Chapters

June 12, 2025

Chapter 51: One Survivor

In this reflective blog post, I share a deeply personal update, weaving together themes of illness, grief, survival, and the randomness of life. Amid supporting ill family members, moving apartments, and facing my own health scare, I grapple with the unpredictability of existence, heightened by the news of a tragic Air India plane crash with a single survivor. Questioning notions of divine intervention and fairness, the post underscores how arbitrary survival can be, and how privilege and health are often overlooked blessings. Drawing parallels between my own long battle with chronic illness and that of a friend with terminal cancer, I ultimately invite readers to consider what it means to live meaningfully, especially when so many never get that chance.

April 14, 2025

Chapter 50: Superman For Just One Day

In this post, I recount an unexpected outcome from a shoulder surgery intended to repair a presumed torn rotator cuff. Post-operative findings revealed no tear, highlighting the limitations of imaging diagnostics. Due to a prior neck fusion, I opted for a nerve block with sedation, which resulted in temporary paralysis of the arm for over a day. This experience offered a profound, albeit brief, insight into the challenges faced by individuals with paralysis, deepening my empathy for disabled people. Reflecting on personal health struggles spanning decades—including multiple surgeries and chronic pain—I acknowledge the psychological toll of chronic illness and the resilience required to navigate such challenges. Despite these hardships, I express gratitude for retained mobility and a renewed appreciation for life's complexities.

March 26, 2025

Chapter 49: Social Media: An Invisible Illness

Social media has evolved into a double-edged sword—while it has revolutionized communication and business, it has also fueled misinformation, cyberbullying, and societal detachment. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, once created for networking and entertainment, have instead contributed to mental health struggles, particularly among younger generations. The rise of toxic online behaviours, obsession with self-image, and addiction to short-form content raises concerns about how future generations will function in the real world. Once intended to connect people, social media now resembles an invisible illness, silently shaping human interaction in ways that many never anticipated.

February 26, 2025

Chapter 48: Doctor, Doctor, I've got those G.I. Blues

The author shares a frustrating and ongoing battle with severe **IBS/SIBO**, detailing a disappointing visit with their gastroenterologist, who dismissed their research efforts and downplayed their symptoms. Despite trying both traditional Western medicine and various holistic treatments, they have found little relief and continue to seek answers independently. Their latest hope lies in a **herbal remedy from a holistic healer**, which they plan to try. The post emphasizes the importance of **self-advocacy in healthcare**, urging others to continue researching their conditions, even when doctors discourage it.

November 27, 2024

Chapter 47: Bite Your Tongue

This blog post reflects on gratitude and perspective during Thanksgiving. Amidst a politically charged atmosphere, the author urges readers to prioritize kindness over arguments. They recount personal struggles with degenerative arthritis and a painful tongue-biting incident, which led to deeper reflection after seeing an "Operation Smile" ad highlighting children born with cleft palates. The experience juxtaposes personal hardships with the profound challenges faced by others, especially those born into poverty and despair. The author emphasizes the importance of empathy, gratitude, and recognizing the blessings in our lives, even amidst personal struggles. This Thanksgiving, they encourage readers to "bite their tongue," avoid divisive conversations and focus on the bigger picture of compassion and thankfulness.

October 20, 2024

Chapter 46: The Dark Side of TikTok

Let’s look at the state of the world today, with out-of-control polarized U.S. politics, wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, natural disasters, and the way we are constantly bombarded with news of all these events. How we access and consume information now is fragmented across so many streams; how can anyone know what is real and what isn’t—especially with AI-generated fake images and videos? TikTok is where the younger generation gets most of its news—in short, just seconds-long sound bites. Imagine. For all its popularity, TikTok reflects a growing trend in technology that makes me uneasy, and I can’t help but wonder if we’re heading in the wrong direction.

October 4, 2024 • Part 2

Chapter 45: You can take it to the Banksy

His art really makes you look at the world through a different lens. What motivated me to share this experience with you is that Banksy is essentially making the invisible visible, which is what this blog is all about. By calling attention to human behaviour, he highlights the insanity of our world. His art is thought-provoking and leaves you pondering over subjects, events, actions, wars, violence, and people at large. But rather than try to define his art any further, I will share some of his works that resonated with me.

October 4, 2024 • Part 1

Chapter 44: You can take it to the Banksy

His art really makes you look at the world through a different lens. What motivated me to share this experience with you is that Banksy is essentially making the invisible visible, which is what this blog is all about. By calling attention to human behaviour, he highlights the insanity of our world. His art is thought-provoking and leaves you pondering over subjects, events, actions, wars, violence, and people at large. But rather than try to define his art any further, I will share some of his works that resonated with me.

June 26, 2024

Chapter 43: Movies, Music, and the Human Race

I share my take on the impact movies and music have on our lives and the role that health plays in determining if we will lead a good life or not.

May 25, 2024

Chapter 42: When is enough really enough?

In this chapter, I discuss just how overwhelmed we are as a society by the constant pull for our attention by marketing firms, designers, influencers, smartphones, tablets, and streaming services.

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