“Success is the residue of planning.” – Benjamin Franklin The word ‘planning’ makes a lot of people cringe. It reminds them of school timetables, work deadlines, and mundane routines. Planning, in other words, saps the fun out of life. The la dolce vita way of living is so much better. It’s spontaneous, carefree, and liberating….
Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover. Here’s Why.
“Don’t judge my story based on the chapter you walked in on.” Buying a book off the shelf is a sensuous experience for book lovers like me. Our eyes glide across the shelves of colorful titles. The whiff of freshly printed books lulls us into intellectual bliss. The feel of each book that we pull…
5 Time Wasters You Should Avoid to be Successful
“Waste your money and you’re only out of money, but waste your time and you’ve lost a part of your life.” – Michael LeBoeuf Have you ever found yourself questioning where did the time go? After a long day, you ruefully gaze at the clock, feeling unaccomplished and defeated. Even though you were busy all…
How to be Grateful for Your Life without Getting Too Complacent
Over the last couple of decades, gratitude has become a popular buzz word in the field of self-empowerment. Being grateful is now considered to be one of the most effective ways to create an abundant and joyful state of mind. By simply paying attention to our blessings, we can instantly get rid of unpleasant feelings…
4 Lessons from the Most Benevolent Leaders of History
“Enlightened leadership is spiritual if we understand spirituality not as some kind of religious dogma or ideology but as the domain of awareness where we experience values like truth, goodness, beauty, love and compassion” – Deepak Chopra Since the dawn of time, people have been governed by leaders. In the past, kingdoms were led by…
5 Telltale Signs of a Trustworthy Person
“Trusting someone is my decision, then proving me right is their choice.” History and fictional narratives are littered with stories of betrayal. Julius Caesar was murdered by his supposed friends. Darth Vader from Star Wars assassinated the Emperor Palpatine. Former FBI agent Robert Hanssen sold CIA information to the Soviet Military intelligence agency. Judas, one…
Why You Need to Create Your Own Definition for Success
“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.” – Anne Sweeney Success. The elusive rainbow that we chase our whole lives. Every time we get close, it appears to fade into the distant horizon. After numerous futile attempts, we begin to wonder, will…
Why Freedom is Everyone’s Birthright
“Life without liberty is like a body without spirit.” – Khalil Gibran The word ‘freedom’ has been a mainstay in our zeitgeist. As our species has evolved, so has its meaning and significance to us. It’s worn many different faces throughout history. Writer Vasily Grossman highlights this in his book, Forever Flowering. He writes, “the…
4 Planning Strategies to Succeed in the New Year
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin With the Holidays just around the corner, there’s a palpable buzz in the air. Whether you’re organizing lively parties or intimate dinners with family and friends, everyone is discussing their plans for festivities with excitement. Clearly, everyone wants to ride the wave…
Why the Truth Will Always Set You Free
“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” – Oscar Wilde “I’m afraid that is the reality of the situation, Seline.” My counselor looked at me with consoling eyes after our lengthy discussion about my complicated family dynamics and how they could impact my future. I looked out the window for a brief respite, trying…
