No, this article isn’t about me, though like you even I could do with some cheerleaders cheering me on once in a way. As I watch the cheerleaders at the IPL matches I remember an article that appeared in one of our national dailies, and as I read on, tears came to my eyes. The author talked about the New York Marathon which is a forty-five kilometre race that ends at Central Park in Manhattan.

The author said that about one and a half million people lined the sides of the road, in freezing temperatures, to watch and to cheer. But they had not come to watch the professionals who run like lightning. They had come to cheer the ‘little guys, the nameless faces, the guys next door, the guys who do their nine to five jobs and train only on weekends, who have no corporate sponsors, the guys who run only to prove something to themselves.’

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For the past year and a half, I’ve focused on improvement rather than dwelling on setbacks. But yesterday was different. A classmate sitting next to me tried to console me, reminding me that I could improve. My teacher also came over, offering the warmest hug and reassuring words. She reminded me of my past successes and assured me that she believed in my efforts, even when I didn’t believe in myself.

At that moment, it was hard to see the positives. But my classmates were understanding and supportive, creating a comfortable environment for me. As the day progressed, my chest and head ached from crying, and I wanted to go home.

However, my coordinator insisted I stay, a decision I now appreciate because it taught me resilience.

Later, I also received my literature grades. Holding the paper for five minutes, I hesitated to look. When I finally did, I saw that I had scored well. This boosted my confidence and transformed my mood from grumpy to happy. I realized how lucky I am to have such supportive teachers and classmates.

Reflecting on the day, I see how everyone told me, “You’ll do better next time; don’t worry.” It’s funny now to think about how much I cried. Not a single person said anything negative, so why did I let it affect me so deeply? This incident taught me to look for the positives even in the worst situations.

And you know what? I’m going to remember this next time I face a challenge.

Because if I can survive a bad grade and come out laughing, I can handle anything life throws my way. So, here’s to embracing setbacks with a smile and a laugh – and maybe a little less crying next time!

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Chetan Bhagat’s 11 Rules For Life is a compelling guide that offers practical advice on how to navigate life’s challenges and achieve personal growth.

Through a blend of personal anecdotes, insightful observations, and actionable tips, Bhagat presents a roadmap for readers to level up in various aspects of their lives. Whether it’s setting goals, cultivating positive habits, or fostering meaningful relationships, this book provides valuable insights that can help readers lead a more fulfilling life.

Bhagat’s conversational writing style makes the book easy to read and relatable, making it a must-read for teenagers looking to make positive changes in their life.

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On seeing an apple fall from a tree, Sir Isaac Newton asked himself, “Why does the apple fall down and not go up?” This doubt led him to further inquiry ultimately resulting in the discovery of the Law of Gravitation. Throughout history, people have asked and continue to ask, “How was this earth made? How can we travel more quickly? How can we communicate with and see a person far away? How can we alleviate or eliminate pain and diseases?” etc. These and millions of other questions have paved the way for countless discoveries and inventions in the biological, technical, and mental realms for the welfare of humanity.

As children, we have naturally raised questions about the world around us. However, as we age, this habit of asking questions often diminishes. Rediscovering the art of asking the right questions is crucial to unlocking the doors to wisdom, fulfilment, health, love, and spiritual enlightenment. Questions serve as keys that open vistas of possibilities and encourage deeper investigations. This process of inquiry stimulates the mind, encouraging individuals to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information.

Open-ended inquiries about the origin of the universe or the future of humankind, etc., invite further explorations. Reflective questions turn our focus inwards, prompting consideration of our experiences, beliefs, and feelings. Probing questions lead us onto paths of discoveries and insights, commonly used in educational and personal growth contexts. Potent questions heighten awareness, opening doors to new dimensions of thought and feeling. This transformative process contributes to personal growth and emotional healing. Framing pertinent questions effectively becomes a mental tool for dynamic pathways to transformation and insight.

Visualization can enhance the impact of questions and answers. Spending a few minutes visualizing the answers to your queries engages your imagination and unlocks your mind’s insights. Questions regarding academic success, health improvement, love, self-connection, social relationships or skill enhancement can help guide your personal journey.

Some of the questions that may be of great help to you are: Why am I failing in my exams? How can I study better and be more successful? How can I enjoy better health and well-being? In the area of relationships, how can I connect with my deeper self? How can I improve my social relationships? How can I be an effective speaker? There could be many more questions in the technical, biological, medical, and astronomical fields depending on your interests and inner voice.

Maintaining a diary or journal to record your questions and their answers and revisiting them regularly will help you cultivate a habit of introspection leading you to the right track for personal growth and fulfilment. Thus we see that the habit of asking questions opens the gateway to an abundant and fulfilled life and that questions play a pivotal role in shaping our present and the future. Therefore embrace the power of questions, and you’ll find yourself on a journey of continuous discovery and fulfilment.

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Chai is a composition that transcends musical genres, weaving together bossa nova, soft rock and indie elements. It is a poignant reflection on resilience and finding tranquillity amidst life’s challenges. Each verse delves into the intricacies of an existential crisis, articulating a range of life’s adversities. The chorus, however, stands as Jewel Lasrado’s steadfast declaration: “When the world’s on fire, I’ll be sipping chai.” This refrain encapsulates the core message of the song — the ability to seek solace and embrace a carefree spirit even in the face of adversity. Jewel penned the song during an evening marked by challenges, yet found solace in the simple act of sipping chai.

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If you can do the same thing a little later on with more dedication, commitment, quality and a clearer mindset, why not put it on the backburner? Why sacrifice something that is even more important for you right now for something that could be done in a better way, later on? Why put your future on hold for something that you aren’t even sure you want as your future? Take a breather. Count till a thousand. You now have all the time in the world. Take your time, weigh your options, interests, priorities. Get back to the grind, and give it your all.

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Sometimes people get so tired of life and its monotony that the “how-to-be-happy” tips on Google do not work for them anymore. Most of them are just broad pieces of advice that do not fit into specific situations. Only you can identify your problem unless you have a therapist who can help you figure out your “particular” problem. Either way, this article is going to help you find the key to a fulfilling life. Therapists tell you to journal, pen down your thoughts or to meditate. However, nothing can work if you don’t believe in yourself.

To believe in yourself, you need to make time for yourself. No matter how busy a person you are, you will face a burnout if you don’t allocate time for the things that you love. By this, I do not mean that you binge watch a 22-hour-long web series on Netflix. Rather, I suggest you engage in an activity that helps you relax. Like taking a long shower, or going for a walk in nature. It does not have to be either of these two activities. Do you get what I mean? Any relaxing activity.

I am a law student who lives in a hostel. At times, things can get super frustrating when professors overload us with assignments. Yet, I go out to the terrace and hula hoop while I watch the beautiful sunset. It is important that we take breaks and contemplate on our life regardless of how busy we are, so that we strike a healthy work-life balance.

All of us have our own ways of bringing happiness into our lives. A picture that we adore might be repulsive to another. A dance that we despise might be graceful to another. And a poem that we consider boring might have another’s whole heart. Believe in yourself more than anything else, as beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder! The moment you trust in your work, you will manifest the life that you wish to live.

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Recently, I had the pleasure of watching Clifford the Big Red Dog, a heart-warming movie that brought back fond memories of the lessons I’ve learned from dogs throughout my life. As I followed the adventures of this lovable canine, it reminded me of the invaluable wisdom and insights that dogs offer. From their unwavering loyalty to their infectious joy, dogs teach us valuable lessons that are undeniably useful in navigating the ups and downs of life.

Unconditional Love and Acceptance

Watching Clifford’s unwavering love and acceptance towards his human companions reminded me of the immense capacity of dogs to love unconditionally. Dogs don’t judge us based on our appearance, flaws or past mistakes. They love us for who we are, flaws and all, offering a powerful lesson in accepting others and ourselves with open hearts. In a world where judgement and criticism is prevalent, dogs teach us the importance of embracing others with love and understanding.

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