Subtle things

Hiking - the word brings forth the therapeutic power of nature, the magnificent mountain views, lakes, human attributes of strength, vulnerability, a sense of community where nothing but kindness prevails, and feelings of joy and accomplishment.  Heather Maple Pass Loop, 2021                                 Sheep Lake and Sourdough Gap, 2021 I started hiking after moving to Seattle in 2017 and the bulk of my hikes happened to be in 2019 when I signed up in multiple hiking groups on meetup.com . While I continued to go on hikes with friends ( Twin Falls , Wallace Falls , Rattlesnake Ledge , Little Si , Beckler Peak in Mt. Baker Snoqualmie Region, one other in Mt. Rainier), I did five hikes with different meetups that year including Lake 22 , Ira Spring Trail , Burroughs Mountain in Mt. Rainier, Easy Pass (anything but easy), and Maple Pass Loop .  I only have fond memories of all those hikes except the last two, particularly the maple pass loop where I struggled the most. The first

I recently bought a new car. I had been driving my old car for about a decade now and it was a second-hand car. It was going very well (being Toyota) and I would be lying if I try to justify my new purchase by citing any major issues with my old car. The reality is I needed a change and there are few features that I had started looking forward to, especially after having started a full-time job and knowing that I can afford them now. Earlier being in graduate school, it was a luxury to even have a nice, reliable car. Also, having driven my old car for a while now, I had the satisfaction that I have enjoyed my old ride and was making an informed decision about the change now.  So, what is it that I am trying to get to by sharing these details here, you may ask? Well, I want to share one principle that got reinforced in my mind as I reflect on a decision I took based on it. And as you might guess, the decision is related to my car buying experience.  I was being nudged frequently by frie

Let me start by directly asking your opinion on the title. Agree or not really?  In my opinion, these two concepts of hobby and leisure time can present themselves as a chicken and egg scenario for some of us amid our busy schedules. In other words, should you have hobbies and then figure out some time to enjoy them OR the other way around where if you get some free time, only then you can think of following some hobby?  While I find myself naturally inclined to the first case where I already have hobbies and I try to make room for them from time to time (just like writing that I am doing now), I also know that many of us struggle with our busy schedules. I have heard from friends and family on how sometimes 24 hours are not even enough for the core tasks, leave aside hobbies. But here's one perspective I would like to share with those of you who may not be able to dedicate time for hobbies in their current lives.  In your current routine, you may not feel that you are missing out

Let me share a personal story of something that happened very recently to me. Starting with something that I am sure each one of you reading this would be able to relate with. All this past year, I have kept it pretty much to myself when it comes to in-person meetings. I am fortunate to have a few deep relationships with whom I can talk out aloud and be myself. Other than connecting with them over long phone calls every day, I have been in my own company enjoying reading, exploring new hobbies, or going on short drives.  At the workplace, we started working from home starting March and while I have been going for daily walks up until September but after that, the frequency started gradually decreasing coming to almost a halt by the end of the year. It must have been a handful of times only when I met friends 1:1 and that too outdoors during summer. Despite this secluded life, by God's grace, I have been able to keep myself quite busy and stay positive.  However, despite this sense