Month: September 2023

5 Inspiring Quotes That Guide My Life

an encouragement quotes on brown paper
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Life is filled with moments of doubt and uncertainty, but powerful quotes have the ability to keep us on track.

Motivational quotes have always inspired me on my journey, enabling me to overcome challenges and achieve my dreams.

Lesson 1: Determination

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” -Collin Powell.

This lesson has resonated with me throughout my personal and professional life. I’ve encountered numerous challenges during my college days and throughout my career.

However, the enduring wisdom imparted to me by my father was the importance of unwavering focus and determination.

Lesson 2: Experience

“Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment”-Rita Mae Brown

This insight from Rita Mae Brown has guided my approach to failure.

Instead of becoming demotivated by setbacks, I’ve been taught to view them as opportunities for growth and learning. Experience serves as a valuable source of wisdom, offering invaluable life lessons, personal growth, and self-awareness.

Lesson 3: Mindset

“Obstacles can’t stop you. Problems can’t stop you. Most of all, other people can’t stop you. Only you can stop you.”-Jeffrey Gitomer

Cultivating a growth mindset is essential for overcoming life’s challenges and preventing our minds from becoming roadblocks.

“There is only one way to succeed in anything and that is to give it everything.”-Vince Lombardi.

Vince Lombardi’s words further emphasize the idea that nothing worthwhile comes easily, highlighting the necessity of determination and effort in turning dreams into reality.

Lesson 4: Questions

“Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.”-Voltaire

Voltaire’s perspective compels us to be grateful. Instead of dwelling on negative questions like “why me,”? it’s important to cultivate gratitude for what we have – the ability to breathe, walk, and think for ourselves.

Lesson 5: Failure

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”-Winston Churchill.

My father instilled in me the belief that hard work and perseverance are within our control, and with enough of both, success becomes inevitable.


These five inspirational quotes continue to shape my life, reminding me of the importance of determination, experience, mindset, thoughtful questions, and the courage to persevere in the face of failure. They serve as guiding beacons on my journey towards personal growth and success.

Life Is A Merry-Go-Round Ride

a brown ferris wheel under blue sky
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Who doesn’t want to feel like a kid again? I would love to be one!! There is something magical about it.

I still love the merry-go-round and don’t hesitate to ride one whenever the opportunity presents itself.

“Life is a merry-go-round ride”, reminds me of the childhood rhyme we all grew up singing in our kindergarten,

“Ring a ring, a rosie

A pocketful of posies

A-tishoo! a-tishoo!

We all fall down.”

Isn’t Life somewhat similar?

Life is a roller coaster, with many highs and lows and curves. We get tossed around, but things level out in the end, and life returns to normal until the next ride.

I can relate to this with my example. When I passed my final year of engineering and received a job offer letter from a well-known engineering company in Pune, I was full of energy and optimism and felt like I was on top of the world.

I started my career excitedly and enthusiastically, like a child hopping onto a merry-go-round.

Like the horses on the merry-go-round that goes up and down, repeating the same motion, my career also experienced success, achievements, failures, setbacks and disappointments. And this continued throughout my career of three decades and more.

Each time I changed jobs, I went through this same cycle. Initially, everything in the new job is exciting, and then slowly, the monotony sets in.

I had to take on further risks, grab new opportunities, work on new initiatives and keep moving. Despite the challenges, I kept pushing forward and finding new ways to develop and grow professionally.

After spending three decades and more in the industry, reflecting on my career journey, I realised that despite the ups and downs, it was all worth it.

I feel grateful for the experiences, the people I met along the way and the lessons I learned.

What I experienced in my career is also what we experience in all aspects of our lives.

Life is Fleeting

The phrase, Life is a merry-go-round also suggests that life is fleeting and we should enjoy the ride while we can.

The fragility of life is daunting, and it inspires us to live in the present and enjoy and appreciate every moment we have.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought home the reality that Life is fleeting.

I lost some good friends who were hale and hearty a few days before they became seriously ill, had to be admitted to the hospital, and succumbed to the disease. It reminded me of the fragility and unpredictability of Life.

It is easy to get caught up in the daily grind of Life. Life can change instantly; therefore, we need to cherish every moment with our loved ones.

Time passes quickly, and I, therefore, adopt some fundamental ways to embrace the fleeting nature of Life,

  1. Appreciating people and letting them know how much I love and care for them helps me cherish every moment I spend with them. Life is short, and we never know when our loved ones will be taken away from us. My mom has been diagnosed with late-onset dementia. I spend time with her and look at old photos with her. She remembers something, and we talk about it. When she is in a good mood, I ask her for recipes, and she tells me whatever she remembers. I spend time every evening watching television with her. My friends come and meet her every evening and hug her.
  2. Pursue my passions even amid all uncertainties. I continue spending time consulting, writing and gardening even though a large part of my day is spent in elder care activities.
  3. I have started maintaining a gratitude journal and spending time every evening reflecting and writing about things I am grateful for. I write about all things that made me smile during the day.

In conclusion, I have learnt to make the most of every moment. Life is a precious gift, and better make it meaningful.

From Struggles to Success: The Relationship Between Pain And Happiness

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“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.” – Haruki Murakami

This insightful quote resonates with ancient Buddhist wisdom and holds a profound truth. I’ve encountered its wisdom in my personal journey, and today, I witness its relevance when working with young leaders and individuals within the companies I consult for.

There is a relationship between pain and happiness. Be it in personal life or professional life.

My aspiration to become an engineer after graduating from school was fraught with challenges. Securing admission to my preferred college was an arduous endeavour, and even after achieving that milestone, I had to exert immense effort to enrol in the engineering branch of my choice.

My father, a source of enduring wisdom, instilled in me the belief that success doesn’t come easily. He often cited Winston Churchill’s words, “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” This lesson has remained my guiding light throughout my life.

Many young people today dream of a thriving corporate career, a prestigious corner office, financial prosperity, and a harmonious work-life balance. However, they often underestimate the demanding journey that leads to such achievements. Failure to anticipate and address the challenges on this path can result in disappointment and depression.

Success and happiness in the professional realm necessitate a willingness to grapple with adversity, job uncertainties, setbacks, rejections, and, at times, toxic work environments or lengthy commutes. The rewards and contentment we seek are intrinsically connected to the difficulties we endure—a truth that cannot be ignored.

It’s akin to taking bitter medicine; only by doing so can we alleviate suffering and find the rewards we seek.

The Oak Tree In The Garden- Embracing Pain

Allow me to share a Zen story that underscores the importance of embracing suffering as an integral facet of life:

In a lush garden filled with an array of trees, flowers, and plants, a towering oak tree stood at the centre, exuding strength and grandeur. Many admired this oak tree for its imposing presence.

One day, a traveller passing through the garden took notice of the oak tree and approached it. He exclaimed, “You are undeniably a magnificent tree, standing tall and proud. You must be the happiest tree in this entire garden.”

The oak tree humbly responded, “I appreciate your kind words, but my happiness isn’t solely derived from my stature and strength. Over the course of my long existence, I’ve weathered countless storms, fierce winds, and harsh winters. I’ve endured the pain of broken branches, falling leaves, and the weight of snow and ice on my limbs. These very experiences have molded me into the tree you see before you.”

Perplexed, the traveller inquired, “But how can you claim to be happy after enduring so much suffering?”

The oak tree replied, “It is through these storms and struggles that I have grown stronger, developing deeper roots. It is through pain that I’ve acquired resilience. It is amidst the changing seasons that I’ve found peace and acceptance. Happiness, to me, is not the absence of suffering but the wisdom to discover joy and contentment amid life’s challenges.”

This Zen story poignantly illustrates that happiness is not the mere absence of pain and suffering but, instead, the capacity to unearth meaning, growth, and serenity amidst life’s tribulations.

The Energy Of Mindfulness for Embracing Pain

Practising mindfulness breathing can give us the inner strength to embrace pain and suffering. Thich Nhat Hanh, the renowned Zen Buddhist master, elucidates the art of finding happiness amid suffering in his book, “No Mud, No Lotus: The Art of Transforming Success.” This practical guide empowers us to tackle life’s problems, both minor and monumental, with equanimity.

Wrapping Up

In life, there are no rewards without risks, just as there is no destination without a journey. Isabel Allende aptly captures this sentiment: “There is no light without shadow, just as there is no happiness without pain.” Embracing pain and suffering as part of our journey is the path to true happiness and fulfilment.

Hiking Adventure To Preikestolen in Norway

Preikestolen in Norway

In 2015, I was on a two-week business trip to Norway, a journey that left a lasting impression.

During my stay, I had the privilege of exploring Oslo, Bergen, and Stavanger. This was my first visit to this enchanting Scandinavian realm, and what struck me profoundly was the Norwegians’ profound affinity for Nature.

Their deep-rooted connection to the outdoors spoke volumes about their love for Nature.


Although my primary purpose was business; regrettably, the time constraints kept me from experiencing some of Norway’s most splendid natural wonders—such as the ethereal Northern Lights, the majestic Fjords, and the awe-inspiring waterfalls that dot the landscape.


Nonetheless, being stationed in Stavanger allowed me to seize a weekend opportunity: the chance to hike to Preikestolen, also called Pulpit Rock. Being an ardent nature lover, I did want to miss this opportunity. One of my Norwegian colleagues agreed to accompany me. Hiking is deeply ingrained in Norwegian culture, an emblem of their profound appreciation for Nature.

Mountain terrain- Norway


I had no prior experience of hiking in mountainous terrain. The Preikestolen hike, boasting an elevation gain of approximately 500 meters and steep sections, is moderately challenging. Fortunately, the weather smiled upon us that weekend, gracing us with abundant sunlight that facilitated our ascent. Equipped with hiking gear, thanks to my colleague’s foresight.


I couldn’t wait to embark on this mountain hike.

I couldn’t fathom missing this golden opportunity as an ardent nature enthusiast. The view before me appeared like heaven had descended upon Earth, a realm of unspoiled purity and invigorating freshness. My eagerness to embark on this mountainous journey was palpable.

A mix of excitement and nervousness bubbled inside me, but I was ready to embrace the challenge and devour the incredible views along the way.

Our journey from Stavanger to Pulpit Point involved a ferry ride—a mesmerizing expanse of boundless sea, a sight that spoke volumes about Norway’s awe-inspiring beauty. In the face of such natural grandeur, words felt inadequate.

The ferry ride from Stavanger to Pulpit point


The round trip demanded roughly five hours of our time, an endeavour that I remarkably completed without incident despite my prior lack of hiking experience.


Anatoli Boukreev’s words encapsulate the very essence of mountain hiking: “Mountains are not stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are the cathedrals where I practice my religion.”

This sentiment encapsulates the profound impact of mountainous hikes. It implies that these peaks are not mere physical challenges or arenas for personal conquest; instead, they are sacred spaces where individuals forge a spiritual connection with Nature, transcending personal ambitions for a more profound sense of purpose.

Trekking in Norway


Anatoli Boukreev’s words resonated with my personal experience from this hike.