Sami the Mindful Scribbler

 For so long, I have been watching a particular social media influencer - makeup artist’s videos. Though I don’t follow her, her posts just randomly appear on my feed. At times, it’s just pleasing to the eye when she posts her baby’s pictures. It’s just nice to see. But at some point, it felt like everything happening inside her house was being captured and put on social media. So the comments were harsh on her. Since she is a single mother, society doesn’t hesitate to troll and put her down. I didn’t really have strong opinions on her. I’ve admired her as a mother,as a good artist, but didn’t like the fact that there isn’t much personal life, as everything is displayed online. She has a sister, and she always wears a wristband. Earlier she said she had some injury, so she had to wear it for recovery. But she kept wearing that medical band, and people were unkind. They commented saying she was creating drama just to show the world she is a hard worker— meaning despite being sick, s...

The conversation between two women, friends, From admiring each other’s jhumkas, gossiping about their husbands’ families, To Ambitious talk on their careers, sharing ideas to uplift each other, Though their fields are different. Those eyes seek comfort in each other, With jokes, pulling each other’s legs, trying to hide the pain, Yet they know they both have pain in their hearts. But they share not in words, but in silence, but in laughter, but in hugs, but in strength. Deepest regret, happiness, pain, unsaid feelings— everything pours like a stream without any filter, with no fear, prejudice, and judgment. The longing— each wants the other to be successful, carry a smile forever, and be peaceful. The regrets are painful to hear, though they are coated with sugary, hidden words. It became regret not because they chose it, but because they were asked to choose. From education to the most basic things, which are very basic for us, But that’s a privilege, a wish, a longing for them. To t...

Nowadays, kids are really aware of themselves. Not just themselves, but also their surroundings. When I compare this with my generation, or even the generation before that the difference is very clear. Back then, when our parents asked us to do something, like talking to relatives and attending a family function, we had only two options. Either we resist—say no, cry, or we just agree and do it, at times even if we don’t feel like it.  But now, kids are different. They are valuing themselves first, then others. At such a young age, they already know what self-care means. They know where to say yes, where to say no. And more importantly, they are very good at setting boundaries. I noticed this when I spoke to my cousin. She is just seven years old. We were on a call, and she spoke to me for 15 mins. Then I told her, “Okay, now talk to my mother… you like her so much, no? Please talk to her.” She just said, “I have already talked so much… maybe I’ll talk after some time… (konjam neram...

Tomorrow is a very important day for all of us.First of all, all the very best to all first-time voters!  I’m also going to vote for the first time, so this time it feels different. All these years, we’ve seen our parents wake up early, go to the booths and cast their votes, while we sat at home, curiously watching the news—how the voting is going, celebrity entries, politicians speeches, and all the surveys. And now, those same curious people are going out to vote. Some of us might already have some exposure to politics, so we may have clarity on whom to vote for. Others who have stayed away from politics might not have that clarity and that’s completely okay. It’s okay to feel confused. But don’t let that stop you from voting. “We might stay away from politics, but politics won’t stay away from us. It’s already a part of our lives.” So be aware. Try to understand. Start conversations within your circle. The more we question and discuss, the more clarity we gain. Don’t just follow...

  I came across a video where a woman points at a model wearing a kurta, pauses, then looks at the camera, point the viewers and says, “If you are wearing something like this, no one in the office will look at you or even take you seriously at all.” I was quite taken aback by the way she put something down to promote something else. The first comment I read said, “The new trend is promoting one’s product by making others feel inferior.” And it was right. Because All these days, people would have been happily wearing those outfits. But this statement might make them question their dressing choices. Rather than giving people space to think, these kinds of stunts put them down and make them feel bad, as if their styling choices all along have been wrong. Yes, I agree that some channels do help with fashion choices. There is nothing wrong with making people aware about colour and combination choices. But it’s not right to imply that your entire life has gone unnoticed just because you ...

After so long I saw a child in him The patience The eagerness The curiosity The thirst to learn Something new Without any hesitation. Mom gifted My father A phone. His old one was broken Yet he managed to use It for call purposes So for last few days No IPL No news No updates We used to lend ours But not daily. So he would come Home Tired Energy drained And would watch the last over of IPL And would watch news for 5 mins And sleep. So mom decided to buy a new one. Since it was online He counted days Waiting for it daily Like a school kid Waiting for the last exam to get over so he could enjoy holidays. That's how he was. Very eagerly asking mom When will it come? And yesterday the new one reached us Like a kid When we were gifted Something. I remember It was a dressing table I remember I was overwhelmed Couldn't concentrate in class The whole time I was laughing Jumping out of excitement Kept imagining how it would be Came home Riding my bicycle fast Taking shortcuts Reaching h...

 One of the people I deeply admire and respect, who feels like home to me, is our professor, Dr. Rufus sir. When I joined my master’s in this college, although I had already spent three years here, this time it felt different due to the stream, timing, people, and the overall atmosphere. The first few days were difficult. I even had thoughts of quitting—not because I disliked the environment, but because I didn’t feel a sense of belonging. Somewhere, my heart felt distant. Until I met Rufus sir. He was like a light in our difficult phase of life. He often says that at the end of the academic year, he would gift a few students a lamp and a few other things. What I especially loved was how he explained the purpose of gifting a lamp, to remind students that they are the light of their own lives, if they believe they can change it. He also said that knowledge (light) serves you and brings you out of ignorance. To us, he himself is a lamp. Every time we are unaware of important things, ...

இனிய தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்! Wishing everyone a very happy Tamil New Year. This day used to be very special when we were in our hometown. In fact, as a child, we used to wait for this very eagerly. Once the month began, it itself felt like a festival for us. There is a big ground belonging to the famous Shenbagavali Temple. In the first week, they would start setting up a lot of rides, and by the end of the week, everything would be ready. Fathers, coming home after work, would freshen up quickly and take their eagerly waiting kids, making their day unforgettable. Mothers would get their children ready, doing the little makeup they knew which felt like the best in those kids’ eyes. Then they would hurry to get ready themselves, just so their children wouldn’t miss that grand spectacle. Even when their pockets were empty, they would still fill their children’s hearts, buying them Delhi appalam, cauliflower bakkoda, dolls, and balloons. On April 13, the actual celebration begi...

                   ( Ai generated image) I saw a man Whose eyes Conveyed so much More than his words Those wandering eyes New to the place Sensing the discomfort The uneasiness And begging the clock To run fast So that he could Go back home To his known And loved faces. He was a new employee Everyone Everything was new to him Being a 45-year-old man Called “va po” by a 30-year-old A 19-year-old girl speaking in English Customers asking him to show new phone models And he, in turn, Wanted to ask for help Showing the same model again and again Feeling hesitant Until another employee Took over his role. In those eyes I saw every one of us The first day of us In school College Workspace Or even solo days— Cinema hall Restaurant The same eyes That long for a hug That search for comfort That want to go back somewhere Yet struggle within Still showing up With a pretending smile. We all have been there Once the first day is crossed There are man...

I picked an auto, An empty one. I filled that empty seat. Usually, Auto drivers Scream their lungs out, Calling out places, Waiting until the auto Has no space To breathe And so do the people. Commonly, 8 sit, But depending upon the physique, It varies. And at one point, The auto looks  Like an overfilled balloon, Swollen with air, Ready to burst any second holding many lives inside. But this anna Didn't call out to people. I was the only one. The moment I sat, He started. Omg, the best thing Happened today— No need to wait Until seats fill In this scorching heat. In between, Without informing, He stopped Outside a police station. Blank, clueless me Waited, Questioned, Judged him, Doubted the situation. Until I saw him pouring the last of his water From the bottle On his legs. Those legs needed relief. Those hands needed a day off from the sun. Those eyes needed a deep sleep, A minute to close them peacefully, And to feel the coolness, And the kindness of nature or of people. Then ...

You think You have so much time Until you look at the clock. It’s 8:26. You say, “Let me wait Till the big hand touches 6.” You use those four minutes As if the world will end without them, And somehow, You feel satisfied. But is it really satisfaction? Or are you just fooling yourself? You don’t want to admit You’ve wasted time, So you pretend You were being patient, Being careful, Being “productive.” But those four minutes Don’t they matter? They seem small. But they matter. In 60 seconds, Anything can change. A doctor can save a life. A poem can be written. A mistake can be corrected. A person can become better. In a minute, You can help someone Cross the road, Show them the way Or change their life With a simple piece of advice. Ask a friend, “Have you eaten?” And that one question Can stay with them Far longer than a minute. Sometimes, even a lifetime. An idea can be born in a minute, Refined, Destroyed, And reborn again. So think, What can’t a minute do? Never underestimate time....

Even making one person 'think' is a victory Says DD sir . Sir, it was never just one— you awakened many minds. The man who made us believe in our ability to think. Though it may seem ordinary, you nurtured it with depth, with meaning and made it extraordinary. We have missed many things in life, regretted a few, welcomed many— but never missed your classes. And even the ones we did… the regret still stays. Wishing we could go back to the Selaiyur hall, sitting there, listening to your lectures— never losing interest, but losing pages and ink. Our notes may complain about being written endlessly, but if they had a voice, they would understand the weight, the value, the importance of your knowledge. They wouldn’t complain— they would celebrate, contribute their pages willingly, happily, wholeheartedly… just like us. Your classes were never just classes— they were about society, love, life, and existence itself. Existence? We doubted it, analysed it, questioned it… because of you....

When can I be humble? We say we should draw a line—to what extent I can stay humble. But T. S. Eliot says there is no limit in his poem East Coker (Number 2 of Four Quartets). “The only wisdom we can hope to acquire Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless.” To answer this question where can I be humble—our professor said, “ When you know your insufficiencies, you can practice humility.” I was stunned for a second. It took a moment to realise that what she said is absolutely true. When you are ready to learn, When you are ready to unlearn, You gain a lot. My brother always tells me, when you don’t know something, just ask openly. Don’t worry thinking you’ll be judged for that. It’s okay even if they judge. But what matters for you is the answer = learning. And there are a few mentors whom I have come across who just pass on their knowledge without any hesitations. And when you find such people, it feels like a feast for your brain. As you are going to learn and unlearn, question...

Misunderstandings— They can begin anywhere, From something small That, to the other, Feels enormous. Neither can really be blamed. We try To make them realise, To understand, To reconcile— But it’s never easy. A bond, strong as walls, Suddenly builds walls within itself. Because? Just a word? Said in a moment, Without measuring it, Out of anger, Out of control— So easily uttered. It may be called a joke, A casual counter, But once it wounds, It’s hard to heal. Some need time. Even then, Pulling them out of it, Out of their space, Feels like another war, Another confrontation. Sometimes, Big riots end in seconds. But these small things— Others may not even call them misunderstandings— Create the biggest gaps. Tiny ants, That look like elephants to them. And there’s nothing wrong in that. Because at the end of the day, People are different. So are their reasons, And their pain.