The Mental Compass

"Slam Dunk," a beloved Japanese anime, delves into the psychological dimensions of sports, offering profound lessons applicable to athletes of all levels. The story follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, an initially unmotivated high school delinquent who transforms into a dedicated basketball player. One of the central themes is the importance of perseverance. Sakuragi faces numerous setbacks, yet his determination to improve exemplifies the mindset needed in sports: resilience in the face of adversity. This suggests that failure is a stepping stone to success, a crucial lesson for athletes facing competition. Another psychological lesson from "Slam Dunk" is the power of teamwork and camaraderie. As Sakuragi progresses, he learns that individual talent alone is insufficient; synergetic collaboration with teammates is crucial for success. This reflects the psychological need for belonging and support, underscoring how collective spirit can enhance performance and foster a po...

Has it ever happened? You are trolling in your house, enjoying the peaceful life, or gulping snacks, and all of a sudden, there it is. A spider, a bossy and bold one. If you've been there, you know this is not just a cute guy on 8 legs; it's a deathmatch itself. The mom's all of a sudden summoned a chair out of thin air to stand on. The sibling in a corner sticking like duct tape using Van der Waals forces. And you? You and that spider, in the hallway. Facing each other, like two warriors. Or maybe you owe it money. Ah. Those sharp and terrifying legs, bulky like a gym dude and spiky hairs with eyes showing no emotion. This eight-legged menace has once blocked not just ours but everyone's way—at least once in their life. And when it moves an inch? We are Boeing 747.  But, how many of us made it past ourselves? The number goes to one in 10, as much as my experience says—at least when we were kids. Although, most of us still cannot manage this minibeast ourselves. Then wh...

“ The measure of a society is how it treats its weakest members.” – Mahatma Gandhi In the serenity of early mornings, when birds sing and newspapers rustle, there exists silence too. This silence is often that of older people—not by choice but due to a culture that views age as irrelevant and wisdom as an inconvenience. The gap between support and suppression is much wider than we perceive; their voices are reduced to whispers, views dismissed, and independence often traded for conformity. In homes cloaked in comfort and institutions wrapped in efficiency, the boundary between care and coercion is blurred.  At face value, caregiving appears to be a compassionate act—food is served, medications are tracked, and safety is ensured. But beneath this routine lies a profound question: at what cost do we care? Seniors are frequently deprived of basic autonomy—when to get up, what to eat, and how to spend their time. Communication is often one-way and instruction-based. While these behavio...

Ever heard of getting into tangles and suffocating yourself while trying to find a way out? Those chaotic thoughts swirling in your brain prevent you from feeling at peace, and despite searching for a calm path, you're stuck in an endless loop. The calmness you carry doesn't seem to help, breathing exercises feel futile, and then you realize—you need to talk to someone more important: yourself. Yes, you heard that right—self-talk can heal, or at least medicate, your mind, revealing paths you can walk.  One day, I was juggling work, feeling overwhelmed as time flew by without a tick-tock or the sound of the seconds hand. "Am I feeling anxious?" my wet arms seemed to answer. Not this time. This is a common feeling, something we face at least once in a while—just as normal as trying something new. Instead of nagging, just pause. You can restart again. But what if chaos or vague voices persist in the back of your mind? That’s when it’s time for a self-talk.   Starting is ...