You get some great, amazingly fantastic news. What’s the first thing you do?
It may sound cliche to some but the moment I receive good news I instantly thank the universe. Even if it’s for a second. If I am around people, it is likely to be a very subtle, inner most little thank you note that no one would notice. My thoughts in the background or when I get some time alone would be around offering more gratitude, being humble, telling myself to be humble and sensitive. Especially to those who may have lost an opportunity when I gained it. And moreover promising myself to never forget the journey.
Describe an item you were incredibly attached to as a youth. What became of it?
I was never allowed to buy books in my youth. I was only allowed to borrow or read used books. My mother was very clear about my book allowance and always told me that I need to learn to develop my interest and know my genre before I could buy books.
Having grown up that way, I was always afraid of asking for money to buy a book. I quickly learned that I could read more books with the same money, so that never really bothered me.
One day, we were visiting some mall that had various sections for different types of merchandise. It also had a books section. They are like magnets for me. My heart took me there. I got slightly separated from my family. I must have been 18 or 19 years old.
I started browsing. I knew I couldn’t buy anything but I’d always browse, remember the name of the book I’d like and then begin the search for it. That era wasn’t as digital as now. So the search was real, not Google.
Randomly I picked up Brida. I had never heard of Paulo Coelho. I read the description. First couple of pages. I lost track of time. Suddenly my dad appeared in front of me. He said it was time to go. I asked if I could get this book. He was doubtful. Mum was out of earshot. There was no time to ask her. I insisted. Him being the best dad, got me the book. Mum wasn’t very pleased as she wasn’t consulted. By the way, she is an avid reader and has a collection of her own that she is very proud of.
Anyway, I went home with Brida. There was something about the cover page. Something about the book.
Soon a unique journey began.
Once I finished reading it, it wasn’t enough. I read it again. And again. And lost count of how many times.
Over time, I knew the book. Almost memorised it. So I stopped reading it end to end. I’d just open it randomly and it would offer me exactly what I’d need that day. The book would know what I was going through.
It was my companion through my engineering. Through my heartbreak. Through my challenges.
One day I realised that I might be addicted to it. So I stopped reading it. Of course over all these years I also read many other books but Brida was my constant.
I hadn’t read Brida in a few years but just looking at it on my book shelf gave me assurance. However when I got married and moved countries, I didn’t bring it with me. I thought I am starting a new life, I need to come out of my dreamy world. I cannot be so emotionally dependent on it.
After a few years, on one of my trips back home, I brought it with me. Assured that I am not so attached to it now.
Looks like a sign to me to embark on a journey again with Brida. Now, as a grown woman and a mother, Brida might offer me something new.
It’s been there for a few years and I haven’t read it yet.
Although suddenly a few days back, I thought of it. Out of nowhere. And imagined or rather manifested this blog post. But I didn’t put conscious thought into it and soon forgot about it.
Tonight I wanted to write about my refreshing chilly morning that I had experienced yesterday so I opened my blog. I saw this prompt and this post became reality.
When I am in high spirits, vibrating at high frequency where nothing from this world can touch me.
I achieve this state when I am able to maintain a routine and stay in discipline. Laundry done, eaten home cooked food, children healthy, house tidy, meditation / introspection done, physical activeness in check etc.
What strategies do you use to maintain your health and well-being?
Lots of little things but mainly the mindset. No matter how your day has been, if you end it right, it won’t carry the baggage to the next day.
And it is purely your choice to end it right. Some days I’ll have time and energy to either introspect or read a book, but some days I’d be exhausted. Yet a switch in mind to choose to shut off is in your hands.
Once you have control over your mental health, physical health falls into place. Because then you aren’t eating unhealthy. You are internally motivated to stay active.
On days when I feel overwhelmed or underwhelmed, I try to use easy distractions like TV, self care like oiling my hair or doing my nails. And force my brain to end the day right.
Everyday won’t be the same and if you are a parent, you might struggle to find any time at all on some days, making staying healthy all the more critical, as well as challenging.
However if you find that switch in yourself, that balance, nothing can stop you from being connected to your core.
Once you are to connect to your core, your anger, your unpleasantness, your demotivation, dissolves.
Circus was a profound part of my childhood. I can still feel the thrill in my heart when I pass by a circus set. We used to get so excited whenever the circus came to town.
An uncle of mine would take us to the circus every time even if it’s the same one. He would put in a huge effort to make sure that we can see properly in the overcrowded audience.
Today I took my daughter to the circus with the same excitement. Having learned from previous experience, I ensured that I buy tickets a couple of hours in advance to not miss the chance.
I was stressing out to reach before time to get a good spot. When we arrived we saw the sitting mostly empty. There were about 3-4 families in the whole area. I thought it would start getting filled up soon. A few more families arrived but the stadium stayed 95% empty.
The show still went ahead. Since animals are now banned, the fun was not the same, however, the talent the performers had was incredible.
They performed their best, they gave their best regardless of the size of the audience..
The world of technology, video games, and AI based engaging activities are taking over the pure art of entertainment.
It cringed my heart that the circus is dying. Soon these people might have to start seeking a different profession. The art will no longer pass down to the generation
It’s incredible how life can twist and turn, and then suddenly when you least expect it, you find what you were looking for.
It’s never too late for anything. Life is a constant. Life is in the moment. Especially, it’s never too late to find love. Love that you deserve. Love that deserves you. And once you find it, you must treasure it.
Dedicated to a love story of 2 people whom I have never met but known through someone, and it warms my heart to know that they found each other. Eventually.
We spent the evening out. A couple of hours at the park and then dinner. My husband was putting down our younger one to bed and since our older one wanted milk, she and I were at the dining table. She was drinking her milk. I just sat there.
She said, vaato kar (talk to me).. I was gladly surprised because usually it’s me saying this to her but she doesn’t talk if I ask her to talk. Guess she just wasn’t in that age yet (she is 4 yo). Although she would talk a lot if you just started talking.
So when she said this, I admired the moment. However I couldn’t think of anything to talk about. The whole day went through my mind but I couldn’t talk. So, I said, umm I don’t know what to talk about. She said, talk about anything you want. I was still clueless. I couldn’t find an incident interesting enough throughout my day that I could share. Seeing that I was struggling to find what to talk, she goes.. tara day vishe vaat kar! Te shu karyu.. (talk to me about your day, what did you do)
She really wanted to just talk and listen. So I talked. I said I was stressed in the morning because the house was a mess. The cleaning lady didn’t show up. I started cleaning but it was exhausting.
By that time she had finished her milk. She came to me, climbed onto my lap and hugged me. I kept talking, whilst she was hugging, kissing in between and just listening.
As a college girl, it was always my dream to learn to ride a motorbike. I loved the way they’d sound. Back in the day, a girl riding motorbikes was looked upon as Bold. I was bold and I wanted the world to see it.
Since my dad gave me a car for myself much sooner than I had expected, I couldn’t ask for a bike. So I waited patiently until my brother got one. Eventually, he did get one but it was much too large for a short girl like me.
I dreamed of getting a bullet for myself one day. But my career didn’t bloom in the early days. I got married and moved countries.
In the UK, getting a car driving license was an achievement. Long time had passed since those college days and I wasn’t that young girl anymore. I had responsibilities. I was answerable.
The dream was gone. Forgotten even.
My husband had the same passion for bikes. He had been doing man-math for a long time about getting one. A couple of years back I encouraged him to get one and he has not regretted it for one minute. My dream yet stayed forgotten.
When I was pregnant with my second child, my husband rekindled that yearning. That dream. One that I had conveniently deleted from the list of my aspirations.
So, the last thing I learned a couple of weeks ago was the basics of riding a motorbike. And now I dream again.
