Subtle things

A question about one's preference between a real and a virtual experience would perhaps sound rhetorical to many of us. If you were to ask me, I would not only give a loud cheer to a real experience in most cases but also a strong no to the virtual. My immediate reaction would be accompanied by a question, for if it is virtual, does it even count as an experience.  Today, I caught myself contradicting my own belief here when I found myself enjoying watching a hiking video online. As much I love being in the mountains, I prefer hiking during the summer months only. But interestingly and to my pleasant surprise, I recognized how I derived a great sense of joy even enjoying it vicariously by watching that well directed video. In my defense, I can say that it is not completely virtual since I have been on actual hikes too. So, in some ways, the online video was nostalgic, more than just virtual? Perhaps.  As another example, I do enjoy (and lean towards!) watching Mt. Everest summit or

This post is about a topic that has been on my mind for a long time but I keep pushing to write about it. Every time it has crossed my mind, I decided to finish and release it on March 8th of the coming year, a day that is internationally recognized as Women's Day. Unfortunately, I missed it again this year but given that we are still in the Women's History Month, I thought I can still manage to adhere to my plan to some extent. My LinkedIn feed is flooded with posts marking this celebration and rightly so.  This day is a reminder and celebration of the journey spanning many decades to get us where we are today, a day to recognize and continue amplifying those voices and platforms (AnitaB.org, as one example) that speak, advocate, and celebrate contributions of women in the professional ecosystem at a global scale.  Women's presence and achievements in the workforce is a reflection of a strong positive shift in  society's mindset where we are no longer holding back on

You look pretty, or You look beautiful. What should I say?  And is there even a difference? It depends on the context and what you really intend to say. Both are flattering, compliments for a good appearance. But beauty runs deeper than the looks. Pretty being the outward appearance, Beautiful describes us inside out. A combination of our inner core, thoughts, attitude, actions, character.  One can be pretty but not beautiful and vice-versa.  How many people care about this subtle difference, I ask? Even when the other side does not pay attention, Recognizing the difference will make you conscious about your own thinking and outlook. What matters to you, what is it that you get drawn to. Would you like to keep it the same way or change? Know that, there's no right or wrong here. And the same person can be pretty at one time and come across as beautiful at another. What's important is to recognize that while the words are similar but they vary in their depths of assessing us as

Hiking - the word brings forth the therapeutic power of nature, the magnificent mountain views, lakes, human attributes of strength, vulnerability, a sense of community where nothing but kindness prevails, and feelings of joy and accomplishment.  Heather Maple Pass Loop, 2021                                 Sheep Lake and Sourdough Gap, 2021 I started hiking after moving to Seattle in 2017 and the bulk of my hikes happened to be in 2019 when I signed up in multiple hiking groups on meetup.com . While I continued to go on hikes with friends ( Twin Falls , Wallace Falls , Rattlesnake Ledge , Little Si , Beckler Peak in Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Region, one other in Mt. Rainier), I did five hikes with different meetups that year including Lake 22 , Ira Spring Trail , Burroughs Mountain in Mt. Rainier, Easy Pass (anything but easy), and Maple Pass Loop .  I only have fond memories of all those hikes except the last two, particularly the maple pass loop where I struggled the most. The first

I recently bought a new car. I had been driving my old car for about a decade now and it was a second-hand car. It was going very well (being Toyota) and I would be lying if I try to justify my new purchase by citing any major issues with my old car. The reality is I needed a change and there are few features that I had started looking forward to, especially after having started a full-time job and knowing that I can afford them now. Earlier being in graduate school, it was a luxury to even have a nice, reliable car. Also, having driven my old car for a while now, I had the satisfaction that I have enjoyed my old ride and was making an informed decision about the change now.  So, what is it that I am trying to get to by sharing these details here, you may ask? Well, I want to share one principle that got reinforced in my mind as I reflect on a decision I took based on it. And as you might guess, the decision is related to my car buying experience.  I was being nudged frequently by frie

Let me start by directly asking your opinion on the title. Agree or not really?  In my opinion, these two concepts of hobby and leisure time can present themselves as a chicken and egg scenario for some of us amid our busy schedules. In other words, should you have hobbies and then figure out some time to enjoy them OR the other way around where if you get some free time, only then you can think of following some hobby?  While I find myself naturally inclined to the first case where I already have hobbies and I try to make room for them from time to time (just like writing that I am doing now), I also know that many of us struggle with our busy schedules. I have heard from friends and family on how sometimes 24 hours are not even enough for the core tasks, leave aside hobbies. But here's one perspective I would like to share with those of you who may not be able to dedicate time for hobbies in their current lives.  In your current routine, you may not feel that you are missing out

Let me share a personal story of something that happened very recently to me. Starting with something that I am sure each one of you reading this would be able to relate with. All this past year, I have kept it pretty much to myself when it comes to in-person meetings. I am fortunate to have a few deep relationships with whom I can talk out aloud and be myself. Other than connecting with them over long phone calls every day, I have been in my own company enjoying reading, exploring new hobbies, or going on short drives.  At the workplace, we started working from home starting March and while I have been going for daily walks up until September but after that, the frequency started gradually decreasing coming to almost a halt by the end of the year. It must have been a handful of times only when I met friends 1:1 and that too outdoors during summer. Despite this secluded life, by God's grace, I have been able to keep myself quite busy and stay positive.  However, despite this sense