The Time That Looked Back

Vihaan, the renowned clockmaker of Devgarh, had never missed a delivery. His clocks were legendary - crafted with precision, finished with love, and always on time.

One day, a prestigious client ordered a one-of-a-kind installation for an international museum - a clock that didn't just tell time but represented the philosophy of time. It had to be unveiled on May 25, 2025 - a rare palindrome date.

Excited yet nervous, Vihaan sketched ideas for days. Gears, mirrors, equations. Nothing felt right. He stayed up late, surrounded by scraps of metal and sketches, but the design didn't click. The deadline loomed, and frustration crept in.

He began doubting himself:"Have I run out of ideas? Am I just repeating old work?"

That night, his 12-year-old granddaughter, Tara, walked in and asked, "Dadu, what's a palindrome?"

Vihaan explained: "It's something that reads the same forward and backward. Like the date 25-5-25."

Tara paused. "So… it's like remembering where you started?"

Vihaan froze. That was it. The clock shouldn't be just about moving forward - it should mirror the journey. Reflect where we began. Show the symmetry between vision and action, between yesterday and tomorrow.

He redesigned the clock overnight. It had dual faces - one showing the time ahead, the other echoing the time passed. A mirrored mechanism ticked in reverse, reminding viewers that every second forward carries a story from the past.

The clock was unveiled on schedule, on 25-5-25.And as visitors stood before it, they didn't just check the time - they paused to reflect.

Flash: In leadership and work, we often chase outcomes at full speed. But like Vihaan, we sometimes need to stop, reflect, and make sure that our direction still aligns with our intent. Palindrome dates are a symbolic nudge to look at the bigger picture. They remind us that progress is not just about moving forward - it's about moving in alignment with our original purpose. Reflection isn't slowing down - it's sharpening focus.

Moral: True growth isn't just about moving ahead - it's about staying aligned with your values and purpose.When your journey reflects your intent, progress becomes meaningful.Balance between where you started and where you're headed creates lasting impact.

Time moves forward, but meaning is found in reflection!!