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Hope: There is no life without it

This thought has been with me for years, but I've struggled to express it coherently. Today, I feel ready to give it a voice. My journey thus far has been akin to a roller coaster, filled with unexpected twists and turns. I, a born extrovert, have found myself turning inwards, engaging in that essential conversation with my inner self, a dialogue I believe is crucial for us all. Over recent years, I've delved deep into my mind, exploring rationality and observing human behavior. While I diligently pursue my external goals, I find myself even more committed to nurturing my inner self. Yes, I've been told that my critiques can be harsh, but trust me, I hold myself to even higher standards. I firmly believe in the power of love to inspire improvement, but I've also learned that the journey of self-growth requires immense time and perseverance. Honest, albeit tough, criticism from a trustworthy source is often a catalyst for rapid personal development. I wonder why more peo...

Sharing life with Europeans

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On July 1, 2022, I embarked on a new chapter in my life by relocating to Brussels. The catalyst for this move was a desire to be nearer to a good friend who had recently settled there. Previously, my commute to work was a mere 3 km, but this transition extended it to a significant 60 km. Despite the increased travel to the office, the prospect of being close to a friend outweighed the convenience of a shorter commute. In an unexpected twist, I didn't end up living with my friend but instead plunged into a new world populated by strangers. My new residence, far from being a mere dorm or hostel, it was a villa housing 23 individuals from 17 different nationalities. It was a vibrant, culturally rich environment where most of us would gather daily to cook in the sole kitchen. The day I moved in, the house seemed labyrinthine. A Dutch housemate gave me a tour, and we quickly struck up a friendship. The house itself was awe-inspiring – it's doubtful I'll ever again experience liv...

Finding meaning in our lives

For a long time, I've embarked on a quest to unravel the multifaceted nature of meaning in our lives. This journey has taken me on unexpected detours, each enriching my understanding of meaning. Along the way, I've experienced a whirlwind of emotions: from humility to fear, stress to joy. Each trail I followed brought lessons, some highlighting what to embrace, others cautioning against pitfalls. Defining " meaning " is a complex task, as each individual perceives it uniquely. But let me try: if tomorrow was my last day, what legacy would I leave behind? What singular aspect of my character would stand out the most? That, to me, is where meaning lies. It's about identifying that core essence and nurturing it fervently. For instance, my essence revolves around courage and service to others. While not every task directly aligns with these values, everything I undertake feeds into upholding them. I aspire to be remembered as someone who consistently chose the moral...

Different personality within me

I have dedicated considerable time in exploring the nuances of various personality types. Although intricate, a deeper comprehension of this subject enables us to understand others and, crucially, ourselves more effectively. Grasping the intricacies of personalities provides insight into our behavioral patterns, serving as a valuable instrument for self-reflection. It illuminates areas requiring refinement and those warranting preservation. Personalities play a pivotal role in our interactions, magnetism, accomplishments, and myriad other aspects of our lives. While some individuals naturally possess charm, others develop it through relentless exposure to diverse situations. However, many unknowingly mold their personalities based on their environments, oblivious to the impact. They seldom ponder the ideas they encounter and their profound influence on their psyche. Each environment and individual possess unique characteristics, and prolonged exposure leads to unconscious assimilation ...

Change: But is it possible to control?

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As individuals, we're shaped and molded by the passage of time and the circumstances we find ourselves in. But do we truly grasp the reins of these transformative experiences? A large portion of our personal evolution is deeply entwined with our environments and unique situations. A few insightful souls among us perceive these nuances and gently guide them, paving ways to embrace such shifts. However, we must confront an undeniable truth: no one can escape the winds of change. Having spent three years in the West, its influence on me is undeniable. Some transformations are obvious, while others will only surface with time, particularly once I touch Indian soil again. Distance from familiar surroundings and faces often provides a clearer lens through which we can recognize the slight shifts within us. Circumstances don't merely mold us; they uncover parts of our identity previously obscured. The greater the challenge, the deeper its insights and resulting metamorphosis. But emba...

Understanding god

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Don't be scared by the title; every one of us is trying to find the god; it's just that we have not been able to formalize what we are looking for in our minds. Let me take you back on my journey of this GOD concept. I was born in a Hindu family, and like everyone else around me, I also understood god as a heavenly entity who is supposed to be respected and listened to. I surely enjoyed all the festivals associated with different gods of Hinduism, but as I grew older and read a little science, the image and understanding of god started to fall apart. Was I becoming too smart to see through society's fake narrative about god? All those customs and rituals stopped making sense to me. I even stopped sitting in the Diwali pooja and all other festivals. I stopped going to the temples as I realized that an idle would not help me pass the exam or anything else. So what's the point of even visiting a temple. As I grew older, even the fun I had with the activities associated wit...

We somehow can't choose what's right for us

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A few weeks ago, while in Greece, an unexpected flight delay happened; I pulled up my earphones and started listening to a lecture on god by JP. As he delved into the mysteries of God, I found myself overcome with emotion; while my friend who was sitting beside me was enjoying his memes, I moved to tears. You may be wondering right now, why am I talking about my crying experience? I share this to talk about my deep realization that day and lay the foundation for this blog. For the first time in my life, I grasped the essence of why Jesus is considered divine. JP's words resonated: "Who can truly be a Christian if not Christ himself?" But what does it even mean to be Christian? Why is Christ perceived as the only true Christian? The underlying message is profound: to tread the path of absolute righteousness so deeply that you'd lay down your life for the idea. The pain of not grasping the true nature of God surpasses all other sufferings. Christ's unwavering commit...