Boredom: the Mother of Creativity

I read an article recently about how social interaction helps us to function at our very best. Our minds are built to connect, to talk, and to share.

But imagine for a second if it all went quiet. Imagine a world where you are just hearing the birds whispering and the oceans clashing; the steady dribbling of the water droplets, the quiet ballet of the falling leaves, the sudden whoosh of a blowing wind.

Imagine there was no music, no movies, no social media—nothing.

We would still find a way to entertain ourselves. We always do. I believe entertainment is out way of escaping that heavy, natural silence. But here is the thing: When the silence starts speaking, the ideas begin to flow. And when we create something to escape boredom, we end up building the exact bridge we need to connect with each other.

It is a full circle moment. We need social interaction to function, boredom forces us to create culture and that culture gives us the very things we need to communicate and interact.

Think about it. It is this desperate need to bridge the gap between us that makes us build human culture. We created Easter and Christmas traditions, beauty pageants like Miss World and Miss Universe. We created wrestling, reality TV, news and gossip, the Dr. Phil Show, City Marathons, and endless series.



Image source: magnific.com




We come home after a long day of work and put on a movie or a favorite episode. And what do we do the next morning? We talk about it. The entertainment dissolves the boredom, and then it feeds our social connection.

I once heard that because there was not so much entertainment in the past, that is why people gave birth a lot! It makes sense, right? People had to find a way to interact.

We make up things just to "happy ourselves" and give us reasons to gather. In winter, we have the Christmas Markets. In spring, the Spring Festival. In summer, we have open-air concerts. In autumn, we find Halloween and Thanksgiving. We are constantly inventing seasons of celebration so we don't have to face the quiet alone.

Some people make it their job to entertain us. And while it looks easy on the outside, it does not always. It takes immense work to turn a lonely thought into a shared reality.

-● A thought becomes an idea which beats a music that is sang years and years on.
-● A thought becomes a surgical step that is learnt decades on.
-● A thought becomes a book that is studied in schools for centuries.
-● An idea becomes a world-famous painting celebrated for years, like the Mona Lisa or a Michelangelo masterpiece.

These ideas live on for generations to profit from. Our thoughts lead to our passion, and our passion leads to the things that bring us together.

In a way, boredom is the director of the movie. He sees the vision from afar and directs the scene. We need boredom to step in. If we are always distracted, the director never gets to call "Action."

The poet Joseph Brodsky once wrote: "When hit by boredom, go for it. Let yourself be crushed by it; submerge, hit bottom... the sooner you hit bottom, the faster you surface." What would happen if we didn’t fear being bored? What if we let ourselves hit the bottom of the quiet, so we could surface with something new?

Like I always say, Ideas are Currency.

The Power of the Moment: Why the First Impression Matters—and Why It Doesn't Always

There are moments that hold a special place in our hearts forever. The "firsts." Your first real love, the first home, the first major success—these moments profoundly shape who we are.

And then there is the first impression. The tricky thing about the first impression isn't that it's unnecessary, but that it's incredibly difficult to change later on. It's the unspoken, yet crucial, starting line for every new relationship, every encounter, every change.



We all know this feeling, especially in the professional world: In the first week of a new job, people feel they have to push their absolute hardest. They're not just showing who they are, but who they aspire to be. They're essentially putting on a "show"—that intense urge to constantly prove themselves and over-impress.

For more expert advice on the initial seven seconds, see this guide from TIME Magazine on How To Make The Best First Impression



But no matter how hard you try to "sell yourself" or "put on a performance" in that initial phase, it always comes down to the same thing: People see you, and they immediately make a critical assessment: "How much respect am I going to give this person?"

The Loss of Community: The Price Tag of Modern Civilization

     I recently spoke with a Filipino friend who mentioned he doesn't even know his neighbors. Everyone lives in their own sealed apartment, and the unwritten social contract of checking on one another seems to be gone. When you mention you're new or struggling, the subtle, modern message we often hear is, "Don't bring your burden here." This makes us wonder: Where is the safety net? The true cost of civilization, it often feels like, is the birth of selfishness.

     I recall watching an interview with actress Aishwarya Rai, where the interviewer was astonished that she still lives with her extended family. Big house, big family – no need to hire a nanny when a supportive structure is in place. Our modern imperative, however, is "I want my own place, you have to go." This drives us to extremes, such as men calculating relationship expenses, hoping the partner will pay them back in case of a breakup.

     This painful lack of a support structure is exactly why a new mother shouldn't have to feel overwhelmed, but so many do. Actress Jennifer Lawrence recently drove this point home, noting that the absence of a community made her first postpartum period "extremely isolating." She speaks for countless women struggling in a society that champions individualism over communal care.

Read the full interview with Jennifer Lawrence here. ← (This text is hyperlinked)

     It is no coincidence that depression is on the rise with civilization. What the hell is this "civilization" if it makes us sick? Sometimes, the best advice we can give patients as doctors is simply to encourage them to join a self-help group or Rehabilitation sports—to return to where community still exists.

     The most frustrating part is having to make appointments just to see one another. Where is the genuine community in that? You can't just pass by to drop something off. When you truly need something, the act of reaching out becomes an anxiety-filled event: 

The Power of personal and corporate branding: How Consistency & Authenticity Build Trust and Opportunity

"Ever notice how Hollywood just loves to put one person center stage at a time? They pick a 'face of the brand,' someone who embodies everything they want to sell. Take Kendall Jenner, for example. She reportedly got paid a massive amount—I'm talking millions—just to be the face of L'Oréal. That's because she already has a strong personal brand, associated with fame and a certain lifestyle, and the company knew they'd profit from that connection. That's branding in action, right there."

Building Your Digital Footprint

 In today's interconnected world, an online presence is no longer optional; it's essential. Whether through a personal website, a business profile, or social media, being online allows you to control your narrative. I've personally experienced the reach of a digital presence: people I don't know personally, and have never even told I have a blog, will tell me, "I read your blog, THE SMILING DREAMS. I love it so much!" This demonstrates the power of a consistent online footprint in attracting an audience.

The Essence of Consistency and Authenticity

A key element of effective branding is consistency. Your audience needs to know you'll always be there, reliably present. This commitment can even influence real-world opportunities; some jobs, for instance, are contingent on a stable local presence. On social media platforms like Instagram, consistency can manifest as a specific aesthetic or an elegant feed. Investing in your page's overall look and feel – its aesthetics – is truly worthwhile, as it creates an immediate impression and reinforces your brand identity.

However, consistency must be paired with authenticity. Some brands are merely a facade, and discerning customers quickly see through it.

Olympics, more than just Games

I first became captivated by the Olympics when I heard of Michael Phelps and his dynamic swimming abilities. My love for the Sport of Gymnastics grew in 2016, with Simone Biles’ unparalleled performance that developed my passion for the sport of gymnastics. Over the years, I've come to realize that beyond the athletic feats, the most inspiring moments are the ones that teach us powerful lessons about life, love, and personal growth.

The Power of Heartfelt Moments

This year's Olympics was filled with breathtaking moments, record-breaking feats, and heartwarming displays of affection that were more addictive than any drama series. The Swedish-American pole vaulter, Armand Duplantis, embracing his girlfriend after shattering the world record was a picture of pure joy. Similarly, the viral moment between Tara Davis-Woodhall and her husband after her gold medal win in the long jump was a heartwarming picture of love and support. They hugged each other almost bruising their lungs in the tightest of embraces. These moments remind us that even at the highest level of competition, love and human connection are the greatest wins.

The Role of Mindset and Self-Belief

I was enthralled by the display of athletic prowess exhibited by Gabby Thomas, the Harvard graduate and Olympic champion in the 200-meter sprint. Her recent interviews revealed the potency of positive thinking and visualization, through which she manifested her championship status even before stepping onto the starting block. Ultimately, it’s about giving one's best effort. I believe she is a role model for countless young girls due to her significant impact beyond the sporting arena, particularly in the realm of global health. You can listen to the interview with Gabby Thomas discussing visualisation here. 

Compete with Yourself

The most striking lesson I have learned from the Olympics is to compete only with oneself. Rather than comparing yourself to others, set and achieve your own goals while striving to surpass your previous achievements. This is perfectly exemplified by Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who has broken her own 400-meter hurdles world record an astonishing six times. Her current record stands at an astounding 50.37 seconds. Likewise, Usain Bolt shattered his own 100-meter record, setting a new benchmark of 9.58 seconds that remains unmatched since 2009.

I'll conclude with the words of Michael Phelps: “If you want to be the best, you have to do things that other people aren’t willing to do.”

What lessons from the Olympics have inspired you? Share them in the comments below!

Ideas are Currency: A Guide to Protecting Intellectual Property

“What is the most resilient parasite?Bacteria? A virus? An intestinal worm? An idea. Resilient. . . highly contagious. Once an idea has taken hold of the brain it’s almost impossible to eradicate. An idea that is fully formed — fully understood — that sticks; right in there somewhere” 

 - Leonardo DiCaprio in Inception (2010)

Ideas pop up in our brains every day and some have a wonder to them that can set a series of far-reaching success. And can change EVERYTHING. That's why you have to turn your ideas real. It is easy to assume that you need extreme preparation and connections to make it work, but sometimes you just have to take the first step and that could be wildly exhilarating! 

 

 As you are manifesting your ideas in to reality and monetising them, you got to protect yourself from cancerous thieves ready to kick you in the balls. Because an idea is not enough. This brings me to the concept of intellectual property. An intellectual property in its purest form is an idea. Through patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets we protect our ideas. 

 

Patents: Securing Your Invention

A patent is a grant that gives an inventor a temporary monopoly on the use and development of an invention. Companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft thrive not just on their physical products but on the innovative ideas that propel their development, which are often protected by patents. Bill Gates, for example, built an empire by creating patents on software, becoming one of the richest people in the world. The goal of a patent is to allow you to make money from your invention—whether through licensing, selling it, or building your own company—before it becomes public domain.

Trademarks: Protecting Your Brand

A trademark gives you the exclusive right to use a word, logo, or phrase in a particular country and industry. It protects your brand identity. A famous example is the 2017 legal battle between Kylie Minogue and Kylie Jenner. Minogue successfully prevented Jenner from trademarking their shared first name “Kylie” for her new beauty brand. Had Jenner been successful, no one else could have used that brand identity without facing a legal battle for infringement.

Copyrights: Safeguarding Creative Works

Copyrights are meant to protect creative works such as books, movies, music, and characters. Unlike trademarks, copyrights don't have to be registered to exist. If you listen to a hit song that samples another track, the original copyright holders—the songwriters and producers of the sampled song—are entitled to a big portion of the revenue. This compensation is typically referred to as a royalty.

Trade Secrets: Keeping It Confidential

Some companies use a trade secret to protect their intellectual assets, such as a recipe, manufacturing process, or technology. These are meant to be kept strictly confidential. The formulas for the Starbucks Frappuccino, KFC, and Krispy Kreme are all considered trade secrets. They remain undisclosed and outside the public domain, ensuring competitors can't gain access to the formula. If someone happens to leak a trade secret, you can sue them for misappropriation, provided a non-disclosure agreement was signed beforehand.

A Final Word on Contracts

In an age where ideas are the real currency, it's crucial to protect them. Remember the poignant rift between Sylvester Stallone and Irwin Winkler over the Rocky franchise. Stallone had ignorantly and naively sold the rights to the film when he was a struggling actor and had no idea how massive it would become. Before signing any agreement or contract, thoroughly read and red-line it. Don’t sign away your life, your image, and your rights without fully understanding what you’re giving up.

The sci-fi movie parallel 2018 could not do more justice in letting us know how powerful ideas truly are, and why we have to protect them.

This leaves us with a critical question: Do you think creators are doing enough to protect their intellectual property, or is more education needed? Share your thoughts below!

BREASTFEEDING: AN UNSUNG MIRACLE

The whitish creamish substance scribbled all over her T-Shirt. Just when she thought she had cleaned all of it up, a droplet oozed out and moved a mini-micro millimeter in the wrong direction. She mentally sighed and finally decided to wear a new top all together. As a lactating mother, she always had to be prepared for those instances when her breast milk leak, soaking her dress. Thanks to her padded bra and her pump, those instances were becoming rarer and rarer. However, that didn't stop her from deciding to breastfeed her son till he was 2 years 6 months. After all, the World Health Organization advises that we breastfeed even after baby turns one year.

I totally concur with this recommendation because breastfeeding has so many numerous benefits that can be stretched from the earth to the sky. For instance, breast milk contains omega-3 and omega- 6 fatty acids (PUFAs) which are of critical importance for the development of the brain and nervous system. Breast milk also protect the baby from illness as it contains antibodies and other active substances. It is in this light that I do make it a point to make sure my patients are taught how to properly breastfeed their babies before they are finally discharged. What we don't want to see is a mother coming again with a jaundiced baby. God in his infinite wisdom created the sincerest and purest form of equity that lies in breastfeeding. Women no matter their race or socio-economic status have the most natural means to provide essential nutrients to their babies through breastfeeding. Truth be told, a good maternity bra that offers comfort, support and convenience, makes all the differences. Imagine it being so comfy that you can sleep in or even swim in it in peace and quiet. Finding such a comfortable bra can sometimes be daunting. And that’s why Rihanna deserves all the flowers for creating one that is just right.

Although the world breastfeeding week was celebrated during the first week in August, its message is timeless, "Let's make breastfeeding and work, work!" To be honest, we cannot talk about breastfeeding without talking about the duration of Maternity leave. Sometimes, it is considered a frivolous amusement, rather than a serious call to action. That is the main reason we should applaud countries that make paid maternity leave a priority. Breastfeeding without doubt is a wonder and a truly Unsung Miracle.

HEALTH, SACRIFICES AND WHAT NOT

While watching Inventing Anna, I realised that Money, Power, Image & Love are what tend to motivate people. Nevertheless, you are not going to enjoy these if you are not healthy. Rightly said, "health is wealth." One that is usually not appreciated until it's no more.