Always TRY.

Today, in fact just now this night I just realised that I wrote only a handful of posts on this blog this year. But hey, on the brighter side, I tried! :D

You know, ultimately that's what matters. Whether you TRIED or not. Maybe you are struggling to learn a new skill. Maybe you need to work really hard towards passing an examination. Or maybe it's something else. Never mind. Always remember to try. Even if it feels like forever, remember that every day is like a drop in the ocean. It counts.

So before I start sounding like some life coach, let me quickly write down some of my learnings from this grand year.

1. I am responsible for my own happiness. if I am happy, I automatically radiate happiness towards the people around me. Hubby, kids, family, neighbours, strangers. Everyone.

2. Every step counts. What may feel like a futile exercise today, brings rewards tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow :)

3. Empowerment is not just one of those fancy words. Empower yourself, empower everyone around you. You will automatically feel the positive vibes.

4. Every day is a new experience. Sure I have had my share of those days when nothing seems to be going right and I feel like going and huddling inside my comforter. Sadly on such days, vanishing is not even an option. Therefore, staying in the situation with the head held firmly high is important :)

5. Gratitude. This year, I have cultivated the attitude of gratitude. Work in progress but getting there :)

I have learned so much more, it is too much to even remember and write here. Through the peals of laughter that escaped my throat and through the tears that flowed from my eyes on some occasions - this year was iconic. I guess every year is.

What matters is what we take away from it.

As you may have already guessed :) I am wrapping up this year on my blog with today's post. We are now a fortnight away from waving goodbye to 2015.

Adieu 2015 and here's to a rocking new year 2016. Cheers to more real friendships, more gadget-free times, enjoying with the kids, more travel, and more of understanding myself along the way.






 

Cloud watching :)

On my flight back from Bangalore to Abu Dhabi last week, I was admiring some beautiful cloud formations . They seemed surreal and so beautiful !! :)

Enjoy the pics!

Thinking positive

It's almost the end of 2015. Time to wrap up the year now, analyse the moments and absorb the goodness whilst chucking out the negativity.

If there's one thing I learned this year then it is the power of positive thinking. Oh I know what you must be imagining (What a cliche, everyone says it all the time). If you have been doing it then you know what I mean.

Live today to the best you can and infuse the goodness of today into your full being.

I was never a strong believer in these thoughts until I started to feel the positive effects myself. I couldn't believe that my unvoiced thoughts could actually impact the flow of events in my day and affect my perception of these events.

But you know what? It does. Positive thinking is not just meant to be taught in workshops etc and forgotten. It is meant to be a way of life. And for a good reason.

For example, I am not at all a morning person. I find it very difficult to wake up and function at very early hours. However due to the schedules at home with the kids, I don't have a choice. So I try and infuse a bit of happiness into my morning routine by either observing the birds outside or marvelling at the rising sun and watching some reflections before I enter the kitchen. It really makes a difference and makes me feel better.

Smile more often

Smile at your kids, smile at your spouse and smile for no reason at all. Maintaining a cheerful disposition makes you feel good from the inside. If you can't think of even one thing that makes you smile then gosh, you aren't really looking at the brighter side of life. Smiling does not make our troubles vanish but it makes them easier to bear.

Many things in life are out of our control

Dwelling on these things will only make us sadder. Instead, think of what you are grateful for and keep reminding yourself of this. If it is in our hands then we should work on changing it, else set it aside.


It is very difficult to think positive all the time but believe me when I say that I have met people who really manage it 24x7. So it is not impossible. Just try and I guarantee you will feel a sense of inner healing and happiness.

After all, our happiness impacts our health and we should always strive to be happy by ourselves and not depend on the rest of the world.

Can money buy real happiness?

A couple of months ago, I was a part of this online debate about money vs happiness. Can money buy happiness? I had documented my views here on my laptop before posting it online and just today I stumbled upon it. Before deleting, I thought of putting it right up here on my blog to share it with my dear readers :)

Here goes!

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Money cannot buy real happiness. It can only be a means to attain happiness that is derived through the acquisition of material things. But there is no end to it and it is a vicious circle. If someone thinks that acquiring the latest designs in clothes, shoes etc or the latest gadgets will make them happier, then they are completely mistaken. In fact, it will make them unhappier because these brands will soon release newer designs and bigger gadgets. In a few months, these gadgets would be obsolete.

 

The simplest things that make us happy in life are FREE. Sharing a cup of coffee with a loved one, watching the sun set, feeling the cool breeze on your face, watching an animal cuddle its little one, hearing a baby's laughter - these are just a few.

 

At the same time, we cannot rule out that money is important in life and it helps us live a better quality of life. It would help us afford a bigger apartment, a better school for our children and of course savings for a better future. One thing is for sure: Money is always enough for our needs but it is never enough for our greed. Real happiness lies in the intangible elements of our life - those which we cannot see, only what we can experience.

 

A mega millionnaire living in the biggest mansion could indeed admit that he is happy because of all the money he has and the entourage of staff that waits on him and attends to his every need. But what brings an instant smile on his face? I will tell you : It could be during a journey where he is passing by that hole-in-the-wall eatery where he went with his college classmates - where they made memories when noone had the money. He would be genuinely happy from his heart while eating food cooked by his mother with a lot of love, and laughing with his siblings.

 

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So dear reader, tell me. Does money make you happy? If you had lesser money in your pocket today than you did yesterday; would you still be equally happy? Do you know how to make each day a happy one, regardless of the material comforts you may have that day? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you have hit the bulls-eye :)

 

 

 

 

Parenting challenges : Dealing with your child's public meltdowns

There was this really interesting topic being discussed on an online forum that I am a part of, just last week.

Q: How do you deal with your child's very loud tantrum in public : Especially if it on a flight where you can't even move out anywhere?

Here is what I wrote :)

I feel envious of all parents who have calm and composed kids on whom traditional parenting strategies have worked. We also thought all kids were nice and calm and manageable because Samarth was and still is one at nearly 9 years.

That was: UNTIL we had Sumedh. Sumedh is mostly a very happy and well adjusted toddler today but prone to bouts of whining and very loud tantrums in public :) On his worst day, we just keep praying that we are out of that place soonest!

We had to learn a lot for Sumedh's sake and I can proudly say that we are on the right track. Almost all of his unnecessary whining and crying in public has stopped because we have introspected.

1.We dont go out during his nap time and if we happen to be out then we do take a break when he can nap.

2. Main meals are always offered on time and snacks are always on hand.

Lack of the above makes him very antsy. We watched his behaviour and saw that  if he was well rested and well fed then he didn't really throw tantrums and scream as much.

Sumedh turned 3 yesterday :D The last 3 years have been quite a journey with him but we have emerged happier and stronger. We stumbled, we learned and are still learning.

The Bottom line: Every child  is different and it is up to the parent to identify the underlying issue and understand it. Children don't throw tantrums for the heck of it. They are sending out signals for something they cannot express.

Hot, Hotter, Hottest!

 

 

Middle of the year already ! June is upon us and how? The mercury is soaring here in Abu Dhabi and no amount of airconditioning can stop the fatigue from creeping upon us. It is officially that time of the year when we in the Middle East, hibernate into the comfort of our pre-cooled abodes and stay there till September :D

Talk about global warming. A few days ago, the temperatures hit a scary 50c at Sweihan in Abu Dhabi, making the UAE the hottest country in the world that day! And if this is how it is now, just imagine what July and August will look like. Hmph!

Oh and it is also summer holiday time in a few weeks from now. Maybe you are travelling to some exotic destination. Or if you are an expat then maybe you are travelling home to visit family.

Or maybe you are not doing anything at all and just staying home. Like Me. Yaaay High-Fives! Yup I am staying home this summer and instead having family over in August! :D Keeping the older one occupied won't be tough as he can be shuffled off to summer camp but I'm already looking for creative ideas to keep my toddler occupied :) water play included!

I look forward to lots of time indoors, catching up on movies and taking my kids to indoor play zones. Though it is really difficult because boys being boys - they just HATE staying cooped at home!

What are you doing this summer? Share your plans with me :) Would love to hear !



 

Milestones and new beginnings

How soon three months have sped past - officially the first quarter of 2015 is over. These first three months of the year have been so very busy in our household. Our older son had his upanayanam (janeu) ceremony in February this year - a Big cultural and religious milestone for him :) He already looks older and follows all his daily rituals diligently and it is so awesome to watch him do it :)

And as far as milestones go, the little one is not too far behind. Junior is starting nursery this upcoming month and Mommy is a mess of emotions! Oh why, oh dear God why?

The day I had waited for is nearing closer but I am all nervous and anxious. I desperately craved my freedom and thought I would do anything, just anything to get a few hours away from him but now that I am just so close to it, all I can think of is cuddling him closer to me and imprinting those moments in my mind.

Those days of him just hanging around at home, taking naps whenever, cozying up to mommy - are officially about to be over because now he will be introduced to structure. I am sure he is EXTRA ready for it because he has proven that to me. His face lights up at the thought of going to a nursery (because he obviously thinks I will be sitting there with him). I just pray that he does not cry too much and hope he settles in soonest!

In fact I think mommies have a tougher time settling than the little ones in question. Especially us SAHMs because we are just so used to a little one following us around, tugging at our clothes, asking a hundred questions and a combo of giggling and chattering endlessly. The silence is going to be unnerving at first and hopefully I will get used to it soon.

Do share with me tips on how you got your little one adjusted to the new environs! I am waiting to hear your story

 

Calming clouds : some and then more of it !

We got lucky and were able to observe and enjoy some beautiful cloud formations on our way back to Abu Dhabi today.

These photos were clicked near and around Shahama and also on the Yas stretch. 

Visually it was a treat of course, and emotionally I can't even begin to explain how it feels like to look at the sky. It is therapeutic! 

Clear clouds that suddenly turned rainy and then calmed down on one stretch : It was a delight !!

Don't just wish. Do it and start today !

 

 

In the early days of January in this year of 2015, many friends shared this hard hitting picture on social media. It has been on my mind ever since and I have been meaning to write about what it means to me.

 

 

 

Whew, what it spells out loud and clear is Don't just Wish. Do it.

Do it for yourself, and not for anyone else.
Do it not to make a statement but to make yourself happy.
Do whatever it is to enrich your soul and not because another person is forcing you to.

In fact, if you are feeling stuck-in-a-rut and bored in life, take stock at this very moment. What are you doing in life? Does your work define what you are or are you more than your work profile? What matters to you at the end of the day - think about it and write it down.

 

Most of the time we make excuses to supplement our weak intentions. If your intent is strong, then what is stopping you from doing what you wish you could do? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Small beginnings are worthwhile, no matter if they just seem like few steps.

 

When I conceptualized aRtsyuRmi (www.artsyurmi.com), it seemed too daunting. My baby was too small, I didn't have enough time on hand and yet I felt like I needed to do something for myself. Very often I get asked, where I find the time to do what I do. I feel when we are passionate about something we will always find little pockets in the time to manage to do it. Of course it is at the cost of losing out on a little nap time or it may mean fewer hours of sleep at night when a project is on hand, but the satisfaction outweighs it all.

 

I'm saying : Start small but start. Send out cold emails, conduct some fun surveys, analyze your market and be present out there. Display your skills to the world and believe me, everything will work in your favour slowly and steadily. It is in the mind.

 

Believe me when I say, God has a plan for us all. He only gives us how much we can handle. I have seen this in my own life and I can positively attest to it.

 

Have you made any life-altering changes? Share it with me, I would love to read all about it !! :-)