Ekta | wisdomekta

  Recently I read this quote by Henry David Thoreau: "It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants. The question is: what are we busy about?" After rereading this quote, I found it really connected with me. Living in the busy city can often feel overwhelming, as if I am drowning in a sea of activities without truly enjoying life. As I thought about it, I realised I am not struggling with FOMO ( since I have never felt that ), but rather with a sense of aimless busyness —always on the go but not really getting anywhere meaningful ( although the “meaningful” meaning of life is still a question!! ). When I think of the word "busy," I don't imagine something overly complicated. For example, if someone misses my call, I understand they might be busy, but I still expect them to call back or at least reply. I have read that “truly busy” people usually take the time to respond to texts or messages because they know their replies are important, but they do reply. Howeve...

I had the privilege to meet Gauranga Das Prabhu, an IIT-ian turned monk and a prominent ISKCON leader. I found his storytelling style effective. He can present intense life lessons in the most understandable way, and his lessons sink in effectively. The Art of Resilience: 40 Stories to Uplift the Mind and Transform the Heart by Gauranga Das Prabhu is a collection of 40 stories bringing out the morale in everyday scenarios and affirming my faith that results will come, but we need to focus on action, intent, and discipline. Gauranga Das connects the stories to the wisdom of Bhagavad Gita, inspiring readers to reflect and ponder on life. The story covers areas of wisdom, self-control, mindfulness, gratitude, devotion, humaneness, etc. My musings post reading - Everyone yearns for Peace, Happiness, Pleasure, Knowledge, and Eternity. That’s why we often seek out material pleasures, such as climbing mountains, driving luxury cars or motorcycles, dining at fancy restaurants, buying the l...

Wow, this book made me fall in love with fiction again. My childlike imagination was indulged in this thick saga. Without revealing the story, I will write this review in the shortest possible version. The Lost Bookshop is a time slip kind-of novel telling two stories separated in time but related through its characters, Martha, Opaline, and Henry. The lost and found Emily Brontë's manuscript was the driving plot. And then there was a missing bookshop, which binded the end beautifully. The book features elements of bibliophilia, magical realism, fantasy, historical fiction, and romance by Irish author Evie Woods. The book also brings up grim real-world issues, including alcoholism, domestic violence, and societal misogyny. In conclusion, The Lost Bookshop is a delightful place for anyone who, like me, appreciates the mention of the Lost Generation, bookstores, and the enchanting era when society, relationships, and literature radiate a special kind of wonder and magic. Quotes from...

The book "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" truly stands out, especially for aspiring leaders who might feel unsure about handling daily conflicts or managing teams across different departments. It's not just a collection of theories or policies but emphasizes human understanding and the practical wisdom needed to find effective solutions with teams. The best part of this read is learning about building team through the storytelling! The book narrates a business story focusing on Kathryn, the new CEO of DecisionTech, a struggling high-tech company. Throughout the story, Kathryn strives to identify the root causes of the executive team’s failures. Despite DecisionTech having a great product and ample investor funding, it continues to underperform for unknown reasons. Kathryn, with prior executive experience in the automotive industry, is older than her peers on the executive team. The story vividly depicts her journey in overcoming age and expertise gaps and in helping the ...

This is my third book review by writer Fredrik Backman, following A man called Ove and The Answer Is NO . As usual, the writer offers excellent insights on the theme of “ fatherhood .”   The book lies somewhere between humour and autobiography. The sarcasm in the book is deep , and some parts require slow reading, although the writing is fast-paced, making it both an easy grab and a thought-provoking journey. The chapters vary in length, and the writing is casual, conversational, and less formal than his other novels.  The book captivates anyone who appreciates satire!   “Things My Son Needs to Know about the World” is a collection of cute and sweet essays. Each chapter illustrates what it is like to become a father for the first time. It discusses the love, the care, and the mistakes, covering everyday matters like poop diapers as well as the big “stuff” of life. Occasionally, a few chapters read like love letters to his son and his wife. This book wonderful...

At times, I find myself reflecting on people from various eras and childhood times. Their actions, gestures and approaches reveal a genuine care in what they do, clarity of intention, and, most importantly, a sense of belonging as they live their lives. These “lost” actions are rarely “found” these days! I want to clarify from the start that this blog post isn't about labeling anyone or any period as “perfect"; rather, it's simply my way of sharing how I see the world around me and trying to develop a connection with my past without any judgment. This write-up is a page from my diary from post-graduation days. And hence may sound naive (but I am unapologetic) ---- Whenever I see my mother getting ready for any long trip, she makes sure everything is perfectly organized, as if she’s packing not just a travel kit, but Mummy's miniature universe of preparedness. It contains not just a safety pin for a sari pallu gone astray or a little pouch of paste for a quick freshen-u...