2412: A Simple Experiment, A Deep Shift

 "I am started to heal."

A simple line from an experiment by a motivational speaker.

Participants were asked to repeat a few such positive statements daily, at their own pace, just loud enough to hear themselves. No pressure, no targets.

Over time, something unexpected happened.

Two girls shared that, without even realizing when, their line had changed to
"I am started to live."

They paused. Reflected. And were surprised.

Because healing, in its truest sense, is the beginning of living.

That subtle shift in words carried a profound shift within.

Isn’t it amazing how quietly our inner dialogue evolves, and with it, our experience of life?

This experiment stayed with me.

Because communication is not just external. Self-talk shapes everything.

I still remember a simple exercise from an FDP where we were asked to pat our own back. It felt small, yet powerful.

Sometimes, growth does not need big actions. Just a gentle word to yourself.

2411: कधीतरी थांबून बघू या

 माझ्या आईची एक खास मैत्रीण होती. ती आधी आमची शेजारीण होती, त्यामुळेच कदाचित आईची ओळख झाली असणार. काकांची निवृत्ती झाल्यावर त्यांनी गावाबाहेर एक बंगला बांधला. तरीसुद्धा, त्या काळात कुठलेही सोशल मीडिया नसताना देखील त्यांची मैत्री कायम टिकली.

त्या मैत्रिणीची तर होतीच, पण त्या वेळी हे एक अनोखं असलं तरी सर्वसामान्य सवय होती. सकाळी उठलं, सगळं आवरलं की लगेच कणकेत पाणी टाकून ठेवायचं, ती मुरायला ठेवायची. त्यानंतर डाळ (बहुतांशी तूरडाळ) पाण्यात भिजत ठेवायची. ज्यांच्याकडे शक्य होतं ते थर्मासमध्ये किंवा भांड्यात गरम पाणी करून ठेवायचे  म्हणजे ते डाळीत, कुकर लावताना, चहा करताना, भाजीत रस्सा करायचा असल्यास आणि इतरत्रही उपयोगात येईल.

माझ्या लहानपणी बहुतांशी बंगलेच असायचे, त्यामुळे मी चुली, बंब यांचा वापर जवळून पाहिला आहे. ते घराची आणि अंगणाची शान असायची, आणि त्याचा पुरेपूर उपयोग केला जायचा. एका चुलीवर दूध उकळत राहायचं, दुसऱ्या चुलीवर भात. ते झालं की मग राजमा/छोले आणि इतर वेळखाऊ पदार्थ चढवले जायचे ज्यांना शिजायला वेळ लागतो आणि धगही लागते.

या सगळ्या तयारीमुळे मुख्य स्वयंपाकाला लागणारा वेळ कमी व्हायचा, म्हणजेच इंधनाची बचत व्हायची. त्यात संपूर्ण लक्ष पदार्थ बनवण्यात असल्यामुळे तो चविष्ट आणि उत्कृष्ट होत असे, आणि गॅस किंवा इंधन वाया जात नसे. एक सुंदर सवय होती, स्वयंपाक झाला की लगेच पानं वाढली जायची, पहिल्या वाफेचं अन्न खाल्लं जायचं. पुनःपुन्हा गरम करण्याची सवय नव्हती. एक वेळ, एक जेवण.

अर्थात, सध्याच्या परिस्थितीत हे सगळं शक्य नाही. मग आज काय करावं? तर फक्त लक्ष देऊन स्वयंपाक केला, तरी गॅस हवा तेवढाच वापरला जाईल. उदाहरणार्थ, माझीच बाई कित्येक वेळा तवा किंवा कढई तापत ठेवते, का, हे विचारण्याची सोय नाहीच! आणि खरं सांगायचं तर ही सवय अनेक ठिकाणी दिसते. “गॅस आहेच, संपणार नाही” हा पवित्रा, किंवा सवयीचा भाग, कारणं अनेक असू शकतात.

झोपेच्या वेळा वेगळ्या, त्यामुळे खाण्याच्या वेळा सुद्धा बदलल्या आहेत. त्यामुळे गॅसवर किंवा मायक्रोवेव्हमध्ये वारंवार गरम करणं सर्रास चालू आहे.

नुसती डाळ शिजवण्यापेक्षा डाळीचा भरडा किंवा पावडर करून वापरला तर? वेळ आणि गॅस नक्कीच वाचेल. मायक्रोवेव्ह, एअर फ्रायर, सोलर कुकर, ओव्हन, राईस कुकर... यांचा योग्य वापर केला, किंवा फ्रिजमधून पदार्थ आधी बाहेर काढून रूम टेम्परेचरला आणून मग शिजवलं, तरी गॅसची बचत होईल.

एक वेळचं जेवण “वन डिश मिल” पद्धतीने केलं, तरीदेखील गॅस वाचेल, ही फक्त आताची गरज नाही, तर नेहमीच उपयोगी गोष्ट आहे. फळं, सॅलेड यांचा वापर वाढवला, तर पौष्टिकताही वाढेल आणि गॅसची बचतही होईल.

हे सगळे पर्याय नवीन नाहीत. सगळ्यांना माहितीच आहेत. पण कधी कधी विस्मृतीत जातात, म्हणून हा पंक्तिप्रपंच.

“गॅस न वापरता / इंधन न वापरता केलेले पदार्थ” हा एक छोटासा प्रयोग मी अनेक वर्षांपूर्वी, मुख्यतः मुलांच्या उन्हाळी सुट्टीत केला होता आणि खूप मजा आली होती! काही पदार्थ असे असतात, जे अधूनमधून गंमत म्हणून करता येतात. वेगळं काहीतरी करून बघायला काय हरकत आहे?

मोड आलेली कडधान्यं चुलीवर थोडी शिजवणं हा एक पर्याय, आणि ती पूर्ण शिजवण्याऐवजी हलकी ठेवणं हा दुसरा. मोड आलेल्या कडधान्यांचे सॅलेड्स तर जगप्रसिद्ध आहेतच!

एका सुप्रसिद्ध चित्रपटात दाखवल्याप्रमाणे: एकदा तेल तापलं की गॅस बंद करूनही पुऱ्या तळता येतात. म्हणजे शक्य सगळंच आहे.

गेल्या काही वर्षांत एक नवीन लाट आली आहे  अमेरिकेसारखी पूर्व-cooked पदार्थांची सवय, आणि थंड + गोड पदार्थांचं वाढतं आकर्षण. नवीन पिढीने हे फक्त स्वीकारलं नाही, तर अगदी उचलून धरलं आहे. वेळ, ऋतू, वातावरण काहीही असो  कोल्ड कॉफी, आईस्क्रीम बारा महिने हवेच!

मग विचार असा  कधीतरी याचाच उपयोग करून पाहूया का? कदाचित त्यातून थोडा व्यायाम वाढेल, स्क्रीनपासून थोडं दूर राहता येईल, आणि आणखी काही चांगले बदलही दिसतील.

नाही का?

सोयींच्या शोधात आपण सवयी गमावल्या, आता त्या परत आठवायची वेळ आली आहे.

2410: “Come on, Come All” V 4.0

Something I have been experiencing in the recent past is this sudden urge to eat a different dish, dessert, or something sweet out of nowhere. With a lot of time in hand for experimenting, and now having a companion at home, this urge has only grown stronger.

For me, it is quite a challenge to be with someone who continues to sit at the dining table even after the meal is over. When asked why, the response is :

 “Don’t you think it’s time for dessert?”

 OMG… and this comes very regularly!

That’s when I started making a few homemade, perishable desserts so they stay around for a couple of days and satisfy these sweet cravings for ex. ladoos.

This “someone” is my elder brother, currently undergoing dental treatment, and a huge fan of sweets. He is, in fact, one of the sweetest people I have ever met, a complete contrast to me, a spice lover. As if that wasn’t enough, sweetness literally runs in his system too! Of course, he is mindful of portions, but having a sweet dish after every meal is almost an unwritten rule.

To handle this delightful challenge and to take care of sudden cravings for overloaded dry fruits I found a middle path.

So here’s what I did.

I soaked a very soft variety of dates in boiled and cooled milk. Along with that, I soaked golden raisins (kismis) in milk too. After a while, I ground them slightly. I made a fine powder of cashews, almonds, and other nuts. Then I prepared rice kheer with cardamom, nutmeg, saffron, and milk masala.

Once the kheer cooled down, I mixed in the date and raisin blend.

And there it was, an absolutely delicious rice pudding! Thick, chilled, uniquely flavored, and completely free from added sugar or jaggery.

We enjoyed it for two days in a row. I, of course, couldn’t resist topping my tiny scoop with some crunchy nuts.

And then, why stop there?

Rice was graciously replaced with broken wheat and we had yet another out-of-this-world dessert. Truly fun to cook, serve, and enjoy, completely guilt-free. An awesome use of time in hand, and a beautiful detour back to traditional dishes.

Now next in line is experimenting with fresh fruits instead of dried ones. Let’s see what’s in our kitty!

Do share if you’ve tried your hands at completely sugar-free desserts in the recent past, I would love to explore more.

#SugarFreeDessert #HealthyIndulgence #HomeCooking #TraditionalWithATwist #MindfulEating #FoodExperiments #DessertLovers #GuiltFreeTreats #IndianKitchen #CreativeCooking

2409: Joy at its Core

It was yesterday afternoon when I was climbing down the stairs and noticed a housekeeping staff member wiping the common area of the floor. As is my habit, I stopped to say hello, assuming she was the regular cleaner. But she was someone different, a replacement, as the regular staff member was on her weekly off.

Our society currently has three occupied buildings, with two more to be ready soon. There are six girls managing the work, two per building, ensuring everyone gets a weekly off. This means the replacement staff member works almost every day, moving from one building to another.

We paused for a short conversation. She appeared happy and joyful right from the beginning. When I thanked her for cleaning the floor so neatly, her smile only grew brighter.

Again, out of habit, I asked her whether working inconsistently, sometimes here, sometimes there, felt difficult.

Her response stayed with me.

“It’s beyond fun,” she said.

She went on to explain, “Each building is structured differently because of varying apartment sizes. So, I get different types of floors to clean every day. People are different too. The safety doors, shoe racks, even the way garbage is kept outside, everything reflects the family. I really like this change. I get to work in a different building or floor every day.”

After a long time, I felt I had met someone truly happy at work. So content, so involved, that it almost felt like work was her vacation.

Such joy in routine, such meaning in the ordinary, feels rare these days.

You too must have come across someone so genuinely satisfied at work sometime recently, right? Do share, I would love to hear those stories.

2408: "Come on, Come All" V 3.0

Previously, in 1998, I got to know from one of the Punjabi families about Bura – the raw form of sugar, unpolished and a good choice for sweets. I kind of ignored it then, as there was no fuss about sugar at all. But I still recollect that Bura was different in color, the taste was good beyond just sweetness, and maybe because it was in raw form, it always enhanced the overall taste. I ate countless sweets in their house, hence I can vouch for it.

So now in 2026, just yesterday, my hung curd was all set and ready to be groomed into shrikhand. I had planned my festival platter ahead of time and accidentally bumped into Bura again. That was it, I went ahead and used it in my shrikhand to enjoy it completely guilt-free.

So I went with hung curd, Bura, saffron, cardamom powder, nutmeg powder, dry fruits, and a pinch of dry dates powder. Bura enhanced the look and feel of the dish. Because Bura is blessed with a natural color, the shrikhand became really beautiful, attractive, and almost impossible to resist. Wow, it turned out to be my version of shrikhand without loaded sugar. It all started with homemade curd, hence it was not sour at all, so I won it there with less requirement of sugar. Dry dates reduced the need further, and raisins came to the rescue too. This version added more flavors to my New Year yesterday.

The hung curd came out so well that I even had it just like that, super thick, quick, and easy to make. It fits perfectly in the space of frozen yogurt and ice creams, now this version, loaded with dry fruits, is a supreme, easy, homemade, and healthy option for summer.

I am now waiting for mangoes, so that I can create yet another version where the sugar will be reduced even further, as natural sweetness will take over.

I now know why I was introduced to Bura back in 1998.

Prevention is better than cure, so to remain healthy, this dish is a must-try. So come one, come all, come over these days to enjoy this newest version. All are welcome.

2407: The bond that spoke without words

Late post

I wanted to write this since long, but today finally it is happening.

Only because my most beloved son, who loves food varieties like me, introduced me to a MasterChef program. He insisted that I watch it, and I was really not for it, especially because when the judges pressurize contestants, I feel the same unnecessarily. I found a way out and used the mute button on the remote smartly this season.

It was a unique concept implemented this year,  "pairs". As I sat glued to my sofa from day one of the show, and with my observational skills to the core, I was astonished to see the bond, quietness, smile, patience, peace, and rhythm in only two pairs: one from my orange city and the other from Jay Jagannath's place.

Throughout, they maintained their smiles. No shouting at each other. They were strong enough to handle the pressure and still do their best. Of course, they too failed at times, but they rose again gloriously. Wow. So much to learn from them.

Every other pair had some issues for sure,  consistent cribbing, showcasing their anger and disagreement on national TV. But these two pairs bonded so well, again and again. Initially, I thought the TV program might not be showing the complete picture. But it is possible to hide only so much. Never was there any anger-like expression visible in their body language or in the way they treated each other.

It is beyond awesome, actually. Speechless to witness this.

So when someone asks why I watch reality shows, here is the answer, dears.

I sincerely wish to meet both the pairs in person and be in their vibes, just to retain a smile on my face too, always.

On this beautiful note, let us all carry a smile within us and nurture it further.

2406: The Pregnancy No One Talks About

I could not hold myself back from writing this.

One of my closest friends recently shared a real-life story with me, brief in words, yet deeply layered. Seen through my own lens, it felt profound.

She once thought she would wait for a year to celebrate this phase, like most do. But nine months felt complete… almost like nature had its own quiet timeline.

And in that moment, as I listened to her, this journey transformed into a “pregnancy” in my mind.

To cut it short, this is a tale of two vibrant girls, a single mother and her newly married daughter. For the past nine months, they have been living separately. In a way, it felt like a “pregnancy” for both of them, but with a beautiful twist.

After these nine long months, both feel as if they are born again, with renewed mindsets.

Their journeys began together, yet unfolded separately. Staying alone after more than two+ decades of togetherness is no small challenge. And yet, both have not just survived, but soared, at least in their own eyes. Society’s opinion? Irrelevant.

They navigated everything on their own, food, health, emotional balance, and survival. Quietly. There were no regular updates, no complaints after a week, ten days, or even months. Only when the “term” was complete did their stories emerge, like a newborn finally ready to face the world.

The mother seems reborn, with a spoonful of experience in her mouth. The daughter, on the other hand, carries freshness, experimentation, zeal, youthful energy, AI, and what not.

Both moved to different states. Everything was new, food, neighborhood, language, culture, people, just like how a newborn opens her eyes to the world for the very first time.

Watching their journey, I couldn’t help but call it a “pregnancy”, the duration, the silent struggles (beautiful in their own way), the sustenance, and finally, the breath of fresh air.

And now, there is no looking back.

Their strength lies in their silence, no interference, minimal communication, connecting only when possible. No complaints, no crying, just complete faith in each other’s abilities.

Kudos to these two incredible girls, who are very dear to me.

I had tears in my eyes while listening to their story… and even now, as I write about this kind of “pregnancy” I never knew existed.

Not every pregnancy creates life outside; some give birth to a stronger self within.

2405: Hung Curd

Frankly speaking, I have always been a person who prefers home-cooked food. Eating outside has only been for emergencies or occasional situations. Of course, there were phases those intense multitasking days when I did step out more often or ordered food from outside.

But deep within me, especially as I grew and evolved, homemade food has remained my true choice and comfort.

For a brief moment, I did think of ordering amrakhand to celebrate the festival tomorrow, it is a tradition after all. But then, I rolled up my sleeves and began gathering the basic ingredients. The menu was already taking shape in my mind, and soon, the curd was hung on the wall, quite literally.

Why did I choose this today?

Because I travelled back to one of my sweetest memory lanes.

When my kids were small, even during my most demanding, multitasking phase when I was constantly racing to prove myself I still chose to cook at home. And whenever I hung the curd on the wall, it would become a moment of wonder for them.

They were fascinated.

“What is this?”
“Why is it hanging?”
“What will happen next?”

They would keep touching it, observing it, and the next day, they would wake up with so much excitement to see what had changed.

And when the shrikhand or amrakhand was finally ready, they would relish it with super hot puris wholeheartedly. My son, especially, insisted on perfectly puffed puris to go with that delicious sweet dish.

Even before all this, they would eagerly wait for me to return home, just to narrate their little world of the day.

And then, one fine day perhaps when they were in Senior KG they came home jumping with joy. They had been served puri with “ice cream” in school! My mother and I were taken aback.

“Ice cream with puri?”

When we enquired further, we discovered it was actually amrakhand.

Wow.

Just to relive those sweetest memories once again, that curd found its place on the wall today.

On this sweet note, wishing you all a very "Happy New Year" according to the Indian calendar.

#HungCurd #Amrakhand #Shrikhand #HomemadeLove #FoodMemories #SimpleJoy #MotherhoodMoments #NostalgiaDiaries #HomeCooking #FestiveTraditions #IndianKitchen #EmotionalWellbeing
#LifeReflections #MemoriesThatMatter #BackToBasics

2404: Traditions, Transitions, and Me

Way back during my growing-up years, things felt almost equal everywhere at least in my world. I grew up in a non-tech environment, where life had its own natural boundaries of height, depth, and scale. Within that space, everyone seemed to breathe the same air, enjoy the same fragrances, and speak a shared language of living.

Festivals, too, had a single, familiar rhythm. There was only one way I knew to celebrate them and it was largely the same across my surroundings.

Slowly and steadily, things began to change.

As I moved across different states and cultures, I started relearning the same festivals each one celebrated uniquely in every nook and corner. I had studied this diversity in school, but I truly lived it much later.

For me, festivals were always about family bonding a collective effort where every member contributed wholeheartedly. There was no classification of small or big roles. Everyone simply belonged.

So it came as a surprise when I later saw festivals transforming into something almost like a battleground, people stepping out in large numbers, restaurants overflowing with all age groups, celebrations becoming more about spending and going out. It felt so different from what was deeply rooted in my DNA.

Back then, festivals also quietly taught us life skills pre-planning, time management, and mindful spending. There was even a belief that if you spent (excessively) on a day like for ex. New Year’s, it would set the tone for the entire year. So, everything was planned in advance, and the day itself was reserved for being at home, together.

Adapting to this shift was not easy. Change rarely is.

It took time for me to come to terms with it, to understand it, and eventually to accept it.

Today, I stand at a place where I embrace it all with open arms and a smile. Whether celebrations are small or grand, at home or outside, I see beauty in every form.

And yet, outliers exist everywhere. There are still families who continue to follow traditions with all their heart and there are those who have redefined celebrations in their own way.

A salute to both for choosing what resonates with them.

And perhaps, the true celebration lies in respecting every version of joy.

2403: Ashamed to Witness

As I am a free bird now, working as a freelancer, I keep visiting multiple institutions across domains. During one such visit, I was mesmerized by the truly international setup and vibes on the campus at least when I first entered.

A wonderful fragrance welcomed me. One of the campus canteens was located right at the entrance/exit. With touchscreen-enabled kiosks and a vibrant menu, every Gen-Z demand seemed to be fulfilled. The institution had clearly invested in creating an “international” environment.

The campus was huge. The buildings were impressive. Air-conditioned spaces, top-class amenities everything looked world-class. I was there for more than four hours; I had arrived early in the morning and left after a late lunch.

But the moment I stepped out of the food court area, what I witnessed left me deeply disturbed.

The staircases, lawns, benches, and the entire surroundings were filled with half-eaten food left behind. Wrappers were scattered everywhere. Plastic and glass soft drink bottles lay around, making the floors sticky and spoiled. The list of such sights seemed endless.

This is not what “international standards” mean.

Across the world, people respect hygiene, cleanliness, food, and public spaces. These values become part of their DNA  taught since school and practiced at home, not merely spoken about but demonstrated through daily behavior.

Then why do today’s students demand international campuses, international teaching styles, international exposure but practice responsibility only partially?

When I casually asked a few students about the mess, the reply stunned me.

“Maids are there. It’s their job. They will take care.”

I was taken aback.

What a way of thinking.

For a moment, I was truly speechless.

Never insult food, dear youngsters. Take utmost care of our environment. No one has given us the right to spoil it.

And surely, this is not what being young means.

2402: Comp-Off

 Why did I step out?  this is a question that has been wandering in my mind for years. Slowly, step by step, I am beginning to find the answers.

One such answer came to me recently when my tiny tot, well, tiny only for me, though she is now a working professional casually said, “I will take a comp-off, Mom.”

For a moment, I was taken aback.

Of course, such words are common in today’s professional world and not new to her workplace. Yet I could not ignore the thought that perhaps she first heard this term at home… from me. And thereafter, many times again.

I was in tears when I heard that phrase from my most beloved daughter  the one who is giving more than 200% at her workplace. She is in a new phase of learning and growth, and when she needs to work on Saturdays, she does it wholeheartedly because she understands the concept of a compensatory off.

What touched me most was the realization that she had been listening all along.

At home, no one else really spoke about such things. But she was quietly observing the journey while I was living it, the challenges, the struggles, the successes, the failures. I openly discussed my work concerns with her and how I dealt with them.

Coming from the sandwich generation, working in the international academic environment  which often functions very much like the corporate world and handling many responsibilities at once was simply life for me.

But perhaps, unknowingly, it became a live lesson for her, the future working professional.

It feels wonderful to realize this today… even if the realization came a little late, after years of unnecessary guilt.

२४०१ : दोन ओळींचा दिलासा

कधी कधी फार मोठं काही घडण्याची गरज नसते. दोन ओळींचा एक साधा मेसेजही मनाला दिलासा देऊन जातो. आज तसंच काहीसं घडलं.

आज अचानक फोनवर एक मेसेज आला. साधा मेसेज भलत्याच सोशल असलेल्या सोशल मीडियावर नाही. आणि कदाचित मी जेथे राहते त्या ठिकाणाचे महत्त्व असेल म्हणून तो मराठीत होता.

मी जेव्हा तो मेसेज पहिल्यांदा वाचला तेव्हा नीटसा समजला नाही. पुन्हा एकदा वाचला तेव्हा त्याचं महत्त्व उमगलं. त्या फक्त दोन-तीन ओळी आहेत; पण त्या वाचून जो दिलासा मिळाला तो मोजमापाच्या पल्याड आहे.

सद्य परिस्थितीत असा मेसेज वाचायला मिळणं खूप महत्त्वाचं आहे. मला हे ठाऊक नाही की हा फक्त दिलासा देण्यासाठी पाठवलेला मेसेज आहे, की ह्या मागे व्यवस्थित संख्याशास्त्राचा अभ्यास झाला आहे. हा मेसेज त्यांनी कसा तयार केला असेल? म्हणजे ह्या मागची आकडेवारी त्यांना कुठून मिळाली असेल? तंत्रज्ञानाचा नक्कीच पुरेपूर वापर केलेला दिसतो.

आपल्या कडे थेट युद्धस्थिती नसली तरी जगात काही ठिकाणी युद्धस्थिती आहे. आणि अशा देशांवर आपण स्वयंपाकासाठी लागणाऱ्या इंधनासाठी बऱ्याच प्रमाणात अवलंबून आहोत. वृत्तपत्रे, बातम्या आणि इतर ठिकाणी जेव्हा सतत असे ऐकायला मिळते की असं होणार, तसं होणार… ते काहींना घाबरवून टाकणारंही असतं.

अशा वेळी असा मेसेज मिळाला की "सगळं काही ठीक आहे, आटोक्यात आहे, तुटवडा नाही आहे"  इतकं हायसं वाटलं की सांगता सोय नाही.

हा दिलासा फक्त माझ्यासाठी नाही, तर प्रत्येकासाठी आहे ज्यांना इंधनाची, गॅसची गरज आहे.

प्रार्थनेत बळ असतं यात शंकाच नाही. आणि त्याच वेळी तंत्रज्ञानाचा वापर करून काढलेली आकडेवारीही किती समाधान देऊन जाते हे लक्षात आलं.

आता इथून पुढे सगळेच जरा अधिक सांभाळून गॅस वापरतील यात दुमत नाही. पुरवून-पुरवून वापर केला जाईल  सर्व स्तरांवर. कारण असा मेसेज प्रत्येकापर्यंत पोचला असणारच.

म्हणजे बघा, त्या दोन ओळींची कमाल!

तसंही सगळेच गॅस आणि जिन्नस जपून वापरतात. पण आता कदाचित अजून थोडी जास्त जागरूकता येईल.

दोन ओळी, चार शब्द पाठवावे असे ज्यांना सुचले त्यांना प्रणाम आणि मनःपूर्वक धन्यवाद.

तुमच्याही आयुष्यात असा एखादा छोटा मेसेज कधी दिलासा देऊन गेला आहे का?

2400: The "Just an Option" Myth

I recently came across a podcast featuring two iconic actresses who have dominated the industry for three decades. One statement struck a chord with me: "Because you didn't know anything else, or couldn't do anything else, you became an actor."

It immediately transported me back through my own memory lane. As academicians, we have often been met with a similar bias: "You only became a teacher because you couldn't get a job in the industry. It was just an option." There was even a time I was told, "Since you are in teaching, don't celebrate Engineer’s Day; you aren't a real engineer anymore."

After 28 years in the "industry of education," I can say with absolute certainty: Engineering is not just a job title; it is a mindset.

Whether it is counseling, acting, writing, or training, there is an "Engineered Approach" to excellence. Knowingly or unknowingly, we apply models, perform data analysis, forecast outcomes, test hypotheses, and iterate for better results. That is the very essence of engineering.

Here are my reflections on professional respect:

1. Universal Challenges: Every domain has its hurdles. The percentage of difficulty may vary, but the struggle for excellence is universal.

2. The Futility of Cribbing: Every working professional is a vital cog in the machine. Constant complaining about others' choices is often more about the critic's nature than the subject's competence.

3. The "5-Second Rule" of Criticism: If you have a critique about something a person cannot fix in five seconds, and you aren't contributing to their upliftment keep quiet. Focus on serving your own entities with excellence.

4. The Ecosystem of Growth: If every engineer stayed on the factory floor, who would cultivate the next generation of innovators? We need the bridge the guest lectures, the hackathons, and the internships to turn students into practitioners.

My mantra remains: "Live and Let Live." Enjoy your work, respect the "engineered" effort in every field, and keep moving forward.

2399: Carrot story

Looking back at my school days, I realize how much I cherished the consistency of homemade food. In the winters of my childhood, my mother’s red carrot pickle was a staple. Back then, red carrots were the only variety we knew, appearing only for a fleeting season. That pickle had a taste that was truly "out of this world." I used to literally hog it; it paired perfectly with almost every dish on the table.

Interestingly, Carrot Halwa wasn't part of the traditional Maharashtrian culture in our home back then. Instead, my mother made the world's best carrot kheer. It had the most appealing color, a rich taste, and provided a deep sense of satisfaction. In winter, carrots would find their way into our rice, our curries, and, of course, the fresh salads we enjoyed daily.

Now, it is my turn in the kitchen. Over the years, the "Halwa culture" took over, and I added it to my repertoire. Carrot curries both dry and gravy-based became tiffin norms. Grated carrot salad, which we fondly call koshimbir, became a regular side. At my home, red carrots are now mandatory in poha; their presence, color, and taste are a healthy addition to almost all breakfast items, from upma and dosa to uttapam and parathas.

The list is truly endless. Recently, I discovered carrot wadi (mithai). When my kids were small, I often made carrot cakes. I even heard a celebrity mother on a reality show recently speak about colorful carrot puris, an idea that sparked my curiosity. From being a must-have in my grilled sandwiches to providing the perfect texture in veg cutlets, the carrot is a versatile hero. Even in our evening bhel, amidst the potatoes and tomatoes, a handful of grated carrots adds a healthy, fun crunch.

As winter draws to a close, I find myself waiting for the red variety to return next year, making do with the orange ones in the meantime. Reflecting on this journey, it feels as if a film has been rolling in front of my eyes, a colorful, nutritious, and soul-warming story of a simple vegetable.

2398: Decluttering 2.0

The silsila (sequence) of decluttering continues, and with it, new layers of my past are unfolding.

My first stop today was the "Spam" folder, a quick reminder of the digital "weeds" that need regular pulling. But the real journey began when I reached the "Drafts." I found myself stuck there, lost in thought. Looking at those incomplete emails, I tried to remember: Why did I leave this half-cooked? What stopped me from hitting send? Some made me smile, others made me wonder if I should finally finish them or simply pick up the phone and call. Cleaning this folder isn't just a task; it’s an emotional negotiation with my past self.

From there, I switched to the "Sent" folder, and that is where the true "treasure" lay. Using filters to navigate by day and month, I randomly picked emails to read. I found notes of gratitude, detailed narrations of experiences, and professional exchanges that now feel like certificates of my hard work and consistency.

What struck me most was how these emails have "witnessed" my transformation. The tone, the pace, and the concerns of my full-time work era are so different from my current "re-attaired" phase. The change in my life isn't just a memory; it is documented and captured in black and white within these folders.

It is fascinating to see my own evolution through the "Sent" items of my life. I am eager to see what else will unfold as I continue this deep dive into my digital archives.

2397: Importance of De-cluttering

This morning, a notification from Gmail acted as a wake-up call: my storage was nearly full. I started with my Drive, clearing out old files to create some breathing room, and then moved to my inbox.

Initially, the process was slow and tedious. I began with the most recent emails, deleting advertisements and "garbage" information. It felt like a boring chore until I changed my strategy. I decided to "walk the aisle" from the very beginning, jumping to the oldest pages of my inbox.

Suddenly, boredom turned into a journey of discovery. I found old bank statements from years ago. Seeing my old salary and expenditure details was surprisingly satisfying, it was heartening to see how well I managed life even then! I crossed paths with forgotten invitations, messages from old friends, students, and relatives. My inbox had become a time capsule of my own life.

I realized why I had been so careless with my storage: for years, I relied on my office email with its "unlimited" space. My personal account didn't have that luxury, and I had let it become a storehouse for digital clutter.

This experience taught me two vital lessons:

1. The Power of the "Unsubscribe": Deleting isn't enough; we must stop the clutter at the source.

2. Mental Hygiene: Just as we wouldn't store garbage in a spotlessly clean home, we shouldn't store unwanted thoughts in our minds.

Clutter both digital and mental will always keep pouring in. By setting aside just 10 minutes a day to clean up, we can ensure we always feel "lightweight" and ready for the present. Thank you, Gmail, for knocking on my door today and turning a cleanup into a celebration of memories.

#DigitalDeclutter #Mindfulness #MentalHealth #GmailCleanUp #ProductivityTips #LifeLessons #MemoryLane #WeekendForever 

2396: Technical Brilliance with Spiritual Depth

I have always believed that things happen automatically, people meet surprisingly, and the right information appears ironically just when you require it most. Today was no different. A thumbnail appeared on my giant TV screen that was too interesting to ignore, a 17-minute video in Marathi that left me utterly speechless.

The speaker was narrating the astonishing work and legacy of the saints, from Sant Dnyaneshwar to Sant Tukaram. His speech was a masterclass: time-bound, loaded with apt stories, and deeply rooted in the experiences of that era. There was no over-boarding, no unnecessary pauses, and a flow that demonstrated a legendary grip on the subject.

My father, who is a university in himself and my ultimate hero always said: "Clarity of speech comes from the super-clarity of deep thoughts and dedicated study." Today, I saw that truth in action.

Out of curiosity, I checked the speaker’s profile and was left in awe. He is a highly reputed tech person and a well-known researcher in the field. To hear someone from a hardcore technical background provide such accurate citations and spiritual details was remarkable. I believe I had met him once before when he was an invited speaker at my previous workplace, but I only knew his "tech" side then.

Usually, we see individuals who are either tech-savvy with proven track records or highly spiritual. To find someone who is both is rare. He is clearly a voracious reader of literature and a consistent practitioner of spirituality.

Seeing this "dual-mastery" has motivated me deeply. It is a reminder that being "intelligent" isn't just about the algorithms we write or the AI we use, it’s about the depth of the soul and the clarity of the mind.

2395: Spoon tap

It started in 2018. As my "absent-minded" professor might recall, a certain Hindi blockbuster was sweeping the nation, and a famous ghagra from the film was the talk of the town. Coincidentally, I had purchased a dress that mirrored that style. Whenever I wore it, I felt a surge of "sky-high" motivation. I wasn't just wearing a dress; I was stepping into the persona of someone legendary. It gave me a confidence that was, and still is, impossible to put into words.

The Nano-Scale Kitchen Experiments: Life moved into the kitchen. When my children were young, I began experimenting on a "nano-scale." One of my "patented" home-cooked inventions was the Wrap. Born out of a necessity to make cabbage curry appealing, I combined the curry with roti, butter, spices, and a generous amount of cheese. We would devour them with tomato sauce in no time. It was simple, it was "us," and it was our little secret.

Walking the Talk: Now, the kids are flying high, the entire sky belongs to them. With more time in my hands and inspired by the latest season of MasterChef, I decided to "walk the talk." No longer content with just feeding a family, I wanted to innovate. I had the ingredients, the time, and the learnings from the show.

The Iterative Process: 1.0 to 4.0 I challenged myself to skip the cheese and elevate the health quotient:

• Version 1.0: Simple roti with cabbage lightly cooked with chickpea flour for binding.

• Version 2.0: I introduced homemade hung curd. That first bite was a "spoon-tap" moment for myself. I reached that same sky-high feeling from 2018. It was healthy, homemade, and superb.

• Version 3.0: I experimented with the base, mixing green leafy vegetables directly into the dough.

• Version 4.0 (The Final Cut): A mixed-veg stuffing finished with fresh hung curd for that final "punch."

The Diva and the Nano-Researcher Beyond wow. Simple, homemade, and tasting of pure success. This journey from a cabbage wrap to a sophisticated 4.0 version has made me feel like a "Diva" and a self-declared "Nano-level MasterChef."

This is why we must stay inspired by the world around us whether it's a reality show or a blockbuster movie. It keeps us "unstoppable" in our pursuit of variety and excellence.