Ekta | wisdomekta

When I ask- Who are zombies? You can say- They are fictional undead creatures mainly seen in movies or a few series. Right?! But I say - No… Zombies are now real creatures. With the present-day “perceived loss of freedom” and “surrender of common sense” to machines, the zombification process has accelerated.  You can say - No, I don't see them... where to find. I say- Look around yourself. You will see a ghost in a crowd, enclosed in its own sonic bubble. Eyes swollen, handcuffed with a device, and under mental servitude. Noticing every beep or tweak of notification. HIGH ON AI AND LESS ON HI!! You can say - Isn’t it your narcissism speaking? With technology, aren’t we better? I say- The promise of technology was to free us. To lift the burdens of labor, to connect us across vast distances, to give us more time for the things that truly matter. Yes, we have increased speed for sending messages, getting work done, etc. In the process, a genuine human connection is disrup...

We, the HR, are the cushion , absorbing the hard landings of conflict. We are the punching bag, taking the blows of frustration from every side. We are the moderator , trying to find a rhythm that allows both the solid spheres (top management) and the delicate balloons (employees) to coexist and thrive. The performance is never-ending. There's no applause, no grand finale. The show simply goes on, day after day. Every dropped ball or burst balloon is a lesson learned, a scar earned. And through it all, we become stronger, more agile, and more attuned to the delicate dance of people and policy. The HR scenario relates to the song by Randy Newman—“It’s a Jungle Out There.” It's a jungle out there Disorder and confusion everywhere No one seems to care Well, I do Hey, who's in charge here? I recently encountered two “out of routine” experiences as a middle HR professional that are somewhat minor, yet significant. Navigating the space between heartfelt empathy and profession...

  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...

  “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”      I am  yet another  fan and follower of this book. It remains a book I re-read every few months, especially during times of despair and confusion—a ritual I have tried to maintain since 2000. I have watched the videos and movie adaptations of the same title multiple times, but this book offers an escape that helps me connect with the realities of life.      “ Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson ” is a 1997 memoir by American author Mitch Albom. The book is about a series of conversations that occurred when Albom vis...

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 the rigorous search, several readings and experiences, and self-reflection. Each trait post will end in a mantra to follow. --------------------------------------------------- Dear Children,      When you grow, you will realise that there is always a natural human tendency to seek recognition, to be known, and a deep-seated fear of being forgotten or remaining unseen. This desire for visibility is so deeply ingrained in us that it often becomes an unspoken goal in life. Whether in personal relationships or professional pursuits, you will encounter moments where this urge to be noticed tries to take over your thoughts and actions.      As I write this, I want...

This book was exactly what I needed right now. I have known Fredrik Backman through his well-known novel  "A Man Called Ove "  . This is my second read from the author. The third one is on my to-read list. This quirky tale focuses on a character's everyday life and the tiny, often ridiculous troubles that arise, highlighting the absurdity of human actions and societal norms. Our protegee, Lucas who is a bit of a grump and a complete loaner, needs just three things for a perfect life: video games, wine, and pad thai with peanuts. Then, one day, the apartment board, a vexing trio of authority, rings his doorbell. And Lucas’s solitude takes a startling hike. They demand to see his frying pan. Someone left one next to the recycling room overnight, and instead of removing the errant object, as Lucas suggests, they insist on finding the guilty party. But their plan backfires. Colossally. And the rest is the story which requires reading!!! If you're looking for...

Disclaimer- This post is part of the 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 and magical life. The contents of the series are the outcome of some research, readings, first-hand experiences, and self-reflection. Dear Söhne (Sons in German), Life is wonderfully simple, and yet sometimes we make it a bit more complex than it needs to be! I recently had an intense experience where I fainted. It felt like my world was spinning, followed by a wave of numbness and some intense vomiting. Throughout it all, my mind was stubbornly focused on the commitment I had made for the day, even though my body was clearly telling me to slow down. It might seem easy for you to say, " Mumma, you should rest! " but I tangled myself up with the importance of my promises. That experience encouraged me to hit the reset button on my goals and ...

“Everything is not black and white; the world is grey.” The lawyer turned author Simran Dhir, presents her debut novel, which incorporates all the elements that an elite Delhiite might encounter: politics, love, marriage, vandalism, history, and intellect. This narrative revolves around four main characters: Gayatri, Akshay, Nandini, and Amar. Gayatri is a 32-year-old self-aware, independent, and lovable bachelorette who fights for her beliefs, all while facing constant pressure from her family. Her younger sister, Nandini, has recently married Amar, a man from a well-respected business and politician family, and is a younger brother of Akshay. While Gayatri has always been a free spirit, having left her corporate law firm to pursue a career as a historian, Akshay holds completely different views. Without revealing the intricate details of this drama reminiscent of OTT series, I want to commend the author for the delicate way in which she addresses domestic issues and house...

“The feeling that she had never really lived in this world caught her by surprise. It was a fact. She had never lived. Even as a child, as far back as she could remember, she had done nothing but endure. She had believed in her own inherent goodness, her humanity, and lived accordingly, never causing anyone harm. Her devotion to doing things the right way had been un-flagging, all her success had depended on it, and she would have gone on like that indefinitely. She didn’t understand why, but faced with those decaying buildings and straggling grasses, she was nothing but a child who had never lived.” This tragic gem begins with a dream. Let me begin this review with the conclusion : This dark allegorical novel, winner of the 2024 Nobel Prize, is not for the faint-hearted. It carries a trigger warning due to its intense themes of trauma, violence, and repression while providing valuable insights into societal structures and personal struggles. The Vegetarian is a story in th...

“Please don’t be too hard on yourself” — “Women are much harder on themselves than men are. They tend to worry more about their perceived faults and feel greater pressure to improve. This can be useful because it makes you willing to change. But getting caught up in self-reproach, or beating yourself up for being a flawed human being, is always counterproductive. You can’t lead, and you can’t make helpful improvements in your behavior, if you’re constantly berating yourself”.- Marshall Goldsmith. Despite being an avid reader my whole life, I have never said no to reading any self-help or self-development type of book. I am a big fan of improving my current version, which requires constant reminders, and what a good way for the books to remind me of what is required next. One such self-help book recommended by a friend was the last read titled “How Women Rise”. This women-specific book that attempts to "tell” how to tailor a woman's “professional suit.” For me, the...

This self-help book can be succinctly summarized as " repackaging old wine in a new bottle ". We Indians have a solid philosophical background and, although, the terms used in this book are new, the basic theme behind them is an age-old Hindu concept which, I guess, is not new for Indian reader.  The book basically says to trust to inner voice/gut (“ sage ”, a term used in the book) when kama (Desire/Lust), Krodha (Anger), Lobha (Greed), Maya (Ego), Moha (Attachment),  Matsarya (Jealousy) and Alasya (laziness) -aka “ saboteurs ”, a term used in the book, start controlling mann ; as Mann (“ judge ”, a term used in the book) later start dictating the life decisions if left uncontrolled. The book does a great job of showing how to shift from a "Saboteur mode" to a "Sage mode" mindset. It explains how to apply positive intelligence and resilience in everyday life using relatable case studies and practical exercises. The book outlines di...

Disclaimer- The Tea Bag analogy is not my original idea; the interpretation is!! Imagine a tea bag in cold water; it floats, leaving the water unchanged. But when the same tea bag is placed in hot water, the water's colour transforms, and the tea from the bag infuses the water, altering it completely. The tea bag, a seemingly insignificant object, profoundly affects the water in the cup. After this process, it's no longer just water; it's tea. This analogy beautifully mirrors the transformative power we hold in our personal and professional lives. We, working people, are like tea bags in the professional world. We are like tea bags that leave behind a new colour and flavour after being in hot water. Similarly, in the professional world, what remains after the dramatic professional career of 60 years is the impact left in the department or organization at the time of separation or upon completion of the assignment. This impact could be in the form of a change in...

This book is my second read from Jay Shetty after  Think Like Monk  . As mentioned in the previous book's review, Jay Shetty has become the brand ambassador for bringing vedic wisdom into the modern lifestyle. Due to this amalgamation of varied spiritual topics he presents through his writings, he has become one of my faviourte writers. The simple writings with a direct, straightforward approach to the issues at hand make it seem that he is living his writings, as reflected in the practical guides/ suggestions approach in his chapters. 8 Rules of Love: How to Find It, Keep It, and Let It Go is not just a guide to finding love; it's a comprehensive exploration of the very essence of love. The book doesn't shy away from the issues we all face in our relationships, making it a relatable and understanding companion on our journey to love. Too often, we navigate the world of relationships with only romantic movies and pop culture as our guides. Inspired by Vedic wi...

A human lifespan is less than 30,000 days, yet we all tend to consider ourselves immortal and live as if we have forever. This recent read reminded me to prioritise my life and act accordingly. Like life, this book is short. (50pages!!) This Book talks about searching for true potential and living up to it till time permits. The ideas Peter Atkins presents in the books are the ones he has used to live a more fulfilled life. A wake-up call for him was when a co-worker died from cancer at a young age. It reminded Atkins how precious life is and why making every day of life count is vital. There is nothing new in this book, but we all need to be reminded of these things- 1. Create space. 2. Try not to worry. 3. Don't do dumb things. 4. Build character and make friends. 5. Care for yourself and others. 6. Laugh. 7. Do what you love. 8. Embrace change. 9. Learn from experience. 10. Have dreams and work towards them. Overall, this self-help book is not bad, not great. It is b...

“The deceased could take either a land route or a water route to get to the field of offerings, which is the ancient Egyptian version of heaven. No matter which path you took, you wound up where you were supposed to be.” We are all sailing through life just to reach the end. The end , i.e. Death, is the ultimate truth being sought by life. The recent read by Jodi Picoult presented this process of life/living and death/dying through a superb tale of fiction and Egyptology. This book is an homage to an ancient Egyptian coffin text, also called “The Book of Two Ways,” which contains one of the first known maps of the underworld. In Egyptian mythology, Water and Land refer to the “Two Ways,” alternate routes to the afterlife. The story is told in multiple timelines about a middle-aged woman, Dawn, who works as Death Doula (an interesting profession which I never knew existed!!) …her choices and her way of questioning her life, and the saga of other related persons in her life...

This recent light read from Turkish-British Novelist and Essayist Elif Shafak concluded with some heavy learning about life, living and people. "The Forty Rules of Love" portrays the concepts of love and friendship weaved into Sufism and relation with god explained through a mystic story . Ella Rubenstein, an American housewife, is seeking meaning and fulfilment. Her self-discovery begins when she is assigned to read a manuscript of a novel titled "Sweet Blasphemy," by Aziz Zahara. As Ella delves into the captivating story of spiritual love between Shams of Tabriz and Rumi (the famous poet), she finds herself drawn to Sufi mysticism and the forty rules that transcend time and culture. Ella's transformation is deeply intertwined with the ancient tale, with differences of 800 years apart, creating a powerful connection between past and present. This book points towards the orifice in our souls, which aches to heal through the essence of love, compassion and ge...

I knew Steven Bartlett through his celebrated podcast, The Diary of a CEO . I admire his courage to be truthful about his weakness and pridefully own it . Bartlett is a British-Nigerian entrepreneur and a famous podcaster. He is the founder of Thirdweb, Flight Story and Flight Story Fund. His book “The Diary of a CEO” underlines that simple ways are the best and the beys are always simple. The book begins with the idea of mastering the self by filling the five interconnected buckets, i.e. knowledge, skills, network, resources, and reputation. Anyone who starts with acquiring knowledge applies it to developing a set of skills. With this acquired knowledge and skill, one develops valuable relationships and expands the networks, thus enhancing the resources and reputation. By setting the tone, he begins his set of 33 Laws with a holistic approach and precise wisdom, explained crisply in simple language and thus presenting the unique way for mastering the self. Each law is exp...

The year 2023 ended with Jodi Picoult's nail-biting court drama novel, Small Great Things. This was the second read from the author, and I am highly impressed with the drama, emotion and facts presented dramatically in the book. A black woman, Ruth, with a teenage son, has been a labour and delivery nurse for over 20 years. When a newborn baby of the white supremacist Turk and Brittany Bauer dies, Ruth is held responsible. She is charged with felony crimes, and her fate lies in the hands of the public defender Kennedy McQuarrie, a white woman. And there begins the drama and the saga of the hurricane of emotions.  The ending is dramatic (which I like personally ) This book made me reflect on the self-confidence we generally carry, that we are not prejudiced…, and that we are broad-minded. However, we all have pre-notion regarding several persons, things, places, etc., and our preconceived notions reflect on the surface of our thinking and actions as and when a situation ...

To put things in honesty, this past year, I have moved from not-required-things-&-people. However, in this journey of “freedom from” and still walking towards “my freedom to” , there are many self-unique emotional and spiritual learnings and reflections. Here is the gist of those- 1. From the arrogance of knowing it all to the humble appreciation of what I know and acknowledgement that much is to be learned or requires further reading or meditation. 2. From “talking at each other” to “talking with each other” to understand others and be understood. 3. From being happy to becoming content . I remain open to receiving the magic of life and thus remain flexible to go with the flow. Now, I realise that unconditional love resides in each of us, but enabling it to be felt by ourselves and conveyed to others requires an inner spiritual awakening first. 4. From being a spouse to being a soulmate and friend . I am grateful to nature for giving me joyful and lovely accompanime...