Life's Good!

A simple prayer I learnt when I was just 3:

"Thank you God for the food we eat
Thank you God for the world so sweet
Thank you God for the birds that sing
Thank you God for everything"

A simple yet such a powerful prayer. For there is no prayer, stronger than gratitude. 

And so is this infographic, which can put life into such perspective:

So, as I feel extremely blessed and grateful for what I have and have had over the last quarter of a century almost, I'd like to take a moment to thank some of the people who have contributed, directly or indirectly, to help me expand my horizons, get out of my comfort zone and shoot for the moon. This comprehensive list - "Wisdom from the fellow traveller", as I like to call it, includes stuff I've heard or read - from family, friends, teachers, colleagues, strangers, authors, actors, leaders etc; which picked me up when I was down, showed me light in the dark tunnel, pushed me to keep the fight in me alive and stand today, as I am today.

• "You are Beautiful" - Mom

She'd call me "ugly goosling" (just so I'd drink enough water and nourish my skin!) yet she'd call me "beautiful" more often! Such a short simple sentence yet with the potential to boost a child's self-image and confidence. In my late teens infact, while I was battling weight-gain and acne thanks to a hormonal rage, these kind words helped me fight better, right until I won "Best Model" at college :P

• "Courage isn't the absence of fear, it's the realization that something is more important than the fear" - School corridor

This quote came in handy when I returned to India and was thrown into the ocean of competition! So, when I walked in to give one exam after the other, I calmed my nerves with this one-liner and lo and behold! Before I knew it, I had interview calls to all the 3 schools in Bangalore I had applied to :)

• "Fear not to make mistakes; be bold. Only keep learning from them!" - Dad

The board exams breed such pressure on a student, almost like a do-or-die situation, and amidst anxieties, when your parent tells you it's all OK, it lifts all that heaviness off your mind and truth be told, I performed way better thus! For when you focus on the effort rather than the result, you can outdo yourself. So I surprised myself by topping in my board exams in 10th and 12th, and also securing the highest marks in the state, subsequently being awarded the "Vidya Bhushan". I was not born a prodigy, dad just made me believe I could be one!

• "Believe in miracles" - DisneyWorld

This one has been my driving force, gushing with hope. There is something so child-like in believing in fairytales, and happily ever-afters. And I ask, why not?

• "You deserve better - have some self respect!" - Little Brother

He's younger than I am, but he can be expected to come out with some really mature things to say at the right time. Be it acquaintances or friends, even near and dear, no one can ill-treat you or disrespect you, without your permission and the little brother would indirectly protect me, by asking me to stay away from such pricks! Important advice to make one street-smart!

• "You've got a friend in me"  - ToyStory

This is for all those people (they know who they are) who I could and can still call at 4am, and crib about stuff or just laugh together :D This is to that sacred bond of friendship that has your back, no matter what and lets you be your crazy self. To all those gazillion talks and silent conversations too- cheers!

• "Your vulnerability is your strength" - School friend

I think Life is about the choices we make, and the values we choose to stick by - our individuality is defined by these. Life might expose our vulnerabilities but we can choose to make them a weakness or derive strength from them. 

• "What you are shouts so loudly in my ears, I cannot hear what you say" - Ralph Waldo Emerson 

During my teenage years, during times of identity crises (child vs adult), I found 7 Habits... extremely useful; this particular quote within it's pages kept reminding me to focus on character-building rather than personality-polishing.

• "You don't have to care about what others say about you...!" - College friend

Dogs bark, tongues wag, but the caravan goes on - you don't have to give a rat's ass to anything that people say. They could be brewing in envy and/or anger etc. you just gotta focus on what you ought to do, and let them be. You might feel sorry for them even, but don't bother. Haha!

• "Hakuna Matata" - The Lion King

When the going gets tough, the tough get going! I can always fall back onto this one and strut like Timon/Pumbaa/Simba! 

• "When I ask someone out, it's for life" - Best friend/Husband

What a beautiful commitment of love for life. When he first shared this philosophy with me, I was reeling in a dreamy state, wondering when my 'knight in shining armour' would make an appearance - little had I known that my Prince Charming was right in front of me! I eventually got married to him and I'm living my fantasy, right now with him :)

• "And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." - Paulo Coelho, in The Alchemist

The sort of thing one needs to believe in for dreams to come true. For nothing else explains how I am at my happy state today (touch wood)-part of a supremely loving family; working as a doctor - a childhood dream come true; married to the love of my life - gotta believe my grandparents are wishing me well and winking from the twinkling stars above.

• "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" - Steve Jobs

Apple products continue to reign while one of his speeches still continues to motivate, long after he's no more. Through college life and the work-life that followed henceafter - this serves as a constant reminder to keep learning, unlearning, relearning. 

• "Always keep the poor/needy people in mind, and do something for them" - Grandmother

My grandmum was an epitome of unconditional giving and I hope I can emulate her ideals and do my bit for the society...

This year, we linked #SocialShaadi with Milaap and raised funds for causes we believed in - education and vocational training; I'm volunteering for the Society of the Physically Disabled; giving away my personal savings for healthcare causes like eye surgeries for children (in the name of Eka Shukla, who's turning 3 this month-end - a noble gesture conceptualised by her parents), and as part of the Joy of Giving week and my annual birthday ritual - contributing money this year round to (i) the United Nations fund for (Syrian) refugees (ii) a rural Indian village upliftment (iii) an old age shelter home in West Bengal (iv) an orphanage in Pune, run by Maher.

• "Not all of us can do great things, only small things with great love" - Mother Teresa

She remains a worldwide idol; an inspiration for community service. Emphasising on doing how much ever little we can, even if its picking up plastic covers from a park or helping an old person cross the road, little acts of kindness, go a long way...

• "I have a dream that my four little children, will one day live in a nation, where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character." - Martin Luther King Jr

One of those elocution contests in high school found me learning these lines by heart, and they have stayed right within. They ignite the light of compassion, for all, irrespective of external traits and inspire to see the divinity in one and all.

• "Be the change you want to see in the world" - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

As a crusader for non-violence and truth, Bapuji's ideals continue to urge me to be a better person, everyday. 

• "Be kind - everyone you meet is fighting a battle" - Ian Maclaren

Be it my professional or personal dealings with people, I focus on kindness. For we may never know what the other person is going through... 

• "If you're willing to take the chance, the view from the other side...is spectacular" - Meredith Grey, in Grey's Anatomy

Have some tequila shots, dance the night away and next day, turn up for work, go the extra mile, and be life-savingly awesome :D

• "Stay Hollow and Empty! Be Happy - This is a blessing and an order" - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

My tryst with spirituality commenced with attending the Art of Living Courses as I hit adulthood. The basic and advanced courses later, I find myself celebrating silence, being blissful in action and just letting go in complete surrender, at all times. There's unshakeable poise and peace and there isn't some place else I'd rather be.

• "Don't take life seriously. Nobody gets out of it alive anyway!" - Sydney J. Harris

I think my favourite quote of them all! Haha! Take a chill pill, feel the morning sun, listen to music on your iPod, raise the volume, kick your legs out and some deep breaths later, plan your next holiday! Or if your my husband, you're probably planning my next surprise birthday gift :P

A week, filled with the joy of giving.

A week recapitulating my favourite quotes.

A week of giving thanks!

T-1wk