Understanding Target Fixation while riding

Riding a motorcycle is a skill that requires focus and control. One of the most challenging aspects of riding is cornering. To navigate a turn properly, a rider needs to focus on several things at once like maintaining speed, controlling the bike, and most importantly looking in the right direction. One issue that often comes up when cornering is "target fixation".

What is Target Fixation?

Target fixation is when a rider's eyes focus on something, usually an obstacle or a point on the road, and the bike follows that focus. Essentially, if you keep looking at something, your bike tends to move towards it even if you do not want it to. For example, if you are approaching a curve and stare at a pothole, guard rail, or the edge of the road, you might end up heading straight toward it. This happens because your brain automatically directs the bike to where you are looking, making it harder to steer away from that.

This can lead to serious problems, especially at high speeds. If you are fixated on an obstacle, you may miss the best line through the turn, or worse, end up colliding with what you were trying to avoid. The bike naturally follows your vision, and this can result in losing control.

The good news is that this can be avoided. The key to overcoming target fixation is to "look where you want to go". This means consciously shifting your focus toward the exit of the turn or the safe line through the corner, rather than fixating on a point you want to avoid. By doing so your hands, body, and bike will automatically align with your line of sight, and you will eventually glide through the turn with more confidence and control.

When cornering it is also important to relax and trust your skills. The more you practice keeping your eyes on the right spot, the more natural it becomes. Instead of looking at Guardrails and obstacles, focus on the open road, the smooth curve, and the path you want to take. This shift in perspective will help you navigate corners more safely and with less effort.  

Target fixation is a simple yet crucial aspect of riding that can make all the difference. Understanding it and practicing proper focus during turns can prevent accidents and improve your overall riding experience. 

Remember, where your eyes go, your bike will follow. So next time you approach a turn, look toward the safe line and let the bike follow.

I Dress for Myself – A Convenient Illusion

“I don’t care what others think, I dress for myself.” This bold statement is often repeated in conversations about fashion and individuality. But is it really true?  because When you look closer, it starts to feel more like an excuse than an honest declaration.

Clothing no matter how simple or extravagant, serves as a tool for communication. It is about saying, “This is who I am, and this is how I want you to see me.” Whether it is a man in a sharp suit or someone in bright, unconventional attire, the choice is as much about the impression they want to leave on others as it is about personal preference.  

Take someone dressed in revealing or attention grabbing clothing. The common excuse is that it is about comfort or confidence, but how often does the reality align with this claim? People wearing these clothes often adjust their outfits, feel restricted, or struggle to move naturally. Comfort seems less like a reason and more like a justification. Similarly, a sleek, tailored suit may be framed as professional attire, but it is equally about commanding respect or admiration. Dressing "for yourself" is rarely just about personal comfort as it is ultimately about how others perceive you.

This is not to criticize any dressing or style, as fashion is a personal choice. The issue lies in the dishonesty behind claims of dressing only for oneself. There is nothing wrong with admitting, “I dress to be seen” or “I want to make an impression.” Transparency in this regard shows confidence not insecurity.  

The problem arises when people hide behind the notion of dressing for themselves, while their actions suggest otherwise, For example constantly adjusting clothes, seeking compliments, or dressing inappropriately for the occasion shows that External validation plays a key role, whether acknowledged or not.

Clothing at its core is about navigating social dynamics. It attracts attention, commands respect, or helps fit in. Owning this fact is not weakness but a reflection of how society operates. The sooner we embrace this, the more genuine the conversation around fashion and self expression becomes. Dressing goes beyond personal comfort, it is about presenting yourself to the world, shaping perceptions, and leaving lasting impressions. 

I openly admit that my choice of dressing is influenced by how I wish to be perceived. Can you accept this perspective with the same honesty?

The Joy Inside Kinder

 

The other day I bought a Harry Potter edition Kinder Joy for ₹50. As I held it, I could not help but think of those days when it cost ₹25. Back then, Dairy Milk felt worth it as you got plenty of chocolate for the price. But Kinder Joy? It was something else entirely. Just two small chocolate balls and a toy for ₹25. It felt overpriced even then. For a kid who did not get ₹25 easily, holding one was like having a piece of treasure.  

Now years later, I can finally buy it without thinking twice, but the feeling is not the same. The price has doubled and some say it is even ₹60 now. I opened it with the same excitement, but it did not last. The chocolate still tasted great, and the toy was there, but the joy of discovering it did not hit like before. Maybe it is because I have outgrown the thrill of tiny surprises. Or maybe some things are just meant to be experienced as a child.  

I wonder if I would have appreciated it more if I had gotten it more often back then. Would it have felt special every time, or would I have taken it for granted? That thought stayed with me as I stared at the toy, feeling both a hint of happiness and a twinge of what ifs.

Still for a brief moment Kinder Joy gave me something more than just chocolate or a toy. It was that simple yet pure excitement, the kind that made everything feel a little brighter, a little lighter. Maybe that is the real joy it holds, not in the toy, but in the way it made me feel, even if just for a moment.

Is Life Actually short?

Life has always been a strange journey, hasn’t it? One moment you are carefree laughing with your friends, and the next moment you are surrounded by advice from every direction. “Life is short", they say. “You are already 24, you need to act fast!" Or, “You only have this many hours left to live, so make them count", It is everywhere, on podcasts, social media, or in conversations with strangers.  

At first glance, it sounds like a good advice. Time is precious after all. But have you ever stopped to think about what they are really saying? Is life truly that short? Or is it just uncertain?  

Uncertainty is a part of life, no doubt. We can not predict what the next moment holds. But that does not mean we have to rush through everything as if we are running out of time. 

And then there is this illusion of time itself. Five minutes in a boring lecture feels endless, while five minutes playing your favorite game seems to vanish in a blink. Time stretches and shrinks depending on what we are doing and how we feel. It is not a rigid structure, it is fluid, personal, and completely subjective.  

You are still figuring things out in your life? That is okay. There is no rulebook that says you need to have everything sorted by a certain age. Yes, you should not take time for granted, but that does not mean that you need to rush through life, ticking off milestones like items on a checklist.  

Instead of stressing over motivational advices, consider this: You have plenty of time. Plenty to explore, to learn, to fail, and to kick start again. The next step is not a race, it is a choice. And you are the only one who gets to decide when and how to take it.  

Life is not short, it is just uncertain.

Siruthai Siva: The Mediocrity Tamil Cinema Doesn’t Need

Siruthai Siva is a name that has baffled Tamil cinema enthusiasts for far too long. In an industry filled with directors who leave a distinct mark, who push boundaries and redefine genres, Siva stands out for all the wrong reasons. His career trajectory is not one of growth or innovation but of mediocrity and repetitive storytelling that somehow continues to survive in a competitive landscape.  

His career began with "Siruthai", a remake of SS Rajamouli’s "Vikramarkudu". While the film was decent, it owed its success more to Rajamouli's original than to Siva's creative input. After this, Siva’s filmography reads like a list of uninspired, sentiment driven dramas that lack any form of originality or vision. And that is where the problem lies. what is his standout contribution to Tamil cinema? None.  

A director is often defined by a signature style or a genre they excel in. Mani Ratnam is synonymous with romance, Gautham Menon with layered characters, Shankar with socio-political commentary. When you think of Siruthai Siva, nothing comes to mind except a half-baked layer of emotion that he slaps onto every story. That is his only specialty, and even that fails to resonate most of the time.  

Take a look at his major works. "Veeram" was a predictable village drama sprinkled with some sentiment. "Vedalam" followed, a gangster film that leaned heavily on an overused sister-sentiment trope. "Vivegam", which was supposed to be an international spy thriller, drowned in illogical sequences and misplaced emotional beats. "Viswasam" was essentially "Veeram" with a father-daughter angle. Then came "Annaatthe", a complete disaster where family sentiment became the prop to cover an incoherent narrative. And finally, "Kanguva", his recent period drama, once again built on the same foundation of emotion, proving that Siva has absolutely no interest in evolving as a filmmaker.  

On the surface, it might appear that Siva experiments with genres like village dramas, gangster tales, spy thrillers, period dramas. But dig deeper, and you will see that every single film follows the same formula. His inability to stay true to a genre or explore its depths reduces his attempts to shallow mess. Siva is not experimenting instead he is floundering. He does not build a cohesive narrative but rather creates isolated “mass” moments and then forces a story to connect them. This approach is not filmmaking, it is pandering, and it is insulting to the audience’s intelligence.  

Yes, Siva might have some technical knowledge, and he certainly knows how to shoot visually pleasing sequences. But cinema is not just about technicalities. It is about storytelling, about engaging the audience on a deeper level, and Siva has repeatedly failed to do so. Even an amateur with a camera can capture a visually striking shot, but that does not make them a filmmaker.  

What is even more troubling is the damage he has done to the careers of some of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars. Ajith Kumar, one of the industry’s most celebrated actors, spent some of the most pivotal years of his career in Siva’s hands, only to deliver films that, while commercially successful, offered no growth or depth. Rajinikanth, a name associated with larger-than-life cinema, was reduced to mediocrity with "Annaatthe". And now, with "Kanguva", even Suriya finds himself caught in Siva’s web of predictable, uninspired storytelling.  

There is also the question of why actors, especially stars of such caliber, continue to work with him. Ajith has often spoken about how “comfortable” Siva is to work with. But what does this comfort mean? Is it about not demanding anything challenging from the actors? Allowing them to sleepwalk through roles without pushing for better performances? This comfort might be easy for the stars, but it is a curse for cinema. Creativity thrives on challenges, on pushing boundaries, and Siva offers none of that.  

Siruthai Siva has had more than his share of opportunities to prove himself, yet he continues to bring out films that are barely watchable. His overreliance on sentiment, lack of originality, and refusal to evolve make him a liability to Tamil cinema. At this point, there is nothing left for him to prove because he has already proven that he has nothing more to offer.  

Tamil cinema deserves directors who respect the craft, who respect their audience, and who strive to create something meaningful. Siruthai Siva is not one of them. Enough is enough. It is time for him to step aside and let the industry breathe.

When Life Has No Purpose

We spend so much time chasing a purpose, convinced that life must hold some grand meaning. But what if life itself has no purpose? What if it is not about finding answers or fulfilling some invisible plan?. Life simply exists, without reason or goal. The real purpose lies in "you". Your existence, no matter how small or unremarkable it may seem, has meaning. It has the power to change someone else’s world in ways you might never realize.

Imagine this. You are heading to college, work, or anywhere else. On the way, you see a puppy stranded in the middle of the road. You stop for a moment and move it to safety. In that moment, you saved a life. That was your purpose for the day. Or think about visiting a mall or an office. You pass a janitor or a security guard and give them a genuine smile. To you it is small, but to them, it might mean everything. These moments are simple, but they hold the power to shift someone’s day, maybe even their life.

If you ever question your worth, remember the people who are happy simply because you exist. Think about the joy your parents felt when you were born and how they still smile knowing you are alive. Someone out there feels a warmth in their heart just because you are here. Even without trying, your existence touches lives and changes them. Life may not have a set purpose, but your presence always does.

If you are feeling like there is no purpose in your life, maybe it is because you are looking for something that does not need to be found. There is no universal goal or purpose in life. It is not about finding a path everyone agrees on. Purpose is what you create in small moments. It is in the lives you touch without even knowing. It is in the way you make someone feel seen, valued, or loved. Your existence itself holds meaning, even if you do not see it yet.

So, Let go of the need to find purpose and begin embracing the present. Enjoy the beauty of an evening, the laughter of a friend, or the kindness of a stranger. These moments are the essence of life and it is something that comes naturally when you simply show up and engage with the world around you. Let go of the need to control everything and embrace the wonder of just being here. Your life does not need a purpose. Your existence is enough, and it is everything. 

Live, breathe and let your presence be the magic that makes the world a better place.