In a world that moves faster than our hearts can keep up, the soft life is the gentle pause we’ve been longing for.
It’s a return to a rhythm we lost somewhere along the noise of everyday hustle, a reminder that life was never meant to feel like a race.
Soft living invites us to breathe deeper, move slower, and honor the moments that make us feel whole. It’s not about perfection or productivity, but about choosing peace, presence, and a kinder way of being.
In choosing softness, we choose ourselves again, a personal New Year’s resolution for a calmer, more intentional life.
I choose a life that feels gentle.
A life where my peace matters more than my pace.
Where rest is not a reward, but a right.
Where my heart is listened to, not rushed.
I choose mornings that begin with intention,
days filled with presence,
and nights that end in calm.
I choose boundaries that protect me,
relationships that nourish me,
and routines that don’t drain me.
I choose to idealize the small things,
to slow down when life gets loud,
to breathe deeply when the world demands urgency.
I choose softness;
not as an escape,
but as an energetic transition.
This is my soft life.
Gentle. Quiet. Full.
And finally, mine.
Soft living is the art of slowing down enough to hear your own heart again. We once lived softly, without even trying. Now, in the noise of today’s hush hush, softness feels like a rebellion, a way of returning home to ourselves. It is not about escaping responsibilities; it’s about choosing yourself, choosing calm, choosing a rhythm that doesn’t break your spirit.
So let us all breathe again.
Let life unfold gently.
Let us stop rushing through moments that deserve to be felt, a collective new year resolution worth keeping.
Navratri is more than a festival; it’s a journey inward. Across nine sacred nights, we worship nine forms of Maa Durga, each representing a unique energy, a distinct lesson, and a path to spiritual awakening.
As lamps are lit, prayers rise, and hearts come alive with devotion, the festival invites us not just to celebrate but to reflect, to learn, and to transform.
This poem, The Power of Nine: A Navratri Awakening, is a tribute to the divine feminine in all her forms and within us. Through these verses, we explore the symbolic meaning behind each day and each avatar of the Goddess, awakening the soul’s path through the light of devotion.
Nine days of light, the soul’s pure flight,
Through veils of dark, into sacred night.
Nine flames arise in the temple's glow,
As whispers of truth through silence flow.
Nine forms She takes, the cosmic queen,
From Shailputri’s strength to Siddhidatri’s sheen.
Each day a mirror, each form a guide,
A lesson wrapped in the mother's pride.
One — Maa Shailputri teaches us how to begin,
With rooted strength deep from within.
Two — With Maa Brahmacharini's grace we find,
Discipline sharpens the wandering mind.
Three — Maa Chandraghanta, fierce yet fair,
Shows courage blooms through daily prayer.
Four — Maa Kushmanda’s fire ignites the core,
Creation begins at the spirit’s door.
Five — Maa Skandamata, the mother divine,
Reminds us of love — the eternal sign.
Six — Maa Katyayani roars with power,
Justice awakens in the destined hour.
Seven — Maa Kalaratri, dark and deep,
Guides us through the nights we weep.
Eight — Maa Mahagauri brings back the light,
Cleansed by trials, we shine bright.
Nine — Maa Siddhidatri, the gift of grace,
Shows us God in every face.
Nine steps of soul, nine sacred ways,
Nine inner wars, nine nights ablaze.
Navratri ends, but She remains,
In every heartbeat, in joy and pains.
For those who seek, the path is thine,
Lit forever by the power of Nine.
As the echoes of dhol and aarti fade and the final diya flickers, Navratri leaves behind more than memories, it leaves us awakened. Each form of Maa Durga is not just a divine figure to be worshipped but a symbol of the power within us: to rise, to heal, to protect, and to love.
May we carry forward the strength of Maa Shailputri, the wisdom of Brahmacharini mata, the courage of Maa Chandraghanta, and the grace of Maa Siddhidatri into every moment of our lives.
Because true Navratri isn't just in the nine nights of devotion, it's in every day we choose to live with light.
What did this Navratri teach you?
Which form of Maa Durga resonates most deeply with your journey this year?
I’d love to hear your reflections, share them in the comments below!
If this poem touched your heart, do share it with someone who could use a little divine inspiration today. Let’s spread the light of Maa Durga far and wide.
Don’t forget to subscribe/follow for more poems, short stories and mindful musings.
Wishing you strength, peace, and the eternal guidance of the Power of Nine.
It’s that time of the year again when the air fills with devotion and the streets echo with chants of “Ganapati Bappa Morya!” A festival we wait for all year long, Ganesh Chaturthi is about reliving childhood memories of bustling pandals, fresh modaks from the kitchen, and the joy of bringing home a clay idol with music and laughter.
While growing up, our house was
located near one of the biggest Ganesh pandals in Hyderabad. The lane beside
our house often became a landmark, popularly called Bada Ganesh. Bada Ganesh. A
towering 40-foot idol of Lord Ganesh mesmerized us each year. We eagerly
awaited the theme reveal of that pandal, which always became a hot topic of
discussion among friends and neighbors. From space to Y2K, from movie themes to
the Ramayana, we witnessed them all.
.png "Buy Ganesha Online")
The Ramayana is an epic and a timeless guide that imparts wisdom at every turn, helping us navigate life's complexities. It offers profound insights into diverse situations, teaching us how to make righteous choices and emerge with a sense of fulfillment. And it is also true that one has read and viewed various versions of the Ramayana. If you are wondering why there are various versions with varied perspectives when the tale was simple, then you will find the answers in the book Many Ramayanas, Many Lessons by Anand Neelakantan.
.png "Anand Neelakantan Ramayana Book")
As the CBSE Class 10 and Class 12 board results approach, it's completely normal for students and parents to experience a mix of anticipation, anxiety, and uncertainty. After months of effort from classes and coaching to exams the waiting period can feel especially long and emotionally taxing. But this in-between phase doesn't have to be filled with stress. In fact, it can be a valuable time for self-reflection, future planning, and emotional readiness.
Here’s how students can make the
most of the days leading up to the CBSE results:
On Mother’s Day, words often fall short of capturing the boundless love, strength, and quiet brilliance of a mother. But sometimes, poetry steps in where language pauses.
Motherhood in Metaphors
is a tribute to every mother who has ever shaped a soul, anchored a storm, and
lit the first fire of belonging in a child's life. We’ve tried to capture a
mother’s essence through a constellation of metaphors, each one an attempt to
sketch the indescribable. A mother’s presence is rarely loud, but always
life-altering—felt in tides, kites, and laughter. Through these metaphors, we
celebrate her eternal imprint on our journeys.
"A mother is a child’s first teacher she can turn the hardest lessons into stories of love and understanding." — Inspired by Maria Montessori
Yes, a mother often a child's first teacher, guide, and source of comfort
can teach her children to face difficult situations with positivity and
courage. In times of national tension, such as when India has launched
Operation Sindoor to protect its citizens and curb terrorism, it is imperative
that the conversation reaches every household. A mother’s role becomes even
more crucial in explaining the various aspects of Operation Sindoor to her
children. Understanding why India has taken these steps and how the situation
has evolved, especially when a country must defend itself against attacks from
a neighboring nation that supports terrorism becomes essential.
Young minds, influenced by news and social media, can become confused,
anxious, or misinformed. It is a mother’s warmth and wisdom that can help them
understand such complex issues with age-appropriate clarity and reassurance.
We have broadly listed pointers based on age groups and their levels of
understanding to help parents plan their conversations.
For the past five years, we’ve had the joy of co-hosting the Storytellers Bloghop with our amazing writer and blogger Ujjwal Mishra. This event has become a beloved tradition for us. It’s more than just a gathering of bloggers who love fiction writing. Celebration of storytelling, creativity, and the power of fiction binds us. As we reflect on these five years, we realize just how dear fiction writing has become to us.
The Storytellers Bloghop began with a simple yet meaningful
goal: to create a space where bloggers could share their stories, inspire one
another, and grow together. Fiction has always held a special place in our
hearts, it allows us to craft worlds, create characters, and express ideas that
resonate with readers. Through this bloghop, we’ve aimed to nurture a community
of writers who are as passionate about storytelling as we are.
As Tracy lay asleep under the soft glow of her desk lamp, her mind drifted off. Off to where minds escape to find peace and to find solutions. She saw a vivid, surreal landscape, a world where technology and nature had fused into something far beyond her wildest imagination. The air was thick with energy, a quiet hum that seemed to pulse through every living thing.
The eighth edition of Pariksha Pe Charcha 2025, was held at Sunder Nursery in Delhi. Our honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with students and shared valuable pieces of advice on managing exam stress, urging students to stay focused and stress free. He also guided the students on ways to overcome academic and personal challenges.
Modi Ji highlighted the need to focus more on gaining knowledge, which goes beyond just marks.
We dedicate the below lines to all the students who are all set for that final leap to roar and shine in their board examination.
The clock is ticking, the moment is near,
But fear not, dear students, for you hold the gear.
With forces of will and energy bright,
You’ll conquer the challenges and reach your height.
Like atoms in motion, your minds are set,
In waves of knowledge, there’s no regret.
Your efforts are bonds, strong and secure,
With each reaction, your wisdom will endure.
In the circuit of life, your path is clear,
Ohm’s law of persistence is what we hold dear.
Velocity and speed are your steady friends,
Each problem solved brings you closer to the end.
Like an ion, you’ll charge through the test,
Electrons of focus, giving your best.
The equations of struggle will balance and fade,
In the lab of your dreams, success is made.
So, breathe deep, take that leap,
Let the chemistry of courage run deep.
Physics of strength and momentum in hand,
Your future is bright, you’ll conquer this land.
Now’s the time to shine and soar,
Unlock the secrets, open the door.
The laws of your journey, forever in place,
You’re ready, young scholars, to win this race!
The elements of knowledge, they've fused in your mind,
Like compounds well-formed, uniquely designed.
Your hard work has molded a brilliant alloy,
In the furnace of study, you’ve crafted your joy.
Through the lens of light, you’ve focused your aim,
With lenses of insight, you’ll rise to fame.
The energy within you, a powerful force,
Turbines of passion, driving your course.
The momentum you’ve built is unstoppable now,
Like a rocket to space, you know just how.
As you approach the final stage with grace,
Your efforts will echo through time and space.
Love is the most profound and transformative force in the world, an emotion so powerful that it defies explanation and reason. It’s the heartbeat of life, the thread that connects us all, and the spark that ignites the deepest parts of our souls. Then we should understand love cannot bound by any limits; it doesn’t come with conditions or judgments. And we will nod in agreement that, ‘Love is what makes us whole, what gives us the strength to face the darkest days, and what fills us with light on the brightest of days’.
What defines love?
Love is a beautiful emotion that makes the world around us
beautiful. Love captures the essence of life, binds us all together firmly.
Love is dimensionless, infinite, never ending free of any judgments and
prejudices. Love is a delicate emotion yet it holds the power to transform things.
Love is the basis of the existence of all the living beings on earth. That
brings us to the point that Love doesn’t need to be perfect. “I saw that you
were perfect, and so I loved you. Then I saw that you were not perfect and I
loved you even more.” – Angelita Lim
In fact, it’s in its imperfections that love often shines
the brightest. It’s not about finding someone or something that is flawless.
It’s about embracing each other in our raw, unpolished forms. Love is there
when we fall, when we’re broken, when we’re hurt. We all might have experienced
love in many forms across relationships. It’s the parent who holds their child
through sleepless nights, not expecting anything in return, but simply offering
the warmth of unconditional care. It’s the friend who stands by you even when
you push them away, not out of obligation, but because their heart understands
that sometimes, all you need is someone to hold you together when you can’t do
it on your own.
.jpg "Love Musings & Heart Touching Quotes") |
| Love isn't Perfect |
Love is in the imperfections, the things we don’t always see in ourselves, but the ones others see in us and choose to embrace.
