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!