Happy 25th birthday, my love. It’s hard to put into words what it feels like to see you reach this moment — this beautiful, rich stage of life. Figure 1: Always stylish, Coit Tower, San Francisco I remember holding you in my arms, this tiny bundle of wonder, and even then, I knew there was something extraordinary about you. And now, here you are, independent, strong, thoughtful, radiant, and entirely yourself....
Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one’s self-esteem. That is why young children, before they are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily; and why older persons, especially if vain or important, cannot learn at all. – Utsav Mamoria As children, we learn constantly without questioning the process. Learning is simply our default state - we have no choice but to absorb new information and skills as we navigate the world....
Chants of “Happy New Year!” echo everywhere, and the TV is filled with celebratory shows. But what are we really celebrating? Is it the events of the past year or just the fact that we made it through another lap around the Sun? Honestly, I had to pause and reflect to remember what made this year special for me. The beauty of New Year’s is that it’s a globally shared moment for all of humanity....
My previous post is about finding my purpose, and I came up with a surprisingly simple and, in my opinion, profound way to find constant happiness. But what are some things I can do to achieve this purpose consistently? I am a believer in the slow, consistent, and exponential growth payoff of habits. So, what are some habits I can develop to keep true to my purpose? I ran across an amazing talk, You Are Contagious by Vanessa Van Edward, that offers tips and assistance on this very thing....
I had it all wrong. For years, I worked toward wealth and lavishness. I didn’t achieve those goals, but a little voice kept asking me, “Is this all there is to life? Make more money, spend more money? Isn’t this just an unending loop?” Growing older made things clearer. My body’s inefficiencies began to surface, and every excess was quickly punished: more alcohol led to disturbed sleep, rich food caused stomach issues, late nights brought bad mornings, and buying expensive things resulted in buyer’s remorse....
From a coding perspective, AI assistants are incredibly valuable. They generate code, save keystrokes, and are always available to answer questions without getting tired or impatient. These tools are widely accessible, offered for free on various platforms, and can even be downloaded with some limitations. The code they generate is often about 80% accurate, with the remaining 20% typically requiring minor adjustments. Rarely do I need to spend significant time debugging the output....
After moving into our new home, we faced the challenge of managing a large backyard and front yard filled with trees that constantly made the place messy. In December, we decided to remove the trees to create a cleaner environment, but now the yard feels a bit barren. We’re considering several ideas to enhance our outdoor spaces: Increase shaded areas for comfort during late mornings and afternoons. Install heating for enjoyable late afternoons and evenings....
Vacations are not just for sun-soaked beaches or thrilling adventures; they’re also unexpected havens for introspection. There’s something oddly romantic and comedic about the clarity that comes when you’re far from the grind of daily life. It’s during these moments, amidst the relaxed ambiance and the freedom from routine, that we confront truths we’ve sidestepped in the hustle of everyday existence. The Unlikely Classroom of Leisure Imagine you’re lounging on a hammock, a gentle breeze swaying you into a state of bliss....
I’m currently navigating the exciting journey of potentially co-founding a startup, grounded in my rich background as a software engineering leader. My passion lies in steering tech teams toward achieving their most ambitious dreams, all while fostering a culture of joy and collaboration. This is made possible through my knack for broadening perspectives on projects, making them more accessible and engaging for everyone involved. With a track record of building robust platforms, spearheading projects, and nurturing team growth across both sprawling corporations and nimble startups, my approach is holistic....
Reflecting on the adventures of the past year, it’s been nothing short of an emotional roller coaster. As the final chapter unfolds, it’s time to recount the highs, lows, and unexpected turns that marked the passage of time. The journey kicked off in January with a surprise 50th birthday bash orchestrated by Nidhi, setting the tone for a year of unexpected twists and turns. Despite the tumultuous rains, spirits remained high as friends embarked on a memorable trip to Vegas, creating memories to cherish....