Reflective Growth

"A resolution made today is stronger than a promise made on January 1st." Every year, millions of people sit down in December, armed with planners and big ambitions, to craft their New Year’s resolutions. The idea sounds noble—starting fresh, setting goals, and striving for self-improvement. Yet, how often do these resolutions see the light of February? Statistics show that most resolutions fade by mid-January, leaving people feeling guilty, unmotivated, or defeated. The problem isn’t with the resolutions themselves. The problem lies in the concept that January 1st is a magical day when change is easier, and success becomes inevitable. Life doesn’t operate on a calendar. There’s a famous quote that goes,  “If you want to go to Madurai, just go to Madurai.”  It’s simple yet profound. If you have a dream or goal, the best time to start is now—not next year, next month, or even next Monday. Imagine this: You’ve been dreaming of becoming a writer. For years, you...

“Letting go is not giving up; it’s accepting that some things aren’t meant to be.” Pugal was just 16 when he experienced what many would call his first real love. It started in the 10th grade, full of excitement and innocence, where everything seemed simple and pure. Pugal admired the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled, how they would share moments that felt like the world stopped around them. In the beginning, their bond was unbreakable, and togetherness was the only thing that mattered. But over time, things began to change. Pugal’s feelings, once pure and free, became possessive. He found himself unable to let go of the idea that she was his, that no one could take her away from him. His love was more about control than care. He always wanted to be with her, always wanted to know where she was, who she was talking to. He would check her social media and ask where she was going, pushing boundaries she never asked for. She didn’t mind at first—after all, it was a small price to ...

"Words, like water, lose clarity and volume as they travel through many hands.” Once upon a time, in a small village, there were five buckets lined up in a row. Each bucket had a distinct look, but they shared the same purpose—to hold water. The first bucket was clean and brimming with fresh, clear water, ready to be transferred to the others. The task seemed simple enough: pour the water from one bucket into the next, ensuring that the last bucket in the line would also be full. The villager in charge began by carefully transferring the water from the first bucket to the second. As he poured, a little water spilled onto the ground. When it landed in the second bucket, the villager noticed that it wasn’t as clean as before; the second bucket, though mostly clean, had some specks of dirt at the bottom. Still, the villager continued the process, pouring the water into the third bucket. The third bucket was older and less cared for. Its interior was coated with dust and grime, ...

 A Reflection on Taking Your Time and Trusting the Process The pressure to identify your career path in your 20s can feel overwhelming. Society often pushes young people to have everything figured out by the time they leave college, as if there is a rigid blueprint to follow. But the reality is far from that. You don’t need to know exactly where you're headed at the age of 20-25. It's okay to take your time, explore, and make mistakes. Career paths are rarely linear, and more often than not, they evolve over time. In fact, your 20s are the perfect time to explore various interests, understand your strengths and weaknesses, and learn about the jobs, industries, and life you may want to lead. You’ll discover what excites you, what challenges you, and even what you don’t like — and that’s all part of the process. So, don’t rush to pinpoint your career; instead, focus on the journey and allow yourself the grace to learn and adapt along the way. It is far more important to find wh...

A Life-Changing Encounter   Life often throws us into situations where we find ourselves vulnerable, uncertain, and facing challenges we never anticipated. It is during these moments of difficulty that the true essence of humanity shines through. A random encounter, an unknown stranger, can sometimes alter the course of our lives. One such unforgettable experience happened to me on a journey to a temple located in a remote village with no transportation facilities at night. It was a late evening, and I had decided to visit the temple situated far from the reach of urban life. The village, isolated from the bustling world, offered a sense of serenity but also posed many challenges. As darkness enveloped the village, I realized there was no form of public transport after dusk. I had no choice but to walk, guided only by the beam of my phone’s torchlight. The quiet of the night and the isolation of the village amplified my anxiety. The distant sounds in the silence of the night were u...