start of every month is one of the best decisions we all can make to start transforming our finances. When we budget our dollars, we assign a specific destination to each of them. We

how to practice financial optimism under all circumstances (2/3)

Start accruing small wins: Instead of focusing on big and lofty goals such as paying off a monumental credit card debt or your house, or building a hefty emergency fund when you begin your journey, think small. Start with a small win and then go from there. As the popular

how to practice financial optimism under all circumstances (1/3)

We all know the benefits of having a positive mindset. Being optimistic comes with its own rewards not only mentally and emotionally but financially as well. According to recent studies, optimists cultivate healthier financial habits as compared to pessimists. While nearly two-thirds of optimists participate in building an emergency fund,

it's time to sharpen your axe

These are unexpected times, and even if we are confined to our homes and going through some personal and professional setbacks, we still have to keep moving forward. Settling is not an option. We simply can’t afford to slow down. If we don’t improve, grow, take action, and

how you choose to look at things matters

The simple idea of getting in a line for a giant Ferris wheel and eventually hopping on it might induce fear and anxiety in you. You know you would be an emotional mess if you go on it. Yet if you were to look at the same wheel from a

books to read in self-quarantine

Whether you like it or not, you’re doing the right thing and performing your civic duty by isolating yourself in your house. I know it’s tough but self-quarantine is the best and most effective strategy to stave off this COVID-19 pandemic and “flatten the curve.” This global health

how to become truly free

I highly value freedom. So much that it’s one of my core values. But time and again I keep asking myself: What is freedom exactly? What does it mean to me? We all want freedom to a certain extent. That certain comfort or vacuum where we can do whatever

the beauty of simplicity

Daily life brings a plethora of opportunities for stress, complexity and negativity. We spend our precious time, energy and attention in keeping up with the Joneses and pursuing external validation. We get seduced by the lure of consumerism and develop compulsive tendencies to acquire stuff that not only brings distress

action brings clarity

Clarity is incredibly important as you march towards your big goals. It empowers you to make the right decisions and adjust your strategy. Without a proper vision, without a well-defined objective, you will never be able to get your desired outcomes. As Robin Sharma points out, “Vague goals lead to

you can afford to pursue your mighty goals

Excuses are dream stealers. They are evil tactics and instruments through which the Resistance [https://thedailyapple.me/2019/04/19/overcoming-resistance/] within us prevents us from embracing and expressing our highest potential. We all tell ourselves that now is not the right time to chase our dreams, and instead wait

the hidden cost of material goods

The modern era that we all live in has unfortunately become all about comparison and competition. What a majority of us fail to notice in this race for getting ever-better gadgets and devices, ever-sleeker cars, ever-bigger houses and ever more material possessions is that there’s a hidden cost to

why you should get rid of excuses

Excuses are nothing but little, seemingly innocuous lies that we repeat to ourselves. They are really just skillfully engineered justifications that we tell ourselves and others in our proximity to rationalize our actions or more commonly our lack of action. As Jim Rohn said, “If you really want to do

what’s more dangerous: coronavirus or panic? - part 2

This crisis is a great opportunity to become an effective leader, whether at home, at work or in the community. You might have to cancel plans, suffer losses and make tough decisions. You might have to make some sacrifices and share the burden of this challenging situation. Organizers of major

what’s more dangerous: coronavirus or panic? - part 1

Coronavirus has become a worldwide health scare. And almost everyone is panicking about it. So, is coronavirus truly dangerous? Should you worry or not worry? What’s the verdict? Let’s look at the facts. As I write this, the COVID-19 virus has infected more than 120,000 people and

becoming successful in both business and relationships

It’s not uncommon to think that succeeding in business might come at the cost of our romantic life. But if we look around, we will see numerous people who have attained extraordinary success in doing work that they are passionate about in their respective fields as well as maintaining

become a minimalist to unleash your genius

A majority of people are just busy being busy. In their daily lives, they start focusing their priceless focus and attention on trivial things, and as a result, get addicted to interruptions and distractions that keep them away from living exceptional lives. It’s time we start practicing minimalism and

breathe love in, breathe love out

Sometimes, a little goes a long way. Atomic actions can create some of the most profound effects. A great example of this truth can be found in our breathing. Previously, from my meditations at a Buddhist center that I visited many years ago, along with the various guided meditations that

how to compound your productivity

High-achievers not only use their time wisely, but they also equip and empower others to maximize their productivity. They understand the limitations of individual efforts and in order to score more wins, they invest their resources in building teams that maximize their impact. Extremely successful people are equippers; they develop

using peak motivational states to do the hardest things

According to a model introduced by B.J. Fogg, a Stanford University professor, and habit expert, motivation is non-linear; it’s a wave with peaks and valleys. And that’s why if we want to enhance our productivity, our goal should not be to stay at a constant peak state,

building resilience by showing up every day

When we cultivate the attitude of a daily achiever and perform the simple act of showing up every single day and doing the work, we not only pave the way for perennial success but we also build mental toughness. As we commit to getting better and honing our craft day

the three principles of simple productivity

Most of us equate productivity with being busy. We try running around getting things done, but we hardly take a pause to simplify things and personalize our productivity so that we not only work better but also live fully in our daily life. Carson Tate, productivity expert and author of

action or distraction, it’s your choice

We are living in the best and most opportune era human history has ever seen. Fortunately, unlike our ancestors, we are not facing challenges that are matters of life and death. So, what’s preventing us from focusing on things that are essential and truly add value and joy to

be grateful for your work

Gratitude can be a game-changer and as Steve Harvey puts it, it can help us erase negativity. No matter what we do, whether we own a business or work for someone else, we can all be grateful for it. It’s easy to lose ourselves to the humdrum and monotony

focus on the pursuit, not the achievement

Sooner or later, we all go through times when things just fall into place. Life seems easy and comfortable. We are engulfed with joy, success, and fulfillment, and feel like we’re on top of the world. Maybe you secure a high-paying job with an easy and steady schedule. You

practicing minimalism in relationships

Every successful person is very conscious and deliberate with regard to the people they surround themselves with. They understand the power of associations and that’s why they are very intentional about who they choose as friends, romantic partners, and people that they work with. They know that the potential

stop waiting for chance encounters

There’s a popular adage that always remains at the back of my mind, “God only helps those who help themselves.” It’s easy to give up and start hoping that you’ll meet more like-minded and genuinely interesting people via serendipity. To let the Universe take care of your

making most of our wait times

Those empty spaces of time when we have to wait can feel a waste of our time and as necessary trouble that we have to put ourselves through. But with a change in our perspective, we can all look at these hollow minutes in a positive light, and instead of

reduce your wants

Wanting more can quickly become a destructive habit. The key to living a happy and fulfilled life lies in wanting less. When we practice the art of wanting less, we let go of our self-sabotaging patterns. We curb the cycle of incessant, futile greed and instead become grateful for what

eat good to feel good

We all know intellectually that eating well plays a huge role in keeping us fit and healthy, both physically and mentally. But a majority of us fail to stick to a healthy diet and as an outcome end up suffering because of our impulses and lapses of judgment. To put

you don’t need an excuse to be happy

Happiness is a state of mind. Contrary to the way we have been trained by the people around us, we don’t need a reason or an excuse to be happy. We can just choose to be happy. Often, we think of happiness as an end-goal and as a destination.

participate in your own rescue

It’s good to constantly walk on the path of self-education, to read and gather priceless insights and gems of wisdom along the way that help us design a good life for ourselves and become better versions of ourselves. But learning is just one part of the equation. There comes

the secret to incredible productivity

The natural and most organic way to increase your productivity is to do work that you enjoy. A majority of us have day jobs that we dread, and even if you’re self-employed, you definitely have tasks in your to-do list that you’re unenthusiastic about. And so, in order

letting go of digital affirmation

Social media encourages us to put our most polished selves in display. For the world to like, love, comment and sometimes share with others. In a way, it’s good to show up as our best selves in digital platforms, but the problem arises when we get obsessed with perfection

spending time with fearless people

Even the most courageous people amongst us feel fear. This is how evolution has shaped us. No matter how much we try, it’s impossible to eliminate fear from our system. However, there are a couple of effective strategies that we can all employ to deal with it and not

you are the president of your life

All wildly successful people have one thing in common — they take 100% responsibility for everything in their lives. In reality, we all have the gift of choice to lead our lives the way we want, but only a few percentage of people actually have the audacity to live that truth…

the 15-minute rule

We all are well aware of how our motivation wanes as the day progresses. After a point of time, caffeine loses its effect and then it’s up to us to push ourselves and get things done. When it comes to the tasks that need to be done at work,

the quickest way to feel unstuck

It’s normal to feel stuck whether it be at work, in your finances, in relationships, or life in general. Tony Robbins, bestselling author, entrepreneur and life strategist, says that there are two things that mainly keep us anchored and prevent us from moving ahead: our mental state and our

consistent personal growth realizes hope

A few small steps, taken every single day, lead to massive progress over time. When we succeed in sustaining our personal growth, we start seeing positive changes in ourselves. We become better in all aspects — mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Whether it be our personal or professional life, we start

how you react matters more than what happens to you

I came across an insightful short story sometime back and would love to share it with you today. Here’s how it goes: Once upon a time, a daughter complained to her father that her life was miserable and that she didn’t know how she was going to make

serve more to earn more

When we see the most successful people amongst us, we observe that they are always doing their best and being their best, and as an outcome, having the best that the world has to offer. While this characteristic can be inspiring, it can also keep us stuck. As we encounter

don’t wait for an apology before you forgive

I’m sure you would agree with me that life becomes more streamlined and goes a lot smoother when we practice forgiveness and let go of our grudges. And this includes forgiving even those people who never authentically said they were sorry. Forgiveness is like oil in the machinery of

becoming a love warrior

Love is not easy. And the way the male and female minds work, sometimes it can become more complicated than necessary. Glennon Doyle, in her book Love Warrior [https://amzn.to/37bmy7G], points out that both men and women interpret and give love differently. Women love with their minds and

keeping yourself encouraged

Sometimes, no matter how much preparation or hard work we do, things don’t work out. We give our best, but still, our best is not enough. No matter how much we try, we are not able to achieve the end goals in our heads. When things get hard and

providing uplifting service to your customers

In his book Uplifting Service: The Proven Path to Delighting Your Customers, Colleagues, and Everyone Else You Meet [https://amzn.to/2vNjRMm], Ron Kaufman explains that if you want to succeed in business in today’s world, then simply meeting customer expectations is an obsolete goal. You have to exceed

letting go of other people’s approval

It’s best to let go of our innate human desire of seeking validation from others. We have to train ourselves to not become a person who is driven by other people’s approval. If we look at this from the Stoic lens, external validation is never in our control.

winning in business by overcoming fear

In order to succeed in business, it’s important that entrepreneurs realize that what they think they need and what they truly need to get better outcomes are two separate entities. A majority of entrepreneurs today think that they need answers to their burning questions, they need step-by-step plans, and

express your funky side

Studies have shown that when we enhance our authenticity, we not only increase our motivation, but we also decrease symptoms of depression. As an outcome, we feel more energetic and focused. In our day to day life, we all experience sudden stresses, whether they be at work or at home,

how to develop better habits this year (6/6)

Create a New Identity In order to build lasting habits, it’s important that we focus on creating a new identity for ourselves first. You have to let go of your current identity and start believing new things about yourself. Your identity is dictated by who you think you are,

how to develop better habits this year (5/6)

Mind Your Own Business It’s important that we guard our lives against unwanted intrusions and distractions. If we’re spending too much time on social media and letting the validation that we get from it dictate our happiness, we set a trap for ourselves. We bring up negativity inside

how to develop better habits this year (4/6)

Adopt the Two-Day Rule I found about this rule from a video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfLHTLQZ5nc] on Matt D’Avella’s YouTube channel last year, and it instantly made total sense to me. The rule is pretty simple. You don’t allow yourself to take more than

how to develop better habits this year (3/6)

Commit to a Daily Challenge I’ve participated in various daily challenges and last year, I even created one, The Karma Yogi Gratitude Challenge [https://wellspringacademy.teachable.com/p/21-day-karma-yogi-gratitude-challenge] for 21 consecutive days. There’s something both sacred and freeing about daily challenges. It pays off to surrender to

how to develop better habits this year (2/6)

Stack New Habits Over Old Ones Many times we try again and again to form a new habit that we know when integrated in our daily routine will help us become better versions of ourselves. But in spite of our good intentions, we fail. A great and effective way to

how to develop better habits this year (1/6)

As the New Year begins, we all set resolutions for ourselves, but very few of us succeed in converting those resolutions into lasting habits. Personally, as I have discussed before, I prefer small daily improvements over lofty resolutions. It’s important that we let go of the instant change approach

just give value

An important success principle that we can all follow in our lives is: “Just give value”. It doesn’t matter who or what the source is. We can all focus on providing as much value as we can and be okay with letting let others win in the process. From

one important trait of a true leader

One of the most overlooked but important traits of a true and effective leader is having the courage to go against the grain and do things that are unpopular. A great example is Abraham Lincoln, who faced great opposition during his leadership. And still, he is consistently ranked as one

play to your strengths

The most successful people amongst us play to their strengths, which is a whole lot easier than compensating for their weaknesses, something that the majority do. Countless people get worried about and try to get rid of their weaknesses, but what if you did the opposite and focused on your

the worthwhile things in life are difficult

Alastair Humphreys is someone who has the soul of an adventurer. Fierce and fearless, he has always been open to taking new and daunting challenges. His adventurous pursuits have also led him to be named National Geographic Explorer of the Year once. However, Humphreys changed his ways later on. A

how to create perennial prosperity

As humans, our desires and our goals are always changing. And that’s why the key to perennial prosperity is our commitment to personal growth and our constant evolution. The more creative we are and the more open and willing to experiment with new ideas we are, the more prosperous

some stats regarding mental health

It’s a good thing that more and more people are talking about anxiety, depression, stress and other mental health conditions, that decades ago, were considered taboo subjects. In previous times, people feared that discussing these disorders may make them appear flawed, odd or weak, and wanted to dodge other

getting better at saying no

Saying no is not at all easy, in fact, it’s one of the most important life skills that we can develop. As I have said before, an important contributor to the success that the extraordinary and the elite amongst us enjoy is what they don’t do versus what

prioritize your relationships

Loneliness has become an epidemic in many parts of the world. Thanks to technology and the progress in the digital world, more and more people are restricting themselves in their homes, and refraining from going out and meeting others. “Netflix and chill” has overshadowed our intrinsic human need for social

one way to develop virtue and character consistently

If you follow Stoicism, you would be well aware of the importance of pursuing and embodying virtue and developing your character to live a good life. But how do we ensure that we work on these areas relentlessly as we manage our hectic schedules in daily life? In his book,

be different to make a difference

Darren Hardy, bestselling author and success mentor to high-performers all around the globe, was raised by his football coach father. As an outcome, he learned to become a self-reliant superachiever at a young age. His father didn’t give him a lot of rules and/or restrictions, but he simply

from nobody to a bollywood dance sensation

Over the past few years, Nora Fatehi [https://twitter.com/Norafatehi] has become the new favorite dancing sensation in Bollywood and everyone has been loving her performances and dancing skills. The Moroccan-Canadian actor-dancer started her journey in 2015 and has been working relentlessly ever since to make her mark in

read to rise

We are all surrounded by books, yet very few of us actually invest their time and energy in reading them. Of course, I’m not talking about the trashy beach reads, but the books in which people from all different walks of life have provided their wisdom to us so

differentiating hunger from thirst

We need both food and water for survival. Fulfilling either hunger or thirst exclusively won’t make the cut. And the same applies to our professional pursuits as well. We’re all encouraged to participate in the hustle. But the reality is that most of us are like a hamster

cheaper option vs best solution

Here’s an insight that beautifully ties with the notion of choosing long-term success over short-term fixes and outcomes. When it comes to managing our finances, we all try to save as much money as we can for a better future. However, there are a few instances where this mindset

short-term thinking vs long-term success

Considering the times we’re living in, it’s easy to get trapped in the microwave mentality and go for short-term results over long-term dividends. But we have to gently steer ourselves so that we don’t make short-sighted choices that hurt our long-term growth. For example, in business, choosing

reset your brain

In today’s noisy and chaotic world, our mind is constantly active. Whether you’re a 9 to 5-er, a creative entrepreneur or a self-employed person who has systems and schedules in place to accomplish the completion of our goals and projects, most of us use our brain incessantly but

give yourself small rewards

We all go through times in our professional lives, especially if we’re self-employed, when we feel the motivation waning with us, and when we feel stuck. But staying stagnant won’t bring us the outcomes that we desire. We have to keep going and focus on consistency if we

overcome your negativity bias with positivity

Our survival instinct has propelled our behaviors since prehistoric times. It has all been about either finding a meal or becoming one. Although our naturally sharpened negativity bias has helped us stave off danger for thousands of years, it has also trained us to always look at negative things in

seeing low phases as opportunities for growth

Life is a series of highs and lows. It’s a rollercoaster ride, and it serves us best if we both enjoy the peaks that we experience as well as make most of the valleys that come our way. The low phases are vital opportunities for us to practice patience,

why most new year's resolutions don't become habits

Many people are enthusiastic about bringing a positive change or behavior in their lives but very few of them actually attain success in turning them into habits that last for the long-term. In his book The Power of Habit, Charles Duhigg describes explains how the habit loop works: 1. The

making growth a daily habit

Choosing to embark on the journey of personal growth is one of the best decisions we can make in our lives. But it’s incredibly important that we also act on that decision on a consistent basis. As Darren Hardy points out, “Learning without execution is useless… Motivation without action

don't blend in with the crowd

It’s easy to be like everyone and follow the “trends”. To go with the herd and live by a template that others have created for us. But it takes courage and audacity to stand up and stand out. To be what we want to be. To do what feels

how to protect your time in the digital age

We’re all living in the digital world and whether we like it or not, there’s always a battle going on for all of us between spending time on our glowing screens or doing something worthwhile and meaningful for ourselves and others. Technology has brought incredible benefits and blessings

success equals joy

We all equate success with different words — wealth, abundance, prosperity, achievement, stability, security and many more. But we forget one key thing: success, first and foremost, is joy. Joy is one of the most important values that lay the foundation of success. Success is all about the journey, not the

you can still figure something out

There’s no denying that having a crisis at some point in our lives, not once but many times, is inevitable. Maybe you’re someone who is engulfed in a crisis right now and going through a tough time. Something new and unexpected just came up in your life, or

planting the seed of hope

Hope can be a magical thing in our lives. It can help us move forward and imagine a better future for ourselves. I have been thinking a lot lately about how some people take important actions in their lives because they are motivated by fear, while others take those same

man is a bridge, not a goal

Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher and cultural critic whose writings notably influenced Western philosophy and modern intellectual history. In his book Everything is F*cked, Mark Manson shares an impactful story about Nietzsche. In his final years, Nietzsche was cared for by several women, and one of them was

using your past failures to succeed

Failure is inevitable, it’s part and parcel of life. We can’t truly escape failures, but if we choose we can put them to good use by learning from them. We all fall in our lives, and for some of us it’s quite severe and catastrophic. However, the

four words to end any potential conflict

We’ve all been in arguments and fights with other people. We all know how trivial things can turn into big disagreements making the situation ugly and downright awful. As much as we are tempted to go in the rage train in those moments, anger is not the solution. At

becoming a relentless learner

The most successful people on this planet are relentless learners. They believe in the value of self-education and all the benefits it brings. They see learning as a continual journey, not a destination that is to be reached. As Ramit Sethi writes, “The very best people invest in themselves when

become bold and just start

Doing is more important than thinking. Execution is more important than planning. Action is more important than inspiration. We have to become bold and just start at some point of time even if we don’t feel ready, and not worry about the outcomes of our actions. This is what

the seven important skills for success

Success is a journey, not a destination. We have to focus on ourselves and our actions and behaviors, because the outcomes are never in our control. And even if we attain our desired outcomes, we have to keep going. We can’t stay at one place for too long. We

it's time to begin anew

As the New Year stands before us, now is a great time to allow ourselves to begin anew. It’s an opportunity to write a new chapter in our lives and we can start writing our story by clarifying our intentions and setting new goals for ourselves. Beginnings always come

honor the journey and let it go

The journey of a year, and to zoom out a bit, of a decade is coming to an end. And it’s time to honor it. I’m sure there was not a single soul who didn’t have ups and downs. Each of us had times where we experienced

the artist's date

In her book, The Artist’s Way, one of the fundamental self-care practices that Julia Cameron teaches is ‘The Artist Date’. In other words, it means having “me” time. Unlike the name suggests, you don’t have to necessarily be an artist for this practice; anyone can do it. Cameron

avoid the trap of collecting

Collecting things, whether they be small or big, for ourselves or showcase our love towards something to others, comes with its own drawbacks. Having a collection means intentional hoarding. Intentional is good, hoarding is not. We humans enjoy collecting things. And there are countless clubs, Facebook groups, online forums and

the podcasts I enjoyed in 2019

Podcasts are amazing. They’re free and bring with them tons of value in each episode. If you’re an audiophile, podcasts can be one of your biggest delights. I’ve found podcasts to be a great complement to audiobooks. They’re also more flexible and personal, so you can

the five best books i read/listened in 2019

As the year comes to a close, I wanted to share the five books that I enjoyed and learned from the most. Of course, I’m not counting the old books that I have already read, and that I re-read or re-listened this year; and so the books in the

one way to overcome holiday depression

We all know that we must watch our sugar intake for our better physical health, but there’s some scientific evidence emerging that it plays a key role in ensuring an important role with regard to our mental health as well. A recent study from the University of Kansas titled

the golden box

I came across a short and heart-warming Christmas story, and wanted to share it with you. It’s not known whether this story truly happened, or it is a work of fiction. Nonetheless, it’s beautiful and inspiring. Here’s how it goes: Once upon a time, there was a

small acts of unconditional kindness

The holiday season is a good time to practice love, kindness and be of service to others. We all think of doing grand gestures of love and kindness to others, but due to time, money, and sometimes geographical constraints, we let go of those ideas and distance ourselves from making

tomorrow is a bonus

There’s a new challenge, a new problem, a new obstacle coming at us every day, whether big or small. And as we get busy in the daily grind and distracted by the noises and voices around us, it’s easy to get distanced away from gratitude and appreciation for

practice self-control during the holidays

The holiday season is here again and it has brought with it all its temptations as well — cookies, cakes, calorie-rich beverages, wines and spirits, irresistible deals and shopping offers. Wherever you go, it’s hard to escape these indulgences. They’re always there front and center this time of the

release your limiting beliefs (4/4)

It’s time to release all your limiting beliefs. I read a story not too long ago that will help this point drive home. Once, there was a little dog whose owner kept it on a 20-foot leash for years, tied to a tree. The little dog would see other

moving forward (3/4)

Now that you have completed your end of year and end of decade reviews, congratulate yourself. These are some crucial steps you have taken to enhance your success and well-being. Many people would be skipping these steps and they might not even realize that they are off course until an

how to do a decade review (2/4)

Once you’re done with taking your inventory for the past year, because in a couple of weeks we’ll be entering a whole new decade, it’s time to do one more round for the past ten years. Here are some prompts for you to perform the end of

how to do a yearly review (1/4)

Before we march unconsciously into the next year and this time, there’s a whole new decade waiting for us, it’s important that we look back at the year we just finished. And of course, along with taking the inventory, adding everything up and seeing how we did in

it’s time for the hard winter training

Epictetus advised his students to participate regularly in an exercise called “voluntary discomfort.” In this exercise, he suggested them to deliberately put themselves through uncomfortable situations. The goal was to not let comfort have an upper hand over us, and to be prepared for anything and everything that may come

building your inner wealth

According to statistics in the US, the more money a person makes, the less they give as a percentage of their income. In fact, it has been reported that people who earn less than $20,000 a year are twice as charitable as those earning $100,000 a year. And

embrace the real you

There’s an Aesop fable that I came across recently. Here’s how it goes: An Eagle swooped from out the sky,  And carried off a sheep.  A Raven seeing him, said: "I Could do that too if I should try.  His meal comes mighty cheap."  Of all

hug a stranger

Are you good at hugging people? When was the last time you hugged a complete stranger, someone you met for the first time in your life? I’m a big-time hugger, and although there are times when it may feel weird and not appropriate, I believe it’s totally worth

the importance of compassion

Have you noticed that it feels better to be the person giving something rather than being the one receiving something? This clearly indicates how generosity and compassion have a strong connection with our health and happiness. Compassion is a natural instinct within us all. This is why an act of

employ minimalism in learning

We all are bombarded with so many resources every day. As learners and personal growth enthusiasts, it becomes incredibly difficult for us to navigate through all the educational materials in the finite hours that we’ve got, whether they be books, audiobooks, courses, podcasts or online challenges. If we look

goal setting 101 - part 2

This essay is an excerpt from my book, The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj]. An essential aspect of goal setting is that our goals should stretch us so that we are able to expand ourselves and enter new levels of success. Set up Big, Hairy

goal setting 101 - part 1

This essay is an excerpt from my book, The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj]. Learning how to set effective goals is a master skill of success. A major reason why goal setting doesn’t work for many people is that they make a wish list,

why goal setting is important?

This essay is an excerpt from my book,The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj]. When it comes to attaining higher quality and quantity of successes, it all comes down to one skill: setting, sticking to and committing to BIG goals. Goal setting is key to

holidays minus shopping

It’s crucial that we dissociate the holiday spirit from gift-giving. We have conditioned ourselves so much with buying gifts, that we can’t even imagine having a Christmas tree in our homes with no gifts around it. Once upon a time, we used to have a holiday season. But

setting empowering rules for ourselves

Most of us look at rules in a negative light. Some of us had strict rules while we were growing up both at home and in school, and that’s where our hate for them prospered. But as counterintuitive as it may sound, having a set of uplifting rules is

finding meaningful friendships online

Sometimes, I think how the people that we come across in different phases of our life simply fade away. And whether we meet them or get in touch with them again, whether online or in the real world, is dictated (apart from happenstance) by an important factor: like-mindedness. Most of

my minimalist fitness routine

It’s a myth that we can only have a healthy body or be fit when we have access to a gym or a fitness center. That we need to go through arduous fitness regimes and spend long hours working out to stay in shape. Don’t get me wrong,

concentrate like a free solo climber

I recently watched the documentary film, Free Solo [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7775622/], a few weeks back, and I’m still thinking about it. How crazy it is to climb a huge wall where only one thing separates life and death — the power of concentration? What if, like Alex

focus on creating, not consuming

If there’s one thing that can significantly impact your life in a positive way and change it for better, it’s following this maxim: create more, consume less. No matter where we go, we are coaxed to buy things and consume more. Even in the digital space, whether be

it’s good to be a little deaf

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once shared a great piece of advice that came from her savvy mother-in-law on her wedding day: “In every good marriage, it helps sometimes to be a little deaf.” She continued, “I have followed that advice assiduously, and not only at home through 56

people > stuff

Whether it be Black Friday, Cyber Monday or the holiday shopping season, no matter where we look, millions of us run after things. In the midst of chaos, we often get carried away and go in a shopping spree making all kinds of irrational decisions. Soon, we buy stuff not

how ants prepare for winter

Complacency is one of our biggest enemies on this never-ending path of success and achievement. If we start “chilling” and stay and rest in one place for too long, the weeds of life will start growing back. If we’re not progressing and if we’re not improving, we start

one important skill you must develop

We, humans, are imperfect beings. No one is born is with the knowledge and wisdom of how to live a meaningful and extraordinary life, and become a shining example of success and greatness. Nor do we get a manual that tells us what and how to do this life thing.

being grateful for whatever comes your way

We don’t have control over everything in our life. There are some things that are in the realm of our control and we can take charge and change them. While others — we simply have to accept them and work our way around them. The serenity prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr

avoid the consumerism trap (8/8)

Read first: alternatives to traditional gift-giving (7/8) [https://thedailyapple.me/2019/11/26/the-truth-about-black-friday-part-7/] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Black Friday is upon us. And it’s that time of the year when retailers will bombard us with deals on everything from televisions and tech gadgets to toys and clothes. But we all

alternatives to traditional gift-giving (7/8)

We don’t have to distance ourselves from the spirit of the holidays and avoid gift-giving altogether. But instead, we can choose to think out of the box and come up with newer, better ways to enhance the holiday experience for ourselves and our loved ones. There are many avenues

choosing the path of conscious materialism (6/8)

The truth is that retailers actually don’t care how much money we save, for them it’s all about how much profit they can make. They’re focusing on their bottom line, not ours. The holiday shopping season is extremely important for these giant corporations. On a good year,

the evil ploy of retailers - part 2 (5/8)

Read first:the truth about black friday – part 4 [https://thedailyapple.me/2019/11/23/the-truth-about-black-friday-part-4/] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The retailers these days set up multiple traps both in stores and online, and due to these clever marketing strategies, they are winning big. It’s rare to see a cart with just

the evil ploy of retailers - part 1 (4/8)

Read first:the truth about black friday – part 3 [https://thedailyapple.me/2019/11/22/the-truth-about-black-friday-part-3/] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Retailers prepare months in advance for Black Friday and come up with creative ways to stimulate our insatiable desire to buy more. NRF President and CEO, Matthew Shay says, “Consumers today want more

black friday all around the world (3/8)

Read first:the truth about black friday – part 2 [https://thedailyapple.me/2019/11/21/the-truth-about-black-friday-part-2/] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Black Friday has become so popular that this shopping tradition has seeped into cultures and countries all around the world that don’t even celebrate Thanksgiving. Countries like UK, Canada, Australia and other

a brief history of black friday (2/8)

Read first: an introduction to black friday (1/8) [https://thedailyapple.me/2019/11/20/the-truth-about-black-friday-part-1/] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The most commonly regurgitated story behind the Black Friday tradition links it to retailers. As the story goes, after an entire year of operating at a loss (“in the red”) stores would supposedly

an introduction to black friday (1/8)

It’s the most joyous time of the year: the holiday season. For some, it’s all about enjoying beautiful moments with their loved ones, for the majority of the population, as the Minimalists point out, it’s the holiday “shopping” season. For the uninitiated, the last Friday of the

choosing the lighter path

There are times when we reach a fork in the road, where we don’t know which way we should go next. We encounter our inner conflicts and get engulfed in the darkness of confusion and frustration. We want to act logically and rationally, but a deeper desire within us

one important principle to live your best life

One major problem that we all come across sooner or later in our life is: How do I do meaningful work that fulfills me while ensuring I make enough money to live a prosperous life? It sounds quixotic, and a majority of us are clueless about how to make it

focusing on the hard part

Slow is easy, steady is the hard part. Switching is easy, committing is the hard part. Reading is easy, studying is the hard part. Talking is easy, listening is the hard part. Speaking is easy, communicating is the hard part. Expectation is easy, patience is the hard part. Finding is

wealth is never free

You may be earning a great salary every month, maybe you would have got a raise or a new contract recently, or maybe you are about to start a new well-paying job that you traded for the less-paying one. But there’s an important question that you must ask about

the key to unlocking success and abundance

What do you think great thinkers like Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and Maya Angelou, and successful entrepreneurs, authors, and innovators like Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson, Tony Robbins, Tim Ferriss, and many others have one thing in common? To achieve more, to make a significant impact, and to experience happiness in the

the lies that you’ve been told about student loans

We all know that there’s a student loan crisis going on in America, but the truth is that it’s a gruesome reality in many parts of the world as well. Taking a student loan is getting easier and more and more people are depending upon them to fund

just focus on the present

Sometimes it pays off to take a few steps back and look at the bigger picture. To look back at our most impressive and courageous feats. To reacquaint ourselves with the lessons that we have learned from our past. To let our ambitions loose and know what we want and

treating food the right way

There have been times in my past when I turned to food to comfort me and help me go through failures, rejections and other difficult times, when I used it as a source of pleasure and an indispensable part of satisfying entertainment. But in the past few months, as I

never stop your efforts to get better

Betterment is not a one-time choice, it involves a series of choices that we make over the course of our life until the time we depart this world. We should never stop our efforts to get better, no matter our circumstances. Whether it’s old age, an illness, a personal

show love today

Birthdays, special occasions, festivals and holidays are a great time — to get together with friends, relatives, and loved ones, to exchange pleasantries, to give gifts, to express our concern and show that we love and care for them. But what about the remaining days. As the Minimalists write in their

how to recognize a humanitarian

Outward clothing can tell a lot about a person and their vocation or interests. A lawyer dresses in an expensive suit. A physician wears a white coat and a stethoscope. A sportsperson dons a jersey during the game. A firefighter puts on his gear at work. A monk mostly shows

trying to control vs taking charge

It may feel good to romanticize the notion that we have control over each and every aspect of our life. But it is far from the truth. There’s a difference between trying to control things in our life and taking charge of our life. As Anne Willson Schaefwrites in

creating a portfolio life

Most of us have been conditioned to think of our life’s work as restricted to a single vocation. We start cultivating a one-dimensional perspective towards our professional life. But what if instead of making our work all about doing the “one thing” and considering it as a monolithic activity,

getting desensitized to failures

I just watched the movie Edge of Tomorrow [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1631867/], and I really enjoyed it and am still thinking about it. I think it’s a great spectacle of the journey of personal growth and transformation, and giving your best again and again until you finally

no more smartphone in the bathroom

Over the past few weeks, I’ve made a rule for myself — No Smartphone in the Bathroom. It started as a flexible arrangement initially and I was not too strict with myself, but over time as I’ve seen its benefits first hand, I’ve solidified my commitment, and I’

carpe diem

Today is a unique opportunity. It will last only twenty fours and after that it’s gone forever. The day will never come back again, the date will not last beyond that. The time is ticking and we have only shot at today. So will you let it slip away

share your unique gift with the world

We have been trained by our society to believe that we can do anything that we want, that we can have all the things that we desire and bring them into our lives. But if we live that way, we let go of excellence, joy, peace and freedom. Having too

nothing lasts forever

Nothing is permanent in this world. If we zoom out and see, we’ll realize that everything is ephemeral, and the end always comes, sooner or later. As much as we enjoy getting wrapped up and busy with our day-to-day tasks, the truth is our life will eventually end. And

follow your fear - part 2

Read first: follow your fear – part 1 [https://thedailyapple.me/2019/10/31/follow-your-fear-1/] I experienced this personally back in my late teenage years when I decided to go to college in a completely different city that I had never been to, and staying away from my family for the

follow your fear - part 1

Most of us are well aware of the popular adage, “Follow your passion,”  and contemplate on it in order to have a successful and fulfilling life both personally and professionally, but very few of us are geared towards acting upon its inverse: “Follow your fear.” This is what Marie Forleo

tap into the natural rhythm

Do you feel you’ve been working too hard in your life, both personal and professional? Have you been working super hard in sustaining your friendships and relationships, on learning new information and gaining new ideas and insights, or on simply trying to figure out your destination and what your

develop grit like michelangelo

In his book Real Artists Don’t Starve [https://amzn.to/2WqmU6t], Jeff Goins writes that one key component to becoming a thriving artist is to strategically harness your stubbornness and transform into grit. A great epitome of this perennial grit as an outcome of strategic stubbornness is none other

are you getting rid of your digital clutter?

As I have gotten rid of much of my physical belongings, and as I continue to do so repeatedly, there’s another thing that really bothers me off and on — my digital clutter. Of course, digital clutter is not as overwhelming as physical clutter. If you’re a bibliophile and

dispel the darkness within

Today, Diwali, the festival of lights, will be celebrated by millions of people all around the world, regardless of whether they are a part of the Indian diaspora or not. It’s a great opportunity for us to not only light the lamps — the diyas — in our homes and offices,

my morning routine (2019 version) – part 2

Read first: my morning routine (2019 version) – part 1 [https://thedailyapple.me/2019/10/25/my-morning-routine-2019-version-part-1/] With the coffee mug in my hand, I go to my work desk and begin with the first part of my recalibration process, wherein I read my mission statement, go through the tasks that

my morning routine (2019 version) - part 1

I have conditioned myself to become an early riser over the last years, but the past few months have been a rollercoaster ride. Due to certain allergies, seasonal and environmental, unfortunately, my sleep hygiene and discipline got incredibly compromised, which led to insomnia and recurrent cough on many nights. However,

discipline equals freedom

This essay is an excerpt from my bookThe Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj]. Jocko Willink, a retired Navy SEAL commander, best-selling author and a well-known podcast host is an epitome of routine. When he was a commander of US Navy SEAL Team 3’s “Task

embrace your joy

No matter where we are in our lives, we can choose to embrace the joy within. We can appreciate and savor it. Unlike pleasure, joy is not ephemeral. It’s not a fleeting emotion based on the circumstances we’re in, it has nothing to do with the outside world.

premodern vs modern economy

In Sapiens [https://amzn.to/2BAU1ef], Yuval Noah Harari highlights that the first and most sacred commandment for the modern capitalist economy is: “The profits of production must be reinvested in increasing production.” This, in fact, is the main reason why capitalism is called ‘capitalism’. This notion may seem familiar,

be gentle with others

As we march further along in our journey of personal development and learning and acting according to philosophy, we get more driven to become a better and more well-rounded person. We start shedding our limiting beliefs, overcome our weaknesses and constantly work towards building a better future for ourselves. However,

neither money nor lack will make you happy

We all have different opinions about money. Some think money is a blessing and a lifesaver, while some think money is a curse and evil. Money is a funny thing. It’s an important part of our day to day life, but it’s not everything. When we don’t

gain control over yourself

In The Bhagavad Gita [https://amzn.to/31Hstio], Krishna instructs Arjun, “Reshape yourself through the power of your will; never let yourself be degraded by self-will. The will is the only friend of the Self, and the will is the only enemy of the Self.” He further adds, “To those

how to live

We are all born the same — naked, scared and clueless — and the situations, circumstances and people around us shape our beliefs and our lives. We don’t get a manual on how to live; it’s something that we have to figure out by ourselves. Some of us do and

how your ego keeps you stuck

One of the things that keeps us stuck in our lives is our own inflated ego. Many of us are only concerned about our image and the way we portray ourselves to others and the world. This image is nothing but a facade, a false front, in reality. We are

personal growth is an easy path

So many of us think that personal growth is hard. We think about the overwhelming number of books that we have to read, the difficult courses that we have to take, and the countless speeches that we have to listen to. We think understanding different aspects of life, learning new

sincere kindness is invincible

We have all been treated badly by someone in our past, and this may happen sometime in the future as well. Maybe in the past you responded to bad treatment with bad treatment and mean comments with mean comments. Maybe you remained calm and held yourself back, keeping your distance

opportunity mixed with difficulty

Once, Jim Rohn did a seminar for certain executives in Honolulu. As they sat around the conference table, one of them asked, “Mr. Rohn, you know some important people around the world. What do you think the next 10 years are going to be like?” Rohn replied, “Gentlemen, I do

prepare yourself for negative people

It’s not hard to predict that over the course of the day, today or any other day, you will come across someone who behaves like a jerk, either in real life or online. Of course, this doesn’t negate the fact we ourselves have been a jerk to others

mastery is not about perfection

Media and society want us to believe in the myth of ‘overnight success’. We start thinking of success as an event, but in reality, it is a long and arduous process. The truth, as shown by numerous examples, is that ‘overnight success’ takes an average time of 10 years. We

position yourself for the future

One of the most common catchphrases that goes around in the personal development world is “Learn more to earn more.” And there’s great truth to it. In your current profession, there’s a chance that you may be already maxed out at your current knowledge and skill level. In

balancing between fear and awareness

When it comes to our future, it’s uncertain and unpredictable. We don’t know what is in store for us and it’s hard to estimate the ratio of good or bad, happiness or suffering, good luck or ill-luck that we would experience. The future is vast and has

speak openly and speak deeply

If we want to live an authentic life (for real!), then we need to learn how to speak openly and speak deeply. Speaking openly entails speaking with radical candor. Authentic people speak frankly, in a direct and straightforward way with no holds barred. This doesn’t mean that being authentic

good vs evil

Today marks the occasion of Dussehra, a festival celebrated all across the beautiful country of India. It’s the epitome of how a good-hearted soul wins over the evil one, and symbolizes the reign of the truth. According to Hindu legend, on this day, Lord Ram killed the demon king

knowing when to listen to counsel

A couple of days back, I watched the fifth episode of Game of Thrones, Season 5 (I know I’m lagging!), and there’s something that I learned that I wanted to share with you. In the episode, Daenerys expresses her angst and dilemma about what decision she should take

the three ‘c’s of innovation

There are three essential components to innovation — courage, commitment and contribution. Testing a new idea and breathing life into it requires courage. An innovator has to have guts to show up with something new, something that has good chances of not working. It’s going against the flow of the

fighting all odds to become a victor

Iain Nairn is not your regular cricketer. Nairn lost his right leg at an early age due to a birth deformity, and has used a prosthetic limb ever since. However, it’s not something he has ever tried to hide. In his interview with ICC Cricket 360, Nairn said, “I

group and block

In today’s times, it has become radically difficult to maintain a laser-like focus, increase our attention span, and beat procrastination. As a direct result, our productivity plummets and it takes longer than expected to complete our tasks and commitments. As compared to previous times, when it was easy to

the essentialness of sleep

And now, let’s discuss the last and final takeaway from The 5 AM Club. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Key Takeaway #3 – The Essentialness of Sleep Deep sleep is incredibly important for enhanced creativity, peak productivity, and exceptional performance. If we don’t sleep well, we won’t be able to properly executeThe

victory hour

Let’s jump into the next takeaway from The 5 AM Club. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Key Takeaway #2 – The 20/20/20 Formula This learning model basically comprises of three twenty-minute pockets. The first pocket requires that you Move. The second pocket gives you the time to Reflect. And the third pocket

how to install a new habit

The 5 AM Club [https://amzn.to/2Elmf1o] is a fictional story of 3 people — the billionaire Stone Riley, the entrepreneur and the artist, and a character called the Spellbinder who makes an extended cameo. At its core, it’s about how to win our mornings and make the most

a few rules for entertainment consumption

Lately, during summer time, I found myself gradually slipping and having an imbalance in my entertainment to education ratio. Due to certain emotional rollercoasters and getting back to a couple of streaming services for a limited time during my summer break, I ended up watching more and more shows and

focus on breaking the tape

A major portion of the year is done and dusted, and now we’re here in the endgame. We’ve all been working hard towards accomplishing our previously set big goals, and we’ll be soon in the final 90 days of the year. No matter where you stand with

premeditatio malorum

The roots of the Stoic exercise premeditatio malorum — premeditation of evils and troubles that we may encounter — go back around two millennia. It’s an exercise where we imagine things that could go wrong, and the losses that we may need to deal with in case of a crisis, catastrophe

warren buffett’s ultimate measure of success

We all have our unique definition of success. For me, it’s about maximizing my impact and helping others, while attaining both a high quality of life and securing both personal and professional freedom. But when I got to know how Warren Buffett defines success, I started contemplating on it,

the power of hope

Hope can be an immensely helpful element in our lives when we go through difficult and trying times. It gives us a reason to live, and gets us into a state of tension providing meaning to our lives. It gets us out of bed in the morning and fuels us

when obstacles come your way

We have all heard of German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s famous quote, “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” On the surface level, it sounds like a nice and honorable notion, but if we go deeper, does it really stand true? When we face hardships, do we really

excitement is contagious

Have you ever been to a spin or fitness class where the instructor was so enthusiastic and excited that you simply got charged, and had an amazing workout that exceeded all expectations and time flew by quickly? And then have your results dropped when you went to the same workout

building a powerful and enduring legacy

One of the greatest Eureka moments that the Big O — Oprah Winfrey — has had is the teaching from her mother, sister, friend and mentor Maya Angelou about legacy. Oprah had just returned from the opening of her school in South Africa and was telling Angelou all the details about it.

watch yourself

Once, there were a couple of acrobats, a student-teacher duo. The teacher was a poverty-stricken widower and the student was a little girl called Meda. They performed every single day on the streets in order to earn enough to eat and sustain themselves. Their act consisted of the teacher balancing

give yourself the space

It’s not uncommon for us to have heated arguments and ugly fights in our life. We are humans and driven by emotions after all. But it’s not an excuse to not work on this aspect of our life. If we choose, we can train ourselves to remain calm

everyday sources of inspiration

We all have been through times where we get super pumped after listening to a speech, reading a book, watching an inspirational video, or visiting a conference or a retreat. But the motivation and encouragement that we get from these things is limited and starts waning over time, and soon

stop trying to keep up with the joneses

Are you tired of keeping up with the Joneses? Yes, the people who live in picture-perfect houses, drive the most expensive cars, throw the best parties in town, visit the most exotic places for vacations, post the most envious pictures on social media, own the newest big screen TVs in

energize yourself

Yesterday evening, as I wrapped up my work and went for my evening walk, I felt low energy. Even though I completed walking for one and a half miles (out of habit), I still felt low energy in my body. As yesterday was my workout day, I knew feeling low

everything is figureoutable

A couple of days back, I finally started listening to Marie Forleo’s new book/audiobook Everything is Figureoutable [https://amzn.to/2LTzt5A]. I’ve been following her work via MarieTV [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuoxrRDDgk3UUnxR4tlkJYQ] (her YouTube channel) for the past few years now and couldn’t wait

why having a vision is crucial for success

When it comes to charting new territories and achieving seemingly unattainable goals, no one has been more successful than the versatile Arnold Schwarzenegger. From bodybuilding to becoming a huge movie star in Hollywood and then finally realizing his political ambitions, he has done it all. In one of his award

now is the turning point

Are you happy with where you are right now in your life? Are you living the life that you envisioned for yourself or do you frequently go through the “feeling behind” syndrome? Do you still feel you can have better health, better friendships, better relationships, better finances and a better

find your home

We need to detach from our successes and failures, no matter how massive they may be and simply focus on our actions. The outcomes are not in our control, but what we control is taking the action that best aligns us. We commonly make the mistake of believing that our

fire in the belly

As achievers, we all set up our BHAGs and work relentlessly towards accomplishing them. We participate in the journey and focusing on performing the key behaviors required to reach our goals every day, until one day we find ourselves standing on the top of the mountain and enjoying the breathtaking

money gives us options

We are all well aware of the popular adage, “Money doesn’t buy happiness.” It’s true we can’t spend our way into happiness. Happiness is a state of mind, and we can access it whenever we want. We all have seen examples that show us that accumulating stuff

minimalism: is less truly more? – part 3

Continued frompart [https://thedailyapple.me/2019/09/10/minimalism-is-less-truly-more-part-2/]2 [https://thedailyapple.me/2019/09/10/minimalism-is-less-truly-more-part-2/] 11. More gratitude: When we start living with less, we become more appreciative of the things that we already have in our homes and our lives. Everything that we have adds value to

minimalism: is less truly more? – part 2

Continued from part 1 [https://thedailyapple.me/2019/09/09/minimalism-is-less-truly-more-part-1/] 6. More flexibility: With freedom also comes flexibility. Instead of working for long hours, we can shorten our work hours and spend more quality time with our partner or our children. We can work on projects that truly align

minimalism: is less truly more? - part 1

This essay is an excerpt from my bookThe Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj]. The modern movement of minimalism has deep roots in history. I personally believe this lifestyle choice can immensely benefit us in these times of information overload and advertisement-filled environments and help us

are you impregnated with a dream?

We are all authors of our lives and our success. If you want to write a story of triumph and achievement, then you need to have immense amounts of grit, patience, perseverance and be comfortable with being uncomfortable. There are countless people who start writing the story of their personal

it's okay to ask for help

Right from the time we grow up until we’re young adults, we have no apprehension about asking for help. In fact, without help from our parents and loved ones, it would have been immensely difficult for us to survive and become who we are today. But once we reach

live like no one else

There’s a popular quote by Dave Ramsey that I absolutely love, “Live like no one else so that later you can live and give like no one else.” It’s a great mantra for success in my opinion. It basically means undergoing short-term pain for long-term gain. If we

work through your fears

Many times we exaggerate our fears; we become so afraid that instead of looking at them in the eye, we run away from them. So, how do we overcome this pattern and equip ourselves to work through them? One method is to take a pen and paper and write down

eliminate your troubles

Look back at your life and do a self-assessment: How many times has anger propelled you to behave in ways that you later regretted? On how many occasions, you let the alcohol in your system dictate your words, behaviors and actions? How many instances there have been where you’ve

twenty seconds of insane courage

In the book We Bought a Zoo [https://amzn.to/2NMoyx1], Benjamin Mee chronicles his family’s purchase of the Dartmoor Wildlife Park, a ramshackle zoo in the English countryside. Mee and his family had their own struggles as well but he still went ahead with the decision to refurbish

talk less, listen more

There’s a wonderful quote by Epictetus: “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” However, most of us never put this into practice, and in numerous occasions we find ourselves talking more than we listen. In his website The

one year completed

Today marks the completion of one year since I started this blog and am glad that I have managed to post an important insight every single day. It has been challenging but immensely satisfying to write and share something new every day and maintain this streak. As Seth Godin recently

growth takes time

In this digital age when fast and easy is the norm, and where there is an abundance of resources to provide us with instant gratification, we need to constantly remind ourselves to cultivate patience, especially with ourselves and our growth. It takes time to go through experiences, solve problems and

the least popular money advice

The most common advice that all money management gurus give to people is to cut back on your expenses and save and invest as much money as you can. There’s nothing wrong with this approach but very few people consider taking a different approach. Instead of taking into account

where are you going?

A horse suddenly came galloping quickly. It appeared that the man had somewhere very important to go. Another man, who was standing alongside the road, shouted, “Where are you going? “ The man on the horse replied, “I don’t know. Ask the horse!“ This short Zen story is not too

practice silence

We all have come across occasions when we said something stupid or hurtful to the other person and later regretted it and had to deal with the consequences. In our attempts to look smart and cool, and impress others, we say certain things but in the end talking more backfires

makers are not takers

Makers are artists worshipping their crafts. They value the journey of creating more than the creation itself. Makers are able to tap into the abundance that the Source provides and transform ideas into art. The flow of creative energy while they work is what turns them on. Makers are not

grounding yourself

At a young age of 26, Gwyneth Paltrow won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Shakespeare in Love. Soon after that, the fame and accolades got into her head and she started acting like a diva. At a recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Paltrow

failure is crucial for success

In his TEDx Talk [https://youtu.be/HHkFCI5bKu4], Will Roundtree shares his story of how he turned the failures he faced throughout his life eventually into success. From his childhood to his mid-twenties, he was constantly looked down upon by others and told again and again that he was going

use your time off wisely

We work hard and fulfill our important obligations day in and day out. And yes, it’s important we take vacations as well, we deserve them after all. We definitely need time for some R&R. But we also have to make sure that we make the most of

practice being happy

Let me ask you something: Do you feel happy? If the answer is yes, good for you! And if it’s no, then why not? Of course, if you or your loved ones are going through a major life challenge, then you may be out of touch with happiness. But

our intention shapes our reality

In his book The Power of Intention [https://amzn.to/2Zg4rtj], Dr. Wayne Dyer explains that our intention is what ultimately shapes our reality. He points out, “You get what you intend to create by being in harmony with the power of intention, which is responsible for all of creation.

seek counsel, not opinion

There’s a great difference between opinion and counsel. Opinion is just a casual comment that is based on lack of experience and expertise, flawed beliefs, lack of relevant knowledge and ignorance, given by a family, a friend or a relative. While counsel is professional advice that is given by

the luxury trap

In Sapiens [https://amzn.to/31PEdiL], Yuval Noah Harari beautifully explains the reasons why our ancestors decided to transition from the life of a forager to the life of a farmer. However, once they became farmers and as the agricultural societies prospered, this change in lifestyle proved to be a

worship your art

Take a few seconds out and think about the work you do. Why do you do it? What are your motivations behind doing it? If you ask the same question to any of the most successful people out there who are constantly refining their craft — no matter what their chosen

don't quit on yourself

Once there was a woman who was tired of facing the obstacles and challenges that life had been throwing her away. She was frustrated with the way life had been unfair to her and couldn’t help but go through the ‘feeling behind’ syndrome. One day, she couldn’t endure

a story about never giving up

Kieran Behan is an artistic gymnast and an Olympian who has already battled multiple lifetimes of adversity and setbacks in the three decades he has lived so far. When he was ten years old, a tumor was discovered in his thigh. The operation to remove it went badly and resulted

short-term vs long-term

Many situations arise in our life where it gets difficult to choose between right and wrong. In a state of confusion, we don’t know what kind of action we should take. In these circumstances, we can evaluate the merit of an action by asking ourselves a few important questions

less is better

Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and a relentless student of philosophy, was an incredibly busy man. After all, he was a king and he had countless obligations and responsibilities that he had to fulfill as a leader of the empire. In one of his personal reflections, he wrote, “If you

leadership is a thankless job

Leadership is about doing the right thing, not an easy one. It involves making hard choices, stepping up and providing a much-needed service whether it is at work, home, in the community or the entire world. If we expect ourselves to be leaders, then we must understand that leadership is

your work is your reward

Your work is an important opportunity for you to make your highest contribution to the world. It’s not a means to get more money or fulfill your lust for material desires, but think of it as the end. It is extremely important to make this distinction in our mind.

lead by following

In their book The Dichotomy of Leadership [https://amzn.to/2Z6YqTO], Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, two ex-Navy SEAL commanders, write about their extraordinary experiences while stationed in Baghdad and Ramadi during the Iraq War which helped them become effective leaders. They learned some invaluable lessons and after returning to

maktub

As I read The Alchemist many years back, a word really caught my attention and always stayed with me — maktub. It’s a theme, a saying to be precise, that’s beautifully explored in the book and that simply translates to “It is written.” In other words, it can also

surround yourself with mentors

In the show Game of Thrones, Season 4 Episode 3 to be precise, the Lannisters stand over the body of Joffrey Baratheon in the Great Sept of Baelor (he was previously poisoned at his own wedding). Tywin Lannister approaches his grandson Tommen Baratheon and asks him, “Your brother is dead.

comfort cripples us

A girl once found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day, a small opening appeared on it. Fascinated by this, she sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to get its body past through that little gap. After many attempts, it suddenly stopped. It looked like

the two kinds of surrender

Mainly, there are two kinds of surrender — one is surrendering due to panic, and the other is surrendering by virtue of acceptance. The former involves fear of fate and the latter is all about love of fate, also known as amor fati. When things go sideways and when we don’

work while you work, play while you play

We all have limited time, and we live in an age where attention is the currency that drives global commerce. So, it makes sense to focus on learning how to improve our focus and maximize our productivity. There are numerous resources out there that can help us focus on doing

collect intense experiences

Many of us get trapped in the monotony of life — doing our jobs, driving or commuting, household chores, errands. But the downside of this monotony is that we lose the wonder in our eyes and the excitement and enthusiasm that we used to have towards life. We forget that life

you can’t escape death and unhappiness

Once a long time ago, there was a woman named Kisagotami, whose first-born son died. She was so stricken with grief that she wandered around the streets carrying her son’s dead body, asking for help to bring her son back to life. A kind and compassionate man took her

you're not different

Certain people create their own obstacles that stop them from progressing in the journey of personal development, and limit them from becoming better and more successful. They prefer to remain under the spell of their individual inertia staying where they are instead of moving forward. They come up with excuses

sometimes winning is doing the really brave thing

The third important takeaway from Brené Brown’s Netflix special [https://www.netflix.com/in/title/81010166] is: Sometimes winning is doing the really brave thing. Towards the end of the talk, Brown shares a story about her daughter who had joined a year-round swim team. Her coach assigned her

the myths of vulnerability

Continuing the key insights that I learned from Brene Brown’s Netflix special Brené Brown: The Call to Courage [https://www.netflix.com/in/title/81010166], the second important takeaway is: Many of us have zero idea of what vulnerability exactly means. During the special, Brown points out the following

being conscious about who we seek feedback from

Brené Brown, a New York Times bestselling author and a research professor at the University of Houston, has spent her entire career studying shame and the relationship between courage and vulnerability. Last weekend, I finally watched her Netflix special Brené Brown: The Call to Courage [https://www.netflix.com/in/

create your life’s blueprint

Martin Luther King Jr. was not only an influential leader but also one of the greatest orators in the entire human history. On October 26, 1967, which would be six months before he was assassinated,  King gave an incredible speech to a group of students at Barratt Junior High School

learning from our failures

In his search for the right filament for the light bulb, Thomas Edison tried two thousand different materials. When none of them worked effectively, his assistant got frustrated and complained, “All our work is in vain. We have learned nothing.” Edison, as calm and confident as ever, replied, “Oh, we

your time will come

The adage ‘Follow your dreams’ sounds poetic, inspirational and Disney-que on paper, but it’s not exactly an easy path. It’s not a fairytale by any means, in fact, it’s a long and difficult road ahead. It may take weeks, months and even years of waiting as you

becoming a better person

Long time back, a King commanded a boulder to be placed on a roadway. Once it was done, he hid himself and secretly watched to see if anyone would make an effort to move the boulder out of the path. Some of the wealthiest merchants and members of the King’

stop digging

In his radio program and podcast The Dave Ramsey Show [https://www.daveramsey.com/show], a piece of common advice that personal finance author and speaker Dave Ramsey gives to his callers, who are working towards paying off huge amounts of debt, is to cut up their credit cards and/

ikigai

Living a life of purpose has been linked with longer and happier lives. Studies have shown that losing purpose can have detrimental effects on a person’s well being and overall life. As a quote from the movie The Matrix Reloaded, goes: “There’s no escaping reason, no denying purpose,

the wise yogi

Once, there was a wise yogi whose teachings got immensely popular and people all around the world started following him. He started conducting gatherings in his hometown where people would come and ask him questions regarding their individual problems, seeking solutions that would help them in their lives.  For many

pour love into your work

We spend a significant portion of our lives at work. But the unfortunate truth is that a majority of us work for money, not for meaning. Researchers have found that how we view our work has a direct impact on our health and well-being. For some of us, work is

the formula for humanity

German philosopher Immanuel Kant came up with a simple formula for humanity: “Act in such a way that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in the person of any other, never merely as a means to an end, but always at the same time as an end.

hustle with intention

I was re-watching GaryVee’s interview with Matt D’Avella [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eumk7Ab043w] and loved his explanation of how relentless hustling, minimalism, mindfulness and awareness can not only coexist together but their amalgamation, in fact, can lead us to a much happier, healthier and more satisfying

stress is an illusion - part 2

We live in a world of constant stimulation. And as we cruise through life, we get seduced by self-imposed stress. You might be surprised and asking why we deliberately go through stress in our daily lives. The simple and short answer is that we love stress and we keep creating

stress is an illusion - part 1

Have you wondered why a particular thing or activity that one person finds enjoyable, the other person finds stressful? The difference is nothing but the illusion they create around that thing or activity. Apart from our natural human responses to threats and dangers, stress doesn’t exist. Stress or any

the consequences of comfort escalation

As technology has advanced, in today’s day and age we all get to experience comforts that humans in any era before never would have imagined to have access to. Even in our individual lives, if we zoom out and see, we’ll realize that we have come a long

hard work vs real work

Being busy does not equal being productive. You may be the busiest person in the room but that doesn’t mean that you are the most productive as well. We all think busyness is a virtue and something noble, but it’s not. In fact, it may be hurting your

setting upper and lower limits

Building boundaries for ourselves and deliberately limiting ourselves is one of the most freeing things that we can do for ourselves, as paradoxical as it may sound. In his book Less Doing More Living, Ari Meisel mentions a fundamental principle of setting upper and lower limits. An upper limit is

make the shift

During the Middle Ages, one time a passerby came across three craftsmen as they were working. He took a pause and asked them one by one what they were doing. The first man said he was laying bricks, the second one shared that he was building a wall. And the

letting go of the externals

There’s no law written in stone anywhere that if you’re pursuing a simple life, cultivating detachment and practicing philosophy that you need to give up all your materialistic desires and worldly possessions, and downgrade your dressing style and the way you show up in this world. There are

we are built to work

How do you feel when you skip the gym or yoga for a few days? What about when you take a break or vacation for too long? Chances are you feel irritable, bored, trapped and sad. It’s natural to feel this way, because we humans are built to work,

collective isolation

It’s common knowledge that we are all addicted to technology. A significant chunk of our days are spent staring, scrolling and swiping screens. Our dependence on our digital devices has increased exponentially, in fact so much that being on our devices has superseded our need for human connection. This

get to the other side

Once, there was an eccentric wealthy man who was hosting a grand party at his house. As he was enjoying his time with the guests, he took them to his backyard and showed them his swimming pool which was filled with alligators. In a merry mood, he announced to his

great people keep journals

Journaling is a wonderful practice that I believe we all must experiment with. It’s a simple but powerful exercise, and an intimate way to express our thoughts and become cognizant of them. Journaling gives us both time and space to explore our thoughts, feelings and emotions and capture them

becoming kind and loving

Sometimes, the Universe sends us reminders of kindness, gentleness and love. Nature and this wonderful planet that we live in help us get in touch with these feelings through their beautiful and mysterious ways. They help us become cognizant of this sacred place within us that we had discovered before

what type are you?

A few weeks back, I watched American Sniper [https://amzn.to/2LagJka] (it had been on my list for quite some time). In the movie, it is shown that when Navy SEAL Chris Kyle was growing up, his father educated him, “There are three types of people in this world:

having a strong "why"

The common thread among the most successful people inhabiting this planet is that they are all driven by a strong “why”. They are all on a sacred journey to fulfill their mission. A great example is Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks. On a chilly day in the month

get the negative energy out

It’s not uncommon to have negative energy accrue within us and our mind, as a result, beginning to raise an alarm. A good strategy to release that toxic energy out of your system is to start moving around. Go for a walk in your neighborhood, work out or take

don’t wait until tomorrow

In my 20s, there were certain times when I would tell and even encourage myself to make mistakes. My excuse was: “Hey, I’m in my 20s and still young, these are not my wise years, it’s my time to make mistakes.” I used to believe that “there’ll

the way you do one thing is the way you do everything

I recently read an old Zen saying, “The way a person does one thing is the way they do everything.” There’s great truth in it, and it’s worthwhile to contemplate these words and let their meaning seep into our consciousness. If we have a task at hand — no

independence day

Today is the 4th of July, Independence Day of the United States of America, the land of opportunities. It’s a national holiday and a great occasion for the people all around the country to get together and celebrate the American spirit, and of course enjoy an extravagant display of

be willing to let go of convenience

In order to become the best version of ourselves and fulfill our dreams, we need to let go of our current identity, the one that has been shaped by the society we live in, by our old limiting beliefs and by our previous flawed actions and behaviors. We need to

choosing the right interpretations

Some of us take things personally and get hurt by every little thing. We don’t give others the benefit of the doubt; this can cause great harm to us in the long run. It’s easy to interpret words, whether they be written or spoken, in an incorrect way.

become a diver

A majority of us inhabiting this planet are living superficial lives, the reason being that we are simply more focused on our individual needs and wants. We are busy satisfying our own desires without thinking about addressing the concerns of others. Yet the void within us never gets filled. There’

choose what is over what if

Sometimes, fear just seeps in our life, and soon we start punishing ourselves with it. Gradually it becomes a part of our everyday life and starts living with us uninvited. The problem is that as soon as a particular fear enters our mind, our mind clings to it. The traumas

focus on less, not lack

There’s a significant difference between focusing on less and focusing on lack. One is geared towards essentialism and intentionality, while the other is nothing but depriving ourselves of living a whole and meaningful life. We live in a society where we are constantly bombarded with a high volume of

forgiveness leads to freedom

Nelson Mandela is not only an iconic leader in the history of mankind but also one of the supreme humans who has lived on the planet. He’s a truly inspirational figure and we all can learn a great deal from the way he handled himself during extremely difficult times

ripples on the surface

Distractions are like pebbles, each one of them when dropped creates ripples on the surface of the pond. With increasing distractions everywhere we go, these ripples keep surfacing in our mind distancing us from clarity and understanding its depth and what lies underneath. As we practice meditation and cultivate mindfulness

the windows that we look through

Once somewhere in South Asia, there was a young couple who lived in a lovely home in a beautiful neighborhood. They had nice people in the community but for some reason, the wife absolutely hated the woman who lived next door to them. One morning as they were about to

step by step

We all want radical solutions to the challenges and obstacles that we face in our life. The technology-driven world around us seduces us to look for instant fixes in our life as well. We start believing that the only way to correct ourselves and our lives is to take a

keep pushing through

There’s a popular adage by Robert H. Schuller that we all have come across: “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” There’s great truth behind it. No matter what you’re experiencing, keep pushing through. If you feel deserted and lonely and those you’ve counted on

focus on doing your best

When Gretchen Rubin, the author of the New York Times bestselling books The Happiness Project [https://amzn.to/2L9Dq7t] and Happier at Home [https://amzn.to/2WWFmXO] and host of the award-winning podcast Happier [https://gretchenrubin.com/podcasts/], was asked in a recent interview how she maintains her inner calm

the power of an open heart

As we embark on the journey of opening our heart and growing ourselves emotionally, it also leads us to opening our minds and expanding our consciousness. We attain increased clarity of mind and thought. As we clear the channel to the heart by immersing ourselves in our emotions and expressing

the goodness of yoga

This essay is an excerpt from The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj] , my new book. Yoga, now widely practiced all around the world, is not a religion but a way of living that promotes a balanced development of the body, mind and spirit. Unlike other

days of the week

We only have seven days a week: Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday As you can see, none of them are ‘some day’ or ‘one day’. They’re just a fragment of our imagination, an indicator of a life not fully lived. We’ve got to make the best

who do you want to be?

In Hindu mythology, Arjun was considered one of the best archers and warriors in his era. He was certainly the most influential of all the Pandavas. His exceptional battle skills along with his sharp thinking made him unstoppable. There’s a story from his childhood where Dronacharya, who was responsible

you are a gift

Unfortunately for some of us, our parents never communicated to us the notion that we were gifts to them and this world as we grew up. The specific reasons would have been different, but the common experience that we went through was that they were not there for us the

forging your character

The world that we are living in today is full of traps. There are forces lurking around that want to tempt you, seduce you, change you, and distance you away from your time, money and attention. But a powerful antidote to all these degrading elements in the society is a

true success is abstract, not material

How do you define success for yourself? This is a key question that we all need to answer at some point in our lives. And the sooner we do this, the better it is for us. Most of us get trapped by social conditioning and start believing that success is

fewer wants equals more freedom

We can’t deny the truth that when we curb our desires and limit our wants, we not only free up our precious resources — our time, attention and energy — but we also gain more freedom. In today’s world, we are all slaves to our wants, which are further fueled

create your own time capsule

As much as we love time travel and enjoy it in movies and shows, it’s not going to be a reality for us any time soon. But a good alternative, at least in my opinion, is to create your own personal time capsule. What I mean is: start journaling.

choosing the right influence

There are certain people in our past that would have hurt or annoyed us. There would be strong negative emotions attached to them. Sometimes, they never come again in our lives but there are other times when that person keeps showing up in our lives due to circumstances that we

do the best with what you’ve got

After my meditation session a few days back, as I was going through my morning routine, my inner voice quietly whispered to me, “You’ve got to make the best with what you’ve got.” It instantly struck a chord with me. I knew there was a great truth and

you’re racing against yourself

The philosophy of Karma Yoga emphasizes on cultivating detachment from outcomes. It guides us to do the right actions without expectation of any rewards, recognition or praise. In the Bhagavad Gita [https://amzn.to/2X1xvYe], Krishna instructs Arjun, “Desire for the fruits of your work must never be your motive

focus on the big el

One common mistake that many leaders make is that they lead based on assumptions, not facts. Instead of assuming things about the team players and telling them what to do, it’s best to truly understand them by asking questions and listening to what they have to say. A key

the only thing that we truly own

We don’t have an absolute control over our body as much as we’d like to think we do. We never know when a disease such as cancer may come our way and ravage our body. We may lose our eyesight due to an illness. We may get injured,

honor your partner’s dreams

We all have dreams but a majority of us find it challenging to pursue them. Life happens and it can get tough to fulfill our dreams while maintaining a full-time job, taking care of our family and addressing the needs of our loved ones. But if you’re in a

the good samaritan

There’s an important lesson conveyed in the parable of the Good Samaritan, which is a parable told by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. It is about a traveler who encounters some robbers who strip him, beat him and leave him half dead alongside the road. First, a priest

when the blank space stares at you

There are times when as a writer I feel stuck. Don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy writing and coming up with an essay or a passage for you every single day to keep you inspired and help you garner a new insight and get a newer and better

powerful but slaved

A couple of days back, as I watched the live-action Aladdin movie, I found the irony that the Genie faces every day of his existence quite interesting. According to him, genies have ‘phenomenal cosmic power’ and are actually ‘all powerful’. However, this power comes at a price. They are bound

dealing with rejections and setbacks

Are you tired of dealing with rejections, setbacks and disappointments? If you are tempted to give up on something meaningful to you, and are exhausted of battling roadblocks on your way, I hope this true story would inspire you to keep going. Harland was born on a farm in 1890

the right amount of friction

Whenever we feel stuck in life, moving forward seems challenging but it needs to be done. The key lies in starting, even if it means starting small. Moving forward without a plan is a risky move as we are not intrinsically inspired and driven towards achieving a certain objective. On

engine or anchor - part 2

We need to replace the negative influences in our life with the elevated associations and experienced and successful people who inspire us to go further in the journey of success. As Mark Twain advised, “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but

engine or anchor - part 1

We all have heard of the famous Jim Rohn quote, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Our quality of life, health, attitude, perspective, relationships, income and impact can be easily be measured by looking at the people who we hang out with.

effective altruism

The social movement of effective altruism basically distills down to answering one simple question: how we can use our resources to help others the most? It aligns brilliantly with certain elements in different philosophies, whether it be Minimalism, Utilitarianism, Stoicism, or Karma Yoga. It not only involves doing what we

difficult relationships test us

We all come across relationships in our lives that are difficult and sometimes toxic. All these relationships are actually tests that life puts us through and we have no choice but to go through them. Mahatma Gandhi, who is seen as a symbol of peace and a saintly father-like figure

embrace the pursuit - part 2

Here are three key nuggets of advice that you can keep in mind as you decipher the pursuit in your own life: 1. Not having a pursuit is not an option: The truth is we will always be chasing one thing or the other. We all are wired to pursue

embrace the pursuit - part 1

Our society and culture have influenced us to believe that we need to work hard all our lives to earn a great deal of money so that eventually we are able to retire rich and attain financial freedom that would, in turn, allow us to hop from one beach resort

our judgments cause us suffering

External events are not inherently good or bad. They are what they are. It’s the way that we perceive them that determines whether we suffer because of them or not. As Epictetus pointed out, “It isn’t events themselves that disturb people, but only their judgments about them.” We

intentional giving

Some of us get into the rut of compulsive giving. It comprises of charitable acts that are motivated, not inspired, driven by selfish feelings of shame, guilt, obligation, or ego. Intentional giving and learning to be a healthy giver can get difficult. Compulsive giving and excessive caretaking essentially communicate that

to love is human

If we want to live great lives enriched with freedom and happiness, then we need to leave the hate and bitterness from our past. If we fail to do so, we’ll always be imprisoned by it. Our true nature is to love, not to hate. And the more we

testing your opinions

Just do a tiny life experiment. Go talk to a familiar stranger today (I know it sounds paradoxical). This person may be someone who you see daily on your commute to work, or they may be someone who lives in your community but you’ve never had the chance to

make ‘feeling good’ a priority for yourself

Often times, we let our circumstances, the place we’re in, and the people that we meet and spend time with dictate our emotions and our level of happiness. It’s not easy for us humans, but we need to train ourselves to be happy no matter what conditions we

little actions

Is it possible for us humans to eliminate all of our flaws and live as perfect beings for the rest of our lives? Of course not. When we look at great people like Buddha, Marcus Aurelius, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., and Nelson Mandela, not only do

don’t be busy

So many of us are seduced by the notion of ‘being busy’. We take pride in it and even sometimes flaunt it. We want to show to the world that we’re frantically moving from one task to the next one, skipping meals and not even pausing to catch our

the civil war within us

We wish to attain financial freedom and build a better future for ourselves and our family, yet we end up spending recklessly and take part in impulsive purchases. We say we want to find a better, well-paying job, yet we hardly look around and take any action. We desire to

excavate the negativity within you

We all have a dark side within us, the one that keeps us away from loving ourselves and the people around us, from letting others love and adore us, and from enjoying the juiciness of life. It’s important that we look for the buried negative feelings from past events

giving others the benefit of the doubt

When we experience other people’s screwed-up and skewed-up behaviors and actions and their awfulness and rudeness, we easily get hurt, offended and defensive. We are quick towards judging others and take things personally. We stew, we shower them with expletives, we gossip about them. Instead of taking things to

making friends with our mind

As we embark on the journey of mindfulness and awareness, we are also making friends with our mind and the collective consciousness. We are getting in better touch with our Inner Being which positions us to make better friends with the people around us. Whenever we sit down to meditate,

acting rationally

If we take a closer look at our past behaviors and actions, we will come across a sad realization — that we have not been acting consciously and rationally. Instead of taking charge and being deliberate with our choices, decisions, behaviors, and actions, we were ruled by our emotions, impulses, unconscious

letting go of the need to impress other people

Most of us take great measures and go to vast lengths in order to impress someone. We end up wearing uncomfortable clothes that we don’t even like, we pick up accents, we change our hair color, we start eating differently, we drive cool cars and we buy shiny gadgets

hamster on a running wheel

Most of us live our lives like a hamster on a running wheel. We think we are running hard, we think we are progressing ahead but in the end, we are in the same place where we initially started. Unfortunately, the empty pursuits that we engage in don’t take

gratitude and a cup of joe

Not too long ago, I inculcated a quiet gratitude practice in my daily routine for my morning cup of coffee once I had it in my hand before I took the first sip. I have been going through some tough times, and one day I was just grateful that I’

mother's hands

In the book A Second Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul, Louisa Godissart McQuillen shares a story about her warm relationship with her mother. When she was young, every night, her mother came to tuck her in even past her childhood years. It became a daily custom for her

taking long walks in nature

An activity that is greatly rewarding both for the body and the soul is taking long nature walks, especially at the end of the workday. Not only you’ll be able to beat the tiredness and exhaustion that you feel after work, but they’ll also help you relax, rejuvenate

the power of oscillation

The greatest performers and creative producers amongst us don’t work in a linear way i.e. they don’t hit it hard and put in long hours continuously to get work done and get their desired results. Instead, they work in a cyclical way and tap into the power

we all have expiration dates

We all live in denial as we cruise through our lives with regard to the fact that we are going to die eventually some day. We refrain from looking at this truth in the eye, and pretend that our death is not real. But the truth is that we all

filling the void within

As we spend our lives, most of us feel a void within us. This is because we humans are driven to pursue meaning, significance, love, and contentment. While some of us choose a correct path for themselves that align with their inner values and goals, others start pursuing wrong avenues

choosing satisfaction over impatience

As life moves forward and as we gather new experiences and interactions with others and with the world, we birth new desires and wants. But because manifestation takes time, continuing with our current circumstances and situations becomes tricky, especially if we are habituated with receiving short-term rewards. When our desires

every journey is worthwhile

All of us choose our own journey and there are so many factors that dictate our choices — our intuition, our past experiences, our future expectations, our peer group, and social circle, and our own foundational values. The path that we have trod in our past and the one that we

the true cause of irritation

Having lived across different cultures, among different people, and under different circumstances, it was not too long ago that I started to realize that when I find certain places, people, things or environments to be irritating or annoying, it’s not their fault, it’s actually mine. Because in all

what we think about impacts our reality

In Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn instructs little Anakin Skywalker, “Always remember, your focus determines your reality.” Our thoughts are powerful and can have a direct impact on the nature of the reality we live in. What we spend our time thinking about influences

unique yet one

Our human life is interwoven with a beautiful paradox — each of us is unique yet we are all one. We all are made of almost the same genetic material, we all have the same body composition. We all have the same body parts and organs, yet each of us — as

why tension is your friend

Have you been feeling some tension in your life lately? If your answer is yes, then that’s actually a good thing. Viktor Frankl, celebrated Austrian psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, went through the gruesome and tragic experience of slave labor at Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz. He ended up losing

one important billionaire trait

One of the most important traits that all the billionaires have in common is that they absolutely love to learn. A couple of examples off the top of my head are Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. The uber rich amongst us are always inclined to maximize their knowledge and wisdom,

dealing with toxic emotions

The quickest way to get rid of hard and toxic emotions is to face them head-on. This is not easy and requires a great deal of wisdom and strength. As the quote from the Conversations With God book series goes: “What you resist persists, what you look at disappears”. We

cultivating trust for exceptional teamwork

Trust is important for the prosperity of any relationship, whether it be personal or professional. Lack of trust leads to dysfunction. It’s not liking each other that fosters a relationship, but it’s actually trust that helps attain the cohesion and solidarity that is needed to make the relationship

the one thing to become a slave to

We all keep falling into the claws of slavery in our day to day life. We become slaves to our work, obligations, sex, anxiety, anger, and addictions among many other things, sometimes unbeknownst to us. There’s no virtue in living a life of imprisonment and being tied up in

the difference between ego and confidence

Some people think ego is their friend, while some people believe it’s their enemy. To a certain extent, ego can be helpful but beyond it, it can be toxic. According to the Oxford dictionary, ego means a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance. It’s good to have

how to become a superhero

This essay is an excerpt from The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj] , my new book. We all have a superhero inside us, believe it or not. We have unique talents inside us but we let our old belief system, distractions and associations determine the outcome

from shortcomings to greatness

Dita Von Teese, a popular American burlesque dancer, actress and singer, was once asked if there was a dream that she knew would never come true, and she revealed her childhood dream of becoming a ballerina. She even took ballet classes for most of her life, but by the time

cultivating appreciation towards our creations

Some of us are in the creative industries where the sales of our creations dictate our revenue. Due to this uncertainty of income every month, some thrive under this pressure, while some end up becoming worrywarts. Whether you’re a writer, a painter, or a musician, if you have a

trusting the universe

Sometimes, we take things too seriously and start focusing too much on the details. The more we try to control things, the bigger is the chance that we’ll screw things up. Instead, it’s best to relinquish control, and take it easy and relax. When things get too chaotic

the search for ‘happy ending’

We all want insta-solutions. We want more money in our bank accounts, a loving partner who loves and cares for us, a wildly successful business, a wonderful home etc. as soon as we can. No matter what your ‘happy ending’ is, you feel that once you get these things, you’

‘good’ or ‘bad’?

There’s a story that I’ve heard a few times via different mediums over the years and I’d love to share it with you. It’s an ancient parable that goes like this: There was once a farmer in a village. One day, his horse ran away. So,

choosing a side

We are all complicated beings. There are multiple layers to us dictated by our fears, wants, desires, anxieties, and insecurities. The world around us that is filled with billions of humans is equally, if not more, complex and difficult to navigate through. With so many voices and noises around us,

overcoming resistance

In his books such as The War of Art, Do The Work, Turning Pro and The Artist’s Journey, Steven Pressfield talks about a universal force that he claims works against us and our creativity. He labels it as ‘Resistance’. Resistance is described as a mythical entity that has one

our brain is like a muscle

As we can develop our chest, shoulders, biceps and triceps in the gym by lifting dumbbells and barbells or simply by doing bodyweight exercises, we can strengthen and grow our brain as well. We need to ensure that we constantly work towards challenging it and expanding its limits, and use

greater risk, greater reward

There is duality in everything — day and night, up and down, success and failure, good and bad, light and dark, victory and defeat. Life works in balance, in an equilibrium — kind of like a pendulum. That’s why in order to attain great rewards, we need to take great risks.

cork bobbing in the water

The key to mastery and becoming a top producer, in essence, attracting extraordinary success is doing things that most of the people don’t like to do. They do high-value activities that the people who have embraced mediocrity don’t feel like doing — even when they too don’t feel

mutual annoyance

As we form and forge our relationships, it’s important that we consider other people’s wants and needs. We, humans, have a strong internal responsibility to be loving and caring. It’s who we are. But in this process, we need to stay away from becoming a people pleaser.

express negative reactions privately

It’s tempting to get into an argument, to pick a fight, to prove someone wrong on their face but it never leads to any good. Even worse, we end up regretting our words, actions or behaviors. These are times when it’s best to let go of ‘being right’

talent vs discipline

When it comes to living an extraordinary life that reflects success and greatness, talent plays a minor role. Being talented is not enough, the one who is disciplined and takes inspired actions consistently wins. There are so many talented people all around the world living a life of quiet desperation.

self-doubt never goes away

As creative beings, we need to get this one thing right in our heads: Self-doubt never goes away. It will always be nibbling at us as we continue our artistic journeys. But instead of looking at it in a negative light, it’s important that we look at it through

true strength

We don’t have to always be perpetual towers of strength, standing tall and mighty all the time. We are strong. We’ve shown that and we don’t have to prove that again and again. Strength also involves expressing our vulnerability. Sometimes, the best way to take care of

lottery hope

Buying a lottery ticket is one of the most irrational things we can do. The odds of winning Mega Millions jackpot which has now hit $1.6 billion are drastically small. In fact, a person is 400 times more likely to be hit by lightning than winning the lottery. Yet,

right person, wrong plan

Inspiration and action can take us a long way. But occasionally we also need to throw in wisdom into the mix to get further on our path towards greater success. And wisdom comes from collecting data, through words both written and spoken and through the life experiences that we gather.

the real progress

As we invest our time and resources in learning the tenets of philosophy and in our personal development, striving to become our ideal best self, we often question ourselves: How do I know if I’m making progress in this journey? Seneca contemplated on this subject as he was writing

walk like an elephant

Most of us are running haphazardly trying to achieve the success, wealth and abundance that we desire. We may even achieve a few accomplishments, but then sooner or later, we lose our steam and start falling behind. And the same applies for learning and personal development. We read a book

take charge of your vibration

Many times, we let other people control us. We let their words, behaviors and actions dictate our emotions and how we feel about ourselves. Whether we’re a people pleaser or a rebel, we need to detach from what other people think or feel about us. We need to stop

believe in what you can’t see

Our perception defines our reality, and that’s why a lot of us remain stuck. The limitations that we face in our everyday life dictate and determine the way we live our lives. We stay away from questioning the beliefs that have been inculcated in us since we were kids.

the constant battle in our brain

Our human brain essentially comprises of two parts. The Primal Brain consists of a complex set of structures that lie on both sides of the thalamus, just below the cerebrum. It consists of hypothalamus, hippocampus, amygdala and several other nearby areas. The job of this brain has always been to

the secret to long-lasting love

I came across a touching and heartwarming story some time back. This story beautifully illustrates the importance of the three pillars of a relationship that I previously discussed abiut viz. respect, love, and support. Here’s how it goes: A man, much reserved by nature was very hesitant to ask

rigid but flexible

We can be as rigid and disciplined as we want to be, but in order to live well, we also need to be flexible. When we face the storms of life, our rigidity may work against us breaking us to the core. We need to be both rigid and flexible

ctrl+alt+del

We all come across times when our computer gets stuck; and the habitual response that we all have cultivated is pressing the three keys together — Ctrl, Alt, Del. In some cases it helps us open the task manager and interrupt and close the non-functioning program, in others it helps us

your perceptions create your reality

There’s a big difference between reality and our perception of the reality. Our personal programming shapes our beliefs and our beliefs dictate the lens through which we see the world. The Stoics teach us that we must keep a constant watch on the flood of impressions of the world

your everyday acts create your legacy

When we think of leaving a lasting legacy, we think we need to do some monumental work in our lives in order to make a global impact. We think we need to make a big mark on this planet and on the hearts and minds of people so that they

two digital tools to increase your productivity

We all know how easy it is to get seduced by the digital distractions that we come across social media and video sharing platforms. Facebook and YouTube are two big avenues where if we don’t cultivate awareness and maintain self-control, we go down the rabbit hole and before we

the bell icon

It’s so hard to resist clicking the bell icon on our screens. It seduces us to either sign up for notifications or access them, and against our better judgment, we click on it. The society ingrains the fear of missing out (FOMO) so much into us that we feel

run or walk

Most of us are running around every day to get things done, whether we’re a student, employee or a business owner. But rarely do we stop and think: Are we running after the right things? Are we truly compelled to do the work that we are doing? Is this

the most impactful word in the success vocabulary

The word is ‘No’. This simple two letter word can be the most powerful tool in your success journey and the most important weapon in your arsenal as you pursue mastery. Saying no is crucial to remain focused in your craft and doing things that bring meaning and joy in

tune to the frequency within you

We lose touch with ourselves, more specifically our uniqueness and humanness as we spend our everyday life. We come across so many stimuli and come across new people. Unfortunately, sometimes our thoughts are dictated by what other people have done to us and how they have treated us. We get

when many become one

The philosophy of Yoga is not restricted to a particular religion, it’s universal. It’s practiced in the Eastern countries as well as is well integrated in the Western culture and society. Everyone has their own definition and beliefs about Yoga, but at its core, Yoga is about unifying

imperfect something is better than perfect nothing

Some of us operate with the all-or-nothing mindset. We believe that unless our favorable conditions are met, we won’t be able to participate in an activity that we know when done benefits us. But it’s not about the quality of the behavior or action you do, but about

what verse are you going to contribute?

This essay is an excerpt from The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://books2read.com/u/mvvnvj] , my new book. In the movie Dead Poets Society, there’s a scene in which John Keating (played by Robin Williams), an English teacher who inspires his students through his teaching of poetry,

reconnecting with the world

The hyperconnected world around us compels us to live in a state of delusion that we have a better connection with people around us and that we are on top of everything that’s happening locally and globally. But in spite of the technological advances that we pride ourselves in,

innate jealousy

We humans have an innate jealousy within us. When we see someone living a successful life, fulfilling their potential and living their genius, it’s human nature to feel threatened. We feel uncomfortable when others reach new heights of success while we remain stagnated in our lives. And when we

reading upgrades your perspective

It has been shown that readers are able to cope better with everyday stresses and setbacks, and come up with better strategies when they encounter obstacles. The simple reason is that reading helps them enhance their individual perspectives by expanding their repertoire of useful skills and tools. They are able

seeking wisdom in our downtime

As we pursue the journey of personal growth and never-ending self-improvement, we spend most of our time and resources on acquiring educational materials that help us either develop some skills that relate directly to our goals and our work or business viz. studying, or keep us positive, happy, inculcate the

be content with being clueless

The world has become small thanks to the Internet and other technological advances. It’s as easy to connect with your cousin who lives thousands of miles away from you as your neighbor who lives right across you. It’s as easy to know what events are going all around

good coffee bad coffee

There are days when we enjoy amazing coffee, and then there are days where we need to settle ourselves with some pathetic coffee because we don’t have any better options around. Our days are like those cups of coffee. There are days that are wonderful and well-balanced where we

the best gift

The best gift that we can give someone is our time and our presence. It doesn’t matter whether you send a birthday gift, a greeting card, flowers or maybe even a cake to someone, nothing beats you showing up in person. And this applies not only for occasions of

the paradox of easy

We all look at ease as an angel with a halo. To some extent, ease has become a currency in our lightning speed culture where we all need products and services that are fast, easy and convenient. Ease has become an important attribute for marketers as they pitch their products.

three ingredients of a balanced life

Attaining balance is a noble goal as we spend our lives. Whether we walk, ski or ride a bicycle, balance is key. The same applies for life and in any of its areas whether it’s at work, play or relationships. As we keep our goals in sight and progress

the best way to respond to a compliment

We give and receive so many compliments in our day to day life, but we hardly spend time figuring out what is an appropriate response that we should give when someone compliments us. The best way to respond when you are on the receiving end of a compliment is to

the poor rich

The lifestyles of the rich and affluent have been glamorized in books and movies like The Great Gatsby and Crazy Rich Asians. F. Scott Fitzgerald also went as far as opening one of his short stories with the classic lines, “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are

when resistance strikes

Resistance (as pointed out by Steven Pressfield) is what keeps us stagnant and stuck. It stops us from living our best life and keeps us from becoming our highest self. I feel vulnerable as I share this with you but over the past few months, I have let Resistance win

death is a double-edged sword

This essay is an excerpt from The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://amzn.to/2SpVnmi] , my new book. Death is a double-edged sword — a sword that hangs over our heads all the time. On one hand, we never know when our life will be taken away from us, but

your vibrational output

We get bombarded with so much information from various media that it gets hard to assess the ratio of helpful information against the degrading one. As we get drawn by the ploys of attention seeking digital giants, media companies and retailers, we start consuming irrelevant and distracting content that’s

figuring out our needs and wants

If we want to take 100% responsibility for our lives, we also need to take absolute responsibility for having what we need and what we want and being completely at peace with it. Sometimes, we give a much bigger priority to other people’s needs and wants. We work towards

every day is a fresh new start

Often we weigh ourselves down by our past behaviors, mishaps and mistakes. Our non-adherence to our disciplines and not acting in accordance with our inner values and philosophy causes a turmoil within us. We end up getting stuck in the negative cycles of shame, guilt and self-judgment. But we can’

two traits that lead to trust

What matters the most in our work and our life is the fact that people are able to trust us and count on us when the need arises. A couple of traits that we can work towards cultivating within us are: genuineness and consistency. When we exude these two qualities,

simplify to amplify

There is no better way to maximize our productivity, performance and get back in touch with our peace of mind than simplifying. With time, we build certain habits, routines and systems but if we don’t keep them in check, we end up feeding clutter and disorganization. We feel overwhelmed

child-like stubbornness

Sometimes, in order to get things done and accomplished, we need to reawaken within us the stubbornness that we had when we were children. No matter what we wanted, we ended up getting it through persisting, pestering and doing whatever it took us to convince our parents. We don’t

going with the (right) flow

In the world of self-help and personal growth, different people have different opinions about the phrase ‘going with the flow’. Some look at it in a negative light and some claim that it’s the best way to live our lives. I used to think going with the flow was

habit stacking

Many times we try again and again to form a new habit that we know when integrated in our daily routine will help us elevate ourselves and our interior empires. But in spite of our good intentions, we fail. A great and effective way to build a new habit is

hope and action

When we find ourselves defeated, vulnerable or simply amongst difficult challenges and circumstances, we can either wallow in self-pity or victimhood, or take charge and work towards correcting our situation. Sometimes, an external entity, a person, a speech, a quote or a book instills hope insides us, sometimes we conjure

the emotional spectrum

Sometimes, as we through difficult times, we get caged within negative emotions, especially the deteriorating trifecta of pain, fear and anger. But we forget that we have equal access to other feelings as well in the emotional spectrum, viz. happiness, satisfaction, peace, contentment, joy, tranquility, excitement, comfort and intimacy. We

the middle ground

One of the important objectives of embarking on the journey of personal growth is attaining balance. Balance is the precious middle ground and we need to make sure we always have our eyes set on it. It should always be our goal as we pursue our journey. There will be

doing work that uplifts you

We spend a good chunk of our lives at work, whether we do it for others or ourselves. It doesn’t matter if you’re an employee or an entrepreneur, what matters the most is what kind of person you are becoming as you work. If you think your work

not taking things too seriously

If life is getting all about work, finishing errands and fulfilling your responsibilities and everyday duties, then you’re stepping away from the juiciness of life. When we only focus on work and the daily grind, and not on fun, our life gets out of whack. We need to bring

the honest trap

Most of us preface our conversations with “To be honest with you…” or “I’ll be honest with you…” There’s no harm in saying those phrases, but when we start our sentences with them, we unknowingly fall into a trap. If we’re starting with these phrases that endorse

a strategy for daily mentorship

As we pursue the never-ending journey of personal growth, we form relationships with certain authors, mentors and influencers that help us become a better version of ourselves. We might want to read, listen or watch their creations consistently so that we go deep with them. But life comes in the

memento mori

This essay is an excerpt from The Way of The Karma Yogi [https://amzn.to/2SpVnmi] , my new book. The ultimate truth that we all humans face — whether we are rich or poor, successful or struggling, religious or spiritual — is that we all have a finite life span and we

making our inner being happy

We often do certain things and make sacrifices and compromises in order to make others happy. We live under the false illusion that we are going to successfully influence other people’s happiness through our words and actions. But we need to understand that in the end, each one of

simple and easy

When we think our days are getting too convoluted, our life is getting too complex, and both personally and professionally, we are feeling out of whack, we need to stop ourselves, take a deep breath, and focus on the two magic words: simple and easy. Sometimes, without our knowledge, we

tuning into the right relationships

In order for a relationship to succeed and thrive, we need to understand what it’s about and what are its requirements. Every relationship has its own frequency, and in order to achieve clarity and have proper communication, we need to tune to it. It’s akin to tuning to

resolutions vs small daily improvements

Many times, especially at the beginning of a new year, we fall into the trap of setting lofty resolutions for ourselves. We think that going into a new year and putting a new calendar on the wall or on our desk will magically transform our bad habits and behaviors. This

self-education leads to freedom

The superachievers and top performers who are making ground-breaking progress in their respective industries know a simple but fundamental truth: Education never ends. I’m not denying the importance of formal education, but rather emphasizing on the role of self-education in our lives. For most of us, the importance of

present to future

We can’t change our past but we can always change our future by controlling the choices that we make in our present. We cannot undo the choices that we have made, the words that we have spoken and the actions that we have participated in, but we do have

be a love maker

Today is Valentine’s day, the Love Day, and it’s a great opportunity for all of us to generate sincere warmth, appreciation and recognition for others, and spread our love seeds wherever we go. When it comes to meaningful loving, there are two main components to it. First is

the internal switch

When we come across overwhelming challenges, we feel scattered and occasionally weak. When we hit the rock bottom and find ourselves buried under the debris of our fallen life, and when we don’t see any sign of progress no matter how much we try, we feel we may never

the two waiters

We all have been through the experience where we are eating at a restaurant, and when we need something, we wave repeatedly at a waiter but he never seems to see us no matter how much we wave. And then another waiter standing at the far end of the room

experiencing different cultures

If you’re someone like me who has lived among diverse cultures, you may find yourself in a weird situation. Your ideas, thoughts and beliefs would be an amalgamation of different inputs you have received so far in your journey. You may feel a sense of accomplishment having lived in

the world needs your gift

We often look at the notion of doing the work that we truly love and the benefits that it brings to us only from our own perspective. We only think about how fulfilled we would feel or how prosperous we would become when we commit to aligned work. But we

sickness and recovery

Sickness is out of our control. Things would be going smoothly and linearly in our lives and all of a sudden, we would find ourselves engulfed by an ailment. In those weak times, we may be tempted to take charge of our daily tasks in spite of our illness and

"i don’t have enough time"

When we keep saying the phrase “I don’t have enough time” to others, it’s an indicator that our life is out of whack. The more we keep telling others that we are running short on time, the stronger this belief gets in our head. And soon, it becomes

consistency is the mother of mastery

In order to get better and excel in our life and our chosen field, we need to bring consistency in our actions. We need to be like our tortoise friend — slow and steady. If we sprint too hard one day and end up recovering for the next two days, we

fun is priceless

Contrary to the popular belief, fun is a subtle expression. Companies and retailers try to commercialize fun. Through their hoardings, advertisements and their social media presence, they mislead us into believing that fun is only for the selected few who take advantage of their offerings. They put a price tag

crickets

Some of us start our side hustles* and small businesses hoping to bring a positive change in the world, live our legend and attain our delayed desires. We put in extra hours and our heart and soul into the work and become our most creative and productive self to get

the noise in our heads

If you have been experiencing some noise in your head, don’t feel alone. We all experience different levels of noise and clutter in our minds. We all get bombarded with so much information in our everyday life, mix that with the different experiences that we gather and the set

the spotlight effect

There were times in my past when I felt awkward and uncomfortable eating in public, whether it be at restaurants, cafeteria, food courts or coffee shops. I can be a messy eater sometimes and whenever I wrestled with a burrito at Chipotle or ate Indian food — making my fingers dirty

success equals alignment

Contrary to the popular belief, success is not extrinsic, it’s intrinsic, it’s a manifestation of our inner alignment. Most of us dive into the ‘massive action’ mode in order to pursue success, but when we do so, we take a wrong approach. Success is something very personal, and

our atomic existence

The amount of matter that constitutes our human body is infinitesimal as compared to that in the Universe. The oldest stars in the Milky Way, according to science, are around 13.4 billion years old. The age of Earth is said to be around 4.5 billion years, and it’

copycat

There’s no point in becoming a copycat of someone else. You’re doing a disservice to yourself and your uniqueness. We can borrow ingredients from other people and create our own unique recipe. But we need to let our inner creative shine instead of becoming a cheap duplicate of

the roots of habit

Our life and character are shaped by our habits. What we repeatedly think about and do each day ultimately forms our behaviors, beliefs and personality. Essentially, we are nothing but the sum of our habits. Our habits dictate whether we are fit or overweight, happy or sad, and successful or

act before you’re ready

Many of us spend countless hours ‘preparing and planning’ and refining our strategy in order to start a new project that we love or making a meaningful switch in our careers. Unfortunately, some of us are so busy with the planning process that we never act. We are so busy

software upgrades

Like the various applications in our cell phones and computers need constant upgrades to fix any bugs and make the user experience smoother, faster and much more efficient, in a similar manner, we humans also need constant upgrades to make our life experience easier and more enjoyable. With time, we

happiness in relationships

In relationships, sometimes we attach our happiness to the other person. And when we do this, it always leads to suffering. Our relationships may contribute towards making us happy, but happiness, in its essence, transcends relationships. Instead of relying on the other person and their behaviors to make us happy,

your first true fan

In the midst of working our asses off to create meaningful creative work, we may feel dejected and bogged down that we are not attracting enough eyeballs. Contrary to what we expected, not a single person has shown up to appreciate us or our work and communicate the impact that

tom brady’s rise to nfl greatness

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is an inspirational role model for anyone who is committed to personal mastery and living a life of greatness filled with extraordinary feats. Whether you follow NFL or not, we can all learn something from the inspirational story of how Brady became one of

layers of changes

Certain times, life goes linearly but there come times when we take some life-changing decisions that change the most important aspects of our life — geography, climate, people, work. This does not apply to everyone but there are some of us who have been through these changes or are undergoing them

the perfect place to be in

Satisfied with what you have and eager for more — that’s the perfect place to be in!

untangle the headphone wires

I used to wear regular headphones a few years back. Although it was great to listen to music and audiobooks on the go, I hated and even dreaded untangling the wires of headphones every time I wanted to listen to something. And the worst part was that sometimes the wires

thoughtful spending

It has been shown that people spend more money when they use debit or credit cards than when they actually use cash. When we use paper money, we feel pain when we see it leaving our hands and going away. But it’s not the same case with plastic; our

it’s not about you

I’m a huge Marvel fan and not only do I enjoy the superhero movies but I also like and appreciate the nuggets of wisdom peppered in them. One piece of wisdom that really stayed with me is the last conversation between the Ancient One and Doctor Strange in the

craft over marketing

Our craft is the most essential thing and should be our top priority. Many of us get worried whether our work is being noticed and if we’re getting enough attention from others or not. We can’t switch our focus from our craft to spending time on how to

minding our own business

Often times, we poke our noses into other people’s lives. Without getting an invitation or seeking permission first, we get involved in someone else’s business. We act from the premise that something is wrong and it’s our responsibility to ‘fix’ it. No, it isn’t. We need

one is all

The Stoic concept of sympatheia reflects the notion of a well-integrated, interconnected cosmos in which everything in the universe is part of a grander whole. In his personal reflections, Marcus Aurelius writes, “Meditate often on the interconnectedness and mutual interdependence of all things in the universe. For in a sense,

painstaking work

I recently watched an inspiring interview [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATlOEPaifuU] where David Bach was asking Robin Sharma questions about his new book The 5 AM Club. In the conversation, Robin mentioned how it took him around four years to complete the book. He told that writing and

social media is secondary

As creative entrepreneurs, it has become difficult to attract people’s attention towards our creations and services. There’s so much digital haze and noise around that reaching people has become challenging. As a result, most of us resort to increased social media presence in pursuit of a bigger audience.

lightning speed

Some of us take a great amount of time in making decisions and taking the required actions. I am definitely one of them. We want to collect all the data that we can in order to make accurate decisions. This may be the fear of failure or fear of missing

same ingredients, different recipes

We are all made up of the same ingredients. The human machinery works in the same way for all of us. But it’s our behaviors and actions that dictate our destiny. We’re all biologically identical but still each and every one of us is unique. Not only do

work-life balance

Work-life balance is a noble goal. But we also need to understand that it won’t be possible to sustain this balance all the time as we pour our genius in our work and strive to live an exceptional life. On a day to day basis, we can choose work-life

the pull of the universe

The events in our life are divinely orchestrated by the Universe. Sometimes, they may seem organized and stack well over each other, while sometimes they may just appear as a random mess. The Universe works in mysterious ways, sometimes it gives us what we want and sometimes it gives exactly

change yourself to change the world

A woman once went to visit Mahatma Gandhi along with her young son. After walking for miles in the scorching sun and waiting for a long time, she finally got to meet him. She said, “Bapu, my son eats too much sugar. Would you please tell him to stop eating

the most powerful way to help others

As we go through our journey of personal growth and becoming a better human, a message — that strongly resonates with us — starts crystallizing in our mind. We know that this message when implemented has the potential to unlock a better way of living for anyone. But as we discover the

avoiding sources of unrest

We come across so many situations in our everyday life that either distract or upset us. We can’t control the chain of events that happen in our lives but what we can control is our proximity to any particular incident or occurrence. In today’s times when we are

income is a by-product

Success involves going against the grain and doing the exact opposite of what other people are doing. Our pursuit of money is an important one and we should always include it in our business equations and decisions. But it should not come before the noble pursuit of doing work that

suffering breeds strength

Suffering is a part of our lives, it’s inevitable. We all experience different levels and kinds of suffering from time to time and in those times most of us question why we are the ones who need to go through them. Maybe the suffering that we are going through

how many mornings do you have?

We all are mortal beings and we all will die at some point of time. Each day is a fresh start to start living our truth and doing our absolute best work. If we want to win in our lives, we need to win our days and the best way

the deepest fear

As our life progresses, we get attached to our loved ones, our belongings, our homes and the places where we stay in. As our attachment gets stronger day by day, and as happy and good times roll in, we distance ourselves from a discomforting but important truth: everything is impermanent

success is a numbers game

This a timeless truth. It has been true for the people who have lived before us, it’s true for us and will certainly be true for people who come after us. We need to master the art of failing and getting rejected in order to become successful, there’s

real fruits are better than fruit flavors

As we shop in the grocery store, we enter minefields of clever advertising. Various items, whether they be snacks, dairy products or desserts, claim they are healthy and have fruit names written over them to convince us of this fact. But if we look more closely, they just add artificial

activation energy

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a morning person or not, we all need an extra boost of energy when we wake up to throw away our comforter and sheets and get our feet on the ground. Once we wake up, after a while we feel better and happily

geniuses are often misunderstood

Geniuses are a different breed altogether. They have very specific needs and requirements to perform and function at their optimum best. Geniuses are often misunderstood by their peers and other people in the society. They are considered eccentric and even recluses. But they know what deserves priority. For them their

negativity bias

Our mind has a negativity bias; it’s simply more sensitive to unpleasant stimuli. Even the most optimistic ones amongst us have to go through this and constantly battle with their brains to see the bright side of things. We are more attuned to see what’s negative about a

satisfaction is alignment

Instead of creating endless wishlists and complaining that we have don’t have enough money in our bank account, or a partner to share love and intimacy with, or the body that we desire in spite of putting so much effort, we need to focus on what brings us satisfaction

who do you live with?

The people around you dictate your way of thinking, your lifestyle and the level of success you attract. In this day and age, it’s not difficult to be a collector and curator of ideas, insights and invaluable nuggets of wisdom. This is an era where we have the privilege

you create your own life

Sometimes we get caught up into thinking that we don’t have the power to create our own lives. We start believing that other people and circumstances control our lives and we are mere puppets following instructions. This is an illusion. Fate does have a role in defining and sculpting

professionalism demands consistency

The primary difference between an amateur and a professional is consistency and the sincerity behind the work. If you’re a professional, you need to stick to the code. You need to be disciplined, follow the protocol and be consistent with your actions. You can’t take your work or

get yourself in the league of extraordinary

Our associations determine our mindset and the level of success that we attract. If we want to become better, we need to surround ourselves with people and mentors who are better than us. We can indulge in conversations, activities and adventures that stretch us. We may feel uncomfortable in the

we are our own rescuers

We need to get rid of our faulty thinking that there is a knight in shining armor somewhere that will come to our rescue when we get stuck and caught up in difficult situations. It’s a false mindset to believe that we have to wait for someone else to

three pillars of a relationship

Not all relationships are created equal, but in order to ensure that our relationships thrive well, we need to keep in perspective these three important elements in our mind and our heart: Respect: When you stop respecting the other person or vice versa, your relationship starts deteriorating. Silence may start

new beginnings

Life cruises from one phase to another, and as we witness this change, it’s usually a bittersweet experience for us. We experience varying emotions: fear, sadness, excitement, and happiness to name a few. Some refrain from living in the present embracing the new change, and instead live in their

things will always remain the same

No matter how much progress we make, the fundamental truth is that we humans will always remain the same. Human emotions will never change, no matter how much we advance further in terms of technology and access. The generations before us and the generations after us have and will participate

sweet pressure

Unless we have had lady luck shining upon us all our lives, we all experience jobs with high pressure at some point in our work life. When the workload comes crashing on us and when we encounter unrealistic deadlines, we all go through times when fear kicks in and our

moments of comfort

Today morning, as the air got chilly, I got into my blanket while I was half-asleep. I embraced the warmth and after some time I felt an unimaginable comfort. I relished this sweet bliss and felt the kind of comfort that I haven’t felt in a long time. I

your genetics doesn’t determine your genius

We think that the geniuses that we see in this world are the lucky ones, the ones blessed with great genes and simply wired for success. This is false thinking because it makes us believe that success is all about getting lucky. Deep down we know this is not true.

all relationships come with lessons

Every relationship in our life, whether it be ephemeral or never-ending, brings to us a valuable lesson. Sometimes a relationship teaches us to acquire healthy behaviors such as detachment, sometimes it shows us the importance of becoming bold enough to set up some boundaries; sometimes it leads us to cultivating

arousal nonconcordance

Our genitals often respond in a different way than we want them to. But instead of misjudging ourselves and our arousal, we need to know that when our genitals respond to a stimulus, it basically translates to the fact that the stimulus is sexually appealing but not sexually relevant. In

today and every day

Today is here, in front of you. If you don’t pay attention, it’ll go away more quickly than you think. Today is a gift given to you, and the work you do today is a gift for your future. What will you do today to secure a better

stick to what works for you

It’s never guaranteed that the habits, behaviors and routines that work for others will work for us too. Only with time and experimentation, we will be able to figure out what works best for us and what doesn’t. We are all unique and there is no single approach

amor fati

All of us have events in our past that we wish had never happened. They may have altered the trajectory of our life or brought an unimaginable change in ourselves. We can’t fix something that has already happened, but we can fix our perception towards it. We need to

breathe and believe

I watched a video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mE_DU7HuBU] by The Minimalists few days back, in which they were having a conversation with Wim Hof, the Dutch extreme athlete also called as The Iceman. Hof is known for his ability to withstand extreme cold environments, which he

lust and love

We are creatures of both lust and love. We oscillate between them from time to time. There’s no need to judge ourselves, it’s in our nature. The trouble arrives when we pay too much attention to lust and shut the doors to love. Lust is superficial, it is

attitudinal contagion

We need to be wary of who we choose to include in our social circle. Their beliefs, ideas, habits, assumptions and opinions become ours the more we spend time with them. As Jim Rohn pointed out, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

guide on the side

An important thing that we need to consider when looking for a mentor is that they don’t make their lessons overly complicated. Their instructions need to be simple, concise and clear. The quality of a good mentor is that they are able to break down complex ideas and situations

sage from the stage

Because of the information overload that we all experience in our everyday life, before we zero in on a mentor, we need to be wary and take caution in deciding whom to choose. We need to be careful who we listen to and who we follow. Often those who have

birds and cellphones

Last weekend, I watched an Indian movie called 2.0 [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5080556/]. It was a great depiction of the fight between good and evil, but most importantly it drove people’s attention to a compelling issue that we all are facing right now — our overdependence on

a satisfied life is a successful life

We spend most of our lives working hard to pursue success that doesn’t even align with us. We try measuring our success with the yardstick of others. Our perception of success is misconstrued. We may well be successful in the eyes of other people, but deep down we know

stay away from short-supply thinking

There are times in our lives when we get caught up in short-supply thinking. We think that our needs and wants won’t get fulfilled. But the lack is not outside, the lack is inside us. We need to plug into the infinite Source within and around us. It may

add value, not noise

We are surrounded by noise wherever we go. With time, we find ways to tune out the noise that doesn’t serve us and distracts us from what we desire at that moment. As creatives and artists, it is vital that we stand out. In a world where every seller,

Is this thought helpful?

I was walking in the park close to where I live one evening not too long ago and as the gazebo was empty, I decided to sit there for a while and meditate. I played a meditation from the Simple Habit app that was a part of the Thought Detox

underpromise and over-deliver

A majority of us are talkers, not doers. We let words shadow our actions. We need to be wary of the promises that we make; there’s no point in making them if we can’t keep them. Don’t be all hat and no cattle. Tone down the level

the new economy

The old economy of only taking and focusing on sales over customers has long gone. The new economy is the polar opposite of what the old one used to be. The new economy focuses on generosity not scarcity. It focuses on giving not receiving. We need to fearlessly give away

one day at a time

Sometimes, we don’t exactly know where we’re going in our lives. Our path becomes hazy. Our questions go unanswered and doubts and fears start overpowering us. Even if we don’t see the road ahead we need to keep going. Because that’s what our life and our

pointless tinkering

We pour our genius and excellence into our creations, but when we reach towards completion, a majority of us get seduced by perfection. Our pursuit for perfection unfortunately gets us in the trail of incessant tinkering. We start focusing on minor things while the major thing is ready to be

empty is beautiful

As we start living a minimalist lifestyle, the more we declutter and discard, the more spaces start showing up in our homes, workspaces and in our days. As we have been conditioned to fill up every space we have, we may find this emptiness out of the place and weird.

clutter is an enemy of clarity

Where there is clutter, there can be no clarity. Clutter impedes our ability to think clearly, solve problems and arrive quickly at decisions. We can easily get distracted and lose our focus if we have too much clutter accumulated in our mind. Not only do we need to sift and

the fountain of goodness

As we live our lives, we try and hope to find goodness from things outside our realm of control — good news, good weather, good coffee, good luck. We need to stop relying on external circumstances for goodness. Goodness starts from within us. It’s a treasure within our soul waiting

conscious scrolling

As we get glued to our glowing screens, we become so absorbed with our consumption that we lose track of time and forget why we were on that website or app on the first place. We enjoy scrolling, it helps us cope with boredom, it helps us ignore reality, it

letting go is a muscle

Letting go is not easy. It’s like a muscle, it takes time to build it. We need to constantly put ourselves through pain, discomfort and resistance. It hurts in the beginning but with time as the muscle grows and becomes stronger, things get easier. Not only do we need

the cult of superficiality

Everyone is running around in a rush to get things done so that they can check them off from their list and feel better about themselves. The current ‘multi-tasking’ culture is training people to become shallow and ignore excellence and depth. As Steven Pressfield points out, “The disease of our

dealing with urges

Overcoming urges is not easy. We need to train our minds relentlessly to do so. Resisting and fighting urges is futile — the more we do that, the more we get trapped in them. Urges are like Devil’s Snare. We just need to stop fighting and let their grip over

heart over intellect

Don’t let your intellect overpower your heart. We can be logical as much as we want but there are times when we need to act in accordance with our hearts. In order to understand other people, sometimes reading their minds is not enough. We need to read their hearts

counter bad habits with good habits

It takes time to get over bad habits. We need to constantly interrupt those patterns and most importantly get off the path of self-sabotage. When our bad habits operate on autopilot, it’s important that we become conscious of our acts. Our every compulsive act that is detrimental to our

words can be forgiven but not forgotten

The words that come from our mouths are more powerful than we think they are. In good times or bad, we need to pay attention towards the words that we speak. Sometimes, choosing silence is the best route. Our spoken harsh words may haunt ourselves and others later on. And

lessflix and chill

Binge watching has become the current entertainment trend thanks to streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu. A Netflix survey found that 61 percent of its users regularly watch between 2-6 episodes of a show in one sitting. It has also been reported that Netflix members choose to binge-watch their way

humility

Humility is a great virtue shared by the uber-successful amongst us. They know that if they don’t pay attention, their success might derail them. They build a defense shield against arrogance and bring gratitude to the equation whenever they can to stay on course. If we let our ego

nothing fails like success

Most of us work hard, some even work smarter, and are eventually able to experience and enjoy the coveted peaks of success. But if we lose our awareness and sense of direction in this process, we let that success inflate our egos and mess with our mind and our mission.

a human of wow

If you want to walk continuously on the path of success, you’ll have to let go of mediocrity. You’ll have to go above and beyond to create a work of excellence and provide high quality service and products to your customers and clients. We need to show up

distance in relationships

Sometimes, in order for a particular relationship to survive and thrive, we need to create a distance between ourselves and the other person. This is important not only to revive the relationship, but also for maintaining our own calm and sanity. It may be easy for some and extremely difficult

dopamine

What’s the primary driving factor behind our addictions and attachments? The one word answer is dopamine. Many of us would have heard about it as it is the principal hormone responsible for inducing pleasure in us. Dopamine is not only responsible for pleasure but also contributes to learning and

biological family vs. logical family

Our biological family is not always our logical family. Their beliefs and thought processes may not align with ours. And it’s okay. We may not be getting the respect and support that we want from our family. They may not be meeting our expectations and we may be constantly

let go of unrest

During times of unrest and chaos, it gets difficult to be the best versions of ourselves. When we are engulfed with negative emotions, it gets challenging to show up with our best selves in our personal and professional lives. Our mind gets disturbed and our soul gets stirred, and it

pain is overrated

Our current culture celebrates pain. It’s a common belief that working extremely hard and undergoing immense pain are needed for success. You may try that approach, but the success that you attain will be short-lived. Attract success, don’t chase it. Let go of the mindset of ‘No pain,

student or journalist

As we gain mastery, in order to progress way ahead of others, we need to accrue additional knowledge with respect to our chosen field. We need to get acquainted with the tools of the trade and figure out how things work. There are two ways for doing this. The first

cocoon of comfort

Comfort and familiarity make us feel settled and add certainty to our lives. But they also stagnate us, keeping us away from gathering new experiences. We become more risk-averse with time. In order to grow, we need to challenge ourselves and leave our comfort zone. Without discomfort, there is no

revenge is futile

There’s no point in seeking revenge. It doesn’t make anyone or anything better. There’s a quote that I read in a relative’s place many years back: “Success is the best revenge.” I think it’s completely false. Success is about uplifting others, not seeking revenge from

tight bubble of absolute focus

In order to bring your genius into play and achieve top-notch productivity, we need to be able to focus on doing our work for a prolonged amount of time without any distractions or interruptions. We need to create a TBAF: Tight Bubble of Absolute Focus. When we concentrate intensely on

seeking love

We all go through phases in our lives when we encounter a scarcity of love. It’s like walking a desert looking for an oasis of love. And our search seems to never end. As we face the crisis of love, a potent solution is to change our approach and

kaizen

Let go of your big, hairy and audacious goals (BHAGs) and simply focus on learning and growing every day. We need to embrace small, continuous improvements on a daily basis. The Japanese have even given this idea a name: Kaizen, which is the Japanese word for continuous improvement. Worry less

victim vocabulary

The words that we speak in our daily lives reveal our state. When we cultivate awareness towards the words that are coming out of our mouths, we are able to ascertain our mindset and the lens through which we see the world. We may not be aware, but we may

not overwhelming others with our mission

Don’t overwhelm others with your life mission, it’s not worth it. Chances are they won’t be able to understand your passion in the way you them to. If we persist with unloading our mission on other people’s lives, they will start developing a resistance towards it

protect your inspiration

It’s easy to get inspired in this day and age, but the challenge lies in protecting the inspiration that we accrue over time. As we constantly expose ourselves to more and more news, entertainment and social media, it becomes easier for the fire of inspiration within us to get

stop the hammering

Sometimes, when we’re facing a problem or are stuck in a tough spot, a question starts gnawing at us. We start hammering ourselves with this question again and again so that we come up with an answer as soon as we can and end the misery. But there’s

absorb the goodness

We should always be inclined towards absorbing goodness from the people around us. Think of this world as a supermarket. Every human that we meet is unique and has his/her own interests, specialties, flaws, and idiosyncrasies. Rather than being judgemental about them, we need to accept them as they

the antidote to obsolescence

Obsolescence is a constant threat that lurks around us. If we stop moving, we stagnate. If we stop improving, we fall behind. If we stop growing, we start deteriorating. The antidote to obsolescence is lifelong learning. The superachievers and the uber-successful amongst us are relentless learners. No matter what summit

empty your cup

As the popular story goes, a man once went to a wise Zen Master to seek wisdom and learn about attaining enlightenment. The Master welcomed him and offered to discuss about this over tea.  As the tea was served, the Zen Master kept pouring tea even after the cup was

the meaning of passion

Passion doesn’t exist naturally, waiting to be discovered. You may be gifted with a few talents and have your own unique interests, but that doesn’t mean you have an innate passion for all of them. When you pick one of them and devote all your time and energy

default or design

We can choose to live in two ways: by default or by design. We can choose to go with the herd and react to life as it comes by. We can go with the flow of the society and do what it preaches us to do. We can run the

meditate on the green

At the end of my morning routine every day, I step outside my apartment and bring my attention towards the plants and trees around me. I meditate on the green. It helps me appreciate and experience nature for a few moments. It’s a calming experience, a reminder to take

money is a magnifying glass

Money magnifies your true nature. If you’re a generous person, you become more giving. If you’re a compulsive and impulsive spender, you become better at splurging on irrelevant things. It’s a worthy goal to have tons of money and become rich. But before that, the wisest thing

payments of appreciation

We all know that when we invest money in the right assets and make a good use of compounding, we become wealthy over time. But abundance is not money. Yes, money can play a big role in experiencing abundance but it’s not the entire story. Abundance is essentially a

distraction or disruption

As a creator, we need to be extra protective of our attention. To be at a leading edge and make a dent in the universe, we need to constantly monitor where we are directing our focus to. Either we can let distractions interject and deviate us from our job, or

less junk

We all have junk around us, in the nooks and crannies of our homes, workplace and our devices. We get overwhelmed as we live with it and instead of taking corrective measures, we make tolerating it a daily habit. The cost of our inaction keeps compounding every day and if

true wealth

Some people have nothing but still they are happy and content. Some people have everything that a person can wish for, but they are still not happy and satisfied True wealth is not extrinsic, it’s intrinsic. True wealth is our perception and the condition of our mind. Abundance lies

faith or fear

When things get difficult, when the tough times show up, when doubt lurks around in the shadows, there comes a choice: to continue having faith or to give in to fear. It’s an opportunity to show our unwavering commitment and resilience towards the path that we have chosen for

it’s never too late

Whenever someone tells you that it’s too late for you to do something, don’t listen to them. Don’t let their discouraging words hit you, your mind and your heart. Instead, go all in. You have your own trajectory of growth, your own unique journey that only you

venom

Like the Symbiotes introduced in Marvel Comics that arrived on Earth from outer space, in real life we have a similar species on our planet as well, that has been growing exponentially over time. It’s always around us, penetrating us day in and day out without our knowing. I’

faux reality

Companies and advertisers like to weave a faux reality around us. After all, it’s in their best interests. They want us to believe that there’s a better world out there and we have access to it only if we buy their product or service. It taps into our

legitimate discomfort

In order for us to grow and heal after a catastrophe strikes, we need to go through pain. That’s the way we become better. But we need to make sure that we don’t cause unnecessary pain for ourselves in this process. Pain can only serve us for so

take care of yourself

There’s no point running around taking care of others and attending to their needs while you neglect yourself. You need to be selfish and make sure you’re taking care of yourself first. You need to focus on your own growth and development and serve your own needs first

constraints breed creativity

When we face challenges in work or in life, we end up becoming more creative. We are driven to come up with the most innovative solutions that we can with what we have. When resources are limited, and we need a way out, our inner genius takes charge. With boundaries,

sit down

We all toy with the notion of revealing our creative genius through a meaningful project that we’ve had in our minds for a long time. We keep playing this idea again and again in our minds, refining it and shaping it. But we never execute it. We’re running

constructive anger

Anger is perceived negatively by most of us. Sure, we need to get a grip on our anger but instead of suppressing it we need to channel it towards a constructive cause. Anger is essentially energy and we need to contain this energy and unleash it towards an area whether

do it now

There’s no point in waiting for things to happen. Take charge and do it now. Your ideas will not get executed on their own. Your body will not get fit on its own. Your wallet will not become heavy on its own. When inspiration strikes, take action. There’s

labels

We want to give a label to everything. If there’s something that we can’t comprehend, we try to put that in a box so that we can feel better. It’s a search for certainty, for sureness. Not all friendships, associations and relationships need to be tied down

sunblock

We can’t be naive and live in denial that there are no dangers lurking around. We don’t have to pay attention to them all the time, but we can’t ignore them as well. If we are about to go out in the summer sun, we can’t

power and connection

There needs to be a healthy balance of power and connection for a relationship to exist. Often times, when two people are hungry for dominance and power, it breeds negativity and the relationship inches towards an end. In order for the relationship to survive, one out of the two needs

the carnegie dictum

A good example that we all can look up to is Andrew Carnegie who can be regarded as the richest self-made man of all time. He followed this three-part dictum in his life: * To spend the first third of one’s life getting all the education one can. * To spend

assume good intentions

I know you think people are scheming and plotting against you. They do things simply to piss you off. They are trying to hurt you, make you uncomfortable and cause you pain. They demean and ridicule you intentionally. In few rare cases you may be right, but overall you’re

prosperity and difficulty

Prosperity can change people. It is said that wealth makes you more of who you truly are. Robert Caro has written: “Power doesn’t corrupt, it reveals.” The same applies for prosperity. Some people put it to good use are and are able to become the best versions of themselves,

it’s not a treasure hunt

We spend our lifetimes chasing one thing after another. It’s like we’re in a treasure hunt. We are unhappy and dissatisfied until we reach our destination, and once we get there, we are tempted to get to another place and the same cycle keeps repeating. The world we

make every second count

Life goes by quickly. And we need to bring awareness to every second that we spend. Elephants don’t bite, but mosquitoes do. It takes a fraction of second to bring a great change, whether it be a new idea, an epiphany or a life-changing decision. The way we spend

two paths of easy

We all can make things easier around us. One way is finding a cheap trick and “hack” our way to success. Yes, we can always take a shortcut that can make it easier to reach our destination and get our desired outcome. But then what? We fantasize another destination and

when entropy reigns

When entropy becomes dominant, things get disorderly. There is chaos both inside and around us. If we let the heat of the difficult moments get to us, we will feed the entropy. A calm and cool approach can help us reassess the situation and look at the entropy objectively, so

you're not alone

No matter where in life you are right now, no matter what hurdles and obstacles you are facing in the present, no matter how isolated or unsupported you’re feeling at the moment, remember this truth: you are not alone. The thread of life runs within you, and you are

style and substance

Some people are stylish but they have nothing else going on for them. Their life is hollow and empty of meaning and passions. On the other hand, there are people hiding in the shadows who have a lot of substance in them. They are creative, eccentric and genius in their

confusion

A state of confusion doesn’t mean it’s necessarily bad. It just means you are evolving as a person. It’s a sign of growth, not weakness. It’s a test for you and for your commitments. Being in a confused state can be rough. You may become impatient

the wrestling match

Living an extraordinary life is a constant wrestling match. To paraphrase Marcus Aurelius, the art of living is akin to wrestling because an artful life requires being prepared to meet and withstand sudden and unexpected attacks. Like a wrestler, we are not only fighting life, our opponent, but we are

unnecessary apologies

Our apologies need to be clear and intentional. Some of us end up apologizing again and again. One kind of people who do this are those who don’t care about the consequences of their actions. They know they have the cushion of apology when things go awry. And the

courtesy is not consent

We often mistake courtesy for consent. Just because someone is nice to us doesn’t mean that we have his or her approval to do anything we feel is right. When we’re selling a product or service or building friendships and relationships, professional or personal, we need to be

collision coming up

We are tempted to look at our past time and again. We bring it repeatedly in our conversations, we regret things that we did, we fantasize how things would have played out if we had not done that one particular thing. But it’s all futile. It’s robbing you

wearing a uniform

I see a lot of people wearing the same clothing every day when they show up for work or life. They have a dedicated uniform that helps them stay on their course. Some examples are Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Christopher Nolan, Tom Wolfe, Michael Kors, Robin Sharma (in his Mastery

roots

Roots take time to develop. Whether you’re learning a new skill, getting hold of a certain life-changing habit, or adapting to a new place or work environment, be patient with yourself. The ground is unfamiliar and with time you’ll be able to soak in the positivity, knowledge and

praying vs demanding

In times of desperate need of a divine intervention, we all pray. Whether it is about getting good grades, receiving a promotion at work or asking your partner to say ‘yes’ when you propose to her, we all secretly wish that things work out in our favor. But this is

filters

We all need to come up with filters that prevent us from associating with thoughts and actions that can cause harm to ourselves and others. In the spur of the moment and fueled by the momentum that has been building up, we can easily get carried away to think, speak

good

Jocko Willink has a simple way of dealing well with failures, setbacks and roadblocks. Whenever he faces a challenge and/or gets unexpected news, his response is the same as usual: “Good’. That’s wise and something that we all can learn from. When asked specifically about his response by

shock absorbance

We need to become good at dealing with shocks and unpleasant surprises. We will get stirred as life progresses; bad news is just a text, call or email away. It’s important that we prepare ourselves for these challenging situations. The goal is to desensitize ourselves in a healthy way

weak moments

We work hard and guide ourselves towards alignment and better well-being, and then out of nowhere come weak moments — times when we lose our shit and things go south. We say things we shouldn’t have, we cause mental or physical harm to someone, we argue against our better judgment

learning is not everything

Learning is just a part of the process of growing up. Yes, it’s important but it’s not everything. We need to keep practicing and implementing what we learn. Unless we facilitate the rendezvous between words and our life experiences, we won’t be able to truly internalize what

soothing others

Many times we go out of our way to soothe others. We want to make them feel better. But we don’t realize the hidden costs that we are paying when we go to any lengths to please people. We lose touch with our real selves. We make others feel

the creative well

As artists, we need to constantly put ourselves in different and new environments so that we soak in the insights and ideas around us. They enhance our perception of this world as we view the world from new angles. We need to consistently be in touch with things that inspire

the easy button

I have the ‘easy button’ that I got from Staples on my work desk. It reminds me that I need to find ways to make things easier for myself. Oftentimes, our mind complicates things and we overburden ourselves with our work tasks and other obligations. Things are not as difficult

the two pains

Not all pains are created equal. There are two types of pains: the good pain and the bad pain. The good one helps us grow; it makes us antifragile. It stretches us and in the process we become better and stronger. It pushes our boundaries and takes us to new

the one constant

The situations and circumstances around us will keep changing with time. This a given, there is no way around it. Nothing is permanent and we cannot fight change — change is constant. It’s naive to try and control other people and circumstances to adapt to our way of living. It

the value of tough times

Yes, life will punch us in the face when we’re riding the wave of success. No matter how wealthy or influential we become, there’s always a chance that we will hit rock bottom. Sometimes due to circumstances, sometimes due to bad luck and sometimes because of our own

the minimalist abundance

Abundance is not about seeking and acquiring more. It’s much easier to simply change our mind and our perspective. Often times, tapping into the abundance mindset is all about tinkering with our consumption. Some of us believe that we have a ‘need’ to consume more, because that is what

the paradox of extremity

Extremity can be both good and bad. On one hand it can get things moving and bring a significant change in our lives, on the other, it can wreak havoc and make our journey perilous and cause us unnecessary discomfort and pain. In contrast, moderation is always a sound strategy

channels of creativity

Creativity may require talent, but it’s habit that breathes life into it. We need to become aware of and appreciate our creative prowess as a human first, and nurture and protect it. We need to build an unwavering commitment towards its exploration and expansion. Creativity has many layers, and

the silver lining

It’s tough to put a positive spin to adversities and hardships that we have faced or are going through presently. But the truth of the matter is that whatever has happened has brought us here. If our soul is strong and if we are wiser then it’s because

the fortress of shame

Our obsessions and fear of letting go if not tamed can eventually lead to shame. Hoarding is a serious problem and its root cause is that we are too scared to part from our things. Why do we cling to objects and relationships in our lives even when they don’

meditation naps

Between bursts of tasks that are mentally and creatively demanding, it’s advisable to take breaks to recover. You can add another layer of rejuvenation that can make you feel refreshed and replenished in a short time frame by taking (what I call) meditation naps. It’s a quick mindfulness

minimalism is not deprivation

Many people think minimalism is denying ourselves to acquire things. This is far from the truth. The reason for this faulty thinking is the fact that the minimalist movement has led to a juvenile competition among its practitioners — The one owns less wins. The best part about minimalism is that

the human duty

“For as these were made to perform a particular function, and, by performing it according to their own constitution, gain in full what is due to them, so likewise, a human being is formed by nature to benefit others, and, when he has performed some benevolent action or accomplished anything