WHEN THE WEATHER IS SULTRY.. BE DESULTORY!

Mumbai is having a real humdinger of a summer this year.. the way it usually does.. I.. for one.. am exasperated with everyone perpetually mouthing the same three little (and highly unromantic) words “It’s so hot”! You know what? We are in the month of May.. and it is SUPPOSED to be hot.. sweaty and sultry.. So now what?! DEAL with it!

Energy levels are low.. enthusiasm levels are even lower.. and you’re borderline exhausted all the time! What is the best thing to do? When the weather is sultry.. BE desultory! I rarely preach what I haven’t practised and this blog is no exception to the rule..

After a fairly hectic and tiring week of socializing.. running innumerable errands and a bit of travel thrown in.. last night I decided that THIS Sunday I would be desultory! People who know me well accuse me (with a fair amount of truth) of being “hyper and on the go all the time” and I accept that to be the truth.. and decided to take a break!

I texted my one and only “last minute plan making” friend last night and said I just wanted to be with myself today.. instructed my staff NOT to disturb or wake me up this morning and went to sleep around midnight.. An unwelcome thirst urge woke me up at 5:30 and I promptly retreated under the covers only to surface at a joyous 9:40 am.. which is an inexpressible joy for someone who surfaces between 5 and 6 am on a daily basis otherwise!

There was no pressing “to do” list today.. but after a healthy breakfast I showered.. washed my hair.. and decided to lounge around the house in a nightie all day! Man Friday had been casting reproachful looks at me all week conveying his wordless disapproval of the chaotic state of my handbag and sundries cupboard.. I decided to pay heed and ease his misery so asked him to empty half of it and place the contents on my bed.. and almost had a minor heart attack when I saw HOW MUCH STUFF needed to be sifted through.. sorted and put away! Calmed myself down and got started and it was all done in a little over an hour.. and the feeling of ACHIEVEMENT when I finished was reward enough!

After a simple lunch I ambled around the house tidying up a few things here and there and then promptly went to sleep! To wake up knowing that you don’t HAVE to do anything or meet anyone is such a lovely feeling.. and this is what sultry (rainy muggy and cool) Sundays are made for! The whole sense of not making a plan.. not having a plan.. and doing the things that you like is so enjoyable!

A number of us are compulsively hell bent upon packing our week with work.. socializing.. running errands.. and “catching up” with things and people.. but I strongly urge you to try the method of “When the weather is sultry.. be desultory” at least one Sunday in the month.. it is an amazingly relaxing restorative and rejuvenating experience!

Having done something somewhat constructive and meaningful (by writing this blog) I will now make my way to the refrigerator for a glass of refreshing and rehydrating chilled coconut water.. and await your responses and comments on the blog (with your names at the end please)!

Have a wonderfully plan-free Sunday evening and as always.. thank you for your patience in reading!

 

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.. to the one inside each one of us!!

Mother's Day.. another year has rolled by and it's here once more!

It's a dream day for Hallmark.. American Greetings.. Satyam Collections and a number of marketing professionals.. florists.. beauty salons.. spas and chocolatiers.. Cash registers are ringing incessantly and tokens of displaying love are being sold! The most sacred relationship in the world is shamelessly commercialized and everyone's participating.. be it out of love guilt and a host of other reasons.. Good luck and God bless to both.. the givers and receivers.. but this year I have a slightly different take on the whole concept of Mother's Day..

Who is a mother? A mother is someone who gives us complete acceptance and unconditional love.. the deepest understanding.. the one who is never judgemental.. who forgives mistakes and misbehaviour time after time.. who gently explains the difference between right and wrong.. A mother is the person who feeds your body mind and soul with positive thoughts.. who nurtures you and picks you up every time you stumble and fall.. who protects you from danger and negativity to keep you safe at all levels.. 

A mother is the person who has full faith in you and your capabilities and always believes that you're the best.. and definitely better than all the rest! She is your champion.. fan.. and your best friend.. philosopher and guide.. She is the one who brought you into the world and your lives are inextricably linked with a super strong and enduring bond of love! She listens to all your problems and challenges patiently.. motivates you to do your best and gives you the best advice which is exactly what you need to hear.. She is the one who stays awake all night when you are sick and doesn't rest until you recover.. and is selfless to the core!

A mother is a disciplinarian.. a moral compass.. a shining light.. a sheet anchor in times of difficulty and a beacon of enduring love who makes our lives worthwhile.. She is the one who holds us together when we are falling apart and feels our pain as deeply as we do.. She is the one whose heart breaks when we have tears in our eyes.. and loves us more than is humanly possible to! She is our reason for being.. our wellspring of life.. and wears so many hats and does so much for us.. and we instinctively turn to her for guidance in every situation we and our families may face!

We depend on her for everything and she is the centre of our universe.. but time is relentless and marches on.. health problems develop.. mothers age and get tired.. the bodies slow down.. and sometimes the mind does as well.. She forgets things.. slowly is unable to support herself mentally and physically.. and ultimately.. the body gives up and she is no more.. Your world falls apart and you wonder how you will live without her.. you call her on speed dial.. only to realize that now you're on your own.. 

Devastated? Don't be.. you are your mother's child and she has passed on all her wisdom to you.. if you have chosen to receive it.. You have her strength resilience and spirit which is the wonderful legacy she has left you..  She has left because she knew you were ready to "awaken the mother inside you" and you were capable of living your life on your own.. with all the knowledge and skills you needed..

Your greatest tribute and deepest gratitude to your mother on Mother's Day is simply.. to BE everything to yourself that she was to you! Find it within yourself to cope with whatever life throws at you.. hold steady.. keep believing in yourself.. remain inspired by the memories and create your own legacy by being a nurturing loving "mother" to yourself and to the people you love in life.. friends.. and everyone who is hurting and going through their own "storm"! 

After all.. a mother's love is magical and we all need it!!

Happy Mother's Day to you!!