My Views and Ideas: Life and Parenting

 

 

Are there joys of parenting teenagers in the age of TikTok era? These days parenting is like signing up for a full-time job you didn’t know existed. One day, you’re budgeting for groceries, and the next, you’re shelling out $150 for “cloud slippers” that look like they were designed by someone who hates feet. Need a second job to keep up? Same. One moment, you’re cruising through your monthly budget with confidence, and the next, you’re panic-Googling “Why is a Stanley cup $60?” (Spoiler: it doesn’t even come with unlimited refills.) If you have teens, you’ve likely been subjected to their well-rehearsed TED Talk on why they absolutely need the latest trendy item to survive—like a claw clip so big it could double as a crab trap or that viral hoodie that apparently cures all teenage woes. In our house, I call this phenomenon The Trend Tax . It’s not in the IRS code (yet), but it sure feels like it when your bank account gets hit with surprise "necessities." It’s a predictable...

  Let me guess: you’re reading this because you think your writing stinks, right? Well, congrats, because step one of being a writer is thinking your writing stinks. Welcome to the club! We’ve got tea, late-night existential crises, and a perpetual fear of hitting “send.” Now, before you spiral into self-doubt, let me tell you a story. When you were a toddler, you probably couldn’t hold a pencil straight, let alone string together a coherent sentence. Did you give up? Nope. You babbled, drew wobbly circles, and probably tried to eat crayons. And guess what? Here you are, reading like a champ and doubting your ability to  write . I always use to write 'B' inverted and so many other letters  and numbers like, 'S, L, K, C, D, 5.' But writing isn’t some magical, elusive skill bestowed upon a chosen few. It’s basically fancy scribbling that all of us can do. Yeah, that’s right—words are just glorified doodles. If you can write a grocery list or angrily text your friend about...

 

 

 There was a time when a political disagreement felt like a personal betrayal. A heated discussion about a policy or a candidate could easily escalate into a fallout, leaving friendships fractured and family gatherings awkwardly silent. I told myself I was taking a stand, holding onto my principles. But over time, I began to ask myself: Was I really standing for something—or was I shutting out the very people I should be trying to understand? The realization didn’t come all at once. It began as a quiet discomfort, a nagging question:  How do we ever hope to change the world if we can’t even talk to each other? The Bubble We Build Social media makes it deceptively easy to curate our circles. A single click can “cleanse” your feed of dissenting opinions. Algorithms reward this; they create echo chambers that reinforce our views and paint those who disagree as not just wrong, but morally inferior. I was complicit in this. My digital bubble was pristine, but it was also suffocatin...

 As writers, we all have that cozy nook—our comfort zone—where words flow easily, and stories feel safe. But staying there too long can stifle growth. To truly evolve, we need to step into the unknown, explore new territories, and embrace challenges that push us to be better storytellers. Here’s how you can take that bold leap: Experiment with a New Genre Always write romance? Try horror. Love poetry? Give screenwriting a shot. Exploring different genres sharpens your storytelling skills and ignites fresh creativity. You might surprise yourself with a hidden talent! Challenge Your Perspective Write from the viewpoint of a character who thinks or behaves entirely differently from you. This can deepen your empathy and add layers of complexity to your work. Collaborate with Others Team up with a fellow writer to co-create a story. Sharing ideas and styles can be an enriching experience, and you’ll learn a lot from how others approach writing. Join a Writing Contest Look for contests w...

  Every writer pours a part of their soul into their words, carving out stories, opinions, or emotions with the hope of reaching someone’s heart or mind. As a blogger, I often find myself marveling at the silence that follows each post—an audience that reads but never responds. This post is dedicated to you, the silent readers. I see your quiet presence in the form of view counts ticking upward, the small victories that reassure me someone out there noticed my words. Yet, there’s a void—a lack of acknowledgment, whether in the form of a like, a comment, or even constructive criticism. I wonder what you think when you read my posts. Do they resonate with you? Do they bore you? Do they stir a fleeting thought before you move on? Your silence can be both empowering and humbling. On one hand, it reminds me that writing is an act of faith, a commitment to share thoughts without expecting applause. On the other, it leaves me yearning for connection, for dialogue, for proof that my words ...

  In an age dominated by screens and instant gratification, the humble book remains a sanctuary for the mind—a quiet haven where the brain thrives. Reading is not merely a leisure activity; it is a profound exercise for mental agility, creativity, and emotional growth. Cognitive Stimulation and Brain Health Reading activates multiple areas of the brain, weaving together the intricate tapestry of comprehension, critical thinking, and memory retention. Immersing yourself in a novel or diving into a complex non-fiction narrative is akin to a workout for your brain. Studies suggest that regular reading can slow cognitive decline, reducing the risk of conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. It keeps the neural pathways agile, fostering sharper analytical skills and enhanced focus. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence Books open doors to new worlds, cultures, and experiences. Through characters’ journeys, we step into their shoes, experiencing their joys, struggles, and triumphs. This pr...

  The old man sat by the window of his crumbling house, his fingers tracing the rim of a chipped teacup. Outside, the wind howled, rattling the fragile windows, but inside, the real storm lay buried in the memories that haunted him. Rishab, his younger son, was a source of endless frustration. Unlike the ambitious child he had imagined, Rishab had convinced himself that staying at home and helping with household chores was his way of being “responsible.” He folded laundry, fixed leaky faucets, and ran errands, all the while assuring his parents that he was doing his part. But to the old man and his wife, this wasn’t enough. “You need to stand on your own feet,” the father had said countless times, his voice teetering between exasperation and hope. “Helping with chores isn’t a career. It’s not a life.” Yet Rishab remained, his days a monotonous loop of half-hearted tasks and idle hours. His parents watched helplessly as the world outside moved forward, while their son remained stuck...

 As the curtain falls on the current year, the practice of writing down five predictions for the year ahead can be more than just an exercise in speculation; it can serve as a powerful tool for personal growth, strategic thinking, and reflection. This seemingly simple act combines foresight, introspection, and goal-setting into a practice that sharpens the mind and enhances decision-making. Why Write Predictions? Encourages Analytical Thinking Writing predictions requires you to analyze current trends, evaluate data, and anticipate potential outcomes. Whether predicting technological advancements, market trends, or personal achievements, this habit hones your ability to synthesize information and think critically about the trajectory of events. Fosters Awareness of Change Predictions force you to engage deeply with the present to forecast the future. You must consider not only external factors—such as political shifts, economic conditions, or cultural trends—but also internal dynam...