Soul Stories

In life's music, some farewells sound louder than others. It's sad and true that as we get older, saying goodbye to the things we know becomes a complicated mix of feeling nostalgic for old times and having to start something new. Come with me on this feelings trip in the parts of goodbyes. Here, childhood not-innocence goes away but we have memories and learning to show for it.  As we go through time, the memories of being a child stay like a loved song. In the beginning, we wanted to feel young again and thought growing up would always bring freedom. We didn't know that saying goodbye to childhood would be a big clue, realizing how light the school bags we used to complain about were compared with the heavy things in life. Afternoon naps, which used to seem like a punishment, now remind us of carefree times. The ease of school breaks, when we dream about spending more time at grandma's house turns into a longing for those special moments. Now as gro...

Mistakes are the threads that weave this colorful tapestry of life, in which these petals symbolize growth and resilience. remember the last faux pas at work-perhaps spilling coffee on that important report. When we stumble, of course, all is not lost. What matters isn't the fumbles but what you do after them.   Errors, closely associated with defeat, can afford immense instruction. An apology and move on are not enough; we need to learn from our mistakes so they don't happen again. Not learning is a source of needless stress and destroys trust. Recognizing our mistakes is the first thing, and second, we have to use them to develop ourselves. Understanding the substance of mistakes is important. Errors in judgment or misguided actions are often accidental. On the other hand, failure is due to a lack of success or disappointment. A culture of learning instead of punishment is developed when the human element in making mistakes is embrac...

Overthinking is a silent thief that eats away our time and floods us with unuseful worries in the clamor of thoughts inside the human mind. Surprisingly, overthinking is the most futile use of energy by the man that has no end other than deeper confusion and fury. Indeed, our minds are complex organs, able to explore and ponder at great depths. Still, once it is a present that becomes an annoyance, it becomes excessive thinking. A lot of people get entangled in this maze of thought since there seems to be no end to it. We simply make the decision more complicated as we continue to think about it. Although this analysis goes too far and does not lead to perfectionism but towards obstacles in development.  What is at stake here is a question of self-trust. The making of a decision should not be considered a search for absolute perfection but an attempt at learning something new. Every right and wrong decision that is made adds another dimension to...

In 1948, four children for sale appeared in a haunting picture with the simple caption “4 children”. In reality, though, there was a story of agony, difficulty, and, as a result, a lifelong changed family behind this pitiful picture.  The picture captures Lucille Chalifoux, the woman who faced a grievous dilemma as eviction threatened to take away her house. With few choices available, Chalifoux sold her four children and put them up for adoption. A photo that first appeared in the local newspaper suddenly opened up a view of some of the hard post-war times in America for many people. It elicited a spontaneous and humane reaction from the community. Supporting offers and job offers came in as proof that there were people willing to help the family out of its burden. Nevertheless, various signals were made towards the salvaging of Chalifoux’s kids, albeit their lives were still very threatened. David, the youngest one was comforted by Harry and Luellia McDa...

Finding the right person in the subtle dance called love is similar to walking on an ocean but for a special someone ready to learn your heart’s mysteries. Falling in love is not a mad dash but rather a slow quest that happens within each chapter of this story.  A specific person is created in such a way that they are able to keep your passion and maintain it forever. Your tender-heartedness and concern will not be restrained in their presence nor would you worry of taking it for granted. In return, they will pick you with an intensity of familiarity that reflects your own choice of them in order to set up an easy trade. Authentic love does not demand your begging or pleading. When the correct one arrives, he or she will meet you at your spot. You won’t go through a weary fight of affection, but rather affection will pour out naturally, as a river finds a course towards it. Someday, you will realize that all the tribulations and pains of your previous...

It is common in the intricacy of life that people reflect upon the interaction between fate and self-determination. The question about giving in to fate or turning inside still remains. However, this decision appears simple at face value but it gives the outline for the story of the journey.  One should let destiny be with the universe because going along with the stream is similar to drifting in the river of life and the currents decide the way forward. The reassurance of abandonment brings with it the notion of destiny. However, one day it is realized that destiny is not an outsider in the life of a person but an interwoven fiber. The change in consciousness constitutes a fundamental and radical change. One stops being a passenger on the cosmic journey and becomes the universe itself. It speaks of every twist and turn, each joy and pain from inside. The caprice of the hand of destiny unveils itself to be only a mirror image of our will, thoug...

The male beats of life’s symphony are commonly misinterpreted as they fall into the trap of stereotyping. Now think about the painting where masculinity is just free and it is not tied down or restricted by misconceptions.  Now let’s go far away from hackney, where male is not the constant sum but range spectrum. Imagine a vibrant child free of any shackles of conventional writing, boundlessly alive with enthusiasm. “Masuc” echoes in the context of its synonym “masti,” which stands for unlimited freedom in living. For many decades these narrow definitions have been restrictive and constraining on men’s typical masculine roles in the society. The purest masculinity is not a set of must-do’s and not-do’s. It is about being real with oneself, finding one’s true self, and defying social conventions. Picture a garden where masculinity blossoms as a different and magnificent flower. It has nothing to do with being in molds, it’s all about having uniq...

Folk theaters in north Karnataka add flesh to stories that lie outside traditional texts associated with Indian mythography such as the Ramayana.  For instance, there was this remarkable moment within one of India’s popular movies called Jane Bhi do Yaar starring Om Puri playing the role of Bheema who created Theater of the Absurd—a caricature resembling folk theatre.  The folk theaters innovatively mix up precolonial and colonial views with satirical elements exposing current matters.  Such performances come up with stories not available in written texts and raise important social matters.  One such episode in North Karnataka features the plight of the third-gender people. However, this happens when lord Rama bids goodbye to the inhabitants of Ayodhya and leaves for a 14-year-long exile.  The people could not bear it when Rama walked out of them so they followed to the river Sharayu where they boarded a ferry together with Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana.  Ram...