Letter to the Unknown Reader Series 1 - Letter from Tranquility

 Dear Reader,

How have you been? Have you noticed how a week flies by before you can bat a lid. My weekly blogs seem like whiffs in the wind. They just fly by in jet-set speed scattering memories like fallen leaves across my life.

Last week I had been fortunate enough to fulfil a long time wish of seeing fireflies which throng the villages and  forest areas in Maharashtra just before the monsoon hits the state. The magical photos I had seen in social media enchanted me enough, to indulge in the experience. I had visited this place earlier but not in this particular season, so an off beat email from Native Place got me planning. A rustic, enchanting home-stay, tucked in the side of Pawna lake, offered a glimpse of this wonderful night time magic. In the hope of catching the firefly dance, we set off for an overnight trip accompanied by my bestie and her family along with mine. 

The lake by itself was calmness personified, its gentle ripple would seep into your soul slowly. But the owners warned that it’s very dip and not to venture in for a swim. I always wondered that a lake is like a woman’s heart. From the surface its tranquil beauty will never betray its innermost secrets. The pain, the sacrifice, the love which is held inside, froths out only when it gets touched by the gentle touch of the comforting warmth of another woman. The kindred spirits shine and dance in unison like two fireflies in the dark. And none of those stories are either earth shattering or dramatic. The web of conversation two women cast are everyday stories of morning rush, forgetful husbands, cooking of tiffins, and daily routine. But then a world of women is such where superhero like spate of activities are also made to look mundane, by their kindness, warmth, grit and intelligence. They make mammoth changes in a very orderly, simplistic manner without making too much fuss.

So sitting on the rocks at the side of the lake which was like a mirror reflection of the sky, two women wove stories with words, in warm whispers, sharing notes, laughter and tears. Both being reflections of the tranquility of the lake and the calmness of the evening. They wrapped the turbulence of their lives in most ordinary words just as women do.

So my dear readers, if you are a woman, cheers to your magical prowess of turning every piece of your world into ordinary, calm, life routines. And if you’re not, then look around and observe the magic you live in because of such wonderful women in your lives.

See you next week, till then from the shores of Mumbai hope Cyclone Biporjoy do not cause much biporjoy ( turbulence) in your lives.

Always yours,

Pocket full of life.

Letter to the Unknown Reader Series 1 - Free spirit

Hello Dearest Reader,

Hope the week treated you well. The summer heat didn’t tandoor you the way my tropic is doing to me. At times I wonder if climate change will make it miserable for us bit by bit, just the way we rampaged and played with the patience of nature slowly over centuries of human civilisation. Long story short, summers in India and specially in the bursting-to-the-seams; cities are not the least pleasant. 

In such a weather a group of like minded women decided to unwind on a Friday night in one of the quaintly beautiful Japanese restaurants in Mumbai. Shifuku as the name goes didn’t disappoint us either with their food, music or ambiance. The sushis and the nigiris are to die for and the ever smiling mixologist did churn up some wonderful mocktails, for the non alcoholic me.

Here I was in the august company of women who had walked different stories of their lives with elan, grace and wit. Each out did the other in the way they managed their love, their career, their home, their passion and celebrated their true spirit in the most unique way, only they can do. 

I was curiously touched by the journey of one, who simplified it by saying, “ Left home at 19, had live-in relationship twice and by 28 I knew marriage was not for me”. We rolled with laughter as she wittily mentioned that she’s heading to the capital city to be next-door neighbours to her bestie of 20 years. The best friend is a lesbian and living life Queen size, without being buried under societal, parental and self manufactured expectations. Such wonderful free spirits that roamed the earth makes it worth the while to embrace the stories of such kinds as you interact. I was so taken with the courage, grit and the faith in creating her own destiny, I almost bowed down in reverence. I’m sure the path must not have been easy. And her journey though kaleidoscopic, was lonely at times.

To such wonderful women who owns up to the life they created and flaunts their destiny like a crown, we owe the paths that are created for generations that follows us. Not that one has to replicate the journey, but the courage and the spirit is worth embracing a million times over.

Cheers to such powerhouse women. May you come across such rebel queens in your life. May you be inspired and wish you creation of your own kind of kingdom. See you next week. Till then, enjoy the summers if you’re away from the tropics. And my readers who hug the tropics, let’s pray for the rains to bless our lives.

Always yours,

Pocket full of life

Letter to the Unknown Reader Series 1 - Puppy Love

Dear Reader,

I have been hiding an heart melting secret for a week or so. My family brought home and endearing heart beat and we named him Mithai. This one came into our lives after our first baby left us for rainbow land. As I struggled to make space for this little one in my broken heart, which still had shards of grief from the loss of our last one, this little furry cuddle tiptoed slowly in.

Mithai in Bengali means a sweet which is also synonymous for Bengali deserts. And oh boy, this one absolutely true to his name, is delectable. He has the entire household running behind him, either playing, feeding, toilet training or cuddling. Plethora of activities keep us busy and more often than not we roll with laughter watching Mithai’s antics as he tries to find a foothold in this new world. 

He is like a Royal fool entertaining us always with his adorable face and silly mischievousness. The tiring exhaustion of a work day washes away as we come back home to him. He is our good luck charm who fills our life with a love and joy which is pure in its essence. 

Any of you, if you have a pet of any shape, size and kind will resonate my feelings of unadulterated love for this little furry bundle of joy. These gifts of God don’t grow up and hence they keep a little piece of your child-self alive on you as you struggle with you multiple responsibilities in this adult world.

If you do not have a pet and are not keen on having one, I will recommend you find friends, neighbours or family members who might have a pet. You probably can enjoy them from a safe distance, but I can guarantee that you will enjoy your time with them.

Wishing you unadulterated love of the purest kind. Enjoy your week ahead and hope you can de-stress from the hectic whirlwind of a life.

Always yours,

Pocket full of life

Letter to the Unknown Reader Series 1- Forest Bath

Hello Dear Reader,

Two weeks break is a long time when you think of the experiences that touched your soul, however in real term parlance it went by in a jiffy. Before I could even submerge my being into the calm of non structured activities which sustain us, I am back to my daily drudgery of normalcy.

As is way of life this is also an integral part of what we are and how we derive value for the life we lead. Hence can’t grudge them much though would very much like to immerse myself in the idyllic vacation mode which was a much needed break from the crazy merry go round which I happily ride along.

In this break I had spent a few day in a picturesque resort nestled amidst the Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. Given a chance I will highly recommend that you take time off and visit this pretty coffee plantation estate - Machaan adjacent to the wild wild forests of Nagarhole in the state of Karnataka in India. And oh boy, what an experience it was. Forests and wild always beckon me in their fold with the eagerness of a mother who has been away from her child for long. The rides inside the forest was beautifully wild, untamed and drenched in love. Forget the sighting of hordes of wild elephants or the elusive leopard, what enchanted me was how the sun light played magic through the foliage or the lone cuckoo, cooing away hidden in a canopy. The rhythmic cicadas played along with the barks of deers and the mommy elephants protected their babies as fiercely as any human mother will.

The forest seemed to drench my soul with a calm that eludes our city life. The insignificance of our existence in the grandeur of the wild, yet the invisible net which ties all of us together to this planet called home was evident with every breath of fresh forest air. The fragrance of the wild, enamoured me and the sound of silence engulfed my presence. It is as if you have taken a bath as you walked the forest and all the muck and filthiness which stuck to you from the pollution of frenetic life has been washed off by the loving embrace of a mother.

So my dearest reader, when you celebrate Mommy day, remember your mothers but also spend some time with this Earth Mom who waits our return in her embrace with all the love and patience only She can hold in its bosom. 

Hope this summer break gives you a chance to spend some time closer to nature, in whichever part of the world you are. Wish you a very spectacular forest bath which cleanses your soul with the love of the universe.

Yours always,

Pocket full of life

Letter to the Unknown Reader Series 1 - Shifu and her mistress

 

Dear Reader,

How has this week been? Did you manage to spend sometime with your soul circle? Was the week sunny bright and smelled like spring? The city I thrive in is going through heat wave. Like any other city in the  tropical summer zone, my city is sweating it out in a mid summer sauna.

In the meanwhile my five months of relentless whirlwind of activity finally gave into some break time. I’m writing from a happy place, simply enjoying the peace of the moments nuzzled in a cusp of a vacation. I will sure share my vacation stories next week, but let me give you a glimpse of a sleepover with my bestie. This one is from my ‘Magical twos’ and what a blast I had, yapping away to glory.

This girl of mine, is a mistress with a cat named Shifu. Shifu unlike the other cats is immensely shy and as elusive as fireflies. She shows up and in a jiffy vanishes in the thin air. You can only see flashes of yellow in the periphery and hear the jingle of bells to know her presence. Missy and her mistress were like chicken soup for my soul. As we shared our lives over nachos and hummus dip, two women went through life long frustrations, disappointment, struggle, joys, wins and combat mechanisms which we lived together since we were fourteen. 

Feminine energy is such a powerful one when you nourish it. It can heal, it can nurture and can empower another to be a better version of herself. These conversations are like homeopathy medicine which takes a place of pride in all Bengali households. These are cure for heart aches, to heart burns or heart breaks….for that matter these chats with your girlfriends can probably tackle even a heart attack. And believe me in a woman’s life we deal with such issues everyday if not every few hours. Us the feminine, represent the chaos in nature but there is always a method in madness. We like Shifu have a very elusive but impact full presence when we instil the magic of methods in the chaos of our realms. And a Queen is best understood by another.

To the women out there give a call, text a message, write a note or pop by your girlfriends. To the men folks, enjoy your time alone or with your boys when there is a powerhouse meet of the girl gang. Each of us thrive with our tribe.

Enjoy the weekend in whichever part of the world you are. Whatever the season, embrace it as this too shall pass.  Wishing you laughter, gossips, joy filled heart till we meet again.

Yours always,

Pocket full of life.

Letters to the Unknow Reader Series 1 - Magic of Twos

 Dearest Reader,

Hope life has treated you well this week. 

Today I want to share the Story of 'Twos’ in my life. I am perceived as very out going, extroverted, gregarious and sometimes an exuberant personality. But funnily enough the persona inside, is very different. Over time and life, I had constructed a shield for me. A façade which protects the truth, the ‘Core’. Life treats different people differently and we all develop a defence mechanism to survive. Some go into a shell, some become aggressive, some defensive and some melancholic. I have learnt to shield my ‘Core’ behind the 'Me' I created. The 'Me' which is relentless in its struggle to live a life of joy. A 'Me' who talks straight without mincing words. A 'Me' who will gel well with all and sundry pushing her way through the crowd to make a space. But I know the 'Core' who stands lonely behind the curtain of words, laughter and incessant life energy. A 'Core' who only has two folks from every walk of her life, closest to her. So let me share the story of 'Twos’.

My school days gave me two girls who are my soul sisters. We are thick as thieves and even today share our fanciest dreams and dreariest despairs. As my school days evolved, tuitions became a part of my daily life. In these tuition classes, I forged a friendship with two boys - we were together as we traversed the adolescent years, with fights and heart breaks, career disappointments and love lives. Time and life has engulfed them both and we lost touch over time. As I moved to college, I met 3 girls actually, two of them still form the sacred circle. Thanks to social media. I know if I need them I can reach out. Distance and time does hinder our college day girly chats but we know we are there for each other. 

Then started my MBA classes and again I found the magic of 'Two'. This time around, two of my closest friends were two boys from different corners of the city. But we got along like a house of fire. And till today they are a part of my inner circle. The love and camaraderie we share is one of the best gifts life could ever give me. Years after, I met both of them and nothing seemed to have changed. The banter and laughter from those class room benches and evening classes, from chats over steaming momos or arguments over taking notes stayed intact. These boys are an integral part of the ‘Magic of Twos’.

Strangely enough in my career, I have bonded closest with only two folks in every place I worked in. Both the stints in the corporate murky made me come across smart, intelligent and ambitious people. Some became my mentors, some my coach, some my peers and some my competition. However the ‘Magical Two’ never left my side. These two had fought along with me, smiled at my successes and grieved my disappointments. Faught the daily wars as equals with kindness in their hearts.

In my spiritual core I have my Dharma brother and Dharma sister. They guard my soul like soldiers in a battle field. When my mind is not calm, I seek sanctuary in one's household and in other's mind. I navigate this life in this mortal body; my support system, never too far away from me. My favourite mystical ‘Twos’.

When I am surrounded by hundreds, from all walks of life, I am grateful for being protected by my 'Magical Twos' in all the roles I play. They help me to keep my 'Core' intact. The 'Core' where words don't come easily, the 'Core' which sits alone in lonely dark corners inside her mind, on a sunny day. The 'Core', which weeps out her grief when the rain comes pouring from the heavens. The Me who no one knows, because no one dares to dive the acrid , pitch darkness.' Joy', 'Words' and 'Laughter' stands at the gate and stops all who try to enter. It is but protected by the 'Twos'.

I wish you 'Twos', 'Threes' or as many as you want in your soul circle. May you have you angels with invisible wings along your journey. However distorted your 'Core' seem to you, please know it is as beautiful as it can be. Its a creation of the Universe and beauty lies in its imperfection. You have a place and you have a purpose which you fulfill. So walk the walks and enjoy the ride with your magical number.

Stay well. Talk to you on the other side of the week.

Always yours,

Pocket full of life

Letter to the Unknown Reader Series 1 - HongKong

 Dear Reader,

First let me apologise for not writing last week. I had gone on a work trip to HongKong and my crazy schedule kept me on my toes. Though I dreamt every night that I will put words on the typing screen, they seemed to fail me.

Have you ever absorbed a city at a frenetic pace over a span of  seven days? The kaleidoscope of sound, light, smell and taste drive your senses to a plane which is difficult to explain. The love, kindness and warmth poured on me humbled my heart. My colleagues ensured that they gave us a home away from home which was difficult to part with, when the tryst ended. Overall it was a wonderful experience with a commingling of work and fun thrown in good measure.

Besides the work, food and guilty pleasure of shopping, I had the privilege of observing the cosmic connections. Some souls cross your path with ecliptic precision. Like on a pre-determined orbit, they come close, so close that you can breathe in their essence. And like every magical cycle of nature they move away, leaving behind bitter sweet memories. Taking with them the unsaid desire of “some more” of “something” which escapes trapping of words. The in fathomable emotional roller coasters defies logic, the exhilarating assault to senses defies imagination and the soul cracking pain of leaving, defies oft embraced norms. Yet they are there, nameless nothing that connects the soul.

Saying it, hope your life has been good. Do you ever ponder on the “nothings” and “somethings “ in your life, which words fail to describe. As we grow in experience, we see these more often. Bubbles of miracle! Let there be such bubbles in your life which will paint divinity in this mundane world. Till then, do take care and stay well.

Yours always ,

Pocket full of life