Sharon Dhinakaran

Looking back at 2016 brings back so many emotions. It was a year of letting go some relationships that held deep emotional value, letting go of projects that I thought were of high worth, and making some of life's toughest choices. I learned truly that without pain, there is no gain. I do, however want to say that in every step of the way, God has been there for me. Every time my mind said there possibly could not be another way, God came in and said, "this is the way. Walk in it." Every time I chose to obey and walk in it, the pain that came with making that decision was non-existent. It felt so light putting my trust in one who I know would not disappoint and who sees things farther than what I see. Knowing what He wanted me to do was not easy. I had to struggle to find the will of God. I went through physical pain, mental stress, emotional exhaustion and just plain hitting a wall, knowing I can't move anymore. Amidst that distress, one tear from the bottom of my...

For a while now, I've been talking to people and thinking about what culture really means. The more conversations I have, I'm finding that people can be put in a box and locked in because of it. When I talk about culture, it is not specific to a country but more of the situations that surround a person. For example, the choices one makes to build their own social culture, stance on politics, intellectual reasoning, faith, domestic habits, traditions and so on. It can be influenced by the territory they live in or chose to place themselves but when I say culture, I mean the choices that one makes to form their identity.  I'm someone who constantly travels for work; have been exposed to multiple cultures and life choices at a very young age; have friends from different backgrounds; and most importantly, tried food from different places. It's not to say that I like everything and agree with values from all these places but I am able to understand the reasoning behind why...

I must say that technology that reduces stress from daily life is something that gets my attention.  It all started with the Roti Maker. It's called Roti Matic and here's the link to it.https://rotimatic.com It's probably one of the coolest things created for people who don't have time, don't know how to make a round Roti and (let's admit) people who are just plain lazy. Imagine being single and have fresh, perfect rotis everyday. Not having to go to the store and being able to eat Roti without all that extra stuff that affects your hormones. Total win! Anyway, fast forward time. Then came this card that can load other cards like debit card, credit card, or a member card. It allows you to store the info from your cards on to this digital card and when you have to pay, it lets you switch to the card you wish to use. Pretty cool right? I think it's called bit coin but for some reason, I can't find the website.  Here, I also need to mention google glass.. A...

I wanted to start writing this post with something intelligent to say but honestly, I can't think of anything. So here it goes.. I took a break. For a whole week. No phone (well, I had it on but didn't use the internet as much). So, kinda no phone. No work. No homework. Just pure vacation, enjoying the outside world.  It did me so much good. It was so relaxing to put myself in a world I wasn't familiar with. I didn't speak their language. Took the local transport. Experienced the city-agendaless (if that's even a word). It was the best thing that I could gift to myself.  One thing that I learned from that trip was that my quiet time changed. The morning sessions with God was so beautiful. Usually, it would be "Good morning God. This, this and this is happening. I need help with this and that. What do I do with all these things in front of me?" As if He didn't know the things taking place in my life... but for the first time, I voluntarily let my ...

I want to start by saying that my last blog post was kinda depressing. Although real, it was more on the sad side. I want to take this moment and shoutout to all those who supported me and told me how much you could relate, and also told me its ok, these things happen. It really means a lot to me that you are reading what I have to say and walking with me through this journey. I know that there is a long way to go and these are just pricks along the way but you just being there and encouraging me is worth much. I have a dream.... and I can see it in my head. It feels as though it's so close that I can touch it... but I know there are stops that I have to make, turns I have to take and unexpected things that are always gonna come my way. Success is nothing without failure. Happiness is nothing with sorrow. So yes, I'm willing to go on this journey and take you along with me on the roller coaster called life. I fully accept all that comes with moulding myself to be the best at...

When I was a teenager, I used to look at 21 or 23 year olds who were successful, independent, funny and beautiful, and think someday I wanted to be like them. I thought they were so happy with their friends, hanging out at the coolest scenes and being their best self. I thought growing up must be fun and everything in life comes easy when you have a job, an apartment and a car..... But maaan, was I wrong!  You know how they say life is not a bed of roses? That's so true. Getting older, only means life is going to throw more curve balls at you, responsibility is taken up to a whole new level and chores reduce down to nothing. As each day passes, things change, you meet new people, make new business connections, dream new dreams, demands increase and honestly, your just not the same 14 year old who can eat all the candy you want. Your whole body starts to react if you don't watch what you eat.  Life is so not easy when you don't have a motivation to do what you're doing. ...

LA-the land of dreams. Specially, when it comes to the film and TV industry, it seems like almost everyone wants to become a star of some sort. I'm pretty sure I've visited California multiple times but one memorable time was when I went last April to explore the city with my friends. It's one place where there is so much of Hollywood talk. This movie was made here, this star walked here, that house belongs to them, that building is theirs..  and don't get me started on the advice people give to make it big in Hollywood. It's one thing to go as a tourist but another to experience LA on your own. There's such a big difference of what the media wants you to see and what you find. There was this time when I got in a cab to pick up my friends from the airport. It was quite a long drive so the driver was making conversation about how the day is always perfect in sunny California and there is not one day that the sun don't shine. I was very impressed, coz I l...

This probably was the best birthday I have ever experienced. Oh how wonderful it is when the people you love surround you to keep you happy throughout your special day. I must also say that growing up in a different country and living in another country helps with that. My friends and family started to send me wishes almost 48 hours before my big day. It was so thoughtful of them to send such valuable gifts but most important of all of them, was the priceless thoughts they had put in to find the things that made me jump with gladness.. and how can I forget all those who tried to stay awake to sing, dance and wish me right at 12. I'm truly blessed with amazing friends... Friends who mean so much to me! This year, my corporate family back in India, gathered to bless me, write me a poem, utter special words and even pray for the best to come to pass in my life. It truly made me smile as the word from God that day was just what I needed and charged me in every way. It worked out perf...