Prakash Kumar

🌟 The last day of 2024 feels like the perfect moment to pause and reflect on what has been an unexpected and transformative year. As I look back, I vividly remember the final week of 2023, entering 2024 with moderate enthusiasm and a sense of steady anticipation. However, the year unraveled in ways I could not have predicted, bringing challenges on professional, personal, and familial fronts from the very first week of January.  🎒 The year unfolded as a mixed bag of deep experiences and travel. There were highlights, including one international trip, three visits to Goa, several visits to Delhi, and journeys to Uttarakhand and Sikkim. Yet, these moments of travel and exploration contrasted with an overarching sense of internal reflection and reconciliation. 🛑 2024 became a "Pause Year" for me—a time of slowing down, both physically and mentally, to prepare for the next decade of life. It was a year marked by introspection, as I grappled with errors, unmet expectations, ...

Throughout history, civilizations, communities, and individuals have sought to uncover the true purpose of human existence. Rationalists, scientists, spiritualists, and religious leaders have all contributed their perspectives, resulting in a vast array of literature on the subject. Yet, a universally humane definition of the purpose of mortal human life remains elusive. Each entity endeavors to define it in its own unique way, varying widely across regions, communities, and individuals. Amid this diversity, a unifying thread has often been missing, leaving the multitude of definitions on the purpose of life seemingly disconnected. Recently, I came across the thoughts of Nick Cave, a multifaceted individual—a musician, songwriter, screenwriter, novelist, and actor—whose reflections seemed to serve as a connecting point, shedding light on the fundamental purpose and meaning of our existence. Cave delineates two essential pillars that lend meaning and purpose to our brief sojourn on this...

Throughout my life, I have found myself intrigued by some of the pivotal choices I have made almost on a whim, leaving them to fate and chance. This tendency is not limited to me but it is a common thread among those close to me and in general in the society at large—friends and family alike. We often plunge into decisions without much thought, especially the big ones like education or marriage or career which has far reaching consequences in one's own life, family and society. Recently, I have noticed this pattern among those I know quite well, and the swift outcomes surprised me. It led me to ponder life's unpredictable twists and turns. Yet, despite introspection, I haven't quite found clarity. The debate about fate versus our own thoughtful action in crucial moments lingers. Some advocate for relying on education and intellect,for clear thinking, taking opportunities, and having a definitive life vision.This viewpoint dismisses leaving things to chance or tradition, urg...