Happy new year 2026

Greetings, my fellow earthlings, 

as we welcome a glorious morning,

feeling inspired, some are tired,

from previous nights celebrations, 

and dreams, we hope of achieving. 

A new dawn illuminates the sky,

so, let us breathe refreshing air,

our future emerges on the horizon,

slowly, but surely guiding our fate,

toward the future envisioned. 

We are fortunate, to see this day,

provided with chance, to walk ahead,

when we commemorate the occasion, 

of symbolic completing full orbit,

and cycles of changing seasons. 

May we all find our purpose,

truly find joy and contentment, 

when we connect, when we interact, 

we could smile, we could laugh,

and embrace, with open hearts.

So, my fellow earthlings, 

I pray for your success in endeavors, 

where we could all come together,

learning, growing, enjoying our time,

for, it's a new year, to feel alive!

Happy Year 2026!

End of years

As I sit, being reflective, 

recounting & reliving experiences, 

as the month, coming to an end,

announcing arrival of coming year.

End of years...

A bittersweet feeling,

as I watch clock ticking, 

reminiscing memories, 

of how seasons have gone.

At the onset, there were celebrations, 

among families and associations,

with excitements & enthusiasm, 

I made plans and resolutions. 

There were some spontaneous acts,

of fulfilling wishes, made demands,

taking part in spiritual congregations,

experiencing faith in living form.

There's a comfort, in following routine,

I almost forget, the pleasure of exploring,

performing duties, pursuing interests, 

and time flies, before I even realized.

Still some days act as rude awakening, 

facing disappointments, random conflicts, 

provocative actions would rouse emotions,

my reactions, leaves regrets and lessons.

I almost come closer to achieve dreams,

fulfilling goals, that were long-standing, 

still circumstances not being favorable, 

making me let go, after some convincing.

Fortunately recent month been rewarding,

of meeting distant friends and relations, 

enjoying kingship, memorable moments, 

that were added into journal of life.

End of years...

When the night concludes, 

my thoughts resonate with gratitude, 

finding motivation to start the dawn,

making promises, as I strive...

To achieve my vision!

© Dr. Manish Rout 

Not many invest in dreams

Not many invest in dreams,

fearing losses of income streams,

when revenues define performances,

there's no future for altruism... 

We venture into dreamy shows,

of finding greens, glittery golds, 

elevating head, filling our pocket, 

attaining our definition of success. 

Yet, there are special beings,

developing passion for greater things,

finding solutions, to prevalent problems,

which no one wants to address. 

Everything starts with an idea,

finding purpose, contributing our share,

in mitigating risks, to our surroundings, 

threatened by human activities. 

For, they were appalled, from the conditions, 

faced by the weak, ignorant, & forsaken,

spreading across lands, even species,

they seek the cure, for every disease. 

Still, it becomes an arduous task,

without support, & strong backups, 

both financial and intellectual tools,

which could sustain, these initiatives. 

Ownership

For the ones with means,

it's another form of investing, 

while most people are striving,

to find a place, for peace & dignity. 

Ownership... 

It's like Game of Thrones,

constant battles for the possessions, 

changing hands, determining class,

influenced by shifting money & power. 

Stemmed from genuine necessities,

acting as motivation, for our activities, 

inspiring us to rise, aspire for a life,

building our dreams, along with hype. 

Yet, life alters, with changing time,

some have abundance, others deficiencies,

fuelling discontent, greed and envy,

unfair systems, poison our minds. 

So, let's be aware, understand the reasons,

reining impulses, make informed decisions,

not forget responsibilities, in hoarding rights,

providing opportunities, for others to strive...

Attaining their prized ownership!

Misokinesia

There are many among us,

feeling troubled, when someone fidgets, 

distracting, vexing, excruciating pain,

an invisible force making us strain,

putting psychological burden... 

Misokinesia... 

Hatred of movements,

getting triggered, by repeated movements,

negative emotions, take over the mind,

stealing our peace, over trivial finds,

affecting our normal lives. 

There are people, enjoy gatherings,

yet they fear, facing difficult times,

certain movements, catching eyes,

giving them stress, unable to avoid,

preventing them from social activities. 

Yet, research are in nascent stage,

there were theories going around,

of heightened visual-attentional sensitivity,

or 'mirror-neurons', coming to play,

by unconsciously empathize with fidgeter. 

Misokinesia... 

The sufferings are real,

some pronounced, most small,

still, every time we find it unkind

blame others, for nervous exercise,

there might be fault, in our mind... 

And, we are not alone!

Thinking about you

The days were fun & bright,

yet something missing inside,

as lips quivered, when I smiled,

like lump in throats, teary-eyed. 

Thinking about you... 

I was possessed, not momentary take,

reminiscing times, together we spent,

sharing stories, emotions & passions,

those open conversations without filters. 

Desires arouse, heart would ache,

yet my affections, gradually shaped,

cheering your dreams and wishes, 

over my yearnings or impulses. 

I cherished your company, 

etching those times in memories,

have found comfort, reliving days,

in the time of hardships & challenges. 

I seldom compliment your style,

being smitten, by beautiful smile,

yet, I admired, praising in whispers, 

words felt lacking, for me to describe. 

Thinking about you... 

It lightens my heart,

pouring tender feelings, 

these flooding of emotions,

and I long, for your presence. 

Dormant

Avoiding emotions, to resurface outside,

what was the reasons, for such drive,

he was a jovial person, seemed alright,

wound runs deep, no one realized, 

for, he is all laugh and smile,

beaming with confidence & pride,

he was the anchor, on the sides,

showing no signs, of hurt that lies. 

Dormant... 

In subconscious mind,

there are some causes behind,

for thoughts to be aligned, 

towards goals getting defined,

not with desires, but sacrifice,

when heart remains unsatisfied, 

yet, create a facade outside,

perceptions, of ones who resigned. 

Still, the yearnings remain,

beyond the rational brain,

which retains, all the strains, 

yet sustains, never complains,

and it piles, hibernates inside,

for the opportunities, it may find,

yet, discontent brew, as it grew,

spreading roots, through the psyche. 

Dormant... 

Trying to change surroundings,

not valuing personal requirements,

overthinking changes perspectives, 

affecting image & self-esteem...

Drifting apart

Drifting apart,

with passing times,

no longer we could stay,

for, the boat would sway,

unless we realize,

that we have strayed,

no longer prayed,

for each other's lives... 

And we make assumptions, 

have doubts and apprehensions, 

oblivious of the subtle signs,

of the cracks forming inside,

building anger and resentments, 

blemishes affection & respect,

and slowly stealing away,

memories of tender moments. 

Drifting apart,

falling into routines, 

using distractions as remedies, 

for a heart with longings,

since we have to survive,

protect honor, our pride,

so we suppress, and hide,

creating unnecessary divide.

Civil duty protests

There are times, certain conflicts,

that's local, yet affect communities,

when the affected, holds the positions, 

of carrying out essential services. 

Protests, a fundamental right,

but becomes a bane, in civil society,

when it involves, cessation of work 

causing disruptions & negative consequences. 

We have seen it healthcare service,

when they were unfairly targeted,

as they stop providing services, 

affecting thousands of patients. 

Being frequent, in transportation strikes,

or political protests, blocking the roads,

impacting adversely the daily commutes, 

innocent people, bear the losses. 

There were strikes of sanitation workers,

declining to collect household garbage, 

posing public hazards, uncollected wastes,

severely affecting daily livings. 

Civic duty protests... 

They want to express genuine grievances, 

yet, using withholding services as leverage, 

perceived as holding us public hostage,

for their issues, we bear the consequences. 

We tend to gravitate

We tend to gravitate, 

towards issues we could relate,

that created a strong influence,

on our choices and decisions. 

We might try to validate, 

understand reasons that dictates,

when we want to navigate, 

our circumstances & conditions. 

We tend to gravitate, 

towards interests which captivates,

finding connections that activates,

centers of bliss and pleasures. 

We might be overwhelmed, 

affecting our mental state,

forcing opening the gates,

of our swelling emotions. 

We tend to gravitate, 

selecting topics & subjects, 

sharing opinions & perspectives, 

as snapshots of our experiences. 

It does bring a unique touch,

yet, it's limited to our perceptions, 

so we explore, expand our vision,

seeking answers, to universal questions.

Find your calm

In a world of increasing storms,

forcing us to panic, raise the alarms, 

remember to carry, apply the balms, 

learn the ways, to find your calm. 

It's natural to feel overwhelmed, 

expressing emotions of your pain,

with justified anger or frustrations, 

waiting to erupt, like a volcano. 

Our feelings do have place,

yet, needs control, not haste,

raising thresholds of tolerance, 

being mature, not to break. 

So, learn techniques to overcome,

your impulses, to rush into reactions,

there are various coping mechanisms,

to relax mind, releasing the tensions. 

Mindful breathing or meditations,

physical exercises releases hormones,

while some delve in their hobbies, 

like games, music and recreations. 

Our lifestyle plays important role,

diet, exercises, and quality sleep,

spending time in nature's fold, 

works wonder in bringing optimism. 

So, implement these practices,

together with your relations,

identify & reduce stress exposures,

find your calm, paying attention!

Rejection sensitivity

There are times, we face rejection,

some accept, others create commotion, 

for, there's something deeper reasons,

which determines subsequent reactions. 

Individuals with heightened sensitivity, 

have deep-seated concerns to address, 

facing disappointments in their endeavors, 

makes them prone to negative perceptions. 

They get anxious, overthinking implications, 

feelings get intense, frequent anticipation,

adversely impacting their self-importance, 

taking personally, any contradictions. 

While most have inflated pride,

it could be signs of a weak mind,

lacking maturity to handle pressures,

or confidence to navigate challenges. 

So, be aware, of your response,

handle rejection, with better approach,

for, we might expose our vulnerability, 

damaging reputation, & relationships.

It's the business, my friend...

It's the business, my friend...

Driven by demands & trends,

where growth has no end,

while failures, might send,

most people into bankruptcy. 

The desire to rise is strong,

using any means at disposals, 

where profits define performances, 

and losses, were frowned upon,

while delivering the service. 

Conglomerates & enterprises, 

have enough to withstand debts,

but rising costs forces companies,

to shut shops or reduce qualities, 

of their products or facilities. 

There are influences of the greed,

exploiting the market supply chains,

artificially raise the price of items,

to fuel their gain for ambitions,

of expanding their trade networks. 

It's the business, my friend...

No more about following interests, 

earning enough for sustenance,

but a blind race to reach the top,

ignoring the fall, of time & money. 

Singing praises of one who succeed, 

while the fallen, looked with pity...

And the cycle goes on!