HOW PEOPLE TREAT IS YOU THEIR KARMA- How you react is yours

BLOGPOST 121

I have taken this quote from one of Dr. Wayne Dyer’s quotes and I love this quote. Everytime I read and re-read it, this does make sense to me and I love to enter into the gravity of it and understand it and want to understand it even better the next time.

All of us in some point in our lives have been let down by own friends, family (whom our world revolves around) and there is so much we expect from them – could be knowingly or unknowingly.  Over time, we do get possessive about people, things and situations in life.  We want things and people to behave in a particular fashion, just because we may not want to leave our comfort zone or be treated in a particular manner. So is this right or wrong?  May be right, may be wrong!

What if we expect less?  There is space or may we call it “THE VACUUM” when we expect less from others.  Use this vacuum in a positive way and fill it up with activities that you have always wanted to do, checking out places that you wanted to go, but never got the time because you were just engulfed in that small sphere that you had created. When one gives space, it is easier to breathe and you are also allowing the other person to breathe without being too possessive.

There are times when we do not feel one with the family, one with friends, one with office colleagues. I call these BLUE days.  “BLEED BLUE” sounds so energetic right? – Yayyy Cricket !  But when BLUE is spelled just as it is, it does not sound really good, isn’t it? Start accepting BLUE as something nice as it gives time to understand your own self. At times, being with oneself is truly enigmatic and exotic - try it out !

“Expect/Expectation” is indeed a heavy word and if this heavy word takes over you, it may not be always a pleasant experience.  When you delete this from your life dictionary, you are shedding a lot of weight from your life.!  Though, easily said than done, it works.  Wish it was true for our physical weight as well –hahaha – jokes apart!!

It took time for me to delete the “Expecations” and fill it up with joyful VACCUM, micron by micron.  This does work and it works wonderfully provided you allow it to make an entry.

Love

Rekha

p.s  I love every thing about BLUES

Speak to your Body and Soul- They are waiting to hear you out

This is just something that I have been thinking of since many days.  Out of the 24 hours that we have in a day, we have all the time to listen to one and all, our husband, our kids, our office colleagues, neighbours…. The list goes on.  How many times have you spoken to your own body and soul?  I haven’t done it all these years, but yesterday was something different.

There are so many things that our body and our inner self want to convey to us, but we are so busy in our schedule that we try and put it off -  No, procrastinate it, I would say. May be we could define our body as a child.  Just imagine the child has so many things to share to their mother once the day is over.  We try and squeeze time to listen to our kids, because somehow we want them to be happy and you can see the glee on their faces when they recite the day’s incidences to us.  Why not apply the same rule to our body that takes all the trouble to swim us through the entire day, week, month, years... 

Out of the 24 hours, even if we spend atleast 24 minutes in a day, speaking to ourselves and expressing gratitude to our wonderful body, don’t you think it will not respond back to us?  Oh! 24 minutes is a slightly longer time I agree, may be just break it down into 12 minutes a session, I bet that’s not too much demanding for sure.

I am beginning to realize this very honest truth and consciously made an effort to thank each and every part of my body to tell that I simply love you for bearing me through this journey, helping me do all the things that I wish to do and gracing me with the abundance of so many emotions and feelings. Had it not been for the mind and brain, I would never in this life time been able to savour this beauty called LIFE.

When I was doing this consciously, even without my realizing, tears welled up and I did not know why.  May be I had never thanked my body good enough and I am realizing it only when I am 40+.  But it’s never too late to start anything.  Be in a Meditative state is what I have heard from many.  For me yesterday, speaking to myself and my body felt as if I was in a meditative state and I loved it completely and it was blissful.

Love you all,

Cheers!!!!

Rekha

The Selphie Fever – Selfie Pullai (Tamil Slang)

Hahahh- yes, you heard it right.  All through our Chennai visits, we (oops to be precise Maddy) made it sure he mastered the art of taking selfies, because all thru the visit we have been all alone.  Clicking selfies is fun as long as you are able to click it in the right way.  Moreso, if you wish the backdrop to be captured.

Yes, we did it!!! Initially, the “so called selfies” only covered the plants, trees and the chirping birds, but with practice comes near perfection.   With hi end phones and gadgets, I am sure in the near future, we will no longer need photographers for the wedding and it will all be only selfie pullai photos. While travelling in the local today, I imagined this scenario with the bride and the groom clicking selfies after selfies.  Its pun intended of course, no offence.  Can we do without these wedding cameramen.  Obviously no.  The art of clicking pics has obviously changed.  I remember during my wedding, the photographer took great pride in saying that he could capture mine and Maddy’s pic inside the murukku (Chakli as we call in Hindi).  Creativity eh!!

That was no enough, so to say,  we were inside every SWEET – APPAM, ADIRASAM and even MYSOREPAK – hahahah.  Hey, but we loved it then and even now.  It brings a smile of course.

Wish the Selfie pullai fever was there then………, I can imagine me and Maddy taking selfies and the selfie pullai song being played in the background.  Agar bas chale, tho they would have ensured we even danced to that tune and I would have enthusiastically done those Bollywood steps and would have scored ten on ten on those.  Maddy I beat you on that!!!

More in my next blog!! Till then keep selfieeeng- Ek Selfie ho jaaye!!!! A selfie a day keeps insecurities away.

Luv

Rekha

Slaves to routine – Thou Name is Human

After the 2 week Chennai trip, I am back to routine or grind as people call it.  But come to think of it, this is what makes us and gives an identity to us. Every thing that we handle in our routine life, be it the smallest of things gives us that sense of connect.  The kitchen utensils that I handle, the feel of my gas burner, the lighter, the water flowing from my kitchen tap, the kitchen towel everything has a personal touch.

The morning chants –the ‘OM’ that lingers in the atmosphere, the agarbatti that I light up – everything combined has a beautiful effect on what makes ME.

My Chennai trip (rather I would call it our Chennai trip – this includes me and Maddy) was a mix of those magnificent temples from the Maangadu Devi temple to Kancheepuram to Pondicherry to visiting the Marina beach.  Beautiful memories of the visit and unforgettable memories of the time spent with my sister.  It completed our trip.   We enjoyed all the places, eating out at Saravana bhavan, Anand Bhavan and the authentic South Indian restaurants of Chennai and Kancheepuram. Initially, I was a bit skeptical of the bus travel, especially the long distance visits – the reasons for my thinking were definitely logical.

l was not quite comfortable with the thought of travelling continuously for three to four hours in the bus, more so because in Mumbai we are so much used to travel by trains. But things were different. I must admit that Chennai has excellent transport, especially when it comes to buses.  What about autos?  This is the next question?  Make sure you have done your pranayama and meditation first thing in the morning and have religiously taken your ATEN 50 (for your information – these are blood pressure tablets).  Arguing and debating with the autowallahs to even drop you to nearby places is going to take a toll on your health and that’s period.  Many of the rickshaw wallahs will clearly read from your face that you are not from Chennai and they know they can take you for a ride. Chennai being a round city, you will be driven round and round (without your even realizing)- the closest of the auto fares is anything between 100 to 120 Rs.  So guys, get ready to loosen your purse strings, if you are not ready to board the bus.

The bus travel was really comfortable thanks to the beautiful weather of Chennai (Chennai is beautiful between January to February) and quite pleasant.   We saw lush green fields on the way and the cool breeze blowing made me think that yehhhh, travel is something that is truly pleasurable.  The announcements at the bus stop and the fleet of buses that continuously ply on different routes are amazing and wonderful managed and definitely worth documenting. Chennai is known for its excellent point to point bus services.  Our trip to Chennai would not have been complete without getting the sweets and savouries from Adayar Anand Bhavan, Surya Sweets. Beautiful memories, lovely vacation!!!

Luv

Rekha

Hey Com’on - We are Indians in the way we think, look and behave.

Honestly, I believe that one size doesn’t fit all. Women come in varied sizes, shapes and curves.  Would we like it if we all looked like factory created products?  Of course not !!  What would we talk about then if we all looked similar and life would get boring for sure.  Just imagine if the same size had to be tailored by our designers – they would run out of business.  There is an entire industry that runs and survives only thanks to us.  So cheers to US.

I personally feel the zero figure is best for the Westerners who are born with that constitution. So good luck to them.  Hey comm’on we are Indians. We have the right curves at the right places and so what if our humpty dumplings are a little more visible.  So what if our derriere is a little more prominent.  How many of us love to look at Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj and not to forget the latest Kim Kardashian and wish for such bodies.  Many Indians do have that figure, but we at times are hypocritical about the way they dress. Aren’t they in the news for a full figure?  So let’s accept that BIG is also BEAUTIFUL.  If life has given you curves, Flaunt them!!!

The entire tamasha should be about looking confident in our skin and to carry our bodies with elan and grace –not to forget healthy bodies.  Why is that we need a Westerner to sell us the idea that curves are beautiful and we need to appreciate our bodies.  But better late than never, let’s smell the Koffee!  Curves with confidence are in and they have always ruled and they are the right places where they are meant to be.

I recently read Rujuta Diwekar’s book on Women and the Weight loss Tamasha.  There is something really Indian about her and I love to read what she writes mainly because she talks of eating and losing weight healthily – The Indian way.

Lots of Luv

Rekha

P.S:

Trust me if men had to see the same size and shape, they would get bored and of course the same holds true for women also.

The Autowallah

Folks, this blogpost is a slightly longer one as compared to the other blogposts that I post.  So please be patient and read on!!!!

It is hardly that I get late to the office but today was one such off day when the clock challenged me. I missed my 7.38 a.m Kalyan train.  Mumbaikars relate to timings like 7.38, 7.43 as the local trains are the lifeline of every Mumbaikar. 

I got into the train and could not see the usual faces and I was not very comfortable- I was late - I did not get the usual window seat that I get eight out of ten times. I reach Thane station and there’s an announcement that all local trains from CST to Kalyan and back are running slow- the reason – train derailment. Yes, there’s more to come.

Having travelled in the auto for more than two years incessantly and having followed the timings to the “T”, there’s a set of autowallahs who generally greet me with the Good morning Madam. So I take one of the autos-  face new to me and quickly tell “ Subhash Nagar – Lodha”.

I was as usual trying to catch up on the morning Whatsap with my friends and cousins and smiling at the jokes. The auto had just crossed Talo Pali – he quickly looks into the mirror and asks – Madam, aap kahan se aa rahi ho – Kalyan se ki Mumbai se.  I replied Mumbai se.  He seemed a fairly decent person.  The next question was “Aap office mein kaam karti ho”.  The story continued. He said that he worked for century mills about 15 years back.  Later the mill closed down.  The case was in the Labour court. The moment I said I am travelling from town side here, he felt there was a connect.  He used to travel from Thane to Worli where the famous Century mill was located.  He was sad that the mill closed, but was happy that he and his family were not starving.  I don’t know what that was but somehow he wanted to tell me all this. He even mentioned that he received a monthly pay of Rs 18000 from the mill, his PF was deducted every month and that he used to go and collect the money from the Bank. Ever since the mill closed down, he had bought this auto and he drove the auto.  He said he was neither sad nor happy to drive the auto. But he said he got regular income from driving the auto as well.  He said Madam, we had a uniform at the mill and I was happy working there. All mills at Mumbai have closed /shut down with multi storeys adorning the place.  I felt a little sad at the fact, but that’s how life is.

At times when I am super tired after completing my household work and also have to reach the office on time, I am frustrated.  But it dawned on me that I atleast have a place to go and work.  I thought about that autowallah, he was longing to get back to the MILL where he had put in so many years of hardwork and dedication, but he knew that he would never be able to get back to it.

The Universe sends us messages in some form or the other for us to appreciate and be grateful for what we have.

Lots of Luv and Blessings Always!!

Rekha

Slow down a bit Baby!!!

The famous poem “Leisure” by William Henry Davies always attracted and interested me even as a small child.  Will like to put it down below:

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare

How many of us consciously make an effort to take time and look at ourselves in the mirror? I was getting ready for my office and after many days, not months, not years I looked at myself in the mirror.  It took me back to school times when I had read the above poem.  When did I last look at my eyes and consciously make an effort to appreciate myself.  I had no idea.  When did I last look at the flowering plants and shrubs in my building garden. The part time security guard of our building Subhash uncle lovingly takes care of the plants and flowering shrubs of our building that even if I wish to oversee it, I cannot.  The plants are beautifully placed at the entrance making it a real pleasure to watch them everytime I pass by.

There is passion when he does the job, I can see it in his eyes.  I am one hundred percent sure that he must be taking out time to even talk to his plants everyday. He is eversmiling and Subhash uncle is one perfect example of what our corporate world preaches.  Love your Job!!

Recently, I came across a wonderful article on Slow down a bit mommy.  I loved it.  It just goes to say that we need to slow down a bit, drink our tea a little bit slow, eat our food a little bit slow, laugh loud, frown less, appreciate more, complain less, walk more, use our vehicle less, smile more, frown less, forgive more, hold less grudges.   

All we can save by hurrying is a max of two minutes. Let’s change the gear from the EMERGENCY MODE to the RELAXED MODE.  It helps everytime and makes life a little more happier and a little more smoother, a little more relaxed.

Lots of luv

Rekha