2025 — Looking Back; Looking Ahead,
2025 — Looking Back; Looking Ahead,
Work, Waiting, and the Loss of Momentum
Professionally, 2025 was largely a year of waiting.
The year began with an abrupt jolt. Much of my work had been in leadership development with international NGOs. Then, almost overnight, four contracts were called off following shifts in U.S. funding priorities. An entire ecosystem was shaken. Decimated isn’t too strong a word.
Ten years ago, I had stepped away from a 23-year career to become an independent coach. That move, though risky, felt alive. I was younger, hungrier, and had planned for it. This transition felt different. My energy was lower. I hadn’t anticipated it. And the sense of direction I usually rely on wasn’t there.
I did what one does—I reached out. I received sound advice from well-wishers. There were sparks of possibility, but very little fuel to act. Flat. Listless. Then came a couple of disappointments—part-time roles I genuinely felt well-suited for that simply didn’t materialise. Those rejections stung.
For decades, like so many of us, I had unconsciously tied my self-image to the quantity and quality of my work. So being in limbo—and not feeling the motivation to push myself out of it—was unsettling. Toward the end of the year, one opportunity did emerge. Not a dramatic turnaround, but enough to bring a gentler, more humane sense of closure to a rocky stretch.
Contribution and Connection
In the first half of the year, I poured myself into my role as Director of Vocational Services at the Rotary Club of Madras—a role I thoroughly enjoyed.
Beyond the work itself, what stayed with me was connection. One deep relationship. Two or three others that mattered. Whether these endure now that the formal structure has dissolved remains to be seen. I’ve taken a few small steps to keep investing. That’s all one can really do.
An Achievement I Could Control
At some point, I realised I needed an achievement I could actually influence.
That led to the writing and publication of Hello Mr. Crocodile—a short, accessible book on resilience and optimism, drawing from modern science and contemplative wisdom. Given my long engagement with Asian psychology and Emotional Intelligence (as taught in the West) —as a student, practitioner, and teacher—bringing these strands together in a practical format felt satisfying.
The feedback—from the few who truly read it—was energising. What touched me most were comments about the writing style: the blend of wit and wisdom. When that combination shows up, life flows. I’m not there all the time—but when I am, it feels unmistakably right.
Health: A Nudge
Health made its presence felt this year.
Nothing dramatic. No diagnoses. But persistent poor sleep and muscular discomfort began to accumulate. Reduced yoga and exercise followed. Sleep worsened further. The loop was obvious.
As I move closer to 60, the message is clear: physical health is no longer optional background maintenance. It’s foundational and critical to follow my passion as well.
Family and Grounding
Family, thankfully, is in good shape.
Sanjana is on track to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Science in April. Watching her enjoy the work and be stretched by it—and being able to support her with the journey—has been a shared highlight for Lata and me.
Lata continues to persevere with her vision of starting a film school—building a core team, seeking a partner institution willing to match the depth of commitment the idea demands. A tough ask, especially when others are unwilling to bring the same sustained focus.
Seeing the affection people hold for my mother, watching my brother Sridhar—now a grandfather to five—inhabit this phase of life with quiet joy, all brought perspective. We lost a dear uncle earlier this year—someone who embodied joy. And my mother-in-law’s health challenges in recent weeks have been a reminder of life’s fragility. And yet, in both cases, the outpouring of love and action reaffirmed how richly lived their lives are.
The Inside Job
A significant part of the year was devoted inward.
I worked deliberately with a specific trigger that had caused distress the previous year. Not perfectly—but noticeably—I reduced both the frequency and intensity of my reactions.
Two retreats. A course at Tibet House, Delhi. Ongoing connection with a teacher and a circle of fellow travellers. These have been precious. The insight that a strong, rigid sense of self is a major source of unnecessary suffering is easy to grasp intellectually—and remarkably hard to live. I continue to see how often I’m caught in that delusion (including yesterday). Miles to go.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As I look toward 2026, what feels important is not a sharper plan—but a clearer inner orientation.
So what might this look like in practice?
Holding ambition more lightly—without rejecting it.
Trusting that aligned work will emerge without grasping.
Using small, energising actions to distinguish true contentment from inertia.
Deepening the inner job practices
Teaching alongside my teacher and fellow travellers—more we, less me.
Being more available to support others without financial transactions.
Exploring spaces where wit and wisdom meet effortlessly.
Becoming more at ease with solitude, while learning to move through groups without discomfort—my own or others’.
Living more gracefully inside that paradox.
Underpinning all of this is physical health. When the body falters, the mind follows. Routine, movement, and nourishment are no longer negotiable.
That feels like the path forward.
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