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  • My Gut Doesn’t Give TED Talks| A Poem About Trusting Your Gut

    My Gut Doesn’t Give TED Talks| A Poem About Trusting Your Gut

    What’s a time you followed your gut and it turned out to be exactly right?

    “What’s a time you followed your gut and it turned out to be exactly right?”

    You’d probably expect
    one dramatic story.

    A rainy evening.

    A life-changing decision.

    A perfect movie climax.

    I’m sorry to disappoint you…

    My gut doesn’t save me once in a lifetime.

    It works overtime.

    ✦ When Logic Speaks, My Heart Listens ✦

    .

    There is always a moment…

    Just before life quietly asks,

    “Are you sure?”

    My brain immediately begins its presentation.

    “You’re overthinking.”

    “Don’t judge too quickly.”

    “Give it another chance.”

    “What’s the worst that could happen?”

    Meanwhile…

    My gut doesn’t prepare slides.

    It doesn’t quote philosophers.

    It simply whispers,

    “Hmm… something feels off.”

    No proof.

    No screenshots.

    No eyewitnesses.

    Not even a decent explanation.

    Just an odd little feeling…

    Like my heart somehow received tomorrow’s news
    before the rest of me.

    And honestly…

    That tiny feeling has a better success rate
    than all my overthinking combined.

    ✦ The Warnings No One Else Could Hear ✦

    .

    I’ve met people
    who looked like sunshine…

    until they arrived carrying thunderstorms.

    I’ve almost said “yes”
    to things that looked exciting…

    until something inside me quietly said,

    “Not this one.”

    I’ve changed plans at the last minute,
    cancelled meetings,
    walked away from conversations
    without knowing why.

    Every single time…

    Life later revealed
    the chapter I had unknowingly skipped.

    The funniest part?

    People ask,

    “How did you know?”

    I didn’t.

    That’s the whole point.

    If I had evidence,
    it wouldn’t be intuition.

    It would simply be common sense.

    So yes…

    There have been times
    when I ignored that whisper.

    Those chapters weren’t tragic.

    Just… unnecessarily exhausting.

    Sleepless nights.

    Overthinking.

    Conversations I should never have had.

    Apologies I never owed.

    Peace I willingly exchanged
    for curiosity.

    Turns out…

    Curiosity may have killed the cat.

    But ignoring my gut
    nearly killed my peace.

    ✦ The Peace That Came From Listening ✦

    .

    These days…

    When that quiet voice arrives,

    I don’t interrogate it.

    I don’t demand logic.

    I don’t ask for references.

    Some truths
    aren’t meant to be proven.

    They’re meant to be trusted.

    Because experience has taught me
    something beautiful…

    That whisper isn’t fear.

    It isn’t negativity.

    It isn’t pessimism.

    It’s every lesson I’ve survived…

    Every heartbreak…

    Every disappointment…

    Every mistake…

    Quietly joining hands
    to say,

    “We’ve been here before.”

    “Let’s not buy another ticket.”

    So…

    What’s a time I followed my gut and it turned out to be exactly right?

    I wish I could tell you
    just one story.

    But I can’t.

    Because it wasn’t one moment.

    It was dozens of tiny moments
    that never became disasters
    simply because
    I listened.

    Maybe I’ll never know
    what I escaped.

    Maybe that’s the point.

    Not every victory
    comes with applause.

    Some arrive quietly…

    Looking exactly like
    the problems
    that never happened.

    And if there’s one voice
    I’ve learned to trust
    without asking for proof…

    It’s the one
    that speaks the softest.

    Because I’ve realized…

    My gut was never trying to predict my future.

    It was simply trying to protect my peace.

    .

    Trust the quiet voice. It has been rooting for you all along. 🤍

    Love,
    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

  • A Smile Woven Through Silent Pain | Nihshabd

    A Smile Woven Through Silent Pain | Nihshabd

    लबों पर मुस्कान सजा ली, आँखों को ख़ामोश रहने दिया,
    हर दर्द को लफ़्ज़ न मिले… कुछ ज़ख्मों को बस जीने दिया।

    .

    जो बिखरा था, उसे समेटने में कई मौसम गुज़र गए,
    अब ख़ुद से मिलने लगे हैं… तो लोग कहते हैं, बदल गए।

    .

    अब कोई ग़म दस्तक भी दे, तो मुस्कुराकर दर खोलते हैं,
    कुछ दर्द मेहमान नहीं होते… उम्रभर साथ ही चलते हैं।

    .

    चेहरे पर जो सुकून दिखता है, वो यूँ ही नहीं आया है,
    बहुत कुछ ख़ामोशी से खोया है… तब जाकर ख़ुद को पाया है।

    .

    अब आँसू कम और दुआएँ ज़्यादा निकलती हैं,
    शायद टूटे हुए दिल ही… सबसे ख़ूबसूरत दुआ करते हैं।

    .

    मुस्कुराना अब आदत नहीं, रूह की तहज़ीब बन गया है,
    जो दर्द कभी मेरी पहचान था… आज वही मेरा नसीब नहीं, मेरा सबक़ बन गया है।

    .

    I taught my lips to smile,
So my eyes wouldn’t have to explain.
Not every wound asks for a voice…
Some are meant to be carried in silence.

    It took a lifetime of quiet storms
To gather the pieces of who I was.
Now that I’ve found my way back to myself,
The world simply calls it change.

    Grief still visits from time to time,
But it no longer feels like a stranger.
Some sorrows never leave your heart…
They simply learn to breathe more gently.

    If you see peace upon my face,
Know that it wasn’t gifted to me.
It was stitched together
From every goodbye I survived in silence.

    My eyes have forgotten how to plead,
My heart has remembered how to pray.
Perhaps only those who have been broken
Learn to bless without asking for anything in return.

    A smile is no longer an expression I wear.
It is the grace I chose over bitterness.
The pain that once wrote my story
Now merely turns its pages.

    Because healing isn’t the absence of pain…
    It’s the quiet courage to carry it beautifully.     🤍

    .

    कुछ एहसास कहे नहीं जाते…बस लिखे जाते हैं।

    शब्दों में शब्‍द — निःशब्द
    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

  • Book Endings I’d Never Change | Nihshabd

    Book Endings I’d Never Change | Nihshabd

    If you could change the ending of any book, which one would it be?

    If I could change the ending of any book?

    None.

    .

    Not because every ending made me happy. Oh, some of them absolutely wrecked me. I have stared at the last page thinking, “Excuse me? That’s it?!” I have argued with authors who, quite rudely, cannot hear my objections anymore.

    .

    But changing the ending?

    .

    No.

    .

    An ending—even the heartbreaking, frustrating, “throw-the-book-across-the-room” kind—is part of the bargain we make when we open a book. We don’t just borrow the story; we accept the destination, whether it hugs us or haunts us.

    .

    Besides, who am I to march into an author’s world carrying a red pen like an overenthusiastic editor?

    .

    “Right then… everyone lives happily ever after. The villain apologizes. The misunderstood couple gets therapy. The dog lives forever. And nobody dies.”

    .

    Lovely.

    .

    Also completely someone else’s story.

    .

    Some endings break us. Some heal us. Some leave us muttering under our breath for days. But that’s exactly why we remember them.

    .

    So no… I wouldn’t rewrite the last chapter.

    .

    I’ll simply sulk, cry, complain to imaginary people, dramatically close the book…

    .

    …and then recommend it to everyone else.

    .

    Because apparently, emotional damage is best shared. 📚😂

    .

    Still arguing with fictional characters.
    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕

  • Which Languages Do I Speak?

    Which Languages Do I Speak?

    How Living in Different States Shaped My Life

    Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life?

    Which Languages Do I Speak?

    .

    I’ve lived in different states and picked up bits of different languages along the way—like collecting pretty shells on a beach. Some I kept, some I misplaced, and some are probably hiding somewhere in my memory, waiting to be found.

    .

    Hindi is my comfort zone. It’s the language my heart reaches for when it’s happy, upset, excited, or simply in the mood to talk endlessly. It’s the language of family conversations, childhood memories, and countless cups of tea shared over stories. When I need to express my feelings without searching for the right words, Hindi is usually the first language that comes to my rescue.

    .

    English has been a faithful companion in my reading, writing, and learning adventures. It has introduced me to wonderful books, new ideas, and people from different walks of life. We don’t always agree on spellings or pronunciations, but somehow, we’ve made the friendship work.

    .

    Telugu keeps me connected to my roots. It carries memories of home, family traditions, and the familiar comfort of belonging. It quietly reminds me where I come from, even when I occasionally fumble over a word or two.

    .

    The funny thing is, living in different places taught me that communication isn’t just about language. A smile, a nod, expressive hand gestures, and confidence can get you surprisingly far.

    .

    Living in different states did more than add a few words to my vocabulary. It introduced me to different cultures, traditions, food, and ways of looking at life. Every move taught me how to adapt, connect, and find a sense of belonging in unfamiliar places.

    .

    I may not speak every language fluently—in fact, some languages and I are still in a long-distance relationship—but I’ve learned to appreciate different cultures and find common ground with people wherever I go. The biggest impact wasn’t becoming multilingual; it was becoming more open-minded. My world became bigger, my conversations richer, and my life far more interesting than if I had stayed in just one place.

    .

    So, which languages do I speak?

    .

    A little Hindi, a little English, a little Telugu… and a lot of human.

    .

    And after all these years, I’ve learned that people rarely remember whether you spoke perfectly. They remember how you made them feel.

    .

    That’s a language everyone understands. ❤️✨

    .

    With stories gathered from many places and words borrowed from many languages,

    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

  • Dear Younger Human | Nihshabd

    Dear Younger Human | Nihshabd

    What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you?

    Dear younger human,

    Don’t rush to grow up.
    Adulthood is mostly opening the fridge,
    staring into it dramatically,
    and closing it without taking anything.

    .

    Wear the clothes.
    Use the fancy notebook.
    Save some money, yes
    but don’t save your happiness for “someday.”

    .

    Take photos with the people you love.
    One day you’ll zoom in and realize
    the background matters less
    than the faces beside you.

    .

    Don’t waste years trying to be liked by everyone.
    Even pizza has haters,
    and pizza is doing just fine.

    .

    Your mistakes won’t ruin your life.
    They’ll just become funny stories
    you’ll tell with unnecessary hand gestures later.

    .

    Learn to leave places
    where your peace pays the bill
    for someone else’s comfort.

    .

    And please, drink water.
    Half your life problems are emotions,
    the other half is dehydration pretending to be emotions.

    .

    Most importantly

    Stop waiting to become perfect
    before you start living.

    .

    Life isn’t an exam with invigilators.
    It’s more like assembling furniture without instructions—

    confusing, slightly crooked,
    and somehow still useful.

    .

    So laugh often,
    love deeply,
    and remember:

    the adults you admire today
    were once teenagers too—
    equally confused,
    just with less back pain.

    .

    Signed,
    Someone older, wiser,
    and still opening the fridge
    as if a solution to life
    might have appeared since the last visit.

    .

    Still learning, still laughing,
    —Rajeshwari     🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

  • Who Inspires Me? | Finding Inspiration in Everyday People

    Who Inspires Me? | Finding Inspiration in Everyday People

    Who are you most inspired by?

    Who Inspires Me?

    People often ask,

    “Who inspires you the most?”

    .

    As if I keep a secret list

    folded inside my handbag

    between old receipts and emergency chocolates.

    .

    The truth?

    .

    I am inspired by everyone.

    Yes, everyone.

    The successful teach me ambition.

    The unsuccessful teach me patience.

    The talkative teach me endurance.

    And the quiet ones teach me

    that silence can win arguments too.

    Some inspire me by what they do.

    Others inspire me by providing

    a very detailed guide on what not to do.

    .

    Life is generous that way.

    But if there is one group

    that leaves me constantly amazed,

    it is women.

    .

    Women who fight battles

    while answering phone calls.

    Women who carry worries

    in one hand and grocery bags in the other.

    .

    Women who hold families together

    using little more than love,

    determination,

    and occasionally a threatening look.

    .

    They bend,

    they stretch,

    they adapt,

    and somehow keep going.

    Honestly,

    if resilience were an Olympic sport,

    women would politely collect the gold medal,

    organise the ceremony,

    serve snacks,

    and still apologise for not doing enough.

    .

    So yes,

    I am inspired by everyone.

    .

    But every day,

    women remind me that strength

    doesn’t always roar.

    Sometimes it smiles,

    ties its hair up,

    and says,

    .

    “Right then, what’s next?”

    .

    Stay curious. The next person you meet might just be your next teacher.


    Warmly,
    —Rajeshwari     🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

  • What Success Means to Me – Nihshabd

    What Success Means to Me – Nihshabd

    What’s your top tip to be successful in life?

    If I were the kind of person people point at and say, “Now that’s success,” maybe I would have a long list of tips to share.

    But the truth is, my definition of success has changed over the years.

    It no longer wears a suit, carries a title, or sits inside a bank balance.

    For me, success now looks a little different.

    If My Children Are Growing With Love

    If I can give my children a safe place to fall,

    a reason to dream,

    and the confidence to become who they are meant to be,

    then I feel successful.

    Not because I shaped their future,

    but because I stood beside them while they shaped their own.

    If My Home Feels Like Peace

    Success is not a perfect house.

    It is a home where laughter lingers,

    where tired hearts find comfort,

    and where people feel seen and loved.

    If I can create that kind of space,

    I consider myself fortunate.

    If I Can Be There When Someone Needs Me

    A listening ear.

    A helping hand.

    A shoulder during difficult days.

    If my presence makes someone’s burden a little lighter,

    that feels like success too.

    If I Am Still Learning

    Success is not reaching a final destination.

    It is remaining curious,

    making mistakes,

    learning from them,

    and continuing to grow no matter my age.

    If I Sleep With A Grateful Heart

    At the end of the day,

    if I can close my eyes knowing I tried my best,

    loved sincerely,

    and lived honestly,

    then I have already achieved something valuable.

    My Definition Of Success

    So my top tip for success?

    Do not borrow someone else’s definition.

    The world may measure success in numbers,

    but your heart measures it differently.

    Find what truly matters to you,

    nurture it with care,

    and protect it from comparison.

    Because success is not always found at the top of a mountain.

    Sometimes it is quietly waiting at the dinner table,

    holding your hand,

    calling you Mom,

    or smiling back at you from the life you have built.

    And for me, that is more than enough. ❤️

    A Final Thought

    Success is important. Having goals, working hard, and striving to achieve them gives our lives purpose and direction. But in the pursuit of success, we should not forget who we are or neglect the things that truly matter.

    It is possible to chase our dreams while still making time for our loved ones, our well-being, and the simple joys of life. Balance is important. A growth mindset is important. But so is gratitude.

    Growth helps us move forward, while gratitude reminds us to appreciate how far we have already come. And when success is accompanied by contentment, it becomes even more beautiful—because true success is not just about reaching a destination, but also about enjoying the journey.

    .

    May you find your own definition of success—and the courage to live by it.

    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

    You might also enjoy these related posts from Nihshabd.

    A Blank Canvas and a Blank Page

    Practice Makes Perfect? I Respectfully Disagree

  • यादें: Memories That Never Truly Leave the Heart

    यादें: Memories That Never Truly Leave the Heart

    यादें हवा की तरह होती हैं…
    दिखती नहीं, मगर मन को छू जाती हैं।

    और कुछ यादें तो इतनी खास होती हैं कि
    बिना बुलाए आ जाती हैं,
    आराम से दिल में बैठ जाती हैं,
    और फिर जाने का नाम ही नहीं लेतीं। 😄

    कभी किसी पुराने गाने के बहाने,
    कभी किसी खुशबू के सहारे,
    और कभी तो बिना किसी वजह के ही…

    कभी चाय की पहली चुस्की में,
    कभी बारिश की हल्की बूँदों में,
    कभी किसी पुराने रास्ते से गुज़रते हुए,
    वो चुपके से साथ चलने लगती हैं। ☕🌧️

    और मज़े की बात तो यह है कि
    जिन बातों को हम भूल चुके होते हैं,
    यादों को वे भी अच्छी तरह याद रहती हैं।
    फिर मुस्कुराकर कहती हैं,
    “सोचा था मुझसे पीछा छुड़ा लोगे?” 😊❤️

    कभी आँखें नम कर जाती हैं,
    कभी होंठों पर मुस्कान सजा जाती हैं,
    पर जाते-जाते हमेशा यही एहसास दे जाती हैं
    कि कुछ लम्हे वक़्त से नहीं,
    दिल से जुड़े होते हैं। 🌸✨

    Memories are like the wind…
    You cannot see them, yet they touch your heart.

    And some memories are so special that
    they arrive uninvited,
    make themselves comfortable in your heart,
    and then refuse to leave. 😄

    Sometimes they return through an old song,
    sometimes through a familiar fragrance,
    and sometimes for no reason at all…

    Sometimes they appear in the first sip of tea,
    sometimes in the gentle rhythm of falling rain,
    and sometimes while walking down a road
    you haven’t visited in years.
    Quietly, they begin walking beside you again. ☕🌧️

    And the funny thing is,
    the moments we think we’ve forgotten,
    memories remember perfectly well.
    Then they smile and seem to ask,
    “Did you really think you could get rid of me?” 😊❤️

    At times they bring tears to our eyes,
    at times they place a smile on our lips,
    but before leaving, they always remind us
    that some moments are connected not by time,
    but by the heart. 🌸✨

    .

    शब्दों में निःशब्द,
    — राजेश्वरी     🧿💕

    © Nihshabd by Rajeshwari

  • The Happiness Department | Happiness Myths and Everyday Joy

    The Happiness Department | Happiness Myths and Everyday Joy

    What’s a common misconception people have about happiness

    I used to think happiness was very professional.

    You know…

    The kind that arrives only after reviewing your application.

    “Thank you for your interest in Happiness.”

    “Unfortunately, you do not meet the requirements at this time.”

    Please try again after:

    ☐ Losing weight

    ☐ Making more money

    ☐ Becoming successful

    ☐ Fixing your life

    ☐ Getting your children to answer texts on time

    ☐ Learning how to fold fitted sheets

    So naturally,

    I spent years trying to qualify.

    I made plans.

    Backup plans.

    Emergency backup plans.

    And a few dramatic speeches

    for situations that never actually happened.

    Meanwhile,

    happiness was behaving very irresponsibly.

    It showed up at odd times.

    While eating the last piece of cake.

    While finding money in an old handbag.

    While cancelling plans and staying home.

    Especially while cancelling plans and staying home.

    The strange thing is,

    nobody tells you this.

    They tell you happiness lives in big moments.

    The promotion.

    The dream house.

    The perfect vacation.

    The life-changing achievement.

    And yes,

    those things are wonderful.

    But somehow,

    the happiness from buying a new refrigerator

    lasts about three business days.

    Then you’re standing in the kitchen thinking,

    “Well… now what?”

    Maybe that’s the biggest misconception.

    We think happiness is a permanent resident.

    Turns out,

    it’s more like that friend who drops by unexpectedly,

    makes you laugh,

    steals a biscuit,

    refuses to stay long,

    and leaves before you can ask for a selfie.

    It visits during ridiculous moments.

    A perfectly made cup of tea.

    A joke that shouldn’t be funny but is.

    A song you haven’t heard in years.

    Fresh bedsheets.

    Finding out tomorrow is a holiday.

    Finding out someone else made dinner.

    Now THAT is happiness.

    These days,

    I don’t chase it quite so much.

    Mostly because I’m tired.

    Also because happiness seems to enjoy hide-and-seek.

    The harder I look,

    the faster it runs.

    The moment I stop searching,

    there it is—

    sitting quietly beside me,

    hiding in a good laugh,

    a familiar voice,

    an unexpected free afternoon,

    or a cup of tea that somehow tastes exactly right.

    And perhaps that’s the biggest misconception of all.

    We think happiness is waiting for us somewhere in the future,

    while it keeps waving at us from the present.

    So tell me, dear friends…

    What is one small thing that made you smile recently?

    Not the big achievements.

    Not the life-changing moments.

    Just something simple.

    A phone call from someone you love.

    A favourite song playing unexpectedly.

    A warm cup of tea on a quiet afternoon.

    Holding hands with the person who makes your heart purr.

    Listening to the giggles, laughter, and mischief of children filling the house with life.

    Or a furry little companion who greets you as though you’ve returned from a year-long expedition, when in reality you only stepped out for ten minutes.

    Maybe happiness isn’t hiding in extraordinary moments after all.

    Maybe it’s tucked inside these little everyday moments that ask for nothing except to be noticed.

    I’d love to hear about one of yours. 💛✨

    .

    Leaving you with a little happiness today,
    —Rajeshwari 🧿💕🦋

    .

    While writing this, I was reminded of another thought that has stayed with me for a long time: we often spend so much energy searching for meaning that we forget to notice the magic already sitting beside us.

    The Garden Within: A Letter to My 20-Year-Old Self

    A Little Bit of Magic Called Life

    For Every Woman Who Forgot Her Spark✨

  • Why My Brain Goes Blank During Conversations

    Why My Brain Goes Blank During Conversations

    If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why?

    I’d Like My Brain to Stop Going on Vacation During Conversations

    Some people wish they could fly.

    Some want to speak ten languages.

    Some dream of playing the piano like a maestro.

    Me?

    I’d simply like my brain to remain present when another human being starts talking to me.

    Because the moment a conversation begins, my thoughts behave like school children hearing the final bell.

    They scatter in every direction.

    The Curse of the Perfect Reply

    Have you ever walked away from a conversation and suddenly become the funniest person on Earth?

    Three hours later?

    In the shower?

    While folding laundry?

    While trying to sleep?

    Of course you have.

    Someone says something.

    You smile politely.

    Nod intelligently.

    Maybe even throw in a respectable “Hmm.”

    Then later your brain delivers the perfect response like a delayed courier service.

    “Your package has arrived. Estimated delivery time: Four hours too late.”

    My Internal TED Talk

    The funny thing is that inside my head, I’m brilliant.

    Witty.

    Insightful.

    Charming.

    Possibly award-winning.

    I have opinions.

    Stories.

    Questions.

    Observations.

    Entire TED Talks.

    Unfortunately, none of them make it through customs before the conversation ends.

    Small Talk: My Natural Predator

    I don’t fear spiders.

    I don’t fear heights.

    I don’t even fear getting older.

    But “So… tell me something about yourself.”

    That question has the power to erase my entire personality.

    Suddenly I forget my hobbies.

    My interests.

    My achievements.

    Possibly even my own name.

    The Skill I Really Want

    If I could instantly master any skill, I wouldn’t choose mind reading.

    I’d choose the ability to say what’s already sitting comfortably inside my head.

    At the right time.

    To the right people.

    Without needing a rehearsal, a rough draft, and a post-conversation analysis meeting.

    Maybe Fellow Introverts Will Understand

    We don’t struggle because we have nothing to say.

    We struggle because we have too much.

    Thoughts.

    Feelings.

    Possibilities.

    Drafts.

    Alternative drafts.

    And backup drafts.

    By the time we choose one, the conversation has moved on to another topic and somebody is discussing weather forecasts.

    The Happy Ending

    But perhaps there is something beautiful about this too.

    Introverts may arrive late with their words.

    Yet when they finally speak, they usually mean every single one of them.

    And maybe that’s a skill worth keeping.

    Still…

    If anyone knows where I can download the “Respond Instantly Without Panicking” update for my brain, please let me know.

    I’d master that skill in a heartbeat.

    .

    To all the fellow overthinkers and quiet souls out there you’re not alone. 🤍

    With love,
    Rajeshwari 🧿💕🦋

    .

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