Ekta | wisdomekta

  “It has been said that books find their own readers—but sometimes they need someone to show them the way.” A wonderful colleague of mine introduced me to this amazing book, and I'm really thankful to her for it! It's all about the love of books, and I couldn't be happier to have discovered it. Without any spoilers, let me share an exhilarating glimpse into this captivating book!  Meet Carl Christian Kollhoff, a 72-year-old bookseller with a unique mission: he delivers carefully selected books to his special customers under the enchanting glow of moonlight. Each evening, he curates tales that perfectly resonate with the unique personalities of his clients. But one fateful night, Carl's world turns upside down when he encounters the lively and sharp-witted nine-year-old Charlotte, who introduces herself as Schascha. Their dynamic sparks a thrilling adventure that not only transforms the lives of Carl’s customers but also intertwines their destinies in ways t...

“Most of us, most of the time, live with the unquestioned belief that the world looks as it does because that’s the way it is." Understanding the distinction between bias and noise in systems is crucial for our life, mind and peace of heart!  I decided to buy this book on the spot for two compelling reasons: first, my outstanding experience with Daniel Kahneman's earlier work, " Thinking fast and slow ," made me eager for more. Second, the pervasive noisy environments surrounding us highlight the need for insights to help me navigate decisions more effectively. In "Noise," Daniel Kahneman, Cass R. Sunstein, and Olivier Sibony illustrate how noise plays a significant role in causing errors across various fields, including medicine, law, economic forecasting, police behaviour, food safety, bail decisions, airport security checks, strategy, and personnel selection. Although noise is present whenever people make judgments and decisions, individuals and ...

I hesitated for far too long to pick up this book, primarily out of a lingering fear that I wouldn’t enjoy it as much as  Palace of Illusions  by the same author. Sadly, that fear turned out to be justified. It’s not that the writing is subpar; in fact, it’s far from it. The narrative is a remarkable blend of literary, mythological, and fictional elements, showcasing the author’s talent. However, my inner self struggled to connect with the portrayal of a fragile and emotional Sita. The depth of her character didn’t resonate with me, leaving me feeling somewhat unfulfilled in my reading experience. For me, "Sita" embodies the essence of a master strategist! Choosing the forest wasn’t just an emotional decision; it was a calculated move that showcased her brilliance. Raised in a society where women played pivotal roles in governance, she emerged as a fierce warrior. Her unyielding spirit in the face of Ravana’s threats reveals her incredible bravery. Sita is truly a...

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- 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 Mwana (s) (son in Kenya)!      A s you grow up, life throws all kinds of unexpected stuff at you. You try your best to figure out why things happen and what you can learn from them. Believe me, today, watching you question things and come up with your innocent, unique observations gives me a great chance to learn from you. This blog post is a reminder from your mom that you're one of a kind. Your thoughts, ideas, and actions are totally unique to you, and no one can do things quite like you. I really mean it, and its not just because I'm your mom. So, no matter what anyone says, always sta...

This goody-good book is well-written and well-directed, anecdotes filled, with the attractive title “Give and Take”. A few of the stories and topics that stuck with me are-  "Good Return", wherein the fantastic tale of giver Adam Rifkin, an entrepreneur, is shared; "The Ripple Effect" talks about a humble cartoonist, George Meyer; then a chapter titled "Finding Diamond in Rough" brings about the story of a famous accounting professor CJ Skenderwho who invariably believes in his students. The concepts of "Freecycle" and The "Reciprocity Ring" are also really cool. The book highlights what effective networking, collaboration, influence, negotiation, and leadership skills have in common. In the modern working world, the individual drivers of success, i.e. passion, hard work, talent, and luck, depend on how we interact with others. Most people operate as either takers, matchers, or givers. Whereas takers strive to get as much ...

Disclaimer- This blog post is primarily a copy-paste from a LinkedIn post. Sometimes, all the knowledge gained from reading books seems insignificant compared to the emotionally taxing real-life situations presented by life. Fortunately, there are people in our circle who make themselves available to provide rational explanations of events and help in deriving lessons from such experiences. This blog post is dedicated to all the bosses who are striving to uphold moral standards in the mini pond  called organization against the fishes-impersonating-sharks  of this pond. As Boss's Day is approaching i.e., October 16th, I reminisce about all the "good" bosses who inspired hope and all the "bad" bosses who provided a reality check in my professional journey. The post is re-iterated as : === A colleague of mine texted me in distress. She:- My boss has done me the ultimate dis-service. He has played brutus to me by presenting her idea as his own. Me:- Tha...