Suvya 340

I distinctly remember the first time I visited an orphanage in India. I was 15, tagging along with my mom, who thought it would be a good experience for me to see a different side of life. That’s where I met Kabir, a boy just two years younger than me. Kabir was sharp - brilliant, actually. He told me he was teaching himself calculus, solving equations most of us wouldn’t even attempt until years later. I remember sitting there, completely floored. At 13, he was doing math I couldn’t wrap my head around, all while living in conditions I could never imagine surviving in. As we said goodbye, I couldn’t hold it together. The moment we stepped out, I burst into tears - uncontrollable, heaving sobs that startled my mom. She panicked, thinking something terrible had happened, but I couldn’t explain what was wrong. I was overwhelmed with anger, frustration, and guilt. Why did Kabir, someone so talented and full of potential, have to live in such an unfair situation? Why was I the one who...

I love the color Blue so much and I always find myself wearing it. I noticed that Blue is everywhere, yet somehow, it never loses its magic. From serene ocean views to vast skies, blue has a powerful presence in our world and our minds. Since I have gotten to thinking about why I love Blue so much, I will use this random post to dive into the psychology and science behind the color blue - and why it might be the most beloved hue on the spectrum. 1. The Psychology of Blue Studies in color psychology reveal that blue often symbolizes trust, loyalty, and confidence. That’s why it’s the go-to color for so many corporate logos. Companies from IBM to Facebook leverage blue to convey stability and security, making us feel safe and assured. Additionally, research shows that blue can actually lower heart rates and reduce blood pressure, acting as a psychological soother. In fact, blue light exposure has been linked to lowering cortisol levels (the stress hormone) in the body, promoting a sense ...

 The book I read is Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant. What initially intrigued me about it is the emphasis on how, in a world that’s moving at light speed, we can’t afford to be stuck with outdated beliefs just because they feel comfortable. Grant’s whole point is that sticking to what we think we “know” might be the one thing holding us back. So, I figured this book might have some pointers on how to stay open to changing my mind and challenging assumptions.   The book genuinely did help develop a new mentality  - diving into why we cling so hard to our beliefs, with Grant using examples like a smokejumper who literally survived a wildfire by creating his own escape route. Not your typical “change is good” advice - Grant actually breaks down how rethinking can save lives (or just save us from our own bad calls). He also categorizes our thinking habits into “preacher,” “prosecutor,” and “scientist” modes, with the last one being our...

 I've chosen to read "Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know" by Adam Grant. I picked this book because I've been following Adam Grant on Twitter and Instagram for many years now and have always enjoyed reading his research. I also really like that this book is based around the idea that our growth and learning comes from challenging our beliefs and shedding outdated ideas.  I've only read a few pages of the book so far but it shocked me to find out that Adam Grant was a co-founder of a failed social network startup at Harvard, five years before Zuck founded Facebook at the same campus. It was really interesting reading his perspective on the situation and how he overcomes the pangs of regret he occasionally feels. From what I've read, Grant's writing emphasizes the importance of mental agility, not just intelligence. One point that stood out is how the smartest people aren't necessarily the most open-minded and they can often be bli...