Ekta | wisdomekta

  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...

Is this book simply a quick money-making scheme? Yes. Is the plot repetitive and identical to the first four books? Yes. Will I likely purchase the inevitable sequel? Of course. For fans of the series – “ Before the coffee gets cold  ,” “ Tales from the Cafe ,” “ Before your Memory Fades  ,” and “ Before We Say Goodbye  ” – this fifth book offers familiar comfort as it explores modern familial and relationship dynamics while stirring deep emotions. For this series, the mysterious café Funiculi Funicula welcomes four new guests, each hoping to travel back in time for different personal reasons. They are- - The father who could not allow his daughter to get married - A woman who couldn't give Valentine's Day chocolates to her loved one - A boy who wants to show his smile to his divorced parents - A wife holding a child with no name These simple stories of people longing to undo a major regret are filled with grace and forgiveness. These remind us of the importance of being ...

  Leadership - one of the most talked-about terms, I have read so many books on this. The latest read, " Leadership on the Line: Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Leading ” by Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky , is a thought-provoking and insightful book on the concept of malleable leadership. Staying alive through the dangers of change, which we as individuals face while trying to balance the identity and significance of life in our workplaces and personal lives, the book is just the handbook to read. The last two chapters of this book really resonated with me, especially " What's on the Line " and “Sacred Heart"... maybe because of what I've been going through lately. Life is always full of excitement!! Key Lessons on Surviving Leadership , which can be learnt through this book, are- Understanding the Danger -  The crucial point is that people generally dislike change, and as their leader, we need to push them out of their comfort zones in order to grow....

  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 Filhos (sons in Portuguese ), As you are growing, you are beginning to understand what it feels like to be “liked” and “appreciated.” Sometimes, you might find yourself changing your behaviour to fit what others want, just so that “the feeling” of being respected and being heard stays with you. But kidos, here is something important to remember: “ being liked ”, “being appreciated”, or “being called” are not the same as “being respected”. Keep in mind that being respected is a higher level of appreciation and admiration. It doesn’t come from just anyone, and it’s not about money or social status . True respe...