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During my regular walking routine, I noticed an elderly person walking with an irregular gait. Despite the physical challenges, he was pushing himself to increase his pace. At the same time, I saw a woman walking briskly her steps were quick. She was well ahead of the other person. As I walked, I found myself positioned between the two neither as slow and careful as the elderly person nor as fast and energetic as the woman. This analogy prompted me to reflect on the year that is coming to an end. Although we all experienced the same 365 days, our lives unfolded in vastly different ways. For some, it may have been a year filled with achievements, personal milestones, and growth professionally, materially, or emotionally. For others, it may have been a year of challenges, unexpected hurdles, and trials that tested their strength. Much like a walking path, life encourages us to focus on our own destination, adjusting our pace according to  our strengths and circumstances. Success is measured not by how quickly we achieve goals compared to others, It’s about honouring our unique journey and finding fulfilment in each step, knowing that true progress comes from within, not from external comparisons. By embracing our own rhythm, we move forward with purpose, learning and evolving at our own pace. In the grand journey of life, each one of us are unique, running our own race on the track that has been laid out for us. The timing of our progress, the detours we take and the obstacles we encounter are all part of a plan uniquely designed to shape who we are meant to be. As this year comes to close, let’s take a moment to think, not to dwell on what we could have done differently, but to appreciate how far we have come. Every step we took, whether big or small, contributed to our growth. Even the setbacks taught us patience and the value of perseverance. And most importantly, let’s be grateful that we are here today alive to witness the closing of another chapter and the beginning of a new one. Life itself is a gift, and each passing year reminds us to cherish the moments we have, embrace the lessons we learn, and continue striving toward the goals and dreams that matter most to us. Lydia Israel

The banyan tree is known for its immense structure, with wide spreading branches and aerial roots that grow downward to form additional trunks. A fully matured banyan resembles a small forest, providing shelter for birds, squirrels, and various other creatures. It creates a natural gathering place for people in a community.   In many regions, the banyan tree stands as a cherished landmark. My dad is the perfect metaphor for a banyan tree. He was the main trunk, as we three started our own families, much like the aerial shoots of a banyan tree that grow by drawing nutrients from the main trunk, we drew strength from our dad. This cycle continued, generation after generation, with each new shoot representing a new branch of our family. Dad lived to see his great-grandchildren, and the entire family remained deeply connected to the powerful force “dad”. Family met very often; every union was celebration. Dad was the chef invariably. He knew everyone’s favorite dish. Like the tree’s roots that reach far and wide, he has extended himself to reconnect with family members who lost connection with the extended family over the years. His presence brought the entire family together, like how the tree gathers people beneath its shade. Just as birds and squirrels find home in the banyan tree, my dad has been a pillar of support for many underprivileged people. As a teacher, he always had a deep commitment in helping those who were in need, especially when it came to education. Through his guidance and support, he has helped countless individuals find opportunities they may not have otherwise had. Like the banyan tree’s branches that spread widely to shelter life, he has extended himself to lift others up, making a lasting impact on their lives and futures. There were several instances even after years, people who we do not know them personally share us how dad impacted their life. Reflecting on his life fills us with immense pride to be known as his children. The person he was, the principles he stood for, the relationships he cherished, his disciplined approach to life, and his steadfast dedication to every task he embraced, all these qualities defined him who he was. But above all, it’s his boundless love for each of us that remains his most lasting gift. His love was the constant force that lifted us in times of need, encouraged us to pursue our dreams, and instilled in us the values he cherished. It shaped our lives, teaching us compassion, resilience, and strength. That love now guides us forward, inspiring us to live each day with courage, dedication, and kindness. We are the branches that grow strong from the main trunk, our father, Israel. Carrying forward his legacy to the future generation, isn’t just a responsibility, it’s a pride and honor for all of us. There lived an incredible man whom we called "Appa”

On the first day of our MBA program, we were eagerly awaiting the arrival of our Director of Management Studies. As anticipation filled the room for the introductory lecture, a man with a bold moustache walked in. Without saying a word, he went straight to the board and drew a candle. He then began to speak in a deep yet gentle voice, describing the characteristics of a candle, how it shines through the darkness, burning itself to provide light to others. He concluded with a powerful message, that we should strive to  burn bright like a candles and spread the positivity around wherever we go. Although it was an unusual way to start an MBA class, it left a lasting impact. Reflecting on the significance of candles, I realize that while they may have lost some of their practical use today, lighting a lamp remains a cherished tradition. Diwali, the festival of lights, brings this tradition to life as our homes glow with diyas and magnificent fireworks. Decorating diyas is beautiful, but the real magic happens when we fill them with oil and light them up. Similarly, each of us has an inner light waiting to shine. While dressing up for the festivities enhances our outward appearance, it’s the inner “oil”,kindness, compassion, empathy, and positive thoughts that creates a warmth and radiance beyond any material glow. This lasting light touches lives and brightens the world around us. This Diwali, let’s embrace the light from within and illuminate our lives by leaving behind the shadows of fear, doubt, and past pains. Just as each diya dispels darkness, may we, too ignite our inner strength, compassion, and joy to outshine any obstacles in our path. By nurturing hope, kindness, and resilience, we create a radiant glow that touches not only our own lives but also brings warmth and positivity to those around us. This festival of lights is a reminder that our brightest illumination comes from within, guiding us toward a future filled with purpose, joy. May our kindness and positivity shine as steadily as the flames around us. As we celebrate the festival of lights, let’s remember that the true essence of Diwali lies in illuminating not only our spaces but our spirits and the world around us. Happy Diwali Lydiatic

When I was about 13 years old, there was heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. My elder sister was not with us at that time as she had recently gotten married. Being someone who is always scared of natural calamities, I clung to my dad, lamenting that if we were all to perish, only my sister would be left to mourn alone for our loss. My father always used to tease me about that incident. Though years have passed, my fear of thunder has not diminished. During last week's rains, I had to opt turning on the fans and increasing the television volume so that the thunder sound is a little less. On top of that, I had to call my sister and aunt to help me manage my fear. In spite of my lingering fear of thunder and lightning, I find great joy in rain as it instantly uplifts my spirit, bringing me comfort and rejuvenation. It is paradoxical that in order to enjoy the rain, I must also confront my fear of thunder. What is the key takeaway from this?  The reflection is that we often must confront our fears and challenges to fully appreciate the beauty and joy in life. My persistent fear of thunder and the love for rain is an example of how fear and beauty can coexist. My favorite quote goes like this, "My life isn’t good or bad. It’s an incredible series of emotional and mental extremes, with beautiful thunderstorms and stunning sunrises." - Jaeda DeWalt. Life is a mix of good and bad, joy and sadness, love and hate, success and failure, hope and despair, peace and conflict, life and death, rain and sunshine.   When we accept that life is a series of ever-changing moments, we can begin to see challenges as opportunities. This will equip you to handle life with a better perspective. So, in our lives, whenever the thunder roars, let us seek refuge under the wings of faith, knowing it will cease when the clouds pass by. and when the raindrops descend, may we welcome them with open arms, appreciating the serenity and the joy it brings. "May we all be blessed with gentle showers of blessings, awakening our spirits and refreshing our souls."

It wasn’t an easy decision to sell my car which was my abode for the past 8 years. Each corner of that vehicle held a piece of my life's journey, echoing laughter, shared conversations, moments of solitude, and countless miles of memories. Parting with it felt like letting go of a trusted friend. Letting go, is always a very hard and an overwhelming decision. Yet , as life moves forward, sometimes we must make room for new chapters, even if it means closing the book on ones we held so dearly. Letting go requires a quiet strength to acknowledge that life is a series of passages, and in every ending, there is a beginning waiting to unfold. The act of letting go comes with practice and resilience. It's a journey that requires us to face our fears and insecurities repeatedly, each time shedding a layer of the past to reveal a clearer path for future. This transition is not just about swapping vehicles; it's about honouring the past while eagerly stepping into the future. With every end, there is a promise of a new beginning. I see the silver lining, a horizon shimmering with potential and unexplored adventures. It is a reminder that life, in its infinite wisdom, always leads us to where we need to be. As I navigate this path of change, my heart is filled with hope and a profound sense of gratitude. Giving away my blue car symbolizes overcoming life's blues, while bringing home a silver one represents embracing hope and progress. Just as I part ways with my cherished car, my heart is filled with gratitude for all that it has done to me. I wish the future owner would find the same experience as mine Farewell, my boy…. Your windows framed countless sunrises and sunsets, each one a testament to the passage of time and the beauty of transient moments. Will miss you my loyal friend ... To anyone who is struggling with letting go, I offer this: embrace the silver linings. Allow yourself to feel the pain of loss, but also recognize the potential for new beginnings. Trust that life has a way of guiding us to where we need to be, and that every ending is just a prelude to a beautiful new chapter.  Here's to the journey ahead, filled with endless possibilities and the promise of a brighter tomorrow.

It's Red and green all over, Malls are decked up with Christmas décor. Stores are flooded with Christmas deals. Every piece of merchandise has a Christmas touch. Gifting has become the norm of the season, so gift shops hit all-time-high sales during this season. Well-adorned trees, Christmas-themed cutlery, tiny Santa, lights, miniature reindeer, and furnishings decorate the home. Our playlist tops Christmas carols & caller tunes are replaced with carols too. Yes, everything around, us peps us the Christmas spirit from within, But is this the true meaning of Christmas? One of the key Bible verses around Christmas is “The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. How much hope this verse offers for the weary soul. Each one of us fights our own inner battles, when these trials are beyond our control, we get dejected, instead of finding ways to handle the situation, we get anxious, and eventually, anxiety leads to depression. Depression is gloomy and ominous, we lose interest in everything around us. We don’t get to see a path to take our next step. We get highly pessimistic about our whole life. You get stuck and immobile. When you reach this phase it's completely pitch dark over there. The very purpose of Christ's incarnation is to save the people who are living in the darkness. He came down to illuminate the darkest areas of our lives, give hope to the hopeless, peace to the anxious, and Joy to the frustrated. Christmas is not about snow, not about shopping, not even about the Biryani, it's more about the real Joy, hope, and peace one can derive from this season. Therefore friends let's rise above all that is weighing us down, be it our past, our situation, our grief, regrets, failures, and all the hurts Shakespeare writes in his Romeo & Juliet “Love is heavy and light, bright and dark, hot and cold, sick and healthy, asleep and awake –, so is life, it’s a combination of good and bad. If day and night are normal affairs, apparently our life should have both light and darkness. We work during the day and rest at night this is the routine we follow for generations. Hence, it's okay to rest when you go through the dark phase, but, when you are out of the darkness make sure, you are at your best. Keep moving with the strength the light offers, one step at a time, and you will get past the melancholy. Importantly when you encounter the light, pass on the spark to someone who needs it most. This Christmas season, let's pursue the true light and let this light lead you to real Joy, Peace, and Hope. Merry Christmas folks

​Love is one of the exquisite feelings involving two hearts. It is a force that binds between boundaries and travels beyond the horizon, caste, creed, and color. History has recorded so many epic love stories which are beyond imagination. Kings had abdicated their thrones for their love. Love-struck couples had created controversies and caused even wars. Ten long years of the Trojan war was because Paris and Hellen eloped to Troy. Cleopatra and Mark Antony, Romeo and Juliet, Baji Rao and Mastani, Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal Salim and Anarkali, and how many more to quote the list is endless. Though we grew up reading and listening to these impressive love stories Now the dynamics of love has changed with time. what is love in this era? Love, at first sight, is long gone? presently at the early stage of love, the person gets besotted with the other, euphoria is the state of mind fantasy is their way of life until they move to the next level of knowing each other better. Many love stories end here as the love here is superficial, nonetheless once they start accepting each other with flaws the love story continues. True love is when you understand the other person has their own identity which is different from ours yet find harmony. You are with the right person if you can be yourself, being yourself is the greatest blessing when everyone around you is trying to fake it. Love is said to be true if the other person invests time in you to make you a better person, gives you the space to facilitate your growth, the one who supports you to realize your true worth, guides you, strengthens you, be with your through thick and thin, accepts you as you are, stays unaltered with time and remoteness, you respect each other, you are emotionally connected, feelings are directly proportional, it makes you feel secure, confident... Being in love with the right person is a beautiful experience, you never get bored of each other, your thoughts revolve around them, the excitement levels never diminish, we see beauty in whatever we see, the music sounds so melodious, and you are extremely attached to the other person. You find joy in being with each other, you fight, forgive and reconcile. World is a better place when you are in love. Love is an intense emotion that you can never hide from each other. True love is not just about presenting a gift on V-day, it is about gifting your time and attention to the person you truly love. it is the ultimate feeling which is to be celebrated with passion every moment. It is worth pursuing as it brings in so much positivity between two people and from there it radiates to the people around them. Love brings unity, peace, good health, joy, and a whole world of hope. The best part is there is no upper age limit for finding the right person. So when cupid strikes you embrace it with extended hands. Happy Valentine’s Day to all, who are in love, and best wishes to those who are yet to find one.

Imagine You holding a cup of tea, and someone bumps into you, what spills out? Tea or Coffee? Tea! That means what is inside comes out. How relevant this example is for us? Imagine the cup as your heart if you fill your heart with all good thin gs, you will exhibit good virtues, but if your heart is full of negativity, you will never be able to spread anything good. As adults we all know what are good virtues ‘but as a human, it’s nearly impossible to possess only good values, however our desire to be a better person will help us to inch towards acquiring these good qualities. A Farmer puts in so much effort to get the best yield from his lands. He tills it properly, waters it consistently, meticulously manures, and at regular intervals removes the weeds which otherwise would spoil the growth of the main crop. What does this teach us? Cultivating goodness needs desire, consistency, and commitment. From time to time the negativity should be detoxed. When we are born in this world, we come with an empty cup then our parents, family, and friends fill it with lots of love, hope, kindness, and trust, as we grow to be an adult, we either have a half-filled cup or cup with the wrong content. How important is it to fill our hearts with the right set of qualities? What spills over when you face the ups and downs of life? love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. or pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. Imagine you are given free access to orchards wouldn’t we pick up the best of the fruits, likewise as we travel through this beautiful world let us keep collecting the good things until our cup overflows with kindness. Life is too precious to waste our time on emoting negativity. As we start this new year let's consciously put in efforts to fill our cups with the right qualities which will be productive for us and also for the people around us. A new year has 12 chapters 365 new stories to be written afresh. Let’s start looking for miracles on our way each day. Let us make each day count by spreading love, joy peace, and kindness. In this new year, let's make a fresh start to fill our cup with goodness. What is going to be in your cup to make this year count? ….

During one of our team discussion my boss threw up an interesting thought of wearing our attitude on our sleeve. Though we keep hearing this phrase quite often, I am sure most of us wouldn’t have had imbibed the real meaning it holds. To understand this i thought we should understand about what attitude really means. Attitude is a complex characteristic, if not understood properly might get us perplexed. What is an attitude? I posed myself a question, to be very honest i couldn’t verbalize it immediately. I had to Google for the right answer. Jung a psychologist defines attitude as a "readiness of the psyche to act or react in a certain way" this is the simplest definition available. In a common mans perspective attitude is an emotional entity which characterizes a person how they approach a particular situation, their reaction , behavior , mindset and outlook on something. As it is the norm of the life attitude also has good and bad types. Needless to say having a good attitude makes you more successful both in personal and professional front. Our minds are conditioned by our past experiences and also through social learning process. People with pleasant past are more likely to have good attitude, sometimes people learn finesse as they evolve as a better Person. But shifting from bad to good attitude involves lot of conscious hard work and it is definitely worth it. There is a thin line between attitude and arrogance. We refer egoistic people as showing attitude, but when someone has the right attitude we appreciate them for wearing their attitude on their sleeve. Bad attitude is disastrous whereas good attitude will help us succeed in life. People with good attitude possess growth mindset, they are achievers , they take the best out of everything. To acquire good attitude one has to change the way they think, Success begins in your mind. When your thoughts are good you will respond appropriately to the given scenario, your behavior gets better, you will start displaying the better version of yourself. Right attitude is the key to success. Let us evaluate and march towards a better version of us and yes we shall wear our attitude on our sleeve.

A Tsunami that hits the land destroys everything on its path. It leaves a trail of devastation that takes many a year to restore. This can be closely associated with loss of a loved one, When a person who lived amongst you in flesh and blood passes away it leaves you completely shattered. The world around becomes distant. You tread into a whole new world of sorrow and grief; you just want to cut off from the everything around us. Suddenly you find zero motivation to do even the simplest thing. You delve deeply into the memories of your loved ones. Your mind is preoccupied and all your efforts to divert your focus would be in vain. Grief is profound, denial & anger becomes a part of your life. You get completely detached and get annoyed even when loved ones try connecting. Grief is a normal response to the loss of our loved ones. As I am trying to wriggle out of the pain of the void my dad had left behind, I clearly understood that grief is a journey. Grief is complex, the more you want to come out of it, the more intense the thoughts become. It took almost 8 months for me to pen about Appa, Like a monarch he had reigned our home and ruled our lives now he’s ruling our hearts. The person that he was and the impact he had on the immediate and the extended family was so strong. He was the most engaging person. He had strong conviction about people and relationship. His love for my children was unconditional. Weeks and months have passed reminiscing about dad yet never a day passes without his thoughts. Appa was a very strong personality, he could never stand an injustice he had opinion about everything under the sun, was a stickler for discipline, time conscious, very aggressive, empathetic, self-motivated, self-assured, strong willed, he had the fire inside which gave warmth for the ones who were close to him but it consumed those who didn’t confirm with his standards. He spared no one for deviating rules and regulations. He did things which were unbelievable for his age. He was well connected, well informed, very well organized. His commitment to the task at hand was too impressive, he was way too strong headed, I had never seen him even once giving up on anything. He was never ever afraid of anything, not even when his health condition had laid him low. He was very sincere and hardworking, he started his teaching profession very early and interestingly he became a headmaster within the year of joining. He held positions at teachers federation. He didn't stop there, he had instilled in us the importance of sincerity in work. He always encouraged us to be brave and face any challenge with confidence. He had set us very high standards to follow, I am not sure if we would be able to do justice to his expectation, nevertheless even if we do a tiny bit we will be definitely be way ahead in life. What better tribute to offer him than to be strong & brave like how he wanted us to be?
He lived life like a Lion, a roaring life. Our lion king will forever reign in our hearts and guide us through this dense jungle called life. Will miss you forever appa

“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” – J.P. Morgan Life is so unpredictable. It seldom fails to show us it's unpredictable extremes. Sometimes it will make us go through things we least wanted and never expected. Change is the only thing that is constant, this is an adage i have been hearing from childhood, but now when am practically experiencing change it is so overwhelming. Change sometimes flows in our lives like a slow-moving brook without much turbulence nevertheless when least expected it will suddenly spring upon us like a turbulent water fall and You will be left with no choice but to go with the flow. Relocation is a word which meant nothing to me before three months but I would have uttered it every other minute for the past two months. When opportunity comes knocking the decision happen in a jiffy but leaves a lasting impact. I wasn’t even prepared for such a huge change. The affinity to this city (My Madurai) was so strong that I had never ever thought of moving out. However, circumstance paved way for the greatest choice which I had to make. Madura is not just a city its an emotion… This city has given so much for me personally & professionally. I came into this city as a novice with not much identity. But it embraced me into its fold with open hands, cradled me, watched me as i took baby steps through the streets, gave me so much of love and identity. The city gave me confidence and power to perform and be myself. I had evolved a different & better person through the years. How many genuine hearts I had won, how much of love and affection I had got. I wonder at the sheer count of life long acquaintances I made during the eventful journey in the city. I had learnt to ride scooter, drove my car built a house and a bunch of whole other confidence boosters that gave me strength to face life. This city which has got so close to my heart, actually gave nightmares about leaving it. After many a tearful mornings and painful nights, I realised this city had given me great comfort which is making this transition so excruciating. But again how long can I be in my comfort zone? Yes its an overwhelming decision, yes its is hard-hitting, yes it is too taxing, Yes there is an anxiety with regard to adopting to the new city, new work place and all other things with regard to this transition, yet I am confident that Chennai will also accept me like how Madurai did 13 years ago. With memories to cherish, with loads of experience this city had bestowed upon me, here I am packed and ready to go for an expedition to Chennai. To conquer and succeed. So long, Untill I come back I will hold you close to my heart “My Madurai”

What is the purpose of this life? Why am I here in this world? Where am I heading? Is this life worth living? These are very common questions which linger in our heart at some point of time. As we age and evolve as a better human being, we search for answers for these questions, eventually we try finding the reason to live. Few find this reason at a very young age others take a bit longer time. Finding purpose in life is fabulously empowering experience. Nonetheless it does not happen instantaneously. It is an every day exercise. Those who find this secret, live a fulfilled life. Good news is we can find the purpose at any stage of life. Japanese live a contented happy long life because they believe in the principle of “IKIGAI” which means the reason to live. You need to dig deep to fine your own ikigai. The simple way to find your Ikigai is to understand what sparks joy in you when you wake up in the morning. Joy has different meaning to different individual. Never compare your joy with other people’s joy. Few find joy form simple things like sipping a cup of coffee, looking at the rising sun, taking a walk with their loved ones, reading books, connecting with God, listening to the bird’s chirp, gazing at the newly bloomed flower. Yes, few find their Ikigai from the quiet moments and others from a life changing experience. If you haven’t found yours, never stress yourselves to find it. Sometimes its better to take a step back and allow the purpose of your life unfold itself. If you feel struck, release yourself from everything which is holding you back from the fulfilled life. Whether a bitterness of low self-esteem, hurtful past, your failures, regrets and all other negative emotions. No matter which position of life you are on always remember there is always better tomorrow if only you find your Ikigai. Simple steps to find your meaning is to start the day with something you enjoy doing, then make a to do list but make sure the list doesn’t trigger stress, hence make a simple achievable list. Find that one thing which you are good at and master that. Stop being a slave to social media, only person you need to impress is ONLY YOU. Connect with people of similar interest. If you are having a stressful work life, find reasons to love your job. Stop chasing, start living. Live in THE NOW. Find beauty in small things around you. Appreciate simple things. Eat to live, be active. Stay positive, find beauty in the mess, wear that broad smile, have a positive intend in whatever you do.
These are the simple tips which will make your search easier. In the process of finding your ikigai, you will realize you would have transformed into a new YOU. This life is a gift from God. We are the masterpiece of God’s creation. He had sent us to this world with great purpose, it’s our onus to find our Ikigai. Let’s go in for a treasure hunt, lets break the iron bars and the bronze gates in front of us to find the purpose of our own existence here.