Ekta | wisdomekta

“Everyone has that moment I think, the moment when something so momentous happens that it rips your very being into small pieces. And then you have to stop. For a long time, you gather your pieces. And it takes such a very long time, not to fit them back together, but to assemble them in a new way, not necessarily a better way. More, a way you can live with until you know for certain that this piece should go there, and that one there.” This recent read is mostly sad, full of struggle and little dark for me. The book is filled with hardship and somewhat gloom for my personal taste. It portrays a world that feels distant from my own experiences. Nevertheless, it serves as a stark reminder that the difficult circumstances depicted are the reality for some individuals in this world. Seventeen-year-old Charlotte Davis is shattered, having experienced more loss than most face in a lifetime. She copes by self-harm, the physical pain offering a temporary escape from the memories of her fathe...

  “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...

The book “ What Got You Here Won’t Get You There ” is theoretically uncomplicated, easy to understand, and at times, it seems to present nothing “new” in the world of leadership; however, the theory is extremely difficult to apply consistently in practice. It is indeed a self-help book for leaders and those who aspire to be leaders. Marshall Goldsmith is a renowned leadership coach. As expected, his book primarily discusses the practical issues that cause leaders to feel “stuck” on their leadership journey. For example, in one of his chapters, he deliberates on the greatest mistake of successful people based on the assumption, “ I behave this way, and I achieve these results. Therefore, I must be achieving these results because I behave this way. ” However, the reality might be that they are successful “ in spite of ” their behavior. This book captured my full attention, especially at the times when it discussed how to build strong relationships with our colleagues through gratitude a...

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...

  I had no idea about this event in history until I read this. It’s insane—a chilling chronicle of violence and terror that is absolutely heartbreaking. " Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche " by Haruki Murakami is a non-fiction work that recounts the gas attacks that occurred in the Tokyo subway system on a beautiful spring day in March 1995. A religious cult known as Aum Shinrikyo, also referred to as the "Doomsday cult," released packets of sarin gas, resulting in many deaths, numerous injuries, and a nation left in shock. This book provides an insider's perspective on this tragedy through a series of interviews with survivors, relatives of the deceased, medical personnel, and members of the cult. The first part of the book is composed of chapters filled with interviews aimed at reconstructing the events of the sarin gas attack. It incorporates perspectives from victims, railway administration officials, police officers who w...

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...

So, this book was lying on my brother's bookshelf. I picked it up because of its beautiful cover. Since, the author is well-known to me, as I have read most of her books, and I instantly decided to dive into the story. The Book of Tomorrow revolves around Tamara Goodwin, a 17-year-old girl who has always gotten whatever she wanted. However, with her father gone, her life changes forever. A mountain of debt forces her and her mother to sell everything and move to the countryside. Life with her uncle and aunt is boring and lonely until Tamara discovers a book in a traveling library. What she uncovers within its pages shakes her world to its core. Without revealing the details of the story, I will just say that the ending was to my liking ( yes, it has a good ending ), with an entire chapter devoted to revealing more information and answering lingering questions. This is a mesmerizing story about how tomorrow can change what happens today. It feels like a modern fairytale...