The Expression Hub

  • The trait that defines success…

    Published by

    Roshani Patil

    on

    Author: Angela Duckworth

    Genre: Psychology/ Self-help book

    “Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.”

    -Samuel Jackson

    There used to be a time when I used to hate the genre of non-fiction because I used to find it long and boring. But, nowadays, I have started enjoying them which is quite a surprise for me as well. I think the reason behind this might be that it provides valuable insights as well as facts written by the author of the book. Also, it contains great substance in it especially when it comes to knowledge maybe that might also be another reason why I might have started exploring this genre further. Apart from that, maybe some authors do write or present their points in an interesting manner is what makes a book in this category interesting. I came across one such interesting read recently which was later converted into a TED talk as well and which supposedly is also one of my favorite talks. The author of the book is an American academic, psychologist and a science author who also teaches in the University of Pennsylvania.

    Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance is a book written by Angela Duckworth which tries to explore the role of grit in human success and achievement. Some people do become successful because of talent and some by intelligent but not all people achieve success by those parameters. Most people become successful because they put in the work which is required consistently. Talent according to Angela is a starting point but it is effort that transforms potential into a tangible skill.This means that anyone who is willing to dedicate themselves to a long term goal can be a successful person as this person is pursuing excellence.

    She further writes that passion is not something which is temporary. Rather it is a deep, enduring interest in a particular goal or pursuit. It is the ability to maintain focus and commitment over extended periods, to find meaning and purpose in the daily grind.Also, perseverance, the other crucial component of grit is the unwavering determination to overcome obstacles and setbacks and is the resilience to bounce back from failures, learn from mistakes and push forward despite the challenges. When these two factors come into play with one another, they create a powerful combination that fuels sustained effort and leads to exceptional achievement.

    The book draws heavily from the author’s experiences and research about what were the factors that truly drive achievement. Her research included studies of West Point cadets, National spelling bee finalists and top-performing salespeople which highlighted the importance of grit.

    It also states that people who possess a growth mindset are more likely to possess grit and achieve their goals. Besides, it also offers practical insights into how the quality of grit can be developed.

    Analysis: This book explores a crucial psychological trait meticulously. The book has a lot of research which provides compelling evidence for the importance of grit. The author makes it a point to explain complex psychological concepts into simple language which does not make the book a bore. It reinforces the concept that abilities can be developed through hard-work and dedication.However there might be some points which might make it a critical piece of literature. Like for instance, she advocates the concept of a grit scale, which is supposed to be a measure of the grit a person possess. But grit is a trait that cannot be measured in quantity. Also, there might be factors which can affect a person’s grit. This is not taken into account.

    However, the book has created a change as it prompts educators to focus more on character development along with academic achievement. This book also has helped develop business leaders to build resilient and high-performing teams. It also has highlighted the importance of perseverance in a culture that prioritizes instant gratification.

    Cite Bite: “Our potential is one thing. What we do with it is quite another.”

    Que: What is grit all about?

    a. Being stubborn

    b. Being persistent

    c. Pursuing the right goals

    d. Living a life to please others.

    Continue reading →: The trait that defines success…

  • Facing the world with courage and conviction…

    Published by

    Roshani Patil

    on

    Starring: Emilio Estevez, Joshua Jackson, Vincent LaRuso, Elden Henson,Shaun Weiss, Aaron Lohr, Kathryn Erbe, Scott Whyte

    Directed By: Sam Weisman

    Genre: Sports comedy-drama

    “Our ability to handle life’s challenges is a measure of our strength of character.”

    -Les Brown

    Of late, I have been on a journey of self-discovery after years of people-pleasing and not listening to my inner voice for a long time. The last I remember I had heard to my inner voice was when I was in college. After that, it was just a period of people pleasing and listening to what others felt was right. This resulted in a lot of mistakes made and unnecessary baggage being carried on. But as I had written last week, I am trying to reclaim my self -worth once again and try to assert myself as an individual who has her own voice .After all, someone has aptly said, when one finds the courage to use his or her voice, it has the power to positively inspire and change the lives of others.

    Was I a weak individual before this? No, but I did feel that my voice was being stifled after living up to the expectations of the society. But right now, I just want to be in that position where I give power to myself and focus more on developing myself into an individual I have always wanted to be. And by doing so, I do not want to feel guilty at all nor wallow in self-pity. I just want my work to speak for itself and live my life on my own terms and make my choices.

    Does that mean I am not open to feedback? I am open to feedback and suggestions as well but if it is beneficial for me up to an extent and is not forced upon me . It is good to advice people but shouldn’t the one who is being advised be allowed to make the choice?

    Well, these are some changes which I intend to make in my day to day life. Have you faced such moments in your life lately ? Do tell me in the comments section. I would be happy to listen to your stories. And maybe get some pointers about how I should be living my life more purposefully and authentically.

    The reason why I wrote about this was because I happened to revisit one of my memories which always gave me strength to face life whenever life seemed overwhelming. This movie became my guiding light when I was growing up and maybe that is the reason why it holds a special place in my heart. Which piece of art am I talking about? Lets find out..

    STORY LINE: D2: The Mighty Ducks is a sports drama and is the second part of the Mighty Ducks trilogy. It revolves around the life of Gordon Bombay who was a lawyer by profession but his love for ice hockey transitions his career as a coach. After leading a local team to victory, coach Bombay tries his hand in the minor league expecting that he will end up having a spot in the National Hockey League. However, a knee injury stops him from realizing his dreams.

    Even though his career ends as a professional hockey player, life gives him another role and that is to coach Team USA for the Junior Goodwill Games. Initially, he is reluctant to take up the role but after a little convincing by his friend Jan and Don Tibbles, he does take up the role.

    But being the coach of team USA means that a person becomes a celebrity as well thanks to sponsorships . So, the question is whether coach Bombay will fall into the trap of vanity or will he rise above the challenge and lead Team USA to victory?

    SCRUTINY: This might seem like a simple story having ice hockey at its background. But the reality is that this movie is just not a movie. It has a lot of life lessons hidden behind it as well. This movie teaches the importance of sportsmanship as well as gives us lessons in pride and focusing on matters. It also teaches us to embrace our individuality as an individual by playing our strength and combining them to form a cohesive unit.

    Emilio Estevez shines as coach Bombay but the real hero according to me was his friend and mentor Hans who taught him how to instill the love for the game in the kids. He is also the one who makes coach Bombay realize what his objective was . An old man who was pretty wise and who is a game changer.

    Are there any negatives in the same? Well, not as such but there are a few scenes which are pretty unbelievable in nature. Like for instance , there is a scene in which the team members on their day off go for shopping . Teenagers are not allowed in most of the stores yet they end up window shopping in an elite boutique . How is that even possible?Or in a game where every second counts, who would have the time for a knuckle puck?To know what it is , do watch the movie and try to figure the mystery of the same for yourself. Also, when did a sponsor have so much influence on a team ? That he ends up giving a lot of instructions than the coach? Guess this is another mystery for you guys to unravel .

    THE SENTIMENT: A good watch which will bring in a lot of nostalgic factor and maybe instill a love for ice hockey as well apart from giving you a few important lessons. But if there were no scenes which were a bit difficult to digest, this movie would have been a more better experience.

    But sometimes, I guess you do have to keep your brains aside and just enjoy what a certain story has to deliver. So, if you can keep your logical brain aside while watching this, then this will not turn out to be that bad as an experience. Else just watch it for how a David beats a Goliath story vibe. That way you can enjoy the experience better.

    Rating: ** and 1/2 stars

    Quote-Unquote: “We’re not goons, We’re not bullies. No matter what people say or do we have to be ourselves” (Coach Bombay to his team)

    Que: What is the name of the hockey player who comes to visit Team USA?

    a. Mike Modano

    b. Chris Chelios

    c. Wayne Gretzky

    d. Paul Kariya

    Continue reading →: Facing the world with courage and conviction…

  • Things I promise to myself..

    Published by

    Roshani Patil

    on

    “Self-love is the first step to peace and happiness.”

    – Jessica Collins

    It is the fourth day in the week of love . The week which I really used to feel bad about but right now I am in a phase of my life where my mental peace matters to me more than the opinions of the people around me. Not that I am a very arrogant person(though a lot of people perceive me in that manner as well) or I am a narcissist but it is just that I have been trying to internalize the fact that my self -worth depends on how I perceive myself rather than on how other people perceive me as a person. This realization took a lot of time as I always used to fake the fact that I was okay and that people’s opinion did not affect me when the reality was it did affect me a lot. But after a lot of soul searching, reading a lot of quotes based on self-worth and self-doubting sessions, I finally started accepting a few things which actually made the process of self-acceptance a bit easier. Does that mean I wouldn’t have any self -doubt in the near future? Maybe I will, and maybe I should, but this time I will be in a better position to accept things in a better way. I guess with age, wisdom starts dawning on you. So, here are a few things which I have promised to myself this year after years of fighting internal battles with my demons which always pulled me back and affected me as a person.

    1. I will not lower my standards for anyone and that includes me myself. If someone feels I am worthy of their time and energy, I am going to be okay with the fact. But even if the opposite is true, I will be okay with the fact.
    2. Even if no one comes celebrates someone’s success or does not lend a helping hand, I am going to make sure if I can in any way help a person feel better about himself or herself, I will do so in my full strength. Because, lets face it, we as adults cannot celebrate other people’s success and if you can do the same genuinely, you are an awesome person and way above in your thinking.
    3. I am not going to feel guilty if I am not rushing things. As long as I am putting in the work, no one or nothing can make me feel bad about the same. This is because of a simple fact- if you do not know my story, you simply do not have the right to claim that I am not putting in the work. A thing which I have heard a lot of times from a lot of people but now I am going to be like okay boss if that is how you feel please go ahead. This is because your opinion does not define me .
    4. We all are defined by an internal moral compass. I am going to stick to the same even though a decision might seem impractical in nature. Its always going to be values first because that defines my character and the person who I am.
    5. There are going to be days when I might face a demon called imposter syndrome. I am not going to let it paralyse me. I will take action irrespective of the fact whether I am good or not. Yes, I might fail, I might fall but eventually I will get there.
    6. I am not going to feel guilty if I do have multiple interests.I will take time out for each and every interest and would love that interest to grow me as a person.
    7. If people try to make me feel bad about myself of who I am as a person, instead of taking it at face value, I will try to analyse what is making them say that and not let that affect me.People are going to judge you but should that stop me from being the person I have always wanted to be ? A big no. But at the same time, I am not entitled to speak bad about anyone. If I do have to speak, I will speak with full respect and courtesy.
    8. Everyone’s journey is different. What might seem easy for me might be tough for you. Or what might seem interesting to me might be boring to you and vice-versa. But that does not mean I am not going to give that thing a try. So, why should I let someone’s timeline guide me when I can let my internal light guide me better?
    9. If someone is more good-looking, more confident, more hardworking or has a quality which makes that person more worthy maybe I can inculcate the same quality instead of resenting about the same. And maybe ask that person how he or she does that thing effortlessly. I will be just hoping that the person in front is not a clown( I wanted to use a pretty rough word but I resisted the temptation) enough to refuse help. And if he or she is , then all I can do is pray for his or her maturity.
    10. And the best advice actually came from my father. He said, “as long as you are willing to learn everyday, maybe you should not feel guilty about who you are as a person. Every person does what seems for him or her the best option and with time figures things out if he or she hasn’t. So, take it one day at a time.”
    11. And the final advice came from a story I read recently. Learn to respond instead of reacting because that is going to help you solve problems in a better way.

    I can go on but I do not want to sound preachy. I do not want to sound like as someone who has it all figured out. This is because the reality is I am a person who is and will continue to figure herself out as time passes. And maybe with time, will become more compassionate and kinder to myself without losing my sanity and compromising myself as a person. So, which one pointer would you like to implement in yourself this year? Do let me know in the comments section. Would love to hear your thoughts on the same. Till then lots of love and care.

    Continue reading →: Things I promise to myself..

Hello,

I’m Roshani

Welcome to The Expression Hub! I’m Roshani, who loves to express herself through the medium of writing. This blog is my little corner of the internet where I dive deep into the world of movies, books, and web series—reviewing, analyzing, and sometimes just ranting about the stories that make us laugh, cry, and question everything.

Beyond reviews, you’ll also find my personal musings—random thoughts, life reflections, and the occasional deep dive into the things that inspire me. Think of this as a space where art meets emotion, and where honest opinions matter more than star ratings.

Join me as we explore incredible stories together, one post at a time. Have a recommendation? Let’s talk—I’m always up for discovering something new!

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