BALANCED MINDSET

Maturity 

Maturity is a mindset, not an age. While society often associates maturity with getting older, the truth is that maturity has more to do with how you think, react, and handle life’s challenges than with the number of years you’ve lived. Maturity is about the choices you make, the way you approach situations, and the level of responsibility you take for your actions. It’s a mindset that can be developed at any age, and it’s what truly defines your character.

One of the key elements of a mature mindset is the ability to see beyond yourself. Mature people understand that the world doesn’t revolve around them, and they consider the perspectives and needs of others when making decisions. This doesn’t mean they always put others first to the detriment of their own well-being, but they have the wisdom to balance their needs with those of others. They recognise that actions have consequences, not just for themselves but for those around them, and they act with this awareness in mind.

Maturity also involves emotional regulation. Life is full of situations that can trigger strong emotions, whether it’s frustration, anger, sadness, or joy. Mature people do not let these emotions dictate their actions. Instead, they have the ability to manage their feelings, staying calm and composed even in difficult situations. This emotional stability allows them to make decisions based on logic and reason rather than being driven by impulsive reactions.

Another important aspect of maturity is the willingness to take responsibility for one’s actions. Mature people do not shy away from accountability. They understand that every choice they make has a consequence, and they are willing to own those consequences, whether positive or negative. This sense of responsibility extends to their relationships, work, and personal goals. They don’t blame others for their mistakes or failures but instead look within to understand how they can improve and grow.

Maturity also means being able to learn from experiences. Life is a series of lessons, and mature people approach each experience as an opportunity for growth. Whether a situation goes well or poorly, they reflect on what happened and think about how they can apply those lessons in the future. This mindset prevents them from repeating the same mistakes over and over because they are continually evolving and becoming better versions of themselves.

Patience is another hallmark of a mature mindset. Mature people understand that not everything happens on their timeline. They are able to wait for the right moment, knowing that some things take time to develop. This patience extends to how they interact with others as well. They don’t rush to judgment or react hastily but take the time to consider all aspects of a situation before making decisions.

Maturity is also reflected in how someone handles conflict. Mature people don't avoid conflict but approach it with a problem-solving attitude. They don’t engage in petty arguments or seek to “win” at all costs. Instead, they focus on finding resolutions that are fair and constructive. They communicate openly and honestly, seeking to understand the other person’s point of view while also expressing their own.

In essence, maturity is about growth. It’s about recognising that life is a journey of learning, and that every experience, good or bad, is an opportunity to become wiser, stronger, and more compassionate.  Mature people don't ’t cling to rigid ideas or behaviours; they are flexible and open to change because they understand that growth requires adaptation.

Maturity isn’t something that automatically comes with age. Some young people exhibit remarkable maturity, while some older individuals may still struggle with impulsiveness and self-centredness. The difference lies in mindset. Choosing to be mature means choosing to live with responsibility, empathy, and a commitment to personal growth. It’s a way of thinking and living that allows you to navigate life’s challenges with grace and wisdom, making choices that reflect not just who you are, but who you aspire to become.

TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD

 Christmas Symbols

Christmas has its traditional symbols-Santa, presents, a decorated tree and carols. Some countries, however, have different symbols. Here are some of them:

Sweden: The Yule Goat has been a Swedish Christmas symbol, dating back to ancient pagan festivals. However, in 1966, the tradition got a whole new life after someone came up with the idea to make a giant straw goat, now referred to as the Gävle Goat. According to the official website, the goat is more than 42 feet high, 23 feet wide, and weighs 3.6 tons. Each year, the massive goat is constructed in the same spot. Fans can even watch a livestream from the first Sunday of Advent until after the New Year when it is taken down.

Philippines: Every year, the city of San Fernando holds Ligligan Parul (or Giant Lantern Festival) featuring dazzling parols (lanterns) that symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. Each parol consists of thousands of spinning lights that illuminate the night sky. The festival has made San Fernando the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines".

Iceland: For 13 days, each night before Christmas, Icelandic children are visited by the 13 Yule Lads. Children place their shoes by the window. In the morning, they'll either have received candy (if they're good) or be greeted with shoes full of rotten potatoes if they're bad!

Norway: Their Christmas season, called "julebord", begins on December 3. Norwegians celebrate in bars and restaurants throughout the month. December 23 is called Little Christmas, and rituals include making a gingerbread house, and eating risengrynsgrøt (hot rice pudding).

Holland: Sinterklaas is the Dutch name for Saint Nicholas, the man recognized by children for his long white beard, red cape, and red miter. Children put a shoe by the back door and wake up on Christmas morning to find treats like gingerbread men, marzipan, and chocolate letters.

Austria: The alpine country has a legend that a devil-like creature called Krampus joins their St. Nicholas festivities on December 6. Children are asked for a list of their good and bad deeds: Children who have been good over the year are rewarded with sweets, apples, and nuts, while children considered bad could get a rude surprise from Krampus on Christmas morning.

KNOW YOUR ENGLISH

What is the meaning and origin of the expression ‘bucket list’?

A ‘bucket list’ consists of a list of things that you have never done, but would like to before you leave this world. It comes from the idiom ‘kick the bucket’, meaning ‘to die’. 

A ‘bucket list’ is your personal wish list, and it may include anything — climbing Mt. Everest, going sky diving, getting a picture taken standing in front of the Taj, eating your favourite dish in a well­ known hotel in the city, having a conversation with a famous author, winning a chess tournament etc. These are mostly things that you have not experienced or achieved till now, but would like to before dying. 

The expression was coined and made popular by Justin Zackham, the man who wrote the screenplay for the Hollywood film, The Bucket List, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. 

Publishing more than 5000 posts on my blog! That’s one more item to add to my bucket list.

What is your bucket list?

A CLEANER AND GREENER TOMORROW

Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are like magical cars that run on electricity instead of petrol or diesel. They are becoming increasingly popular in India and all around the world.

What are Electric Vehicles? Electric vehicles, also known as EVs, are a special kind of car. Instead of a traditional petrol or diesel engine, these cars use electricity to move. They have big batteries inside them, just like the one in your remote control car, but much bigger!

How Do They Work? EVs work fascinatingly. They have an electric motor that gets its power from the big battery. When you press the accelerator pedal, the electric motor starts turning the wheels, and the car moves. It’s like a silent and super-fast toy car.

Why Are EVs Important? EVs are essential for many reasons. First, they are much better for the environment. When regular cars use petrol or diesel, they produce harmful gases that make the air dirty and cause climate change. EVs, on the other hand, produce zero emissions because they run on clean electricity.

Cost-Efficient: Electric cars are also cost-efficient in the long run. Though they might be a bit more expensive, they save money because electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel. Plus, you don’t need to change the oil, and EVs have fewer moving parts, so they don’t need as much maintenance.

Help Reduce Noise Pollution: EVs are incredibly quiet, making them great for cities. Traditional cars can be noisy, but with electric cars, you can enjoy a peaceful drive without the loud engine sounds.

Charging an EV: You need to charge an EV, just like charging your tablet or phone, to make it go. You can do this at home by plugging the car into a special socket or finding charging stations around the city. Some EVs can go a long way on a single charge, just like your toy car, lasting a long time with fresh batteries.

Electric Cars in India: Electric vehicles are catching on in India too! Many car companies are making electric cars, and you can see them on the roads. The Indian government also gives incentives and support to promote EVs to make our air cleaner.

So, electric vehicles are like the heroes of the car world, helping to fight air pollution and make the world a cleaner and greener place. They are not only cool but also kind to the planet. 

DO YOU KNOW

Why is the foam of a shampoo always white irrespective of the colour of the shampoo?

To understand this better, let’s use an analogy. When a balloon is deflated, it is opaque with its colour very much visible. As we go on inflating the balloon, it becomes lighter in colour. If we continue to inflate the balloon without bursting it, there will come a point when it will become almost white. The same is the case with the bubbles that form in the foam of a shampoo. The pigments in the shampoo become so thin when mixed with water that the visible light gets scattered. The light rays get reflected in several directions after striking a surface (bubbles in this case) much like how the sky appears white or grey at times. Also the dye that is used in colouring a shampoo is highly diluted, which means that when further diluted with water, the colour becomes much lighter. 

The scattering of light in case of the foam happens as the light has to pass through several bubbles, which means several surfaces. The light spreads in multiple directions making it almost impossible for the human eye to detect colours. The same thing happens with soap bars, body washes, hand washes etc.

CALMING THE CHAOTIC MIND

Meditation 

Ancient texts liken meditation to the process of taming a wild elephant, where the elephant is tied with a wrong rope for many days until, it finally settles down. Gradually training it and eventually getting rid of the rope, this trained wild elephant that represents the human mind can now be put to purpose. 

First developed in India thousands of years ago as a part of the Indian philosophy, meditation aims to achieve a mentally clear, emotionally calm and stable state, often viewed as the first step towards spiritual awakening and enlightenment. 

Since time immemorial, India has been known for its spirituality and is internationally known for its gift of meditation and yoga to the world. Hence, it is unsurprising to see tourists from across the world heading to the Indian subcontinent for an authentic meditative journey. There are different types of meditation techniques, below mentioned are some of them:

Chakra healing meditation: Chakra, a Sanskrit word that means a disk or a wheel, finds its presence in the meditative mise-en-scene since the ancient Hinduism meditative practices talk of the presence of hundreds of varying chakras or wheel like energy networks in the human body. However, there are seven core chakras that are situated along the spine from the sacrum at the bottom up to the crown at the top of the head, namely the root chakra (muladhar), the sacral chakra (svadhishthan), the solar plexus chakra (manipura), the heart chakra (anahat), the throat chakra (vishuddh), the third eye chakra (ajna) and lastly the crown chakra (sahasrar). It is believed that when any of these chakras are blocked, energy gets stuck and manifests as discomfort. Hence, the objective of this meditation is to activate the chakras and form a balance between them with regular training of the mind that involves control over one’s breath and encourages positive imagination. 

Vipassana meditation: Vipassana means 'insight' in Pali, the sacred language of Theravada Buddhism. It is one of the oldest Buddhist meditation practices and is believed to have come directly from a discourse attributed to the Lord Buddha himself. A gentle yet very thorough technique of training the mind, Vipassana includes a cluster of exercises like sati (mindfulness) and samatha (calm), developed through practices such as anapanasati (mindfulness of breathing) which are meant to make an individual more and more aware of their life experiences and directing careful attention towards certain painful, happy and other general aspects of their own existence to gain insight into the true nature of their reality. 

21 December is observed as World Meditation Day. 

THE LAND OF BLACK MAGIC

Mayong

Mayong, a quaint village in the Morigaon district of Assam, is a sacred destination steeped in mysticism and history. Located on the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River and near Kaziranga National Park, Mayong is famously referred to as the ‘Land of Black Magic’. The village finds mentions in epics like the Mahabharata, where it is said that Bhima, one of the Pandavas, acquired extraordinary strength through tantric practices performed in this region. 

The name Mayong has various interpretations. One belief attributes it to the Sanskrit word maya, meaning ‘illusion’ or ‘magic’, symbolising the village’s association with mystical practices. Another suggests that ma-yong in the Dimasa language means ‘elephant’, reflecting the region’s historical significance as an elephant habitat. 

For centuries, Mayong was renowned as a hub of sorcery and tantra. The Mayong Central Museum and Emporium preserves ancient manuscripts and ritual tools, while local legends speak of spells for healing and supernatural feats. Visitors are drawn not only by its mysterious past but also by the serene beauty of its Brahmaputra-fed landscapes and proximity to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.