Unless they don’t even try to pronounce it right — My colleague had a beautiful Persian name which honestly wasn’t that hard to pronounce. When that white lady walked in and asked her to repeat her name a few times, she didn’t seem to mind. Or maybe she was accustomed to it by then. The white lady casually told her…

Is it worth it? — Should art be created without keeping the audience in mind or shout art cater to its audience? Does art even need an audience? Not every piece of art needs it but having an audience is important. Sometimes it’s all an artist does for a living. Sometimes it’s the appreciation they need to keep going. Sometimes for critical feedback too. Art is two-way communication between an artist and the audience. What the artist wanted to convey and what the audience received. It matters.

I still reciprocate if they smile at me first — I’ve always considered smiling at complete strangers the best thing about Americans. And it’s contagious. I couldn’t even remember when it became the norm of my life to be the first one to pass a smile at every passer-by. But then the day came when it dawned on me I…

And the one thing I want to teach her. — Observing children can teach us many things. But what always amazes me is their spirit of ‘living in the moment’. The bewildered look on my toddler’s face when I tell her she can’t have all the candies right away and she needs to save for the future makes me feel…

Humans are built to experience every emotion. But we keep chasing happiness — all the time. They say happiness should come from the ‘present you’ and not from the ‘after-5-year successful you’ — the one you idolize. …

Is it all bad though? — They say children are good imitators. Going by this analogy — as many parents do — I got into a habit of telling my 3-year-old daughter to do things like some other ‘ideal’ kid. Once I asked her to brush her teeth without any fuss like all the good kids…