Category: Books

5 everyday things that bring me happiness

On By namitadashIn Books, Social, Uncategorized, Writing1 Comment
Daily writing prompt
What are 5 everyday things that bring you happiness?
View all responses

Amidst the chaos and rush of our everyday lives,
It’s easy to forget what makes our souls thrive,
But in the little things lies true happiness,
Here are five everyday things that can bring us bliss.

First on the list is a simple cup of tea,
Steaming hot and fragrant, a moment just for me,
As I take a sip, I breathe in the aroma deep,
My senses awaken, and I forget to even think.

Next up, a walk in nature’s loving embrace,
With each step, my worries seem to fade,
The gentle rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds,
All around, nature’s orchestra plays her tunes.

Then, a phone call or text from a loved one,
A message of care, a reminder that I’m not alone,
As I read their words, a smile creeps up my face,
Their love, a warm blanket, in life’s cold embrace.

Fourth on the list is music, a gift to our soul,
With each note, it transports us to a place whole,
Whether it’s upbeat or mellow, it sets our hearts free,
And for a moment, we can be whoever we want to be.

Last but not least, a good book to read,
A portal to another world, where our imaginations can feed,
As we flip through the pages, we become the characters,
And for a moment, we forget our own life’s theaters.

In these five simple things, lies happiness in disguise,
It’s up to us to recognize and cherish them, as life flies,
For when we take a moment to indulge in life’s small joys,
Our souls light up, and our hearts dance with joy.

To Kill a Mockingbird : A Timeless Classic

On By namitadashIn Books, Entertainment, Social, Uncategorized, Writing1 Comment

One of the top ten fiction books written by a female auther, “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Harper Lee and is a classic of American literature, tackling themes of racism, justice, and morality in the 1930s South through the eyes of a young girl named Scout Finch.

The phrase “to kill a mockingbird” is a metaphor used in Harper Lee’s novel of the same name. In the novel, Atticus Finch, one of the main characters, tells his children that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird. He explains that mockingbirds are harmless birds that only sing beautiful songs, and killing them would be cruel and unnecessary.

The metaphor is used to symbolize the innocence and vulnerability of certain people in society who are unfairly targeted and persecuted, such as Tom Robinson, a black man on trial for a crime he did not commit. Just as it would be a sin to kill a mockingbird, it is also a sin to harm innocent people who have done nothing wrong.

The novel is set in the 1930s South and follows the story of a young girl named Scout Finch, who narrates the story. Her father, Atticus Finch, is a lawyer who defends a black man, Tom Robinson, who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. The trial highlights the rampant racism and prejudice of the time, as well as the struggle for justice and equality.

One of the central themes of the novel is the exploration of racism and prejudice. Through the trial of Tom Robinson, Lee depicts the injustice and inequality that existed in the South during that time period. Atticus’s defense of Tom Robinson and his commitment to the truth, despite the societal pressures against him, are a powerful commentary on the importance of standing up for what is right and just.

Another theme that runs through the novel is the coming-of-age of the protagonist, Scout. As she navigates the complex social dynamics of her town, she learns important lessons about empathy, understanding, and the power of compassion. Her journey is a reminder that growth and change are possible, even in the face of deep-seated prejudice and discrimination.

Here are some excerpts from the book which are noteworthy –

  1. “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view – until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” – This quote, spoken by the protagonist’s father, Atticus Finch, emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in a world where people are quick to judge and condemn others based on superficial characteristics.
  2. “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” – Atticus teaches his children that courage comes in many forms and that standing up for what is right, even in the face of certain defeat, is the true measure of bravery.
  3. “Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ’em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.” – This quote is a metaphor for the innocent and vulnerable members of society who are unfairly targeted and persecuted, such as Tom Robinson, the black man on trial for a crime he did not commit.
  4. “Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.” – Scout, the narrator of the story, reflects on her love of reading and the transformative power of literature to expand one’s perspective and understanding of the world.

The novel’s impact has been significant and far-reaching. It has been praised for its powerful social commentary and its ability to provoke thoughtful discussion and reflection on issues of racism and justice. It has been translated into over 40 languages and adapted into a successful film, as well as a stage play.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of racism, justice, and morality are as relevant today as they were when the novel was first published over six decades ago. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, courage, and compassion in the face of injustice and discrimination.

PS: Would love to hear from all of you what books are you into these days. For me, i have started with all the classics and after reading them, i totally get why they are classics. Not just in literary terms, they have such an impact on society at large.

Let’s connect dear friends.

Ikigai: A refreshingly simple book

On By namitadashIn Books, Entertainment, Social3 Comments

I just finished reading the internationally acclaimed bestseller book “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life”

A sense of purpose and meaning in life is referred to as ikigai, a term that originates from Japan. “A reason for being” or “a reason to get out of bed in the morning” are frequent translations. The idea of ikigai has been more well-known in recent years, especially in relation to health and wellness. Héctor Garca and Francesc Miralles’ book “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Good Life” delves further into this idea and offers helpful guidance on how to locate your own ikigai.

The notion of ikigai and its cultural and historical relevance in Japan are introduced in the first chapter of the book. According to the writers, ikigai is essential to the traditional Japanese way of life and is associated with health and pleasure. The four pillars of ikigai are also discussed: what you enjoy, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can get compensated for.

Following that, the book offers helpful advice and exercises for locating your individual ikigai. You can learn more about your interests, skills, and values by using the questions and prompts in this document. The writers also offer advice on how to make tiny adjustments to your daily routine and develop goals in order to better align your life with your ikigai.

The book’s emphasis on the value of community and interpersonal relationships in discovering and pursuing your ikigai is among its most beneficial features. The writers discuss how traditional Japanese society places a high importance on communal solidarity and social cohesion. Also, they offer ideas on how to build meaningful connections with people who have similar beliefs and interests to you.

Throughout the book, the authors draw on the wisdom of traditional Japanese culture, as well as insights from modern psychology and neuroscience. They provide a fascinating and thought-provoking exploration of the concept of ikigai and its relevance to our modern lives.

To conclude, “Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life” is a highly recommended book for anyone interested in personal growth and well-being. Its insights and practical advice on finding purpose and meaning in life are both inspiring and actionable. Whether you are seeking to make small changes to your daily routine or to transform your entire life, this book provides valuable guidance and inspiration. So pick up a copy, find your own ikigai, and start living a long and happy life!

Pseudonyms

On By namitadashIn Books, Social, Uncategorized10 Comments

Did you know there is no Agatha Christie? Mary Westmacott is the real person.

Since ancient times, authors have concealed their true identities behind fictitious bylines by utilising pseudonyms. When their personal name would not have been regarded seriously at the time, some people want their work to be. For them, it is a matter of stigma. Others picked a nom de plume because they yearned to break out of the mould and adopt a new character because their writings were categorised or assigned to a particular genre.

Every tale relating to the decision and utilisation of a pen name is fascinating, even if there are numerous reasons why an author could adopt a name that is different from their own. Although the majority of these aliases are already well-known, there are still plenty that will surprise or interest you to learn.

Agatha Christie is well-known and adored for her unmistakable ability to craft intriguing mystery tales with a twist and a cast of well-known characters, including Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple.

But Agatha Christie chose to work under a pen name while she was a well-known mystery writer for a very straightforward reason. She intended to produce books about other topics, but she was aware that her admirers would always want her to write mysteries. Since Christie only published six books under the name Mary Westmacott, she had the opportunity to delve deeply into the field of human psychology, which is something that conventional Christie fans might not have anticipated from her own-name stories.

The pseudonym itself was picked with care. Agatha’s middle name was Mary, and the Westmacott surname was a common one. Surprisingly, it took close to 20 years for admirers to realise that Mary Westmacott and Agatha Christie were related. We have a lot more regard for what a skilled writer she was now that we know that these vivid and intuitive novels were written by the same person who wrote the Poirot volumes.

Here’s a list of authors who wrote under alias. Let’s talk about the stories behind their pseudonyms. Feel free to add to the list –

  1. Robert Galbraith – J.K. Rowling
  2. Mrs. Silence Dogood – Benjamin Franklin
  3. James Tiptree, Jr. – Alice Bradley Sheldon
  4. Flora Fairfield – Louisa May Alcott

The greatest writing pseudonym of all time is William Shakespeare. Although it would take an entire blog to write just a intro about him.

Interesting stories behind some popular Idioms

On By namitadashIn Books, Uncategorized14 Comments

I must accept, I did not study as much in my school time as I do now when I sit with my kids. At that age, study was only about somehow mugging up syllabus and get good marks. The study pattern was also not that inclusive of going deep inot the subject. Coming straight to the point, I came across some idioms from my daughter’s textbook and it was then when I looked for how these idioms have centuries old tales to tell.

By definition, an idiom is a statement that cannot be comprehended literally; instead, you must understand its meaning, which rarely, if ever, seems to have any logical relationship to the exact words employed. After all, how precisely does “raining cats and dogs” logically translate to “it’s raining pretty hard”? There isn’t.

There is no clear written history benhind this one but I did find some interesting backstories to few idioms. Feel free to comment if you have something to add to these or to the ‘raining cats & dogs’

1. Take a Rain Check

Believe it or not, the phrase has its roots in athletics, notably baseball in the 1870s. Back then, the relevant teams would reissue tickets for the postponed game if a baseball game was rained out. Rain checks are the names given to these tickets. By the 1890s, the expression had started to be used less literally, leading to the eventual outcome that we today use take a rain check in a variety of scenarios that have absolutely nothing to do with baseball.

2. Pardon My French

Another extremely popular phrase that really doesn’t make any sense objectively is “pardon my French.” This expression is typically used in conjunction with a “Oh, pardon my French” comment after someone curses. Naturally, whatever was just said was probably not said in French; it was probably just spoken in plain old English. Why then should one be sorry for their French? Because the original speaker of the statement was actually speaking French at the time. It seems that throughout the 1800s, it was normal for educated people to smuggle in a few French phrases. However, those with less education would have only been able to speak English, thus they would not have understood a word that was being spoken. The expression became more common as a result. Nobody appears to know exactly how we transitioned from saying “Pardon my French” when speaking in true French to saying it when swearing.

3. Saved by the Bell

In contrast to the previous idioms, there are a few distinct theories as to how this one came into use. The phrase “saved by the bell” is said to have its origins in the 18th century. There was a lot of worry about the prospect that someone would be mistaken for dead and end up being buried alive at this time. As a result, a mechanism was created to address this issue (which, by all accounts, may have had some basis in reality). With this method, a string was tied to the finger of the supposed victim and the other end was attached to a bell placed outside the coffin. Then a guard was posted nearby. The concept was that, should it turn out that the deceased was not quite as dead as everyone thought, they could still be able to move, which would sound the bell and warn the guard. Even while this is an intriguing story, there is a notable absence of supporting evidence.

4. Bury the Hatchet

Bury the hatchet is a traditional Native American practise. The chiefs of two rival tribes would actually bury two battle axes as part of a peace ceremony. Since all of the testimonies we have are from colonists, it is possible that this custom is even older than the earliest documents, which date back to the late 1600s. The oldest Iroquois mythology, which describes how the Five Nations united and marked the new peace by burying their weapons under a tree, is the closest thing we have to a Native American narrative. They picked a tree, though, that grew above an underground river, and as a result, the weapons were washed away. However, it is unclear how old this tale is. In any case, the phrase, which was initially only employed in relation to this ritual, gradually spread to other contexts.

5. God Bless You

Similar to the expression “saved by the bell,” there are several alternative origin stories for the expression “bless you.” According to one version of the legend, sneezing somehow exposed you to attacks from bad spirits. Therefore, you were essentially attempting to shield the individual who sneezed by blessing them. According to a different legend, the ban was instituted by Pope Gregory I amid a bubonic plague outbreak, which sneezing was one of the symptoms of. The pope rather understandably felt that, given the mortality rates associated with the bubonic plague, any chance for extra divine help was not to be passed over, and therefore encouraged the practice of blessing people when they sneezed. Yet another story contends that the custom evolved in response to a pervasive belief that the heart briefly stops when you sneeze. According to this story, the reason you bless someone is either to congratulate them on surviving the sneeze or to enable their survival in the first place. So which story is true? Uh. Well. We…don’t actually know.

Bonus :

A Shot of Whiskey – A drink of whiskey and a.45 calibre cartridge for a six-gun cost 12 cents each in the old west. Cowhands would frequently give the bartender a cartridge in exchange for a drink if they were short on cash. A “shot” of whiskey was later coined for this.