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The Boy and The Borrowed Cycle

The Boy and The Borrowed Cycle

May 9, 2021 | 1 comment

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Hey!

So it’s mothers’ day and everyones showing their appreciation for their moms and I wanna do that too. However, I couldn’t bring myself to write something about my mother that didn’t sound corny to me. My mom’s great – it’s me who couldn’t write about her. So instead I thought about sharing  with you one of the many things I learnt from her and the stories she told me.

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Once there were two young boys – Ayan and Nishant – who were friends for a long time now. They would play together everyday and would thoroughly enjoy each other’s company.

On one such bright sunny day, after playing cricket for an hour, they were discussing bicycles while taking a break. As he saw some children making rounds on their bicycles, Ayan talked to Nishant about how wonderful it would feel, just like a bird gliding in the sky, to ride a bicycle, how the wind would brush against the face as he would move through the roads. Ayan told Nishant how much he wanted to ride a bicycle.

Nishant put a hand on Ayan’s shoulder and said, “If that was the case, why didn’t you tell me earlier. I have a bicycle, though i don’t use it much. You can have it for a day and I’ll take it back the next day. Shall I give it to you tomorrow?”

Ayan’s eyes shone with joy and he said, almost pushing back the tears of joy, “Really? That’d be amazing. Thank you so much.”

The next day Ayan was up at 6 in the morning because he couldn’t wait for the cycle.

Nishant came and dropped the cycle at Ayan’s house at around 8. 

“I’ll come back tomorrow morning – same time. Have fun, bye.”

Ayan dashed outside with the bicycle. 

He rode it all day long. He sailed past the pedestrians. The trees moved past him and he just loved bicycling from the bottom of his heart.

As the sun set, Ayan began to feel a little gloomy because he knew he had to be home and then the next day he would have to return the bicycle. He already knew he was going to miss it.

Ayan woke up the next morning, not willing but accepting the fact that he had to return the bicycle. He awaited for Nishant to come at 8 as he had promised.

But he didn’t show up. Ayan decided to wait for some hours till 10 am but there was no sign of Nishant. The clock ticked through the entire afternoon and evening, yet Nishant didn’t come.

Ultimately Ayan thought that Nishant wouldn’t come that day and decided to go to bed.

The following day Nishant came right on time.

Ayan smiled and said, “Thank you so much. It was amazing to ride a bicycle.”

Nishant replied, “My pleasure. You can tell me anytime you want to ride a bicycle, I’ll lend it to you.”

Just as Nishant was sitting on the bicycle, Ayan spoke up.

“Um… I just wanted to ask something. You were supposed to take back the bicycle yesterday, but you didn’t come. Why so?”

“Oh yeah that. I had gone to my grandparents’ house in the morning and I returned in the afternoon. You really loved riding the bicycle so you must have already been riding it since I didn’t come so I thought let it be with you for a few more hours. It didn’t really make much of a difference to me anyways.”

Saying that, Nishant left.

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After I heard this story, all I could do was imagine Ayan’s plight. Poor guy had the bicycle but still didn’t ride. All because he stopped cycling in the anticipation of the fact that he has to return it.

How often do we tend to do the same?

Haven’t we all stopped enjoying something because we felt that it was going to end? Or not enjoying something till it’s end?

We must cherish the things we have, till the time we have them. 

Not enjoying something before the event is actually over is a blunder. If you do this, then you’re your own reason for misery.

Let us not get our future in the way of our present.

Thank you Mumma for making me realise this 🙂

 

Happy Mothers’ Day to all the wonderful mothers out there!

 

The Fine Line Between Being Busy and Being Productive

The Fine Line Between Being Busy and Being Productive

May 2, 2021 | 0 comments

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You’ve spent the whole day running back and forth, completing tasks teachers had asked you to, attending classes… but by the end of the day, you feel like you’ve accomplished nothing!

The sheer horror.

It is often said that “time is money” and people who are too busy to take care of themselves or their loved ones are considered heroes. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. We can all remember times when we were so stressed out that we didn’t even have time to eat or sleep properly. Then there was the moment when the stress lifted and we felt relieved because for once in weeks, things weren’t piling up on us. The problem with being busy constantly is that you don’t get any time to rest your mind – which means you’re not as able to think clearly as you would be if you had taken just a few moments to breathe.

The thing is, there’s a difference between being busy and being productive.

Before breaking down the difference between busy and productive, let us understand what both terms mean.

Being busy means having a great deal or to engage in work, whereas being productive means that you can do a lot — create or produce large amounts of something – in a limited amount of time.

If I have got 10 assignments to do and I do them, I am busy.

If I do the 10 assignments in 3 days, I am productive. (if I do 10 assignments in 30 days, I wouldn’t be really productive, would I?)

It is important to get the right balance between being busy and productive. If you are too busy but not productive enough, then you’ll end up being stressed out constantly.

When you are just busy, you often do the work as and when it comes along your way, so it is often not a well planned way of working.

But if you are productive, then the work is more structured and organized, with less stress involved. You would be doing things you had planned and had intended to do rather than unexpected interruptions.

Being busy often involves doing work which isn’t as important for instance short term priorities like cleaning the desk, while when you’re productive you act on things of importance to you or long term priorities such as your health or skills.

When you’re busy you are often switching between tasks and multi tasking, but when you do a single task you are more efficient.

Since multi tasking is just switching in between tasks, you end up working frantically and just going back and forth between multiple tasks. You can’t get deep in any of the tasks and end up doing shallow work. On the other hand, when you work on a single task, you are able to put your attention on it, you are more focused and you engage in actual deep work.

When you think of being busy, you think of being in a rush, completing your work helter-skelter. But when you think of productivity, you think of a calm relaxed person sitting on their desk, sipping on some coffee and completing their work peacefully (or at least that’s what I think). Even if your idea of productivity differs from this, it would be something along the lines of being relaxed, getting things done and in full control of your work.

Because productivity happens in a state of calmness – as opposed to the busyness that always keeps us going like a hamster on a wheel – we need to realize that productivity is important, not only for how efficiently we work; but also for our mental health.

Productivity gives us time for ourselves – it allows us to take a break from our work and to do something we enjoy or need. It ensures that when you are back at work, you feel rejuvenated and excited about the task ahead.

Busy is contrastingly ruled by the principle that you need to be constantly working on one thing or the other – even if you aren’t focusing on it. Like how we sometimes try to watch a lecture while having lunch. Neither are we able to eat our food mindfully, nor are we able to grasp the lecture fully. Busy has no breaks – it’s all work and more work (and that “more” can be as little as doing the same thing again).

So the next time you are just jumping from one task to another with some social media distractions in between, ask yourself – “Am I focused or am I just doing frantic disordered work? Am I nailing one task at a time or juggling multiple tasks? Am I being productive or am I just busy?

 

The Shitty Draft: How to Finish Your Work Quickly

The Shitty Draft: How to Finish Your Work Quickly

Apr 25, 2021 | 5 comments

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You know that feeling you get when you have a huge assignment due in a few days and you haven’t started yet? It’s that feeling you get when you’re up against a tight deadline and haven’t started your work yet. You keep thinking about how hard it is, which only makes the whole situation seem worse than what it really is. This is the perfect opportunity for what is called “The Shitty Draft.” 

The Shitty Draft is a technique to get your work done quickly. It may not be the best but it gets you out of procrastinating and into mastery!

What is “The Shitty Draft”?

The idea behind this technique is simple – make an absolutely terrible first draft, one that you know isn’t really your best work. Write whatever comes to your mind regarding the topic and just put it out on paper.

It’s okay if everything seems messy, out-of-place or flat at this point; what matters most are ideas themselves because they will eventually lead us to a better result as we improve it.

The intention isn’t to do the best quality work the first time – it is just to do the work.

Once your work is done, all you need to do is edit it!

As a student, this technique works well for me. Sometimes my first drafts are quite good and sometimes they’re terrible, but the priority of this technique is to get your work done. When the drafts are good, I’m in luck. When they aren’t, I’ll complete it through the procedure anyways. It will never be perfect from the start and you have to improve your work both ways – so why wait?

Why does it work?

As human beings, we are naturally lazy. We often find excuses to not do the things that scare us or take a long time to get done. When something feels easier for you to do, you are more likely to do it.

I have avoided my own assignments just because I feel they’re too difficult.

Moreover, we rarely finish our work in one sitting.

However, if you already have a written piece of content the first time around, when you go back to it you feel like you just need to edit it. You don’t feel like you have to do work and write something extra. It feels like just some finishing up.

It also helps to get your work done quickly, which is what most people want when they’re on a tight deadline (or maybe have just pushed their work to 12 hours until the deadline).

If you have trouble getting started with writing, it may help to use this technique and just go ahead and write the first draft for now. When you come back later, you’ll have something to edit.

When does “The Shitty Draft” work?

It works (almost) always!

I think this technique would work best when you’re feeling lazy or unmotivated, but still want to get your work done! The idea of The Shitty Draft technique is for those who are on deadline or just want work done as quickly as possible in order to avoid the feeling of being stuck, blocked or procrastinating.

Honestly, you can do it anytime you want to get work done. Once, I wrote a 300 word in about 25 excluding the editing. Even with the editing, it did not take more than 40 minutes.

So this technique not only gets you working when you don’t feel like it, but it also gets your work done faster than usual.

When does it not work?

The Shitty Draft is perfect for students and professionals who just want to get assignments and projects done or writers on deadline of short stories and essays because this technique allows them to draft without overthinking their papers.

The main drawback with this technique is that if you have classes which need you to memorize things or solve problems you may not be able to use this technique. 

(That low-key sucks because it rules out people studying science but not writing papers or essays)

Other than you can use it in any situation you want, be it writing essays or finishing your presentations or even writing the script for your speech.

I’d like to thank Josh Chen for introducing this technique, although the concept was originally made up by Anne Lamott.

Summary

When you’re on deadline and want to get your work done as quickly as possible to avoid getting lazy or unmotivated, you need to create a shitty first draft and then edit it to make it better.

 

What This Disney Movie ‘Soul’ Can Teach You

What This Disney Movie ‘Soul’ Can Teach You

Apr 18, 2021 | 4 comments

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Disney released the movie ‘Soul’ last December. The plot of the story is just as amazing as its animation.

It is the story of a jazz musician, stuck in his mediocre job until the day he finally gets his big break. When by chance or fate – a wrong step that takes him to the Great Before – he helps an infant soul and returns back home with nothing but a new perspective about life.

This evidently sounds like the plot of a movie named Soul. While watching it, there may be some moments when you feel something is quite philosophical and you have to pause it and actually absorb what it’s saying.

I’m here to break down those unreal moments into smaller chunks for you till you watch the movie. 

[Warning – Spoilers ahead! Just telling even though this movie is to be watched for the experience rather than the suspense (which isn’t even there)]

The Fine Line Between Being In The Zone And Being Obsessed With Something

Our protagonist, the middle school teacher Joe goes to get help from Moonwind, a guy who helps the lost souls from the zone find their way back. When you feel you are really into something it feels like you’re in another place. You feel like you are in the zone. Moonwind tells that that place is the zone. It’s the space between the physical and the spiritual. 

So, the zone is a good place right?

Yes. and no. 

Moonwind tells us that the zone is enjoyable, but when that joy becomes an obsession, one becomes disconnected from life, hence becoming a lost soul.

You must have seen in real life (or in other movies like Arjun in ZNMD) too, people who were passionate about their work, get absolutely disconnected from other parts of their life and kind of become lost. 

They just can’t let go of their anxieties and obsessions leaving them lost and disconnected from their life.

 

If You Saw Your Life As An Outsider, Would You Be Proud Of It?

When Joe is trapped in the mystical plane of existence between this world and the next, life and death, he sees his entire life as an exhibit in a hall. All of his life events are arranged chronologically and he can see himself as if he is seeing someone else. Looking at a few moments from his childhood brings a smile on his face. But as his life progresses he starts to become dissatisfied and upset because he felt that his life amounted to nothing and was meaningless.

It feels kinda out of character for me to say something cynical like this, but if you were in Joe’s position would you be happy with what you have accomplished in life till now?

Did you ever take a step back and think about what your life would look like to someone else? What do they see when they’re looking at not only the good but also all of the bad things that have happened in your life.

If I were an outsider, judging me by just observing everything from afar without any access or knowledge about who I really am – I’d say I was nice to everyone and cheerful most of the time but I guess that’s about it. 

I would like to look back and be remembered for working hard, having an unbreakable will and being supremely dedicated in whatever I do (none of which I have right now honestly). Brb, that’s my call to be, do or at least work towards something meaningful.

Think of it like going to an amusement park and then returning back home. After you’re home do you regret the rollercoasters you did not ride? Because I sure do. 

Consider the rides things you’d like to do. 

And then do them, because you’re still in the amusement park.

Yeah, that was more like me.

 

I know this got very serious but it be like that sometimes tho.

I can see why someone commented “existential crisis for 8 year olds” under the movie’s trailer.

 

I’d like to know how you would look at your current life as an exhibition and what you want it to look like. 

I have some more deep, some not very deep lessons from this movie. Let me know if you’d like to read them too.

 

One Reason to Keep Fighting – You Haven’t Lost Yet

One Reason to Keep Fighting – You Haven’t Lost Yet

Apr 11, 2021 | 8 comments

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 If you play a sport, you know that in the world of sports, there’s one thing that never changes. It doesn’t matter if you’re a professional or just playing for fun, you always want to win – and when it happens, we feel like anything is possible!

You might have felt this even if you had to fight and stand up against your opponents in a competition or sustain against an obstacle (you know, basically life).

But what about those moments where things don’t go our way, when you try so hard but still things don’t seem to work out in your favor?

We’ve all been there. It’s that feeling of defeat and the loss. It’s the feeling when you’ve been fighting for hours and you just know that it’s not going to happen. However, we must remember that it’s all a part of the experience.

But what do we do when you feel that way?

The answer is simple: We keep fighting. 

There’s only one reason we continue fighting. Because we haven’t lost yet! 

Honestly these two sentences have made me realise why you need to keep on fighting even when you’re on the brink of giving up. I used to think that you don’t give up because you had a destination to reach which you haven’t reached yet. As true as it is, I never realised that if you give up you drop your fight in the middle of the process, when you can still win. The realisation that the game is not over yet and there is still scope to win seems a little more motivating to me than the fact that you need to fight because you’ve got a long fight ahead of you. The second one feels like a burden when you are already tired because of fighting.

It’s not over until we’ve lost; so don’t quit now when things seem too hard because who knows what the future may bring? It could take days or weeks but one day your luck will change for the better and you’ll be on the other side of that tunnel, with a smile across your face.

You haven’t lost yet! And don’t let anyone tell otherwise because it’s not over until you say so – rather until you believe so.”

From sportsmanship, in the world of opponents and even life itself there’s always that singular goal – winning through all moments when things don’t go our way.

We all have moments when it feels like everything is falling apart; but what if, at the end of our lives, we realize that this was actually the moment where things began to turn around for us? What if this time is just a speed bump on the way to an amazing life? What if it is the darkest hour just before the dawn? We can only find out by continuing to fight and never giving up hope.

After all,

Hinata asking if you need a reason not to want to lose

The best way to fight is with everything you have, and the bravest thing a person can do in that moment of crisis when things seem like they might never get better – is keep going anyway.”

I’d like to appreciate two characters – Kageyama Tobio and Hinata Shoyo – from a sports show called Haikyuu for making me realise this through their persistence in volleyball 😊

 

And while we’re at the topic of being persistent and consistent, I am delighted to tell you that I have been consistent in uploading these blog posts every single Sunday for a whole year now!!! There have been some instances where I didn’t feel like writing at all. But clearly I’ve made it through. I am glad to know that this blog was not a 2 week obsession that would fizz out on the 15th day. Sure, I feel like I could do better and reach more people than I am. So i’ll keep fighting because i haven’t lost yet 🙂 

If you read in the beginning, have stuck through since the start, joined me sometime in the middle or have started reading my blogs recently, I want to thank you from the depths of my heart. Taking out the time to read what I write means a lot.

And honestly, I’d like to thank myself too for doing this. If I never promised myself to write every week, I could have never ended up with 53 pieces of writing.

I end my happy rant there *catches a breath*

Thank you.