#lifelesson

Happiness often depends on what happens around us.

Joy comes from what grows within us.

Understanding the difference can change how you approach success, relationships, and life itself.

Watch the full conversation on Let's Talk With Akhil and discover why true fulfillment begins from within.

Are you waiting for your supply list for your first round of classes? Have you taken a semester and are honestly dreading how your next class will bankrupt you?

Let me give you some corners to cut:

Traditional Charcoal/ Graphite—

Have a blade bank for your worn down Xacto blades

400 grit sandpaper is just one big sheet of those sanding boards they charge you $10 for to sharpen your charcoal pencils/ willow/ sticks

Tissue or a large makeup brush can be used to tone your paper

Cotton buds are a lot better than blending sticks

Have a cheap plastic plate or tray along with a tiny jar with lid to store your charcoal dust in

Nail art brushes can be used for detailing your pieces… dip into your charcoal dust jar and place accordingly

Leave your kneaded eraser in a patch of sun for about 10 minutes to soften it up

Painting Classes — Gauche/Acrylic/ Oil

A cheap plastic tray preferably rectangular, parchment or wax paper and some painters tape make for an easy clean palate

A standing book holder can double as a tabletop easel, costs less than a standard easel

You will have to spend money on Oil brushes. Other brushes for gauche and acrylic can be makeup brushes, nail brushes, hobby brushes.

Oil brushes need the dish soap and oil method for cleaning since oil paint is finicky….other brushes with gauche and acrylic can be cleaned like…well makeup brushes

Michaels will always have sales on canvases, and usually the primary colors you need

When buying paint: big tube of white, medium tube of black, and try to have a back up of the shade you’re using

The paint brands the assign you are student grade…it’s has more pigment than cheaper brands and less than professional grade, hence the price and why it’s locked up in some craft stores

Watercolor

You will spend more money on paper than you thought possible… come to terms with that

Paper washi tape or painters taper can be used to border your piece, tear off a strip and stick it to your pants then pull it off and place on paper—- this will ensure it will stick but not rip your paper

A watercolor palette with a lid will ensure that no dust or pet hair will screw with you paints while they’re drying down again

Cheap toothbrushes can be used for speckling for large areas

A motorized fan can help with drying time

Sculpture

Silicone baking tools are your friends

So is a spray bottle for rewetting clay and trash bags for keeping moisture in when not working on a piece

If you can build your piece on a Lazy Susan… do it, all you need to do is turn the wheel and not worry about about finger prints on something you spent hours on putting texture on

Digital/ Traditional Photography

Fake fruit is your friend for still life subjects that aren’t human, can be used in charcoal classes as well

Desk lamps can be found at Walmart for cheap, and help when you need to light something

Solid colored fabric like bed sheets or pillows cases work for backdrops

Keep some cardboard around to help with composition for still life’s, drape fabric over and boom! different heights for contrasting eye levels

General Advice

One water bottle for drinking, one for paint water—- Label those!

There are usually signs in the campus bathrooms telling you not to wash your brushes in the sink… have ziplock bags to store your brushes in them until you get home

A Caboodle, tacklebox, toolbox is ideal for holding all your supplies for classes

I knew one kid who would use a dolly to strap down their tackle box and paper pads when going from class to class

Keep big garbage bags on you if you don’t have a case for your paper pads, rain happens

Have a bag just for snacks and drink sticks

Stretch! Learn how to stretch out your hands, arms, shoulders… hell your body! You’re basically standing or sitting for hours on end… repetitive movement will take you down in the long run

Wait to buy the art book for history class, there’s a good chance your teacher will have the one paragraph that they want you to read photocopied

Have some sort of music, never create in silence… there’s tons of lofi on YouTube

जब सब कुछ आसानी से मिलता है, तब उसकी कीमत समझ नहीं आती। लेकिन एक भयानक सूखे ने पूरे गाँव को सिखा दिया कि अन्न का एक दाना और पानी की एक बूंद कितनी अनमोल होती है।पढ़िए संघर्ष, उम्मीद और सफलता की दिल छू लेने वाली कहानी — "बुरा वक़्त सफलता की चाबी"

There are moments in life when everything seems to pause. The world outside keeps moving, but inside, you’re left with your thoughts, your battles, and your hopes.

This view reminds me that growth often happens in silence. Not every season is meant for celebration; some are meant for healing, reflection, and preparation. The storms may come, the skies may darken, and the journey may feel uncertain, but every day we endure is a step closer to brighter days.

Sometimes, all we need is a window—a reminder that beyond our present circumstances lies a bigger world full of possibilities. Keep believing. Keep pushing. Your story is still being written.

If you pause and truly pay attention to the patterns of your life, you’ll realize a beautiful truth: everything always works out. 🌌 Think back to the moments that felt impossible - the setbacks that felt like final chapters. Somehow, divinely, you made it through. You didn't just survive; you shed old layers and grew into a more resilient version of yourself. Life isn't happening to you; it’s happening for you, constantly shaping you into a masterpiece. Carry that reminder with you every single day, right in the palm of your hand. 👁️✨

Daily writing promptWhat’s the most profound piece of advice you’ve been given? Did you take it?View all responses The most profound piece of advice I’ve ever received came from my grandfather, near the end of his life. He said, “Don’t confuse motion with progress.” At first, I thought I understood it. But honestly, I didn’t. Back then, I measured my worth by how busy I was—late nights, endless…