Anika Choudhary

 When I took this photo, I didn’t intend to capture anything meaningful. I simply felt that I related to it. That day, I was tired. I hadn’t slept enough, and deadlines were quietly piling up. The forecast said rain, and the sky felt like an accurate reflection of where my head was—muted, overcast, a little overwhelmed. At the time, the clouds made sense. Grey felt familiar. Not comforting, but familiar— as if my muddled emotions were staring back at me through the sky. I didn’t notice the rainbow (on the right hand side of this photograph) immediately. It wasn’t bold or striking, and it didn’t demand to be seen. It was faint—almost easy to miss—and maybe that’s what made it feel real. It didn’t suddenly fix my mood or make the stress disappear. The day continued exactly as it was supposed to. But something shifted. For a moment, it became clear that the clouds weren’t the whole picture—that even on heavy days, something lighter, something hopeful, can exist alongside t...

There’s something strange about living in an online world. Some days it feels like everyone else is floating through a perfect fairytale — the soft-lit bedrooms, the flawless morning routines, the sunsets that look like they were painted directly onto the sky by some celestial artist. And then there’s us. Real people. Trying to make sense of our not-so-aesthetic days. I used to look at pictures like the one above—skies drenched in warm oranges and soft pinks, brick buildings glowing like they were part of some old, enchanted campus—and I’d wonder why my life doesn't look like that naturally. I’d ask myself: Why doesn’t everything in life fall into place so effortlessly? But here’s the thing: This photo? I took it. And let me tell you, it was not effortless. I stood there taking shot after shot, experimenting with angles, shifting my position because the lighting kept changing, adjusting my phone because it kept overexposing the sky. I looked like I was conducting a scie...

There’s something almost sacred about things that have broken and still choose to stay. A cracked bowl on a shelf. A wilted flower clinging to sunlight. A heart that has been hurt, but still holds space for softness.  We don’t talk about it enough—how beauty doesn’t disappear just because something has changed shape. Sometimes, it deepens. We’re all a little like that. But maybe we don’t need to pretend the cracks don’t exist.  Maybe we just need to learn how to carry them like they mean something. Because they do. Every scar, whether it’s visible or silent, carries proof: that you have lived, that you have endured, that you have been brave enough to feel. For a long time, I thought healing meant fixing. Making things look untouched and brand new again. But that isn't always what healing is about.  It's not about hiding and filling in the broken pieces.   Sometimes it’s about realizing the pieces still matter, even if it looks a bit different. We’re ...

Most people are confused on how opposites look good together.  Sure, we all have grown up with the old saying: "Opposites attract".  But that gives rise to a new question: Do opposites look good together? The answer varies from person to person.  Some may say that they're a match made in heaven. Others may say that they're a recipe for chaos.  Everyone has their own take. And here's mine.  They can work together as long as they're willing to. If both parties won't understand each other and they'll only be focused on each other's flaws and shortcomings, then they're bound to fall apart.  But, if they try to balance those weak spots with each other's strengths? That's where the magic can start. Let's compare this to pieces of a puzzle. Each one has their own gaps and indents. However, if there are two pieces that fit just right, then you won't even be able to notice the flaws anymore. What you'll see is the complet...

"Forgive and forget." That’s the motto we’re all taught to remember when we feel we’ve been wronged. But some days, forgiveness doesn’t come easy. No matter how much you try, forgiving and forgetting just feels hard. You might find yourself unable to accept what’s happened to you—and despite what some may say, that’s not always a sign of immaturity. Sometimes, it’s simply a sign of hurt. Of mistrust. Of going through the same pain too many times. In those moments, I don’t think “forgive and forget” should be the rule. Because healing takes time. And that’s okay. It’s like a wound—medicines might ease the pain, but the bigger ones? They take longer to heal. And that’s natural. So if you can’t forgive right away—or forget what happened—that’s okay too. Give yourself a little time. Breathe. Let yourself feel and grow. Because with time, things shift. Pain softens. And one day, when you’re ready, you might be able to forgive. Maybe even forget. And when that day comes...

Today is the 4th of July—America’s Independence Day! On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted, marking the birth of the United States and the separation of its thirteen colonies from Great Britain. We celebrate with fireworks, food, and time with loved ones—honoring the noble sacrifices made to build this country. As the sky lights up in firecrackers, it serves as a reminder of both our history and our hope. Happy 4th of July!