Solitude: what is this and how to attain it?

In this intricately connected world, it is difficult to find solitude. And it is necessary that one must, from time to time. We in India are blessed that most people do not give a negative connotation to solitude, unlike in Western cultures where it may be equated with loneliness, sadness and anti-social tendencies. After all, solitude is extolled in our epics and our scriptures.

The benefits of solitude are many. It helps improve concentration, and thereby increases productivity. One is able to work more effectively and in lesser time. It provides time for you to think deeply about yourself, your work and your environment and helps think through problems more effectively and creatively.

Solitude also helps you think deeply about yourself and your relationships and thereby enhance the quality of your relationships. You may come to appreciate relationships more after you have spent time with yourself.

Which is not to say that one should give up one’s world and take to the Himalayas in search of peace. There are many small steps we can take to help ourselves.

Try switching off from distractions you can do without. Try to switch off the TV when you are watching a mindless sitcom and use that time to think about yourself, your day, your relationships, anything. Take time off from the incessant beeping of phones and messages. Just be.

See if you can get up 30 minutes earlier than usual and spend time with yourself, doing things that you like doing. It could be meditation, or gardening, or walking. Or again, just be-ing.

If you are studying or working on a project at home or in your office, shut that door. People may be taken aback if you are not used to doing this, but they would respect it soon. Tell your loved ones, or your colleagues that you are going to need that solitude.

Successful people actually mark off time on their calendars for solitude. It doesn't have to be long. Any time that you can spend alone with yourself to meditate, focus, relax, create and think deeply, is better than no time.

So, reboot your life in the coming week. Have a nice Monday!

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New Load Shedding Schedule effective from second of Mangsir 2011 (2071-09-02)

It's not new to Nepalese people that the load shedding hours gets increased in the winter, as the rate of flow of water is less compared to summer. Hence, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has issued the new schedule effective from 2nd of Mangsir, 2071.

Here is the new load shedding schedule for Kathmandu:

If you want to download the full load shedding schedule in the pdf version then click here

And Happy Load shedding fellas. Stay warm, stay cozy.

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Do we need these suggestions every time?

"Looks like you've put on more weight than the last time I saw you. Why don't you try some pilates? Or yoga?"

"Babe, you are so short! I heard there's a swimming class starting in school. Why don't you join it?"

Ever heard yourself advising your fat or short friends along similar lines? No, you wouldn't call them 'fat', you'd call them 'healthy'; you wouldn't call them 'short'; you'd call them 'petite'.

You are offended because I called them fat or short. After all, you're their well-wisher. They probably nodded their heads with a wry smile & thanked you for your suggestion. But, does it ever occur to you that they might be offended by your advice? That they're so fed up of hearing different advices from every well-wisher that your advice is nothing but a constant reminder of their imperfection to them? That their imperfections bother them so much that they must've already tried all those suggestions with no results only to give up hope? That perhaps their imperfections have been passed on to them genetically & there is nothing they can do to change the way they are? That your well-meaning suggestions & advices may hurt them more than their imperfections? That you could just shut your mouth for once & offer your advice when asked for?

Perhaps, they don't want you to wish them to be any different. Does it ever occur to you that you could just love them for what they are?

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