The thought balcony

  Gradually, Wisdom Comes Wisdom does not arrive in a moment— it seeps in, slowly, through the cracks of living. You begin to see patterns— the way people move in circles, some lifting you with honor, some silencing your voice as if your presence were too loud. There are those who listen to every word as though it were a prayer, and others who look through you— as if you were made of air. It’s easy to think life is about placing yourself at the center of attention, but it isn’t. It’s about giving space, observing others, holding them with kindness— and yet, knowing when you are being emptied. Because not everyone returns what they take. Some will drain your light and call it theirs. Some will use you as if it were their right, and the world will quietly allow it. Still— your karma remains your own, your heart keeps its record. I only wish to help, to be kind, to hold others when they fall— but not at the cost of burning my soul to k...

  The Other Car in the Parking Lot Sometimes gratitude loses its focus when comparison sneaks in. Today, I want to talk about money—our ever-demanding companion. There was a time when I dreamt of owning a car. Just one. Back then, a car meant luxury. Years later, I found myself wanting a better one—because apparently, luxury also updates its model every year. The other day, we finally bought a new car and went straight for a puja, feeling quite content—until, of course, the universe decided to teach a quick lesson in humility. Right next to us parked a far more luxurious car. Shiny, sleek, almost smug. As we stood there praying, our eyes somehow refused to close. We were looking at the other car—while offering gratitude for our own! In that moment, our car suddenly seemed small, and our satisfaction even smaller. It made me realise how money often brings along a few uninvited guests—jealousy, comparison, and pride. As Oscar Wilde once quipped, “When I was young, I thought...

The Fragile Chemistry of Relationships Human relationships form the foundation of our existence. Over time, we have created societies, assigned names to our connections, and given them meaning—mother and child, husband and wife, friends, colleagues, siblings. These roles are shaped partly by social expectations and partly by our own choices. Each relationship carries its own rhythm, responsibilities, and emotions, and together, they weave the complex fabric of human life. In every relationship, there is a quiet chemistry at play—a balance that depends on two people equally willing to nurture it. Whether it’s a mother and daughter learning to understand each other through changing years, a couple growing together through challenges, or friends standing by one another without keeping score, the strength of a bond lies in shared effort. A relationship flourishes when both remain open to giving and receiving love not out of obligation, but through genuine care and connection. The first les...

Control, Surrender, and the Flow of Life We often move through life believing that everything rests in our control. Our choices, our actions, our carefully drawn plans—these seem to shape the path ahead. Yet, life repeatedly reminds us that much lies beyond our grasp. Think of a game of cricket. A bowler releases the ball with skill and intent, but once it leaves his hand, countless possibilities unfold. The spin, the speed, the batsman’s reaction, even the chance deflection—all determine the outcome. So too in life: we play our part, but the final direction is shaped by forces unseen and unpredictable. This is where surrender becomes essential. Not the surrender of defeat, but the surrender of trust. To pause, to let go of the illusion of absolute control, and to accept that some things must be left to a higher order—call it fate, destiny, or the hand of God. Such surrender can be deeply liberating, even blissful, for it allows us to rest in the flow of what is, rather than ...

  When Curiosity Matters More Than Marks by Nidhi Guglani  Why is it that whenever we talk about exams, the conversation almost always circles back to marks? For many children, the drive to score is not their own—it is imposed by the expectations of parents. Passing, for most, means just crossing that threshold of marks. Very few parents truly encourage their children to develop a love for learning itself. The essence of education should be curiosity—the willingness to see every subject as something new, something that broadens the mind and deepens understanding. Sadly, this spirit is often lost in the grind of rote learning. Children are made to memorize, to reproduce words on paper, and to treat knowledge as a checklist, rather than as an experience to be lived. It is common to see a child during exams sitting with books, yet their mind is elsewhere. The moment exams end, they quickly immerse themselves in gaming, music, or sports—as if studies were just an obstacle ...