Adulthood

  You think some rich asshole in California is controlling your mind? That’s the most pathetic, cowardly bullshit I’ve ever heard. It’s the ultimate excuse for a weak will and an empty life. You point your finger at Zuckerberg, at Musk, at whoever the fuck is on your screen this week, because it’s easier than looking in the mirror. They aren't puppet masters. They’re just businessmen who built a mirror. They show you what you want: cheap dopamine, fake arguments, and an endless scroll of meaningless shit to distract you from the fact that you are doing nothing with your life. Did they hold a gun to your head and make you scroll? Did they force you to get into a political argument with a stranger? No. You did it yourself. You willingly plugged your own brain into their machine because you’re terrified of silence. You’re terrified of the hard, actual work required to build a life of your own. They didn’t steal your attention. You fucking gave it away. You traded your mind, your time,...

  The horns continued to honk, a dull hum beneath the cacophony of squealing brakes and incessant "beep beep" of auto-rickshaws. Rajesh reclined against the worn seat of his auto, the sun beating hot upon the thin plastic canopy. His leg pained, a throbbing ache that refused to abate. It had been broken in a hit-and-run at the Silk Board junction, and it was healing slowly, too slowly. He observed the crowded Hosur Road in Bengaluru. Buses emitted black smoke, inching through traffic like giant, lumbering brutes. Motorcycles, with two or three riders, sped by, their horns contributing to the cacophony. Peddlers wandered between the stationary cars, hollering, "Sir, Madam, idli, dosa!" above the din. It was a chaos of frustration, a cacophony of impatience, and Rajesh, trapped there as a witness, had a bitter taste in his mouth. He was once a programmer, a coder. He had ambitions of having his own company, of creating the next hot app. He even had a notion, something...

  The sun let loose its warming rays over the lush decor of Cubbon Park. Tall boughs of a majestic Banyan had reached out on the ground forming an umbrella as tentacles offered a canopy sheltering families spreading out their baskets to have a picnic there. Cheers and laughter among the children playing badminton and football fill up the ambient peace. A little girl, Sonia, was playing with a shuttlecock. She let it fall beside a tree trunk and then ran after it, ponytail bouncing with every step. When she picked up the shuttlecock, she heard strange moaning sounds behind the tree. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she peeped behind the tree. What she saw wrinkled her forehead in worry. A couple, young one, embracing each other passionately, locked mouths, hands exploring each other's bodies. The girl figured they might need help, thinking the moaning was painful. She hastened back to her mother and pulled at her hand. "Mommy, Mommy! Those people need help!". Her m...

A Tale of Generations  The short story, "Cubbon Tales - Look Closer," reads like a seemingly simple tale about a child's curiosity and a mother's dilemma to explain something that is essentially a complex social norm. Yet, beneath all this lies an intense commentary on the changing values of generations and the friction caused when old meets new.  The Clash of Cultures: The story is based on the act of public kissing, which is considered inappropriate by the older generation but harmless by the younger generation. Sonia is the protagonist who seems to be confused regarding her mother's reaction to the couple's show of affection. She portrays innocent curiosity that reflects a generation less held in shackles of tradition and more open to expressing emotions freely. The story reveals how the emphasis of the older generation on social norms is against the desire for self-expression and authenticity by the younger generation.   The Power of Observation and Ques...

Do you think some individuals have a different view about things? They are neither careless nor fearful of risk. They grasp the beauty that can be held in the moment, and they hold their precious loved ones near. These happen to be the "real men" – individuals who have faced their mortality face to face. You see, near-death experiences have an impact on the human psyche. They strip away the illusion of immortality and force us to confront the finite nature of our existence. For some, this can be a terrifying realization. But for others, it's a wake-up call to live life to the fullest. The Masculine Mind and the Weight of Mortality It is very dramatic to say that "real men" know death better, but it is so true. Generally, men, especially those who have faced a reasonable challenge either physically or emotionally, understand their mortality much better than others. It's not morbid pessimism; it is an acknowledgment of the real existence of life and death and ...

Depression: You know, sucks. We all do. There's that heaviness of being sad, one that makes leaving the bed more like climbing Everest. And yes, sometimes I get honest about it with fellow people: sometimes, no matter how hard one tries, just seems like she's just beginning to get their wheels turning round. But here's the thing: inaction feeds depression.  It's like your body and mind are screaming, "Hey, something needs to change!" I know, I know. Easier said than done. Battling depression, it makes the smallest of things feel impossible. Trust me, though; action, even the smallest ones, makes all the difference. Think about this: Six months later. You feel on top of things. You are with friends, and you have some tremendous times. You start to find some activities that you enjoyed when you were doing them. Sounds pretty good, right? It is not magic. It is breaking the loop. * Start small: 15 minutes of walking, healthy meal, 10 minutes of meditation...

So the whole thing with the drama going down and this is why you should never even, even for a single day ever be the second string. Imagine this: You're totally crushing on this person, and it seems like they're into you too. You're always texting, hanging out, and feeling all loved up. But then, boom! They start acting weird. They're not replying to your texts, canceling plans, and just generally being lame. Don't let them walk all over you! You deserve to have a person who actually wants to be with you and no one else. No playing games or keeping you waiting. Somebody who makes you feel awesome, not just a plan B. I know that letting go of someone you love is really hard. But, honestly, this is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Do not waste your time and energy on someone who doesn't even appreciate you. Some of these red flags you should watch out for The Hot and Cold Act: They're totally into you one minute, and completely out of sight the...