My favorite line from Atomic Habits has been living in my head rent-free:
“It doesn’t make sense to continue wanting something if you’re not willing to do what it takes to get it. If you don’t want to live the lifestyle, then release yourself from the desire. To crave the result but not the process is to guarantee disappointment.”
What special bond does #Ilaiyaraaja share with bus drivers and conductors in #TamilNadu? Ahead of his concerts this weekend, the drivers talk to me about the calm that his melodies bring to impossible days. I also curated a playlist of their suggestions. Link in the next tweet!
Some of my fav dialogues from the movie #29
1) அவளோட உதடு திருப்பி போட்ட திருக்குறள் மாதிரி, மேல் வரி சிறுசாவும், கீழ் வரி பெருசாவும் இருக்கும்.
2) வெறும் கை வீசிட்டு வர முடியாதா உன்னால?
3) நீ போயிடு சத்யா...
4) ஒரே செடியை எத்தன தடவை மா புடுங்கி புடுங்கி வேற வேற இடத்தில் நடுவீங்க?
5) நீ என்னதான் நிலா, அது இது nu என்னை வர்ணிச்சாலும் நான் ஒரு பொண்ணு அவ்வளோதான். நீ என்னதான் பாயும் புலி, முரட்டு காளை nu நினைச்சாலும், நீ ஒரு பையன் அவ்வளோதான்..
இதுல டயலாக் 2,3,4 படம் பார்த்தால் தான் அதோட டெப்த் புரியும் அதுவும் அந்த 3rd டயலாக் வர்ற ரெண்டு இடமும் 🥹❤️
யோவ் @MrRathna ஒரு writer ah கலக்கிட்ட யா.. 👏👏🥳
This paragraph by Richard Feynman hits so hard:
“Fall in love with some activity, and do it! Nobody ever figures out what life is all about, and it doesn’t matter. Explore the world. Nearly everything is really interesting if you go into it deeply enough. Work as hard and as much as you want to on the things you like to do the best. Don’t think about what you want to be, but what you want to do. Keep up some kind of a minimum with other things so that society doesn’t stop you from doing anything at all.”
Some common patterns I observed across almost every Tier 1 and Tier 2 Indian city:
Food is everywhere
From specialty coffee cafes and cloud kitchens to QSR chains, new ice-cream brands and street-food concepts, eating out has become India’s default form of entertainment. Social life today revolves heavily around cafes, restaurants and delivery apps.
Fitness is gaining traction
A number of gyms and fitness spaces have cropped up over the last few years. Some urban centers are also seeing a surge in things like Hyrox, MMA, pilates, yoga, run clubs, CrossFit, pickleball and premium wellness spaces. Random protein powders are now commonly seen in supermarkets and convenience stores.
The rise of branded grooming
Traditional neighbourhood barber shops are gradually declining. There’s a growing aspiration, especially among young people, to visit branded salons that offer a more 'premium', lifestyle-driven experience rather than just a haircut. Every new commercial complex has at least one such salon.
The explosion of “Thai Spas”
One of the most visible urban trends is the sheer number of “Thai Spas” opening across cities. They seem to appear everywhere at remarkable speed. Almost all of them look dubious, yet the scale of expansion suggests there is big demand!?
Everyone is on the phone
From watchmen to rickshaw drivers to regular commuters to salesmen, nearly everyone with a few free minutes is glued to a screen. Reels, YouTube Shorts and endless scrolling have become the default way people consume entertainment, pass time and even escape boredom.
This works in relationships too. Never beg for love. The only time an apology is warranted is when you are genuinely wrong, outside of that, never beg for affection. Never plead for someone to stay, to care, to choose you. It reeks of desperation, and desperation has never once made anyone more desirable. As Duma Boko said, “if they want to leave, help them get out.”