to, Tokyo!!

Nearly two springs ago, I stepped into Tokyo, chasing something intangible—something hidden in time and space. Now, two years have passed, and as I sit down to write, I realize this city didn’t just happen to me—I happened to it. If I step back and look from a distance, though only a week has passed since I left that cozy room, I see myself clearly: relentless, restless, reaching for everything at once.

In these two years, I did so much. Another graduation, night shifts at part-time jobs, drifting through a sea of unfamiliar faces, soaking in knowledge, and pushing forward with an urgency I could barely comprehend. It was an intense, unforgiving stretch of time—one that changed me in ways I am still uncovering. And though I am just a 30-minute ride away, I already feel the absence of Tokyo settling in. I miss the air, the never-ending flow of people, the endless lights, the food, and the way time felt different there.

Tokyo gave me stories—too many to count. The late-night walks through neon-lit streets, when the world felt like it was holding its breath. The ramen shop on the corner where I sat alone at first, then later with friends, laughter filling the air along with the scent of broth. The bookstore in Jimbocho where I spent entire afternoons, losing track of time as I flipped through pages of forgotten poetry. The train rides—sometimes silent, sometimes filled with voices that became familiar. The rainy evenings when I stood at a crossing, watching headlights reflect on wet pavement, feeling like I was inside a movie whose ending I hadn’t yet seen.

In my last week in Tokyo, I finally visited Tokyo Tower. The opportunity had presented itself countless times before, yet I never went. I don’t know why. Maybe I wanted to leave something undone—a reason to return. But when I reached the top, I didn’t just see the city; I saw my childhood. As a child, I had only known it through anime, newsletters, and stamp papers. I never thought I would stand before it—not like this. But here I am, walking forward, carrying every version of myself within me. And as my dreams grow bigger, as my ambitions stretch further, I owe it to my younger self to see them through. After all, it was me who dreamt them in the first place.

Tokyo was more than just a city; it was a timeline, a chapter, a feeling. I made friends whose paths may never cross mine again. I laughed, I struggled, I lived. There aren’t enough words to thank the people who shared those fleeting moments with me, but perhaps that’s the beauty of it. Some things don’t need words—they just exist in memory, in the spaces between then and now.

And so, I move forward. Not away, but onward. Tokyo will always be a part of me, in ways I have yet to understand. But for now, all I can do is take a deep breath and keep going.

To conclude this journey: It’s time to start living. Life is the greatest miracle to have ever happened. Look up at the sky and witness a masterpiece—billions of stars burning in silence, planets drifting among them. Look around and realize that you exist on the only one that breathes. Now, take a look in the mirror and understand that what you see is the greatest work ever created. We only get so much time to experience this life, and certainly not enough to do anything half-heartedly. If you’re going to do something, do it. If you have a dream, a vision—pursue it fully and embrace the journey that comes with it. So what if you get lost or fail? You learn, you find your way, you persevere. Because it is in that process, in that journey, that true living happens. And yes what I lost was never mine, but what you lost was only yours. Peace!!

Moving On!!

There are endless ways to live your life—limitless opportunities waiting to be embraced. That dream of yours? It’s not unrealistic. You are not foolish for believing in it. The only thing standing between you and that dream is you. Too often, we let fear and doubt hold us back. But the moment we release those fears and take action, we step closer to making our vision a reality.

It won’t always be easy, and that’s okay. The journey may be challenging, but it will be worth every effort. With each small victory, each step forward, you will find yourself more determined, more inspired to keep pushing. Success is not a single defining moment—it is the product of daily effort, discipline, and unwavering perseverance.

Some days will be tough. Some days, even getting out of bed will feel overwhelming. But if you rise, if you show up for yourself, if you pour your heart into your dreams, failure will never be an option—unless you choose to walk away. The only true defeat is in giving up.

So if you are striving for a life of purpose and fulfillment, give it your all. Believe in yourself, push through the struggles, and never let go of your dreams. Because in the end, persistence is what shapes success through deliberate practice, cognitive resilience, and an unwavering commitment to one’s aspirations. The path to fulfillment is neither linear nor effortless, but it is a dynamic process of refinement, adaptation, and intellectual growth. Every challenge encountered serves as an opportunity for self-discovery and skill enhancement, reinforcing the foundational principle that perseverance and strategic action ultimately dictate the trajectory of success.

So, here’s to the beginning of a new season—one filled with growth, determination, and the courage to chase what sets your soul on fire. Let this be the chapter where you step boldly into your purpose, unafraid and unstoppable.

————

Dear Me,

I am so sorry. I’m sorry for carrying the weight of the world when your own hands were trembling. I’m sorry for not giving you the time to heal, for asking you to mend the wounds of others while you were still bleeding. I’m sorry for the days when even smiling felt like a burden, yet you forced yourself to laugh so no one would worry. I’m sorry for giving so much of your love and energy to those who never returned it in the same measure.

You deserved kindness. You deserved rest. And most of all, you deserved the same love and care that you so freely gave to others.

But now, it’s time to choose yourself. To heal. To grow. To become everything you were meant to be. Because you are worthy of joy, peace, and a life that lights up your soul.

So step forward with strength. Embrace the journey ahead. And above all, never forget—you are enough. Peace!!

The Door That Waits!!

When I was a child, my mother shared with me a lesson as tender as a lullaby, yet as lasting as time itself— “Never close the door immediately after someone steps out.”

At that age, I didn’t question it. I just followed her words, the way children do, believing in the quiet wisdom of their mothers.

Years passed. I grew up, forgot many lessons, but not this one. Even now, when someone leaves, I pause. I watch as they walk away, waiting until they are far enough before gently shutting the door—softly, so softly that the sound never reaches their ears.

Some goodbyes are easy, like closing a door behind a guest who will return. But some goodbyes carry a weight that stays. There are people we wish we could hold on to for just a little longer, people who leave behind echoes in the spaces they once filled. Yet time, relentless as ever, pulls them away from us. And so, we let go.

Even then, in those moments of parting, I still wait. Not to stop them—because some departures are unavoidable—but to see if they turn back, if their eyes hold a quiet yearning, a whisper of “Stay a little longer.!!”

And on those days, I don’t close the door at all. I simply stand there, watching them walk away, carrying with them a piece of my world!! Cheers!!

realization!!

Some people take the softest souls and make it hard rock. They push and push, testing limits, mistaking kindness for weakness. And when that sweetness turns bitter—when the hurt finally speaks—they call it crazy, call it toxic. They point fingers, forgetting they were the ones who lit the fire.

But here’s the reality: Every reaction has a root. Every flame starts with a spark. You can’t blame someone for defending what’s left of themselves, for refusing to be disrespected any longer. Sometimes, breaking is the only way to survive.

I used to think that love was about giving everything you have. So I gave it all—I showed up, I stayed late, I listened, I poured every part of me into something I thought would last. I believed that love meant holding nothing back, that if I just tried harder, stayed longer, maybe love would stay too. But love isn’t about exhausting myself to keep something alive. It isn’t about proving your worth or sacrificing and break into pieces, just to be enough.

Love is about growing together, and I was so busy trying to make it work that I didn’t see how I was falling apart. I convinced myself that I had to hold on tighter, that letting go meant failing. But the truth is, love isn’t a debt to be repaid or a battle to be won. It’s not something we can possess or force to stay. Love is more like laughter, like sunlight—beautiful in its existence, even if it fades.

So now, I don’t hold on so tightly. I give what I have, but I no longer beg love to stay. And if it leaves, then it was never mine to keep. Love should be a mutual journey of nurturing, understanding, and supporting each other. It should make you feel safe and valued, not empty and exhausted. Understanding this situation can lead to much deeper, more genuine relationship where both partners thrive and sing “I was also Enchanted to meet you too”. Cheers!!

Rebuilding Trust!!

If you betray someone’s trust, you have no right to question their actions. You don’t get to decide how long they take to heal or how they should react. The fact that they are still there means they care, and it takes incredible strength to face the person who hurt them every single day.

They are not just hurt—they are grieving. Grieving the version of you they once believed in. They never thought you were capable of this, and now, no matter how much they love you, they no longer feel safe.

They want to forgive because they want this relationship to work, but that doesn’t mean they will forget. Now, they are stuck in a loop, wondering why you did it—whether they weren’t enough, or if somehow they pushed you to do it.

But here’s the truth: they are not obsessing over your flaws. What may have been a moment of gratification for you was destruction for them. Now, they are constantly on edge, analyzing every move, questioning your intentions, searching for reassurance—reassurance that might never come.

Their emotions are unpredictable. The memory of what you did lingers, making them more reactive than they want to be. No one enjoys arguing. No one enjoys bringing up the past. But when the pain resurfaces, all they want is to be understood. They want validation. They want proof that it won’t happen again.

If you truly value this connection, rebuilding trust is your responsibility. It takes patience. It takes consistency. And sometimes, you’ll have to sit with their emotions even when it’s uncomfortable. You cannot shift the blame onto them. You cannot ask why they are still hurt.

The only way they will truly move on is if you put in the effort to help them heal. And here’s the most important part—words aren’t enough.

You must take real action.

You must avoid the behavior that broke them in the first place.

You must reassure them, again and again, that it won’t happen again.

Because whenever you repeat the same mistake, you’re not just making an error—you’re reopening a wound they’re still trying to heal. Every repeated action pulls them back to square one, making them wonder if trusting you again was a mistake.

If you’re serious about making things right, remember this: they don’t owe you another chance. But if they give you one, don’t waste it.

Trust is like glass—once shattered, it may never look the same again. But if you’re willing to pick up the pieces, handle them with care, and never let them break again, maybe—just maybe—you can rebuild something even stronger. Cheers!!

Unfulfilled Desires!!

Ah, dear one, when a heart’s wish is left unfulfilled, it trembles with sorrow and burns with anger. The mind rushes to find blame, and the one it sees as the cause becomes the bearer of its wrath. We think, ‘'This pain is because of them; let them feel the weight of my suffering.'‘ But tell me, beloved, is every unfulfilled wish truly the doing of another?

Many desires remain incomplete—not always by the reason of another person, but by the unseen dance of destiny, by the tides of time, or simply because some wishes are not meant to be. If, without understanding another’s heart, we decide they are the cause of our sorrow, is that truth, or is it merely the whisper of revenge?

Truth, my beloved, is woven with kindness and tenderness, while revenge feeds on anger and pride.

So, if your heart does not first bathe in kindness before passing judgment, is that not itself a greater injustice? Tell me, dear one, will you hold another in blame, or will you let your heart bloom in the grace of understanding? Close your eyes, listen within, and you shall find the answer—truth is never born from anger, but from the love. Hare Krishna!!

The truth!!

Ah, beloved soul, there comes a moment in every heart’s journey when truth longs to be spoken, yet the lips hesitate, trembling like a leaf in the breeze.

A gentle fear wraps itself around the mind—whether it is revealing a moment, expressing a thought, or admitting a mistake. The heart falters, caught in the web of doubt. We wonder, will our words bring understanding or hurt? Will they heal or wound? And so, we choose silence, believing it to be the safer path.

But tell me, dear one, is this truly the essence of truth?

No.

What we call truth is often but a mere fact—a reflection of what has been, spoken as it is.

Such a simple thing, and yet, even this can stir hesitation within. Why? Because we fear that our words may ripple across another’s heart, causing sorrow. This fear holds back our voice like a river bound by its banks, afraid to flow freely.

So, what then is true truth? Have we ever truly paused to embrace its meaning?

When a soul, despite the weight of uncertainty, chooses to speak, it does not just utter words—it embraces courage, it welcomes freedom. Truth is not just about speaking facts but doing so with love, with compassion, with the intent to uplift rather than wound. For in truth, dear heart, fearlessness and truth are but two names of the same divine song. And tell me, does courage wait for the right moment, or does it shine in all moments, like the eternal light of the stars?

So, will you choose to welcome truth with love and grace at every step? Will you allow your words to be both honest and kind, both fearless and gentle?

Close your eyes, let your heart listen, and you shall find—the answer already rests within you, waiting to be embraced. Hare Krishna!!

expectation!!

Ah, dear soul, the essence of all human relationships seems to rest upon expectation.

What kind of husband should he be to fill my heart with love and comfort? What kind of wife should she be, always devoted, always tender in her care? What kind of children should they be, gentle, obedient, and ever reverent?

And so, the heart clings to those who fulfill its longings, who mirror its deepest desires.

But tell me, beloved, is expectation not like a fleeting shadow on still waters—always near, yet never truly grasped? It is born within the quiet chambers of the mind, yet the other remains unaware. Even with the sincerest heart, can one ever truly fulfill what has never been spoken?

From this silent yearning, conflict takes root, and soon, relationships, once woven with love, become tangled in sorrow.

But if, instead of expectation, we embrace acceptance, if we cherish love as it is rather than as we wish it to be, would not life bloom with boundless joy and serenity? Close your eyes, dear one, and listen—does your heart not whisper that this is the path to true peace? Hare Krishna!!

what is Fear??!!

Ah, dear heart, within you lies a vast kingdom of fear, ever-changing like the waves of the ocean. Sometimes, you fear losing what you cherish; other times, you tremble at the thought of disgrace or the pain of separation. Slowly, fear becomes a familiar companion, and we begin to believe it is an unshakable truth of life.

But have you ever sat in stillness and listened to the whispers of your soul? The very places where fear takes root are the same places where sadness lingers. Yet, tell me, who has bound fear and sorrow together? Are they not but illusions we hold close? As long as we embrace fear, sadness will never loosen its grip. Fear, my beloved, is but a shadow of the mind, an illusion of future sorrow that does not truly exist.

If we awaken to the truth that fear is only a creation of our thoughts, is it truly so difficult to break free and step into the light of fearlessness? Think about this, dear one, for when the heart lets go of fear, it finds the path to boundless joy and serenity. True freedom lies not in escaping fear but in understanding it, embracing courage, and trusting the divine rhythm of life. Let your heart be light, for you are meant to walk in love, not in fear. Hare Krishna!!

taking the decision!!

Ah, dear loved one, in the journey of life, we often turn to others for guidance, letting their voices shape our choices. But tell me, if the seeds of our future are planted in the soil of today’s decisions, should we not tend to them with our own hands? Are our choices truly ours, or merely echoes of another’s wisdom? Have you ever sat in stillness and pondered this?

Just as the same river appears different to the thirsty traveler and the playful child, so too do hearts perceive moments in their own way. A devotee, filled with love, places an offering in the temple’s donation box, while a thief watches with longing eyes. A heart filled with purity finds its way to light, while one clouded by desire may stumble into shadows.

True joy blossoms from wisdom that flows from a heart filled with sincerity and devotion. To receive such wisdom, we must bring harmony between our inner and outer selves. So, before allowing the world’s voices to lead us, should we not first cleanse our own hearts, so that our choices are born of truth and love make us happy? Sit with this thought, my dear, and let your heart whisper the answer to you. Hare Krishna!!