Anshid Aboobacker

Making time to read every day, even if it’s just one page, is a powerful habit. Reading stimulates the mind, reduces stress, and enhances knowledge. It opens doors to new perspectives, fueling creativity and personal growth.  A single page might seem small, but it’s a step toward a deeper understanding of the world and yourself. This daily practice can inspire new ideas and improve focus, making you more informed and better equipped to handle life’s challenges. Start small, stay consistent, and watch how this simple habit enriches your life. Book Suggestion: If you’re seeking daily wisdom and practical guidance for living a better life, The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday is a must-read. (You can buy a copy of the book from me here .) 

True fulfilment isn't found in wealth, fame, or societal expectations but in the simple joys of daily life and meaningful relationships. By redefining success to include these personal and authentic experiences, we can navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and contentment. The myths of perpetual happiness and relentless productivity often distract us from what truly matters.  When we shift our focus to appreciating the present moment, we discover that genuine satisfaction comes from within. Embracing this perspective leads to a more balanced, fulfilling life, where inner peace and personal connections become our true measures of success. Reflection: What small, daily joys bring you the most fulfilment?

To build a strong mind, you must train it. And the best way to do that is by embracing boredom and discomfort. When boredom strikes, your mind drifts and you lose focus. When discomfort hits, anxiety kicks in, and you want to escape. But these are your opportunities to grow. Seek out boring and uncomfortable situations, and resist the urge to lose focus or panic. Stay calm, patient, and present. This is how you build mental resilience. Take control. Push yourself. The strength you develop will empower you in every area of your life. Reflection: Can you recall a time when you resisted the urge to escape from an uncomfortable situation?

Losing a parent or close relative is one of the deepest sorrows, but their love and guidance stay with you. Grieving is natural, yet finding the strength to move forward is essential. Honour their legacy by living the life they envisioned for you. Let their values and wisdom guide your choices, and their memory be a source of comfort. Though the pain may never fully fade, your resilience will grow, and with time, peace will follow. Moving on doesn’t mean leaving them behind; it means carrying them in your heart as you continue to live and grow. May we all find the strength to endure loss.

When you fail, don’t quit. Success comes to those who detach from outcomes and focus on the process. Failure is a powerful teacher, revealing gaps and areas for growth. If you feel pressure, it’s a sign of your potential—pressure is a privilege experienced only by those who are truly capable. Embrace it. Consistency is what separates champions from the rest. Keep showing up, refining your skills, and learning from every setback. The path to victory is paved with persistence. Remember, your journey is defined not by the results, but by the effort and growth along the way. Reflection: Think about a recent incident where you faced failure or loss. What valuable lessons did it teach you personally?

Imagine having the power to control all your impulses and make thoughtful decisions all the time. Self-control offers you a path to long-term success. Picture yourself navigating complex situations with ease, using your skillful thinking to creatively solve problems and achieve your goals. Now, think about staying calm under pressure, finding clarity and resilience when faced with challenges. This calmness becomes your strength.  When you bring self-control, right thinking, and calmness together, you create a powerful force within yourself. Embrace these qualities, and watch how they transform your personal and professional life. You have the power, the skill, and the strength to succeed. Reflect on a recent issue you faced—how could approaching it with self-control, right thinking, and calmness have changed the result?

You can spend money on five things: buying stuff, buying experiences, buying time, giving it away, or saving it. Research shows that four of these choices contribute to long-term happiness. Investing in experiences creates lasting memories, while buying time by delegating tasks can reduce stress. Giving money away fosters a sense of purpose, and saving it provides future financial security.  On the other hand, buying stuff often fails to bring long lasting satisfaction, as material possessions can quickly lose their charm. Choose wisely, and let your spending guide you toward a fulfilling and joyful life.

Figuring out life can feel like a mix of excitement and pressure. Societal expectations to earn and secure a stable job, along with family pressure to get married and have kids, can create a sense of urgency. For some, extra responsibilities make it difficult to find the time for self-discovery and pursuing personal dreams.  Balancing these demands while managing daily life can be overwhelming. However, it’s important to carve out moments for yourself, even if small. Embrace uncertainty and learn from every experience. Prioritize self-growth, stay curious, and shape your life on your terms, even amid challenges. Take 2 minutes to think about what you truly want to do in life.

Since gaining independence in 1947, India has transformed into the world's largest democracy, achieving significant milestones in economic growth, technological advancements, and social progress. The economy has expanded dramatically, especially post-1991 liberalization, and India has emerged as a global IT and space exploration leader.  However, challenges persist, including economic inequality, inadequate infrastructure, environmental degradation, and social tensions. While access to education and healthcare has improved a lot, quality remains a concern. India's journey is marked by resilience and progress, yet balancing development with sustainability and inclusivity is essential.  Let's work together to make a better India and a better world.

Having a vision in life provides both direction and purpose. Every invention, movement, or accomplishment began as someone's vision. A clear vision reflects your values and passions, guiding your decisions and actions. Dreams are the seeds of reality, and with a strong vision, you can nurture these dreams into tangible outcomes. A vision keeps you focused and motivated, even during tough times. It helps you pursue meaningful paths and make choices that align with your true aspirations. By having a vision, you set yourself on a journey toward a fulfilling and impactful life. It's essential to define your vision and let it shape your future. What is your vision for your life?

A boy asked his father, “What is my life worth?” His father gave him a small stone and instructed him to take it to different places to gauge its value. First, the boy went to a market where an old woman offered ₹10 for the stone. Next, at a museum, a man offered ₹1000. Finally, at a precious gem store, the owner offered ₹10,000 for the stone. The father explained that the stone’s worth was not intrinsic but depended on where it was valued. Similarly, our self-worth is not fixed; it’s influenced by our environment and how others perceive us. The lesson is clear: Our value is not determined by a single factor but by the context in which we are appreciated. Embrace environments where your strengths are recognized and valued.

The curse of knowledge happens when we know a topic so well that we forget what it’s like not to know it. Imagine trying to explain a game you love to a friend but skipping over basic rules because they seem obvious to you. That’s the curse! When we’re too familiar with something, we might accidentally confuse others by leaving out details or using terms they don’t understand. To avoid this, it’s helpful to pause, think about what our audience might need, and explain things as clearly as possible. Teachers, including myself, should be mindful of this when teaching classes, ensuring our students grasp every concept. It’s all about putting ourselves in their shoes!

Delayed gratification is beneficial because it cultivates self-control, discipline, and long-term thinking, all of which are crucial for personal and professional success. By choosing to wait for a larger reward rather than opting for immediate pleasure, you train your mind to prioritize future benefits over instant gratification. This ability to delay satisfaction leads to better decision-making, improved financial health, stronger relationships, and greater academic and career achievements. Additionally, practising delayed gratification helps develop patience and resilience, enabling you to persevere through challenges. Over time, it fosters a sense of fulfilment and accomplishment as you achieve goals that require sustained effort and focus.

“Don’t chase goals—craft a life. Understand what truly matters to you, and then shape your goals around that.” This insight emphasizes that your goals should align with what’s important to you, not the other way around. Many people strive for achievements that don’t reflect their core values, missing out on what truly brings fulfilment. Instead, ask yourself: What does a fulfilling Monday look like for you? What activities bring you joy? Who do you want to share your time with? Focus on these answers and let your goals emerge naturally from what matters most. Build a life around your values, not just your ambitions.

A traveller reached a village and asked an elder, "What kind of people live here?" The elder replied, "What kind were in your last village?" The traveller said, "They were selfish and cruel." The elder nodded, "You'll find the same here." Another traveller arrived later and asked the same question. The elder asked, and this traveller replied, "They were kind and generous." The elder smiled, "You'll find the same here." The elder knew the truth: We see the world not as it is, but as we are. By changing our mindset, we transform our reality. Choose to see the good, and the world will reflect it back.

This week was a busy one for me. Three of my friends reached out to discuss different career and personal issues. Although the challenges were unique, they all had one thing in common: a major setback in life. Reflecting on those issues reminded me of a story about Steve Jobs. In 1985, Steve Jobs was ousted from Apple, the company he co-founded. Instead of letting this setback define him, Jobs founded a company named NeXT, where he focused on a minimalist, design-centric approach to technology. This shift in style was a turning point. When Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, he brought this vision with him. The result? Iconic products like the iMac, iPod, and iPhone, all characterized by their simplicity and user-centered design. These innovations not only revived Apple but also set new standards in the tech industry. Handling difficult situations in life is not easy. Let's try to view setbacks as a catalyst for reinvention. By embracing challenges and using them as opportunities to in

Our thoughts hold incredible power. The way we think shapes the way we experience the world and how we interact with it. In essence, you are what you think. Suffering, for example, often stems from wrong thinking in some direction. When we allow negative or misguided thoughts to dominate our minds, they inevitably lead us to pain and discomfort. This suffering is not merely a consequence of external circumstances but rather a reflection of the inner turmoil caused by our thought patterns. Many of us believe that our thoughts are private and hidden from the outside world. However, this isn't entirely true. Over time, our thoughts crystallize into actions and habits. What starts as a fleeting thought can evolve into a behaviour that shapes our daily lives and, ultimately, our character. While we cannot directly change our circumstances at will, we have the power to choose our thoughts. By consciously directing our thoughts positively and constructively, we can gradually transform our