RAINY DAYS & SUNDAYS.. how to spend them..

This blog is especially for my fellow Bombayites (sounds so much nicer than saying Mumbaikars.. right?) We’re having a super wet spell and that can be debilitating in the city where most people love to go out and party!

Are you feeling “rained out” and restless being “stuck” at home? How about you shift your perspective just a little bit? You have quiet peaceful time at home with minimal (if any) interruptions.. and there is so much you can do (if you’re so inclined that is)..

The first option that comes to mind is (because I am borderline OCD) to tidy up your cupboard and give away the clothes you haven’t worn in the last six months.. Victims of the floods in both Punjab and Uttaranchal would be overwhelmingly grateful.. and should you not want to extend yourself that far.. the helpers at home would probably be equally if not more grateful..

Another idea is to clean up the photog gallery on your cell phone.. we keep postponing it and then get stressed when the pop up pings saying we have used 92% of the space available! Chances are dim and slim that we will EVER (if at all) watch ALL the videos that come to us on WhatsApp! Most of them go to the Recycle Bin unopened!

How about you decide to step into the kitchen to finally make that salad or dessert or amazing paneer recipe that you’ve been wanting to try for the longest time? As my Dad used to say “No time like the present” so roll up those sleeves.. get out that shopping board.. and get to it now! There is every possibility that you will create a mini (or maxi) culinary masterpiece! It’s also the perfect opportunity for you nitpicky tea and coffee drinkers to get up and LEARN how to make yourself the perfect cup of your favourite brew!

In the event that any of the above options are too much of an effort.. you could sit back and create a few of your favourite playlists on Spotify (which you’ve been planning to to do since God only knows when)! Once you finish that you could also do the same and create a personal list of “to be watched” movies and series on Netflix.. Amazon etc..

Alternatively lie on your bed.. close your eyes and listen to songs about rain.. and be lulled into a state of somnolence to the strains of songs like “Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein” “Rimjhim Gire Saawan” “Ghanan Ghanan” or those of you who prefer English melodies like “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head” “It’s Raining Men” or the all time favourite “Rainy Days and Mondays”! What an incredible way to do not very much at all.. and so enjoyably at that!

You could choose to be conventional and make garma garam masala chai and mixed vegetable bhajias.. or be adventurous and go for a walk especially to get soaked in the rain (better to stay home and dry).. or be clever (like me!!) and invite friends over for a fun time of chit-chat.. yummy food and maybe some board games thrown in.. or be a good “planner” and get your “to do list” for the week ready!

Whatever you decide to do.. just remember that this is probably the last Sunday of the year so don’t waste it sleeping all day.. but do whatever makes you happy and brings you joy!! There is not right or wrong way to spend days like these so.. make those calls.. send those messages.. tell those stories.. just stop thinking about it and DO IT!!

As always, thank you so much for reading and have a fantastic rest of the day!!

 

GENEROSITY.. is so easy to build..

We are all born with certain specific personality traits.. and tend to thank or blame our parents for them (depending on what they are)! 

Having been a student of Psychology and lived for 62 years it is obvious that character traits like anger  can get passed down from parents and children.. but then again so can patience.. a love for food can be hereditary while a love for alcohol is not quite as commonly seen!

We often inherit physical characteristics from our parents like the colour of our eyes.. the shape of our noses and even their body structure.. which can be both.. a good and a not so good thing! 

I am personally fascinated by how every human being in the world is a distinctly unique individual.. and that too.. in every way possible - physical mental intellectual social emotional and spiritual..

The diversity in quirks flaws and perceptions is especially very interesting.. I like to believe that we are all "works in progress" and always have the option of working on ourselves to grow learn and evolve into better human beings..

Something interesting happened last week and I would like to share it as it was a major learning for me.. I hosted some friends for a music show and thereafter to dinner at one of my favourite restaurants.. When the bill came to the table.. one friend tried to ask if we could go "Dutch" to which I gave my standard cheesy reply of "We'll go Dutch when we go to Holland"! And that was the end of it.. or so I thought..

Somewhere it bothered me that she felt the need to even ask.. and it made me feel like the friendship became almost but not quite.. transactional.. I had invited them knowing they would love the show and the dinner.. so why did she ask at all.. We spoke about it and cleared it which was great but set me thinking..

My realization was that I have for the longest time had a problem accepting (because I am by default a "giver") be it with presents compliments credit or anything! "Giving" is actually my "love language" and everyone is not like me! 

Generosity is a wonderful virtue and especially when it is paired with gratitude.. and no one's keeping score! There doesn't have to be a rupee spent in order to be generous! Generosity can be inviting someone over for a nice home cooked  meal.. spending time sitting with a sick friend in hospital.. sending flowers for no particular reason.. visiting an elderly relative just to spend time.. sharing something beautiful you have read with someone who would enjoy it..

Generosity can and should be expressed through kindness and concern.. through food.. hugs.. handwritten notes.. surprise messages and relaxed conversations.. It can be shown in so many ways.. and you can keep finding new and interesting ways to do it!

In today's world we all have enough space in our hearts for a little more understanding.. care.. support.. time to spend with special people.. laughter.. light and most of all.. LOVE!!

Whatever you have to give.. go out there and give it to the people who need it.. want it.. are open to receive it and are truly grateful for it! Give freely and generously and be prepared for the tsunami that will come your way in return!

Thank you so much (as always) for reading and if you choose to write a comment.. please share your name before or after you write it! God bless always!!