HOW WAS THE FIRST DAY OF YOUR NEW YEAR? Tell me..

The 1st of January means different things to different people.. but it definitely isnt "just another day" for any of us! 

For some of us it's an opportunity to make resolutions (which we may or may not keep).. a chance to "fix" or make amends for something we messed up on earlier.. a day for new beginnings or at the very least.. it's a day that we would like to like to make special and memorable!

At this point you're probably wondering how the first day of MY new year was so let me tell you.. it was absolutely magical and one that I will cherish all through the year! Did I do something super different from my daily thing? 

Not really.. but.. I had put some serious thought into the kind of day I wanted and so.. A couple of my closest friends did a dinner and sleep over so we chatted until we were overtaken by tsunami waves of sleep!

We woke up to a nice cozy companionable chat at the table with chai.. fruit and the classic Gujarati mainstay.. khakhra! Showered and dressed in record time.. lit a lamp at the altar.. said prayers of gratitude and left for a fun brunch at my favourite restaurant Mag St. Cafe!

There were two little boys sitting at the table next to ours with their father and I was absolutely fascinated watching their interaction.. He was totally engrossed in discussing the menu with various tastes and textures with the children.. and then he demonstrated very patiently the art of wielding a fork and knife to them.. He did it perfectly.. encouraging them and praising their efforts when they managed quite well..

Having taught pre-school children for 25 years I made it a point to tell the father what a joy it was to see a completely "present and hands on" Dad doing what would usually be done by the mother! He smiled and said he absolutely loved spending time doing big and small things with his children! 

That really struck a chord with me.. we need to remember to find joy in everything we do - be it big or small and never think we are "too grown up" to see the magic around us! In these times of AI and advanced technology it was so refreshing to see father and sons enjoying the simple joy of eating together!

We are a scrumptious lunch and after that walked around the corner to Sukho Thai.. I love pampering people who are special to me so we went for a super relaxing foot massage where we all fell asleep! 

I dropped the girls home and after all the physical joys were enjoyed.. went to spend some quiet time with my guru for a little dose of spirituality and some important guidance.. She prayed and blessed me and I came away fully restored in all.. head heart and soul..

There has to be a balance in every day so I got home to do some serious tidying up and rearranging of half a cupboard which I had been procrastinating on for over a month! THAT was my achievement for the day and now feeling virtuous.. I am treating myself to soing what I love.. writing a blog!

Today was a lovely mix of spending quality time with the people I love.. practising gratitude actively.. getting divine blessings and doing what I love most! The cherry on the cake is packing my swimming bag for tomorrow.. my tattoo has healed and I now have permission to go back to my all-time favourite place.. the pool! 

Before you go to sleep tonight.. take a few minutes to reflect.. and see how many "magical moments" you had in your day.. you will probably be pleasantly surprised!

As always.. thank you so much for reading and wishing you an absolutely wonderful rewarding and fulfilling year ahead! 

Happy New Year!

P.S. Please share your name in the event that you decide to post a comment! Thank you!

DHURANDHAR.. it’s about the choices we make..

There is a movie that Bollywood has brought us called “Dhurandhar” recently.. it translates to something “intensely powerful.. and that’s exactly what this movie WAS.. intense and powerful in addition to being extremely gory violent and chock a block full of foul language..

I didn’t go in expecting a fairytale.. and was told that I should just close my eyes during the gory scenes so I went mentally prepared (or so I thought).. The movie basically traces a trail of terror attacks launched by Pakistan on India beginning with the Kandahar hijacking..

The movie started and very soon the violene started and then the gore and it just kept getting more and more intense until it got to a point where one of the heroes (?) picks up a 5 kg weight from a vegetable cart and smashes someone’s head to a bloody pulpy mess with it! That was the point at which my friend and I walked out of the theatre and came home.. it took a good twenty minutes of sitting quietly holding hands and waiting for our heartbeats to slow down and our pulses to normalize before we could affirm to ourselves that “NOW.. all is well.. all is well”..

When I spent some time reflecting on the experience.. I realized that the film disturbed me perhaps a little disproportionately (because of my close call on 26/11) but also for other reasons.. I would just like to share my reasons here and of course I would welcome other opinions as well but this is a sort of catharsis for me..

First and foremost.. I go to a movie to be entertained.. The way I see it is that we all have stress in our lives.. so why would we want to spend money and go to be frightened out of our wits and be disturbed out of our minds? My idea of entertainment is a nice “happy-clappy chick flick” that has a happy ever after ending.. or else smething truly inspirational that brings me a message..

I am truly amazed at the number of people who have loved the movie.. the special effects and cinematography may be wonderful but SO GORY.. is it possible to walk out of the theatre unmoved and unaffected when it ends? Am told on good authority that the sequel to this movie which is expected to release early next year (2026) is ten times more intense than this one.. that that is scary!

I know it’s a very “guy thing” to enjoy watching violence and action.. but who enjoys gore and bloodshed? It was shocking for me to see the absolute depths of cruelty that human beings are capable of inflicting on each other! Maybe I am too much of a “softie” but I want to know what makes us choose to watch films like these..

We are pleading stress at home.. pressure at the workplace and challenges in relationships.. shouldn’t we be watching reading and listening to things that inspire us.. enlighten us and uplift us? Somewhere along the way.. these scenes and dialogues stay in our minds and play on our minds too.. and pulling ourselves out of those feelings becomes difficult!

Life is full of choices.. and all I want to say is that I choose gratitude.. kindness.. compassion and “karuna” over anger greed violence and cruelty every time! That is my “mantra and I believe in it so strongly that I have had it tattooed on my forearm so it’s an unspoken gentle reminder every time I look at it and am reassured that “all is well”.. The choices we make are what define us as human beings.. and that’s very important food for thought..

Thank you as always for reading and do please share your name along with the comment (if you should choose to write one).. Feedback is always welcome too and once again I reiterate.. these are simply MY thoughts!

 

 

A MAGICAL DAY.. is made of this..

 A MAGICAL DAY.. is made of this..

Daydreaming is always a fun thing to do.. and it's very interesting to know what people like to daydream about.. a big house in the mountains.. getting an unexpected windfall of 1 crore rupees and wondering where to spend it.. giving to charity etc.. Basically most of us daydream about things that would bring us joy and make us happy..

I believe that daydreaming is something truly magical and perhaps we manifest much longed for and cherished hopes and wishes.. wants dreams and desires when we do this! 

Today was a wonderful day that I would love to share with you.. I am in Shimla (at the legendary and much sought after Wildflower Hall in Mashobra actually) with a dear friend from Mumbai.. 

Almost everyone who comes to Shimla definitely goes to Kasauli for one of two very lovely experiences.. either a 14 course tasting menu at the much acclaimed fine dine restaurant NAAR.. or then shopping for heavily discounted bedlinen at the equally well known and loved Kasauli Export House..

Kasauli Export House is owned by the very friendly Sahil Sood's family! Knowing my default Girl Guide nature of "Be Prepared" I had spoken with Sahil from Mumbai to let him know I was planning to visit and he said to me "You can only come to the shop on one condition.. you have to eat lunch with me! Ghar ka asli Punjabi khana aayega.. bata do aap kya khaoge!" We agreed mutually on Rajma Chawal and Aloo Parathas and that was it!

We reached the shop at 1 pm and were given the warmest welcome with glasses of the MOST DELICIOUS fresh orange juice we have ever tasted.. in true Punjabi style with a dash of the much loved ""kaala namak"! Super refreshing and just what we needed after the 3.5 hour drive from Mashobra.. 

His band of boys overwhelmed us with a seemingly endless stream of dohars bedspreads bedsheets tablecloths and whatnot! They were extremely patient and smiled laughed and joked gently with us which was such fun!

After more than an hour and a half we met Sahil's wife Nishi and their son Shaurya both of whom were charming and very nice! We were mentally finished by the time bills were made.. addresses were given and bags were weighed and filled to be dispatched by courier.. and all of this was done super efficiently and quickly!

We were then escorted to a very small and clean restaurant for lunch and washed our hands in what felt like literally liquid ice water from the tap! Hey presto! almost like a magician.. Nishi and Sahil both served us hot Aloo Parathas with piping hot Rajma Chawal.. Boondi Raita.. homemade Mirchi ka Achaar and a scrumptious secret recipe Onion Salad with a farm fresh salad of white radish beetroot and tomatoes! Dessert was a decadent Chocolate Brownie with Vanilla Ice Cream.. of which 2 portions were shared between the 5 of us!

There was warm cozy chatter at the table.. lots of smiles and laughter and sharing of stories.. absolutely family vibes! What made it even more special was that I have met Sahil only ONCE in my life before today and he and his family were so warm  hospitable and loving! Tell me honestly.. who DOES this?? 

We came away overwhelmed with gratitude for the warmth and simple joy we had experienced! People have no time for their own friends and families these days and to take so much trouble for just a customer.. all I can say is that both of us felt very lucky and completely blessed!

We had a very nice drive from Mashobra to Kasauli and back with a very patient driver called Kishan in a super comfy Innova Crysta and even the Shimla traffic wasn't a dampener on our wonderful spirits! 

What I'm wanting to say is that there are magical moments that fill our days.. and if we stop day dreaming and see them.. acknowledge them and are grateful for what they are.. life will be magical and our day dreams will come true too!

Sahil Nishi and Shaurya.. thank you so much for being the magical blessings of today and wishing you the very best for your hotel.. can't wait to come and stay jaldi-jaldi! Always stay the warm generous and caring family you are today! ❤�

ARE WE STILL CAPABLE OF FEELING.. genuine emotions?

 Today has been a day of very mixed emotions for me.. and the rollercoaster really set me thinking.. There was the good.. the not so good.. the comfortable and the awkward.. the touchingly beautiful and the absolutely heartbreaking.. It reminded me of what my (brevet) niece who was studying medicine in Belgaum used to tell me – they could get sunny windy rainy misty warm and cold weather.. all in the same day sometimes!

All these feelings happening pretty much one after the other.. kinda of throws you off balance right? You bet! But what choice do we really have? We just get through the day the best we can.. and think we have shown sympathy empathy kindness compassion and whatever else the situation may have “called for”.. but have we done that? Have we actually been able to do that?

The day began and I received a beautiful warm and loving message from a dear friend who calls herself “emotionally challenged”.. she just wanted to thank me for always “being there and being a one-woman rehab spot”! To be honest.. I was overwhelmed and speechless.. and that’s very rare for me.. most of the time I have plenty to say!

Spent a fun morning at the club in the pool with my friends.. lots of banter and joking and such amazing camaraderie that I actually said a little prayer of gratitude right then and there! To meet almost the same bunch of people five days a week who are always joking smiling and laughing is like a “daily dose” of positivity.. and I am so lucky to get it without even having to ask! Whatever my mood may be when I reach the pool.. I know I will always come away smiling and feeling genuinely blessed..

This afternoon went for a condolence visit and this is something that always makes me (and a number of people) feel extremely awkward.. One is aware and somewhere obliged to maintain a serious and sombre demeanor.. and that isn’t always the easiest thing for me.. To me, death is something that reminds me of the impermanence and fragility of life and teaches me what the deepest level of acceptance really is.. If the person has passed away at a ripe old age, I believe that rather than mourn their death, we should celebrate their life! Am sure that there were people in the family who must have been devastated.. but life has made us very “matter of fact” about it and it has become almost like something we just take in our stride..

Having eaten a very sketchy lunch I was starving by the evening and my favourite roadside sandwichwalla said it would be a 20 minute wait so I went in search of something “nice” to eat.. Called one of my best friends and she promised (and came through too!!) something yummy which were scrumptious “dal ki tikki” and baked spring rolls! Greedy me and generous her.. she is always happy to feed people and also the only friend who I call “hakk se” and say I’m hungry please feed me.. and land up uninvited and so shamelessly! Wouldn’t you call her a blessing? I certainly DO!!

Got home after a super long and tiring day.. and my phone beeped.. it was one of my closest friends (and someone I love dearly).. He sent an emotional voice message telling me he had lost his favourite uncle in Pune.. his voice broke a couple of times and especially in his subsequent messages where it got overwhelming for him.. Finally we spoke with each other and I told him to be grateful that he still HAS the capacity to FEEL so deeply!

There are frequent times and occasions when I think we have become like automatons.. we don’t feel and even if we do.. we don’t show it.. Why are we so “backward about coming forward” and showing our true emotions? Are we scared of being judged or mocked.. or worried that if we show we are vulnerable, people will take advantage?

It’s time to get back in touch with your REAL side.. your AUTHENTIC self.. so feel it like you feel it.. say it like you feel it.. and show it like you feel it! You owe this much honesty to the people who matter most to you so stop trying to be the “Superman” or “Superwoman” all the time! Confession being good for the soul.. I feel very awkward accepting gratitude praise and compliments.. but am learning to do so with some amount of grace!

Please take some time to identify what is holding you back from being “real”.. accept it.. and work on it! We are all “works in progress” but what a wonderful world it would be if we were brave enough to be completely REAL!

THE ART OF RELAXING.. am learning it now!

 We are all different people.. with deifferent personalities.. different moods and different perceptions.. and that is what makes life so interesting!

Confession being good for the soul I must admit to being a hyper personality.. always living life in slightly "fast forward" mode and constantly planning ahead to try and make it all as perfect and seamless as possible!

Guess what? Realization dawned that living like this isn't necessarily the best way to be.. because by focusing on the next moment I'm not enjoying the present moment fully.. and that is a mini tragedy in itself.. 

Life being as unpredictable as it is these days.. moments of joy and happiness are fleeting and ephemeral.. and must be grabbed and held on to for the short time that we have them!

A very dear friend has been telling me for the longest time how it's super important to relax.. slow down and "learn to chill" and "just be".. I agreed in principle but never really put it in practice until he and his family (lovely wife and two wonderful children) brought me to the most gorgeous resort and spa for a three day staycation.. 

I was gently but firmly told to now learn the "art of being" instead of my default "art of doing" to which I vowed to try my best! One would imagine that to relax would be the easiest thing in the world right? Not for me..  

I had to tell myself that it was OKAY not to be doing something all the time.. or planning something all the time.. or talking to someone or making plans to meet or work on my "to do" list and stop being a slave to the clock! 

I became an honorary member of their family for these three days and have done absolutely nothing.. Have learned the art of relaxing and must say I find it very enjoyable! The highlights of this holiday have been the gentle teasing.. the deep discussions.. the sharing and caring.. the freely shared laughter and love that are such an integral part of family life and for these I am grateful from the depths of my soul..

This is the first time anyone has ever taken me away for a holiday and it has been a time I will cherish for always! Because all of them are so private I won't name any names but everlasting and etwrnal gratitude to all four of you PKT and N for adopting me as family.. Lots of love and God bless always!

I return to Mumbai wrapped in an invisible cloak of pampering acceptance love and warmth! It's not the amount of money that has been spent.. the room to suite upgrade.. the exceptional service and delicious food that made it special and an experience to be cherished.. it is the intention with which this invitation was given.. and the joy with which it was received.. One short life to live and what matters more than sharing time receiving and giving love? 

Gifting someone an opportunity and relax is much more than relaxation.. it is also a chance for rejuvenation refreshment rewiring resetting and realignment..

Overwhelming gratitude to you my soul family.. am truly blessed way beyond what mere words can even begin to express.. Who thinks so much and does so much in today's day and age?! God bless all of you and much love always!

Thank you as always for reading and do please remember to share your name at the beginning or end of your comment!

HEARTBREAKING & “HEARTMAKING” at the same time!!

Life throws all kinds of situations and experiences at us all the time.. and we are left with no option but to respond.. Most of the time it’s good stuff like a promotion at work.. maybe a financial windfall.. meeting a special person.. eating a surprisingly delicious meal at a new restaurant etc..

On the other side there is sometimes a plethora of stress with situations like major health problems.. death of a loved one.. financial losses in business or investments.. betrayal by a loved one.. emergency hospitalizations etc.. and so many other situations that I’m not mentioning here..

Am sharing something incredibly stressful that happened to me earlier this week (although sometimes it feels like a lifetime ago).. I was at my house in Lonavala having a super fun relaxed weekend with a few close friends and recovering from a rocking Diwali party.. Had gone to Poona to meet a dear friend and her family who were celebrating a birthday to which I was especially invited..

It was a lovely day but quite tiring and since I had skipped my afternoon siesta, I got into bed on Saturday night looking forward to a nice peaceful night.. Be careful what you wish for.. the fates had something completely to the contrary in store for me that night!

There was a knock at the door (which I slept through) and then my friend insistently waking me up saying there was an emergency! My driver came up with his mobile and Man Friday (Kishore to most of you) telling me calmly but urgently (don’t know how he did that) that Girl Friday (Savita) was throwing up blood and couldn’t breathe and what should he do?! We agreed that he should take her to Bombay Hospital (because it was the closest) Emergency and that I would ask someone to meet him there!

My family doctor (incidentally also best friend) them absolute gem that he is.. rushed there immediately and my driver-cum-right-hand Dinesh and I left for Mumbai at 2 AM.. The drive was harrowing to say the least because everything on the road except us was (seemingly) either a container truck or tanker.. We had to drive slow to make sure that the patient count remained at just one!

Doc spoke with me at least eleven times during that 1 hour 45 minute ride to ask for personal details of Savita.. choice of room and so on.. When someone has been a part of your family and lived with you for 35 years it’s a no-brainer right? I just said it had to be the best room.. the best doctor and the best medical care that money could possibly buy!

Reached the hospital at 3:45 am and crept quietly into the ICU to see her wide awake but exhausted.. on oxygen.. the monitors pipes and tubes completely dwarfing her fairly small being,, She apologized for causing me so much trouble and I told her she would be fine.. sat with her for a while and came back home to get some rest..

I went back in a couple of hours and met the treating specialist Dr. Avya Bansal.. an outstanding pulmonologist and more importantly.. a wonderful human being! He very patiently explained the situation to me in great detail illustrating it with a simple drawing! He was also kind enough to speak with my doctor and explain the situation to him as well.. Which specialist gives you this much time anymore?

We have been truly blessed to have Dr. Bansal looking after her.. his bedside manner is exemplary and he is a very positive and reassuring presence. He is both approachable and immediately responsive.. and it’s such a blessing to meet a doctor who genuinely CARES about his patients! God bless him, Dr. Vishwesh and his team!

Savita spent two days in the ICU and was beautifully looked after and shifted to a private room yesterday (can’t risk any cross infections)! She was grouchy and that irritated me and I was walking around looking (and feeling) like a thundercloud but a long talk with my bestie made me realize that I should calm down.. and I did..

She was nice and cheerful this morning and not grumbling about anything and that gave me the 180 degree turnaround in my mood that I needed as well.. Learning how to stay calm is the most important super power we all need! I went to the pool for a swim (after three days) and felt normal which was such a lovely feeling!

When I say “heartbreaking and heartmaking” I refer to two people.. Savita who was seriously unwell (possibly critical) which was heartbreaking (she’s my little sister) who is now making excellent progress which is heartmaking! My rock star Kishore said something very special to me a short while ago which I would like to share..

He came to my room (ostensibly to make the bed) and said in a very conversational tone“Do you know.. when I go to the village and meet my family, I feel like I am a guest and count the days until I come back HOME and to my FAMILY.. and that is here and you! For all that you do for us (even though we all get cranky sometimes!) and for being such a blessing in our lives (and I am saying this for both of us) I thank you from my heart and know that I am very fortunate to have gotten to work in this house and for your parents and you! Aap ko tahe dil se bahut bahut shukriya!

If that isn’t “heartmaking” tell me what is!! I am blessed and grateful for every joy great and small.. and always will be! Thank you all for your prayers and support for Savita.. it means much more to me than words can express! All going well.. she ought to be home on Saturday!

God is truly great and may His hand always remain on the heads of all those I love especially!

Thank you as always for reading and please add your name at the beginning or end of the comment (should you choose to write one)!!

TECHNOLOGY CAN BE A LIFESAVER.. and was today!!

 I’ve never been a techno buff.. and am actually pretty technophobic but I pulled off a major achievement today (by my standards) and want to share it! So there we were.. my friend Vaishali and I just walking into WINK at the President when all of a sudden.. my sandal broke!

Diwali evening.. most people at home celebrating with their families (including the local cobblers) and me with a broken sandal.. The staff were very helpful and tried to find a cobbler but there wasn’t anyone.. As all of you know.. I can be Humpty Dumpty at the most inopportune times and the last thing I wanted today (or ever) was to fall down!

Walking out of the hotel wasn’t an option.. too dangerous for me to attempt walking with my sandal almost in 2 parts! What to do? The young generation of today is so resourceful.. suddenly Vaishali said to me “Just call home and tell your helper to send your shoes down in a bag.. leave it with security and then use the UBER Courier service to bring your shoes here to the hotel!” How brilliant.. God bless her!

Sounds easy-peasy right? Not so for the technophobic yours truly.. but today I decided that I WOULD do this on my own.. It was a bit of a struggle but I managed and am super proud of myself! Today was a new feather in my cap of technological abilities and achievements! As senior citizens it is imperative in today’s world to have basic++ tech abilities because it’s not fun to be dependent on others to do these silly (but sometimes essential) things for us!

This was a lesson in more ways than one..

1)   1) Make friends with younger people because there will always be times when their different         (not better or worse, just different) skill sets will help you!

2)   2) Always have faith in yourself and your abilities.. if you think you can.. you will definitely be     able to..

3)   3) Be open to accepting offers of help or suggestions from other people.. you’re not always the     sharpest pencil in the drawer or the brightest star in the firmament for that matter!

4)   4) Know and believe that in the technology boom.. that almost every problem (with very few         exceptions) has a fairly simple solution!

5)  5) Embrace technology instead of fearing it.. empower yourself enough to be able to manage         simple things like ordering groceries and meals online.. calling an Uber.. and celebrate             every little victory (it’s NOT little)!Rereading the above list reminds me that this is a pretty         cool message and advice for the new year (tomorrow is Bestu Varas or New Year’s Day             Samvat year 2082..

Re-reading the above list reminds me that this is a pretty cool message and advice for the new year (tomorrow is Bestu Varas or New Year’s Day Samvat year 2082..

Wishing all those of you who celebrate a truly magical and magnificent new year and “Saal Mubaarak”. May it be a perfect day and one that heralds a year filled with faith friendship fortune laughter love and light!

 Thank you (as always) for reading and please add your name at the beginning or end of your comment (should you choose to write one)!