Ryan Holiday: EGO is the ENEMY

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Let me start with a few questions: What is ego? What role does it play? Who is free of ego? Are there any benefits to having an ego?

Ryan Holiday's Ego is the Enemy is an inspirational read for anyone seeking to achieve greatness in life, a journey often hindered by the presence of ego. 

I had been excited to read this book for a while and finally decided to try the audiobook version. I knew it would be challenging to absorb everything, but I believed it is worth trying. Listening to a 5-hour and 34-minute audiobook takes more than just time—it requires patience, dedication, determination, and focus. One moment you are immersed in the book, and the next, you are up in the air. 

It took me two days to complete the book. While I may not have retained every single detail, I grasped the key concepts it offers. 

It reminded me of my childhood, when I was both innocent and arrogant—a reflection of my massive ego. This book helped me understand the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and reducing the role of ego in one’s life. I have always believed that ego is vital for survival, but keeping its negative aspects in check is equally crucial.

As I listened to each chapter, one thought continued to linger—how ego can both elevate and destroy an individual. This made me think of football legends like Messi and Ronaldo, both extraordinary players in their own way.

Messi’s humble ego has made him to quietly ascend to one of the greatest footballers of all time. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has channeled his more outward ego and competitive nature into his own version of greatness. Both players have used ego in a constructive way, and this is the kind of ego one should cultivate—whether in sports or any other field.

On the other side, I feel a sense of loss when I think of Neymar. He, too, was a football genius, but after a few years of brilliance, he failed to maintain his momentum, even during his prime. I remember watching him alongside Messi at Barcelona, but his career was short-lived. 

In my view, Neymar lacked the discipline and constructive ego needed to reach his full potential. He could have outshone both Messi and Ronaldo, but his lack of a positive ego hindered him. A player with his talents should have left a lasting legacy, but instead, his career faded too soon.

This brings me to a personal story. One of my close friends from high school, a brilliant mind, ruined his life by lacking ego. When properly harnessed, ego can be a powerful tool for self-development. It can be a gift, but if it becomes a source of unchecked pride, it can destroy both life and success.

As a teacher, I always advise my students to embrace ego, but the right kind—the positive, competitive, and growth-oriented ego. Some of them took this advice and went on to become successful, while others misunderstood it. 

    ***         ***          ***

This book stands out because it offers a wealth of insights, featuring facts and stories about various figures from the past and present who either achieved fame or saw their careers and lives ruined, with or without ego.

The chapters are arranged beautifully, with every word and line resonating deeply and feeling relevant to everyone—whether rich or poor, educated or uneducated, influential or not. I especially loved how each chapter or topic ends with a remarkable and thought-provoking conclusion.

My favorite part was the idea of "always being a student," which highlights life as an ongoing journey of learning but also a constant challenge. The tragic story of guitarist Dave Mustaine's exit from the band Metallica was a real eye-opener for me.

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas: Review

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I have come across some interesting reviews of the movie -some recent, others older. The feelings shared by these viewers are simply mind-blowing. 

The reviews highlight just how beautiful and touching this film is. I haven't watched the full movie yet, but I am already eager to watch it myself. Nonetheless, I will definitely have my own share of thoughts and feelings to share. 

I am truly thankful to my wife for recommending this movie. So far, I have only seen the trailer and read a few online reviews, but they have already sparked my curiosity, and urge, making me want to watch it sooner than I expected. 

 

Preeti Shah Review of the Moive

"The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" is a hauntingly poignant masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of cinema to touch the deepest recesses of the human soul. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this film navigates the complexities of innocence, friendship, and the brutality of prejudice with unparalleled grace and sensitivity.

Directed with exquisite precision by Mark Herman, every frame of the film is a testament to the power of storytelling. As we follow the journey of young Bruno, portrayed with heart-wrenching vulnerability by Asa Butterfield, we are confronted with the stark realities of a world torn apart by hatred and intolerance.

The performances in "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" are nothing short of extraordinary. From Vera Farmiga's portrayal of Bruno's mother, grappling with the moral dilemmas of her time, to Jack Scanlon's haunting portrayal of Shmuel, a young boy trapped behind the barbed wire of a concentration camp, each actor brings depth and nuance to their characters, eliciting both empathy and introspection from the audience.

But perhaps the greatest triumph of the film lies in its ability to capture the universal themes of humanity and compassion. Through the innocent friendship that blossoms between Bruno and Shmuel, the film reminds us of the inherent goodness that resides within us all, regardless of race, religion, or circumstance.

As the credits roll and the echoes of the film linger in the air, "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas" leaves an indelible mark on the heart, serving as a poignant reminder of the power of love to transcend even the darkest of times. It is a cinematic gem that will resonate with viewers long after the final scene fades to black.

 

Dream Beast revew of the moive

The Boy in Striped Pyjamas is a movie produced in the year 2008. This movie was historically based on war during the 19th century and it has won several awards. 

This movie is about an adventurous boy named Bruno, who is a child explorer, and his family. Ever since Bruno’s father got a promotion for his job, the family had to move from Berlin to a city called Out-With. 

From that moment onwards, Bruno’s life changed drastically as he realised that he would have no choice but to be separated from his friends in school, just like his sister, Gretel. Once they had arrived at their new home, the siblings did not look very pleased as it was absolutely different from their old house in Berlin. From Bruno’s room’s view, he could see a work camp where all the Jews were captured. 

One day, Bruno tiptoed towards the camp and he met a boy who introduced himself as Schmuel. Both of them started talking to each other and Bruno enjoys the conversation just as much as Schmuel does. This conversation became a regular/daily habit and friendship built upon them. 

One day, Schmuel’s father disappeared and Bruno promised to help him search for his dad. Bruno’s mother fought with Bruno’s father as she thinks that this house was not a great place for children like Bruno and Gretel, so they will leave and find somewhere safer to live. 

Bruno was extremely sad and decided to go find Schmuel one last time, where Bruno sneaks into the camp to find Schmuel’s missing dad. However, they did not find any clue. Suddenly, an officer commanded all the Jews to start marching to the showers. Then, Bruno and Schmuel were gassed to death inside. When Bruno’s family found him, it was too late.

This movie is one of the saddest movies I have ever seen. My favourite quote in this story is “Their lost voices must continue to be heard.” Bruno’s father mentioned that all Jews are bad and Bruno’s teacher, Herr Liszt, said sarcastically “I think Bruno if you ever find a nice Jew, you’d be the best explorer in the world.” 

However, this statement is definitely disagreeable. There was a scene where Bruno accidentally fell off a tree swing he made with ropes and a tire and a Jew named Pavel helped him. I found the moment the officers beating the Jews up and the part where Bruno died extremely upsetting. In conclusion/Overall, I would rate this movie 9/10. However, the book was slightly better, it tells the same story but the book is more detailed. 

I think that the movie’s ending could have been a little better. I will recommend both the book as well as the movie.

 

Akansha singh review of the movie

Even though I had this movie in my laptop for more than 5 years, yet I watched it today. Maybe we evolve on our own pace and develop taste and interest with time and not when someone suggests you something. I have been reading history lately a lot, and history made me curious to know more about the things  around the world. 

This led to watching documentaries and holocaust movies. This is one of the best holocaust movies I have watched so far. How brilliantly writer   unfolds the story slowly and innocently, giving minute details about how a 8 year boy feels about the changes around,friendship and  unfolding the theme .Also, how children are away from all the wars and negative stuffs which pleasure adults. 

How they find happiness in anything around irrespective of caste,religion,race,etc. Maybe this is us, adults and society who takes away their innocence and bound them with "the right thing/people" and "the wrong thing/people" leading to hatred. All they care for is making friends, eating food, exploring things and making their own happy place wherever you put them. 

So, yeah, there is so much to learn from children, history and cruelties in the past.

Plot- 4/5

Acting- 5/5 ( boy nailed it)

Cinematography-5/5

Direction-5/5

Pace-5/5

 

 

Disclaimer: These reviews are shared solely for my personal reference and to gain different perspectives on the movie. They are not intended for any other purpose. 

 

Building the Legacy --II

Salem House. Happiness Kingdom Travels

Early this morning, while browsing through my Facebook news feed, I came across an interesting post from "Happiness Kingdom Travels" about a subject that has long piqued my interest—The Galem House in Punakha. 

The post offers a beautiful summary of the house, covering everything one might want to know. 

"The Galem and Singye House in Punakha is a historic landmark tied to one of Bhutan's most cherished folk tales-the story of Salem and Singye, two lovers whose tragic romance is often compared to Romeo and Juliet. The house, located near the Punakha Dzongkha, is believed to be the home of Salem, and it stands as a symbol of enduring love and devotion. Visitors can explore the traditional Bhutanese architecture of the house, which reflects the cultural heritage of the region. This site serves as a reminder of Bhutan's rich storytelling tradition and its deep connection to themes of love and loyalty".

I can't agree more on the information. However, motivated by my deep passion to preserve this historic site before it is gone forever, I quickly left a comment on the page. I have heard numerous discussions happening with different stakeholders, but time is running out as the house is decaying faster than anticipated. 

In my comment, I shared my long-held wish. "For years, I have hoped this historic house could be transformed into something special, like a museum, while maintaining its originality intact. It's more than a piece of history—it's our own Romeo and Juliet story. There's so much we can share with the world, that we have our own existence and independence."

The page admin responded me with the following lines. It's just so beautiful and informative. 

Dear Sancha, 

Our sentiments exactly! and the government is going to restore it as per the recent meet-the-press session. "And it was said that the main focus is on renovating cracks in the walls, enhancing the roofing, establishing a footpath outside the house, and installing street lights. These initiatives are currently in the final stages of preparation.  

Galem’s house serves as the backdrop for a poignant love story involving Gasa Lami Singye and Changyuel Bum Galem, a tale widely renowned throughout the country and depicted in numerous Bhutanese films.

In addition to its rich history, the altar room located on the top floor of the house is also revered as the neykhang of the deity Goen Drakpa. Goendrap is believed to be residing in Punakha during the summer and Gasa during the winter. Goendrap, from history, was supposed to bestow his blessings to those who do religious deeds. Every year, on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Bhutanese calendar, Gasa Dzongkhag offers a welcoming ritual ceremony.

On the 24th day of the 12th Month of the Bhutanese Calender, a member from the Galem’s house has to go to the Goendrap Neykhang, which is located at the other side of the MoChhu for offerings.

Before the Zhung Dratshang took over the Goendrap Neykhang, the ancestors of Galem took care of the lhakhang, but there are no records as to since when.

On the 15th day of the Third Month of the Bhutanese calendar, zhabkyel (see-off offering) has to be offered to the Goendrap when leaving for his summer residence to Gasa from Punakha.

And thank you for your lovely comment!

I have visited the Galem House several times, and each visit stirs a deep emotions. On my second visit, I felt a profound sense of melancholy, as though I was connecting with the essence of true love—a feeling that seems to be fading in today's generation. 

I get a sense that this place has the real potential to inspire future generations to value love, kindness, and humanity. 

By creatively preserving the house and adding elements that blend storytelling and leisure, we can share with the world not just the Bhutanese side of Romeo and Juliet, but also our architectural heritage and the heart of Bhutanese culture.

I am quite sure that this place with a little more creative approach, we not just harness revenue but also we can offer visitors a meaningful experience, showcasing how we have lived in a stone-age-period. And more importantly, it can teach our children about the power of 'love', family, and community bonding -values that are so authentic, pristine, fragile, rare, original and genuine. This is the way we should live and share this planet, not just by the power of guns. 

While there are stories and films about Galem and Singye, that's not enough. We need to do more to preserve this house in a better way than just leaving it as an idea, or an unfinished plan. 

If there is one thing we must embrace and pass on, it's love and care. Though time is running out, there is still a ray of hope from our Golden Throne.

Thoughtful Leader

My King. BBS

I often wonder if there's anyone more handsome, thoughtful, wise, profound, visionary, exceptional, and capable than our King.

In a small nation like Bhutan, with a population of just seven hundred thousand, if everyone can adopt the same mindset as our King, we could easily achieve anything and become one of the world's leading nations, even in terms of GDP.

There is no doubt about championing Gross National Happiness (GNH) and become global ambassadors of this unique philosophy. 

There are countless things I admire about our King, but a few are too close to me personally.

I can't help but admire how perfectly our King wears our national dress. If anyone truly showcase the perfect fit of the gho, it would be Him. The curve and the neatness of the lagey, everything is ideally in place highlighting the true beauty of our national dress.

Another quality I deeply admire is His command of the National Language, Dzongkha. 

Whether He speaks in pure Dzongkha or mixes it with English (Dzonglish), we get to hear the beauty and depth of our national language.  

However, Dzongkha often appears to be undervalued across various spheres. There seems to be a shift towards prioritizing English, with many students finding Dzongkha less appealing and feeling self-conscious about using it in different contexts—whether at home, in school, in public, or during official meetings.

Starting from my own daughter who face lot of challenges and odd in communicating, it's clear that there's been a noticeable decline in the use of our national language, both in speaking and writing. Back when I was in primary school, learning Dzongkha was something we cherished deeply. There was so much emphasis placed on it, reflecting its national importance to preserve and promote our language without any hesitation. We took learning Dzongkha seriously, focusing on mastering writing skills, grammar, and memorizing stanzas.

Sadly, speaking Dzongkha is sometimes met with disdain, and those who use it might be unfairly perceived as less capable or less educated.

Building the Legacy

I have always felt a strong connection to my homeland, which has played a key role in shaping who I am today. 

I am excited to see the recent progress in our nation, especially in areas like architecture, education, and discipline—ideas I had discussed with students and friends long ago.

National service is, in my opinion, essential to building our country. Although I had envisioned it a bit differently, it has evolved in a more significant way than I imagined seven years ago.

Looking ahead to the next 100 years, it's inspiring to think about the stories we will tell future generations about Bhutan's progress. We will leave behind not just a secure and strong nation, but one that is advanced and forward-thinking.

The introduction of programs like Desuung training, and now Gyalsung for high school graduates (September 2024), is especially meaningful. These initiatives reflect where we started and where we hope to go as a nation. For a small country like ours, this level of progress is truly amazing.

What surprised me even more was that the 66th batch of Desuung training is now being offered to senior citizens (aged 55-75). I never expected this opportunity to arise, but it's a remarkable chance for those individuals.

This really shows how much thought and care our King puts into the well-being of our nation.

66th Desuung Batch. BBS

His Majesty with 1st Cohort of Gyalsung. BBS

Gyalsung Training Centre. BBS

His Majesty's words are reassuring, comforting and uplifting!

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?mibextid=UalRPS&v=835203505422423&rdid=r4WXovgzehNmTQD6