Can you believe I've been sitting on this post even though I've been busy writing? It isn't as though it is difficult, since I keep adding points throughout the months. It's the little things, isn't it?
Yep. Yet.
Shift happens.
All kinds. Ups and downs. Some days were downright sh*t. Everything that could go wrong, managed to go wrong. I was sulky.
Then I laughed it off because, after all, I must practice what I preach, right? I thought, this too shall pass. And of course it shall.
I pulled my (insert garment of your choice) up and got down to business.
Partly, I blame the ennui on the weather.
And partly, wallowed in just a little bit of self-pity, on account of my son going back to college after a lovely two months at home. Yes, I am allowed that, aren't I?
So without further delay, let's focus on the nice, nice stuff and be happy, shall we? That does not mean I am ignoring how I feel, it just means that I am trying to collect my own smiles as I reminisce and focus on happy stuff. It always works for me.
I am no longer accepting things I cannot change. I'm changing the things i cannot accept
Isn't that a lovely quote?
♥
As we bid goodbye to our son, we accompanied him back to campus. I've made it a sort of rule that we'll go somewhere together nearby and this time we made it to Shimla. It was a fabulous trip, rain notwithstanding. July-August is never the right time to visit places in Himachal Pradesh due to monsoons, but what to do? That's the time we've got. So off we went. And walked everywhere with our raincoats on! All about the trip in a different post! So grateful to have this time together with family.
This was followed by a couple of days on our son's campus-and that's always a pleasant experience. How can it not be when you're woken up by a peacock? It was incredible!
So I was sleeping. Suddenly, something woke me up. I opened my eyes and it was bright and sunny. Alarmed and thinking I had overslept, I sat up and checked the clock. Surprised to find it was only 5.30 am. I lay down again-after all, I was on holiday. Sure I could have gotten dressed and gone for a walk, but eh. Half an hour later, I heard tapping at the window. Sat up again. Then got a bit spooked because we were on the second floor. Gently tiptoed to the window and drew the curtain aside, thoughts of the recent crime novel I'd read. Imagine my shocked surprise and delight to see this handsome young man at the window, trying to peer in! For the next hour, I simply sat there and watch him preen and romance his lady. Did you notice the peahen at ground level when the peacock turned? She joined him on the window sill. The large windows, that extended across an entire wall allowed me an almost 180- degree view-and I was excited to see around six peacocks and peahens wandering the lawn, enjoying the dawn. What a way to wake up! I've filed this away in my happy moments archive which I reach into whenever I need a swift pick-me-up! . . . . . . . . . #vidyasury #lifethroughmylens #peacocks #flashbackfriday #happiness #travelblogger #exploremore #mytinyatlas #welivetoexplore #natgeoyourshot #naturephotography #grateful #blessed #memories #ilovetravel #instapassport #traveldeeper #keepexploring #artofvisuals #birdsofinstagram #birdstagram #incredibleindia #nationalbird
A post shared by Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles (@vidyasury) on
We returned home and got back to our routines.
I suddenly had a huge workload thanks to the time off I enjoyed and I got to work. And one day it got so overwhelming that I thought I'd go crazy in spite of all the breathing and pausing and coffee. Because my computer crashed-AGAIN! And my son got the 'flu!
♥
It's true that we need a tribe to motivate us. I found mine with an exclusive group for women called Lady Bloggers Engage. If you are a blogger who would love to connect, engage and grow in a ladies only group where 100% reciprocation and support is guaranteed, join us. Register here.
Lady Bloggers Engage was just the dose of motivating adrenaline I needed to get back on track. That's what a wonderful group of women can do. I am grateful for my tribe!
Shift happens!
August was also a month spent with friends. One Sunday, I did something absolutely out of character. Succumbed to an invitation to spend the day to see the flower show at our local Botanical Garden. Also, it was kind of a drizzly day. Yet, I went out and had a wonderful time simply loitering around the gardens and finishing the day off with the flower show. Sometimes we just have to get away and shake that energy up eh? Grateful I have friends to do it with.
And with all the talk about saris with my friend, a solid dose of nostalgia hit me, thinking of my saris neatly stacked in my closet. I gave away close to 300 saris when I got married. Go on, laugh, smirk, whatever. I suddenly had the urge to wear a sari. And the opportunity arose sooner than I expected. After a particularly annoying day, my husband casually asked me if I'd like to accompany him to a regional school science fair where he had been invited as chief guest.
I had deadlines and I had sneakily thought I'd have peace and quiet to accomplish them. But around midnight, I changed my mind. I laid out a yellow and red sari and the accessories- two dozen red glass bangles and red jhumkas- and decided to go. And so we spent a very pleasant day at the school. Nothing like spending time with kids to lift your mood! Grateful I was dragged into it! We had quite the adventure returning home as we couldn't find any cabs and opted to ride the bus. I really enjoyed myself!
♥
Thanks to a trip around our market, I also managed to get my sewing machine repaired. I've tried in the past, but you know what they say. The time has to come. And it did. I can't express how happy and excited I am. As I sat at the machine and ran a stitch, memories came flooding back and I practically cried with joy. That's a whole new post!
♥
On one of the afternoons I was upset, I put my pent-up energy to good use and started deep cleaning my kitchen. And what an enjoyable experience that is! An afternoon of discovery. An afternoon well-spent. Not finished with it yet, but I'll get there. Baby steps. Grateful for housework, yes.
And that's how shift happens
As always, grateful to do work I enjoy and for clients who depend on me. I am so fortunate.
Grateful for my sister-best-friend Vanita Cyril, who never hesitates to give me that well-deserved kick in the ass and hugs-and pushes me when I drag myself. Thank you!
♥
Oh, I started a series on Instagram. It's a gentle tip a day on a coffee cup. I need the reminder as much as anyone else! It would be great to see you join me there.
By the way, the highlight of the month is this: I have started taking Sugar Knocker, an Ayurveda treatment for my diabetes. I met the CEO of the company that makes this and was motivated to try this. Ayurveda is well known to treat the root cause of various conditions, and diabetes is no exception. What's more, it is possible to get off allopathy medicines and keep blood sugars under control with diet and lifestyle changes. I am excited.
I've written an in-depth post about Sugar Knocker and how it works on my health blog. It is the dream of every type 2 diabetic to go off medications, because we are aware of the side-effects. Around December 2019, I'll be posting an update about how Sugar Knocker is working for me as I will need to take it for at least three months to see significant changes. Wish me health!
And that's it from my side.Does it seem like September has come too soon this year?
I am freaking out a little too - September is my birthday month.
How did August go for you?
Join me for August 2019's Gratitude Circle Blog Hop.
Thank you to everyone joining me. I appreciate you!
Write your post, add the badge and add your post URL to the linky below. May this month be just fabulous for you!
