Ekta | wisdomekta

  Warning: Once you read this book, the existence of water will leave a lifelong impression, and there are chances that your perception of the mortality of water will begin to shift. At least for me, now, after humbly accepting the foreverness of books and the stories they embody, I am deeply honoured to know that water’s imprints are forever. This recent read, titled "There Are Rivers in the Sky" by Turkish-British novelist Elif Shafak, is unique and vibrant. The story begins in the ancient city of Nineveh, on the banks of the River Tigris, with the erudite but ruthless King Ashurbanipal of Mesopotamia.  We meet the first raindrop when it falls on this Mesopotamian king, and it resurfaces again in the lives of our three storytellers: Arthur, a slum boy born beside the stinking, sewage-filled River Thames in Victorian London; Narin, a Yazidi girl who travels to war-torn Iraq in 2014; and Zaleekah, a newly divorced hydrologist in 2018 London, a miserable woman who has moved ...

  “My mother had a thing for blue in tableware; she said it warded off any evil eyes intent on ruining the food.” A recent, sudden trip led me to search for a to-do list, which led me to this short read, literally just a 30-minute read, with an interesting title, “My Evil Mother” by Margaret Atwood . This is a witty and heartwarming short story about the complex, often misunderstood relationship between a mother and daughter. Life is already hard for a teenage girl in 1950s suburban Toronto . It is even harder when she suspects that her mother might—or might not—be a witch . A single mother , at that. On the surface, she blends in with her starched dresses, string of pearls, and floral aprons. But there are also the quiet, mystical meetings with troubled neighbourhood women. The odd, suspicious plants in the flower beds. The warning, supposedly divined, is to stay away from a boyfriend whose fate is doomed. This is a surprisingly tender story about growing up and about the gap bet...

  Rich. Endless. Full of living, vivid people. Sharp, honest reality. This nearly 2-month read gave an unflinching look at flawed humanity, which feels authentic in this curated world. It is the eighth and final novel by Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky . A full trove of emotions, drama, action, history, and charm of 19th-century Russia !!  Dostoevsky’s deep look into the mind—especially feelings of fear, guilt, emptiness, and isolation—fits today’s world, where many of us face anxiety, identity issues, and constant information overload, making this book feel surprisingly modern and relatable. The Brothers Karamazov is part murder mystery, part courtroom drama , and it breaks almost every “ rule ” of fiction. At its core, it’s an intense study of rivalry, played out through a series of triangular love affairs involving the “wicked and sentimental” Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov and his three sons: the impulsive Dmitri, the coldly rational Ivan, and the gentle young novice Alyo...

  Disclaimer- This post is part of trait-series-for-kids which I began to search and write for my kids in 2019. With this series of blog posts containing knowledge-slash-experience, I pray from the almighty that our kids have a simple but magical life. The contents of the series are the outcome of a rigorous search, several readings and first-hand experiences, and self-reflection. My Dear Erninnguaq (sons in Greenland), This time I come directly to my point:- Shut up- Suit up- Show up And become a "rare" species- someone with integrity of the highest quality, intrinsically motivated and yet deeply compassionate. That is who I wish you both to be. Whatever comes your way, may you guys always see shine in the rarest of rare darkness and become a hopeful soul, fulfilling “whys” in your life. May this wish of mine be “copied and pasted” in your minds & hearts forever. As you are growing, the laziness is quietly (and attractively) trying to creep into your body and mind and m...

Disclaimer: “My Old-soul Twinkle,” is my heartfelt attempt to capture the endless stream of thoughts racing through my mind. At times, these musings may seem confusing—or even a little "out there"—but I genuinely welcome your counterpoints and insights. Dive in and share your thoughts! Friendships bloom in countless forms. They are the essential emotional bedrock for human survival. Consider the healthy, respectful bond between parents; the mischievous, shared history of siblings; the fiery camaraderie of college friends, or the innocent joy of schoolyard pals. There's the electric connection of a romantic friendship, the enduring covenant of a lifelong married partnership, and the gentle, blessed wisdom shared with grandparents. These connections—be they the blood of the heart or the bond of shared experience—stand as equals to, if not exceeding, any biological ties. I have been truly blessed with the presence of many profound friendships in my life. Yet, to be honest wi...

As we sat quietly in our hall—my husband and I absorbed in our reading ( me- book and he-newspaper), the kids playing with their toys and filling the room with their cheerful voices—on the evening of the 31st, with no hurry or worry about meeting anyone or rushing anywhere to bid adieu to the year 2025, my old soul felt utterly at peace. This was a victory in itself: there was no desire to go anywhere, only to be with the ones most dear to me . We weren’t making excuses about heavy traffic or crowded places; instead, there was an inner call to pause and welcome the New Year in stillness. This quiet awakening felt like a gentle light, brightening and lightening my inner being. During such times, I often acknowledge one “fault” in my understanding from my upbringing: the idea that I must do something “ bigger in life ”. My ma always insisted that I should do something big with my life. When I was young, I thought she meant an out-of-this-world kind of thing. Whenever my mother would s...