Husain Journal

Whether one admits it or not, it happens all the time. We look at a huge project and feel that wave of cold dread washing over our bones. I’m going to tell you a shameful secret about myself. It could ruin the little reputation that I have, but let it come. Years ago, I started writing a huge novel, but the tyranny of the project overwhelmed me. So I gave up on it. Did I just tell you that I failed? Exactly. I had just started my 21-kilometre run when I felt a heaviness on my chest. The enormity of the distance for an untrained person like me was powerful enough to wipe out all the motivation. Yes, I tell you, right on your face, I had wanted to crawl back into bed. I felt the game’s over. Finish. But I told myself to keep running, even if I didn’t reach the target. And so, I kept at it. As far as my novel is concerned, well, I couldn’t complete it, but I wrote two books and covered huge distances in marathons. And wh...

I normally get overly harsh with myself when I miss any of my important work. This harshness causes me undue frustration, self-hatred, and more often than not, I see my joy and productivity taking a slump. But when this morning I missed my prayers, I treated myself with kindness, as a caring friend. I countered the rising flood of self-reproach with love, forcing myself to see if there could be any underlying reasons behind this slipup. Guess who the first culprit was? A late-night writing marathon to hit my 2,000-word target. While I got close, the cost was a sluggish start to my day. Reflecting on this, I realised that missing my prayers isn’t just about physical tiredness — it’s a signal that I need a better balance in my life. To address this, I’m committing to waking up early and taking proactive steps to reduce unnecessary stress. Stress, especially the avoidable kind, weighs he...

For the past several days, I haven’t allowed myself the luxury of writing freely. Today, before diving into anything else, I’ve decided to hit the keys and reach at least 500 words. If I manage to cross 1,000 words, that’ll be a delightful bonus — but I’m not setting my sights on that just yet. Why? Because aiming too high can often feel discouraging. Instead, I strive to find a balance between setting a challenging goal and keeping it within reach. This balanced approach is something I’ve honed over time. Tasks that are overly ambitious can drain motivation because they feel insurmountable, while tasks that are too easy fail to provide the thrill of accomplishment. Striking a middle ground helps me stay motivated and ensures that I don’t fall into the traps of burnout or complacency. The Power of Balance in Goal-Setting 1. Confidence in Consisten...

In a world where distractions are endless and time feels scarce, finding moments for self-growth can seem challenging. But I’ve come to realise that some of the best opportunities for improvement are hidden in the everyday routines we often take for granted. Take my work at the front office, for example. My main job is to guide people and resolve their queries. On the surface, it might seem straightforward, but it’s given me countless chances to practice skills like patience, clear communication, and problem-solving. These are small but valuable ways I can grow each day, even in the middle of my regular responsibilities. Waiting for the “Ideal” Opportunity Like many others, I used to think, "If only I had better circumstances, I could do so much more." There were times when I wished for a quieter, more inspiring environment or for colleagues who pushed me harder. But over tim...

"To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future." Plutarch There’s something sacred in the quiet moments that follow a brisk morning walk: the sharp air, the gentle hum of the world coming to life, and the soothing warmth of a cup in hand. It’s a time when the soul feels at ease, preparing for the day ahead. This morning, I found peace in the early prayers at the mosque. It set a serene tone for my day, grounding me in the present moment. As I walked back home, the cold air nipped at my face, but I welcomed it. I found solace in the simple act of holding a steaming cup of tea, my hands warmed by its embrace. But today, my thoughts went deeper than the routine comfort of tea and silence. I couldn’t help but reflect on my time in Delhi — those formative years when my journey of learning and self-discovery was stil...

You know what’s good for your growth, and you know what’s holding you back. Yet, you often look the other way. Sure, you’ve made some progress and achieved a few milestones, but most of those accomplishments came from the progressive steps you’ve taken. And deep down, you probably know that if you’d taken even more of those steps, you’d be in a much better place today. Sound familiar? If so, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get real with yourself. Ask yourself these tough questions—your answers could ignite the change you need: What foolish habits or behaviours am I engaging in that are holding me back? How can I eliminate them? What obstacles are in the way of eliminating these barriers? What small action can I take today to start moving in the right direction? Take some time to sit down in a quiet space, away from distractions. Switch off your phone and let those around you know you n...

"The person who starts the race is not the same person who finishes the race." Marathon spectator sign I’m not a sportsperson, nor a fitness freak. So my contacts view me with surprise on learning about my sudden fascination with running marathons, despite doctors’ claims that I’m visually impaired. (Note: I run with volunteers provided by Adventures Beyond Barriers Foundation. ABBF team takes care of specific needs of blind participants.) January 2025, I'm embarking on an exciting journey to participate in the Tata Mumbai Marathon. While I’m looking forward to the experience and the joy of the event, I’m also approaching this trip with a deeper purpose: to learn, grow, and connect. I’m determined to take bold steps toward personal development, and I want to take a moment to outline the key areas I’ll focus on during this adventure. As I brace myself up for the occasion, I...

Resistance: The Hidden Force Keeping Us Stuck There’s a quiet but powerful force inside us that sabotages our best efforts to create meaningful change. It’s resistance — and it’s always lurking in the background, making us second-guess, hesitate, and even procrastinate on the things that matter most. Resistance isn’t just something writers face when they hit a creative block. It’s universal. Whether you’re launching a business, changing careers, or diving into any big, bold project, resistance is there. It whispers doubts into your mind: What if this doesn’t work? What if I’m not ready? It wraps your heart in fear, holding you back when you’re on the edge of greatness. And what happens next? We freeze. We stagnate. We stand at the threshold, stuck in place, too scared to leap forward. But here’s the twist — deep down, we don’t want to stay stuck. We want to feel like we’ve done something , like we’ve taken the plunge, like we’ve c...

It’s weird, isn’t it? You’ve got all the time in the world. You’ve got exciting projects lined up, just waiting to be tackled. But… You can’t seem to fire up your engines. You can’t even get the car rolling. You tell yourself that if you push through and get to work, you’ll feel fulfilled, make money, and even take a step closer to the dreams that stir your soul. But that pep talk? It falls flat. It fizzles out like a dud firecracker, despite all the right words. And what do you do next? You start thinking you’re lazy. Unmotivated. Maybe you’re just not cut out for it. Your passion’s drained, and your enthusiasm feels like it’s vanished into thin air. But then, you remember—you’ve been here before. You’ve faced tough spots like this, some even worse. That thought gives you a little comfort, but it doesn’t quite ignite the spark—the one where the words flow effortlessly,...

How success happens? Slowly. Gradually. And then in a smash. Suddenly. But we remain unaware of the slow changes that unfolded bit by bit beneath the surface, and feel no major activity took place. Behind the scenes work is hidden, because after all, it’s behind the scenes. It’s solitary, boring, hard work. Work that makes you fall and sucks your energy. Work that forces you to pass through dreary deserts and long droughts. Despite your massive efforts, you feel no progress is taking place, and this feeling could remain in your heart for months or even for years. Your belief in yourself begins to waver, and you feel like calling it quits. Let’s say that you’re trying to become a writer. You read different books, research the market, decide your target audience, and then assimilate all the information that you gathered to change it into a book. During all this unattractive time, you fall and fail several times. Friends and reviewers tell you that your arguments are g...

So? You’re terribly busy running on the hectic treadmill of life. And you hardly get a chance of slowing down to feel the heart-moving beauty – these blessings that are all around you. But the amazing truth is that if we feel thankful for our daily blessings, that we take for granted, we’ll feel as if heavens have opened up their breasts to shower joy on us. We might get so energetic that we’ll turn back all the negative forces no matter however powerful they're to grab success. So, I’m going to list a few blessings which you have, but never feel grateful about. Shedding these blessings attention would kill your worries, scale up your strength, multiply your optimism, and eventually bring you near the success your heart hungers for. 1. There’re many people on ventilators, neither able to speak nor allowed to eat or drink anything. They helplessly see their relatives, but they know that nothing is going to be of any help. They’re waiting for their death, in a deep w...

Admit it. You terribly crave to get successful. And to keep yourself motivated and on track, sometimes you tell yourself that you deserve it. While this thought could be a powerful motivator – the only problem? Many times it fails to provoke you to leap up and do the hard labour which you require to grab it. And sometimes you also feel you possess the capability of getting that successful, of putting forth that level of labour, of doing all what it takes to get on the top. Yet… You ruefully catch yourself lagging behind, making a cover of those sheets of weak, even non-existent excuses. Is there anything more daring that could provoke us to cross our limits? That could defy our fears and drag us by our necks in open? More than all these things, the thought that can inspire and provoke us to work hard – as we should be working – can be another realisation. What if we shift the focus from ‘us’ to ‘them’? Yes, what if we feel that our success matters more to peopl...

Ever felt your role models were supermen? That heavens have showered upon them powers you’re deprived of? Those high-flying humans would have had invisible wings which you don’t have, right? Wrong. No one's perfect. But, for years this shitty idea clouded my worldview, and it incrementally curbed my onward speed. Oh that I had the belief in the blissful truth that people who I look up to also had their portion of imperfections – you would have been seeing a much more updated version of me. Because believe it or not, it’s true as hell that our beliefs to our destiny are what frames are to clay. But if this looks wishy-washy then reading this will sweep off your doubts: This guy’s belief tore all scientific data – It’s 1954. experts everywhere are citing a mountain of empirical data to tell you that it’s impossible for a human body to run a 4-minute mile. Any questions or arguments countering this fact is foolery. What’s decreed is decreed. But then an un...

Blood would have rushed to my head. The next moment you would have seen a wild look in my eyes, swearing at the critics, dragging them by their hair, beating them violently. And it likely had doused down the fire of the struggle there and then. Any short-sighted, quick-tempered guy would have presumed it bravery to knocking the bloody shit of those stupid folks and had went on record to admit it. But King was King for a reason. Though Dr Martin Luther King was falsely slapped with a series of excoriating accusations as evident in this interview, I was deeply moved by him because he didn’t get enraged, and continued to record his objections and rights in a logical and firm way. He was reproached for provoking violence and fanning the fire of unrest which had 2 people killed and worth $300,000 property destroyed, but never did it appear that he was losing his cool and logic. We know that Dr King was fighting for the rights of negros in the United States because since age...

“As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” Rumy In those silent old days our forefathers carried lanterns to navigate their way. The distance these lanterns illumined, you know, wasn’t that huge. Nevertheless, it alerted them of potholes and reptiles and thorny shrubs etc. In fact, having a view of so far wasn’t needed. If, presenting the excuse that they’re unable to see through so far they hadn’t started off, they won’t have ever reached where they had wanted to. Turns out that it’s plain common sense to move as far as you can see because then you’ll be able to see farther. Right? Well, take the example of car headlights. While driving we’re able to see only a little far ahead, but as we continue to cover the distance, our headlights also continue to illumine the course ahead. Will you ever bring your car to a creaking halt because you’re not able to see what’s 2 kilometres ahead of you? But, this is exactly what many of us do when it comes to steering our...

Ever skipped down a blogpost feeling that the writer would have written it easily? Ever saw a jaw-dropping painting thinking that the artist might have made it effortlessly? Well, until recently I felt as if someone has thrown a glass of hot water on my face while I saw the attention-grabbing works of others. You know why? Because deep down I felt that I never will be able to bring the same charisma in my work. But not anymore. Now I know that if something looks lovely, then there have been many struggling hours behind it. If a piece looks polished and finished, then the worker would have toiled a lot before getting that beauty. The truth is that behind every finished product, there’re a terrific level of striving. But it’s a blunder that we don’t see how much a person has failed or got rejected before finally showcasing his best work. Rarely we hear guys talking about their failures or ham-fisted attempts at projects before getting a breakthrough. “I have not failed. I hav...

“When you feel afraid or nervous of doing a thing then do it because the real harm you may thus receive is less poignant than its expectation and fear.” Imam Ali As the train engine whistled and the screeching wheals rolled forward, my heart pounded violently against my chest. The carriages swung side to side – making me feel giddy. I said to Brijesh, my travelling companion, that I don’t want to go further, that I want to step off the speeding train. It was a humid night of July. I was leaving Lucknow to pursue a 1-year computer course in Delhi. I felt horrified to leave my home because my fears, provoked by my blindness, had imprisoned me in the company of my family and friends. I’m embarrassed to confess that so nervous I felt then that venturing out even from my home chilled my soul. Yet I decided, with the help of my encouraging friends, that I’ll have to make a leap and so I haired off to the Delhi course. I heard the thudding and slamming sounds with the shaking ca...

The Government feels threatened and has to bring a hair-raising law to crush the astounding success of these people. Natal, South Africa It’s 1860s. The British government wants revenue from sugarcane farming in South Africa, and it's not possible without an outside support. So it tempts the poor, caste-crippled people of India by offering them the South African citizenship and full ownership of their farmland provided that they work there for 5 years. Poor Indians, far from their homeland and deprived of basic facilities, can’t pose a threat to the powerful, right? So the British Government thought. “But the Indians gave more than had been expected…” Mahatma Gandhi wrote in his autobiography. “They grew large quantities of vegetables. They introduced a number of Indian varieties and made it possible to grow the local varieties cheaper.” And, according to the conditions of the agreement, after 5 years these farmers became wealthy landowners. Alarmed, the British Gove...

Even in prison Nelson Mandela stuck to his physical exercise as he revealed in many interviews. We, on the other hand, spin up excuses to skip exercising: There’re no tools The environment is unsuitable Stress already fills our hours And you know you can add. But if we compare our circumstances with that which stood against Mandela in that prison? Our excuses aren't even flimsy. Turns out, all our excuses for not exercising are due mainly to our laziness, our lack of commitment. Yeah, I know it hits you on your face. But nothing can be truer than this statement: 9 times out of 10, we forge unreal excuses to run away from physical workouts. You might say that Mandela took to exercise because in the prison one hardly has a hectic to-do list to go about. Even if this was true for Mandela, then the emotional trauma heaped upon him quite outweighed the ease of free time. If we know that exercise is of prime consequence, then we have to make space for it. This m...