Change the course of life

Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans. - John Lennon

.....or living life created by others for you or just living for others. 

It has been a few months since I left the corporate world. Whilst I used to enjoy my job, I wanted to break the shackles of 9 to 5 routine. I am loving my life so far, filled with absolutely everything that I enjoy and most of all - the flexibility of doing what I want to and when I want to. Like floodlights suddenly came out in a groping darkness. 


The other facet is like a riot has broken out. I have been facing other challenges since then - time management, discovering myself, discipline etc.  It's like weeding out thing after another which I didn't realise existed. But it's a self exploration journey to see what works for me. 


I am not sure why but people around me seem to have the perception that if you are not in a drudging,routine job and not paying homage to your boss everyday - you are not 'working'. You are not doing something worthwhile. Isn't living the way you want to, worth a while ? 


And let me tell you - I like to be my own boss is the biggest reason. 


I enjoy freedom, intelligent conversations, adventure, solitude, reading, arts, creating things, meeting interesting people, discovering myself, new challenges. 


Sometimes I spend hours explaining that it's like coming out of oppression of the corporate world and taking in charge of my own destiny, creating it myself. 


I love that I can create my own routine, fill it with things I always needed time to do. I love the variety of things I can get involved in.  To me, it's ultimate freedom and I am proud that I am brave enough to change the course of life when I want to. 

Merry Christmas !

The definition of the word 'tradition' is "handing over, passing on". Passing on something valuable - some great memories, meaning and beliefs. 

             Celebrating Christmas with a special family has certainly made me realise the true meaning and spirit behind festivals and traditions. In short, it's about having faith in an activity or action and bonding with the ones who you love. Having some fun together. Going back in history to reminiscence. Spending some time together and building memories. 

 

Appreciating each other and showing love. Hugging and sharing a meal together. We can make it as religious as we want or simply take joy in getting together with loved ones and having fun. 


That's all festivals are !
Hope you enjoy all the coming days just as Christmas is celebrated all around the world. Merry Christmas ! 

Life to me.....

is not about the colour of the skin but the colour of the heart,
is not about the bundle of notes but bundles of joy,
is not about the length of your car but depth of your heart,
is not about standing out but standing up,
is not about chatter but about conversations,
is not about pleasure but about happiness,
is not about racing ahead but about evolving in life,
is not about proving to someone else but to yourself,
is not just about my native traditions but my own values and beliefs,
is not just about liking but all about loving,
is not about owning a piece of land but conquering the world,
is not about the information but about the knowledge and wisdom,
is not about who you know but about who understands you,
is not about where but how you have grown up,
is not about what you want to be but what you are today,
is not about the gifts but about giving,
is not about being aspirational but about being inspirational
Is not about the nation you belong to but about the kind of person you are !


( I often revisit this note that I wrote sometime ago just to see if it's still true with me and it is )

How to make a simple Indian sweet in minutes?

Srikhand is an extremely popular dessert in central part of India, and I have several memories of hanging out with friends and eating Srikhand especially in the night markets in a city called Indore. The dish originally comes from western state in India - Gujarat. Made with yoghurt ~ it's an extremely simple sweet to make and yes it has sugar, but is much healthier than several other sweets. You might want to try making it...here's how.

Ingredients:

1. Full cream yoghurt ( Indian or Greek Yoghurt) - 1 kg
2. Sugar powder - appx 10-12 tbspns ( A bit more if yoghurt is slightly sour)
3. Amonds and Pistachios - appx 1 tbsp. (coarsely grounded)
4. Saffron (kesar) - strands 7-8 ( I haven't used it here )
5. Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp

How to prepare:

1. Put the yoghurt in a muslin cloth, wrap it tight and squeeze it slighly. 
2. Hang it and let all the water strain out.
3. Keep it hung overnight or for atleast 7-8 hrs so that all the water is strained and you are left with creamy yoghurt. 
4. Then put the hung curd in a bowl add powdered sugar and whisk it with hand blender / mixer till it gets creamy. 
5. Add kesar, almonds, pistachios and cardamom powder and mix well. ( Feel free to use any other nuts if you like).
6. Sprinkle saffron strands and garnish with sliced almonds & pistachios.
7. Serve chilled. 

Variation: 

If you like you can add mango pulp, apple pulp, strawberries - pulped or chopped, to give it that fruity flavour. I just like it plain !! 

Do you suck the energy or pass some on?

I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet.  ~Ancient Persian Saying

Attitude is really the key to a happy life. 

To those endless opportunities that we may miss while we are busy whinging and whining. When I was growing up, dad always reinforced how simply looking at the brighter side will mean attracting the same abundance. 

And I believe it's true. 

While we are busy complaining, dreaming about what we don't have ~ life's clock keep ticking. We attract negativity, and everything seems to spiral down. We receive love when we stand with open arms, open eyes and open heart. Childlike innocence in heart keeps the life so vibrant and alive. 

I truly believe that "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder" and it's upto us to look at what we want to look at. 

I feel blessed to have such a husband, also my crtique who quickly brings me back to the positive state if ever my hormones kick in and I start to get jealous, envious or negative. It's more important to recognise that state and fix it rather than forcing not to ever feel any of those emotions. 

I am happy at this point, and I will be happy with what I get in future which will be even better.

Life to you !