Ekta | wisdomekta

“The ultimate purpose of habits is to solve the problems of life with as little energy and effort as possible.” This realistic book whose complete title is Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by one of the world's leading experts on habit formation is my new read and IT IS GOOD READ for me because the strategies and suggestions delivered in the book have stayed with me even when the book is finished. For me, any technique, funda, or theory is impressive when it is simple and to the point…and this book is a distilled version of the complex topics which are relatable in our lives. Mind you that many of the ideas told in this book are not-so-new but James Clear has set the perspective and tone of his writing in actionable advice in the form of CUE-CRAVE-RESPONSE-REWARD . As he says- If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not ...

  Animal Farm is a decoction of truth served through an imaginary realm and although written in 1945 …I believe…it still holds good for the prevailing scenarios of our present-day societies. A classic satirical allegory about the abuse of power, Animal Farm is a short, fast, and engaging read. This book has an ending that I think of as being “ wow, but not super shocking ” as a teenager and now, it is astonishing – it gave me chills! This novella is a fable of animals on a farm that out-throw the human in control and lead a community devoted to absolute equality and fairness between all animals. They set 07 commandments to be observed in the strict sense- The Seven Commandments: Whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy. Whatever goes upon four legs, or has wings, is a friend. No animal shall wear clothes. No animal shall sleep in a bed. No animal shall drink alcohol. No animal shall kill any other animal. All animals are equal. However as this society proceeds, the equality dimin...

  The courage to be happy also includes the courage to be disliked. If you ever implored yourself " what's the point of life "… STOP YOUR THOUGHT…. Read this book!!! It presents Adlerian psychology about how to change your mindset to fulfill a simpler and happier life. The Courage to Be Disliked is a Japanese exploration of the work of 19th-century psychologist Alfred Adler written in the setup of dialogue or rather a conversation between a skeptical and somewhat bitter student and a reclusive Philosopher. Throughout the book, the boy undergoes a transition and gets a new outlook on life based on the philosophy of the book. Kishimi and Koga believe if we become a little more courageous and know that what others think of us is completely beyond our control, it can set us on the path to a peaceful existence. It’s a philosophy that’s profoundly liberating, letting us develop the courage to improve and to ignore the limitations that we and those around us can place on ourselv...

  With a hot coffee mug, I embarked on the life trip of a man called Ove. This was a perfect winter- read on the last day of the first month of this year. This tale of a grumpy little Old man called Ove grew on my heart with each chapter and made me laugh and cry and sometimes both. This is the story of an old-fashioned man who believes in action rather than words …who is more "engaged" with self rather than others’ lives…who is a disciplinarian… who is honest at all costs and knows which fight to pick. To me, this charming, heartwarming novel was an enjoyable read. Ove’s history trickles out in alternating chapters—a bleak set of events that smacks an honorable, hardworking boy around time and again, proving that, even by early adulthood, he comes by his grumpy nature honestly.  It’s a woman who turns his life around for the first time: sweet and lively Sonja, who becomes his wife and balances his pessimism with optimism and warmth. By 59, he's in a place of despair ye...

  And the verdict of today’s book review is that- I can say with obvious assurance that this book is a beautiful read showcasing the power of choices and their determining outcome on succeeding moments in life. This dream-like novel held a message that we are never fully stuck in life and that we all possess the ultimate power within us to rewrite our lives at any moment. "The Midnight Library" renders the story of Nora Seed who is an unhappy, depressed, and desperate woman estranged from her family and friends. Nora has just lost her job, and her cat is dead. Believing she has no reason to go on, she writes a farewell note and takes an overdose of antidepressants. But instead of waking up in heaven, hell, or eternal nothingness, she finds herself in a library filled with books that offer her a possibility to see and experience an infinite number of alternate new lives. We are often hooked between our choices and what life and people offer us. But in the struggle of dwindlin...

  If unexamined life was not worth living, was the unlived life worth examining? Heading into this year, I finished the recent read called “When Breath becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi. In my notion, the overview of the book is eloquently straightforward i.e. make life as meaningful as you can in the time you have. Be grateful . As the author said, “ you could either study meaning or could experience it ”. And fortunately, while breathing, I am on the quest of studying & learning and experiencing & learning. This book shows up in the first part i.e. learning from exploring others' experiences. When Breath Becomes Air is about the author, Paul Kalanithi, a 36 years old neurosurgeon, and his painful combat with cancer. In the first section of the memoir, the storyline is fairly peaceful and happy. It is all about Paul’s early life and his time in college. He highlighted a few of the more memorable moments in his life whether that was about his time in college, or about his time...

  Time to be Grateful W ith a garland of lengthy to-do lists and candies of raw planning and lofty prospects as you shift your calendar appearance … I welcome you dear New Year, Twenty Twenty-Two. But before you embrace me in your valiant journey, let me pay due regard to the year 2021. The earlier 365 days are a standing saga of duty, panics, and surprises. And survival in extraordinary times is attributed to all.   The list of gratitude and applause is long and I feel sanctified to have lived those days in full health…surrounded by people who truly love and care for me. This 1st post of the year is repaying my due regards and acknowledgment to the family & friends...near and far, to Mother Nature, to the community at large, to the books read, to my colleagues at work, to the readers of my blog… to the foolish arguments which brought in smartness, to the silly mistakes which oversaw enormous experiences, etc. In brief, I am thankful for the sky above and to the bot...