Mental accounting

It's like a paradox,

that many of us gravitate, 

spending large in luxuries, 

but refuse to pay more,

for everyday conveniences. 

Mental accounting . . .

We divide our money,

into separate mental buckets,

rationalizing high spending,

allocating in special places,

while extra fees for comforts, 

flagged as bad valuation,

for, it exceeds our expectation, 

of benchmark prices.

So, we try to negotiate, 

finding ways to circumvent,

putting pressure on self,

to take the advantage, 

feeling joy & satisfaction,

from saving our wealth,

not knowing the realities, 

of it bringing minor change.

Still, we remain frugal,

habit of building wealth,

which doesn't matches,

our financial strength,

that influences choices, 

forming core identity traits,

our brain judges price relatively, 

irrespective of purchasing power.

( Example : 100 rupees is 1/5th of 500,

While 1/50th of 5000, so, saving from first feels satisfying)

We walk away

Even in our desperations, 

we make difficult choices, 

letting go of our wants,

for better alternatives, 

or just shield ourselves, 

from perceived injustice.

We walk away . . .

From excuses to avoidance, 

confessions made, left to chance,

there are ways, we choose rejections, 

taking initiatives, forcing other person,

to retain our sense of control, 

or fear of treading into the unknown.

Maybe we seek familiarity, 

that was built over the time,

even in our misfortunes, 

it gave us comforting vibe,

sudden changes threatens,

we need it to be gradual.

Yet, everyone have their expectations, 

instant results or proof of convictions, 

getting weary of constant striving, 

carrying burden of our shortcomings,

each setback creates conflicts, 

between desires & personal values . . .

And we walk away.

Soak in the view

You need to feel renewed,

weary of being subdued, 

for every stumble, setbacks,

casting a shadow, spoiling mood,

and disturbing, your tranquility. 

Soak in the view . . .

Watching greeneries from balcony, 

gazing at the sunrise or sunsets,

or sitting on the bench to enjoy,

sceneries of mountains & oceans,

just the outskirts, or countrysides, 

whatever brings you some joy.

How much strong you want to be,

there are times, you have to leave,

holding to anger, disappointments, 

consumes energy, fuels bitterness, 

while your ambitions, far to reach,

strains body, draining vitality.

So, take a pause from striving,

for dreams, emotions, & duties,

there's more to learn from world,

when we widen our perspectives, 

looking beyond hurt, our expectations, 

that clouds mind, narrowing vision . . .

Stopping us from seeing,

beauty of our surroundings!

They are our guide

It's a divine calling,

to spread virtue of learning,

instilling values & wisdom,

through various disciplines.

They are our guide,

the love of our parents,

concerns from families, 

conversations with friends,

interactions and meetings,

listening to the news,

observing natural surroundings, 

every moment is a lesson,

if we become receptive.

So, we revere this noble profession,

of teaching knowledge and lessons, 

opening path of enlightenment, 

dispelling the fog of our ignorance, 

we learned focus and discipline,

of understanding depth of subjects,

building foundations with basics,

ensuring full comprehension.

They are our guide,

forever indebted to their service,

so we celebrate their presence, 

through our learning journey.

Happy Teachers Day 🙏 

Crying wolf

We have heard the story,

of a boy who cried wolf,

to trick concerned villagers,

about the danger that looms,

making them panic & scramble,

as he found pleasure from the act.

Yet, when actual wolf appeared,

villagers ignored distressed call,

for, they take it as another prank,

being tired of his shenanigans, 

and he cried, and he screamed,

watching his flock destroyed. 

Crying wolf . . .

He bore the consequences,

of repeatedly raising false alarms,

which were distant from realities,

bringing trouble to caring hearts,

losing credibility in the process,

just for gathering attentions. 

Let us learn the wisdom shown,

not make light of serious situations, 

our integrity is dependent on conducts,

through honest voice, sincere dedications, 

we add weight to our voices,

making people attend to the concerns.

You are the savior

You are the savior, 

illuminating our mind,

from childhood stories,

to song of the wise,

each action inspires,

making us realize, 

path of enlightenment. 

A childhood with struggles,

facing challenges head on, 

while sharing cheer & joy, 

with your adorable mischiefs, 

sometimes scolded & punished, 

still have infectious smile,

playing flute to mesmerize.

Youthful days were colorful, 

closer to nature, with cattle, 

saving others from troubles,

preparing for bigger battles,

a journey of fulfilling promises,

saving people from dangers,

still detached, from holding power.

You are the savior, 

a guide to us ignorants, 

confined to worldly distractions, 

you cleared doubts & confusions,

when we surrender to your grace,

we attain profound bliss,

receiving your blessings. 

Shri Krishna, 

show us the light,

Be our friend, teacher & family, 

A path to the divinity. 

Happy Janmashtami. 🙏 🕉 

Voice artists

We have encountered, 

stories from foreign lands,

or animated characters, 

being voiced by our own,

breathing life into them.

Voice artists . . .

They are of different breed,

pouring heart into the scenes,

to fulfill our expectations, 

of experiencing emotions,

through their performance. 

A story need human connection, 

providing deeper understanding, 

to resonate with the audiences,

the excitements or hesitations, 

through changes in vocalizations. 

It needs practice, true dedications 

consuming energy, build tensions,

to add qualities, creating personal,

with distinct speech patterns & quirks, 

driving the pace of the narratives. 

It might be difficult to express, 

when there are cultural influences, 

acting as barriers or ignorance, 

to let the emotions translate,

depth of the performances . . .

And be both efforts entertaining, 

and sincere representation!

Thrill to drive

If one gets the freedom to drive,

Enjoy the thrill of racing some bike,

They might feel themselves as heroes,

Having the power to chase winds,

But in reality they are reckless,

Risking life for getting high,

No one trusts such persons,

Whose thought process is,

Blowing own horns,

Using chances to run away, 

Rather than to drive responsibly, 

Protecting self & surroundings, 

And reach their family.

Inflation

Does it supply and demand mismatch, 

that drives the present equation,

or something more controls,

the flow of the valuations?

Inflation . . .

Our country is reeling,

moving towards disaster,

as normal ways of living,

are facing major disruptions. 

So, I pondered upon reasons,

from regional to global situations, 

which affects our necessities, 

be it food, commutes & housing.

Earlier things were gradual,

limited to commodities & partial,

but things changed post pandemic, 

exacerbated by geopolitical tensions.

There's surge in crude oil & shipping costs,

impacting imports, increasing retail prices,

while labor shortage & wage pressures, 

reduces profit margins, causing bankruptcy.

And we shift towards newer practices,

being sustainable, promoting conservations, 

measures like ethanol manufacturing,

putting undue pressure, on the supplies. 

Inflation . . .

Economy in downward slope,

eroding our purchasing power,

with real estate compounding problem,

consumer faces an uphill task.

Wondering, if the price ever falls!

Roadside amenities

With the advent of highways,

there's an increase in mobility,

upgrading roads for modern vehicles, 

for better & comfortable travels.

Yet, there are many obstacles,

quality issues to deterioration,

dangers of vulnerable stretches,

discouraging journey after dusk.

Roadside amenities . . .

It's something many drivers want,

which covers their necessities,

from food, shelter, toiletries, parking,

finding support, in some emergencies.

We have higher population density,

but they are limited, in towns & cities,

having scattered dhabas, & tea stalls,

nothing organized, lacking sanitation. 

Still, there's hope, with programs, 

of mitigating concerns, building WSAs,

to provide space, for people to rest,

allow drivers to stretch, regain alertness. 

When accompanied by infrastructures, 

of charging, repairing, security & toilets,

they build confidence, encourage travels,

by lowering the risk of their journeys.

Roadside amenities . . .

They are the need of hour, 

might bridge urban-rural divide,

promoting tourism, helping businesses, 

providing direct & indirect employments.

WSA : Wayside amenities (every 30-50 kms)

Time slips

Reading urban legends, 

popularized in certain sections,

I was intrigued by incidences,

experienced by many people,

while following routine life,

being transported to places,

which belong to different era,

of historical pasts, or future events.

Time slips . . .

It's something unexplainable,

anomalies faced by people,

visiting medieval style houses,

stepping into alternate realities, 

while traveling in usual paths,

in the crowds, deserted lands, 

reporting brief, disorienting shifts,

as if perceptions playing a trick.

Yet, the majority of such occurrences,

happens in western countries,

making me baffled, being puzzled,

wondering reasons for prevalence,

cultural influences, population density,

or mind creates paranormal activities, 

due to popularity of the narratives, 

collective delusions, strengthening beliefs.

Time slips . . .

Something still feels off,

with mounting of evidences, 

of people having precognition, 

or with accurate past visions,

were they hoaxes, mere illusions, 

or resonating with higher dimensions, 

as the mystery intensifies,

I raise more questions!

Cuteness of predators

Have we ever noticed,

distribution of our love,

when we adore animals,

be it children or adults,

for, most of us gravitate, 

towards the predators. 

The calf, chick, fawns,

have endearing features,

but antics of pup & kittens,

just steals our heart,

a fondness that persists,

even when they got older.

For, it's evolutionary wiring, 

affecting human psychology, 

getting tricked by facial features, 

which were closer to infants,

forward facing eyes, high forehead, 

involuntarily trigger nurturing instincts. 

The predators are more expressive, 

using flexibility of facial muscles, 

while rounded, padded paws,

reminding us of our hands,

adding their mischiefs & plays,

practice hunting skills . . .

But we are slain!

Every animal have their cuteness,

still, predators have us fascinated, 

by their curiosity, by their fierceness, 

stripped of its dangers,

to become our playmate.

Nature vs nurture

Is it our nature that dictates,

engagement with certain subjects,

or our character is determined,

by nurturing of specific interests. 

For, we have our temperament, 

innate qualities existing from birth,

being promoted by our guardians,

and influenced from environment. 

Yet, there's also external factors,

from peers to changing circumstances, 

curiosity, setbacks, developing interest,

gradually molding person's traits.

When over-investing in specific domains,

we start adopting cognitive frameworks,

narrowing our perceptions of reality,

reducing thresholds of impulsiveness. 

Yet, we can't discount base nature,

our core drivers, determining preferences, stimulus triggers latent predisposition, 

our immersion acting as the catalyst. 

Nature vs nurture

There's no single answer,

it's a dynamic feedback loop,

deciding shift of behaviors, 

or lack thereof.