The Quiet Pulse

After four days in Goa, wrapped in the peace of the ocean, I boarded my flight back to Mumbai. I wasn’t ready to return to the noise—the traffic, the rush, the endless movement. But life moves forward whether we want it to or not, so I took my seat and stared out the window. I was sitting right above the wing. I’ve flown so many times before, but I’d never really paid attention to the winglet —that small, vertical fin at the tip of the wing. This time, something about it caught my eye. The Observer at the Edge As I watched it, I imagined it wasn’t just an object, but a person. A person standing at the very edge of the plane—detached from the passengers, separate from the noise inside, yet still an essential part of the journey. An observer. They don’t get involved in the conversations or the small stresses of the passengers. They’re not caught up in the turbulence of what’s happening inside the cabin. Instead, they just watch. They stand still, feeling the wind rush past them, l...

A few weeks ago, at the start of November, my wife and I took a cycling trip through Englischer Garten in Munich. The trees were putting on their best show—reds, oranges, yellows—like they knew their time was short and decided to go out in style. Leaves crunched under our wheels, the air was crisp but not yet freezing, and for a moment, everything felt perfectly in place. *Picture of my wife while biking in Munich It made me think about seasons and life. In India, where I grew up, we don’t have such distinct seasons. But here in Europe, you can literally see the life cycle of a tree condensed into a year. And when you look at it like that, it’s hard not to compare it to our own lives. The Four Seasons of Life If you look at trees, their journey through the year is basically our journey through life: Spring = Childhood – A time of rapid growth, curiosity, learning, and discovering the world. Summer = Youth  – We’re in full bloom, strong and thriving, focused on work, relati...

Sunday walks with my wife are a thing. It’s our way of unwinding, and she always chooses the woods. Living in Munich, we’re lucky to have beautiful forest areas nearby, and walking through them has become a quiet little ritual for us—somewhere between a habit and a reset button. A couple of weeks ago, we were out as usual, talking about our week, life, and random things, when we came across a small wooden bridge over a canal—just a quiet stream branching off from the Isar River. The bridge itself was simple but beautiful, with a few locks attached to its railing. It wasn’t a famous spot, just one of those places you stumble upon and instinctively pause at. We stood in the middle of the bridge, watching the water flow beneath us. On both sides, trees leaned over the stream, their branches hanging low, almost touching the water. Almost. Most Relationships Are Like Those Trees Looking at those trees, it struck me how similar they are to the people in our lives. Most of the branches w...

In September 2024, we drove 3,600 km across the U.S. West Coast. From the winding roads of the Pacific Highway to the towering cliffs of Yosemite, from the scorching emptiness of Death Valley to the vastness of the Grand Canyon—it was a trip filled with stunning sights and long stretches of open road One particular moment stuck with me. My wife was driving through Death Valley, and I was just sitting in the passenger seat, watching the road stretch endlessly ahead. It was in that silence, with nothing but the hum of the engine, that a thought hit me: Life is like a road trip. The Destination vs. The Journey Most of us are fixated on the destination. Once I lose weight, I’ll feel confident. Once I find the perfect partner, life will be complete. Once I have everything figured out, I’ll finally be at peace. But just like a road trip, life isn’t about reaching the end—it’s about what happens in between. The little stops, the random roadside cafes, the unexpected detours. There a...

Are we all just running on a hamster wheel? This post explores the endless chase for success, money, and happiness—and how to step off the wheel and truly live. If you step back and look at life from a distance, it’s hard not to see it. Billions of people, running. Some fast, some slow, but always moving. Like hamsters on a wheel. Each person has their own wheel. Some are chasing money, some chasing success, some chasing experiences, material things, relationships, or recognition. But the pattern is the same—running, always running, because that’s just what everyone else is doing. And yet, no one ever really gets there . The Illusion of Arrival If you ask someone why they’re running, the answer usually sounds reasonable: I just need to hit this next career milestone. Once I buy this, I’ll be happy. If I travel more, I’ll feel fulfilled. But here’s the thing—when they finally get it, the wheel doesn’t stop. The satisfaction lasts a moment, maybe a day, maybe a month. And then? ...

I’ve lived in Germany for six years now. I love my life there, but I miss Indian food, my family, and the warmth of home. Every trip back is a mix of excitement and exhaustion—seeing a hundred relatives, fitting a year’s worth of catch-ups into a few days, running on little sleep and a packed schedule. This time, I decided to do something different. I was in India for a wedding, and instead of rushing from one event to another, I carved out four days just for myself. I booked a solo trip to Goa. I’ve always loved Goa. Back when I lived in India, I’d come here almost every year—the beaches, the food, the slow, easygoing vibe. It felt like the right place to pause, even if just for a little while. Walking Into the Present So here I am, in Mandrem, walking barefoot along the beach. It’s 6 PM, and the sun is low, throwing golden light over everything. The water is at my ankles, cool and steady, and I walk with no particular direction, just following the waves as they come and go. At first,...

  I turned 35 last year, and for some reason, that number hit differently. Not in a midlife-crisis way—no red sports car or sudden urge to hike the Himalayas—but in a quieter way. Like a small nudge from life itself, asking: "Are you actually paying attention?" Because when I look around, I don’t think we are. Not really. Are We Actually Present? Most of the time, we’re somewhere else. Our minds are caught in the endless loop of emails, notifications, work stress, or whatever’s happening on our screens. I see it everywhere—people refreshing their phones at dinner tables, rushing through their days, rarely stopping to just be. I’m guilty of it too. I’ve spent too much time worrying about things that won’t matter in a year. Too much time lost in my own head instead of appreciating what’s right in front of me. But then there are these moments—small, weightless moments—where everything just is. The Thoughts That Come When You Slow Down When I actually slow down and stay in the pr...