Insights!

Thursday, November 27, 2025

Blend In or Stand Out! Give In or Walk Out!

Sometimes the beauty lies in blending in, and sometimes it lies in standing out.

We all experience different kinds of situations, and at times it is important to speak up, while at other times it is wiser to quietly follow.

But whatever we choose, we should never lose ourselves in the process.

Many things can affect us in different ways.

Sometimes people reach out for help.

Sometimes we reach out to others.

Sometimes others are needy.

Sometimes we are the ones in need.

Sometimes people are untrue.

Sometimes they get angry and may even wish to harm.

Sometimes excessive softness or politeness makes others feel entitled to walk over you.

These experiences happen all the time.

Yet the essential truth remains: no matter the situation:

Stand tall.

Do not seek to fight,

But be prepared to defend yourself if someone pulls you into the field.

When you are in need, make a commitment to return the favor or establish a fair exchange.

When honoring others’ needs, do the same, hurt no one, including yourself, and ensure fairness in every interaction.

When someone mistakes kindness for weakness and crosses boundaries, take a firm stand and re-establish stronger limits.

Do not fear loss or gain.

Follow when necessary, lead when necessary, but always be fair to all.

No one is perfect.

Take everyone’s perspective into account.

Forgive others, and forgive yourself.

Learn from each experience,

And be prepared next time,

To know when to blend in and when to stand out,

When to give in and when to walk out.

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

11.27.2025

Monday, October 20, 2025

It's a beautiful festival

The night is dark,
The lamp brings light,
The prayer lightens the heart,
Around is delight.

The fireworks are drums,
And flutes to the ears,
We make memories,
For years and years.

We dress up,
We deck up,
We decorate,
We celebrate.

The victory of
Good over evil,
The triumph of the Kind
kills the Devil.

The nicety is here
To prevail,
The goodness is here
To hail,

I wish you all,
Most warmly,
On this festival of lights,
Happy Diwali!

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH
©️ Copyright.2025. All rights reserved. Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH

Saturday, October 18, 2025

While watching a show, I recently came across this song and fell in love with it. Though, lived in the neighboring state, I have never been to Bihar. Something in the local language and dialect sounds very sweet and inviting. Attempting to sing it!

Felt like writing a few lines myself to express the emotions of the song, the show, and the place, as below:

'Sar jhukane ki koshish mat karna, pyaar se maang lo, kaat ke de denge

Kabhi darane ki koshish mat karna, darenge to nahi, par dar hota kya hai, dikha denge

Katla karna ho to pyaar ki nazar dal dena, haste haste jaan bhi luta denge'

English translation:

Don’t try to force my head to bow, just ask with respect and love, and I will gift it to you.

Don’t try to frighten me, because I won’t be scared, but I will show you what fear truly feels like.

If you wish to kill me, just glance at me with love and care, and I will leave this world happily for you.

Dr. Jaya Sonkar, MD, MPH

"Please find below the link to the cover version of the song:"

https://youtu.be/vHuqIfp32e4?si=ScM9cvn2jmwKYYz8

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Song : Ye Soi Si Shaam

Ye soi si shaam

Mere aansuon ke naam

Wo ansu jo laye

Mere naam ek paigaam

Din dhal jayega

Subah nayi layega

Wo Din jo beet gaya

Subah yaad aayega

Din ko de anjam

Kar poore adhure kaam

Ki jab phir Din dhal jaye

Dil kar paye tab aaraam

Ye soi si shaam

Mere aansuon ke naam

Wo ansu jo laye

Mere naam ek paigaam

Moti toot gaya

Sapna chhoot gaya

Mala phir pirayenge

Sapne phir sajayenge

Ye soi si sham

Kar le je bhar ke vishram

Jab din naya aayega

Ujala chha jayega

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

A Very Long Day!

It’s said, “Ek aur Ek Gyarah.” in Hindi

In English, it means, when one and one come together, their strength feels like eleven, not just two.

And when you find your other one, that’s how comforting and beautiful the day can feel.

A Very Long Day!

It’s been a very long day
It’s been a very tough day
You had one, and I had one
Now you are just sitting
At the end of the day

I come to you,
In your lap I lay,
And say

Would you brush your fingers through my hair?
Would you, one more time, show me the same care?
Would you see me through all my layers?
Would you rescue me from despair?

You say yes
And pull me to you
You say yes
And hide me in you
You say yes
And brush your fingers through my hair
You say yes
And look at me with care

We've been through the storms
We've been through the floods
We've been through the winds
We've been through the mud

We've held hands
And never let go
We've seen a werewolf
In each other
And chose to stay
Even if it kills

We've held hands
And never let go
We've seen a god
In each other
And chose to stay
And get healed

We've held our heads high
With pride in knowing each other
We've been through thick and thin
Together we cherish, together we suffer

We've had long days
We've had tough days

And at the end of the day
It all melts away

When I come lay in your lap
And you brush your fingers through my hair
And hug me like a big bear
And rescue us from despair

And love, love, love, forever...

Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH
©️ Copyright 2025. Dr. Jaya Sonkar MD MPH. All Rights Reserved.
10.14.2025

Friday, October 10, 2025

My Perfect Moon!

Is the Grass Greener on the Other Side? Or Do We Have It Greener on Ours?

I got my new telescope.
I looked at the moon.

My pretty moon,
That was a perfect circle,

Wasn't perfect anymore.
Its edges were uneven.
It had pits and holes.

It was still the same moon.
It hadn’t changed.
Only I could see it better.
It was the same as before,
Just that my view was enhanced.

It is said:
Door ke dhol suhavane.
English Translation:
The things that are farther are more attractive.

A similar idiom is:
The grass is greener on the other side.

While we live on Mother Earth,
And Mother Earth gives us life,
We have the luxury to enjoy
The beauty of our moon, other planets, and even the sun, which we know are not habitable.

The extreme temperatures there cannot sustain life.

The things that are farther look perfect.
It is only when we see through a microscope that we can observe every cell and know it better.

But once we know it, it is sometimes a good idea to step back and enjoy its beauty without analyzing it in detail.
Because the more perfect things appear, the more content we feel.
And that contentment helps us overlook the finer imperfections of those who are near us.

When we are done exploring the finer details,
It becomes more enjoyable to embrace the imperfections
And appreciate the perfect distant picture.

Let us enjoy the beauty of our moons!

Thursday, October 9, 2025

Rays Of Light! Whatever Happens, Happens For Good

Jo Bhi Hota Hai, Achiever Ke Liye Hota Hai'

(English Translation: 'Whatever happens, happens for good')

Thanks to everyone who said yes to me

Because of them, I am firmly rooted

Thanks to everyone who said No to me

Because of them, I could discover my hidden capabilities

Thanks to every success that rewarded my hard work

Because of that, I was able to make a positive change

Thanks to every failure that made me work harder

Because of that, I mastered the skill and stayed grounded

Thanks to every friend who held my hand

Because of them, I experienced the warmth and support

Thanks to every foe

Because of them, I learned to stay alert and wise

Thanks to every estranged friend

Because of them, I became more self reliant and detached.

Thanks to everyone who cheated

Because of them, I learned to use trust wisely

Thanks to all the experiences, positive or negative

Because of those, I learned to pick up the gems on the way and not collect just the stones.

Thanks to the life

Because it added to my bag of wisdom

Thanks to the death

Because it helped me value the life

The idiom

'Jo Bhi Hota Hai, Achiever Ke Liye Hota Hai'