Smartphones are only making us less smart

Quick! When was the last time you remembered the birth date of your best friend without consulting Facebook, or name of the movie you liked till a year ago without browsing through IMDb, or exact location of the new restaurant without clicking onto Google maps or when was it that you phone called your friends instead of dropping message on the Whatsapp? Surely, smartphones make our lives easier, but as per many experts more they are only distracting us from truly and fully living our everyday lives—and the more we rely on Google for guidance—the less we’re forced to tap our own brainpower.

Smartphones are crafted and promoted by world-wide media, so that it almost seduces your mind to an enough level where after you would feel miserable if you don’t buy them. But, what happens when you succumb to this very attractive invention? You end-up shutting door to the rest of the world in order to fully embrace the very expensive device.

I too am guilty of adoring my smartphone, no matter what. But, that’s how it is for most people now.  Do you remember the last time you travelled in a city metro, how many people you didn't find with their eyes glued on their digital screens, listening on to some new random track and shutting-up themselves from everyone standing around swinging on the running metro?  We lose a lot of chances of appreciating true and raw beauty, whenever we resort back to our smartphones.

So, what happens when mistakenly your smartphone slips into the toilet seat (because, of course nowadays pooping without smartphone has become a boring affair) while pressing the flush? You end-up mourning about the blunder like soap-opera queen!  Sounds ridiculously funny, don’t it? But, actually this is why we all really need to work-on our smartphone addiction because it is actually affecting our ability to focus and organically think.

We have become bad at spelling words correctly without using auto-suggestions- Don’t you observe your embarrassing moments, when you fail to type-out simple words correctly? You were better in English dictation unit tests than what you have become now!

We have become bad at nailing exact locations using signboards- So, you should accept the fact that you won’t be able to make it to your destination if in case you lose your smartphone on the midway of a highway.  

Our capacity to think organically is simply fading away- We just end-up reproducing what is already out there on the Google.

We are getting disconnected with the people in our offline-lives- When was it last time that you had dinner laughing and smiling carelessly  with your family? Are you sure you weren't browsing popping smart phone notifications?

We are raising our kids wrong- We are letting our kids quench their curiosity-thirst by using smartphones and tablets, instead of teaching them to play with colours, clay and outdoor games, so that they could learn ways to socialise, experiment and find joy in little things.

Our handwritings are going bad- Funny to me, is the idea that one day maybe we all will give-up writing because we will only be typing most of the times.

I suggest, don’t let smartphones overtake ability of your brain. You are meant to explore, learn and enjoy raw life rather than clicking selfies wearing fake emotions to impress and seek approval of fake-heads. So, pick the keys from the drawer, shut the phone back down and go live life. 

Intensive care or euthanasia?

In a century, where we boast about individual rights and identity, we still haven’t been able to sort out the dilemma of euthanasia. Euthanasia is also called "mercy killing,” means intentionally making someone die, rather than allowing that person to die naturally. Now, this happens only if the patient consents or has once consented. For example, a doctor gives a lethal injection to a patient. In assisted suicide, a non-suicidal person knowingly and thereby intentionally provides the means to die.

The dilemma arises when we bring religion, morality and cultural codes of living, in the picture. There are several questions which start revolving around not just your head but also of the ones who truly care for you and wish for your well being. It’s never easy to decide over such crucial things. Yet, it’s very important that families should sit and discuss. So much so that the ice of fear and care breaks down and the expectations are heard by one another.

People bang their head to death metal music but there are very few out there who would ever want to initiate a conversation about or who wouldn't get uncomfortable by the very idea of death and euthanasia. So, we basically all live in a world of denial and that is a totally unhealthy attitude. And, god forbid, if ever a situation arises where we need to take a decision, we would land-up in confusion instead of picking up courage to consider the an alternative to natural death. So, it’s important to face fears and be prepared.

Lying on a ventilator doesn't save life; it just prolongs the process. Clinging half dead, is a traumatic experience for the patient and the ones who care. But, here the problem is that a lot of people confuse euthanasia with suicide. There are certain set conditions considering which the process is allowed, like:If the person is a mature adult, if the person has clearly made a considered decision. If reasonable medical help has been sought to cure or at least slow down the terminal disease. The treating physician has been informed, asked to be involved, and his or her response been taken into account.

I know, I hereby sound like an inconsiderate person but that’s how things are. Yet, there’s this other side of it wherein people hate the very idea of euthanasia. Life is precious, not everybody is able to make it that long but “The important is thing is not how long you live... It's what you accomplish with your life.” So, think wisely, live well.

10 Books which shall keep you inspired for lifetime

Can a book full of carefully woven words, narrating you episodes of love, bravery, intellect, technology, revolution, beauty, knowledge, war, inspire you to your deepest core? Well, ardent book lovers do have many reasons to believe so. Here I have compiled a list of my top 10 such books, which hopefully would make you believe in the magical capability of reading books.

1.         The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho- How can probably even start listing books without first mentioning Paolo’s The Alchemist? People all over have not just appreciated but rather celebrated this work by Paolo. It’s being translated in more than 67 languages and according to AFP it has sold about 65 million copies across countries. The book follows a young shepherd named Santiago in his journey to Egypt, after having a recurring dream of finding treasure there. There are a million profound quotes in the book, but I guess this one shall suffice “Because, wherever your heart is, that is where you´ll find your treasure".

2.        100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez- Marquez was considered to be one of the most significant authors of the 20^th century, who brought ‘Magical Realism’ into his powerful crisp writings. 100 Years of solitude, was his one of the most successful novel and here is a glimpse-“Things have a life of their own," the gypsy proclaimed with a harsh accent. "It's simply a matter of waking up their souls.”

3.        The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Ken Robinson- Ken Robinson is one of those scholars who have dedicated their life in bringing about a revolution in the way people see education and its institution. He believes that every single child has a creative capacity and world can become a wonderful place if everyone is able to locate in themselves their creative skills and exhaust them to its fullest. For Robinson, The element is the point at which natural talent meets personal passion. When people finally arrive at the element, they feel most themselves and most inspired and achieve at their highest levels. 

4.       Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White- Ok let me ask you, who doesn't love a novel about talking not humans but animals?  E.B. White’s this book is a true classic and beloved novel, in which he tells the memorable story of Wilbur, a little pig who becomes famous with the help of his clever friend Charlotte and their chatty animal neighbours. His novel is a moral lesson for children and a reminder for adults about the beauty of nature, the cycle of life, and the importance of remembering that every creature has its place on this earth.

5.       The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett- A adored children’s favourite book about little Mary, who goes on to live in the English manor house of her antisocial uncle after her parents die of Cholera. The Secret Garden is a abiding classic about the beauty of nature, the healing power of love, and a belief in magic. As the Yorkshire sunshine softens Mary’s hard little heart and she befriends the animal coquette Dicken, her invalid cousin Colin, and a host of gentle creatures. She learns how to love, how to trust, and how to reach outside herself to nurture the world around her.

6.       The Color Purple by Alice Walker- Alice Walker is known majorly for her novel “The Color Purple”. It revolves around Celie, who shares her story with God by scribbling letters. Her tone of writing those letters, changes from trembling one to a strong and sorted one by the end. She is raped as a child, married young and separated from her sister. Yet, she doesn't give-up rather picks up courage and empowers herself.

7.       The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger- J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the rye, is observed to be a controversial one which was originally published for adults, but, it gained popularity among adolescents, for it daringly explored themes of teenage angst and alienation. Which is it has been translated into almost all of the world's major languages and around 250,000 copies were sold. So much so that the novel's protagonist Holden Coalfield has become an icon for teenage rebellion.

8.       The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley- The book was published back in 1965, as the result of collaboration between human rights activist Malcolm X and journalist Alex Haley. Haley co-authored the autobiography based on a series of in-depth interviews which he conducted between 1963 and Malcolm X's 1965 assassination. The book is a spiritual conversion narrative that outlines Malcolm X's philosophy of Black Pride, Black Nationalism, and Pan-Africanism. One of the famous quotes from the book is “Hence I have no mercy or compassion in me for a society that will crush people, and then penalize them for not being able to stand up under the weight.”

9.       The Stranger by Albert Camus- If just in case you find sync with the philosophy of absurdity and existentialism, this novel by Albert Camus would totally make sense to you. The book was published back in 1942. “I looked up at the mass of signs and stars in the night sky and laid myself open for the first time to the benign indifference of the world.”

10.      A room of one’s own by Virginia Woolf- Is basically an extension of a series of lectures delivered by Virginia Woolf back in Newnham College back in 1929. It gave altogether a new meaning to feminism. Virginia always wanted to break away from Victorian day & age stereotypes. One of the famous quotes from the book perhaps is ““A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.”

So, what are you still waiting for? Go dig the book and sniff through the pages, clasping a warm cup of coffee. Happy Reading!

Does our body language shape who we are?

Our outer reality reflects our inner reality. Our body gesture and behavioural pattern, give other people the opportunity to peep-into our inside-cosmos, see and judge us about how we've been dealing with the ever going conflicts and surprises.

Everything we do today is a product of the conditioning we got yesterday. Past builds present and present builds future, that’s perhaps the simplest way of suggesting that everything is connected. Similarly, our body posture and language, also speak-out about our attitude towards things and people. For example, the ones who are indecisive can’t help acting in a chaotic and haphazard manner. Whereas, the ones who are sorted about their pursuit and procedure, they act maturely and make best use of the available time & space.

Social scientists, chart-out people into two broad categories: powerful and powerless. And, this they do by keeping in consideration the thoroughly observed set of behavioural pattern and by investigating the possible reason behind those particular patterns. For example, powerless people, usually make themselves seem small by hunching, crossing legs, wrapping their ankles, clutching their arms tightly as if they are trying to shrink. On the other hand, powerful people always seem to have a sense of alleviation and they have a habit of spreading-out, expressing confidently, being less caring towards other people’s opinion about them.

Science suggests that if you do one thing over and over again, following a particular pattern, you automatically start believing in it. Suppose, you have a habit of stressing out too much before any important event, then you end-up draining lot of time in worrying rather than doing the things which could make that event a success. There’s a Chinese proverb which says “Keep a Green Tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.” This is to suggest that if you keep the lamp of hope lit in the most difficult times, then the sun shall one day shine and you shall witness its expanse, its brightness. Because, when we keep hope, we also keep making efforts and by reacting in a calm and optimistic way we can dig-out the best solution.

Yet, life is very intriguing and so is the human nature. And, that is why we make-up an interesting subject for social scientists to invest time on. Communication is by many considered to be vital for life. Non-verbal communication includes our body language. And, when we think about communication, we think about interactions. This is why, it becomes important for us to pause back and understand what our body language is communicating to others and what other people are trying to communicate through their body language.

So, social scientists spend a lot of time looking at the effects of our body language, or other people's body language, and on judgements. They make sweeping judgements and inferences from body language. And those judgements can predict really meaningful life outcomes like in understanding that who is hired or promoted, who is asked out on a date.

Non-verbal expressions are majorly to assert power and dominance? Well, this is what they are. So in the animal kingdom, they are about expanding. So you make yourself look big, you stretch yourself out, you take up the space, you're basically opening up. And this is true across the animal kingdom. And humans do pretty much the same thing, though with an air of sophistication. 

But, what do we do when we feel powerless? Scientists say, we do exactly the opposite. We close up. We wrap ourselves up. We make ourselves small. We don't want to bump into the person next to us. We know that our minds change our bodies. But, is it also true that our bodies change our minds? So what do the minds of the powerful versus the powerless look like? Powerful people tend to be more assertive, more confident, and more optimistic. They do actually feel they're going to win even at games of chance. They also tend to be able to think more abstractly. So there are a lot of differences. They tend to take more risks.

There are enough evidences, for both that the body can shape the mind, at least at the facial level, and also that role changes can shape the mind. Meditation and recurrent introspection can help a great deal by helping you fetch peace and calmness.

Is it not time to broaden our understanding of marriage and adultery?

Why do people cheat? And why is it that even happy people cheat? And when we say "adultery," what exactly do we mean? Is it for many people a hook-up, a love story, paid sex, a chat room, a massage with a surprisingly satisfactory ending? Why is it that we tend to believe that men cheat out of boredom and fear of intimacy, but women cheat out of loneliness and desperation for intimacy? And why does disclosure of such experimental affair always cause death of the relationship?

A lot of people these days wonder about whether or not they can manage a marriage (earlier they never even gave it a thought, considering themselves as not having that freedom),which is why we see youngsters finding it difficult and pressurising  to make timely decisions.

 Things are more complicated in India, a country where under the pressure of religion and social morality things happen only under cover and once discovered, are utterly discouraged without making any effort to understand the science and desperation behind that decision. It’s only in India, that the concept of arranged marriages even in this century, finds itself embraced.

It is studied, that adultery shatters relationships completely. So, what is adultery? It is one simple act of transgression that can rob a couple of their relationship, their happiness and their very identity: an affair. A lot of people discourage it and would tag you with uncomfortable and weird labels but would never really try to dig deep and find out its mechanism.

Well, adultery as a concept and practice, has existed since marriage was invented, funny? But that’s how it is. In fact, infidelity has doggedness that marriage can only envy, so much so, that this is the only commandment that is repeated twice in the Bible: once for doing it, and once just for thinking about it. So, how do we settle by understanding what is universally forbidden, yet universally practised?

Throughout history, men did practically have a license to cheat with little consequence, and their attitude was supported by a host of biological and evolutionary theories that justified their need to roam, so the double standard is as old as adultery itself, but things have definitely been different for women. When it comes to sex, the sole pressure for men is to boast and to lay it on thick, whereas the pressure for women is to hide, minimize and deny.

People used to marry, and initiate their sex life for the first time. But now people marry, and then they stop having sex with others. Men relied on women's fidelity in order to understand whose children these are, and who gets the house and gold when he dies. You see it’s all about moral obligation?There was a time, when marriage was an economic enterprise, adultery vulnerable our economic security. But now that marriage is becoming to be a romantic arrangement, adultery now threatens our emotional security.

I believe, there are three ways in which adultery hurts differently today. We all somehow have a romantic ideal (built out of the specific cultural conditioning) in which we choose to turn to one person to fulfil an endless list: he/she to be my greatest lover, my best friend, the best parent, trusted confidant/confidante, emotional companion, intellectual equal. And we wish to tell ourselves: I'm chosen, I'm unique, I'm indispensable, I'm irreplaceable, I'm the one for that one person. But adultery shatters our ideals telling us that we are not. It is the ultimate betrayal. It completely shatters the grand ambition of love and marriage. But if throughout history, infidelity has always been painful, today it is often traumatic, because it threatens our sense of self. With everyday mushrooming social media platforms, the feeling of emotional insecurity increases further more as people choose to instantaneously make updates and bring their personal life to public notice. Thus, affairs in this digital age are death by a thousand cuts. Adultery, in simple words is an act of violation of trust, leading to a crisis of identity. And, people end-up asking their partners-"Can I ever trust you again?" he asks. "Can I ever trust anyone again?"

Because of this romantic ideal, we are relying on our partner's fidelity with a unique zeal. But we need to accept that we also have never been more inclined to stray, and not because we have new desires today, but because we live in an era where we feel that we are allowed to pursue our desires, because this is the culture where we deserve to be happy. And if we used to divorce because we were unhappy, today we divorce because we could be happier. And if divorce carried all the shame, today, choosing to stay when you can leave is the new shame. I believe, if only people could open their minds to the other side and allow their hearts to understand the science behind adultery they would end-up making more sorted decisions about marriage.

Yes, I have a beagle and I totally adore her!

A lot of people often tell me and my family folks “You did a mistake by bringing-up a beagle in the house! See how it has chewed all your furniture!” well, that’s a very dangerous thing to say in a houseful of dog lovers; because we then just politely ask such people to take back home their blabbering inconsiderate mouth.

Beagles, come from the lineage of scent hounds, they are hyperactive, mischievous, but also, cuddly and irresistibly cute. I and my folks adopted our one, after having rescued her from an animal testing laboratory. Beagles are tested upon and it’s a cruel process which turns even these energetic creatures into dull and depressive.

I believe, purchasing dogs from breeders, is possibly the worst thing to do. For breeders, it’s nothing but business and for delivering the ordered number of puppies, they make the mother dog go through hell. So, I will advise you to look after the well-being of the stray animals, and if you are interested in getting one then make sure you adopt the ill and needy one. And, trust me, dogs are all alike, they all love you back no matter of which breed they are. Beagles prove how they are more than just creatures with wagging tails and puppy eyes, by blessing our lives with moments of smiles and laughter. They:

 They have amazingly impressive vocal chords- Their vocal chords are much fuller and louder than other dogs. This makes their presence in your cosy home, more lively. 

      They can sniff you out of any dungeon you might fall into: Beagles are one of those hounds who can sniff you out from anywhere. Though, they also most of the times keep running here and there following the scent. So, they basically are curious creatures.

 Their sense of smell can land them a job: With their astonishingly powerful smelling ability and compact body size, beagles’ make-up as great working dogs. Though, they also can’t help sniffing other animal’s poop.

      They are pretty famous: Beagles, have interesting personality, which is why, they've somehow made it into cartoons and films; Snoopy, Odie from  Garfield, Gromit from Wallace and Gromit, Poochie from The Simpsons, Mr Peaboy from Rocky, and Underdog(super-do-hero protagonist) from the film Underdog.

      They sleep like angels: When beagles dose off, they look cuter than human babies. And, they also never care about anything at all once they are off to their world of cheese and chopsticks. 

      They fill your heart with joy: Beagles are hyperactive they keep hopping around excitedly, making you healthy by running around them laughingly.

Seven intriguing reasons, for you to start-up meditation

In a world of ever increasing hustle, living has become a task! You will find most people “dealing” with their life somehow, instead of enjoying it to the fullest. Sadly, television pours-in a lot of pessimism which instantaneously knocks down the existing optimism. Some say, “Life is all about finding equilibrium”, but in everyday life of deadlines and ever tightening competition, how do you even make efforts towards seeking your equilibrium?

Meditation is the answer. Yes, it really is, provided you do it with all earnestness. Time values only the ones, who value the time and act smart. But, we often choose to throw this away like a waste paper ball off our conscience mind. Which is why, we end-up draining our time in cribbing about almost every person and appreciating absolutely nothing. We thereby, hamper our process of learning by depriving ourselves from emotionally evolving.

It’s observed that humans are most attracted to the things which are forbidden. Not every wrong habit can be curbed by strict regulations; that is to suggest that mere structural changes are not enough, the urgency is to initiate a psychological and emotional change. And, because charity must began at home, it becomes important that we all pick-up the responsibility of enlightening ourselves, breaking-away from chronic stereotypes, becoming more considerate individuals and thereby contribute towards formation of a better society. I strongly believe that meditation can help us in turning this utopian dream into reality.

Well, meditation does a lot of good to you, if you ardently make and follow a routine.

1-       Helps you become a life spectator: It helps you attain the ability to step back from the mechanics of feelings and become a spectator of life, rather than being just another player, meeting just another fatal end, and thereby learn & absorb deeply.

2-      Helps subdue the hypnotic power of the material world: Meditation helps you become an awakened observer and thereby comprehend the complexity of life. And, once awakened, you would definitely not let the materialistic reality define you.

3-      Makes you emotionally nourished: Emotional nourishment happens when you expose yourself to ideas which fuse hope and colour into your life. But, in this day & age where survival has become a competition, hope seems to fade away.

4-      Helps you comprehend the reason of your existence: Everybody is blessed with a purpose, an inner calling. Meditation brings with it the opportunity of comprehending that inner voice and fuses-in the required confidence to work on it and achieve what you must, in order to do justice.

5-      Connects you with the divine: A lot of people are switching over to atheism. But, somewhere down the line, we all believe in the existence of an omnipresent superior being, which helps us get through in most difficult times. Meditation helps use connect to that power; divinity.

6-      Gives birth to inner happiness: Meditation helps you understand that happiness is and must be an inner affair, which must not ever be affected by outer dynamic circumstances.

7-      Gives you a sense of alleviation: Meditation as a process, primarily aims to help you rise above & beyond your circumstances, by exciting your senses with the transcendental possibilities.

So, don’t just deal with your life, live it!

REVISITING THE FLAMES

After burning his baby sister’s body
Among the graves of fireflies
He sat on the ground looking onto the sky
With his glistening bright eyes

The train of memories arrived
And he could see himself
Standing by his weeping sister
Asking him “why do the fireflies
Have to die so young?”

The question was so absorbed
That no answer would suffice
To break down the flow
Of tears from his eyes

He stood up
And ran through the broken street
With his thumping heart
To the place where they once lived
Before U.S.A burnt their house down

He could again
Hear the laughter
Of his three-year-old sister
But she wasn't there anymore

The broken frame
Of his father’s portrait
Lied on the floor
Insignificant and pale

Fragrance of the steaming rice
Haunted him this time
As he went into the kitchen
Mourning his broken fate

The tears couldn't stop
And the legs couldn't stand
He collapsed on the ground
With his words unable to find their way out

Lifting his face to the cracked ceiling
He then asked the question
“Why did you curse me with life?
Why did you not let me too die?”

“Run Run Run
The monstrous planes are here again
They’ll throw the flames
And burn the frame,
The frame of your soul”
Said a beggar
Still alive, sitting
Somewhere in the burnt alley.

Earth- A Haiku

Thunder,

Creation,

Destruction. 

Tsunami- A Haiku

Birds rush,

Wolves howl,

Tsunami hits the ground.

Bloom- A Haiku

Desolate forest,

Guitarist plays a tune,

Flowers start to bloom. 

Post War Dream- A Haiku

Meddles on his chest,

But, heart doesn't beat,

Wife and children weep.

Ten ways in which travelling helps us all emotionally evolve

Life is a process and everything we do, everywhere we go contributes to our experience, making it wholesome. Gone are the days when we had to figure out ways to comb the unexplored; for the transportation connectivity is only going to become better. People of all ages these days, have a strong craving to find out time to travel beyond borders to discover the other side.  

I believe, every activity to which we expose ourselves and further participate, somehow always adds-on to our understanding of the whole universe and the way we get opportunities to evolve. Travelling is one such activity, whereby a traveller goes into the wild, in order to come closer to the expanse of universe which resides in his soul. Isn't it beautiful, just how change is inevitably motivating?

Here are ten ways in which travelling helps us  emotionally evolve:

1.         Helps us build the lost connect: In our accelerated lives, where we find it easy to connect with people from faraway places, but find it very difficult to reconnect with our inner selves, travelling is one perfect solution to find ourselves the calmness which has withered along with our hair & age. The pressure of meeting deadlines and achieving over-whelming targets is making everything lot worse.

2.        Helps us sort out our lives: Life is simple, but, we untiringly keep making it complicated. I remember, one of my professors once told me “It’s easy to scribble lengthy and hard to comprehend verses, but it takes years of practice to make it all simple”. That one thing still holds deep relevance to me and my understanding of the world.  Travelling helps you in sorting-out the complicating thing called life and makes you more hopeful for the galaxy full of possibilities lying ahead.

3.        Helps us appreciate the raw beauty: With travelling I don’t intend to refer here the mall-trips or five-star brunches; I'm here referring to travelling in real time, in order to explore the unexplored or rediscover the once forgotten. In our tightly-packed schedules, we invest most of our time in cribbing about others and justifying our thoughts and opinions. But, when you travel leaving behind the baggage of competition and occupational goals, you come across nature; trees, beaches, rivers, birds, mountains which help you breathe better and feel lighter.

4.       Helps us become humble: Travelling brings us the opportunity of exploring and understanding that nature ultimately does justice. Glowing vastness of nature makes us realize how small we are and how huge is nature. And, that’s when we smile and laugh at our own petty exaggerations of little thing which we did and others did back to us. Thus, travelling helps achieve the rarest of rare virtues; humility. 

5.       Helps us listen our true calling: Most people end up accidentally in the careers they pursue all their lives. Everybody is creative, but most people lose connect with their creative capacities before even pursuing the exploration process. Why? Because they waste their lives doing and becoming what others expect them to. But, travelling helps us get away from all the showbiz hustle and help us meet our raw-selves and thereby hear our true calling.  

6.       Helps us value the offline world: Travelling helps us in understanding how living-on-the-internet, is pretty much ruining our lives, ripping us off the opportunity of actually breaking the ice and socialising. An ardent traveller will always have bucketful of such stories to narrate, of how he/she made so many new friends, while travelling all by him/herself. Offline socializing altogether enriches our life experience by bringing to us ever-lasting moments of joy and laughter, whereas online socialising sometimes makes you feel insecure, for the virtual moments are momentary. 

7.       Helps us break-free from our cobwebs and breathe: If you are a traveller or you happen to have friends who love travelling, you will better understand how travelling helps you breakthrough the circle and see the world outside.

8.       Helps us feel empowered: Travelling also happens to be a way of expressing and living the desire of freedom. Don’t you happen to have a wide funny smile on your face whenever you are about to embark on your journey. The very idea of travelling and exploring fuels-in hope and joy.

9.       Helps us become more decisive: Indecisiveness, happens to one of the many common weaknesses. Making right decisions at the right time is the trick that does it all. While travelling, we often come across hurdles and confusing routes, following the gut instinct firmly saves a lot of time and energy. Thus, it wouldn't be wrong to say that decisiveness is a quality that we inherit in moments of extreme.

10.     Helps us become more considerate and responsible: Sometimes, the sole purpose of travelling is to get away from everyday disturbances. Most of us have lost patience for everybody is most concerned for themselves and later for the rest. By travelling to new communities we in a way allow ourselves to get touched with other people’s life and way of being. This altogether makes us more considerate and responsible human beings.  

But to let all of these good things to happen, you must stay away from the pocket-idiot-screen; Phone. Happy Travelling!

Go Bake!

Baking up warm and crispy delights in the kitchen can do more than just create yummy comfort food. It is a process of blending joy and whipping hope. Baking is more than just baking, for any ardent baker. As per various done studies, baking has been found to have therapeutic value which helps to ease down depression and anxiety, making you hopeful and decisive. 

And seeing that one in every four people experience a mental health problem at some point and time in their lives, this wholesome therapy solution is not just exciting and stress relieving but is also very healthy. But, I will advice you better do watch on sugar and flour – how about making healthy versions of your favourite treats? Because, if you dig deep on healthy ingredients and smart recipes, then you can actually play the baking-game long and safe. 

 1- BAKING IS MEDITATIVE

Any activity which somehow engrosses your attention – especially if it's simple and repetitive– is observed to have a soothing and a meditative effect. For example, the very process of weighing out cups of butter and sugar, whisking eggs, beating and blending creates not just a beautiful texture in your mixing bowl, but also helps create space in the mind for new ideas, and thus helps you push-off the negativity.

2. DEEPLY STIMULATES THE SENSES

The feel of the flour, the melting down of butter, sound of the blender, and of course the smell of the luscious final product – and together all of these experiences arouse enough joy to make you smile and feel feathery light. This eventually leads to increase of feel-good endorphins.

3. NOURISHES AND MAKES YOU FEEL SORTED

Aren't we all caught in our cobwebs? We miss-out on living fully and thus end-up hopelessly dozing off in the bed. Baking or any sort of cooking or food preparation is ultimately all about nourishing ourselves and others. Doesn't a well-baked dish make you feel high and accomplished? It does, right? That's how it nourishes you.

4. IT’S A CREATIVE AFFAIR

There is a strong connection between creative expression and overall well-being. The ones who dare and experiment, are the ones who truly enjoy their everyday life. I believe a lot of experimentation can be done with the ever increasing number of flavours. Super-markets are thus a total bliss, for you can locate all sorts of culinary items.

5. HELPS YOU SPRINKLE  JOY IN OTHER PEOPLE’S LIFE

I simply love dressing-up the cake with all sorts of stardust. I think that makes the whole thing way more cute and delightful.  One of the best things about baking is that you can give away your creations and make other people feel elevated which in turn puts a smile on your dial.

 Isn't that what you forever wanted, to somehow help everyone out? The baked-delight might be there on the plate for just a moment (because, you of course would have made it irresistibly mouth-watering) but memories are forever. And, that is what enriches our life experience. So, go bake and rid yourself from all your chronic heartaches and disappointments.