Present Tense

Celebrating the art of giving, living in the now, and befriending AI

Festivals without gifts are like cake without frosting.

We almost can’t conceive of cake if there is no frosting. And yet usually I try to scoop the cake out and not eat the frosting. I like cake by itself.

Buying gifts is often a daunting task. Modern solutions like gift cards make life easier, but leave the recipient with no joy in receiving the gift. It takes out the guesswork, but also robs us of the special thought in buying a personalised gift.

Why do we gift? And what is a good gift? It is a simple question but complex psychology. We know a gift symbolises care, affection, and connection.

Gifting is a tradition as old as humanity itself.

The prehistoric communities exchanged tools and food not just for utility but to forge alliances and ensure survival.

Over time, gifting has evolved with society. What once served as a gesture of practicality or survival has become a clear expression of consumerism. Every festival there are tons of brand campaigns and discount offers to create needs and lure customers.

Growing up, gifts were far from extravagant. Back then, it was a cherished act. Today, somewhere it feels like entitlement.

Handmade note cards are my favourite. Simple, and expressive.

An éclair or a Five Star chocolate from my parents, oh the joy of receiving that gift to express their pride in something I did well! It felt like winning the lottery. Not because of the monetary value but because it was so rare. That’s what made it special.

When I got married, household items were the norm. These were practical, useful gifts to help couples start their new life.

Many of these gifts became treasures I still carry with me, including a few items my parents passed down that are now 67 years old. These gifts, steeped in nostalgia and utility, hold far more meaning than something expensive and fleeting.

When I was living in the US, during Christmas, I started a new tradition with my kids.

We visited the community centre once a year to serve meals to the underprivileged. It was a way to show them that gifting could mean service and not just materialistic objects wrapped in paper.

The wastage and mindlessness surrounding gifting today often overshadow its true purpose.

Do we need fancy cards and pretty bows, or can we go back to simplicity? Wrap a gift in a newspaper, and it would still be thoughtful.

The real joy of gifting lies in the thought that unwraps a smile. :)

Happy Holidays! May you smile and bring smiles this holiday season!

Leadership Code ~ Mindful Musings with Vani

Mini Masterclass on the Importance of Being Present

What does it truly mean to be present in the moment?

It means to be aware and attentive – to put all your senses at work, in unison. It means to truly see, hear, and feel what’s happening in the moment.

As a matter of fact, most of us don’t live in the present. Either they are stuck in the past, or too worried about the future.

In today’s world of dopamine hits of double taps, constant notifications, switching hundred windows and endless multitasking, our ability to focus is totally on the verge of extinction.

Not an exaggeration.

The average human attention span has dropped to 8.25 seconds (2024). And the attention span of a goldfish is apparently 9 seconds?

We’re found scrolling through our phones during conversations, mentally drafting emails while at dinner, or daydreaming in meetings to begin with.

Yes, I agree that being present isn’t automatic.

It takes work, just like building muscle. One can start with practised awareness, focus and a conscious choice to declutter.

Here’s my life’s code for staying focused and attentive:

• Minimize distractions during certain periods - phone, television, other gadgets, etc.
• Turning off notifications or switching to zen/DND mode really helps when you need uninterrupted focus.
• Incorporate guided meditation. It helps you to train your mind to stay in the now.
• Keep track and see what works for you – improvise and repeat.

The next time you’re wandering and wondering, pull up your socks and try to anchor yourself to ‘the now’.

As it is rightly said –

"Yesterday's the past, tomorrow's the future, but today is a gift.

That's why it's called the present."

Pulse of Progress

Tales of Tech, Innovation and more

Innovations become disruptions when they change behaviours.

All tech advancements start as convenience and boom, we adopt them enough that they become a habit.

Did we need phones with cameras?

It was an addition that transformed how we capture memories, communicate, and even express ourselves. Who would have imagined that we’d be taking selfies, documenting meals, or creating entire careers on Instagram?

Similarly, AI is ingrained in our systems more than we realise.

The other day, I saw a friend using GPT as a lifestyle assistant instead of an expensive coach. She was tracking her intermittent fasting schedule and asking GPT to monitor fasting windows, calculate calorie intake, and personalise her meal plans.

Some are even using ChatGPT as a non-judgmental sounding board, akin to a therapist. Users are exploring mindfulness techniques or journaling prompts suggested by AI to process emotions and gain clarity.

In fact, studies reveal that 35% of AI users report turning to ChatGPT for mental health support, highlighting a growing trend of AI-assisted self-help. And I am sure, most of you would have asked GPT to create an elaborate travel itinerary for you, played some word games and asked some medical/health-related questions. Daily horoscopes, too.

GPT also beats Duolingo in language learning. And how can I forget about the accurate food recipes?

Even the way we approach search engines is evolving. I have observed people opening GPT or Perplexity instead of Google search for the smallest of queries.

Why scroll through multiple links when you can ask for a precise answer? Right?

On the other hand, Google Gemini is trying to catch up by providing an AI summary for our search.

And it will be a long, long list if I get started on the apps that are based on GPT.

It is old news that users are also saying “hi/hello”, “thank you”, “please” and “could you help me with” as if they are talking to a person. We are not treating AI like a machine indeed.

The past few years have made one thing clear – technology and algorithms are reshaping the way we think, act, and engage with the world.

What will change our habits in 2025? I guess, only time and tech will tell. :)

#LifeLines

#LighterNotes

May the force be with you,

Vani

Share your thoughts and comments with me at kolaidoscope_newsletter@kalaari.com.