Are You Lonely?

Most of us are experiencing it, but silently. None else knows about the same. However, deep inside, we all know that it's happening. Because, we know, it's truth.

What's that, that we are experiencing but afraid to admit to even to self - forget about sharing with others within our circle of influence.

Often I wonder, do we really have a circle of influence in our lives now?

Well, read the following piece and absorb what you already know from deep inside.

"In today's hyperconnected world, loneliness has quietly become a global epidemic.

In 2025, nearly 1 in 5 people worldwide reports strong feelings of loneliness.

The numbers in India are even more striking—43% of urban Indians say they’re lonely, and rates are rising among both youth and older adults.

Why?

Urban migration, the breakdown of joint families, and digital “connections” that often fall short of true companionship all play a part.

Seniors and young professionals are especially impacted, with nearly 34% of elderly Indians experiencing social isolation.

The stakes are serious:

1. Loneliness increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline.

2. Chronic loneliness can harm our hearts and immune system—posing risks similar to smoking.

In India, the erosion of traditional support systems makes the challenge even tougher for the vulnerable.

What helps?

1. Prioritize real-life connections over screen time.

2. Join community activities or volunteering efforts.

3. Support elders—regular visits, calls, or helping them stay digitally connected.

4. Practice self-care & seek professional support when needed.

5. Open up honest conversations about mental health at home, work, and schools.

Bottom line:

Loneliness isn’t a personal failing—it’s a shared challenge we can tackle together. Every act of genuine connection helps rebuild empathy and community."

Having experiencing the same at the age of 63 years, despite being so busy through-out the day for running my own business, I can understand what just a few hours of loneliness in the evening for me means the whole day for those who don't have anything to do through-out.

I stay in a colony in Gurgaon. In the evening,  I meet retired people. Unfortunately, I sense a strong smell of loneliness and, frankly speaking, it's not an issue with only senior citizens.

Being a writer first, then an entrepreneur, I thought that it's my moral responsibility to highlight the onset of an pandemic much more devastating than Covid.

It's happening across all ages, all around the globe, like heart attacks. It's happening with our knowledge and it will continue, unless we initiate some corrective actions to minimize it at least.

Loneliness is the biggest threat to human existence and we must encounter it with right strategy.

This is a research oriented article, highlighting the facts that we either don't know or pretend not to know.

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3S Principles of Living A Meaningful Life

Sankalp, Siddhi, and Sanskar, together provide a powerful framework for making life meaningful, purposeful, and filled with joy and bliss.

Sankalp means a firm resolve or intention. When you take a sankalp, it gives your mind a clear direction and focus. This concentrated intention channels your mental energy, increasing your willpower and accelerating your progress toward your goals. Just as an arrow needs an aim, your actions need a clear sankalp to be effective.

Siddhi is the accomplishment or realization of your intention. When your sankalp is strong, sincere, and backed by consistent effort and devotion, it transforms into siddhi—your goal is achieved, and your life gains a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Sanskar refers to the positive impressions, values, and habits you cultivate. In Indian tradition, sanskars are life rituals and practices that shape your character, purify your mind, and help you grow spiritually and ethically. These values support your sankalp, making your pursuit meaningful and aligned with higher principles.

How to make life meaningful, purposeful, and blissful through Sankalp, Siddhi and Sanskar:

Set a clear sankalp for what you want to achieve or become—whether it’s inner peace, success, compassion, or any other goal. Let this intention guide your daily actions.

Practice regularly—affirm your sankalp during meditation, prayer, or even through hand gestures like Sankalpa Mudra, which helps balance your mind and brings stability and contentment.

Cultivate positive sanskars—adopt good habits, values, and rituals that reinforce your intention and keep you on the right path.

Stay devoted and disciplined—combine your resolve with sincere effort and devotion. This transforms energy into tangible results and brings joy and fulfillment in the process.

Experience joy and bliss—as your intentions align with your actions and values, you naturally experience a sense of contentment, positivity, and inner happiness.

In essence, Sankalp, Siddhi and Sanskar together help you focus your energy, shape your character, and manifest a life filled with purpose, joy, and bliss.

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Can AI Replace Human Recruiters?

Being an External Recruiter - and Published Author - for last 25 plus years, having attended a few AI Workshops recently, I am vehemently against using AI Agents for writing fictions.

However, there is no doubt that AI can be used to exponentially increase the productivity in every domain of life.

Talking about the role of AI in Executive Search and Recruitment, here is no doubt that it's changing the game for how companies find and hire talent. 

Frankly speaking, it's not just a buzzword anymore, but a powerful tool -- making hiring faster and smarter.

I did a quick research while going through a few relevant publications and the outcome is as follows:

Speed & Efficiency: 

AI-powered systems can review thousands of resumes and shortlist candidates in minutes, not days. 

This can cut time-to-hire significantly. It also automates rutine tasks like scheduling interviews and sending follow-ups, freeing up recruiters' time.

Smarter Matching: 

AI goes beyond keywords, using advanced analysis to match candidates based on skills and experience, reducing guesswork.

Better Candidate Experience: 

AI chatbots provide 24/7 answers to applicant questions and updates, making the application process smoother and more engaging.

Reducing Bias (When Done Right): 

If designed carefully, AI can help reduce unconscious bias by focusing on objective criteria like skills rather than subjective impressions. 

Data-Driven Decisions: 

AI analyzes vast amounts of hiring data to predict candidate success and optimize recruitment strategies, giving HR teams valuable insights.

However, it's not without its challenges. Here are some of these:

Bias Risk: 

AI systems can unfortunately learn and perpetuate human biases, if they're trained on unfair or unrepresentative data. 

Regular audits and diverse training data are crucial to prevent this.

Privacy & Ethics: 

Using AI for social media scraping or biometric analysis (like facial expressions in video interviews) raises significant privacy and ethical questions, leading to new regulations in some areas.

Lack of Human Touch: 

AI still lacks the emotional intelligence needed for cultural fitment assessments or deep conversations about a candidate's values.

This, in my opinion, is absolutely essential for leadership hiring.

To sum up, AI isn't here to replace human recruiters but to augment their capabilities. Particularly, for hiring senior level candidates, AI doesn't have much role to play.

Please share your take on this article in the comment box.

Reference material:

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Photo by Pixabay

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The Power of Control: A Personal Reflection on Performance and Engagement

Looking back across the decades of my professional journey, if I were to isolate the single most effective factor that enhanced my performance—it would be this: having a sense of control over my work. Not titles. Not perks. Not even compensation.

This isn’t just a personal observation, it’s backed by research in psychology and organizational behavior. In the words of Daniel Pink, bestselling author of 'Drive,'

"Autonomy—the desire to direct our own lives—is one of the three essential elements of true motivation, along with mastery and purpose."

When I worked in organizations that empowered me with the authority to solve problems, take decisions, and design my own path to results, I felt deeply connected to my work. I wasn’t just working in the system, I was working on it. I owned outcomes. I took pride in every success, and responsibility for every setback. It was in these roles that I delivered my best performance.

In stark contrast, I’ve also experienced the other end of the spectrum: years in an organization where, despite being accountable for results, I had no real control over the process. Every step needed approval. Every idea faced resistance. Over time, enthusiasm gave way to resignation. As Stephen Covey said in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:

“Accountability without control is not empowerment—it’s abuse.”

It taught me a critical leadership lesson: when you remove control from capable hands, you don’t just stifle creativity but dilute commitment. People disengage not because they lack competence, but because they lack ownership.

This aligns with what Edward Deci, a pioneer of Self-Determination Theory, wrote:

“When people are controlled, they tend to lose initiative and become alienated; when autonomous, they experience ownership and responsibility.”

In today’s fast-changing business world, building a culture of self-leadership is not optional—it’s essential. Leadership must go beyond traditional command-and-control models and adopt what I call a "trust-and-empower" framework.

Give people the tools. Give them clarity. Then give them control.

“Control is not about micromanaging people. It’s about giving them the freedom to take charge and the confidence that you trust their judgment.” – Anonymous

When leaders delegate authority with intention, magic happens. Engagement soars. Innovation flourishes. Teams become resilient, not just compliant.

Give them the Power of Control and watch the wonders unfold. I’ve lived it, and I can tell you this much: when people feel truly in control of their work, they don’t just perform better—they transform the workplace.

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Corporate Boss: A Nightmare?

Having spent 15 years in job with Corporate India, before becoming an entrepreneur, and few years with an extremely insecure and difficult boss to deal with, let me tell you that it demands a lot of courage and maturity to tolerate a continuous bombardment of both decent and indecent abuses and subtle insults directed from the opposite side.

This article is based on my own experiences, while working with one of the largest Indian corporations during early nineties. 

My boss was a science graduate and was insecured about a qualified engineer directly reporting to him. And also that of many others, who have been sharing with me their own sufferings.

Every evening I would return home soaked with insults and abuse and vowed to resign the next day. I couldn't. Because, I had to take care of my family. Self-respect surrendered to the reality of life. That was the time when I had decided to be an entrepreneur and it took 9 long years to materialise.

Dealing with an insecured and difficult boss can be a challenging and draining experience. I know it, because I had lived that experience and frankly speaking when I remember those years now, I just tell myself: What the 'Hell' was that?

Many employees find themselves in a situation where they have to navigate the delicate balance of maintaining a professional relationship, while also protecting their own well-being. 

It is important to approach the situation with a strategic mindset and utilize a variety of tactics to effectively handle a difficult boss.

One of the key aspects of managing a difficult boss is to maintain open and clear communication. 

It is crucial to address any issues or concerns directly with your boss in a respectful and professional manner. 

By expressing your thoughts and feelings in a constructive way, you can potentially resolve misunderstandings and prevent further conflicts from arising. 

Additionally, it is important to actively listen to your boss’s perspective and try to understand their point of view. This can help foster a sense of empathy and mutual respect in the relationship.

Another important aspect of handling a difficult boss is to set boundaries and manage expectations. 

It is essential to establish clear boundaries in terms of work responsibilities, communication protocols, and personal space. 

By clearly defining your role and expectations, you can avoid potential misunderstandings and minimize conflicts. 

Also, it is important to manage expectations by setting realistic goals and deadlines. This can help alleviate stress and pressure in the workplace, leading to a more harmonious and productive work environment.

Furthermore, it is important to practice self-care and prioritize your well-being when dealing with a difficult boss. 

It is crucial to take care of your physical and mental health by getting enough rest, exercise, and relaxation. By practicing self-care, you can build resilience and cope with the challenges posed by a difficult boss. 

In addition, it is important to seek support from friends, family, or colleagues who can offer guidance and advice. Having a supportive network can provide emotional strength and validation during difficult times.

Innovatively, one can also consider using mindfulness techniques to navigate the complex dynamics of a difficult boss. 

Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and cultivating awareness of one’s thoughts and emotions. By practicing mindfulness, you can develop a sense of calmness and clarity, which can help you respond to challenging situations with composure and grace. 

To add further, mindfulness can help cultivate empathy and compassion towards your boss, which can deepen your understanding of their behavior and motivations.

In conclusion, handling a difficult boss requires a strategic approach that integrates open communication, boundary-setting, expectation management, self-care, and mindfulness. 

By utilizing these different aspects, you can effectively navigate the challenges posed by a difficult boss and maintain a sense of professionalism and well-being in the workplace. 

Remember that you are not alone in facing a difficult boss, and it is important to seek support and guidance when needed. 

By employing a variety of tactics and approaches, you can effectively manage the complexities of a difficult boss and thrive in your professional career

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Sense Of Purpose In Life: An Inner Compass

A sense of purpose is not just a lofty ideal; it is the quiet compass that gives direction to our journey through life. It fuels our motivation, sustains us through challenges, and infuses our daily actions with meaning. Purpose transforms existence into experience and routine into ritual. It helps us answer the deeper questions: Why am I here? What is my life meant to contribute?

At the heart of it, purpose is the soul’s yearning to participate in something greater than the self.

Many great thinkers, philosophers, and spiritual leaders have spoken about this deep inner drive:

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate... to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it.” — Buddha

“Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.” — Viktor E. Frankl

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that... Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” — Howard Thurman

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” — Mark Twain

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” — John F. Kennedy

There is a deeper, spiritual dimension to this idea. Beyond ambition, goals, and even passion, lies the truth that we are not just bodies with minds—we are souls. And the soul, they say, is immortal. It travels through lifetimes, evolving, experiencing, and learning, until it integrates fully with the Ultimate Soul—the Source.

This life, this moment, this current station on your journey is not random. You are here now for a reason.

But how do we uncover that reason?

Mark Twain asked the question point blank: Why were you born? And even more piercingly—What for?

These aren’t questions that yield answers in a rush. They ask us to slow down. To get quiet. To look inward.

On a quiet day, when the noise of the world dims and your to-do list loosens its grip on your mind, find a moment for yourself. No screens, no distractions. Just you and your breath.

Sit in silence. Close your eyes. Let your thoughts drift by like clouds in the sky. Give yourself permission to just be. Then, when your mind is calm, ask:

• Who am I?
• Why am I here?
• What is my purpose in this phase of life?

Don’t strain for answers. Just listen. Feel. Notice what stirs within. Sometimes, the answers come as a feeling. Sometimes as a memory. Sometimes as a subtle whisper.

You might not get clarity in one sitting—but something will shift. Something deep inside will awaken and begin to guide you.

It’s important to understand that purpose is not always grand or fixed. It can evolve. What feels purposeful at 20 might change at 40 or 60. In one season of life, your purpose might be to care for a loved one. In another, to create. In yet another, to heal, teach, build, or serve.

Your purpose doesn’t have to make headlines. It only needs to make you feel alive. At peace. Aligned.

Purpose is not something you find like a buried treasure. It’s something you remember—and slowly uncover from within.

You are not here by accident. Your existence is meaningful. Your presence matters.

Feel free to share your thoughts or personal reflections in the comments—I’d love to hear what your soul says when you ask it: Why am I here?

Image by 巻（Maki） from Pixabay

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Lessons From Mother That Changed My Life!

"Mom, don’t leave me alone. Please! I’ll drown!" I cried out, panic rising in my chest as I clung to her hand in the middle of the pool.

That day, my mother decided it was time I learned how to swim. And she wasn’t going to ease me into it.

I was just a boy—seven or maybe eight years old—and terrified. Not just of water, but of the unknown.

This wasn’t a fancy, tiled pool like the ones we see today. Back then—several decades ago—some houses had large, pond-like pools. Ours was one of them. And that morning, it became my training ground and, as it turned out, the setting for some of the most powerful lessons of my life.

At first, she led me into waist-deep water, held my hand, and said gently, “Try to float.” I tried. Over and over. But each attempt ended the same way—me sinking and gasping, as she pulled me back up. I was frustrated and scared, and every part of me wanted to get out of that pool and never return.

But she wouldn’t let me quit.

Then, without warning, she grabbed the straps of my shorts and started swimming toward the center of the pool, dragging me along.

I panicked. “Mom! What are you doing?” I spluttered as water filled my mouth and nose. But she kept going.

Once we reached the middle of the pool, the deep end, she let go.

She looked at me in the eyes and said, “Son, from here on, you’re on your own. You have to swim.”

I couldn’t believe it. “Please don’t leave me!” I begged. “I’ll drown!”

She gave me a calm, reassuring smile. “No, you won’t. I’m right here. But now, you have to do this yourself.”

It felt like betrayal in the moment. How could she just leave me there, in the deep water, with nothing to hold on to?

I shouted one last plea: “What if I die?”

Swimming a few feet away, she replied softly, “You won’t. I’ll save you if you fail to float. But now it’s your turn.”

I had no choice. I kicked. I moved my arms. I tried to stay above water. It was messy and ungraceful, but something clicked. I didn’t drown. I swam.

It may have been just a few feet, but to me it felt like crossing an ocean. I made it to the edge of the pool, clung to the side, gasping for breath, but I had done it.

That day, I learned how to swim. But more importantly, I learned something deeper, something that my mother knew I was ready to understand:

1. Fear controls you if you let it.

2. Growth begins where comfort ends.

3. You have to fight your own battles.

She didn’t abandon me. She empowered me. She wasn’t being harsh. She was showing me that I was stronger than I believed.

Years later, if I find myself going back to that moment, whenever life throws me into deep waters -- when I’m scared, uncertain, or out of my depth -- I hear her voice, steady: “You won’t die. You just have to try.”

Image by hartono subagio from Pixabay

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Hope: The Engine Of Life

The foundation of our existence is hope. It is the invisible engine that keeps us moving toward our destination, even when the road ahead seems uncertain, lonely, or dark.

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” — Desmond Tutu

Talk about perseverance, persistence, patience, anything that drives us forward. All of these are fueled by one thing: hope for a better future in every domain of life.

When hope vanishes, life begins to crumble. Without it, we are lost. When hope dies, something inside us dies too, maybe physically, maybe emotionally, or sometimes both. That’s why, even in the harshest storms, we must protect and nurture our hope.

“Once you choose hope, anything is possible.” — Christopher Reeve

Hope is not just a fleeting feeling. It is a positive cognitive state, rooted in a belief that we can shape our destiny, through free-will, through planning, and through consistent action. It’s the inner voice that says: “You can do this. Just one more step.”

Even when we feel trapped in a long, dark tunnel, hope is the light at the end. It whispers, “There’s more to come. Keep going.” 

And yet, hope alone is not enough.

To bring our hopes to life, we must take massive and determined action. We must move, not just wish. That combination of hope and hard work is what turns dreams into reality.

“Hope is the companion of power, and mother of success; for who so hopes strongly has within him the gift of miracles.” — Samuel Smiles

Our goals may be material, or they may be spiritual. They may be simple or complex. But whatever they are, the formula remains the same: Hope + Action = Progress.

The purpose of this article is to reach out to anyone who has lost hope, or who is on the edge of surrendering to Destiny's Torture. Maybe life has been unfair. Maybe your silence has been too long and your suffering too deep. Maybe, like the man I once met whose pain went unheard, you’ve begun to think there's no way out. But, trust me, there is.

“Everything that is done in this world is done by hope.” — Martin Luther

Hope is not a luxury. It is a necessity. It is the first step toward healing, justice, freedom, and purpose. If you're struggling, let this be a reminder that you are not alone. You are not powerless. And your story isn’t over yet.

“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” — Tom Bodett

Hope is the foundation of a meaningful life. Protect it. Fight for it. Live it.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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How To Handle The Burden of Choices

This post is inspired by the following dialogues from a latest Netflix Web-series "The Better Sister:" "You bear the burden of your choices and you move on because sitting still will kill you."

Being an avid reader of printed books - for some reasons, I don't like digital reading - never, I had to regret that choice and that brings into limelight the importance choices we make through out our lives. 

There is no right or wrong choice at the time of making the decision about what's your choice. It depends on several factors, most of those are beyond our abilities to grasp the larger picture about the consequences of the same.

Bearing the burden of your own choices and still living happily is one of the most profound challenges—and also one of the most liberating achievements—in life. 

Here are my suggestions:

1. Accept Full Responsibility

Owning your choices gives you back your power. Don’t blame others, fate, or circumstances. You chose—and that means you can choose again. Say to yourself: "I made this decision, and I will deal with the consequences." Freedom begins where blame ends.

2. Forgive Yourself for Not Knowing Better

We all make choices with the wisdom we have at the time. You didn’t have perfect foresight, and that’s okay. Mistakes are part of becoming wiser, not proof of failure. “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” — Maya Angelou

3. Find the Meaning in the Pain

Pain without purpose feels like punishment; pain with purpose fuels growth. What did this choice teach you about life, people, or yourself? Can this experience help someone else if you share it? Viktor Frankl said: “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear almost any ‘how.’”

4. Turn Regret into Responsibility

Regret is just energy—redirect it toward something useful. You can’t undo the past, but you can shape what happens next. Use the lesson to make better choices moving forward. Don't let regret chain you to the past—let it be the compass that guides your future.

5. Redefine Happiness

If you tie happiness to “no mistakes,” you’ll never be happy. Happiness isn’t about perfection; it’s about peace with imperfection. It’s not about always choosing right—it’s about choosing to grow, regardless. Contentment comes when you stop punishing yourself for being human.

6. Practice Present-Minded Living

Dwelling on past choices keeps you trapped in a moment that no longer exists. Stay grounded in today. What can you do now? Let each small good decision be a way to redeem a bigger past one. “Yesterday is heavy. Put it down.”

7. Build a Life That Makes Peace With the Past

You don’t have to forget your choices—you just have to build something meaningful with them. Relationships, purpose-driven work, self-care—all these can become bricks in a new foundation.

You are not the sum of your choices—you are the sum of what you do with them.

Image by Kingrise from Pixabay

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Who Is The Controller Of Our Life?

In the 1980s, Benjamin Libet, a neuroscientist, designed a now-famous experiment. Here's how it worked:

1. Participants were hooked up to an EEG machine to monitor brain activity.

2. They were told to flex their wrist whenever they felt like it—with no pattern or external prompt.

3. Meanwhile, they watched a dot rotating on a clock face and were asked to remember its position at the moment they consciously decided to move.

What Libet found was stunning:

The EEG detected a spike in brain activity—called the readiness potential—up to 7 seconds before the participant reported the conscious decision to move.

This suggests the brain had already decided to act before the participant was aware of deciding.

What Does This Mean?

1. Your Conscious Mind Might Not Be the Boss

We like to think we make conscious decisions, but Libet’s study suggests our subconscious brain initiates actions before we become aware of them. Consciousness may just rationalize decisions after the fact.

2. Free Will Under Fire

If your brain "decides" before you're aware, is free will an illusion? Are you simply a witness to your brain’s impulses, governed by a force beyond our understanding?

Some philosophers and scientists argue that free will is more of a post-hoc narrative, constructed by the brain to maintain a coherent sense of self.

Later studies, using fMRI, have shown that researchers can predict a person’s decision (e.g., pressing a left or right button) up to 10 seconds before the person reports choosing. This pushes the limits even further.

The conclusion: You’re not the CEO of your brain—you’re more like a press secretary, explaining decisions made in the boardroom long before you entered.

Isn't it mind blowing? Does it mean that our decision making process, influencing life developments, is not within our control. Who is the controller then -- a trillion dollar question!!!

Photo by Rodolfo Clix

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