Perhaps Even God Is Still Figuring It Out – And I’m Still Waiting for Wisdom (That Never Downloaded)

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By age 13, I was absolutely sure of one thing- everyone older than me had life all sorted. College-goers? Oh, they definitely knew what they wanted and what their purpose was. Married people? Must be walking encyclopedias of emotional wisdom. And mothers? Don’t even get me started. I truly believed that anyone who could manage a child, run a home and handle a pressure cooker at the same time had to be operating with NASA-level intelligence.

But then I grew up. And turns out… it’s not quite like that.

By college, I was no clearer than a foggy windshield during monsoon season. I waited for enlightenment like one waits for a delayed train-standing at the station of life with a hopeful heart. Marriage came and brought its own syllabus of confusion. Motherhood???  Ohh yes. The time when you realize that even the child you gave birth to is now smarter than you, especially in settings, software and shortcuts.

Still, I waited. Because surely, once I hit 50, the Wisdom Fairy would descend, toss me a USB stick loaded with Life 101 and whisper, “Update complete.” Alas. I’m now 61. And guess what? Still clueless. Possibly even more clueless- just with added aches & pains.

I used to look up to my mother like she was born with a compass in her brain. Never missed a beat. She could fold a saree with her eyes closed, balance a budget without blinking, remember the entire grocery list without writing a word and serve the yummiest dishes without ever opening a cookbook. But maybe, just maybe, she was faking it, too. Maybe she also stood in front of the fridge some nights and whispered- “What on earth do they mean by ‘Eat before expiry’ when life itself comes with no such label?”

Now when I look at toddlers, I think- wow, they really know what they want. iPad, lollipop, which channel to watch, which cartoon series they’re hooked on and even which song is their absolute jam. No confusion there. And teenagers? Their fingers fly across screens like concert pianists on energy drinks. They speak fluent Techlish. They multitask while multitasking. They don’t even say “I don’t know” anymore. They say- “Let me Google that.”

I mean, look at the evidence. We have mosquitoes- but no real way to stop them from treating us like an open buffet.We send satellites to Mars, yet can’t find our own glasses (which are often on our head). Despite all these technological revolutions, we’re still clueless when it comes to everyday stuff- like how to fix a mood swing, how to stop tears that come out of nowhere, how to fall asleep when your brain suddenly decides it’s time to review every decision you’ve made since 1983. We’ve got smart TVs, smart fridges, smart phones… but no real clue how to switch off our overthinking.

Maybe, just maybe, The Creator is still experimenting. Still beta testing Earth. Perhaps the Big Bang was just a sneeze and the universe is still expanding because no one remembered to hit the stop button. Maybe heaven’s just a cosmic Helpdesk where even angels occasionally turn to one another and ask- “Wait… was free will part of the original plan or an accidental download?”

There’s some strange comfort in that thought.

If the Almighty is still in awe of His own inventions, still spinning galaxies like a child twirling a globe- just to see where the finger lands- then maybe I can forgive myself for not knowing how to properly use half the features on my phone or half the rules of life.

Because here’s the fun, dear reader:

Nobody has it figured out. They’re just better at nodding wisely while Googling quietly.

So cheers to lifelong confusion, to learning and unlearning, to being 60 and still wondering what you’ll be when you grow up. If God’s still wondering what to do with Jupiter’s 79 moons, I think we’re in fine company…~ Latika Teotia

Dear Papa- A Letter To My Father !

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Dear Papa,

Now, when I sit quietly and look back, my heart overflows.

I feel so incredibly blessed that you were my father- so forward-thinking, so quietly strong, so deeply kind. In a time when most daughters were still being told to stay quiet and small, you gave me the wings to fly. Imagine, Papa… 1964 and you never once made me feel like I was “just a girl.” You never treated your daughter any different from your sons. There were no lines, no labels, no “this is not for you.” There was only love. Only freedom. And trust.

You gave us all the same freedom to run, to fall, to try, to speak up- to be.

I played basketball when few girls did. I explored every silly idea that popped into my head. I made mistakes- oh, so sooo many-  and not once did you scold me into silence. You never said, “I told you so.” Instead, you stood by with that quiet smile and let me learn. You let me grow. You let me become.

Papa, you made space for my voice before I even knew how to use it. You listened. You let me disagree. You taught me that love doesn’t control- it trusts.

It’s because of you that I am the mother I am today. Because of you, I know that raising a child isn’t about molding them- it’s about holding them gently as they unfold into who they are meant to be. You were my greatest teacher. Not with lectures -but with life. With how you lived, how you loved, how you simply showed up.

You never gave up on me, even during the rough patches- those times I didn’t even believe in myself. And because of that, I never give up on my children either.

When Apoorva was born with cerebral palsy, I didn’t collapse under the weight of why us? I didn’t let pity pull me down. I remembered you. Your strength. Your steady faith. I took it as a challenge- a chance to give her the same kind of love and belief you once gave me. Not a single day did I let her feel less. Not once did I let the world’s opinions become her limits. And maybe that’s why she shines today- confident, capable, with a master’s degree and a heart full of fire. She is not our weakness, Papa-  she is our light.

And Aman-  oh, our brave boy- when he met with that terrifying accident at six, when doctors spoke in hushed voices about ruptured organs (pancreas and intestines)  and the uncertainty ahead, I held on to the faith I saw in you all my life. I chose hope. I chose belief. And today, he runs marathons with the same fierce spirit I once saw in your eyes. I see you in him. I see you in both of them.

You’re not gone, Papa. Not really. You are woven into every strength I carry, every word of encouragement I give, every time I hold space for my children to simply be. You are still teaching me- quietly, invisibly- just like you always did.

You were and will always be, my hero. My guide. My soft place to fall. In a world that’s always rushing, you were stillness. In a world that judged, you understood. In a world full of noise, you heard me.

I miss you every single day. Sometimes the ache is so quiet, it catches me off guard- like a whisper in the wind or the way the sun filters through the trees. But I smile too, because I know – you’re still here. In my heart. In my children. In every choice I make with love.

Thank you, Papa… for everything. For being you.

With all the love in the world,
Your daughter

~Latika Teotia

Unapologetically Aligned-Choosing Health as an Act of Self-Respect !!!

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There comes a time when you stop explaining yourself for choosing what nourishes your body, calms your mind, and protects your peace.

Eating clean, sleeping early, saying no to chaos, skipping the late-night scroll, or turning down that second glass of wine-these aren’t trends. These are sacred acts of self-respect.

Let people call it boring, obsessive, or too disciplined. You know what it really is? It’s alignment. It’s choosing a life where your energy feels whole and your mind feels clear. You’re not trying to impress; you’re trying to heal, grow, and show up fully.

You don’t owe anyone an explanation for wanting to feel good in your own skin.

“Honor the life within you. Make choices that water your roots, not just please the crowd.”

Stay kind, but stay firm. You’re allowed to protect your light… ~Latika Teotia

When the Advice-Giver Finally Takes Their Own Medicine !!!

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You know that moment when you finally do the thing you’ve been telling everyone else to do? Drink more water. Leave that toxic job. Set boundaries. Stop texting back people who treat you like a doormat.

Yeah, that moment is both humbling and hilarious.
Turns out, all that wisdom you dished out like free snacks at a party? It works.

But applying your own advice feels a bit like finally reading the instruction manual for your own life, and realizing it was written in your handwriting all along.

It’s not that you didn’t know. It’s just,  it’s easier to be the lighthouse than to walk the shore yourself.

“We all have the map. The journey begins the day we stop handing it to others and start following it ourselves.”

So go ahead. Be your own guru. Turns out you’ve been making sense this whole time…~Latika Teotia

Dream Beyond Limits !!!

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Life isn’t a checklist of what’s practical. It’s a canvas, wide and waiting. Don’t hold back by asking if something is realistic or possible. Imagine life as a place where you can wish for anything, without fear, without hesitation.

“Dreams are whispers from your soul.
Paint them boldly, nurture them tenderly,
and trust they will find their way into the light.”

Each dream you carry is a color, a note, a spark.
Feed it with love, faith, and patience.
At first, it may be invisible, like music unheard or paintings unseen.
But quietly, it begins to take form, filling your world with beauty you once only imagined.

Don’t be afraid if it takes time.Every masterpiece begins as a single brushstroke.Believe in your dreams.  The universe is ready to meet you halfway…~Latika Teotia

The Quiet Art of Not Running !!!

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There are parts of us that quietly run, not on feet, but in thought. Away from the hard questions, the heavy truths, the mirrors that reflect what we’d rather not see. We escape in silence, in distraction, in pretending to be fine. But the ache always finds a way back.

“You can cross oceans to avoid your pain, but the soul carries its own suitcase.”

Escapism is tender. It’s not weakness, it’s the longing to breathe without the weight. But freedom isn’t found in flight. It lives in the soft courage to stay. To sit with discomfort. To meet your fears as guests, not enemies.

Not all healing is loud. Sometimes, it’s just the choice to no longer turn away.

When you stop running, you start returning- to yourself… ~Latika Teotia

Be A Change !!!

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The energy and actions we put out into the world have a way of reflecting back to us. If we focus on spreading positivity, kindness, and respect, we are more likely to receive these things in return. It’s important to be mindful of our actions and the impact they have on others, as well as the impact they have on ourselves. By being intentional about the energy we put out, we can create a more positive and fulfilling life for ourselves and those around us. Remember, your life is not a coincidence, but a reflection of your own actions and choices. So, let’s make the world a better place by giving out more love, kindness, understanding, and respect… ~~Latika Teotia

Be Uncompromisingly Straightforward !!!

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Just reminding you- your mental well-being is of utmost importance. You don’t need to make adjustments especially when it comes to your values and beliefs. You don’t have to explain yourself and should be uncompromisingly straightforward when it comes to taking a stand on something YOU believe in. Let other people think what they wish to and leave if they want… YOU and YOUR peace is all that matters. That is all!!! ~Latika Teotia

Simplify Your Life & Create More Freedom !!!

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When you try to define simplicity, you tend to straight jacket it into a laid down structure thus imprisoning yourself and tying yourself into knots. I decided to throw myself into the chaos called life and suddenly I found it was so very simple. Don’t look for definitions, directions just follow your heart… it’s as SIMPLE as that!!!! ~Latika Teotia