Spirit

I spent the last few days in London at a family reunion. 40 people across 3 continents — it was fantastic.

Since our family is spread out, we do these once a decade (of course, with other events like weddings and birthdays). Yes, video + chat makes the distance feel smaller, but my goodness, nothing beats quality time in-real-life (IRL).

One of the blessings was spending time with some of our seniors (in their 80s!). It made me reflect on two things.

1. You don’t have to act your age, but your spirit. Their positive, loving attitude over multiple decades is inspiring.

2. If time machines existed, I would love to spend time with a younger version of themselves. What a treat it would be to share dreams, hopes, and fears in the early prime years.

Here’s to more happy memories down the road!

Peerless

With the Olympics kicking off today, I’m reminded of how exceptional people can be.

Many of us enjoy playing sports. A few of us may even play competitively and be good.

But seeing these athletes? It’s another level. A chosen few who represent their country in front of millions. Huge admiration for these folks to train for decades to be ready for their moment.

Truly peerless. I’m excited to watch!

Cuts

Conflict. An area I typically shied away from my life — by being either avoidant or passive.

It’s been a long journey to recognize the power of healthy conflict. When done wrong, it can create a painful schism that pushes away. But when done right, it can be transformative — a powerful savior that pulls together.

Writer and founder Shaan Puri, shared this great tweet:

Wow. Fantastic insight. A simple heuristic to measure how conflict is truly affecting your relationships.

Shaan writes: “99% means eventually the relationship decays to zero. 101% means it gets better and better over time.”

Good to reflect on your circle: Is it death by a thousand cuts? Or does it improve gradually over time?

Stronger

When I was younger, I used to daydream. When I finish X, things will get better. When Y happens, it’ll all be okay.

I looked towards the horizon, hoping things would magically “improve.” I believed that if all the pieces came together, life would get easier.

As I got older, I realized something else. Life is just… life. A messy blend with setbacks and successes. So, I’ve started internalizing the words of people I admire: It doesn’t get easier; you just get stronger.

Expertise & wisdom? It comes from decades of rising back up after falling. Daunting tasks that once felt insurmountable? They eventually get manageable with time— not because they’ve lessened, but because you’ve grown.

So honor your scars because they made you. And keep going! Everything you need is already inside you.

Merrily We Roll Along

I saw a fantastic play yesterday: Merrily We Roll Along. It stars Jonathan Groff, famous for his role as King George III in Hamilton, and Daniel Radcliffe, famous for… well, you probably know! (It recently won 4 Tony awards!)

The musical tells the story of three friends and their journey through life, success, and friendship. What makes it unique is that the story is told in reverse order, starting when the characters are older and moving backward to their younger days.

It made me reflect on the simplicity of friendship at the beginning. Most of us are on the same footing in our late teens and early twenties. Learning, working, etc. Shared commonality does wonders to underscore relationships.

But as life expands and the decades pass, things may change. Ambitions and goals reshuffle as new forces come into play. Not necessarily bad, but it tests the strength of your bonds.

A dialogue from the show I liked:

“Dreams don’t die, so keep an eye on your dream. And before you know where you are, there you are. Time goes by and hopes go dry, but you still can try for your dream. Oh, the friends who will live and believe like you needed a reason to love you. These are the friends, precious friends, and a promise to keep. Yes, these are the friends who keep.”

Tend to your garden of friendship! It takes work, but the bloom is worth it. 👨‍🌾✂️🌳

Fitness Kingdom

As I get older, I think more and more about my long-term health. How can I stay mentally and physically sharp for the decades ahead?

I’ve been following Dan Go, a fitness coach who helps folks age gracefully through the years.

I loved his 20 Fitness Rules (see below), especially his idea of a fitness kingdom resonated:

Cardio helps you live a long life. Resistance training helps you live a quality life. Sleep helps you recover & regulate hormones. Marry the 3 together for a fitness kingdom.

There’s no either/or — but a beautiful interplay. I’ve usually been focused on 1 or 2, but I must remember to bridge all 3. A good reminder!

Only a point

I’ve admired tennis maestro Roger Federer for a long time. With my dad, we enjoyed many matches where he would dominate with his all-court skills — combining power with finesse. (That one-handed backhand!)

Now, it was lovely to watch his 2024 Commencement Speech at Dartmouth. It's worth the watch in full, but I particularly liked this message: It’s only a point.

Federer dropped an eye-opening stat: out of 1526 single matches he played, he won 80% of the matches but only 54% of the points. On average, he lost every second point. Crazy to think - given the greatness he has commanded.

His advice was always to play the point with gusto. But when it’s behind you, it’s behind you. Whether an amazing shot or a horrible stinker, it’s one and done. Don’t give it any more energy - it will allow you to fully commit to the next point with intensity, clarity, and focus.

An excellent reminder. We’re going to lose a lot of points in life. But they are moments in time. Good to have a short-term memory but a long-term outlook.

“To me, a sign of a champion is not because they win every point; it’s because they lose again and again and have learned to deal with it. Move on, be relentless, adapt, and grow.”

13.1

I completed my first half marathon last month!

An arduous journey, but it was a proud moment to cross the finish line. After the race, I realized how welcoming and accessible the running community is.

If you move, you’re a runner. Everyone was welcome.

I saw people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, and statuses running together, including those with wheelchairs and visual/hearing impairments. Plus, thousands of people cheered you on — all wanting you to succeed.

It made such a difference: a daunting experience felt doable.

More than the journey

Returning from a wonderful holiday abroad, I was thinking about the classic quote: Life is more than the destination, but the journey.

Yes, the journey is worth it, but what’s even more satisfying? The company we keep on the path.

With our limited time on this planet, may we always be surrounded by loved ones who make it worth the trip!

Scenic Drive

I’m visiting Kashmir this week with Tanvi’s family. A stunning place — with emerald valleys, snowy peaks, and azure lakes.

As we’ve been driving around, it has made me appreciate the scenic drive.

Where one intentionally chooses to go slower. To take a longer and winding road by choice — much different than in our day-to-day where we push ourselves for speed and efficiency.

A welcome change of pace!

The Score

I’ve enjoyed watching the NBA Playoffs the last few weeks (and cheering on my hometown team - the Dallas Mavericks!)

Seeing the competition, emotions, and fire spill out on the court has been fantastic — must-see TV. As I’m watching teams duke it out, it reminded me of a quote from legendary coach Bill Walsh:

“The score takes care of itself.”

So much of the excellence we’re seeing is a meticulous plan built weeks ago. Plays, scheming, personnel, training, practice — all building up to present live for 48 minutes.

And the teams that continually work on their process—tweaking their plan, optimizing their craft, maintaining their discipline, and executing consistently—seem to win a lot more.

A good reminder of our focus on fundamentals. Victory will be waiting. 🏆

Cheap seats

I always admire people in the arena—those who choose not to watch but act.

Incredibly difficult to throw yourself in the spotlight. You’re at ground zero of the harsh gaze of the crowd. You’re subjected to their raw judgment — where they will chide, laugh, and point.

Few may like you, but many may not. So, what’s a way to process this experience? I saw a quote that made me chuckle: “Ignore the boos. They usually come from the cheap seats.”

Those in the back have the loudest opinions but the least at stake — they’re just here for the spectacle. They will never know what it takes, so don’t waste any extra emotion.

Focus on feedback from those who have been in the arena or deeply care about your journey.

Stay true to your vision, trust your process, and let the cheap seats fade into the background.

Love you anyway

One of the most reassuring parts of a relationship is the security. The idea that we’re both sticking around — even with life’s peaks and valleys.

No matter the mood. No matter the situation. No matter the circumstance. We will remain, and we’ll love each other anyway.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.”

P.S. Tanvi and I got engaged last weekend! We had a lovely celebration with family and friends. Feeling blessed and grateful. 🤍

A sense of place

I was reflecting on what it means to have a sense of place.

Of course, it can always mean a town or city, but it can also refer to smaller environments—such as a blooming garden, a comfortable bench, or a cozy cafe.

It’s built in any happy space where your heart feels at ease. In these chosen spots, we can be 100% ourselves in a sanctuary of solace.

This week, I am grateful for how this feeling extends to a romantic partner. When you’re with someone who feels like home, that is the best place to be. 🏠

Entitlement

I had coffee recently with my good friend Shreyas, and we discussed our goals for the year.

He had an illuminating thought: We aren’t entitled to outcomes, but only our actions.

Phew! What a great way to frame this. Any desirable achievement—accolades, victories, recognitions—is not a guarantee. We aren’t owed anything just because we worked hard.

But achievement is directly connected to our effort. And that’s our complete prerogative. We must fully take charge of the process—planning, executing, and adapting.

Success is never assured when sailing to a new destination—even with an exceptional crew or a formidable ship. So focus on the only things you can control: steering at the helm. 🚢

Values

I was reflecting on the idea of values this week.

It’s a life journey to find them, but even more so to commit to them. Upholding a value is the sincerest form of love for yourself and others.

You can’t 99% a value. Because that 1% of deviation makes the difference between a mere convenience versus a true ideal.

So, when it comes to values, a reminder to myself: be absolutely resolute—100% or nothing.

P.S. It’s my blog anniversary! 5 years of writing weekly. Thank you for being on this journey with me for half a decade.

Known

I came across this quote from Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti.

“One is never afraid of the unknown; one is afraid of the known coming to an end.”

Regularity and routine have given me comfort for most of my life. So when things changed — an abrupt end, a sharp deviation — it was difficult to manage the spike in anxiety. I could feel resistance in my heart when losing familiarity.

But as I get older, I am learning to loosen my grip and foster the trust I have in myself to manage any change that comes—planned or not. Less security, more serendipity.

Books

I’ve always been a slow reader. I thumb through the pages back and forth — or I daydream for a while about a character or a scenario. This means it can take months to finish.

I was amazed (and a bit sheepish) to learn how others can fly through books, even completing some in just a day. Was I missing something?

I saw this quote from educator Mortimer Alder on books: “In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.”

It resonated. Volume and speed are not the north star, but impact. So I need to focus less on how fast it is and more on how it feels.

Halved

I came across a lovely quote adapted from a Danish proverb: “A problem shared is a problem halved.”

How true. It’s easy to let our troubles brew in our heads—which can mushroom when we stay silent. But a small act of courage to reach out to a loved one — “I am struggling” or “I need help” — can do so much good to ease the burden.

With myself, I’ve noticed I can slip into self-reliance shame. “Shouldn’t I be able to figure this out?”

And if I muster something, it’s a version of polished pain—where I layer in deflectors: “It’s fine” or “It’s all good” when that could be further than the truth. It’s something I continue to work on telling how it is, not how it should feel.

A reminder to myself: Less lone wolf. Don’t shoulder it alone!

Lunch

My company moved to a new office last week—a beautiful space in Chelsea. As our team settles into the new digs, we’re all starting to come in multiple days.

Something new: we have an area for lunch. Around noon, many folks come to sit and chit-chat. Even if it’s for 10 minutes, I realized how wonderful it is to shoot the breeze with colleagues informally.

As I reflected, it’s been increasingly difficult to get a regular group of people to meet every day, especially after Covid. I was nostalgic about my school days.

Every weekday, you would sit with your friends in the cafeteria for almost an hour. Just hanging, chatting, laughing. No calendar invites + scheduling conflicts. And you felt excited to go to school to see your people. The learning was a bonus :)

It made me appreciate how much a consistent, accessible community can restore us. Even if things aren’t as simple anymore, a good reminder to seek out (and plan) ways to connect.