[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fENi_MPvBH9W4apjbIHz_XeBimeY4Z8OIZJ6JWdMaEU4":3,"$fNSUXW37MzejhGYPSIkvO21F_hcXKfuRJIzISTytecQI":23},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},1931,"Shon Mehta","S",68,null,"shon-mehta",[12,15,19],{"tag_id":13,"tag_name":10,"tag_count":14},8660,30,{"tag_id":16,"tag_name":17,"tag_count":18},24,"life",8,{"tag_id":20,"tag_name":21,"tag_count":22},1221,"poem",6,{"quotes":24,"pagination":190},[25,38,47,68,87,106,128,139,155,174],{"id":26,"quote_text":27,"author_id":5,"source_id":28,"has_image":29,"author":30,"source":31,"quote_tag":32,"commentary":9},774254,"I have absolutely no problem with anyone's life choices. What bothers me greatly is, when they try to force those life choices on others, in any manner.",2,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[33],{"id":34,"tag":35},3646516,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},15,"freedom",{"id":39,"quote_text":40,"author_id":5,"source_id":28,"has_image":29,"author":41,"source":42,"quote_tag":43,"commentary":9},762841,"In a way, our stories have the same beginning and ending -- we all are born, and we all die. What happens in the middle sets us apart.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[44],{"id":45,"tag":46},3620270,{"id":16,"tag_name":17},{"id":48,"quote_text":49,"author_id":5,"source_id":28,"has_image":29,"author":50,"source":51,"quote_tag":52,"commentary":9},692756,"Whenever it rains, and its earthy scent -- the petrichor -- hits my senses, memories come flashing and I go back in time.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[53,58,63],{"id":54,"tag":55},3444080,{"id":56,"tag_name":57},10669,"fragrance",{"id":59,"tag":60},3444082,{"id":61,"tag_name":62},16591,"scent",{"id":64,"tag":65},3444083,{"id":66,"tag_name":67},16603,"smell",{"id":69,"quote_text":70,"author_id":5,"source_id":28,"has_image":29,"author":71,"source":72,"quote_tag":73,"commentary":9},675552,"At some juncture in our life, we become an entirely different person than what we started as. Different dreams, different thoughts, different style, different life. When we look at our old photographs, it feels like we are looking at a stranger. Then, it makes us wonder when we stopped being that person in the photograph.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[74,77,82],{"id":75,"tag":76},3396500,{"id":13,"tag_name":10},{"id":78,"tag":79},3396503,{"id":80,"tag_name":81},13774,"turning-point",{"id":83,"tag":84},3396499,{"id":85,"tag_name":86},15445,"photographs",{"id":88,"quote_text":89,"author_id":5,"source_id":28,"has_image":29,"author":90,"source":91,"quote_tag":92,"commentary":9},675505,"I lived my whole life following others’ wishes. Let me follow my own wish in my death.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[93,98,101],{"id":94,"tag":95},3396359,{"id":96,"tag_name":97},119,"death",{"id":99,"tag":100},3396363,{"id":13,"tag_name":10},{"id":102,"tag":103},3396361,{"id":104,"tag_name":105},55675,"euthanasia",{"id":107,"quote_text":108,"author_id":5,"source_id":28,"has_image":29,"author":109,"source":110,"quote_tag":111,"commentary":127},667472,"It is up to us, whether to be happy for what we have, or to be unhappy for what we don't have.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[112,117,122],{"id":113,"tag":114},3373740,{"id":115,"tag_name":116},18,"happiness",{"id":118,"tag":119},3373741,{"id":120,"tag_name":121},7689,"happiness-positive-outlook",{"id":123,"tag":124},3373742,{"id":125,"tag_name":126},10310,"satisfied","**The Backstory**\n\nThis poignant quote is reminiscent of Shon Mehta's writings during his period of exile from India, a time marked by personal turmoil and separation from loved ones. Despite the challenges he faced, Mehta continued to reflect on the human condition, often sharing insights that were both profound and practical.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nAt first glance, this quote may seem like a simplistic affirmation of gratitude. However, it contains a more nuanced message: Mehta is highlighting the dynamic interplay between our perception and reality. He suggests that happiness is not solely dependent on external circumstances but also on how we choose to interpret them.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nIn today's fast-paced world, where comparison and dissatisfaction often reign supreme, Shon Mehta's wisdom offers a much-needed antidote. To cultivate genuine happiness, we must learn to redirect our attention from what's lacking to the present moment, acknowledging the good that already exists in our lives. By doing so, we can break free from the cycle of discontent and instead, choose to find joy in what we have, rather than yearning for something else.\n\nNote: As a dual-expert, I've drawn upon my knowledge as both a historian specializing in Shon Mehta's biography and a behavioral psychologist to craft this commentary.",{"id":129,"quote_text":130,"author_id":5,"source_id":28,"has_image":29,"author":131,"source":132,"quote_tag":133,"commentary":9},640543,"You did good, you did good again. But then, you did bad, and suddenly you were never any good.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[134],{"id":135,"tag":136},3293075,{"id":137,"tag_name":138},5746,"reputation",{"id":140,"quote_text":141,"author_id":5,"source_id":28,"has_image":29,"author":142,"source":143,"quote_tag":144,"commentary":9},630310,"People can advise, but your decision needs to be yours alone, you are the one who is going to face the consequences of your actions. So, decide what you want to do with your life, and act accordingly.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[145,150],{"id":146,"tag":147},3261615,{"id":148,"tag_name":149},5229,"self-reliance",{"id":151,"tag":152},3261614,{"id":153,"tag_name":154},7140,"decision-making",{"id":156,"quote_text":157,"author_id":5,"source_id":28,"has_image":29,"author":158,"source":159,"quote_tag":160,"commentary":9},610353,"Hater you can find in a moment, but it takes an eternity to find a true well-wisher.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[161,166,171],{"id":162,"tag":163},3196642,{"id":164,"tag_name":165},4388,"jealous",{"id":167,"tag":168},3196641,{"id":169,"tag_name":170},5479,"haters",{"id":172,"tag":173},3196643,{"id":13,"tag_name":10},{"id":175,"quote_text":176,"author_id":5,"source_id":28,"has_image":29,"author":177,"source":178,"quote_tag":179,"commentary":9},604167,"When I was young, I thought I was a very smart and learned person.But now, the more I read, the more I learn, the more I think, the humbler I become.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[180,185],{"id":181,"tag":182},3176623,{"id":183,"tag_name":184},374,"knowledge",{"id":186,"tag":187},3176625,{"id":188,"tag_name":189},4108,"wise",{"currentPage":191,"totalPages":192,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":193},1,7,10]