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True Freedom- Wisdom , Meaning and the Power to rise above circumstances

  Epictetus was born a slave, which was a life of deep suffering and hardship. He was even physically hurt by his master and walked with a limp for the rest of his life. One might think he would carry bitterness and pain forever. But instead, he became one of the wisest people in history, with a powerful message about what it really means to be free. In ancient Rome, people believed that only the free could be educated. But Epictetus saw the opposite: Many so-called “free” people were trapped by their anger, selfish desires, fear, and ignorance. Even powerful people, like those in Emperor Nero’s court, were emotionally and spiritually enslaved. Epictetus taught that true freedom comes from wisdom. It’s not about external conditions whether you're rich or poor, slave or emperor but about your inner world. True freedom is when you're no longer ruled by your emotions, your impulses, or your false beliefs. It’s when you can face life calmly, with clarity and purpose. He said the go...

Wholeness through Brokenness

 * Wholeness Through Brokenness* Feeling broken is painful, but what’s even harder is trying to convince ourselves and others that we’re not, especially when we think we shouldn’t be. Many people wear masks, projecting perfect careers, perfect relationships, and perfect confidence. But the truth is, we all carry some form of brokenness. Life isn’t flawless, and neither are we. Yet here lies a powerful insight  * Our brokenness isn’t the end it’s the beginning of transformation.*  It’s in the very act of picking up the pieces and rebuilding ourselves from within that we often discover a deeper sense of purpose. The strength and compassion we gain through our struggles can become the foundation for helping others who face the same battles. Yes, we may feel shattered and empty at times. But every fracture is a chance a space to rebuild, reimagine, and grow into something even more resilient and meaningful. If we want to heal the world, we must begin with ourselves. By acknow...

Pause- From Reaction to Reflection

Viktor Frankl said:  “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” In Logotherapy, the concept of Pause plays a crucial role in helping us connect with our noetic (spiritual) dimension, which is the uniquely human realm of freedom, responsibility, conscience, values, creativity, and self-transcendence.   The Pause is a gateway to the noetic dimension. It enables us to. 1)Exercise our freedom 2)Tune into our conscience 3) Choose meaning over impulse 4) Act from spirit rather than ego A Pause is a moment of conscious interruption  a deliberate stepping back from automatic reactions, emotional impulses, or external pressures. It creates inner space to reflect and choose a meaningful response instead of merely reacting out of habit or fear. This space is the Pause  a moment of clarity where the noetic dimension can be accessed. The Noetic Dimension: Our Spiritual ...

Embracing mistakes- The wisdom found in wrong decisions

  Embracing mistakes- The wisdom found in wrong decisions * In a heartfelt conversation with my 84 year old dear friend Janet, I asked her, "What did you learn from your mistakes, and how did they change you?" She shared that, looking back, the wrong choices she once thought were right ultimately made her wiser. Through reflection, she now sees what needed to change within her and understands what life was asking of her through those experiences. As Viktor Frankl wisely said, " "It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us." Every poor choice we make comes  with its consequences and the experience offering valuable lessons that guide us toward better decisions in the future. Mistakes serve as opportunities for reflection, prompting us to ask ourselves: 1. What could I have done differently to achieve a better outcome? 2. What inner changes are necessary to break recurring patterns? Gaining insight from thes...

Embracing Life's second chance.

 Life constantly offers us new chances, but are we willing to embrace them? Or do we let our ego, rigid notions of right and wrong, and resistance to change hold us back? Every moment is an opportunity for growth, a chance to learn from our mistakes, make amends, and move forward. Life is generous and forgiving, always presenting us with hope and opportunities.  Seize it wholeheartedly.  Pause, reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the journey. Reflect- Reconnect - Rejoice. Margalit

The value in Loss

  In a conversation with my 90-year-old friend Fran, who  shared a profound thought "Grieving, like loving, never ends; it only changes". This made me reflect on how loss shapes us.  The loss of a relationship or the passing of a loved one grounds us in reality, prompting us to reevaluate our relationships.  Losing a loved one and loss of a relationship has taught me to be humble. Loss humbles us.  Too often, we take the people in our lives for granted, assuming they will always be there. But we must cherish and appreciate them for their love, care, unconditional support and the impact they have on our lives. Cherishing every  moment spent together. Loss is one of life’s greatest teachers, it reminds us of life's impermanence and that no one is irreplaceable. So, love deeply, express gratitude, and make meaningful contributions to those around you.  Build beautiful memories, live life fully.  Margalit  

Take the call.

  Take the call  A recent incident of losing a dear friend made me reflect on the importance of staying connected. Tapan, 55, was my husband's childhood friend, having grown up together in the same colony. After his parents passed away, he relocated to his hometown, Indore. A bachelor running his own business, Tapan made it a point to stay in touch. Every week, he would call my husband to share updates about common friends. He never texted ,  he always called. Sometimes, he would call late at night or on holidays. If my husband was busy, he would return the call .  On Sunday, 23rd February 2025, Tapan called, and they had a long, heartfelt conversation. Today, we received the heartbreaking news of his sudden demise due to a heart attack. Tapan lived alone, was overweight, and had health issues. When my husband shared the news, his first words were, "Thank God I took his call." This experience made me realize how often we ignore or postpone calls, caught up in our bus...