WHO ARE YOUR HEROES? Tell them!

When 2020 was over we rejoiced.. it was the end of the Covid 19 pandemic we thought.. now it's all over and life will get back to normal.. No need for masking.. we can freely hug our favourite people.. and no need to live in fear.. BUT.. as we all know.. THAT definitely didn't happen.. and NOW we have Omicron to deal with! "When will it end? We are sick of it.. We have had ENOUGH of it now.. We want our normal lives back.. We are sick and tired of work from home because it never ends.. etcetera.. " These sentences pop up and seem to have become omnipresent in every conversation we have these days! 

How do we cope and manage to stay afloat inspite of all these challenges? Are the people we care about going to want to meet us if we become "walking-talking complaint boxes" all the time?! Finding fault and complaining are the easiest things in the world to do.. and sometimes it feels like I know people who have a double Ph.D. in them! On the flip side.. I am also blessed to know people who say "It is what it is.. but thankfully we weren't locked down this year.. we got to meet friends.. also started going to office.. the balance sheets improved.. we are sleeping better.. the weddings were small but intimate.. we have understood how to cherish the special people in our lives etcetera.." 

Heroes don't always wear capes uniforms badges and masks like Superman Batman and Captain Marvel.. most of the time they are dressed just like you and me! 

THESE are my heroes.. to name a few.. ALL the frontline workers are jostling for first place at the top of that list as well - doctors.. nurses.. hospital staff.. and equally the BMC guys who work in sanitation and drainage to keep us healthy.. sweepers who clean the roads.. garbage collectors who barely constantly exposed to toxicity.. my staff at home who do everything they possibly can just to keep me happy and comfy.. friends who call just to check up on me since I live alone.. family who checks in to make sure I'm ok.. our soldiers at the borders protecting us from attack.. vendors who are thoughtful and kind enough to call and say "I have the freshest green peas of the season today.. shall I send some across"?

As I was contemplating my last blog of the year.. simultaneously I was thinking of WHAT to write as a new year message.. and Eureka! The thought realization and idea came to me.. let me do a mini analysis of WHAT I admire about the people in my life.. and WHAT is it that makes me want to emulate them at some level.. and WHAT is the genuine compliment I want to pay them that I have perhaps wanted to give them.. but just felt a little awkward about saying in so many words right until now? Let me overcome that little bit of awkwardness and just DO it

and so I started! 

First of all I called an aunt who I don't speak with very often at all.. but I see her posts on Facebook very regularly.. I'm 58 and she's definitely older in chronological years.. but very young at heart! She's now learning ballroom dance and thoroughly enjoying it.. I love the openness to new experiences and that she's having so much fun! I called her up yesterday and told her in so many words and she was super happy! Am blessed to have another aunt who is gorgeous and a great dresser.. especially when she wears traditional Indian wear.. she is the epitome of charm and grace.. and someone I hope to be like perhaps 10 or 15 years from now.. so I called and told HER in so many words as well.. she was utterly delighted and we had a short and sweet chat!

For 2022 Happy New Year wishes.. rather than sending a generic or forwarded message.. let's try reaching out at a one to one level to the people who really matter.. and TELL them why they mean so much to us! Some of you (I know) will immediately think "Oh! I'm not good with words.. can't express.. don't know what to say.. etc" so I'm saying.. There's always a first time for everything.. and when you do it from the heart.. the words just flow! You'll never know what you can do.. until you try!" Reach out and touch someone's life.. put asmile on their face.. say what you FEEL.. and make their new year a joyous one! 

Seeing that this is my last blog for the year.. with tremendous love gratitude and folded hands.. I would like to thank each and every one of you for reading.. commenting.. texting.. appreciating.. and sharing stories of what the blog has done for you.. perhaps it's made you think.. smile.. laugh.. comforted you or started your day off on a good note..  Writing this blog is something I thoroughly enjoy and it's such a wonderful way to remain connected with all of you.. it's been a great channel of self-expression.. and it restores my energies! 

For now.. keep reading.. stay happy and just look ahead to another great year! Wishing you a truly magical 2022 filled with all your favourite things and people! 

MERRY CHRISTMAS - be in abundance!!

It's the 25th of December so of course the obligatory "Merry Christmas" wishes to all of you reading this blog! As I sit and type I wonder what it REALLY takes to make a Christmas merry.. actually we are celebrating the birth of Jesus who is widely worshipped as a saviour! Growing up in the United States and fortunately being born to liberal parents.. plus we rented and LIVED in a house that belonged to the local church.. I've even attended Sunday School classes for the longest time and loved them! Just for the record.. I've also attended Bal Vihar classes run by the Chinmaya Mission and loved those as well.. and this post definitely ISN'T about religion.. Religion and Politics are two topics that the wisdom (?!) of age has taught me NEVER to discuss with friends family or anyone I really care about! 

The word Christmas conjures up vivid images of beautifully decorated Christmas trees.. brightly wrapped presents.. striped candy canes.. sparkling baubles.. turkey dinners.. family meals and most of all.. to me.. abundance! Most of us find ourselves being more caring compassionate and generous around this time of the year.. with our time energy patience and emotions! We are definitely at our kindest and most receptive to whatever the Universe has to offer us during these days.. but the question I'm nudging you with is.. Are we truly grateful? Do we say grace before meals? Do we recognize and acknowledge our numerous blessings? Do we truly have the Christmas spirit?

Christmas is an exceptionally significant day in my life because my maternal grandmother (Nani) was born on this day! Although I was very young when she passed away I know from family stories how she was this extremely gentle loving and caring human being who came from total abundance (even though she hoarded like a magpie out of the sense of "why waste money on a new one.. we might need it someday!) 

Christmas is a "larger than life" experience so let's be MORE today onwards.. MORE aware.. MORE  patient.. MORE tolerant.. MORE open and accepting.. MORE generous.. and most of all.. come from MORE abundance at every level.. physical mental social emotional intellectual and spiritual.. Let's read.. process.. understand.. internalize and practice more wisdom from the great masters.. through whatever paths we choose to walk.. Abundance.. coupled with the joy of giving.. and heartfelt gratitude are what generate the trust Christmas spirit of abundance!

And like they say.. give.. Give...GIVE till it hurts.. and beyond that as well.. so as a Christmas present (to the world.. not to me) please accept my little reminder to be in abundance.. and strive to be MORE at every level.. The only way to do this is of course to have our feet firmly planted on our spiritual path.. whether it is through yoga meditation reading worship or anything else.. all these paths only take us towards inner peace and understanding! 

Let's all overflow with the spirit of abundance so much that it washes away and wipes out all the negativity unhappiness anger and even Covid 19 AND Omicron from our beautiful world! 

Wishing you all a truly MERRY Christmas today!!

COLON THERAPY.. Fear is contagious!!

So here I am.. on my annual three week detox at Pema Wellness in Visakhapatnam.. It's a beautiful place.. serene.. green.. calm.. and has a pond of beautiful koi fish in the lobby! It is an experience I really look forward to.. twenty one days filled with a variety of massages.. scrumptious healthy food.. lots of walking.. interesting talks by the doctors.. and all kinds of therapies for various conditions!

Among these is the BIG C.. Colon therapy or colon cleansing as it is commonly known! Ever since I first came here everyone who talked about Colon therapy made a HUGE thing out of it.. said it was super stressful etc.. Me being me.. I had taken all my prescribed therapies as scheduled and was absolutely fine.. The evening before my first scheduled Colon therapy while I was at dinner.. everyone said things like "Ohmigod! You have Colon therapy?! You poor thing.. it's scary.. you will feel very weak.. your BP will go haywire.. you will feel nauseous.. exhausted.. etcetera.."

It must be confessed that I entered the Colon therapy room with some trepidation.. but.. as it turned out.. nothing could have been smoother! The healer (therapist) who administered it was kindness itself.. explained the procedure step by step and was very reassuring.. she even showed me a short video that illustrated exactly what was going to happen.. Basically, the machine flushes your digestive tract with 32 litres of water (gradually of course) and all your undigested food matter gas and other toxins are flushed out of your body! Yes I DID feel a little tired once it was over but was euphoric at the sheer lightness I felt as well.. most people looked at me as if I was crazy when I said I had actually ENJOYED the therapy!

Perhaps some people are a little more brave than others.. a little more receptive to trying new experiences.. a little less hung up on their sense of dignity (you sacrifice shame when you undergo this therapy for sure!!) But it gets a lot of bad press that it doesn't deserve! If you ask me.. taking an enema is way more stressful and anxiety inducing! Given a choice I opt for the Colon therapy any day - it takes just 40 minutes.. is completely painless.. and who in their right mind would want to walk around and live with multiple toxins in their body when there is such a simple option to get rid of all that and be completely cleansed and fresh?! The gut is the second brain - who wants to be knowingly brain damaged?!

Also.. I realize that a number of psychosomatic disorders start from the gut.. and that's probably because we all carry so much negativity within ourselves.. anger frustration jealousy impatience.. and it festers inside while we are trying to be polite normal (and civilized).. We may have been holding onto and harboring these feelings for a long time.. and finally they manifest in the form of mental and physical illness.. and that's why it's super important to "let go" of things and people who generate stress.. for OUR own wellbeing! Colon therapy helps us indirectly to do that.. negativity gets flushed out along with the waste..

On a larger scale, it strikes me that when we go into a new experience or a new situation.. we should just have faith that it will be good for us and embrace the novelty value and try to enjoy it! Sometimes.. no.. often the unknown is challenging.. fun.. exciting.. and HAS to be experienced with an open mind.. We are all unique with our own minds and intelligence.. WHY do we decide how we are going to react to something.. anything.. based on someone ELSE'S experience? Have seen so much stress and tension on people's faces here before going in for Colon therapy and felt that I absolutely MUST share my take on this whole thing!

Applying this to life in general on a broader and larger scale.. the way to live life is to come from passion.. compassion.. zest.. enthusiasm.. but never ever from fear! Be brave.. be strong.. be adventurous.. be a risk taker.. be impulsive.. be whatever you want.. but please don't be fearful! Do your research.. read up and be informed.. ask an expert if you must.. but (with apologies to Nike).. JUST DO IT!! 

GIVING THANKS ON THANKSGIVING!

 Thanksgiving is a day to recognize  the sacrifices and blessings of the past year.. and it is celebrated with family friends good food bonhomie and good cheer! Most people in India don't celebrate Thanksgiving on a particular day.. but everyone who says grace before a meal.. offers the cooked food at the altar before consuming the meal.. or even just says a silent "thank you" to the farmers who grew it.. the person who prepared it.. the person paying for it.. or just a simple acknowledgement to the Almighty is celebrating Thanksgiving!

This year Thanksgiving is especially important to me simply because it falls on the fateful date of 26/11.. Most of you know that I was sitting INSIDE Cafe Leopold when the terrorists opened fire and ran for my life! God was kind and I was luckier than many others who fell victim to the barrage of enemy bullets.. an absolutely tragic night and couple of days that jolted us all bigtime! It's been 13 years now and I still like to stay indoors and safe at home on this particular evening.. unless I am travelling..

There have been so many sacrifices and casualties in the past year.. thanks to Covid.. work from home.. companies paring down on staff.. businesses that went under.. families losing their breadwinners.. doctors losing patients.. and yet.. I take my hat off and salute the medical frontline workers who went above and way beyond the call of duty to cure patients.. emergency helpline counselors who saved lives..  garbage and sanitation personnel who did their jobs well to keep us safe and healthy.. people who gave food.. clothes.. money.. time.. a listening ear.. a caring heart.. and did whatever they could to ease the burden of the multitudes who were suffering.. God bless them all.. for they are the blessings!

Today.. I am grateful for so much.. a healthy body that functions well and lets me do whatever I need to.. friends who have become family.. a comfortable home (two actually).. wise people who guide me well.. sincere and caring staff.. a reasonably kind heart and enough to be able to reach out to people in need and help them when required! I am thankful for this beautiful "second life" that has been bestowed upon me.. am thankful to be alive.. and trying to be the best version of me that I possibly can!

A number of people have told me and asked me at the same time (with the best intentions in the world) "Why do you give so much? Why do you go out of the way and do so much? Why do you always want to make the other person happy etc.. etc..?" Today I finally have the answer to those kind of questions.. a plain and honest from the heart answer.. because I CAN.. and that's all there is to it.. Giving caring and doing are what make me happiest.. today and always!!

The way I see it.. life isn't easy for anyone.. and somewhere.. we are all struggling.. and if we are ever in the happy position of being able to give something - be it a smile.. money.. a hug.. moral support.. food or anything else.. let's just do it! The opportunity may not come our way anytime soon again! And if we are in the even happier position of being able to DO something for others - be it family friends colleagues or those less fortunate.. let's just DO it! A warm fuzzy feeling inside is guaranteed for sure! 

Most importantly.. let's practice active gratitude towards the Almighty.. the Universe.. our friends families and everyone we meet.. and make every single day special.. and make every single day our very own version of Thanksgiving!!

A heartfelt THANK YOU to each and every one of you for reading my blog.. although I may not ever tell you in so many words.. but.. it means the world to me!!

WHEN YOU FALL DOWN.. AND YOU'RE HURTING.. WHEN YOU'RE FEELING SAD..

The iconic movie "The Sound of Music" with the charming song "These are a few of my favourite things" is pretty much on everyone's "most liked songs" list.. right? It's definitely been on mine too.. ever since I was a little girl who watched the movie enraptured and was immediately whisked away (metaphorically speaking of course) to Salzburg with the Von Trapp family children! Listening to this song a little while ago, the realization dawned on me that this song contains a hidden mantra for happiness.. "I simply remember my favourite things.. and then I don't feel.. so sad".. How wonderful are the magical musicians and lyricists that allow us to heal ourselves with their words and music.. if only we take the time to LISTEN.. properly..

Things have been a little topsy-turvy in my life lately.. I had a bad fall on Dussehra and have been in considerable pain ever since! It looked like a badly scraped knee and some impact injury on the lip (since I fell flat on my face) which was ok but as the days passed, my hand started hurting and so did my ribs and all this "shadow pain" started! Cherry on the cake (?!) was that I got some redness indicating an infection on the injured leg.. just below the knee.. so am taking an antibiotic for ten days.. definitely NOT fun! Good thing is.. today's the last day of the antibiotic.. Yippeee!!

More than a few people have been telling me "What's wrong with you? You're getting angry so quickly and completely out of sorts.. this is so not like you.. What's going on?" Found myself also feeling listless.. worthless.. and as far away from my usual sunny (?) self as it's possible to be! Clear screaming in my face signal that it was time for some serious introspection.. so I went into a virtual "vanvaas" and sorted out some of the clutter in my head.. went through a mini meltdown with my bestie Parul (who's always my voice of reason and good sense)! She heard me out.. sat me down and gave me some incredible advice.. and now I am well on the way to becoming my usual self very soon!

When realization dawned on me, it was made up of a number of factors.. this meltdown and fall apart wasn't triggered by one single incident.. but a culmination of a number of small things! As my friend Porus laughingly and frequently admonishes me, I am an "empath" to a high level and THAT is a major reason..  if and when people I care deeply about are going through stress.. and share it with me.. I tend to internalize it (almost subconsciously).. it builds up over a length of time.. and then I start feeling overwhelmed! Detach.. look at it objectively.. don't get emotionally involved.. don't take ownership of someone else's problem, etc..etc.. Yes.. I know all that is great advice.. BUT.. actually putting it into practice.. much easier said than done! 

Friendship is the most important relationship in the world to me.. and I feel completely blessed that there are friends who play the different roles of friend philosopher guide critic mentor etc.. so willingly and happily for me! It is such a comfortable and comforting feeling to have people with whom we can be our "best" and "worst" selves knowing that they will love us no matter what and will NOT judge us! The gifts of acceptance understanding sympathy empathy support faith confidence loyalty affection and love are infinitely precious and lifetime gifts that cannot be bought with all the wealth in the world!

It's been over two weeks since the fall and last night was the FIRST time that I slept well and uninterrupted thanks to a strong painkiller.. God bless whoever invented Myospaz Forte! A good night's sleep is actually miraculous - I woke up feeling rested happy at peace positive and full of energy.. after 15 nights of tossing turning restlessness and pain.. Resuming my walking in the house from today as well.. my knee just wouldn't allow it until today! These past two weeks have given me a little glimpse of how it can to be OLD with constant aches and pains.. and am very clear I want to avoid that as far as possible! Walking the straight and narrow and trying to be as good as possible!

With Diwali almost upon us, this is just my way of reaching out and letting all you wonderful people know I'm okay.. happy and pretty much back to myself! Thank you all for the wisdom and clarity I get from you.. the faith and trust you have in me.. the sunshine and smiles you bring to my life.. the laughter and positivity you bring to my days..  .. the love you give to my blog.. and.. to ME! Thank you all for being very important and special in my life.. and making it special and exceptionally meaningful with your presence! On the rare occasions that I am sad.. I simply have to think of ANY.. or ALL of you.. and there's instantly a sense of pure joy and upliftment.. and this is the absolute TRUTH.. Love you all so much!!

Wishing you the radiance of smiles.. happy times.. joyous meetings.. get-togethers with friends and family.. funny stories and laughter.. and most of all.. above all else..

Wishing you abiding peace and contentment.. and light and love at Diwali (and always)!!

LIFE - is a jigsaw puzzle so don't allow for missing pieces!

All of us have days when we wake up.. think about the day ahead.. and want to just burrow into the bedclothes and go right back to sleep.. right? Days when we feel overwhelmed.. anxious and maybe just plain and simple stressed about.. days where the fate of something or someone important lie in the balance.. days when we are worried or hassled..

These are invaluable moments because they FORCE us to stop in our tracks.. both - mental and emotional.. and take stock of where we are versus where we want to be.. and need to be.. We get so caught up in completing our "to do" lists.. and getting through the mundane seemingly essential daily tasks that we often stop listening to the little voice at the back of our heads that's gently whispering to us to take it easy.. slow down.. and be kind to ourselves! 

That gentle whisper gets ignored.. the feelings keep simmering.. we keep suppressing them.. the whisper gains momentum and before we know it.. it's escalated into a full-blown cry for mercy and help.. AND.. we feel like everything's crashing down around us! Time to pause.. reset.. analyze and understand what's going on.. and recalibrate our lives!

A great analogy (according to me) is saying that life is like a jigsaw puzzle.. our lives are made up of friends family work fun health happiness hobbies travel etc.. and jigsaw puzzles are made up of corner pieces.. and pieces of various colours.. each piece independent and having it's own "place" and each one essential to "completing" the picture at the end! 

There are a number of what are popularly referred to as four-letter words and some of them aren't always the most pleasant ones.. but there is another whole list of much more important four-letter words which we need to be aware of and they are : grow.. able.. rest.. flow.. calm.. work.. fill.. with.. home.. and most of all.. LOVE!

Being career-minded and driven, a number of us tend to give too much of ourselves to work and the attendant stresses.. and who are the casualties of this? Friends.. family.. and most of all - ourselves! When our life boat gets rocky, we panic and don't know how to cope and think that the worst is going to happen! The dangerous part is when we start doubting ourselves and our self-worth plummets! 

Be aware.. identify your strengths and good qualities.. know how much "you bring to the table" at work and at home.. Make sure you spend time with your parents (if you're lucky enough to still have them).. hang out with your siblings and cousins.. share your desires aspirations and concerns with your spouse.. carve out "quality time" (mobile free) with your children and discuss what's going on in your head and heart with your friends.. 

We have unique relationships with everyone in our lives and we are all special to each other.. simply because NO ONE ELSE can mean what you mean to the other person and vice versa! ALL these people are vital parts of the puzzle and HOME is where you go at the end of the day to recharge, rejuvenate and get ready to face the world again tomorrow! 

Keep your "jigsaw puzzle" carefully in your head and heart.. cherish it.. and discover the pure joy that living an emotionally balanced life can bring.. it's one of the greatest blessings that we are empowered to create for ourselves.. and SO achievable! 

Stay aware.. blessed.. thinking.. feeling.. and connected!

HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY TO SPECIAL PEOPLE!!

September 5th is and will always be one of the most special days in the year for me.. it is Teacher's Day and a reason to celebrate! I have written in an earlier blog about how I actually decided to become a teacher.. but when I sit and reflect, it is a great joy to have realized that nothing else could possibly have brought me this much pleasure! It's been 25 years of teaching and miraculous to look forward to going to work every single day! To be honest, teaching pre-school has to me.. always felt almost like getting paid to go.. be surrounded by positive energy.. and have a good time! Today am sharing some stories about the people who have inspired me and helped me become the teacher and person I am today.. 

This profession has brought some truly wonderful people into my life as well.. my Heads of Department and professors Jana Mahadevan.. Nalini Chugani and Nandita Jhaveri.. They saw my potential.. extracted as much as they could and constantly inspired me to always do more and give my best! Jana is even today a very dear friend and close to a mother figure.. Nalini is a quiet presence but all our interactions (even on WhatsApp) are both thoughtful and meaningful.. Nandita is highly creative and has a terrific sense of gentle humour so we share some great conversations as well.. and she often has a unique perspective on things which appeals to me tremendously! We are good friends and very much in touch even after all these years.. I know you are all reading this so please accept a heartfelt thank you for making my journey so memorable! 

After just two years of teaching, I was selected to conduct two workshops at a seminar on "Professionalism in Education" where I met the quietly brilliant Roshan Billimoria! She came to borrow a stapler from me.. we talked.. the seminar strangely enough, inspired me to write a poem.. that led to an invitation to lunch at her beautiful home.. and now we are friends forever! Roshan and I have a very strong karmic connection and serendipitiously similar things happen in both our lives around the same time.. give or take a week or two! She is quiet.. I am the chatterbox.. but we both draw positive energy and happiness from each other.. and she numbers among my closest friends! 

During the course I was with Ami Mody (now Thakker) who is hands down, the sweetest and gentlest person I know.. and the most patient teacher for sure! She has always been someone who believed in me and my abilities more than I myself ever did! A truly lovely friend who always participates in my wild enthusiasms (which have fortunately always been for the good) and done so whole-heartedly! Equally blessed to have met Alefia Zoomkawala who came to train at the Saifee nursery and became a willing partner in crime with Ami and me at Salaam Baalak Trust where we did English conversation with street children! Alefia also soft and gentle - and diametrically opposite to me personality-wise this trio proved that opposites attract and can work wonderfully together! Thank you both for also agreeing to be a part of the Palghar school project - hope it starts up soon! 

After one year of teaching with Sangeeta Patel (another darling who's a close friend) I was invited to teach at the Saifee nursery at Malabar Hill. I was lucky in my first year of teaching and supervising to meet Rohaina Kher who is a born teacher! She is very artistic, super creative and a perfectionist - and a reminder that "God is in the details".. have yet to meet a teacher who brings that much finesse to her work! Moving to Saifee nursery, I made three more lifelong friends - Anu Thyagarajan.. Sadhana Khagram.. and Renu Haksar! NOBODY in the world can tell a story like Anu can.. and even though she's in Singapore now, we talk pretty much every other day and can read each other's minds and take the words out of each other's mouths even today! She also happens to be my best friend! Sadhana is super organized and very patient with children (because she's basically very kindhearted) and Renu.. well.. Renu's a whole different story! Her son Rajat was in my class and she used to come to help voluntarily.. Rajat settled in school and would only come to me.. and I found in Renu a kindred spirit! She and I have had the most fun times conducting teacher workshops together too! We are both similar in being finicky.. perfectionists.. and OCD to the point where we were referred to as "Choi & Moi"! Have to mention that we share a super wacky sense of humour as well and can talk non-stop nonsense endlessly! Renu and I are very close.. each other's support system.. friends forever too and the day isn't complete for either of us until that last call at night takes place! 

There have been so many teachers with whom I have worked or even just become friends with including Vaishali Mehta (we had a super time at Bombay International School) who is creative to the last degree.. Kavita Khanna who is the most sincere and committed teacher I know.. Mana Mehta who is the best French teacher ever.. Manisha Desai who is a motherly and loving teacher.. Praneeta Varadarajan.. the children in her class never want to move on.. and there are so many more.. I could go on and on.. 

At a wider level, we learn from every person we meet and so are surrounded by teachers - in our homes and families.. from our friends in the workplace building and office.. and most of all.. our elders AND our children! 

Teaching means touching and transforming lives.. and to everyone mentioned above and a whole lot of others whose names don't appear but who still matter.. and are IMPORTANT.. AND SPECIAL.. Thank you for touching my life.. am truly blessed and grateful to know you all.. 

Here is my wish for you all on this most special day of 5th September.. 

To become a teacher is a joy and to be a teacher is a privilege! You get to be an important part of a child's formative years and a strong influence.. for better or worse! It's a huge responsibility and commitment that only a few genuine teachers can fulfil completely.. It means putting and keeping someone else's hopes dreams and desires ahead of your own on a constant basis.. It means being patient even when you don't feel like you can.. It means hard work and being genuine.. It means a listening ear and a helping hand.. It means "kissing it better" and the magic of a hug.. It means celebrating every little success.. It means being a subtle support who just enables things to (seemingly) happen "on their own".. It means having a "virtual" doctorate in crisis management.. and most of all.. it means.. being a magician-superpower-omnipresent-demigod-entertainer-and mini-Einstein all at the same time! It means you have been incredibly lucky to be given the opportunity to create and witness the "magic of learning" in front of your eyes!! 

God bless you for being a truly inspiring motivating and exceptional teacher!! Happy Teacher's Day!!

AM BECOMING ALLERGIC - AND SPREADING IT!!

"Some people can't function without negativity.. because bringing others down makes them feel better" - sad but true.. 

We all know people who not only live on negativity but thrive on it! Being on my own spiritual path of learning and self-growth.. it truly amazes me   as to how much hidden and open negativity we are surrounded by! What is even more unbelievable is how resilient the human spirit is.. we either accept it.. live with it.. ignore it.. or.. if we have taken the time and trouble to go within ourselves.. we decide to put it in the past and.. rise ABOVE it!

Easier said than done right? Absolutely.. but.. essential if you have to keep yourself happy positive and at peace with yourself and the world around you! If we allow the everyday stresses like road rage.. inefficient vendors.. unpunctual people.. uncooperative team members.. lazy staff or unpleasant relatives to occupy space in our heads (and sometimes our hearts) for more than a minute or two.. we are the sufferers! Why SHOULD we allow this? Is anything or anyone SO more important that we should ourselves to be adversely affected by their words or actions? Negative people will say or imply something negative and then go away after planting that seed in your mind.. are you going to water it and nurture it to fruition or just see it for what it is.. "pull it out".. and throw it away?

It has taken a number of experiences and great deal of pain for this realization to have taken place.. and it hasn't come easily either.. I have STAYED in friendships that were toxic and unhealthy simply because my "need to be needed" overcame my need to be happy! Even if the other person never called.. wasn't particularly kind or considerate.. it was so scary for me to think of being "without" them.. I would still "put up and shut up"! The "need to feel needed" was so overpowering that it kept me in an extremely toxic marriage until things got physically verbally and emotionally abusive and I FINALLY woke up to the realization that staying in the relationship could and would destroy me completely! Took a great deal of courage to decide to "walk out" but was supremely empowering when it finally ended! 

Ending friendships and relationships is a sad thing.. because we are human and by default we like to believe in the concept of "happily ever after"! I'm not saying be intolerant.. am sharing my experiences to try and empower people who are suffering to find the courage to take control of their situation and change it.. People are unreasonable.. strange.. difficult.. temperamental.. and all that is fine.. accept them for who they are without trying to change them.. BUT if they are unkind mean hurtful and negative.. RUN.. don't walk away! Trust and believe that you WILL find other friends to fill the gaps and that you deserve to and you WILL be happy without them! Don't be with people who are judgemental.. they are "energy vampires" and will suck you dry and move on to their next "victim" - and how do you know when this is happening and how will you stop it?

LOVE yourself and believe in yourself first of all - tell yourself that you are a clean pure and happy soul who believes in the essential goodness of human nature.. that you are worthy of respect and love.. that you are bright capable and strong.. The pandemic hasn't gone anywhere.. new waves are constantly looming threateningly on the horizon.. young fit and healthy people are dying all of a sudden.. and there is stress all around.. Choose to live in a self-created oasis of  happiness positivity and joy.. your life will transform into a continuing beautiful  celebration!

Just a few words of wisdom and caution to be heeded..

Cut negative people out of your life.. the people you spend time with influence your attitude and thoughts more than you think..

Negative people need drama like it is oxygen.. stay positive.. and take their breath away!

Don't chase people. Do your own thing and work hard. The right people.. the ones who really belong in your life.. will come.. and stay..

"You can't calm the storm.. so stop trying.. 

What you can do is calm yourself.. 

The storm will pass"

And finally.. just remember.. be allergic to negativity!! Be contagious so the people around you become that way as well!! Keep spreading the positivity and sunshine!!

BIRTHDAYS ARE SUCH A BLESSING!!

Birthdays are a special day in the year.. They remind us that we’re a year older and simultaneously show us how far we’ve come.. They are a great reason to celebrate and to let the people you care about how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate them!

There are people who don’t get excited about birthdays at all and say it’s just another ordinary day.. there are people who blow the candles.. cut the cake.. maybe have a drink with their friends and that’s it.. and then.. there are people like me.. Actually I don’t know anyone who celebrates birthdays the way I do so let me say.. and.. there’s ME!!

To me, a birthday is a day I really look forward to! There is a seemingly unending cascade of calls and messages.. cakes.. food.. drinks.. wishes.. bonhomie.. jokes.. laughter and love.. MOST importantly.. it’s a day when even my least expressive friends make the truly Herculean effort to express their feelings when they wish me! How humbling and touching is it when people who would otherwise make do with a simple “happy birthday” actually SEARCH for the perfect physical card or e-card or quote that says what they want to.. but think they can’t?!

Who doesn’t like feeling super special important cherished loved and on top of the world for an entire day? What a joyful feeling it is to receive loving messages wishes and blessings.. and ever since I have stopped gifting.. the birthday wishes have become EVEN more precious! While it’s great to be on Cloud 9 all day long.. it’s always a good time to introspect about it as well.. am just sharing my early morning reflections of the 25^th..

When my eyes opened on the birthday morning.. it was almost like God was telling me “Be happy and celebrate.. you are a very special and unique person! Today is the day you were brought into this world to be a blessing and an inspiration to the people around you!” Being a blessing AND an inspiration? That’s a tall order for sure.. and then again.. maybe not SO difficult to do after all.. Essentially it means try and be the best version of myself that I possibly can!

My birthday every year starts with a beautiful BIG bouquet of flowers given by my devoted and loving staff Kishore and Savita – it always has lilliams carnations and the Thai purple orchids because those are among my favourite flowers! They also make sure a favourite breakfast is ready for me! It’s also the one day in the year that they get OUT of their usual “Tom & Jerry mode” and behave in an exemplary manner for a change! They go all out to cook a veritable lunch feast for my core group of special friends that I cannot imagine my life without! The pampering goes on all day long..

It strikes me that it is SO easy to be good when we are happy.. so why not decide to be happy (and by default.. good) all the time? Everyone reading this blog is blessed enough to have food on the table.. clothes on the body.. some good friends.. a caring family.. a decent education.. money in the bank.. and something interesting to do in life.. that’s a LOT to be grateful for right?

I have been called a blessing and an inspiration (which I don’t really take seriously.. people tend to exaggerate kindness) and would like to celebrate my birthday here by sharing a few of my birthday (and life) beliefs here..

First and foremost, if you are blessed with abundance, you are morally and ethically bound to share it with those less fortunate.. Give.. give.. and give some more.. We live in a country that makes it so EASY to do this.. give things of course.. but give attention.. affection time.. and.. give of yourself.. Identify your special gifts and qualities and reach out and do something for others using them.. it is SUCH a rewarding experience!

Keep an eye firmly focused on your spiritual path.. make sure that you read inspirational books.. read articles.. talk to wise people who are firmly on the spiritual path and let them guide you.. This is imperative since it’s the only thing that will sustain your soul and keep it bright shiny and happy!

Practise gratitude actively and keep your faith strong.. these are things that multiply a great deal when you keep them at the forefront of your head and heart! They don’t cost anything except being aware and conscious about all the magical gifts that life and destiny bring us – friendship camaraderie understanding companionship success travel challenges acceptance comfort health happiness laughter and love! And as far as possible.. be KIND.. In the words of Henry James “Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.”

My eyes are welling up with tears as I write this blog.. just with sheer gratitude for the people things opportunities freedom and blessings I am abundantly blessed with.. Thank you all.. for reading this blog.. “celebrating” my birthday with me.. and for being such an important person in my life..

Wishing each and every one of you a blessed birthday!

As always.. with much love coming your way..

 

 

 

 

FRIENDSHIP DAY is SO important!

Waking up to a number of Happy Friendship Day messages this morning.. it's imperative to share my thoughts about this! Some people will just treat it like any other day while others will go all out to celebrate with pomp and cheer.. and some others will send out forwarded messages and feel "thank GOD that's over and done with for this year!"

This is THE most important day of the year for me.. the most special precious and one-of-a-kind opportunity to celebrate some of the most special people in our lives! To me.. it's bigger than Diwali Christmas New Year's Eve and any other celebration one could imagine! Reason being.. my friends are my oxygen! It would be impossible to imagine my life and my world without my friends!

God is kind and ensures that we are born into families (happy families for the most part) and one of the greatest blessings is that we can also CHOOSE our friends! Let's also be very specific who we refer to as our friends.. there are acquaintances.. and then..  there are friends! Friends are the family we choose for ourselves and the word "friend" is not one to be used lightly.. so who is a friend you wonder..

A friend is perhaps everything that the flowery cards convey.. but the meaning goes much deeper than that for me.. If and when I meet someone with whom I feel a strong "connect" or someone who has a very special quality that I am drawn to.. THAT is likely to become a genuine long-lasting friendship! Someone who has shared their deepest beliefs hopes and aspirations.. successes fears and failures.. A person who inspires and compels me (without saying a word) to be the best version of myself is a friend.. 

True friends offer consistent unconditional love and are super happy when good things happen in your life.. there's no scope of jealousy and envy! At the same time.. they're always going to give you an honest opinion and speak their mind.. because that's what you need to hear! Everyone will be around for the good times.. but friends will just be a quiet solid presence when the chips are down.. no matter what!

This depth of caring understanding and giving doesn't come easy.. you need to respect the relationship and nurture it with love time calls messages happy memories and gratitude.. There are times when you're too tired to do it and put it off for another day.. but why would you want to deny your friend the chance for his/her eyes to light up.. to grin from ear to ear.. to laugh until tears roll.down.his/her cheeks.. or feel blessed to have found someone so caring?

Am on holiday with friends in Kurseong and it's quite a motley crew.. but truly magical to see how the group (who don't really know each other really well) formed a beautiful synergy.. everyone formed their own connect and there were great conversations! One is wise.. another is loving.. yet another is brilliant.. another is accepting.. for which I am tremendously grateful because each one has brought something unique and special to this time spent together! 

To all my truly special wonderful friends that light up my world.. and whom I cannot imagine going through life without.. a very happy Friendship Day to you all.. know that you are loved cherished and treasured beyond measure!!

God bless and much love always!!

GURU PURNIMA - I bow my head with folded hands..

 "Light another's path.. and the universe will light your own" such true words from the extremely wise author philosopher and entrepreneur Matshona Dhliwayo!

Guru Purnima is a red letter day for all those who have faith in their gurus.. who is a guru and why should we have one you must be asking? Traditionally, a guru is someone who assists and guides you on your spiritual journey.. it doesn't mean at ALL that you have to be ready to forgo worldly pleasures.. wear loose flowing robes.. sit in the church, temple, mosque or gurudwara.. but having a guru is the need of the hour!

In the pandemic situation.. stress levels are high and things are difficult for everyone.. whether it is stress at work.. lack of work.. discord at home.. financial worries.. interpersonal relationships.. feeling taken for granted.. lonely.. being unable to cope.. time management.. Within the stress.. it IS possible to cope much better if you channelize your internal guru! We have all been born with the "tattva" or essence of a guru inside us.. what remains to be done is to awaken that consciousness and we will get access to the greatest wisdom in the universe! The really good news is that it's relatively easy to tap into that wisdom.. all we need to do is be AWARE of what's going on around us.. 

Of course we're aware you think.. we're up to date on the latest in politics.. Bollywood gossip.. sports news.. the Page 3 scenario.. Covid statistics.. scientific research.. the arts and cultural scene.. trending fashion.. new age music etc.. that is sadly NOT the aware that really matters! What you need to be aware of is.. is everyone in your family in a good mindspace? Do your friends sound happy when you speak with them? Is someone facing a problem alone? Does your watchman look stressed about something? Does your staff at home seem content? Has the newspaper vendor who sits outside your building been coughing for too long? Have YOU been making mental notes to reach out and do something for a few people.. but haven't managed to convert that thought into a reality? You're obviously missing a guru! 

Perhaps someone has even gently reminded you to keep that promise you made to yourself.. but you didn't really register it.. it has happened to me innumerable times! Sometimes a friend or acquaintance has knowingly or unknowingly made an observation to you.. and that is the moment they are BEING your guru.. To share a personal experience, my friend Parul once told me "I am so happy to see that you have made such a tremendous effort to calm down and control your temper.. you seem so much more at peace and happier now".. it was a seemingly simple statement of fact - but had a HUGE impact on me! So rewarding that my efforts hadn't gone unnoticed and the benefits I was experienced were REAL ones and visible to others!

Gurus surround us disguised as various people.. anyone who accepts you AS YOU ARE.. encourages you.. believes in you.. tells you the truth.. holds up a (virtual) mirror to your face (especially when you're not being your best self).. holds your hand through the tough times.. and lets your fly and cheers you on is a GURU to you! This might be a parent.. teacher.. sibling.. friend.. gym trainer.. doctor.. neighbour.. work colleague.. mentor.. 

There are some qualities that a guru must have in order to fulfil their responsibilities in the best possible way - open acceptance of people.. wide knowledge and clarity of mind.. firm resolve to say and do the right thing.. wisdom sensitivity and compassion for others.. willingness to share life experiences.. practising kindness and good conduct.. and leading an inspirational life!

When I pause and reflect on the numerous gurus that have been and still are actively present in my life.. am just overwhelmed with gratitude.. gratitude that they are around me.. and also for the wisdom I have received to be able to perceive and recognize them as such! This post will be incomplete without naming a few of them..

Sumit - who is my best friend and rock solid support! He consistently inspires me to give more of myself.. reach out to others and shows me the sunny side of life even in the darkest times!

Porus - who is a willing partner in gentle jokes at the world in general and at ourselves too! We have the most incredible conversations about life.. love and everything in between!

Jana - who met me as a giddyheaded clueless young person who didn't have direction in life.. she saw the potential.. nurtured it.. encouraged me to dream big and do well.. and STILL does!

Brinda - who constantly shows me the meaning of unconditional acceptance and loves me bigtime no matter how unreasonable I can be when I'm in one of my moods!

Varsha - who always has my best interests at heart and expresses her worries openly.. keeps me on the straight and narrow and is fiercely protective about me!

Shriti - who is the ultimate realist and with me being the ultimate idealist she gives me a reality check whenever it is required.. and would do pretty much anything for me as well!

Lavina - who is the most easygoing and accepting person I know.. and is a great sport and always there right with me on all my travels and crazy ideas too! (She was terrified when I did the world's highest bungy jump.. but still came with me for it and watched it on the screen!

Smita - who is the gentlest and softest person I know.. and the most hospitable person in the world.. it's an incredibly open honest and rewarding friendship that we share!

Renu - the one person who I HAVE to talk to every night before going to sleep.. my soul sister who brings a lot of magic masti and madness to my life.. this amazing woman I love dearly!!

Parul - who is invariably my voice of reason.. good sense.. and very "tuned in" to whatever frequency I may be in.. and keeps my feet firmly on the ground.. love her to bits!

Ujwala - twenty years younger than me.. but one of the wisest people I am blessed to know.. She can explain difficult situations impartially and better than almost anyone I know!

Anu - last.. but.. most definitely not the least! She absorbs my wild enthusiasms.. takes them in her stride.. calls a spade a spade.. and loves me more than words can ever express!

There are so many more.. I could go on and on.. but this post is already too long!

To all the gurus in my life.. I bow my head with folded hands and express the deepest gratitude for teaching me.. correcting me.. guiding me.. advising me.. supporting me.. believing in me.. accepting me as I am.. loving me.. and being such an integral part of my life! Abiding respect compassion thanks and love to you all on Guru Purnima!!

GUARDIAN ANGELS – they walk with us!!

 I believe some people enter your life as guardian angels.. and some connections can’t be explained in words alone.. It’s just this inexplicable feeling of total comfort confidence and trust.. and am convinced that these are your guardian angels!

According to religion, the most important duties of guardian angels are to protect and guide us.. but in the times we live in now.. they aren’t too busy.. because we are blessed with multiple people who play that role in our lives!

Being an idealist who views the world through rose-tinted spectacles, I like to believe that parents have their children.. seniors.. their caregivers.. children their parents.. teenagers their parents.. young people their colleagues.. employers have their staff.. office staff have their bosses.. and helpers their employers!

Maybe you haven’t given this a thought.. and you’re charmed by the idea of BEING a guardian angel to somebody.. or manybodies for that matter! How does one do this? It’s actually super simple.. first of all.. choose your “Guardian Angel adoptee” (hereafter referred to as your GAA)! It could be someone a little timid.. shy.. underconfident.. unexposed.. not in the best of health.. facing financial difficulties.. dealing with major family conflict.. you know what I mean!

Try and be your best self.. accepting.. loving and giving.. make that phone call when you know something major is coming up for your GAA.. check in on them regularly.. make plans to meet up JLT (just like that).. stay “tuned in” to the frequency at which THEY resonate..

Some fun facts about guardian angels :

Angels respect hospitality.. An ancient Jewish tradition to see if an angel visited would be to have some sort of food around and to offer it to the angel. Count the biscuits or sandwiches, or bananas (whatever you have handy in your house), and offer one to it. Count again after the angel leaves, and if there is one (or more) less than what you started with, the angel assumed a body!

Angels inspire us.. Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night because an idea popped into your head that you just had to write down so you wouldn’t forget it in the morning? Have you just been inspired to do something out of the ordinary that turned out to be hugely successful? Angels are always trying to inspire us with things that will lead us to happiness..

Angels contain the space in which they operate.. I always imagined that my guardian angel would hover above me and to one side, but since it makes sense that they surround us at all times..

Angels are like snowflakes.. as in each and every single angel is unique and different from any other angel, so much so that each angel could be considered a different species. This means that every angel has their very own, very different personality.

Angels appear more to women than to men.. but if they  are in your life.. you will just KNOW! Women seem to be more receptive, which may be the reason behind this. Angels are highly intuitive beings, so they are likely to be on the same sort of mental wavelength as the female populace.

How do I know this is true and that guardian angels really exist? My biggest and most loving guardian angel is my Daddy.. even after four and a half years, I feel his presence so strongly.. especially when there are important decisions to be taken.. or when I’m feeling a little low.. On a lighter note.. am blessed with so many guardian angels all around me.. unexpected phone calls.. meaningful conversations.. relaxed afternoons.. delicious shared meals..

Every single time something beautiful and wonderful happens in my life, I am so very grateful to the universe for the abundance of guardian angels in my life! They walk WITH us!! Look at the people in your life and see the guardian angels.. and be inspired to be a guardian angel to more people who NEED you.. reach out and remain blessed!!

 

 

 

FIND YOUR FAVOURITE HAPPINESS THERAPY – AND DO IT!!

 Occasionally there are phases when days and days go by and we aren’t happy.. we aren’t SAD.. but we’re just a little “cranky” and not enjoying things as much as we normally would.. SO.. What’s the matter with us? Are we going into a depression? (The number of people who diagnose themselves and others to be going through depression is SCARY!!) Why don’t we feel like meeting our friends? Why don’t we want to spend time with our families.. or read that book.. bake that cake we’ve been wanting to for so long??

The reason is simple.. because we’re lost! We aren’t spending enough time with ourselves and therefore we don’t know what makes us genuinely happy or sad anymore.. Another reason is because we don’t use specific words to qualify our feelings.. let’s try using words like energized.. motivated.. lonely.. instigated.. instead of the insipid and generic “good.. psyched.. blah.. etc..!!

The encouraging news is that it’s relatively simple to come out of the “crankiness”.. all we need to do is be consciously aware of the moments when we’re “top of the world happy” and remember WHAT WE 9or someone else) DID to make us feel that way! Replicate the task.. or the experience.. and.. zip zap zoom – there you are.. floating on cloud 9 once again!

Speaking for myself, I call it “happiness therapy” and it’s fluid.. there are a few that I practise.. and am happy to share them here..

·       Spending half an hour daily with MYSELF.. mobile phone switched OFF.. not on silent.. and have given instructions that I am not to be disturbed for any reason but a dire emergency.. Am either listening to music.. reading.. or just “being”.. it’s becoming my all-time favourite therapy!

·       Watching my all-time favourite movie “The Sound of Music”.. such an uplifting story.. and the songs are just beautiful.. 20 minutes is all it takes to put a big smile on my face!

·       Another super option is making a “to do” list! It just helps me to gather my thoughts.. understand what needs to be done.. plan it and do it! Absolutely LOVE crossing out the tasks as they get done one by one!

·       It could be as simple as playing 3 or 4 back-to-back games of “blood” Ludo (as we call it) with my best friend Sumit.. It’s great fun.. highly competitive.. we “growl” “snarl” “grumble” and are in the happiest of moods when we finish!

·       My ultimate one is tidying up and organizing cupboards! I Am strange and weird.. right? Have been told that umpteen times and am kind of immune to it now!! Will stand by my words and this is why..

I have realized and understood that when my “outer space” is in a mess.. my “inner space” is in a bigger mess! I cannot function in chaos and need order in my life! Those of you who know me well will testify to this and know that when I say I’m cleaning up my cupboard.. all is NOT well in my world!

Impossible to believe but true.. half the year is over already and the pandemic ensures that we still have plenty of challenges ahead.. but staying happy in the head and heart should be on topmost priority every single day!

Most importantly, remember that only YOU know which therapy works best for you.. and WHEN you need it! Spend some quiet time with yourself.. analyze and understand what YOUR special happiness therapy is.. and make sure you do it.. and overdo it.. as much as you can! Do feel free to share it with others too.. just keep spreading the happiness!!

 

 

 

Dabbawallas in the 2020 pandemic

Hello everyone! This is the video shot and compiled by my immensely talented cousin Viraj-Sushi Karnik when we went to distribute grocery staples to the dabbawallas last Saturday!

Thank you once again to each and every one of you who supported this cause with money.. care.. concern.. time.. advice.. and most of all.. kept the faith that this WOULD definitely happen!

MUST make a special mention about my grocer Tinubhai.. when I went to his shop to collect the hard copy bills for the provisions.. he gave me a sealed envelope and told me to go home and count it! Believe it or not.. he returned ₹30000 saying it was left over and that I should use it for my next good cause! Hats off to him for such strong integrity and faith in my good intentions!!

Am truly blessed to have the most generous and wonderful people in my life who are with me through thick and thin.. projects.. causes.. good times and bad.. heartfelt gratitude to the universe and all the incredible people in my life!!

DO watch the video.. it's rather nice!!

https://youtu.be/snoANoVjn6g

FEEDING THE HUNGRY – A JOY & A PRIVILEGE!!

Mahatma Gandhi once said “There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.” 

A simple truth of life is that it always looks better on a full stomach.. right? YES - for us who are fortunate and blessed to have an abundance of food on the table.. however, everyone is not as lucky! When scruffy little children with endearing smiles (or unkempt and desperate adults with anguished eyes) come up to us at traffic signals or in the middle of Bhaji Galli with outstretched hands saying they haven’t had anything to eat all day (or for a few days) we hand over some money or food OR ignore them as we see fit.. but.. there are others..

There are a number of people who can NOT walk the streets and beg for food or money.. simply because they were once upon a time the backbone of our beloved city Mumbai.. and have fallen on the hardest times ever thanks to the pandemic.. It is the epitome of irony that the people who have ensured that our entire city was “fed” should now be suffering hunger pangs almost constantly! This is a cruel injustice and shockingly, the government is doing absolutely NOTHING to help them..

It was distressing to read a newspaper article about their plight and made me feel that I MUST do something about it! It’s also the time of year when I start thinking of my birthday project (which deserving cause to help) and hence I adopted this forthwith.. it’s been a crazy number of telephone calls and chats but finally it is organized.. Ritesh (who is the head of the Dabbawallah’s Association is a young man of 25, qualified as an MBA and who is coordinating relief supplies for them) and I have connected with each other and spoken at length and it has been decided that we (my friends and I) will provide rations to 800 dabbawallahs who live on the Western Railway line..

The “relief staples goody bag” contains all this and is priced at Rs.1500..

·       5 kgs rice

·       5 kgs wholewheat flour

·       2 kgs tuver dal

·       2 pouches Sunday oil

·       1 kg Tata Agni tea

·       3 kgs sugar

·       1 kg Tata salt

·       100 gms haldi powder

·       100 gma dhania powder

·       100 gms red chilly powder

Needless to say, this would have been impossible without the tremendous support of my friend Tinubhai who owns and manages the wonderful Welcome Supermarket in Bhaji Galli, Grant Road (West).. He has coordinated with wholesale dealers in Navi Mumbai.. negotiated the best prices possible.. and is coordinating EVERYTHING.. delivery from Navi Mumbai.. sending the smaller goods from his shop to the godown in Dadar.. sending his boys to do the assembly line packing of each jumbo bag.. AND sending them to help with distribution as well! A very big THANK YOU (in advance) for all the help received!

Another big thank you goes out to my friends Sangeeta and Uday who have made a generous donation towards this worthy cause as well.. and of course my dear friend Kavita who couldn’t take the Rs.1500 out of her wallet fast enough as soon as she heard about the project!

As everyone knows, I have stopped ALL gifting and this is one of my pet projects, so if you would like to reach out and help the dabbawallahs, it will be a special and meaningful “birthday gift” to me! My accountant Rajesh has said strictly no bank transfers to be made so you can send me the cash or pledge it now and give it to me whenever we meet next! This is the biggest donation I have ever committed to (Rs.12,00,000 of which Sangeeta and Uday have given Rs.50,000) so anything else that comes in will be very welcome!

A number of you who read my blog always tell me it brings you tremendous joy.. and now this is an opportunity to bring a little joy to the people who really need it!

P.S. Do post your names along with your comments.. it’s lovely to read them!!

 

LIGHT – IN DIFFERENT WAYS.. AT DIFFERENT TIMES.. AND FOR DIFFERENT REASONS..

 “When the sun is shining I can do anything; no mountain is too high, no trouble too difficult to overcome.” – Wilma Rudolph

 Am sure that Wilma Rudolph’s quote must have resonated with a number of you.. and you must have smiled and/or nodded your heads while reading.. and thought to yourselves “this is so true!” We who experience a true Indian summer in all its might and glory (including me) DO grumble about how “it’s too hot.. it’s SO sunny.. the sun is “biting” me..” etc.. Having said that.. we all still accept and acknowledge (including doctors) the light of the sun has amazing healing and helping properties!

So this is the reason for today’s blog..

The building I live in is undergoing major structural repairs for a while now and all my windows had been boarded up for close to 4 months.. it was maddening to have to use electric light during the daytime and there were days when I was really grouchy! It was also extremely disorienting to be in stygian darkness at night.. thanks to which my waking up time and morning body clock went beserk! I was waking up at 5 am one day.. 9 am another.. and once as late as 11 am.. when my helper came to check on why I wasn’t awake YET! (I suspect she thought I had finally swiped my one-way ticket and gone to meet my maker!!)

 When I came out of my shower yesterday, something immediately struck me as different and beautiful in my bedroom! I stepped into my room to see it brightly bathed in a beautiful golden light (also thanks to the yellow sacking material covering the scaffolding) and what a gorgeous uplifting sight it was! Even though I had to look THROUGH the sacking, at least I could see the trees and clouds outside.. people walking on the road.. and THAT was a truly magical feeling! There was this incredible sense of “lightness”.. joy in the heart.. an ear-to-ear smile on my face.. and true happiness!

Every one of us needs light from the sun.. it gives us energy to work.. play.. see.. grow.. survive.. live.. thrive AND see rainbows!! Let’s not forget that sunlight is the key component in photosynthesis which is the process by which plants convert energy.. Electric light helps us to cut through darkness.. be innovative.. stay awake longer.. watch television.. and makes it possible for us to have longer daylight hours.. travel.. use machinery.. and the list is endless!

Light enables human beings to be magicians as well.. and much has been written about this.. let me explain what I mean here.. Right now.. more than ever.. there is a tremendous amount of “darkness” in the world.. the darkness of people losing their jobs.. of not having food on the table.. of friction with the family.. of being confined to the house (because of age or health reasons).. of not being able to travel (that’s me!!).. each one is facing their own challenges.. and THIS is the time to awaken the magician within you.. How do I do that you ask? This is my answer..

You can do and/or be any or all of these things..

Be “all sweetness and light” with the people you love..

Go light on someone.. be gentle.. try not to be critical..

Hide your light under a bushel.. be extremely modest..

Be the light at the end of someone’s tunnel.. be the solution to their problem..

Light a fire under someone.. motivate someone to take action..

Be a ray of light.. bring hope to those who have none..

See something or someone in a new light.. understand something or someone in a new positive way..

Light up someone.. cause them to more cheerful.. animated and excited..

Have light-bulb moments.. generate great ideas!

MOST IMPORTANTLY.. be the light of someone’s life!!

GRATITUDE - AT EVERY LEVEL.. IS THE ONLY WAY!!

“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” – Albert Schweitzer

Very well said.. and I am in complete concurrence with the above quote.. 

Gratitude.. at every level.. is the ONLY way!! As a little girl in nursery school, we were taught a prayer to be recited at the end of the day "Thank you for the world so sweet.. thank you for the food we eat.. thank you for the birds that sing.. thank you God for EVERYTHING.." Chances are I didn't quite understand the sheer power of the gratitude I was expressing.. but age life and experience have taught me a great deal.. and if at the age of 57 (and closer to 58) there were STILL things to be learned about this, the pandemic taught me all of them!!

As human beings.. we are grateful.. for comfortable homes.. food on the table.. secure jobs.. loving families.. understanding friends.. BUT.. there's so much more to this than the seemingly obvious! We in India are privileged to staff working for us (be it live in or part time).. and I am truly blessed to have two live in staff (Savita and Kishore) who have been with me for 31 and 27 years respectively! After such a long time, they have become family and rock solid supporters in any and every crisis!

Kishore went to "gaon" for his bi-annual reunion with family and he went by train laden with all kinds of goodies from the "big city".. despite my insistence that he fly back, he insisted on taking the train back as well.. He was quarantined at an "ashram" for a week on his return and got tested for Covid the day before he was to come home.. unfortunately he tested positive and it was terrifying! I was panicked because it was a crisis I had never dealt with yet.. was frantically calling friends and doctors to ask what to do.. calling hotels all of whom said they wouldn't accept a Covid positive patient.. Finally my great friend and family doctor Porus told me to check him into Krishna Palace Hotel for 14 days! The hotel staff was amazing.. the manager Bilkis Ma'am very kind.. they had a doctor who checked the patients daily.. prescribed vitamins and medicines.. haldiwalla milk daily.. "kaadha" daily.. organized a steamer for him at my request.. and nothing was too much trouble! God was kind and Kishore was completely asymptomatic except for a temperature of 99.0 on one day.. which was a mercy because he's diabetic! I was supremely grateful for the care he received!

He is quiet and doesn't say much (some people find him taciturn) but he has the kindest heart in the world and a fantastic work ethic.. but he's not much of a talker.. When he came home and we met (after 84 days!!) he came to me with folded hands and these were his words "I don't know how to say much because I'm not good with words.. but with folded hands I want to thank you.. Of course for the money you spent on the hotel and medicines.. but more than that, for calling me twice every single day and checking on me.. sending me fruit.. chatting with me.. asking if I was alright.. Thanks to you, I have gotten through these days and yes, I WAS born in the village and that is all very well, but to me.. wherever you are.. THAT'S family for me!" I was absolutely humbled.. in tears.. overwhelmed.. and gobsmacked.. all at once! 

Kishore isn't educated but he taught me a wonderful lesson and imparted some priceless wisdom to me that day.. and that's what I am sharing with you.. We need to constantly aspire to be that "safe space.. family.. haven.. and home" to whoever needs it.. and not just with money.. with kindness.. acceptance.. time.. and above all.. with gratitude! Gratitude to all those who make our lives happier.. richer.. easier.. smoother.. and more comfortable!

I have been practising gratitude actively and consciously for the last few years now and it has brought amazing rewards of inner peace and contentment to my life.. have met some really special like-minded people and learned so much from them.. have also made some progress on my own path of learning.. self-realization and spirituality.. It has empowered me to take some big decisions.. I have stopped all birthday and anniversary gifting.. we all have whatever we need.. and more often than not, gifts get recycled.. added to that the stress of remembering who gave what.. remember to reciprocate equally or with more.. It was just TOO MUCH drama! My friends were very happy to agree so now we meet without the gifting and celebrate the friendship or the occasion without any pressure.. and it is super fun!!

Last year, I also decided to stop ALL Diwali gifting as well.. fortunately friends and family were very accepting cooperative and supportive to this as well.. As a gesture of gratitude, however, I DID go to Bhaji Galli and gave all 27 employees at my supermarket and ALL my various and sundry bhajiwallas and vendors 1000 rupees each! Not a huge amount of money.. but to see those big smiles and glistening eyes made it oh so worthwhile! These are the people I chose to honour and show my appreciation to.. and the joy it gave me was and is indescribable!

Let's all start practising gratitude right away and transform our lives.. do acknowledge all the wonderful people and blessings in your life every single day.. thank God or the universe for them.. be kind.. do good.. and see your life change magically!!