Manifest - 7 steps to living your best life

A Book That Found Me at the Right Time

December 2024—a phase in my life when I felt like a failure, unworthy being, trapped in a cycle of mere existence. Societal pressures were mounting, uncertainty loomed over every decision, and I found myself blaming others for my downfall. Self-loathing, self-sabotage, and doubts seemed endless.

A month before, in November, I had come across Manifest – 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life by Roxie Nafousi but chose instead to buy The Golden Road by William Dalrymple. As if by fate, Manifest found me again—this time through my uncle, who lent me his copy.

From the moment I picked up the book, I couldn’t put it down. It became my Bible, my therapy, and my closest companion in this lonely, uncertain journey.

More Than Just Manifestation – A Practical Guide to Self-Transformation

Even though I was familiar with manifestation, mindfulness, and meditation, this book filled the gaps in my understanding. It helped me recognize where I was lacking, how to overcome my fears, silence my self-criticism, and reframe my mindset. Nafousi’s simple, fluid language makes her message both accessible and engaging, making this book a must-read for anyone on a journey of self-improvement.

Her seven steps to living your best life transform manifestation from a passive wish into a proactive, dynamic process. Reading and applying her methods led me to deeper self-reflection, clarity in my vision, and a greater awareness of the barriers I had unknowingly built around myself. While breaking these limitations is an ongoing process without a fixed timeline, the book has given me the tools to start dismantling them.

It taught me to trust the universe again, embrace divine timing, and fully immerse myself in the present moment. Each chapter is filled with exercises that guide readers toward self-discovery and meaningful introspection.

The Last Page – A Message That Resonated Deeply

I strongly recommend reading the last page of the book first—it was what truly drew me in.

THE LAST PAGE

Throughout my life, I’ve been told: You can’t do this. You’re not fit for that. You won’t find balance. You must pursue a “real” career. These words became ingrained in me, shaping my self-doubt and reinforcing invisible barriers. But Nafousi challenges this mindset, reminding us that once we free ourselves from these limitations, our best self—lying dormant—can finally emerge.

As a child in school, I sang “Count your blessings, name them one by one.” But as I transitioned into adulthood, I forgot the essence of gratitude. Nafousi reintroduces this concept in a profound way—"Gratitude without caveats." She emphasizes appreciating life’s abundance without conditions, fostering a deeper sense of contentment.

While Manifest draws insights from various other books on manifestation and the law of attraction, this single book is enough. It consolidates wisdom into a practical guide, sparing readers the need to buy multiple books on the same subject.

Since reading it, I feel like the universe is guiding me, leaving signs along my path, and—most importantly—I’m learning to enjoy the journey. Whenever I feel lost or uncertain, I turn to this book for realignment.

For anyone seeking self-development, Manifest is not just a book—it’s a transformational experience.

Anarchy - book review

Anarchy by William Dalrymple — book review

    'Anarchy' unravels the enigmatic portrayal of the East India company, from its genesis, to its gradual vanishing from history. 

       "It was not the British Government that began seizing great chunks of India in the mid-eighteenth century, but a dangerously unregulated private company based in a small office, five windows wide, in London, and managed in India by a violent, utterly ruthless and intermittently mentally unstable corporate predator — Clive."

My perception was quite different from the quoted line above, until I read this book authored by William Dalrymple. 

         Dalrymple gives an extensive knowledge of the EIC, validating by excerpts from accounts of real — time  historians, letters etc.

He also gives an overview of the personality of the dramatis personae (characters which appear in the book). 

       This book contains accounts of the impeachment of Warren Hastings, the Bengal famine , insiders accounts and how the British government dealt EIC which may not be covered widely in other available sources.

       ' He (Clive) was all over estates and diamonds... and  if a beggar asks charity, he says, " Friend I have no small brillants with me.” There was also a rumour that Lady Clive's pet bird had a diamond necklace '. Many interesting facts like these are embedded in Dalrymple's book. 

     In addition, the author compares the past with the present in the epilogue (then corporate supremacy vs. now). 

      Do not get disheartened by the sheer volume of the book. It's a very slow book, since there are a lot of information to be assimilated. It's definitely worth a reading, as it furnishes a blanket account from 1600 to 1803, a much skipped history period. 

      

Environmentalism - a global history -- BOOK REVIEW

        Environmentalism — a global history

                  By Ramachandra Guha

     Environmentalism — a long neglected subject has come under great scrutiny now. Environmental movements are lighting up all over the world. This domain has to be addressed impulsively. 

       Ramachandra Guha, in this book, gives an account on how countries maneuvered this theory into practice. 

THE WAVES : 

      The book is divided into two parts or waves as Guha calls it. In the first part, he gives a brief stint about environmental thinkers and their ideologies. He further divides the first wave into three groups 

     🔸Back to the land

     🔸 Scientific conservation

     🔸 Wilderness idea 

Back to the land chapter focuses on thinkers who abhorred the idea of urbanization, scientific conservation is about taming the plundering of natural resources and wilderness idea is about disengaging human activities in a locked up area. 

        The second wave concentrates more on the various environmental movements like the Chipko Andolan, Narmada Bachao, German Greens etc... This part also provides the methods different countries use to tackle the environmental distress. Some countries which come into this frame are the USA, Germany, Australia, Brazil, China, USSR and parts of Africa. 

 THE DELIGHT: 

  The author has legibly described a generic global history on environmentalism. He also provides excerpts from various sources to establish his point. Also, the account on thinkers gives us insights into their new ideas and theories. The fact that amuses me is how

women formed the frontline in this crusade especially in the Chipko Andolan. The author says that, feminism is correlated with environmentalism and cites the lives of Medha Patkar,  Wangaari Mathai, Mira Behn, Rachel Carson etc. as examples. 

THE AVERSION :

     The back to the land chapter is rather a literary commentary, since the author quotes a lot of Wordsworth, John Ruskin and writings of William Morris, Edward Carpenter and more. A lacuna of more detailed analysis of environmental trends in different countries can be adhered to. 

ON THE WHOLE: 

     It is a good book and can be read in short span of time. An overall understanding of global environmental history can be grasped. 

Also, the author links India's stand with the other countries in this field, which provides a better comparison study. 

GLOSSARY: 

impulsively - compulsive, driven 

maneuver - handle , manipulate

aversion - not approving

adhered- bind , unite 

lacuna - void 

       

 

            

 

The Monk who sold his Ferrari

      The monk who sold his Ferrari, an intriguing and a well known title, engrosses its readers from the first page. It's narrative is in the form of a fable and rather helps us to assimilate the concepts readily. 

THE FABLE : 

     My experience in reading this book , I would say that I went on a journey with Julian Mantle in his search for self - discovery. Julian, a 53 year old,  sought after successful lawyer, collapses in a heart attack. And, later, he goes on a journey to the Himalayas to meet the mythical Sivana sages. 

    After years,  he meets his junior associate - John, who aspires to be like him. Julian, then, enlightens John on what he learned from the sages.

THE CONCEPTS: 

    Robin Sharma enshrines the concept of the seven virtues of enlightened learning, which is discussed in different chapters. With each virtue, he gives a habit changing exercise to be followed, to achieve that particular virtue. Also, at the end of each chapter, he illustrates the concepts with a mind map.  

     Julian narrates a small story encompassing all the seven virtues of enlightened learning to make us remember better 

( we remember well with stories 😜 ). 

A hint of the seven virtues are , 

    Added to it , Julian also instructs John about the

 ' Ten rituals for radiant living ' . These are 10 ways to become a better you with lots of habit changing modules.

 

FEW FAVOURITE LINES: 

🔸Never regret your past. Rather, embrace it as the teacher that it is.

🔸Worry drains the mind of much of its power and, sooner or later, it injures the soul.

🔸First of all, begin to live out of the glory of your imagination, not your memory.

‌🔸I saw the seeds of opportunity in my painful experience.

🔸The moment you concentrate the focus of your mind on a singular purpose, 

extraordinary gifts will appear within your life.

( There are several lines I liked, but won't be able to mention them all here 😊) 

WHY THIS BOOK ? 

 If you're looking for books, that can transform your way of life, undeniably, this can be one of them. Every line seemed like a quote to me. This book was a fantasy and once we read it, we will yearn to undergo a self-changing voyage just like Julian. Also, the author explains easy and simpler methods to achieve the goals. 

THE OBJECTION:

   Though the author explains numerous simple  strategies, involving all of them at the same time in our lives would be a heavy task and may create some confusion. 

PS: I read this book through a free pdf obtained from the internet. You can download and enjoy it during these days. 

Glossary

Engrosses - absorbs

Assimilate - digest 

Enshrines - elevate 

Encompassing - involving, including

   

    

     

How to study by Harry Maddox

How to study by Harry Maddox
Book review
First publication-1969

               A very challenging and arduous task to do - studying. Some master this skill, some don't. But , do remember, " Every expert was once a beginner". Therefore, it's never to late and you're never too old to ace this artistry.
              I wish I had got hold of this book years ago and put those amazing techniques into practice, right from the beginning. But I'm really glad that I have it now. 

             'How to study' by Harry Maddox is a blessing for students who really want to perfect their learning skills . It's first publication was in 1969, and you may presume that, the tactics mentioned there is outdated. Dear reader, if you have that kind of assumption , you're totally wrong. The author's strategy is perennially actionable.
" Even today I dare not say that I have reached a state of achievement. I'm still learning, for learning is boundless."
                - Bruce Lee
           The methodology composed here is very much pragmatic and easy to follow with strong experimental testimonials. Added to it, the author has presented numerous graphs to validate his methods.
                   I strongly suggest you to own a copy of it, so that, you can refer it anytime. Firstly, read the whole book and then mark the important chapters that  you want to skill over and re-read it. For instance, I prefer the chapters mentioned below for re-reading -
✓motives and habits
✓ learning and remembering
✓ reading
✓ thinking

                The author also gives an account of the  widely harnessed SQ3R method and how to put into practical use. This is a wonderful book in simple narrative to enlighten your studies. Try to lay your hands on it very soon .
"Efficient methods of study are worth learning not only for your immediate purposes of study, but because your habits of work will stay with you all your life. Those who do well in academic work usually do well afterwards in business or in the professions."
                              -Harry Maddox
       
 

பாகிஸ்தான்-அரசியல் வரலாறு : Book review

பாகிஸ்தான்-அரசியல் வரலாறு : Book review 

" ஜின்னா இத்தனை சீக்கீரம் இறந்துவிடுவார் என்று தெரித்திருந்தால், பிரிட்ஷ் கவர்ன்மென்ட் பாகிஸ்தான் பிரிவினைக்கே சம்மதித்திருக்காது."

                             - மவுண்ட்பேட்டன்

 காலம், என்ன கொண்டுவரும் என்று எவராலும் யூகிக்க முடியாதொன்று.

ஜின்னா இன்னும் சில ஆண்டுகள் வாழ்ந்திருந்தால் பாக். ஒரு நல்ல வலுவான ஜனநாயகமாக திகழ்ந்திருக்கும். இன்று பாக்.கின் நிலைமை, ஜின்னாவின் கனவுகளுக்கு எல்லாம் நேர்மறையாக இருக்கிறது.

    பாக்.கின் வரலாறு , ஆட்சியாளர்களின் சிறு குறிப்பு , ஏன் நம் இருவருக்கும் பகை, போர்களின் பின்னனி, காஷ்மீரில் வன்முறை, போன்ற  பல தகவல்களை பதிவு செய்கிறார் பா.ராகவன். 

    ஜனநாயகத்தில், சர்வாதிகாரி ஆட்சி முறையை, இங்கு தான் காண்பீர். பாகிஸ்தானின் இந்த பரிதாப நிலைமைக்கு காரணம், ஆட்சியாளர்கள் மட்டும்தான். 

• அடிக்கடி ஆட்சி  கைமாற்றமா? 

• பாகிஸ்தான், ஒரு ஏழை நாடாக இருப்பினும் , அதன், அரசியல்வாதிகள் மட்டும் செல்வம் செழிப்பாக இருப்பது ஏன் ?

•உண்மையாக , பாகிஸ்தான், தீவிரவாதத்துக்கு துணையாக இருக்கிறதா ? 

•காஷ்மீரை வைத்து அரசியல் செய்கிறார்களே ஏன் ?

• ஏன் அடிக்கடி ஆட்சிமாற்றம் வருகிறது? 

• ISI வின் பங்கு என்ன ? 

• ISI க்கும் IB க்கும் என்ன வித்தயாசம் ? 

• ராணுவம் ஏன் ஆதிக்கம் செலுத்தியது?

• பங்களாதேஷில், பாகிஸ்தான் ராணுவத்தால் நடந்த கொடுமைகள் என்ன? 

என்ற பல கேள்விகளுக்கு பதில் அளிக்கிறார் ஆசிரியர். ஆர்வமுள்ள, எளிய நடையில் உள்ளது இந்த புத்தகம். 

எடுத்தால், கீழே வைக்க முடியாது. 

   நமது அண்டை நாடான பாகிஸ்தானின் வரலாற்றை அறிவது, முக்கியமான ஒன்று . அதற்கான ஒரு நல்ல வாய்ப்பு , இந்த 170 பக்கங்கள் உள்ள சிறிய புத்தகம். விரைவில் படித்து விடலாம்.

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நிலம் பூத்து மலர்ந்த நாள்

Nilam poothu malarntha naal - book review

    Good books make you smile and great books make you write a review. Partaking my experience reading this book in the form of a review gives me immense pleasure.
    "A great book should leave you with many experiences and slightly exhausted, you live several lives while reading."
Truly indeed as quoted by William Clark Styron Jr.  Acquiescing to the above quote,  I have undoubtedly lived several lives while reading this book.
       A very intriguing title , 'Nilam poothu malarndha naal ' , we can translate it into English as , "The day when the land bloomed and blossomed".
      Originally written in Malayalam , authored by Manoj Kuroor , it takes us back to the aeons of the  acclaimed Tamil Sangam . The Tamil translated version penned by K.V.Jeysri, has won the Sahitya akademi award, India's highest award for literature recognised in 24 Indian languages. Even though this book was published in 2016 , it has received a stimulus now , owing it to the Sahitya akademi award. This book is unique, considering it's a first of this kind. History combined with fiction gives a tremendous outcome .
        This book revolves around the narratives of characters, Kolumban , Chitirai and Mayilan. Kolumban's version gives the accounts of what happened, Chitirai's narrative points out the conundrum behind those events and Mayilan unravels the enigma, uncluttering the puzzlement . Also, there are many engaging characters like, Seerai, Kings -Pari, Nannan, Athiyaman and our proficient Sangam poets - Kabilar, Baranar and Ouvaiyar. The portrayal of Seerai's character is absorbing. Though being a young girl , Seerai is introspective and skeptical about the traditions pertaining in the society.
       Manoj Kuroor takes us on a journey, to the life lived by our ancestors. In those germinal days of life, people lived in clans or communities according to their professions , that is dancers and singers, farmers ,hunters and so on. Here , the three main characters belong to the dancers and musicians brethren,and live a nomadic life to overcome the viciousness of poverty. Further we learn about our ancient musical instruments, how people migrated with no transportation facilities and their food habits too.
      The hospitality shown by other communities is enthralling. This migrating clan is welcomed and assisted by the hunter circles, the farmer fraternity and so on. People cared for each other irrespective of their communities.
      The author mentions everlasting poets like Kabilar, Baranar and Ouvaiyar. He also chronicles few of their poems. They were the most celebrated poets of the Sangam age  because their compositions were distinctive and sublime. They uniquely stood out from all their literary counterparts.
     Why this book ?
Undeniably, this book is so engrossing and will always hold you on the grip.Since you can never take your eyes off , an avid reader  can complete it at one go . Reading this book, definitely relaxes your mind and also instills a sense of pride about our heritage,
culture and our predecessors' legacy.The more you read about it , the more you want to experience that way of life and get immersed into it . 

Happy reading! 😊