What's So Good!?

What is something you are really good at doing?

I do not feel very comfortable writing on this prompt. But I guess this is the reaction of most people when they have to highlight their positive points. There are those confident souls who would not hesitate to answer this and would sum up their pros beautifully and articulately.

Me? I am thinking if there is anything that I am good at doing. I am a good reader, that I can say with pride. I have been a reader since I was eight years old, I think. This is something that I have done consistently over the years. No matter how many tasks I have to do in a day, I always ensure to keep some time for reading.

People have been kind enough to say that they like my write-ups. Personally I feel there is a large scope for improvement. I have been writing since a decade now. I feel that I have come a long way from my first ever write-up. Although there are many miles ahead, I am grateful for where I am today when it comes to my writing.

Sadly I can think of only these two things that I feel I am good at. May be when I return to this prompt after some years, I will have many more things to write about! 

A Nostalgic Trip Down Memory Lane!

Imagine you have a time-machine. Which era or time-period you will travel to, and what will you do there?

Only one answer comes to my mind for this prompt. I would like to go back to the 90s, because for me, that was the best decade of my life.

As a millennial, I got to spend my teens in the 90s and I am so grateful for that. I feel life was leisurely even though it didn't feel so at that time. There was this awesome sense of wonder which required very less to manifest. 

Although there are many things that I love about the 90s, some stand out prominently.

I loved the community spirit that existed at that time. My childhood home was in an apartment where there were around 50 flats with 12 flats in one floor itself. The doors were never closed in any flat. Neighbours often checked in with each other. There were no secrets among families. Every neighbour was well acquainted with each other's entire family line and relatives. There was this feeling of having many people to look after you. 

The 90s were the time when I spent most of my days with my two childhood friends. We would either study together, or hang out in each other's homes or spend the evenings at the terrace. There was so much to talk about! We continued doing this till we graduated and got jobs. If I could travel back time, I would want to return to this time when there were friends in my life.

Most of all, I wish to return to the 90s because that was a time when life was full of possibilities and chances. There was a lot of positivity then. Today the days bring in chaos, worries and anxiety, something which was unfamiliar during my younger days. I would like to have the same level of confidence and optimism that I had then. 

Perhaps it is possible to live the same carefree life of the 90s. With this hope, I try to add as much activities of my yesteryears as I can. I read the newspapers even though there are several apps that can bring us the news in an instant. There is comfort in holding an actual newspaper in hand and read the articles. I play devotional songs in the morning. Although there is no tape-recorder in the house, I play the songs on TV to get a feel of those blissful mornings of my childhood when the dawn was ushered in with the divine Suprabhatam sung by MS Subbalakshmi. I watch some serials on TV just to get a feel of watching TV with the entire family like I used to do in my childhood. I try to spend some time outdoors by going on evening walks with a friend. It brings back memories of all the evenings spent with my childhood friends either at the entrance of the building where we used to live, or at the terrace, or out  on the streets where if one wanted to buy something, the entire gang accompanied her. I watch Rangoli serial on sundays. I watch one movie a week the same way when Doordarshan channel used to air a movie on Sundays. 

Maybe it is possible to travel back in time if we incorporate the same activities into our daily lives, the activities that once filled our hearts with joy and warmth. And that is exactly what I am trying to do. 

Hope this blog takes you to a good time of your life and makes you smile! Do let me know your views on this!

Past V/s Current Me

What are the five things that your past self would love about your current self?

I have always leaned more on my past, often reflecting upon the perfect moments of childhood and teenage when life was easier and there were no big responsibilities, except for studies. Until I came across this prompt, I never felt that the present Me would have something that the past Me would appreciate. 

It turns out there are some things about my current self that the past self would appreciate. 

For starters, I am finally writing. In my past it has only been a dream but today, I am writing much more than I have ever written in the past. I think the past Me would really be happy about this.

I am learning to cook! The past Me would be flabbergasted at my attempts today because kitchen was a place that filled me with dread. Having lived in a large family where there was always someone to manage the kitchen, I did not try my hand at cooking until after marriage. My recipes do not always turn out perfectly but I am sure the past Me would be shocked by my various trysts with cooking. I bake muffins, something which felt impossible during my growing years. That has got to say something about the changes I have gone through, right?

I feel that I am more confident now. I have formed a small yet precious circle of neighbors who have become friends over a period of time. The past Me only had a handful of childhood friends and never felt the need to form any more friendships. Today I try my best to be socially active and to form acquaintances and friendship. I think the past Me would be really glad. 

Because of the many books I read and the spiritual discourses I listen to now-a-days, I feel like I understand people a bit more clearly and I do not judge them. The past Me viewed people only in the shades of 'good' or 'bad', 'right' or 'wrong' and such extreme labels. But today I know that people are good but their situations and mindsets determine their behavior, and that it is totally unfair to judge a person for their outwardly reaction when I do not what goes on in their life or what they were thinking at that particular moment of time. 

The past Me had a lot of opinions and would often voice them. Today I have learnt that voicing your opinion in the social media serves no purpose other than antagonize the people who do not share your view. I think the past Me who used to often regret after sharing an opinion/view would heartily embrace this change of mindset. I do have opinions but instead of stating the same to people, I just write a blog in my own site so that it doesn't offend anyone. 

These are just some of the changes that I have gone through. There's a lot to learn! But then both time and life are great teachers, and I am a willing student, after all. 

Looking Back And Moving Forth!

Write three things, big or small, that you achieved yesterday.

While this prompt asks specifically about yesterday, I would like to look back further and reflect on what I would call as my achievements for the past year.

Writing-wise, it has been a satisfactory year. I kept writing short stories for a writing platform, blogs for my own site and articles for an online magazine. I could complete a novella and submit it for review. I got started on my short-story collection and while it is not going as I had intended it to, it is proceeding ahead every day with a new paragraph. Somedays that is all one can hope as a writer!

Reading-wise, it has been a wonderful year. I read some really wonderful books published by my friends. I read a lot of books on my Kindle. There is still a lot of reading to do. I am most thankful to 2024 for helping me pick up my reading habit.

I am also grateful for two new routines that I added to my days - going for evening walks and journaling in the evenings. Since as long as I can remember, evenings have always brought in gloom. Some people refer to this as sundowning. Walking around the colony with my friend refreshes my mind and has become a much-awaited ritual of the day. Journaling has helped to reduce my anxiety by a great measure. And while journals are supposed to be personal, I share these in the form of blogs with the hope that they will bring some solace to the people reading the same.

Another year has dawned and there are many milestones to achieve, first and foremost being health (both physical and mental). It's all about making each day count, you know. When you live your days well, you will find a good deal of stuff to look back upon during the year-end. So, instead of hoping that we have a great year ahead, I will just say that I hope we all live each day well and make our own 'great' days!

I would love to hear your musings on 2024, and your hopes for 2025. Do read this blog and share your views!

Of Nature, Seasons And Sheer Bliss!

What's your favorite part about Nature?

When I read this prompt, I got really excited being a Nature-lover. But as it happens with me always, I find it difficult to talk or write about the things that really matter to me. I have been thinking since a while about what to write for this prompt. 

My favorite part of Nature would be seasons. I love all the seasons, although I love rainy the most, followed by winter. I find it absolutely magical that water falls down from the skies and breaks into tiny diamonds on touching the earth. There is nothing I love more than sitting beside the window on a rainy and cozy afternoon with a good book in my hand. I think petrichor is the best fragrance of all. After a dry spell (and trust me, summers in Hyderabad are brutal), when the first showers of rainfall hit the earth, the petrichor that wafts through, the first cool breeze of the season and the flash of lightning followed by the majestic sound of thunder - no words can express the joy of this moment! On rainy nights when thunder and lightning are in their absolute forms, I take warmth in the feeling of lying down on the bed, wrapped in a cozy blanket and listening to the sound of the rain through the window. 

As long as I was in Mumbai, I didn't experience much of winter since the city is mostly humid throughout the year. But Hyderabad treated me to cold mornings with the temperatures ranging from 9 degrees to 11, the fog that would seep from grassy lands onto the roads and the sweaters. I can count on one hand the number of times I have worn sweaters in Mumbai. But winters in Hyderabad make it mandatory to stay wrapped in cozy sweaters throughout the day. I love the slow pace of winter. I love the fresh vegetation that the season brings. I love the feel of warm sunshine in the afternoon that would last very briefly and would quickly make way for a cold and dark evening to come through.

Summer feels quite long to me. Summers in Hyderabad start as early as March-end where it is normal for a day to have temperature of 40 degrees. April and May are ruthless, with temperatures ranging easily between 43 to 45 degrees on a daily basis. While I do not enjoy summer as much as I enjoy winter and rainy seasons, I love the early and active mornings that summer ushers in. I feel fresher and more active during this season. I love the blue shade of the sky that is a typical trait of summer. Afternoons and evenings during summers are mostly nostalgic as I have spent these times with my friends during my childhood. I often think about my friends and miss them most in summer season. 

There are probably many more favorites that I can write about Nature. I am utterly amazed by the synchronization that is present in every part of Nature. There is a divine rhythm in every aspect of Nature. There is an unspoken coordination between every season that they follow each other.  There is a common force that flows through Nature, connecting every part of Nature to the Universe.

There is no greater healer like Nature! I keep finding ways to stay connected with it. And I hope you will connect to Nature and feel its healing power. 

What is your favorite part about Nature? Do let me know! I hope this blog brings peace and serenity to your day. 

Of Childhood And Happy Memories!

What did you love to do as a child? How can you bring more of that into your life?

Today's prompt makes me reflect back on the happy moments of my childhood.

I think I was happiest while reading. I am grateful that I am doing a lot of that today. I guess that is one item ticked off the to-do list.

I would like to have a sense of adventure, something that I used to have in my childhood. It is amazing how, as children, we lived in a world full of possibilities. There was no fear most of the times, everything was possible and there were no limits to dreaming and wishing. Most of all, we were always ready to try out new things, with no hesitation or fear. I would like to have this carefree spirit back. The prompt asks me to reflect on the ways that I can bring this into the present day. 

To be honest, I do not know how to get this adventurous streak back. But one thing I do know - to get a positive and courageous mindset, we need to get rid of any negativity residing in the mind. A clear mind will make way for the good stuff. I am doing a little bit of everything to have a contented mind - reading positive content, listening to motivational and spiritual stuff, meditation (of which there could be more of) and an attempt at mindfulness (I have a long way to go with this!). I guess I will keep doing my best and wait it out. Someday it ought to work out, right!?

I remember one of the activities that I absolutely loved to do in my childhood. On some days when I would be on my own and all my friends would be otherwise occupied, I would sit on the bench near the gate of the apartment where I lived and would simply while away the time taking in my surroundings in solitude and silence. I think those were the moments when I was fully aware of the present and was contented doing nothing. 

As the days pass by, it is getting more and more challenging to sit still and not do anything for a while. There is this crazy urge to keep myself busy, to keep doing something or the other. The simple pleasure of being outside on a warm and sunny evening and doing nothing has long passed. This is one thing that I feel all of us should incorporate in our daily schedules. Just a few minutes of sitting in silence and solitude and not doing anything.

At the end of the day, I think what we all need is to bring back the child-like enthusiasm of living fully in the present moment and seeking joy in the simplest of things. Here's wishing that we create and find many such moments and live them fully!

Do share your musings on this prompt and let me know whether this blog helped you in some way!

About Peace And Serenity!

List five things that bring you a sense of peace and serenity.

I love the word serenity. There is something very beautiful about it.

In the chaotic world that we live in today, peace and serenity are the need of the hour. Today's journaling prompt asks me to list the things that bring me peace and serenity. Here they are:

Mornings, Tea/Coffee and a newspaper to read!

I am a morning person through and through. I am at my best mostly in the mornings. I love the prospect of having an entire day ahead filled with possibilities and chances. I have a specific routine in the morning.

I play devotional songs on the TV. It gives a serene start to the day. While having my tea, I listen to a short motivational video. It really sets my mood! I go to the temple in my colony. I find it a very peaceful time of the day. The deities feel like friends now. On returning home, I read the newspaper. There is a column in ToI called Speaking Tree which features spiritual and insightful articles. I love reading them. I have been reading these articles ever since I was a kid. I used to cut out those articles and file them since the internet or mobile hadn't come yet. Then I have breakfast watching The Big Bang Theory which is a truly delightful series. This is more or less my routine during week-days.

On weekend mornings, I wake up early, attend to all the chores of the morning and at around 7.30, I have a cup of coffee and read the newspaper. I love the newspaper of the weekend. There is more to read! On Sundays, I watch Rangoli, a show of the yesteryears that shows both old and new songs. It is pure nostalgia to reconnect with my past while seeing a show that I used to watch with my entire family.

Evenings are a bit tough for me but the mornings more or less make up for it!

Reading:

I don't even have to add this to the list. It is an accepted fact that reading adds value to my days. I love reading books, I love reading my Kindle, I love reading articles on the net and I love to read short stories written by my friends. Basically there are very few topics I do not read about (politics, horror-write-ups, etc). 

Writing:

Writing gives an outlet to my thoughts. I usually write short stories. It is a tedious task to think and create the story but the satisfaction that I get on finishing it makes the process worthwhile. I have recently taken to journaling in the evenings and I find it extremely peaceful for my mind. 

Walking:

I love to walk, specially if the place is surrounded by nature. I am blessed to stay in a colony where there is a lot of greenery. It is sheer pleasure to walk on a road which has a canopy of trees hovering over it. Walking soothes the mind and helps to get rid of any negativity brimming within. 

Motivational and spiritual videos/lectures:

While preparing lunch, I usually listen to motivational video sessions of Robin Sharma, an author whom I greatly admire and whose books have often helped me through difficult times. I find these videos extremely motivating. Since my next activity after lunch is usually to write, these videos give a much-needed push and inspire me to give my best in my write-ups. In the evening, while preparing dinner, I listen to spiritual talks of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who really needs no introduction. I cannot tell the number of times Gurudev has helped me to get through. I find his talks extremely peaceful and soothing for the mind. For a brief period of time, my mind forgets everything and just soaks in the bliss of the knowledge and wisdom that only Gurudev can impart. 

Just writing this has been a soothing experience. I would recommend journaling to all those who are dealing with anxiety and other maladies of the mind. 

So what are the things that bring peace and serenity to you? I hope my blogs are in that list! Do share and let me know if my blog helped you in any way.