Savi Sharma's Blog, page 3

What do you do when life doesn’t go the way you want or when you are stressed and nothing goes right?

One mistake that people make is not realizing that happiness is an individual choice. Despite having a positive outlook we weigh the cons first. It’s true that being positive is easy to say and sometimes it can be hard to find the positive things in bad situations, but if it can improve anyone’s life than it’s worth a try. It’s the way of seeing things around you differently, react to situations and choose the bright side in every situation. Just know that everything happens for a reason. You may not see the reason right now, but when it’s revealed you’ll really appreciate it.

It doesn’t mean that positive people do not experience negative emotions. They obviously do because we can’t avoid negativity from our lives or stop bad thing to happen. It’s just that instead of hanging on to stress and unhealthy ideas they prefer to let go of negative thoughts. Rather than being stuck in limitations they focus on what they can do.

Here are some things you need to know if you want to be a unique and positive individual:

1. Learn to let go

Learn to reframe negative experiences. Stressing yourself about negative things is a waste of time and energy. It helps no one; instead, it prevents you from living fully and enjoying the present. Just trust your judgements and let go of all the things that are diverting you from achieving your goals.

2. Don’t let your fears win

You need to know that failures are necessary for a successful life. Don’t let your fears hold you back from trying again and doing what you want. People who step up again after facing failures in their life are the most grateful and positive people and only they can achieve great things.

3. Take responsibility for your actions

Always accept what you did even if you did something wrong. Don’t blame other people or circumstances because it leads you nowhere. Only you are responsible for your actions. So instead of waiting for circumstances to change, take action to make changes in your life. Stay happy and confident and expect good results.

4. Take criticism in a healthy way

The most common fear that people face today is criticism. Hearing negative things and being rejected can hurt you. But if you learn to handle it in a healthier way and take action for what you want, than criticism is much avoidable and will hurt less.

5. Set a goal in your life

Setting a goal can make you feel more confident as it gives you a direction to move forward in your life. It is a process that starts with careful consideration of what you want to achieve and ends with a lot of hard work to actually do it. Even if you don’t achieve the goal right away, it makes you hopeful and helps you to focus on right things.

6. Talk to others with a smile

Communication is the only way to get comfortable with others. So, try to talk to others and make more and more healthy friends. The more you stay in a good environment with positive people the more you tend to smile. When you feel positive from inside you smile from within and that smile is contagious.

Always remember that the thoughts that pop up in your mind aren’t good or bad, it’s just how you interpret and respond to them. Small acts of kindness or a few extra positive thoughts throughout the day can increase your positivity ratio in your life.

So guys what are you waiting for, just make an effort to increase positivity in your life and keep all the negative forces away from you. It’s really not that difficult. All you need to do is make a decision and accept that you have negative thoughts and feelings because this can help you begin the process of change.

Words are not merely powerful influencers. The way they are shaped, molded and presented dictates their significance. They find their velocity in our hearts when they are a part of a bigger and meaningful outcome, a story.

Stories become a part of us at a very young age. They shape our minds into believing unrealistic situations of a fantasy world or the achievements of conquerors of the bygone days or real life witnessed incidents. Stories are the things people remember most. For instance, if we wrap something around a story we tend to remember it more.

Stories are great influencers as well and they are the greatest treasures to the mankind. They hold the power to heal, learn, feel and grow. Above all, stories are a powerhouse of inspiration. The biggest power of the story does not lie in the hands of the protagonist or other elements. It lies in the hands of a storyteller.

Steve Jobs had rightly said, “the most powerful person in the world is the storyteller. The storytellers sets the vision, values and the agenda of an entire generation that is to come.“

Reading is the biggest way to justify the efforts of effective storytelling. There are various mediums of storytelling but what touches the heart the most is reading because it open the doors to the world for you and enriches your soul.

Everyone has stories and everyone is a storyteller but the one who uses the paraphernalia of distinctive storytelling effectively knows the power of stories.

Prologue

I was never a writer and I don’t aspire to be one either. I was never a good reader and I don’t know if I will ever be one. But now, I have been much more.

Every day, I woke up; I tried to find reasons to live. Every night, when I slept, I tried to find reasons to not die. Every moment, I tried to find reasons to hope, dream and love. But I never found them. Until I met you.

I saw chaos, confusion, and fear all around me. But not within me, after I met you.

Time decides our fate, our journey. And when time changes, everything changes. Everything. Sometimes for worse, sometimes for better. And sometimes, for the best. I never believed that. Until you happened to me.

It’s not a story and maybe it’s not love. It’s about something more real than stories and more powerful than love. It’s about you. Yes, you. Real and powerful.

I have never been happy with someone. I wanted to be with different people at different places with different feelings. I wanted to explore everything, know everyone. But then I explored you. And I found you are not just ONE, you are an infinity. An infinity of love, care, trust, respect, understanding. A universe of inspirations, aspirations, hope and happiness. Maybe you are the universe out there which I explore. Or the universe in me that I seek.

You do not start, nor do you ever end. You are constant, yet ever changing. You are everywhere and yet just with me. You are my creator or my creation, I question myself.

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MEERA

1
What’s Your Story?

I had always been inspired by storytellers. I loved my job as an HR manager. It allowed me to interact with different people from different places, each one having their own different stories, bringing their own songs to the dance.

Life was a chaotic struggle, trying to search for where I belonged and who I was supposed to be. Each person I had interviewed had his or her own fascinating story, which made me wonder: what’s my story? I didn’t want to be ‘normal’, just like so many people I had met in life. Being only twenty-six, I wasn’t exactly sure what the meaning of my life would really be, and where I could find it.

Every weekend I found myself sitting and listening to amazing authors at the café Coffee & Us. I was drawn to authors, fascinated by their ability to create other people’s stories. How could they draw the truth from each individual and build a beautifully woven tale? I guess, having stories stuck in my own soul was the reason I needed to hear other people’s stories. But I didn’t just want to hear stories; my heart was aching to tell a beautiful story which would change people’s lives, or at least mine.

So there I was at Coffee & Us, my hands wrapped around a warm, soothing cup of coffee. I could listen to the world around me, hear the songs of life, or I could put my earplugs in and mute out the world. I had seen so many writers come through these doors, and often I wondered if this café had some magic within its walls.

Kabir, the manager, paused in his duties and addressed me. ‘When are you going to stop dreaming about being an author, Meera, and finally write a book?’

His voice might have sounded stern to an outsider, but Kabir had become my good friend. I’m not sure when, but at some point while I was becoming a regular visitor to his café, our casual interactions had blossomed into a warm friendship. He respected my opinions, and I treasured his.

‘I don’t know,’ I said, frowning.

I ran my fingers through my long hair and let out a frustrated sigh, looking around at all the people in the small café. ‘I think I will know when it is the right story to write. I just haven’t come across it yet. I’m still searching for that unique story, the one that will inspire me to take that next step.’

He strolled to the counter where another cup of my favourite coffee—a frothy cappuccino—was placed. Kabir set it in front of me, smiling gently. ‘I am sure, one day, I will be here, pouring coffee and fetching people their orders, as I listen to you up there. The place is going to be packed; you will see.’ He smiled at the thought and I wondered for a moment if this was my dream or his. Of course, as friends, even our dreams would work in unison, wouldn’t they?

Still, I lacked the confidence he seemed to have in my future success. As much as I wanted to take that next step to give my words the life they deserved, something held me back. I glanced over at the small area where so many writers had stood, taking a small sip of their ice water and clearing their throats before speaking the words I craved to say.

‘I don’t think I would be good enough to stand up there and face the world and a group of readers. It must take a lot of courage for them to do what they do,’ I said, blowing on my coffee before taking a tentative sip. I smiled as the frothy bubbles clung to my lip and licked them off delicately. ‘What if someone laughed at what I wrote?’

My friend chuckled. ‘They would only laugh if you were reading something funny,’ he said confidently. ‘Now, tell me, are you coming for the authors’ meet next weekend?’ he asked.

‘Definitely,’ I said.

What would the weekend bring for me? Would I still be lost in search of my story?

~

‘Live life in moments, not in days or years or your schedules. It’s our misconception—most of the time—that we live our lives the way we want. Every single step that we take is influenced by others. Only the part that we hide from everyone else and keep deep within our heart, is our own. I strongly urge you all to realize that hidden part of yours. Go, live that part. Live your life. Don’t let your dreams die within you. Trust me, your struggle, your fight, will be worth the risk in opening yourself up. Get up. Inhale the air of passion. Start your journey. Grab your dreams. Enjoy your mistakes. Dance to the rhythm of your heartbeats. Smile. Laugh. Love. Live.’

Author Arjun Mehra uttered these final words with confidence. His hands were clasped together as he looked expectantly around the café. His eyes met mine, and I felt my heart beat a little faster. It was as if he was speaking directly to me. But, in fact, he had touched the hearts of every single person in the café with his mesmerizing words. How was it that an author could hold such a magical power over people? I closed my eyes and imagined that I was the speaker, standing confidently in front of an audience. I smiled softly to myself. Perhaps one day I would actually be able to move a crowd like this.

‘What’s your story, young girl?’ I was torn away from my thoughts when I realized Mr. Mehra was pointing directly at me. His soft brown eyes were holding mine, kindly, but with a challenging glint. ‘What is your purpose in life?’ He softened his question with a smile and, suddenly, it felt like a friend was speaking to me.

I took a deep breath. ‘I … I want to write like you,’ I began nervously, twisting the napkin in my hands as I decided to answer him as truthfully as I could. ‘But I don’t know what to write. I am inspired by the world around me, but I am still in search of a story that can change the lives of people.’ My words sounded hesitant to my ears and I wished I hadn’t spoken them.

Mr. Mehra nodded firmly. ‘People need stories. Stories of love, hope, survival, wisdom and sometimes pain. Maybe you don’t tell them the full truth; maybe you tell them lies. But what is this world? A lie in itself.’ I was still held by his gaze, but I absorbed his words and heard others around me chuckle. ‘But your lies are good lies. They change people and mostly for the better. I wish you the best,’ he said warmly.

‘Thank you,’ I managed to say, shivering a little at his words, even though the café was almost uncomfortably hot.

‘You are most welcome.’ With that, he started looking for someone else to ask his next question. He turned his attention to a young man behind me. ‘Sir, what do you do for work? What’s your story?’

I had been so engrossed in his words that I hadn’t noticed the man earlier. I turned around to see who he was speaking to and found a smart, handsome guy around my age. His black casual blazer suited his brown eyes and short dark hair and there was an air of confidence about him as he sat straight in his chair. I was surprised that I hadn’t noticed him before.

‘I work as the assistant branch manager at Citibank,’ the young man answered. His voice was deep and rich.

Mr. Mehra continued his questions. ‘What is it that you demand from life? Is it the thought of success, money or fame that brings you true happiness?’ I found myself leaning toward the man behind me, curious to hear how he would answer.

The man cleared his throat. ‘I have money, status and success, but I am still not sure what my purpose really is. I do know that there are days I want to escape the life I am living and grab my bags and just travel.’ He trailed off and it seemed like his mind was already on those journeys.

The writer pressed him. ‘What do you think you will find when you travel?’

‘There will be no one who will follow me around, demanding things from me,’ he responded. ‘There will be no one pressuring me to meet deadlines. Money comes with a price, and for me, the price is both freedom and a real life. I hope someday I can make up my mind to chase my dreams.’ The young man sipped his black coffee as he completed his answer. I saw his shoulders relax a little as he savoured the dark blend.

Mr. Mehra nodded his understanding before he swept his eyes over the audience once more. Holding up his hand, he said loudly, ‘I hope the same for all of you here. Go ahead and make your dreams come true.’ As his last words were spoken, concluding the event, the café filled with loud applause. I joined in, clapping so loudly, my hands began to tingle.

I had come to hear the writer, but I’d found myself deeply impressed, inspired and intrigued by the young man’s answer. I wanted to learn more about him.

It was a bold move, and I took a deep breath before turning around to speak with him. But his chair was empty, a half-filled coffee cup sat on the table. I stood up, my eyes searching the room for his dark suit, and I spotted him leaving the café.

‘I will see you next time,’ I muttered, determined. He might have escaped for the moment, but the excited pounding of my heart told me that I had found my story.

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2
Mr. Traveller

I was writing furiously in my notebook and barely noticed Kabir approach until he slid my coffee toward me. ‘So you finally found a story to write!’ he exclaimed with a happy grin.

I returned his warm smile and responded with a hint of excitement in my own voice. ‘Well, yes. At least, I have a start.’

He slid into the comfortable red chair across from me. ‘That’s great. Tell me what you are writing.’

I shrugged my shoulders, suddenly shy. How could I give him a synopsis when I barely knew where my mind was taking my fingers? I sighed. ‘It’s about a traveller.’

‘Interesting,’ Kabir responded. ‘May I read what you have written so far?’

Tilting my head to the side in deep thought, I responded honestly, ‘I am not sure if it’s worth a read.’

My friend narrowed his eyes at me and ran his hand over his head. ‘You never know! Come on, now show me.’ ‘Okay.’ I turned the notebook around to let him read my precious words.

I gulped. I hadn’t been expecting him to read it out loud.

‘I want to travel, travel the whole world. I want to go on a road trip. Stop at random places and explore their beauty. Run through the woods chasing a butterfly. Talk to new people with different cultures and different lifestyles. Listen to their stories; sit on a park bench in the sun. Enjoy every sunrise and sunset, sometimes from a hilltop and sometimes behind the trees. I want to spend hours beside a rushing river, feeling the wind in my hair and listening to the secrets hidden in the waves. Write a poem about the coldest, cloud-bound mountains and all five oceans. I want to cross my boundaries. I want to admire nature, and wonder at the magic of its creation. I want to make memories. I want to feel alive. I want to feel the Creator. I want to feel myself.’

His hand moved and I watched him turn the page. He read silently for a moment and I waited anxiously for him to continue. My heart was pounding, almost painfully.

‘Life is not meant to be caged in your hometown, but it should be a wondrous place to be explored. I must explore all the nooks and crannies of this world. It has been a long-time dream of mine and, as I set out to do this, I realize that this must be what it feels like to be a baby bird, perched on the edge of its nest, ready and anxious to fly to other places. I sometimes pity humans for not being able to migrate the same way animals can. There are no boundaries for animals, except what they are incapable of doing for themselves. Humans seem to be the only creatures who say they live freely, but they are bound by the restrictions they place for themselves. We are not just bound to our work, but to our homes. We do not roam. We live in a small, isolated location—a cage would perhaps best describe it. We have an area for business and we have an area where we eat the same foods and meet the same types of people. Pune has turned into that cage for me. I know everything there is about Pune, but like a lion in the zoo, I crave the freedom of standing on a rock and looking down at the kingdom below me. I want to see the birds flying, the elephants bathing happily in their watering hole and the gazelles running freely. That is the freedom which humankind was granted, and I am about to capture it by chasing my dreams across the horizon.’

Kabir’s voice drifted off and he sat in silence. Trying to be patient, I traced my fingers over the rim of my coffee cup, then down the side, catching a random drop. Absently, I lifted my finger to my lips and licked it.

Still, he said nothing. Finally, I nearly yelled the question. ‘What do you think?’ I asked with a mixture of excitement and dread. ‘How is it?’

He broke into a huge smile. ‘It’s lovely, Meera! I think it will touch millions of hearts,’ Kabir said enthusiastically.

‘Truly?’

He nodded and I let out a nervous laugh. ‘Thank you!’ Kabir turned my diary back around, patting it happily.

‘I would love to read more when you continue your story! I am sure as the story unfolds it will be even greater. Promise yourself one thing: never stop writing, Meera!’ My friend stood, straightened the creases in his pants, and went back to work.

I stared at the words on the pages, fisting my hands in silent triumph over the pen. I was just happy to know he liked it.

Before I could start to write again, a young girl with the brown café apron walked over to me and handed me a folded napkin. I looked at her questioningly and, silently, she signalled for me to open it.

Curious, but confused, I lay the pen down and unfolded the napkin. It had just one word written on it in big capital letters: BEAUTIFUL.

I looked up at the girl. ‘Who wrote this?’ I asked. She turned back and pointed to a chair a few tables away. But there was no one.

‘I don’t understand,’ I said.

She frowned for a moment, but then her face eased into a smile. With a nod toward the café exit, she said, ‘That young man said to give it to you.’

It was the traveller. He had escaped again.

~

I watched the man walk away through the dusty window before I noticed Kabir was looking, too. I stood up and rushed over to the counter. ‘Who was he?’ I asked Kabir.

‘He is the assistant branch manager at Citibank on Telak Road,’ Kabir said helpfully. ‘He’s been here several times since last month.’

I bit my lip in thought. ‘Last weekend he was at the authors’ meet as well. Has he told you his name?’

My friend shook his head and absently cleaned the counter between us. ‘He doesn’t talk much. However, I do know his name because he pays by credit card every time. His name is Vivaan.’

‘Vivaan,’ I repeated, tasting the name on my tongue. ‘When does he usually come to the café?’

Kabir shrugged. ‘Oh, when I say he is regular, he comes in often, but there is no fixed time. He drops by anytime he feels like it.’

I thought for a minute. ‘Do you think you could text me the next time he drops by?’ I asked.

‘Sure,’ Kabir said. ‘But why are you asking so much about Vivaan?’

‘He is the traveller about whom I am writing the story,’ I answered.

I couldn’t help but grin as I left the café with Kabir standing there, his mouth open in shock.

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VIVAAN

3
Twin Dimples

I stumbled over a small rock on the road as I walked up to my office. My mind was definitely not on the office building I was walking into. In fact, I almost resented having to go to work at all.

That was unlike me. Yes, I wanted to be free to travel, but I tried to make the most of where I was. Life had dealt me some rough blows, but I was always grateful for the constants in my life, my job being one of them.

My shoes squeaked on the polished floor, announcing my arrival before I could even get to my office. I couldn’t wait to get past the sterile entrance and escape to my own area, where my shoes wouldn’t make a sound.

‘Sir,’ the receptionist called after me. I groaned; so much for a quick escape. I turned to her, with what I hoped seemed like a genuine smile. It wasn’t her fault that at this very moment, I hated my job. ‘I have several messages for you. Your voice mail box is full again.’

Now, my smile was not faked. ‘I’m sorry,’ I said apologetically. ‘I appreciate you taking the messages.’

‘It’s quite all right,’ she said happily. I reached out and, as I took the slips of paper from her hand, her fingers brushed against mine. It occurred to me how attractive the receptionist was, but that was not where my interest was focused.

The woman crowding my mind was the young woman who had sat in front of me during Arjun Mehra’s talk the other day, the same woman who was breathlessly talking to the café manager a short time ago.

I did not go back to the café seeking her out; at least, that’s what I told myself. I merely wanted the best cup of coffee in the district.

But she was there when I arrived.

I was almost disappointed when she did not notice me, but after I sat down, I caught wisps of her conversation with Kabir.

I want to spend hours beside a rushing river, feeling the wind in my hair and listening to the secrets hidden in the waves.

It has been a long-time dream of mine and, as I set out to do this, I realize that this must be what it feels like to be a baby bird, perched on the edge of its nest, ready and anxious to fly to other places.

Kabir spoke the words, but in my mind, I heard her voice echoing as the sentences replayed like a favourite song.

The words could have been written for me, I mused as I sat down in my soft leather chair, immediately pivoting to look out the window. But that’s foolish. She couldn’t know my heart’s desires.

As she and Kabir had talked, I could hear the hesitation in her voice. She lacked the courage to present the talent that she possessed. I hoped she wouldn’t give up; I could sense her writing was as much her dream as travelling was mine.

I blushed, thinking about the impulsive note I had left for her. BEAUTIFUL. It was meant to be taken one of two ways: her writing definitely had a deep beauty to it. But as spellbound as I was by her words, I was even more drawn to the girl.

She was petite, I laughed as I recalled, but amazing. The night she sat in front of me, I stared long and hard at her back, silently begging her to turn around. Her thin legs were tucked delicately under her chair, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the soft brown skin that was too hidden by her flowing blue skirt.

But, mostly, I wanted to lose myself in her deep twin dimples and her dark eyes. Barely noticeable when she was concentrating, her brilliant smile brought multiple layers to her face. Like two angels were kissing her at the same time. I shook my head to clear her image from my mind. I vowed to go back the next day, to see if she had any reaction to the hastily-written note I’d asked the waitress to hand her.

I’d hurried away before; I would not hurry away a third time. I wanted to learn more about this blossoming writer in the café.

~
Read the Book

         

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| #1 Inspirational Best-seller | Over 2,00,000 Copies Already Sold |


Everyone has a story.

Meera, a fledgling writer who is in search of a story that can touch millions of lives.

Vivaan, assistant branch manager at Citibank, who dreams of travelling the world.

Kabir, a café manager who desires something of his own. Nisha, the despondent café customer who keeps secrets of her own.

Everyone has their own story, but what happens when these four lives are woven together?

Pull up a chair in Kafe Kabir and watch them explore friendship and love, writing their own pages of life from the cosy café to the ends of the world.

A good book not only transforms you but it also leaves you with a lasting impression. If you are a reader, a learner or a leader; reading is going to open you up to a new world. Here are some of the books that I have read and have been inspired from. I strongly recommend you to read them at least once.

Tuesdays with Morrie – Mitch Albom

This book is an inspirational real-life story of Professor Morrie Schwartz albeit carrying a life-altering message for all. We know that wisdom grows with the age. Moreover, the development of wisdom also starts to accelerate when mortality is clear. This book has many themes like loss, physical affection, greed, compassion, and modesty. The book is truly beautiful and is a heart-warming piece of art. One of the most beautiful and thought-provoking books, I have read. It condenses all the key messages of life. Precisely, this book has something for everyone to learn. A must read.

Have A Little Faith – Mitch Albom

Have a Little Faith is an outstanding story about a Rabbi, who is a Christian Minister. Rabbi is a man of very little faith. The book takes the reader on an incredible journey and leaves them with a beautiful message in the end. Mitch Albom’s simple storytelling can touch the reader’s soul. This book is about faith and also about believing in something that is actually bigger than you and yourself. It’ll make you rethink and retrospect about all your future acts, decisions and what life is really all about. It surely gave me a lesson.

The Time Keeper – Mitch Albom

The Time Keeper is a light read and is full of lessons. Lessons that will keep the reader thinking and lessons that will fill their thoughts. It focuses on a man back in the Stone Age – the first person to discover time. This book utilizes the imagery and symbolism common to the creation of myths while uniting the lives of all the characters. Each character’s story blankets together to form a thicker depth and it also caused me to do some self-evaluation. The characters produce a sense of remorse and emotion in the heart of readers. One of the major highlights of this books is Mitch Albom’s creativity regarding the plot creation. The book has lots of sequences that are filled with inspirational lore. 

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto – Mitch Albom

This book is a wonderful narration of the life of Frankie Presto. The story deserves to be read by everyone who loves music. The unexpectedly beautiful anthropomorphic narrator: Music. The many musical references and interesting innuendos sprinkled throughout the story, make the reading delightful. The ebb and flow that occurs between the past and the present, time and place, is another delightful story element. The characters are very beautiful, each narrating their own experiences and adding to the richness of the atmosphere. Overall, the story is undoubtedly exceptionally woven, is surrealistic and realistically magical, has heartfelt moments, is also compelling, and a little bittersweet. One gets caught up in the magic of the strings, and make us ponder on the way music affects the lives and the paths of musicians or artists and their families.

For One More Day – Mitch Albom

Charley Benetto is at rock bottom, having lost all that meant anything in his life. He decides life is not worth living. But then he gets an unexpected gift which is to have one more day with his mother who has been dead for eight years. This is a book about relationships, and especially those between a parent and child. It is a story about the choices one has made in a lifetime. It shows you the real & purest love you will ever know. Love without any limitation.This book is intriguing and emphasizes beautifully on a mother-son relationship. It makes the reader reflective and also makes the reader’s eyes go moist and choke with emotion. A beautiful story.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven – Mitch Albom

The Five People You Meet in Heaven tells the story of Eddie, the head of maintenance department at a well-known amusement park. On his 83rd birthday, Eddie had a severe accident. Along with Eddie, the reader gets to know what he discovered in his afterlife. Every now and then, there are flashback scenes to some of Eddie’s previous birthdays. The book portrays that our lives don’t end by our death. All the events and the people in our lives are interconnected. Each soul that reaches to heaven has to meet five persons in its afterlife from which it gets to know five lessons and secrets. The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a unique, interesting, well-written and very creative story. Also, it’s an easy and quick read.

The Last Lecture – Randy Pausch

The Last Lecture quite literally, is about a professor with a terminal illness. Taken from a speech that he wanted to impart to his students, family, friends, everyone as he came to grips with his condition. Randy Pausch had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and only had some months to live. This is an emotionally charged and moreover a spiritually powerful story. The author is trying to explore the territory that we all face, but he was hanging at the edge of his existence when he put up all of this together. Randy, with this perspective in mind, shares with the readers what is most important. Moreover, the book can speak for itself.

The Forty Rules of Love – Elif Shafak

Elif Shafak, the acclaimed Turkish author unfolds in her novel, two parallel narratives. It is a wonderful novel, it aims at shortening the distance that lies between love and faith, and helps in dissolving the convulsions of troubled souls in the vase of tolerance. The book is not necessarily a love story, but it moves around the theme of adoration. The book does not provide any sort of a judgment or ultimatum, but every chapter has a message or thought to ponder upon. The book is not a religious research, but it is definitely immersed in mysticism.When referring to the sequence of the events and the diversity of characters, the novel turns out to be interesting and exciting. The syntax is apparently simple and smooth. There is an indirect introduction to certain principles and values of Rumi and Sufism.

The Book of Tomorrow – Cecelia Ahern

A modern and magical fairy tale. The story is mysterious and heartwarming. The author’s selection of words is commendable and puts in the right amount of magic to come up with one breath-taking story. Every family has its own problems and secrets. Sometimes, in some unfortunate circumstances, a rock bottom event occurs so that the family starts to work on their problems and start the healing process. Everything comes together and the end is an explosive conclusion. The biggest revelation in the climax is a big shock. It puts all the elements into a clear perspective. One can’t put this book down once picked up.

The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

Simple, enchanting and inspiring, ‘The Alchemist’ is all about dreams, desires, and destiny. This book may not score high on literature as compared to other classics but it’s sheer simplicity and wisdom makes it a must-read for today’s generation. I strongly believe in Paulo’s philosophy, “When you truly want something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it.” It has made me the storyteller I am today.

The Devil and Miss Prym – Paulo Coelho

It’s the battle between good and evil. There are various elements in the story. From angels and devils to a rogue wolf, to an arms dealer etc. and all of this occurs in a rural community, in Brazil. The story raises an important question of trying to discover if humans are generally good or evil, and also why if God existed would allow evil things to happen to good people. The vivid portrayal of imperfect people having to make the most difficult and challenging decision of their lives. This is a book that makes you look at yourself and wonder why you make your decisions. It’s also a book filled with beautiful writing, legends, and stories for its readers.

Manuscript Found in Accra – Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho takes you on a spiritual and philosophical voyage. He takes his readers deep down into the unfathomable depth of his wisdom and also guides them to collect the lost pearls of human virtue. This book has 20 powerful and spiritual lessons ranging over topics from beauty, to elegance, to luck, to loyalty, to enemies, to defeat and also towards forgiveness and anxiety. Paulo Coelho’s wording serves as the guiding light. Sometimes, all of us have times in our lives where the questions seem to outweigh all of our answers that we seek. It’s a quick read, but it’s loaded with lots of life-affirming and life-altering advice.

The Notebook – Nicholas Sparks

When it comes to love stories and soul mates, ‘The Notebook’ is my personal favorite. Nicholas Sparks has the power to go deep into your soul and pull out your innermost thoughts and feelings. The romance between the main characters Noah and Allie is passionate and sublime. It’s a modern-day classic romantic story of the power of true love across time, across social conventions, and ultimately conquering all.

Sita – Devdutt Pattanaik

Devdutt Pattanaik cleverly puts in all his eye-catching and unique mural like art all over the book, which makes it extremely interesting to read. The book is phenomenal in its design and its art. It tells why Ramayan is not just a book. He explains to us how every community/class/religion/nationality has their own version or understanding of the Ramayana, reminding us that it has been circulated and been a part of varied people for centuries. This book will unconsciously grow a seed of spirituality in you.

Jaya – Devdutt Pattanaik

This book is not just the retelling of the epic Mahabharata but a true treasure of lessons. The author has accumulated various stories all scattered in various parts and cultures of the country and has given a meaningful essence to the readers. The illustrations are extremely eye-catching. Moreover, unlike other retellings of the Mahabharata, here in this story the author has not given any conclusion or portrayed anyone as the hero or the villain. The true meaning of Karma, dharma, and adharma is vividly explained here. Everyone, whether they are an atheist or an agnostic could read this book undoubtedly.

Who Will Cry When You Die – Robin Sharma

This book offers to its readers, beautiful pieces of advice if taken seriously can actually make a huge impact on a personal level. It can create good habits and values that can lead one to their success. It is a beautifully written, also quick and easy to read or follow. After reading this book you will receive strength, embrace positivity and be self-disciplined. There are 101 lessons/solutions to have a more happy and fulfilling life. This is a great book if you want lots of motivation.

To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee

If you have to write just one book, this is the one to write. A classic that needs no introduction. This book is an eye-opener and I learned a lot of things about sadness and happiness, racism and equality, immaturity and maturity, injustice and redemption. Only after you read it, you will realize why it’s an ultimate masterpiece that has stood the test of time.

The Book Thief – Markus Zusak

It’s a strong powerful story narrated beautifully by Death himself. Markus Zusak presents a poignant, heart-breaking, soul-shattering yet beautiful story of Liesel, the book thief. The lyrical narration, vivid character development and profound writings about war, death, loss, and love make this book a masterpiece. Personally, this book has helped me immensely in developing as a reader and writer. I have learnt and felt the mesmerizing power of words from this book and I hope to do so in my writings as well.

Eat Pray Love – Elizabeth Gilbert

Gilbert touches the heart of her readers because of her honest, open, sincere, and often hilarious account. She finds her spiritual awakenings in an Indian Ashram. This book has many things like, her traveling adventures, her vivid descriptions of Italy, India and Indonesia and her stories about the people she encounters on her journey. It also shows her efforts to seek pleasure, devotion and balance in life and also her love story at the end. It is a great read to touch anyone who has ever woken up to having an unrelenting desire for change.

The First Phone Call from Heaven – Mitch Albom

Imagine receiving a phone call from someone who was once in your life and is now deceased. Imagine further that the caller is telling you that they are in heaven. The story is an allegory about faith and miracles. It’s a feel good story and has some good story telling. The story unfolds and you meet a whole cast of characters with a wide array of responses to this miracle of receiving phone calls from people who are dead. Some embrace it as proof of heaven while others are skeptical about it, or others are downright hostile. This book is a treat for readers on multiple levels. It makes you feel good, makes you ponder, and engulfs you in a great story with some amazing characters.

The world is becoming a chaotic struggle and many of us are running the race in the fear of being left out. We have long working hours, more virtual media and minimal peace of mind.

Silence is often an underrated notion and almost an impossible thing to find in this dynamically changing day and age. We are all striving for a better life, yearning for a more peaceful and joyful existence. We’ve become so distracted by the hurrying demands of modern life, that we’ve lost touch with our natural state of being.

But there is a way to achieve peace and calm, if we genuinely wish to seek it. The distractions that we’ve declared as urgent and important, such as watching TV/Netflix, updating our Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter accounts, checking Whatsapp, prattling on the phone about various unimportant topics, etc. all pull at us. They all pull at our attention, distracting us away from the things that are truly important to us – things that will bring lasting happiness and fulfilment to our lives and the lives of others.

Nothing can hamper your peace and progress except you. You get what you allow. And today you must choose peace. You can achieve this by doing meditation, travel to places you want to visit, going and exploring hobbies and activities you always wanted to do, spread love and positivity around you. Channelling your thoughts on things that are important and progressive for you.

In addition, follow these rules below for inner cleansing:

Say what you mean. Mean what you say.
Don’t say to anyone unless you can say to everyone.
Don’t say inside, what you cannot say outside.
Don’t say unless it is true, useful or kind.

If you follow these then you will notice a beautiful inner transformation – from noise to stillness, from chaos to clarity. As Albert Einstein rightly said, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.” 

 

Life is not meant to be lived in one place. This great and vast world awaits with its hidden treasures to be grabbed and experienced by all of us. It’s so thrilling to realise that how easy and convincing it is now to travel across oceans only to arrive in unknown lands with diverse cultures.

But what’s the point of a good travel experience if you don’t qualify as an explorer? Are you a traveller or merely a tourist in your travels?

Here is how to be a traveller and not a tourist:

1. Ask questions

One of the prerequisites are to ask as many questions as you can about your trip. Do your interests align with your trip? Why are you travelling? What do you want to get out of it? Do you want to plan it or just go for it?

All of these questions are subjected to how creative and driven you are to have a memorable travel experience. One that you will never forget. Remember, your purpose drives everything you do in life. A life without purpose is a life without a destination.

2. Be a denizen

Research everything. Why? Because it helps. Knowing about the culture, customs, speaking local lingo and reading on what the country is like will help you be more local and more in touch with the people there. It is a very impressive trait of a traveller.

3. Get Lost 

“Not all those who wander are lost.” said J.R.R. Tolkien. As hysterical, dangerous, reckless and exciting as it sounds, it actually is. Just wander off on the streets and interact with strangers because you can’t help it. You have been bitten by the travel bug.

4. See what you’re supposed to see

Take the road not taken, my friend!  It does not always mean that when you are travelling then you must see all the major landmarks and attractions without fail. You can always go for what your heart desires and see what you want to see. Make the trip your own beautiful experience.

5. Locals have it best

What better way to explore different cuisines then at the place they were given birth. Authentic recipes, rich flavors and cultural garments. Try everything.

6. The eyes

The locals are the best resources to make your experience better. They are the eyes of the place. If you create a friendly environment and respect them then they can enhance your trip all the more.

7. A memento for your moments

It’s a great feeling to go back to your memories if you have something tangible from your trip. A local handicraft, a photograph, a ticket, a local product etc. ‘Materials materialises memories’.

8. Documentation

Sounds like a boring and nagging process but it is the best way to keep a record of your beautiful experience. A journal or some polaroids or a vlog if you have the equipments. Just writing in your journal on the trip or right after the trip will help record fresh memories accurately.

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” Terry Pratchett . Cheers to all the travellers of this world!

Read the Travelogue of ‘Vivaan’ from ‘Everyone has a Story’

Imagination has nothing to do with reality. Imagination is real only in our brains. It is just a part of our creativity and does not work on logic and proof. It does not have a practical approach.

Consider this, The Wright Brothers wanted to fly and they were termed as madmen as it seemed impractical. Thomas Edison was considered a daydreamer when he was visualizing his invention. Their imagination is now a reality and a huge part of our lives. So, the premise that imagination has nothing to do with reality holds untrue. Imagination shapes the way we embrace our reality and it influences our actions and beliefs.

Our mind creates what we imagine and it can affect our reality and future. It is very important that the construction of our thoughts work in a positive and productive direction and then, that moulds into a bright future for ourselves.

Our thoughts affect everything. For instance, if you wish to lose weight then you imagine yourself slim and healthy and then work on your imagined goal and turn it into reality. Or, if you wish to start a business then you create the image of it in your mind and then work on achieving it. What you imagined five years ago could be happening right now.

So, can we say that imagination is tied to our reality? Does it serve as a starting point for us to achieve our dreams? Maybe, yes.

Logic will get you from A to Z but imagination will take you everywhere. It’s just a matter of believing in yourself. Put all your thoughts into action and create a future from your imagination. Remember, possibilities are endless.

Positivity looks like some wishful thinking to most of us. We all wish to achieve and live a positive and healthy lifestyle. But, very often we find ourselves bashing our thoughts with negative emotions.

But, why do we give way to negative emotions more? The world seems to be aiming to produce negative thoughts all around us. The real hindrance to positivity is that our brains have been hard-wired to look out for and focus on all possible threats. 

Today, this mechanism propagates pessimism and negativity through the brain’s tendency to wander off until it finds a new threat to build up. These “threats” magnify the assumed likelihood that things are going—and/or are going to go—in the wrong direction and will lead to a downfall. This mechanism becomes effective when the obstacle is real and it is lurking around in the bushes and down the road.

Pessimism is a huge trouble because it’s a source of trouble for your health, work, family, and life as a whole. It has been a proven fact that optimists achieve more and have a bright future. They are found to be physically and psychologically healthier and more peaceful than pessimists. Depression is more likely in people who pessimistically attribute their failures and shortcomings to personal deficits and flaws. Optimists, however, consider failures as a learning experience and motivating factor and believe they can work harder in the future and combat failure.

Best ways to achieve a progressive and positive lifestyle are:

Have uplifting conversations that will help you become more productive.
Look at the bright side. Even in the worst situations.
Smile often.
Practice mindfulness and meditation.
Believe that you can do it.

So, making positivity a mantra of life is the best way to achieve progress. Our ultimate aim should be to spread positivity and love always. Barack Obama rightly quotes “Yes We Can!”

“What’s your story? What is it about life that you demand? Is it the thought of success, money or fame that brings you to true happiness?”

Three years of hard work, late night studies, unlimited hours at classes; and what I remembered a few day before exam while solving an accounts problem was not what the professor taught me about that chapter, but it was his words ‘Choice Aapki Hai’ which he kept on repeating at every relatable point. And what I got on my paper after half an hour was not the solution of accounts problem, but a poem with those same words.

I wondered what I actually wanted from my life – a Chartered Accountant Degree or something else.

I remembered back to the time I was seven years old and gave my first stage performance with poem recitation.

I remembered how I sat enthralled at reading all the stories I came across. I remembered how what I really wanted out of my career was to be a journalist, writer or a speaker. I realized that this was a deep, steady current that connected many phases of my life.

I looked back at my life and realized that what always interested me were stories and that’s what I wanted and should become – A Storyteller.

Since that realization, I took all the steps in direction of my dream, my passion. I heard a little whisper from someone who was quiet for long. “You are walking on the right path!” was what I heard. It was my conscience, my heart.

I found my story!

Even you want to answer your call but not clear how to know it, right? Let me help you a little: sit down, open your journal, pour a cup of tea, and try to remember your passions.

Work on the followings:

Know your greatest talent and purpose, and learn to speak with clarity and confidence about it.
Commit to finding or creating your ideal job, no matter what.
Be realistic about your basic financial needs–but know that when you follow your passion, money often comes too.
Give yourself regular reality checks.
Be patient. It takes 10 years to become an overnight success.

I would like to end here with few words from my novel ‘Everyone has a Story’:

“Live life in moments, not in days or years or your schedules. Mostly, it’s our misconception that we live our life the way we want. Every single step which we take is influenced by others. Only the part, which we hide from all and keep deep within our heart, is our own. I strongly urge you all to realize that hidden part of yours. Go, live that part. Live your life. Don’t let your dreams die within you. Trust me, your struggle; your fight will be worth the risk in opening yourself up. Get up. Inhale the air of passion. Start your journey. Grab your dreams. Enjoy your mistakes. Dance to the rhythm of your heartbeats. Smile. Laugh. Love. Live.”

Life is not meant to be lived in one place. This great and vast world awaits with its hidden treasures to be grabbed and experienced by all of us. It’s so thrilling to realise that how easy and convincing it is now to travel across oceans only to arrive in unknown lands with diverse cultures.

But what’s the point of a good travel experience if you don’t qualify as an explorer? Are you a traveller or merely a tourist in your travels? Is there any difference between a tourist and a traveler? Well, the answer is yes. There is a huge divide between a tourist and a traveler.

Here is how to be a traveller and not a tourist:

1. Ask questions

One of the prerequisites is to ask as many questions as you can about your trip. Do your interests align with your trip? Why are you travelling? What do you want to get out of it? Do you want to plan it or just go for it?

All of these questions are subjected to how creative and driven you are to have a memorable travel experience. One that you will never forget. Remember, your purpose drives everything you do in life. A life without purpose is a life without a destination.

2. Be a denizen

Research everything. Why? Because it helps. Knowing about the culture, customs, speaking local lingo and reading on what the country is like will help you be more local and more in touch with the people there. It is a very impressive trait of a traveller.

3. Get Lost 

“Not all those who wander are lost.” said J.R.R. Tolkien. Don’t just go as you’ve have planned things to be. Knowledge about the place is important because you don’t want to feel like you are lost in the woods. And it’s important to know about the amazing things that the place has for you. But don’t box yourself in. Go wherever the wind takes you. As hysterical, dangerous, reckless and exciting as it sounds, it actually is. Just wander off on the streets and interact with strangers because you can’t help it. You have been bitten by the travel bug.

4. See what you’re supposed to see

Take the road not taken, my friend!  It does not always mean that when you are travelling then you must see all the major landmarks and attractions without fail. You can always go for what your heart desires and see what you want to see. Make the trip your own beautiful experience.

5. Locals have it best

If you want to be a traveler then you have to be social. Interact with the locals of the country that you are in. Don’t stare at them in a weird way. They are humans too. The more you interact with people, more enjoyable the journey gets. People are similar all over the world. The only difference is the place and the language. So if you get social then you are one step closer to be a traveler. The locals are the best resources to make your experience better. They are the eyes of the place. If you create a friendly environment and respect them then they can enhance your trip all the more. What better way to explore different cuisines then at the place they were given birth. Authentic recipes, rich flavors and cultural garments. Try everything.

6. Break the Stereotype

There is this stereotype that if you go to Paris then you must see “The Eiffel Tower.” Forget about the must-sees. Well, is it really so important? Don’t worry if you have missed some of the most famous places because of the limited time. Be slow and enjoy whatever you see or wherever you go. And in the meantime, don’t think about anything else. Just enjoy yourself and break all those stereotypes and feel the difference.

 

7. A memento of your moments

It’s a great feeling to go back to your memories if you have something tangible from your trip. A local handicraft, a photograph, a ticket, a local product etc. ‘Materials materializes memories’.

8. Documentation

Sounds like a boring and nagging process but it is the best way to keep a record of your beautiful experience. A journal or some polaroids or a vlog if you have the equipments. Just writing in your journal on the trip or right after the trip will help record fresh memories accurately.

“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colours. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.” Terry Pratchett . Cheers to all the travellers of this world!

Read the Travelogue of ‘Vivaan’ from ‘Everyone has a Story’