Friday, 27 August 2021

Which One Would You Choose?

 



@nj_writeups


Self-help? OR Fiction?


What is a self-help book?

The purpose of a self-help book is to provide instructions on help and solutions to personal problems.


Benefits of reading a self-help book-


  1. The way you perceive life changes. Your outlook on life tends to be optimistic.

  2. You are inspired to come up with better solutions and make the best decisions.

  3. It's not that you improve, it's that you expand and explore within you.

  4. The possibilities are endless for you.

  5. There's part of you that longs for intense vitality and fulfillment in every moment.


What is fiction?


It is a written work specifically created for use in a fictional narrative that is referred to, featured, or excerpted in a novel, book, film, or any other fictional work, and exists only within that work.


Benefits of reading fiction-


  1. Empathy.

  2. A quick break from reality.

  3. Nurtures our creativity.

  4. Keeps your mind young.

  5. Readers sleep better for it relaxes their brain.



I hope the above content was informative. Now those who are always confused to pick one genre, I hope this honest record on the benefits of these two genres of books would have helped you all to CHOOSE.


Wednesday, 18 August 2021

5 tips to Live a Peaceful Life

     

    Do you ever feel as if you don't have enough time to enjoy life because it moves so quickly? The expectations of others and family obligations may make you too busy. Perhaps you're swamped by deadlines. Life can be overwhelming, making it difficult to take a step back. Our society often rushes through tasks, to complete as many as possible in a given day. Our craziness of everyday life makes us fail to realize just how unnecessary it all is.  Our biggest issue is that we don't take the time to do what is important to us, such as spending time with family or doing the things we love. Besides enjoying each activity to the fullest and finding one's internal peace, simple living is possible. Your presence is evident in all you do. Listed below are some tips for achieving mental tranquility. 


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  1. Love Yourself First.

I believe this one is far more important in life. Don't forget to appreciate yourself once in a while. If you fail, accept it, but never forget that you tried. It's okay to fall. Only worry if you do not rise again.

  1. Learn a Skill.

Just be productive, keep yourself occupied that you have no time to waste on things that are gonna ruin you one day.

  1. Cut-off Negative People.

Remember to stay clear of people who spread negativity and discourage you with all their words and actions. Get rid of those who aren't thrilled to see you succeed.


  1. Have a Proper Sleep.


An adequate amount of sleep is necessary for you. Nothing in this world is worth your sleep. Relax and enjoy a peaceful night's sleep.


  1. Eat Nutritiously.


There is a quote that goes like this, If you don’t eat your food as medicine, you will have to eat your medicine as your food. So eat nutritiously and have a healthy life.


Friday, 30 July 2021

What is all about "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Dr. Spencer Johnson

 ‘Who Moved My Cheese’ is a short parable about change, written by Dr. Spencer Johnson. Though some critics consider this book as useless, I found it interesting because of its simple and subtle way of conveying the ideas. Before I enlighten you about the story, onething which I must insist is, Whatever book you read, there are going to be so many interpretations. It’s always important how you read the story and how you interpret it. Who Moved My Cheese is also one such story where the reader has to take the responsibility of drawing in a lesson from the book.


 Click here to get your copy today.


Who Moved My Cheese is a story of four characters named Sniff, Scurry, Hem, Haw and their physical and emotional journey in search of their cheese. The story happens inside a maze where all the four characters run through in a search for cheese. Sniff and Scurry are two mice and the other two are mice-sized humans. Mice followed a strategy as they first test their pathways until they find one cheese, whereas the humans felt more sophisticated


Here the maze represents our world itself and the cheese can be interpreted into several of your needs. For example, for general readers, cheese can be their job, love, money, happiness, food, wealth etc. The story revolves around each character’s response over the change they had to encounter. This ultimately teaches you a lesson on how to react to a situation and how not to react, how your decisions and reactions over the surrounding can help you to live a stress-free and peaceful life. 


There are so many stories which talk about changes in your life. We are always scared of ‘change’ in our life and it always sounds serious. Now I can say that everybody would have a question for me. 


If the book is talking about the same topic which so many writers, philosophers have spoken about already, what makes this book special?


Here I will answer you what and why this book is special. Who Moved My Cheese? is a story that deals with the topic change in a funny way. There is some comic element in this story which attracts and involves readers so easily. 


The four characters Sniff, Scurry, Hem, Haw represent the simple and complex parts of human beings. Sniff represents someone who sniffs out change early, Scurry represents someone who scurries into action. Hem represents someone who fears and denies change. Haw represents someone who learns to adapt in time when he sees change can lead to something better. 


One day all the four characters went in search of cheese and they found a spot where cheese was in tons, which seems to be enough for their lifetime. Hem and Haw are so happy and arrogant that they have got a ton of cheese. Whereas Sniff and Scurry were ready for a change, even if their cheese went out of stock, they were ready to rediscover the cheese spot. 


One day when the cheese spot was empty, mice started their journey again because they foresaw this and they weren’t surprised because they knew this would happen. Humans were pretty shocked and disappointed because they didn’t foresee the change as the mice did. Humans were blinded by their arrogance and they were scared of what might be out there in the maze. So they were not ready to move from their old place.


They wailed, “WHO MOVED MY CHEESE?”


Hem and Haw decided to stay because they hope one day the cheese will appear there once again. They feel bitter and blame everything around them but themselves. They complain that they worked hard to find the cheese and deserve more. But even after a long time, to their disappointment, the cheese did not appear. So they started to blame each other. They even tried to dig over the wall expecting the cheese would be behind the wall. 


Haw finally convinces his partner Hem to come with him in search of cheese, which was a failure. Haw went alone and brought some new cheese but Hem did not eat that for he wanted only the old cheese. As Haw goes in search of cheese, he pushes back his fears and pasts and moves forward with bravery. He also learns so many life lessons, which he writes it down on the wall, believing that one day Hem will follow him and read through all the lessons.


We can’t deny the fact that the world keeps on changing, though whether we like it or not, change is inevitable. That’s why it’s necessary for each and everyone of us to learn how to deal with change. 


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Key Learning 


  1. Do not blame others for your mistakes in life. 


There is a tamil poetic line, which goes like this,


‘தீதும் நன்றும் பிறர்தரவாரா’

            (Look for translation in Quora)


What this means is exactly the same as what this book teaches us. Whatever you experience in your life is just a consequence or results of your decisions, choices and actions.


  1. Do not be lazy because it will lead you to nothing.


Laziness is a default human behaviour which everyone must overcome. Laziness is one of the seven deadly sins. You can also read about this in The Bible. Or if you’re a passionate movie watcher, you can also learn more about these in a TV series which is available on Netflix, The Seven Deadly Sins



“The more important your cheese is to you, the more you want to hold on to it.”


You need to work hard for what you want in your life. Hard work will lead you to greater success, whereas dreaming but staying lazy will give you nothing.


  1. Make it simple, don’t choose complicated ways to get what you want.


Hem chose to drill the wall to find cheese instead of going inside the maze, maybe he could have found it in a short time but he decided to drill it out using his complex machines. But all his complex efforts were in vain. Humans always have a feeling of superiority and they believe that choosing a simple thing in life will make them weak amidst their surroundings. Results are always more important than what method you choose to attain it. If you’re going to choose a complex method for which can be easily attained through simple methods itself, you are going to waste your time and energy ending up being a fool.


  1. Be watchful.

 

You don’t know when things change so be vigilant over your life. Anything can change over a time. Foresee things and stay alert so that it will be easy for you to adapt to the changes in life. Stay prepared as Sniff and Scurry as it helped them to find more cheese. Hem and Haw found it difficult to adapt for they weren’t mentally prepared for such a change.

“If you do not change, you can become extinct.”

No matter how hard we deny, we as humans would have always approached situations or problems like Hem. Don’t feel bad if you’re one such Hem, you can learn how to be like Haw. In such a situation, one needs to adapt to change and find a way through the maze to succeed.


 

 







Saturday, 26 June 2021

How Do You Face Failures and Depression in Your Life?

 

“Failures are finger posts on

the road to achievement."                                                            C. S. Lewis

Failures are frightening which one cannot disagree with but what people almost forget is failure is not the end. We need to understand that failures are just molding us to be a better person in what we were trying. The best way to look at failure is that it is molding us for success. Not that people have gone through failure, what must be focused is, Once a failure is not always a failure. Success does not mean not failing at all, but rising back is always important. Here I would like to share a few of my ways how I got out of my depression. 

  1. Appreciate Yourself and Embrace your Scars

Once in a while, make it a habit of appreciating yourself. Pat yourself on the back for you have come this far. It was a rough path and you still made it. That is something one must understand, not everyone can cross such a rough path without losing their heart. Stop where you are to realize what you have accomplished so far and start appreciating yourself for that. Focus on YOU more and never be disheartened if no one is appreciating you for what you have done. Not everyone can understand your path and struggles.

  1. Talk About Your Emotions

A huge mistake people make is not to let anyone know what they are undergoing. In this modern era, we have forgotten that we have got people around us. They refuse to talk to adults, parents and teachers. But it’s important for us to share your problems with your trust-worthy person. Talking out your emotions is a great therapy for depression. It will surely help a depressed person in coming out of his/her trauma.

  1. Accept Your Mistakes

Do you have trouble accepting your mistakes? Never confuse Excellence with never committing a mistake. Understand the fact that making mistakes is so normal. Even You failed because you made a mistake. Analyze yourself first and accept that you have committed a mistake. Now focus on the point that the same mistake should not be repeated again. Work on your previous mistakes and learn from them. It will take time for you to be an expert in your field, that doesn’t mean you can stop trying at your first mistake.

  1. Unfriend Demotivators from Your Life

  Finally, now we are in a very important part in the road of success. Demotivators are scattered all around one’s life and motivators are just sprinkled upon the Earth. Sometimes people can pull you down with all their negative comments and judgements. One strong life lesson you must learn is to AVOID SUCH COMMENTS. Don’t take it to your mind. It may destroy your confidence and that may stop you from succeeding. So just disconnect all those negativities in your life.

  1. Practice Healthy Skills

Avoid all your habits that pull you down. Keep a to-do list always. It helps you to focus on the right requirements of your goal, in that way you can also manage your time. Time spent on the right things will help you in succeeding in your goal.  I would like to share my experiences on how I used to plan my day. As I said earlier, I will always carry a mini-notebook (click here to get yours), in which I note all my needs to get my work complete. If you know what all you need, there’s a 90% chance to complete your work. The rest 10% relies upon the fact how productive you are.

                        The world is beautiful and anyone with a positive intent can make the best use out of it. Failures are inevitable. It reminds you that you are one step away from success. Determination and positivity will one day lead to the success you crave for. A coin has two sides, likewise there are people who judge and comment on you, and there are also people who love you and motivate you. Stick on to those people who spread positivity and who supports you. Find the right people and you won't meet depression. It's okay to get help from those people. Have the right attitude and be positive. Believe that you are born to achieve, and you will see achieving great things ultimately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Monday, 14 June 2021

What are the 5 Must Read Books you Should Never Miss Out?

 



Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.

Charles W. Eliot


We are in an era of technology and wherever you turn, all that one can see is “Digital”, but one thing that never changes in a human being is his thirst for knowledge. Though we have got Kindle and other online reading apps, Books are the treasure you can hold in yours hands. Anyway, It takes a lot of time to find books that are worth reading. For those who are searching for some great books that could help you to change your life. Here I am, to share 5 must- read self-help books that everyone must have read in their lifetime. Why you must read? and what is so important in these 5 books will also be discussed below.

  1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

“You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct and control your own environment. You can make your life what you want it to be.”, says Hill. Think and Grow Rich would surely change  your normal and monotonous life into a productive and successful life. This book talks not only about the road to success but also the causes of failure. This will ultimately help readers to know where they’re wrong and to correct it the next time.

Click here to buy your copy.

  1. Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl

Man’s Search For Meaning is a book that chronicles his experiences as a prisoner during World War II in Nazi concentration camps. He also describes his psychotherapeutic method, which ultimately led him to identify his purpose in life. It also teaches the readers to be optimistic.

Click here to buy your copy.

3. Who will Cry When You Die? By Robin Sharma

I will share my favorite line from this book. Here it goes, You are the creator of the moods you experience, moods that you can change in a single instant. If you choose to do so, you can feel peace in a moment of stress, joy in a time of sadness and energy during a time of fatigue. This book is divided into 101 short chapters and each chapter brings you closer to the problem-solving attitude.

Click here to buy your copy.

  1. The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma

How would I not mention this book when it comes to self-help. This book talks about the tale of fictional lawyer Julian Mantle, who sold his mansion and his Ferrari to study seven virtues of the Sages of Sivana in the Himalayan mountains. One of the lessons you will learn when you complete this book would be to resolve to lift your life to its greater extent, the strength of your soul will guide you to a magical place filled with treasures. One great advice Julian receives from a sage is never fear failure. Embrace your failure and be bold enough to follow your dreams, without worrying about the failures.

Click here to buy your copy.

  1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

I would like to list out some important points that every reader learns when he/she finishes this book. These are some ways as mentioned by Dale to win friends and to influence them.

  • Appreciate people around you honestly.

  • Do not criticize anyone.

  • Smile.

  • Show some genuine interest.

  • Be a good listener.

  • Let them feel important.

  • Avoid an argument.

  • Dramatize your ideas.

  • Perspective of a person should be on the right track.

Click here to buy your copy.

I must say, there are so many books out there to enrich our soul and mind. I have managed to provide you with information in a nutshell. Reading is a superb habit which helps in discipling one’s mind. It’s not that you have to finish reading all these books, all it takes is to start

 

 


never late.