Namaskaras from Bengaluru, and yes, I am back in India. This time, because my mum is having cataract operations on both eyes. She is my father’s caregiver, and so if she is out of commission, we need someone to be at home and look after him. My sister arrived last week, and my mum had her first operation after that. The second operation will take place next week once I am there. Please include her in your prayers and wishes. I’ll be here for a few weeks until the intensity and frequency of medication reduce before I return home.

Today’s verse from the Bhagavad Gita shifts the idea of work from “something we do” to “something sacred.” Krishna reframes duty as devotion, showing us that whatever we do—parenting, writing, leading, cooking, caring, building—can become a spiritual practice when done with awareness and intention. Perfection doesn’t mean flawless performance. It means alignment: your actions, values, and inner truth moving in the same direction. When you treat the work in front of you as worthy of full presence, it becomes a way to honour the divine spark inside you. This makes even ordinary actions meaningful. The point isn’t what you do but how you do it. The devotion lies in attention, sincerity, and intention. When your daily work becomes your offering, you automatically stop chasing approval or outcomes. The reward is the growth, clarity, and wholeness that arise from showing up wholeheartedly. The verse is a reminder that a meaningful life isn’t created by extraordinary moments; it’s built by doing ordinary things with extraordinary presence.

Today’s quote is from the contemporary Zen teacher and writer whose reflections draw from Zen Buddhist philosophy and mindfulness traditions, Zen Shin. His quote is a simple but powerful reflection on how we often complicate our lives through comparison. A flower doesn’t pause to measure itself against others. It doesn’t worry about being taller, brighter, or more admired. It grows according to its own nature, responding to sunlight, soil, and season. Its only task is to bloom.

For humans, comparison is almost second nature. We measure success, beauty, productivity, and worth against the people around us. This constant mental comparison drains energy and creates unnecessary anxiety. Zen Shin’s quote gently suggests another way of living: focusing on your own growth rather than competing for validation or status. When you shift attention inward, you free yourself from the exhausting race of trying to be “better than” someone else.

The quote also speaks to authenticity. A flower blooms as itself, not as an imitation. In the same way, when we honour our own pace, talents, and circumstances, growth becomes more natural and sustainable. Blooming doesn’t mean ignoring the world; it means engaging with it without losing yourself in comparison. Progress becomes quieter, steadier, and more deeply satisfying. At its core, the quote is an invitation to trust your own unfolding. When you stop competing, you create space for creativity, joy, and confidence. You grow not out of pressure, but out of alignment with who you truly are.

And in the same vein, today’s motivation is about the now. This moment will never come again. Don’t try to rush past it. Give yourself permission to feel joy and peace, right here, right now. Stop holding on to what’s already gone, and trust that the future will unfold in its own time. Cut through the noise, and fully absorb the essence of the present moment. Look closely; you will find so much to be grateful for at this very moment. Even amidst the chaos, there is hope, light, and miracles. Allow yourself to cherish the irreplaceable gift of now.

I, too plan to live in this moment, especially this week with my parents and sister, and enjoy the time spent together. And on this note, here’s to a beautiful, authentic, and living-in-the-now week for everyone.