Love and hatred are not opposites, but reflections of the same profound attachment, turned toward different ends.

Strange is the LOVE — for the one you once would have fought the world, a few moments of betrayal can turn devotion into the deepest desire to wound.

and, ironically you still call that lOVE.

A mini corner of the human brain that you call L.O.V. is very similar to Enlightenment, you know!

Lemme describe how it feels from my own experiences—-
A rush of ecstasy, just you couldn’t help but feel.

And thoughts?—no thoughts at all, a total blanc, I mean, just the vide, and you’ve to force the language outta your brain to say something.

What a moment…., yk further lines right.

But wait a moment, It’s all about you and only you.

It’s your brain’s neurochemisty.

I don’t know whether you should be grateful or not that your brain has evolved to lie to itself.

Either you LOVE me or you hate me—there’s no way in between. You can’t dodge away once you’ve started reading.

‘Cuz the choice is not really yours !!

• Distant stars are waiting for you
• Why to Live ?
• You Are A Star

Hate me or Love me was originally published in A Mini Corner on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

What belongs to you?

In this world, in this life,

what you’ve been chasing ever since you’ve got a little awareness,

Wasn’t it identity?

wasn’t it Who Am I ?

wasn’t it, as Y’ve got to know now ?

are you still searching, Who are you?

Are you Your desires, ambitious goals, thoughts or the food you eat?

Are you these glimpses of excitement, of emotions, feelings, states, representations, prestige, power, money, success, failure, trauma, and pleasure?

but who are you truly?

is this question even sensible? Mystics have been saying for a long time that the only true question is that — “Who are you?”

If I go with modern science, it stops when we reach subjective experience.

But what an ugly word for the most beautiful thing. Can you See it through? I’ll not call it subjective experience as experience is a word to denote things of past,

while your living consciousness is only in the present moment.

I instead call it Subjective Awareness.

It's a process.
It's proof that you're alive.

Don't hurry to find the answer.
The one who is impatient to arrive is also part of the inquiry.

Remain with the question.
Let it burn away everything that is not you.

This is all for today!

— Nyx Tesla🌀

Can’t Return

What’s yours? was originally published in A Mini Corner on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

I am very happy to share with all writers and readers that the challenge being announced today is something that, to the best of my knowledge, has never been done before on Medium.

Many talented writers across different publications regularly create writing challenges and support one another, which is truly wonderful. I have great respect for all of them because they encourage and inspire the entire writing community.

However, the challenge I am introducing today may be completely new for many of you.

So, I invite every Medium writer to take on this challenge and show what you can create. I look forward to seeing your creativity, originality, and unique perspective.

Are you ready?

Why Is This Challenge Different from Every Other Challenge?

This challenge has several unique features that make it unlike anything you’ve seen before.

1. It will run for two full months.
Unlike most writing challenges, this one is designed as a long-term competition, giving writers enough time to showcase their creativity.

2. It will be organized like a tournament.
The competition will begin with the league stage, where everyone will submit their articles. From there, the Top 4 writers will be selected, followed by the Top 2, and finally one writer will become the champion.

The prizes are:

• 🥇 1st Place: $10
• 🥈 2nd Place: $5
• 🥉 3rd Place: $3

3. Writers will complete multiple rounds.
Every participant must write two articles during the league stage. Two different prompts will be announced, and writers must submit one article for each prompt.

The writers who qualify for the Semi Final will receive a brand new prompt. Those who reach the Final will receive another exclusive prompt to compete for the championship.

4. The selection process will be different.

This tournament will follow a structured league format rather than a traditional writing challenge.

During the League Stage, every participant must complete the required prompts. After all league entries have been published, an editorial panel will carefully review each article using predefined judging criteria, including originality, creativity, storytelling, writing quality, and overall impact.

Based on the combined scores from the league stage, the Top 4 writers will qualify for the Semi Final. The Top 2 writers from the Semi Final will then advance to the Final, where they will compete for the championship with a new prompt.

Reader engagement and community support are encouraged throughout the tournament and may be considered as an additional factor when needed. However, the final rankings and qualifying decisions will be based primarily on the editorial evaluation to ensure a fair and balanced competition for every participant.

5. This exclusive tournament will be hosted by A Mini Corner.

If you’re ready to challenge yourself, compete with talented writers, and enjoy a completely new writing experience, this challenge is for you.

I would like to request all writers to write an article about this tournament and help spread the word across the Medium community.🙌

Please encourage your readers, fellow writers, and friends to take part in this unique writing challenge. The more people who participate, the more exciting, competitive, and rewarding this tournament will become for everyone.

Let’s come together to make this one of the most memorable writing events on Medium. Your support and participation can make a real difference.

Tournament Information

• The tournament will begin on July 5, 2026.
• It will run from 5 July 2026 until 5 September 2026.
• From July 5, 2026, to August 15, 2026, the tournament will feature only the League Stage
• The first tournament prompt will be officially announced on July 5, 2026.
• The second tournament prompt will be officially announced on July 27, 2026.
• The Top 4 writers will be officially announced on August 18, 2026.
• From August 20 to August 28, 2026, the Top 4 writers will compete in the Semi Final.
• The Semi Final prompt for the Top 4 writers will be officially announced on August 20, 2026.
• The Top 2 finalists will be officially announced on August 30, 2026.
• The Final prompt for the Top 2 finalists will be officially announced on August 30, 2026.
• The Final winner will be officially announced on September 5, 2026.
• There is no limit on the number of participants. Any writer is welcome to join.
• The entire tournament will be hosted by A Mini Corner.
• To participate, you must first join the A Mini Corner publication. You can do that by reading the publication’s guidelines, understanding the rules, and submitting your request to join.

A Mini Corner-A New Way to Read, Write, and Connect

We look forward to welcoming writers from across the Medium community and making this a memorable writing tournament together.

Why You Should Join This Tournament

Every writer who participates in this tournament will benefit in many ways.

It will help you gain valuable writing experience and improve your skills through healthy competition. You’ll become more confident and better prepared for larger writing tournaments and opportunities in the future.

This tournament is also a great way to grow your network. You’ll have the chance to connect with more writers, gain new followers, make new friends, and become a more active member of the Medium community.

Most importantly, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of the platform while building meaningful relationships with fellow writers. This is more than just a competition — it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and become part of a supportive writing community.

I would like to make a sincere request to all readers, writers, and editors.

Please view this tournament, or rather this writing challenge, in a positive spirit. My goal is to bring writers together, encourage healthy competition, and help all of us build a stronger connection with this platform.

I kindly ask everyone to avoid negative comments or unnecessary criticism. The purpose of this tournament is not to divide anyone but to help every writer grow, learn, and benefit from the experience.

Your encouragement, maturity, and support can make a real difference. Let’s work together to make this tournament successful and create a welcoming environment where every participant feels motivated to write and improve.

Thank you for your kindness, cooperation, and for helping make this a positive experience for everyone.🌼🙌

Note: I warmly invite experienced, skilled, and dedicated editors to join A Mini Corner and contribute to the success of this tournament.🙏 Your knowledge, guidance, and support will help ensure that the competition is fair, well organized, and enjoyable for every participating writer. Together, we can create a memorable and rewarding experience for the entire community.

Enjoyed this story? Follow A Mini Corner for more original voices, meaningful stories, and creative writing. We’d love to have you as both a reader and a writer in our growing community.

A Mini Corner-A New Way to Read, Write, and Connect

MWC — Medium Writing Challenge ✅ (Tournament 2026) was originally published in A Mini Corner on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

I recently joined Medium and have also become a part of several publications. So far, my experience has been very good, and I believe it will continue to be even better with the support of all of you.

Recently, I joined a publication called A Mini Corner. First of all, I really like the name of this publication.

I had the opportunity to communicate with its owner, Nihari Singh, through email.

Before sending an email, I had left a comment and a private note requesting to join the publication, but I didn’t receive any response. So, I decided to send an email instead.

Just as I had hoped, Nihari Singh replied to me.

We had a good conversation, and when I expressed my interest in joining A Mini Corner, they not only added me as a writer but also trusted me with the role of an editor.

During our conversation, I also learned many useful things about managing publications on Medium. I was genuinely happy that I was given this responsibility.

I was also given the freedom to suggest or make changes to A Mini Corner whenever I believe they are necessary for the publication’s growth and improvement.

I would like to sincerely thank Nihari Singh and all the other editors who have worked hard to manage and grow this publication until now.

As an editor, I will do my best to continue supporting A Mini Corner and contribute to its future with dedication and responsibility.

As you all know, there are certain requirements that need to be fulfilled to join a publication. Even so, I’d like to share a few important things with all of you.

How to Join Us 🚪

Joining A Mini Corner is very simple.

Follow the publication A Mini Corner.

Follow me too, so we can build a real connection.

Clap as much as you like and drop your username in the comment section below, and we will add you very soon.

What You Can Write ✍️

You are welcome to write about anything that is meaningful to you, including:

• Funny everyday moments that make people smile.
• Small discoveries or unique observations about life.
• Personal stories, experiences, and the lessons you’ve learned.
• Short poems, creative writing, and flash fiction.
• Honest thoughts, opinions, or reflections on life, family, and friendships.
• Open letters, journal-style entries, or messages to someone special.
• Stories that creatively blend imagination with real-life experiences.

A Few Important Things to Remember 📌

• Submit only your own original work.
• AI generated or AI written content is not accepted.
• Your story must be fresh and should not have been published anywhere else.
• Make sure your writing is clear, respectful, and follows Medium’s guidelines.
• Write with your own voice and aim to create something meaningful for readers.

Writing Challenges

At A Mini Corner, we love encouraging creativity and participation.

Any writer or editor who is part of A Mini Corner is welcome to create and host a writing challenge. Whether it’s based on a theme, a prompt, a personal experience, or a creative idea, you’re free to invite fellow writers to participate.

We encourage challenges that inspire originality, meaningful storytelling, and a supportive community. If you have an idea that can motivate others to write, don’t hesitate to share it.

Every great challenge begins with a simple idea, and yours could inspire someone’s next great story.

Article Length

Your article should take at least two minutes to read, which is usually more than 200 words. There is no maximum word limit because we encourage writers to express themselves freely.

Tag Your Story

Simply add A Mini Corner as one of your tags before publishing, and you’re all set.

Every story, no matter how big or small, has a place here. We’d love to read yours. 🌸

Using Images

Images can make your story more engaging. You can use your own photos or free images from Unsplash or Pexels.

If you use an image, please give proper credit, such as “Image by Author” for your own photos or cite the original source for stock images.

Grammar and Editing

Good grammar helps readers enjoy your story. You may use tools like Grammarly to proofread and polish your writing.

However, don’t worry about making every sentence perfect. What matters most is your originality, honesty, genuine emotions, and your unique voice. Those are the things readers remember.

What to Expect as a Reader

At A Mini Corner, you’ll find stories that can make you smile, laugh, reflect, or simply see life from a different perspective.

Every piece offers a small adventure, a meaningful moment, or a welcome break from everyday life.

Every story shared here carries a part of its writer.

Perhaps the next story will be yours.

Follow A Mini Corner and become part of a community where stories connect people, inspire conversations, and turn ordinary moments into something memorable.

Stay. Read. Write. And let this little corner feel like home.

Enjoyed this story? Follow A Mini Corner for more original voices, meaningful stories, and creative writing. We’d love to have you as both a reader and a writer in our growing community.

A Mini Corner-A New Way to Read, Write, and Connect was originally published in A Mini Corner on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

A Signature, a Courtroom and the Half-Finished Truth About a Changing India

There’s a story most of us grew up with. That a wedding in India was never really about two people.

It was two families coming together. A lot of planning goes into it with a lot of money spent on things like flowers, tents and food.. In all that there’s an older tradition thats still there: dowry.

Lately theres been a kind of wedding happening more and more. Court marriage. It’s simple: a signature, a couple of witnesses. Its done. It looks like it could be the end of dowry..

That’s only part of the story. The other part is more complicated and sad.

If you look closely at this trend you’ll see that nobody is fully right and nobody is fully wrong. It’s a situation where people want to be free but they also have to think about their family.

We need to look at it and not judge too quickly.

A Love That Started on a Screen

There was a story in Uttar Pradesh about a girl named Komal and a boy named Rahul.

They grew up in villages and came from different backgrounds.. They both had smartphones and thats where their story started. They met online talking and messaging each other.

They fell in love. They knew their families wouldn’t accept it because of their caste. So they decided to run and get married in court.

Komals father was very upset. Filed a kidnapping case against Rahul.. When they went to court Komal said she was an adult and she wanted to be with Rahul. That’s all that mattered legally.

The police did their paperwork and the two of them were free to go.

What the Internet Did to the Village

Over the ten years rural India has changed a lot. The internet and smartphones have changed how young people think and live. Before it was a deal if a boy and girl talked to each other in public.

Now they can. Message each other on Instagram and WhatsApp.

These apps are like a life for many young people. They can. Meet new people without anyone watching.. Sometimes it can get blurry and they might not even realize when it becomes something more.

Where Court Marriage Actually Helps

Court marriage does some things. It can help end dowry. When a couple gets married traditionally the brides father can end up in debt for years. Court marriage skips all that. It’s simple. Doesn’t cost much.

It also helps with dignity. When a couple signs papers in court they’re equal. Nobodys family has to bow to anyone.

It’s a change for many brides and their families.

Where It Quietly Breaks Something Else

There’s another side to it. When a couple gets married in court their families can lose something.

They might feel like they’ve been betrayed. They might have sacrificed a lot for their child. Then the child just leaves.

There’s also fallout. In villages people can be very harsh. They might. Boycott the family. It can be very hard for them.

What the Law Says and What It Doesn’t

The law is clear: any adult has the right to choose their partner.. Laws and reality aren’t the same. There’s a gap between what the law says and what happens in life.

A mature society needs to find a balance, between peoples rights and their relationships.

Nobody Here Is Entirely Innocent

If you look closely you’ll see that both sides contribute to the problems. Some parents can be too rigid and refuse to accept their childs choices.. Young people can also make mistakes.

They might think that a few months of chatting is enough to build a life. They might run away of talking to their families.. Sometimes these marriages can fall apart later.

It’s complicated. Theres no easy answer.. We need to look at it carefully and try to understand both sides.

A Different Story Depending on Which India You’re In

Theres a gap between how cities and villages handle court marriages. In cities people have freedom and space so when a couple chooses a court marriage it doesn’t usually cause a big reaction.

The fear of what others will say doesn’t matter much when your neighbors don’t know your familys business.

In villages people are often part of a community that works together like one person.

When someone breaks away from that and marries outside of it its not seen as a choice. Its seen as an insult to the community.

That’s why honor killings and family disputes happen often and are more violent in rural areas than in cities.

Is Court Marriage Actually the Fix?

It’s worth asking does court marriage really solve the dowry problem or does it just avoid it for one couple at a time?

Court marriage does stop people from trying to get money from dowry at that moment..

Tearing down family relationships to get there isn’t a fair trade. You’re not really fixing the problem; you’re just changing where the damage shows up.

Dowry won’t disappear until people change their mindset. A man can elope, sign papers.

Still believe the same things about women and money. Real change comes from people thinking differently which is slower and less exciting than a decision but its the only way that lasts.

So Where Does That Leave Us?

We’re stuck between two versions of India now. The old one still has a strong hold on many families and the new one hasn’t fully arrived yet. Living in that gap is uncomfortable.

There isn’t a simple answer.

If theres anything to say to people in this situation it’s this: running shouldn’t be the first option even if its easy. Talk to your parents before making a decision for them.

Give them a chance to know the person you’ve chosen not the fact that you chose someone. If they push back at first that’s not the end of the conversation.

Its often fear talking, not hatred. Most parents, given honesty and time come around. Not all,. Most.

And for parents. The world your kids are growing up in is different from the one you grew up in. They have information you didn’t have and a different sense of what they deserve in life.

Holding onto caste or hoping for a dowry or refusing to meet the person your child loves. None of that protects them. It just pushes them away.

The truth is, society will move on from your familys situation in a months either way.

Your child won’t. Build a home where they don’t feel like they have to sneak out at night to be honest with you and you’ll probably never have to stand outside a police station listening to your child explain why they left.

Dowry is an evil and it needs to end. Court marriage is a tool against it.. It works best when the signatures on that paper aren’t just two people defying their families.

When somewhere behind them even quietly even reluctantly there’s a blessing from people who were supposed to be there in the first place. That’s probably the goal here.

Not weddings that happen in courtrooms because people are scared or running. Weddings that happen in courtrooms because everyone involved actually agreed.

With the families present, with people happy for them not just legally bound to be silent, about it.

Mr. Chauhan Babu, whose article you have just read, and I hope this article has broadened your perspective. This article was written so that along with me, you too can learn and think about something new. Follow me to read my future articles.

Why The Most Connected Generation On Earth Is Officially The Loneliest

How Court Marriage Trend In India Is Destroying The Dowry System was originally published in A Mini Corner on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

We keep telling ourselves the story. The internet showed up then smartphones, social media. We thought all of this made us more connected than any generation before us.

You can text someone in Tokyo from your bed in five seconds. You can see a photo of your cousins wedding before shes even finished the dance.

More friends, followers, more notifications. Surely that adds up to more connection, more happiness.

It doesn’t. I work in media so I see this every day. What I’ve watched happen.

To people and to myself. Is something closer to the opposite. We might be the connected generation but we’re also one of the loneliest.

I’m not pulling this from a study. This is what my life has looked like.

One night a months back I had one of those moments where I wanted to talk to someone. I opened my contacts.

There were a thousand names. People from jobs, college, random collabs people I’d met at weddings. I scrolled for two minutes. Didn’t call a single one of them. Not because nobody would’ve picked up. Because I genuinely couldn’t decide who’d actually want to hear from me.

There’s a reason this happens. Real human contact triggers oxytocin, which makes you feel like you belong.

A like on your post doesn’t do that. A like triggers dopamine, which is more about reward and craving. It feels good for a few seconds and then its gone.

So you end up talking to dozens or hundreds of people in a day while your nervous system still feels like its sitting alone. That’s not me being dramatic. That’s what it feels like.

A British anthropologist named Robin Dunbar worked out that the human brain seems to max out at around 150 people for relationships.

My phone disagrees. Between contacts and followers I’m somewhere in the thousands. I’ve felt exactly what you’d expect: knowing a little bit about a lot of people and almost nothing real about anyone.

Then there’s comparison. You open the phone. Theres someone on a beach in Bali someone else just bought a car someones at a party.

None of it is real. Your brain doesn’t know that.

I’ve had stretches where I genuinely believed my life was stuck while everyone elses was working out fine.

Then theres phubbing. Sitting across from a real person and choosing your phone instead. I’ve done this to people I love. You’re there technically.. You’re not really anywhere.

The industry I work in is built on selling the opposite. The pitch is always technology brings people closer.. A filtered photo isn’t the same as someone seeing your face on a bad day.

Unfollowing someone takes one tap; staying in a relationship takes effort.

I noticed I’d gotten bad at the stuff. Starting a conversation with a stranger. Sitting in silence with someone without reaching for my phone.

It’s a kind of social atrophy.

Women tend to get heart disease ten years later than men on average. I think loneliness works on the kind of logic.

There’s no app that substitutes for what your nervous system’s actually asking for. It wants a person, physically present.

What I’ve started doing is putting the phone down. Just being somewhere. Calling people of texting them.

Eating without the phone on the table. None of it is dramatic.. I use the internet to reach people now not to live inside it.

If I’m being honest two people who’d actually notice if I went quiet for a week are worth more to me than every follower count I’ve ever had. Because what we’re actually built to need was never Wi-Fi.

It was always another person, in the room paying attention.

Mr. Chauhan Babu, whose article you have just read, and I hope this article has broadened your perspective. This article was written so that along with me, you too can learn and think about something new. Follow me to read my future articles.

• About Me- Mr. Chauhan Babu📿✍
• The Happiest People on Earth Do Not Believe in Positive Thinking

Why The Most Connected Generation On Earth Is Officially The Loneliest was originally published in A Mini Corner on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Assume a scenario in which you’re asking someone if he’s wrong. And he starts replying like. No, you don’t understand. No, you don’t know, man. I know better, I know more, I know everything. We all have noticed some individuals like this. Also, maybe we are one of them, but we don’t bother this trait much; we don’t know the intensity of the cruelty we are inflicting on ourselves. Sometimes we make our own castle in our brains that we know everything, we are acknowledged more than everyone, we have a great personality, we are the most loyal and honest ones, every other person is lame, unknown, and less developed. I’m not lying, to be honest, individuals with this state of mind exists in this world.

Self-damaging sword

But this trait of building our own castle of narcissism will never damage anyone except ourselves; it’s a trait that can directly act as a sword on our necks of consciousness. It drops poison on our hearts. It blocks our learning capability, it leads us to a path where we never think of improving, having apologies, growing, making successful relationships, living fully, and having worthy gossip. Because this is one of the most irritating traits a human can have. It pushes you away from your close ones. It shrinks your mind and makes your personality like a king in your own castle, which is actually a prison in which you will never grow. Remember, you can be unaware of any information, you can be wrong and misguided, and people can be more intelligent than you.

The self-made Castle of a Narcissist’s brain. was originally published in A Mini Corner on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.