"Get washing machine repaired" I jotted on my to-do list, rolling my eyes.

"Get washing machine repaired" I jotted on my to-do list, rolling my eyes.

It was 9 am on Saturday morning, and I was still lingering in bed, wrapped in the warm rajai (quilt) protecting me from the cold-hearted air conditioner. Suddenly I heard a series of beeps from the washing machine housed in the bathroom. I recognized the sound — it occurs when the machine is switched off. However, something peculiar followed; it toggled on and off again. I got up and opened the bathroom door. The mischievous ghost who was playing with the machine had obviously disappeared. 

I 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 what had just happened. When moisture seeps into the washing machine circuit, it often leads to erratic behavior, causing short circuits that hinder the machine's working. Returning to the room, I made a note to call a technician for a check-up. "Make sure you don't let any water around the buttons, display and top of the machine" I instructed our domestic help when she came in. I 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 someone had kept wet clothes on the machine and water had crept in through the buttons. "And don't start the machine until 2 pm today. It acted up this morning, so giving it some time might just work. It usually does," I declared, 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 from past experiences.

The machine did not start at 3 pm when the help tried. I had to call the technician I figured. However, around 4 pm, when our help attempted again, the machine miraculously worked. I 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 that the moisture had cleared up and all was well.

Later, I discovered that the building lift wasn't operational in the morning. Although it started working after a while, it faced issues again in the afternoon. I learned about a problem with one of the phases in our building's power supply that day, causing disruptions in the lift's functioning. This had affected the washing machine kept in the bathroom as well. Either the phase disruption had knocked off all power in the bathroom or had just affected the washing machine which works on higher voltage. Whenever all phases were restored, it worked flawlessly. Each time the phase went off, it prompted the machine to power off with a beep, and its return initiated another beep, signifying a successful restart. Moisture or water played no part in the events of that day, and the machine's circuit was just fine.

Often we think we 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 it all. Sometimes due to our technical knowledge and sometims due to our past experiences. Yet so often we 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 nothing of what just happened, till we actually do. 

Ygritte was right about more than just Jon Snow - it applies to all of us.

(If you're not familiar with Game of Thrones, this image is from a well-known scene. Google "famous Ygritte Jon Snow dialogue" 𝘐𝘠𝘒𝘠𝘒.)

"...let me know once you get the award...

"...let me know once you get the award. I am sure you will, but still, confirm once you get it..."

I heard my mom say, as I slipped my shoes on. Her instructions were clear, leaving no room for ambiguity. I was nominated for an award and I was just leaving home for the event in the evening. The award ceremony began at around 7.30pm and Mom's prophecy came true – I received the award. Nothing surpasses a mother's conviction. They probably also understand that, no matter how detailed their instructions are, their children, regardless of age, are likely to forget. It was around 10.30 pm when I remembered I had forgotten to inform Mom. Since it was past her bedtime, I decided not to call. Entering home past 1 am, I quietly went into my room, ensuring not to disturb her. I decided to tell her about it the first thing the next morning.

"You didn't tell me you won the award," Mom exclaimed as soon as I stepped out of my room the next morning. It felt like she had been waiting there all morning to catch me. "Sorry, Mummy, I forgot to call you at first, and then it was too late, so I didn't call," I defended. "Why didn't you WhatsApp? I was waking up in the middle of the night to check for calls or messages from you," she protested with a smile. I knew Mom rarely used WhatsApp, but I also knew she rarely missed a message from her kids. It was a big miss on my part.

Today, I am delighted to be recognised as one of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗛𝗥 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 by WORLD HRD Congress & CHRO Asia. The first thing I wanted to do right after was WhatsApp Mom, "Mummy, I got the award!" However, I know the message would linger on the WhatsApp screen with a single grey tick for eternity as I have lost the joy of seeing two blue ticks in that chat window.

Remember to share every little piece of good news with your parents (and other loved ones). No appreciation, recognition, award, hike, or promotion is small or inconsequential to them. It's likely to bring them more joy than it would to you. Do it while you still can.

Thank you for the recognition once again, WORLD HRD Congress & CHRO Asia 🙏

"...just because he knows the doctor doesn't mean he can talk that way..."

"...just because he knows the doctor doesn't mean he can talk that way..." said the receptionist, visibly upset. Let's call her Molly.

I was waiting for my turn at a clinic with three patients ahead of me, two of them were senior citizens. Around 1pm, a young man arrived. Let's call him Draco. He approached the reception & demanded to be seen next. "Sir, your appointment was scheduled for 12. Please wait, we have elderly patients waiting. You can go in after them," Molly politely explained. "But I had a 12 pm appointment," he protested. "Sir, you're required to arrive 15 mins before time," she replied matter-of-factly. "I'm a friend of the doctor's son. I know him well. I'm also studying to be a doctor," he declared, trying to influence Molly. He appeared agitated & stared at her. Assessing the situation, Molly told him to take a seat & go next. 

After a few mins, he inquired, "This patient has been in there for long, when will he be done?" Molly couldn't provide an answer, she just smiled. Shortly after, Draco went in.

25 mins later, Draco was still inside, while we waited. The doc's cabin wasn't soundproof. We could hear Draco discuss personal non medical matters. It was then that Molly made the comment I quoted. "What kind of doctor will he become with such attitude & arrogance?" she added.

Finally, after 10 mins we heard two golden words which brought us joy. "Thank you" we heard Draco say, indicating he was done. Now if only Thank-yous & Good-byes were reliable indicators. At times people continue even after using them. Another 15 mins passed. I was out of patience. In a loud tone (so that it could be heard inside the doc's cabin), I asked Molly, "He has been in there for 40 mins. Could you check how much longer it will take?" I knew she couldn't do that, so I gestured with my hand, signaling her to stay put.

The trick might have worked. Draco emerged within a couple of mins, glancing around, probably trying to identify the source of the voice. The next patient went in. "Sir, you forgot to pay the fees," Molly said just as Draco was leaving. Draco feigned shock before proceeding to make the payment. "They think they can escape without paying just because they know the doc," Molly smirked after he exited. 

The delays didn't stop there. Doc got a personal call that lasted for over 10 mins. The next patient (a 60+ lady already seated inside the cabin) peeped out smiling "It's not me who is keeping him, he is on a personal call. Just so you guys know I am not hogging his time." We all burst into laughter as we very well knew she was right.

Most professionals value their clients' time & experience. Being in high demand shouldn't give one the right to disregard their clients' (often elderly/unwell) time for non-urgent activities that could be done at a later time.

Entitlement is probably a bigger problem today than it ever was. Most of us have likely exhibited behavior similar to Draco or the doc at some point, often without realizing it.

"...you will squeeze the life out of that toothpaste tube now...!"

"...you will squeeze the life out of that toothpaste tube now...!" I said, grinning from ear to ear.

It was during my primary school days. With morning school routines being a universal ritual, caregivers, especially mothers, have the task of dragging kids out of bed every morning and supplying everything from a toothbrush to socks.

On this particular day, things were no different. Mom retrieved the tube of Colgate (toothpaste common in many households in the '80s and '90s, or the more budget-friendly Babool). The tube was completely bent, squeezed dry. Another squeeze might have made it shriek in protest. But the unsuspecting tube was unaware of what awaited it! Mom seized the poor tube and headed to the kitchen. Moments later, she reappeared with a Saansi (Gujarati for the tongs used in the kitchen) in one hand and the terrified toothpaste tube in the other.

Carefully, she rolled the toothpaste until it looked like a tightly curled up snake. Then, like an acupressure expert, she applied just the right amount of pressure at the right spots (mostly at the tube's neck) to extract some paste that probably never imagined seeing the light of day again. I hastily started brushing, but to my amazement, the tube was returned to the cabinet, not the dust bin. Mom saw the look on my face. Mothers often know the question you are gonna ask even before the question presents itself to you. "That will easily last 3 to 4 days more." she declared, confining the curled up tooth paste back where it belonged, for the next few days at the least.

Early life lessons:-

- It's a good habit to get the most out of resources, but not at the expense of something else, especially someone's physical or mental health. Sometimes, all it takes is a mindset focused on saving and optimizing, along with some creative thinking.

- We often don't realize when we're wasting something. That unused paste would have been useless if thrown away. By using it, we not only saved a bit of money but also prevented it from going to waste.

The attached image is of a ketchup bottle at my home yesterday. While its successor has arrived, this one has been relegated to a Sirsasana (headstand) position for the last two days, serving for a couple of samosas. There's still a squeeze or two left in it.

At home, sometimes, we still handle toothpaste tubes and packs of milk, oil, and ghee similarly. However, my 76-year-old mother's mastery in extracting every last drop far surpasses my skills!

Wishing you all a Happy New Year! May you continue accumulating savings and building wealth by making the most of what (not who) can be squeezed in 2024.