In September, I started walking back to Singapore, after reaching my parents’ new place in Bengaluru. The route I am taking in mainland India is the eastern coastal route, and will reach the chicken neck taking a north-easterly route, after which it will be the same route I took from Singapore. From Bengaluru, I will cross Tirupati, and from Vellore, take the east coast, crossing Ongole, Vijayawada, Vizag, Bhubaneshwar, and Cuttack, before heading north and skirting Kolkata before touching Siliguiri and the chicken neck.

Prominent civil rights leader and activist Martin Luther King Jr is the author of today’s quote. He played a pivotal role in the American civil rights movement and is most famous for his leadership in the March on Washington in 1963, where he delivered his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, calling for an end to racial segregation and discrimination. King’s quote highlights the negative impact of silence and inaction, especially in the face of injustice or wrongdoing. The quote underscores the significance of the relationships we have with our friends and suggests that friends have the potential to be a source of strength and support in challenging times, but their silence can be disheartening and disappointing when it’s needed most.  The quote also implies that, in the long run, people are more likely to remember those who stood up for justice and righteousness, as well as those who remained silent when they had the opportunity to make a positive difference. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote serves as a reminder that true friendship involves not only loyalty and camaraderie but also the courage to speak out and act when it matters most, especially in the face of injustice or oppression. It underscores the idea that silence in the face of wrongdoing can leave a lasting impression and is not easily forgotten.

I’ve been so drained mentally these days that I have not been reading at all. It is all I can do to read a couple of chapters, and this is something I do not like at all. I need to make a serious effort to read, and eventually I will get good at it, even though I am drained. I only read four books this month, but since I have already crossed my annual reading goal, this is all bonus reading.

That’s all from my side this week. Take care and stay positive

Today’s quote from Albert Einstein highlights the concept that to address and resolve problems effectively, we often need to change our approach or mindset. The quote implies that there are problems or challenges that need solving. It suggests that these problems were, in some way, created or contributed to by a certain way of thinking or a particular mindset. Einstein then advocated for a shift in thinking. To solve the problem, we must adopt a different, innovative, or more adaptive mindset. By emphasising the inadequacy of using the same kind of thinking, he warns against repeating the same mistakes or patterns that led to the problem in the first place. It encourages a break from the status quo and a willingness to explore new ideas and strategies. This quote underscores the importance of creativity, open-mindedness, and adaptability in problem-solving. It reminds us that to overcome challenges effectively, we should be willing to question our existing perspectives and be open to new ways of thinking and approaching problems.

We’re in the last quarter of 2023 and 2024 is beckoning us. There is a sense of anticipation and reflection and it’s time to take stock of what we did this year and if we managed to accomplish our 2023 goals. The arrival of a new year symbolises a fresh start, a chance to set new objectives, and a renewed commitment to personal growth and development. It’s a moment to harness the lessons learned and use them as stepping stones towards a more fulfilling and successful future. So, what are your plans for the last quarter of the year and what do you want to do in 2024? Do share.

BB will enlist later this month and I don’t know how we will react. It’s not as if we didn’t know this day would come, but when reality hits, it’s a completely different ball game altogether. Well, I have a few weeks to adjust to this new reality. And I will share my feelings here.

That’s all from me this week. Stay safe, stay positive and keep smiling!

I am so tired! I can’t remember the last time I was this tired! This week, my body finally gave up. I guess. I could not finish my target steps twice in a row, and one day this week, after dinner, when I went into my room and started reading a book for a bit before I did my nighttime routine, I fell asleep! I woke up 30 minutes later with a start and then finished my bedtime routine before finally falling asleep.

My new job is pretty demanding, and while I am enjoying it, I think I would be able to manage it better if I were about a decade or younger. But then, what experiences I have today, I would not have had then, so I guess it all balances out. I just need to hang in there until I find my own balance.

And speaking of balance, today’s quote by Jana Kingsford is exactly about that. The quote is about the idea that achieving balance in life is not a passive process of stumbling upon it or discovering it by chance. Instead, it requires active effort and deliberate choices. According to Kingsford, balance is not a ready-made state that one can simply stumble upon; it only happens with their involvement and needs the person to purposefully work towards it. The quote “Balance is not something you find; it’s something you create” by Jana Kingsford conveys the idea that achieving balance in life is not a passive process of stumbling upon it or discovering it by chance. Instead, it requires active effort and deliberate choices. To create balance, one must take action and make conscious decisions about how time, energy, and resources are allocated to various aspects of one’s life, such as work, family, leisure, and personal growth. Lastly, achieving balance is an ongoing process. It’s not a one-time achievement but something that one continuously adjusts and adapts as circumstances change and evolve.

That’s all from me this week. I plan to just chill and get energised for the week ahead. What about you? What do you spend your weekends?

Over the weekend, we celebrated BB and GG’s 20th birthday. I can’t believe they are almost on the cusp of becoming legal adults. This is also BB’s last birthday with the family before he enlists next month. So they invited some friends over, and we all had a wonderful time. Happy birthday, GG and BB! Have a year that’s as wonderful as you both are.

Today’s quote comes from Tibet and is a lovely one. The proverb offers guidance on how to live a fulfilling and contented life. The proverb suggests practising moderation when it comes to food consumption and encourages people to be mindful of what they eat and to avoid overindulgence. It also encourages individuals to be active and maintain a regular exercise routine. Laughing more encourages a cheerful outlook on life and suggests that finding humour in everyday situations and not taking life too seriously can lead to greater happiness and well-being. The last part is a call to embrace love and emotional connections fully and unconditionally and to be open-hearted, compassionate, and loving without limitations. In essence, this proverb advocates for a balanced and joyful approach to life.

It’s been about a month and a half since I started my new role. There has been a learning curve, but I am enjoying what I do and that is the most important thing. So that is that.

That’s all from me this week. Stay positive and stay happy 😊

Today’s quote is attributed to Swami Vivekananda, a prominent Indian Hindu monk and spiritual leader of the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Born Narendranath Datta on January 12, 1863, in Calcutta, India, he passed away on July 4, 1902. Swami Vivekananda played a significant role in introducing Indian philosophy and spirituality to the Western world and was a key figure in the spread of Hinduism and Vedanta in the United States and Europe.

Swami Vivekananda emphasises the idea that genuine success and happiness come to those who do not seek personal gain or rewards for their actions. What he is suggesting is that when a person acts selflessly and with a pure heart, without expecting anything in return, they are more likely to attain success and happiness. This is because their motivations and actions are driven by a desire to help others or to contribute to a greater good, rather than by selfish or egoistic goals. This quote encourages individuals to cultivate qualities of selflessness and altruism in their lives, believing that such qualities are not only morally virtuous but also lead to a more fulfilling and prosperous existence. It suggests that the most successful people are those who give without expecting anything in return, and in doing so, they find true success and happiness.

I finally did it! This week, I finally reached my destination, south of Bengaluru. After walking from Singapore, I made my way across Malaysia, Thailand, and Myanmar, before reaching India at the border with Manipur. Then I walked across the states of Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and finally my home state of Maharashtra. Then I walked almost 1000 km across Maharashtra and Karnataka to reach my destination. I have now started the almost 7,000 km trek back home. That’s all for today, take care and stay positive!