What still works, still matters

(2 mins read)

source: unsplash

I’ve always had a habit of using things till their very end. 

A pen stays with me until the ink completely runs out. Shoes are worn until the soles give up. Clothes are used until they fade beyond color recognition or no longer fit. I use my devices (especially my phone) until they absolutely stop working, often trying to fix them before giving up. Old notebooks are filled till the last page, plastic bags are reused again and again, and sweet boxes are repurposed to store spices or small items. It’s not about being stingy; it’s more about the satisfaction that comes from fully using something that once served a purpose.

This way of living reminds me of the Arabic word Isrāf, which means wastefulness; using more than necessary, or discarding things that still have value. Islam gently teaches us to avoid this. 

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once passed by his companion Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him), who was making ablution (wudu) using a lot of water.
The Prophet asked, “What is this extravagance, O Sa’d?”
Sa’d replied, “Can there be any extravagance in ablution?”
The Prophet said, “Yes, even if you are on the bank of a flowing river.”
(Source: Ibn Majah)

That teaching is within my core memories. Even in abundance, we are taught to be mindful, to not let our habits slip into carelessness. It’s a way of honoring what we already have and showing gratitude by not taking it for granted.

Over the years, I’ve noticed how slowing down consumption brings peace. It quiets the urge to constantly replace, and makes space for contentment. A shirt worn many times carries stories. A reused notebook feels complete. A repaired device teaches patience. And somewhere in this small practice lies a deeper truth: that living intentionally is far more fulfilling than constantly chasing the new. I’ve shared this with friends, and now with you. Maybe it’ll stay with you too. Not as advice, but as a quiet reminder, the next time you think of replacing something that still works. 

Use what you have. And use it a little longer.
Not because you have to.
But because you can.

Let’s try to live with less noise.
Let’s try to give everything we have its due.
Let’s not waste.

Buzzing with Inspiration: Lessons in Excellence from the Humble Bee

(2 min read)

Have you ever watched bees buzzing around, wondering what makes them so special? In a captivating lecture by Nouman Ali Khan, he explores the fascinating world of bees and the valuable lessons we can learn from these tiny creatures. Let's dive into the hive and uncover the secrets of these industrious insects.

One of the most remarkable traits of bees is their strong sense of teamwork. Just like a well-oiled machine, bees work together to build their hive, gather pollen, and create honey. This spirit of cooperation is a lesson for us all, showing that we can achieve great things when we work together.

Bees are also perfectionists! Bees also teach us the importance of always striving for the best. They always choose the best flowers and the smartest ways to work. They never settle for less and constantly seek the most efficient ways to accomplish their tasks. This drive for excellence is a quality we can all cultivate in our own lives, pushing ourselves to be the best we can be.

But bees aren't selfish! Another crucial lesson we can learn from bees is the value of giving rather than taking. Bees play a vital role in pollinating plants, like tiny superheroes of nature they help them to reproduce and thrive. In return, they only take what they need from the plants, showing us the importance of sustainability and balance in our interactions with the environment.

In the Quran, Allah says,

"And your Lord inspired to the bee, 'Take for yourself among the mountains, houses, and among the trees and [in] that which they construct. Then eat from all the fruits and follow the ways of your Lord laid down [for you].'" (Quran 16:68-69). 

This verse highlights the importance of bees in nature and encourages us to reflect on the wisdom of their ways.

In conclusion, bees are not just insects; they are teachers, showing us the importance of teamwork, excellence, and giving. By emulating these lessons in our own lives, we can create a better world for ourselves and for others. So, the next time you see a bee buzzing by, take a moment to appreciate its industrious spirit, its collaborative nature, and its selfless giving. Let these tiny creatures serve as a constant reminder to strive for excellence, to work together, and to leave a positive mark on the world. Remember, just like the bee, each of us has a unique role to play, and by embracing hard work, unity, and generosity, we can all contribute to building a sweeter, more fulfilling world.

Here's what running 10 Kms taught me about life

(5 min read)

I have been running since a long time. I started with 2 Kms or fun race during my school days. In college I used to run 3-4 rounds of my university's football ground. I always loved running long distance - it was fun and relaxing at the same time. After running several 5 Kms, I got the confidence of running 10 Kms. I must have participated in around 10-12 different races of 10 Kms in Hyderabad and Kolkata, and now I feel I should start running half marathon (21.3 Kms.).

Running is the one activity that’s physically exhausting but mentally and emotionally recharging. People run for various reasons. They run because may be they want to lose weight, improve their health, compete in races, or try something new. I have my own set of reasons. 

I like running and I do it for many reasons

(3 min read)

The question that I constantly I ask myself. Why do I run? Why do I put myself through the pain of running? Reasons are plenty. My answer is always changing depending on the mood I am in. 

When I am in pain, I would like to run and embrace the discomfort. 

When I am anxious or too busy in my head, I run because it clears my mind and help me relax.

I run because it makes me feel strong to push my limits.

I run because it makes me believe in myself, I introspect and it makes me a better person.

How to never lose your wallet or purse

(3 min read)

From https://unsplash.com/@emkal

Have you ever wondered what could you put into your wallet to maximize the chances of it being returned if lost? If yes, then you are not alone. Many people like you and me have given a thought of putting items (other than the address) inside the wallet, that would influence the finder to return the wallet back to you.

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, researchers interested in the psychology of helping carried out several studies in which they secretly dropped wallets on busy streets and then monitored the return rates. Perhaps the most prolific of these wallet droppers was psychologist HarveyHornstein from Columbia University. Very recently, Richard Wiseman author of the book, 59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot conducted a Hornsteinesque study.

Study

He bought 240 wallets and filled them with the same set of everyday items, including raffle tickets, discount vouchers, and fake membership cards. Next, one of four photographs was added to batches of equal number of wallets. The photographs depicted either a smiling baby, a cute puppy, a happy family, or a contented elderly couple. All of the wallets were then randomly ordered, and over a period of a couple of weeks were secretly dropped on the streets in areas of high pedestrian traffic. 

Result of the study

Why should the photograph of the baby have performed so well? The answer appears to lie deep within our evolutionary past. Brain-scanning scientists at Oxford University recently examined what was going on in people’s heads when they were shown photographs of either baby or adult faces. Activity in the section of the brain directly behind the eyes (officially referred to as the “medial orbitofrontal cortex”) kicked in within a seventh of a second after seeing the baby’s face but not the adult’s. The response happened too fast to be consciously controlled, and the part of the brain involved is associated with people receiving a nice reward, such as a big bar of chocolate or a lottery win. 

Many scientists think that this “babyawww” linkage has evolved over thousands of years and promotes the survival of future generations by making people feel good about, and therefore willing to help, vulnerable and defenseless infants. Other research suggests that this caring attitude not only applies to assisting babies but also increases the likelihood of people helping anyone in need. In this view, participants who opened the wallets containing the photograph of the baby couldn’t keep their brains from automatically responding to the image of big eyes, broad forehead, and button nose. Within a fraction of a second a deep-seated evolutionary mechanism caused them to rapidly get in touch with their inner parent, become happier and more caring, and thus be more likely to return the wallet. 

Whatever the explanation, the practical message is clear: if you want to up the chances of a lost wallet being returned, tuck in a photograph of the cutest, happiest baby you can find and make sure that it is prominently displayed.

On Note taking

(2 min read)

Picture from @andrewtneel in Unsplash

Did you know that most of us lose 60% of the information we learn in just 48 hours? Not only is there a learning curve, but there is also a forgetting curve. One way to remember more and learn effectively is note-taking.

Taking notes will help you recall information that would otherwise be lost. But taking notes the right way isn’t as easy as it sounds. It isn’t simply about jotting down everything that you hear. Taking notes is about summarizing core concepts as precisely as possible in your own words.

I read a lot of books, and if you do as well then you know how the ideas that we learn start fading away within days. By the end of the week, we hardly remember anything other than the main idea shared in the book.

Nothing is as empowering as active notetaking. It fundamentally changes the relationship between you and the information you meet. A good note-taking method will help you to review key concepts later on. It will help you to stay focused to pay attention and actively participate while reading books or any classes you attend.

My note-taking ideas and tips & tricks in few bullet points:

• Notes act as my second brain. I cannot remember everything I read, hear or see. I take notes and refer it to later
• I have created a WhatsApp group where I am the only member (yes, you can do that). I keep noting things on the go. Ideas which are very impromptu, some reading material which I can do later on, goes there
• There are many advantages with digital notetaking, so I would tell you to find a good App which you can use it everywhere. The cloud functionality of these Apps are gamechanger
• I use Microsoft OneNote app a lot (reasons are as follows)
• I can post my notes, hand drawings, screen clippings, and audio commentaries
• It keeps my notes well organized
• The main topics go on the far left of the page and I can add related subtopic in bullet points inside the main topics using indents
• Searching for topics is very helpful as tagging can be done to notes

Once you get a hang of it, note taking can revolutionize your life. It can make you productive and smarter. You can recall what you have learnt and become a better organizer of information by emphasizing what is important and what is not.

As a final thought, here is a good article which can help you with different note taking methods: Best note taking methods 

Is audible similar to reading a book?

“Audiobooks are like cheating”, someone mentioned to me once. She meant they’re not really like reading a book. Technically she was right. Listening to an audiobook isn’t the same as reading a physical book.

People learn differently. There are 8 different ways to learn. Audio and visual both works for me. Human beings have been sharing information orally for tens of thousands of years, while the printed word is a much more recent invention.

Few things I have observed, while experiencing both physical books and audiobooks and they are as follows:

• You want to feel a book? Get the essence? Hold a physical copy of the book or a kindle
• Want to kill time productively? Audiobooks should be your friend
• Multitasking? Listen to audiobooks while jogging, running, cooking food, washing dishes, etc.
• I always listen to fiction books on Audible. For non-fiction I prefer to sit down with pen and highlighter to take notes, which I couldn’t do while listening
• Audiobooks are relatively quicker. You can also increase/decrease speed according to your choice
• Comprehension wise audiobooks should be avoided. Hence a novel is preferred for audiobooks

A love of reading shouldn’t have parameters or rules as to what type of reading “counts.” Personally, I have found an immensely rewarding common ground in my reading life with both audiobooks and reading. Each creates differing experiences and memories, but neither is better or worse than the other. I can’t imagine my reading life without an abundant mixture of both audiobooks and reading.

Why I do not read all my messages and why you shouldn't too

Look, I acknowledge this is not a very popular opinion. I feel guilty when I do not respond as quickly as the concerned person would have wanted. I also admit that I feel insulted when someone doesn't text me back right away.

My WhatsApp unread chat count

As you can see from the screenshot above, I have too many unread messages. Yes, I know it is 'too many'. Some may feel it's too messy or I am too unorganized.  But before you judge me further, let me clarify few things:

1. I am part of many WhatsApp groups where both way interaction is not required; groups where information related to jobs are posted. I can share any information about job vacancies (if I have) and choose to ignore the rest of the message (since I am not the recipient)
2. Most of the unread chats ended with "okay", "fine", "Thank you" and other such concluding remarks. I choose to not open the chat to read them. Those are anyway seen from notification panel
3. I could be at work. I choose not to get interrupted while I am at work. Text messages are a high value interruption, especially if we respond to each other right away
4. There are many family groups, uncles and aunts who keeps wishing everyone Good morning and good night. I can choose to ignore those kind of messages without any repercussion
5. Too many festive greetings. Some friends and groups are there only to wish festivities. I look away from those (well most of them, not all)
6. I may not be in the mood. I could be a bit cross with certain things in my life and I may not be in that situation to respond emotionally
7. One very important reason of not responding it soon enough is that phones and messages were made for me, and not the other way round. I don't want to be slave to a mobile device. When I find time I read text message. It could be on weekends, or later in the day

It's not like I am too busy. I am very much active in the chats where my attention is required. But the good thing is that I can choose the time and duration of this wonderful technology. The technology does influence us how we think, but let it not drive us crazy. I do respond to each text, wherever required. 

In no way I am defending certain people who:

• Is too lazy to respond
• Reads the message and ignores and never replies back because they 'forgot'

See, it's your life and you only get to live it once. Live it to its fullest. And it’s too short to worry about people being mad that you don’t reply to their text right away.

Self made MILLIONAIRE.... That's my dream. I am going to be 23 in March 2012 and I guess time is already up to chase my dream. But secrets!!! I dont think there could be any. If you want to be one you will, is all that I know. And when you have done it, you call your methods "A Secret". When I am done I will let you all know my secrets. For now follow the link to know the secrets by Grant Cardone

THINK BIG!!!!!

There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave'

There are souls that are pure and true:

Then give the world the best you have,

And the best will come back to you.

Madeline Bridges

It doesn't matter how small, or how weak you are, you just need to think big.What you are now is because of your past activities and your thoughts now will determine what will you be in future

You can become no bigger , no better, no finer, no more successful than your dominant thoughts. So think big! Stand tall... mentally!

Don't get stuck with the present. No matter how insignificant your present is-think big about your future. Think creatively. Think "How can I improve?" (add value) Think "How can i do more?"( add quantity). You cannot build out of nothing. So learn! prepare it mentally. Use what you learn to think big! Then you will stand tall... mentally. And you will be amazed in the immediate improvement in your attitude towards life... and the admiration of others for you.

If u have dream and u want to achieve it then first thing u need to do is:

Get a Mentor

It has been rightly said by one of our inspirational leaders that when you want to be successful always seek help from those who are already successful or who knows the path of success. Get to know what are the things one should remember while on the journey of success, what one should avoid. Get yourself monitored at every step, get healthy criticism, get appreciation, get checked........

Benefits of having a mentor...




1) get to know the correct path








2) See the light infront of you . Avoid the stones and mistakes if any you could make by just being a wiser person and listening to your mentor's advice.Learn From Others Mistakes and Successes
Most mentors have had their share of mistakes and successes.








3)Improve self-confidence and feelings of self-worth.







4)Increase motivation;








5)Limitless Support








Once you achieve something and you want to cherish it forever and continue achieving more you need to become mentor now. Start teaching others what you have learnt and how have you achieved success.

basics of Success

What according to you succcess is ????
I know everyone has many answers and views to share, some may expand the meaning of success, some may give testimonies, some may say it is nothing, some may say it is everything, even I have something to say.... I may not be the best but definitely i wouldn't be like the rest..
From today onwards i would be sharing my view points on how can one be successful in life through mind, speech, body language, through everything.
Hope you benefit from my article..