Another year, with 365 363 ( as it is already the 3rd day of the New Year) new opportunities is here. It’s that time of the year when hope and determination are at its peak with the mojo to conquer the world, ourselves and everything we wish to achieve looking do-able.
That was me till 2016.
A year later, with four new grey hair in places where they shine brightly even in the darkest of rooms, I came face to face with a new aspect of my personality or rather, changed-self, I never knew existed. While I am happy for the new year, I still feel that every day is just the same clean slate. Every morning is also the right time to start a new chapter in the book of life and every moment is just as auspicious to change ourselves the way we’ve always wanted to.
With no resolutions made (like I mentioned in my earlier post) I sure have a little gift for myself just like I had the past two years. A theme, a word that’ll act like my polestar guiding me through the year.
Err… no, I am not about to share my word for the year 2017 here.
Yes, you may heave a sigh of relief after reading words of the year pouring from everywhere as if the dictionary decided to rain them on our feeds.
The reason for that is, I have always believed in practising before I talk write about it on the blog. Okay, I try.
And on most occasions, to the best of my failing memory, I have practised this. I shall be talking about my word for the year 2017 in the posts all through the year but for now, I want to reflect on how far did I achieve with the word I had for 2016.
I know, I know, that was just a temporary relief in the paragraph above but still, I tried to keep you reading.
Now that you have reached thus far, be a kind soul and continue reading. Won’t you?
Around mid of January 2016, while listening to a podcast, it suddenly struck me that I needed to embrace diversity in my life.
At that point, I had not much clue as to what I really wanted to do, let alone how I’d execute it but I just wanted to go for it with the confidence like riding a bicycle with wheel balancers.
Since the idea came from a podcast, it also further influenced me to attempt reading diverse genres through the year. Like I had written before, I am loving the drift from fiction to non-fiction and read a number of genres for the first time. The best bit was overcoming my fear of reading books talking about depression, anger, and death.
There were a number of books that I noticed some 5 years ago. In my heart, I knew I needed to read them right away to find answers to the many puzzles swarming my mind but I was too scared to touch them.
This was despite having bought them over a year prior. It has been quite an encouraging experience. I am aiming to talk about the lessons I learned from them in my upcoming posts, though the temptation to attack the stack of new books is irresistible.
I also added diversity to my lifestyle, revamping my wardrobe to add contemporary fashion in noticeable numbers. I graduated from listening to songs with profound lyrics (Ghazals and poetry in Hindi included) to finding peace in Justin Bieber’s hit numbers.
I took more family road trips this year than I had since the birth of my daughter. I experimented with newer cooking styles including baking a cake using alcohol (though I’m still a teetotaler).
Talking about the lifestyle, I have always been the one who can do just one task at a time. I can’t be the one minding the pot on the stove and talking on the phone or minding my child while she’s doing the homework while reading the book and tweeting too.
It takes me heaps longer to get all things done my way, but I love experiencing everything I do to the fullest. Even while reading a book I read, feel the words, imagine it all, live the moment and then read some more. No wonder I take much longer than usual to read any book. Even when am eating, I talk minimum and focus on the food, its taste, its texture, the memories it evokes and I enjoy talking about these with my kid. Most hours of the day, I am not aware of where my phone is because I am too occupied doing whatever I am up to.
I am well-aware (cause I have been told so, numerous times) that this is a waste of life. An absurd behaviour in today’s world that worships multitasking and speed. Being a mere, slow, mortal, I continued moving on my tortoise pace until my mom challenged me saying that I ought to multitask if I needed to be a better mommy.
That was it.
I stepped on the accelerator and what happened next was chaos, accidents, stress, bloopers, and dissatisfaction. I was trying to juggle many balls concentrating on the ceiling and dropping them all because my brain wasn’t trained to juggle many roles. I was a mess.
My kid was worried about me. She once told me, “Mommy why do you eat with your eyes on the iPad and talking to me with a mouthful? I can’t understand a word and by the time I do follow, you’re seen running everywhere.”
Okay then. So I was failing to be the multi-tasker every mom ought to be. That was motivation enough to make me speed fast in the wrong direction until my bestie gave me a wake-up call.
She had been trying to talk me out of my forever-stressed-and-tired state. When she too had had enough, she just said,”Kabhi mindfulness ke baare mein suna hai?” It loosely translates to, have you ever heard about mindfulness?
To be honest I had read about mindfulness a number of times because it has been the rage lately. But what was my bestie getting at? So I asked her to elaborate and she obliged. As the penny dropped, I realised, I had been doing just that (or a near version) all my life. Practising mindfulness that is.
And all this while everyone kept telling me I had been mindless, a master procrastinator who takes frequent breaks revels at the moment, takes a bite, focuses on breathing and while away the time, just cause am plain lazy.
I have been told to the extent that I am nowhere substantial in my career because of my non-achiever-slow-satisfied pace. In short, people who love contentment and peace extinguish the fire needed to help them soar to unseen heights of achievement.
Yep. Am guilty as charged.
But in the context of my new understanding, what was I supposed to make of it? Was it the classic case of glass-half-full and half-empty, that is just a matter of different perspectives? Or was it the jealousy of those whose lives weren’t as peaceful, slow and aware of its every moment, like me?
Whatever might be the case, I decided to get back to doing my own thing. Slowly, mindfully.
Trust me, it feels really good to be who you are designed to be, the feeling is like sleeping in your own bed after a world tour. It was like a breath of fresh air that made me feel alive.
As I continued on my march to exploring avenues for diversity in my personal life, I applied it to the battles I would fight from then on. Instead of beating my own self up, armed with my new-found wisdom from the many books I had chewed upon I got at work of addressing the many issues I had been brushing under the carpet. 2016 finally saw me talk openly with my parents on the many issues I felt strongly about but could never before muster courage to speak about.
As expected, all these things weren’t received well, but my new self had learned to not be affected (much) by the displeasure of others.
I adopted diversity in parenting my child. After struggling and suffering at my own hands, armed with better understanding of my issues in life, things have started changing for the better between me and Pari.
Two major things that changed were; One, I gave the reigns of controlling or rather gauging my actions/ performance as a parent to my 5-year-old. Second, I have started talking about my worries and stresses with my child like I would talk to a best friend.
Trust me, both of these sounded absurd to me just as much it might have to you on reading about them. But gradually, both of these have changed the way I bond with my girl. She too has started seeing me in a different light and offers much less resistance when asked to do something she usually doesn’t like. Maybe this could be the basis of another series of posts in near future.
Another big impact has been on practising diversity in my field of work. I explored newer pastures and was amazed to note how good I was in doing something I always feared.
While the joy of exploring newer opportunities gave me the initial push, the positive feedback thus far has been inspiring me to take more chances than I usually do.
Overall, I added many new ways of doing things I did on a daily basis and the results have been rewarding.
As 2016 drew to a close, diversity, continues to be my means to achieving my goals in life.
Then where does the word for the year 2017 fit in?
Well, I have picked a word that’ll help to enrich my life further (from where I have been with practising diversity), taking me places I want to reach, in ways that best suit me.
Any guesses on what that word could be?
If you’re reading this line, I must confess, I love you for your patience and being curious enough to where this blabber shall lead.
Happy to have you as a reader on my blog, today and forever.
Happy New Year!!
The song on my mind: Cold Water ~ Justin Bieber
The Era I Lived In 
don’t be a multitasker!!… this is what i tell myself all the time. i have somehow come to the realisation that this is one part of our personalities that we want to become for the sake of others- society, family, kids…. but when you ask yourself, u get the answer.. do what you love and relax! 🙂 lovely post dear and a very happy healthy and prosperous new year to you and Pari 🙂
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Too true Sippyk. We have to learn to go by our gut instinct and not fall in the trap of what the world makes us believe. Multi-tasking has never been my cup of tea and since science has ruled it out in my favor and am leading a mindful life.
Thank you for the wishes ❤
A very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year to you and yours.
{Hugs}
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amazing to read your thoughts! ” I graduated from listening to songs with profound lyrics to finding peace in Justin Bieber’s hit numbers” ….he has always had a special place in my heart. Glad you found solace in his lovely songs. Happy New Year to you!
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I have to agree Singledust, Justin Bieber songs have a way of putting my mind back to a calm state faster than anything that I have heard lately. So glad to share your love for his beautiful songs.
A very Happy New Year to you Doc 🙂
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I can so relate to so many things you write ME.. and some of your posts helps me to put my perception and priorities in place. You have helped me sometimes with your posts. Thank you for all that and here is wishing you a great 2017 ME..
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The feeling of connect and bonding is mutual Ani. I often look up to you as an inspiration every time I falter in being a loving parent to Pari. You inspire me a lot ❤
Loads of love and warm new year greetings coming your way.
{Hugs}
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Talking to kids at very young age makes the kid talk to you when they grow up. I have been told not to talk to kids about my issues but i always spoke to my kids and at very young age they try to find a solution for it. I take their solutions or not that is a different thing but I am making them to think and solve the issues.
Have a wonderful year and hope you travel a lot with the your girl and take out your stress..time just flies pari is 5 years old now…I know you since last 4 + years.
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You have been around right from the start of my blogging journey on this blog and that makes it extra special for me because every time you comment I know you are well aware of the context of all I write here.
Thank you for always being there ❤
I completely agree with you that being open with kids and being accepting of their points of view from the start not only strengthens our bond with them but also help them grow up into open minded adults who shall value the POV of others in their lives. I am learning it all by hit and trial and am happy to report that on this particular front I have seen positive results just like you mentioned.
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I completely love this post. A lot of it was like I was talking about me. I am a no good multitasker too – each time I attempt more than one thing I end up in a disaster. And yet that doesn’t automatically mean mindfulness follows. I’m working towards being aware of each task, each moment.
Similarity no 2 – I too believe in practice before I write – so am keeping my plans to myself till I at least begin work on them and make some headway.
And the silver hair – they do stand out don’t they? I have a few on my head and they seem to enjoy heralding their presence. I have come to accept them though. No hard feelings :-).
Wishing you a very happy 2017. It will certainly be fabulous.
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Yes… yes…yes OM I hear you. I feel quite the same every time I am at your blog reading your thoughts.
Too true about the grey hair and as of now I have no intentions of coloring them (cause no one in my family has ever used hair color) and I think I am pretty fine with my age showing 🙂
Thank you for the wonderful wishes dear. Wishing you and your dear ones a superb, wish-fulfilling year ahead ❤
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My comment just disappeared. Hope you can fish it out. trying my other ID now to add something I forgot to say – I love how you used your last years’ word – diversity. That was really creative. I could do with some of it too.
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Yes, found your comment in the spam folder, so glad it wasn’t lost.
Am glad you enjoyed my take on my word of the year. Go for it OM diversity has a lot of scope to be twisted and molded in every area of life to be amazed by the results. Good Luck!!
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ME! Happy new year my dear 🙂 What a wonderful post. You got me thinking, as usual.
So in 2017 is “mindfulness” the word of the year for you ? 😉 I am pleasantly surprised to learn that you had been practicing it all along. I have been a multi tasker most of my life and this last year, a lot of times I catch myself saying – IY, stop rushing. Just enjoy the moment because it is not coming back ever again”. I am still working on it though 🙂
Here’s wishing you a year full of mindful diversity, abundant with joy and peace.
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I am not all that sorted as I might sound but it was a wonderful realisation that I had not been wasting my life living it at a rather slow pace. Though ever since the futility of rushing with life came to fore I am working hard to make my life more meaningful while enjoying being who I am.
Thank you for the wonderful wishes IY ❤
May 2017 prove to be a brighter, happier, peaceful and brimming with good health year for you and your dear ones.
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ME did my comment disappear or has it been spammed by wordpress?
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It was awaiting moderation, have approved and replied 😃
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Glad to see you could write down your own thoughts. More so, to see you have learned. I often try to juggle so many things. I can never be very good at organizing. end up with more of a disaster. Take each step and do what I can then 😀 While expecting kids to be open about everything, being open to them paves that path. Good to know supermoms have their things too once in a while 🙂 Cheers and a happy 2017.
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Thank you nomadwrites for the wonderful wishes 🙂
Putting my heart and thoughts in words help me understand them better than when they are circling my mind. As far being a super mom, I don’t believe in being a super-human because that unnecessarily burdens mere mortals like yours truly to perform in ways ordinary humans can’t and set a wrong example for our children.
Hope you have a fantastic year ahead NW 🙂
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I don’t usually multi task unless and until there is absolute necessity for the same. My aim in 2017 is to engage with myself and my surroundings to the best of my ability, which include mindfulness as well. I wish you good luck on your goal 🙂
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Engaging more with self sounds like a mindful goal and I wish you the best to make it happen in wonderful ways.
Thank you dear for wishing me good luck and cheer ❤
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I brought diversity in my life long back…by not being a part of any particular blogging group is an example of that. It helps me embrace everybody who interacts with me with open arms.
Your learnings are practical, and I am glad to read Pari and you are getting closer now, the most important part of life or you!
Keep enjoying the fruits of diversity this year too, life is just one long learning curve!
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Great to know that you too have made room for diversity in your life in diverse forms. Being open to variety in life truly makes it a beautiful learning curve.
Thank you for all the wonderful wishes 🙂
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Hello there, I guess I am on the other spectrum where I have been a multi tasker (blame it on being a Gemini) all my life and now I have decided to focus on one thing at a time. It’s just a wonderful quality to have, if you ask me. To be able to focus on just one task and take it to completion. I guess my interaction with my son Vi made me realise that I wasn’t being in the moment at all. This year is going to be a trial of sorts to focus on single tasks or keep it to a minimum of 2 😆at a time. Wishing you and your Pari a very happy new year !
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Welcome to my online abode Uma 🙂
I have come to believe that as mothers we pressurise ourselves to accommodate more in the hours we have at hand which is more often than not quite unnecessary. I have been trying to solve this puzzle by getting my priority list sorted in writing.
More power to you for choosing to do less but well this year. May thus year bring lots of success, peace, love and cheer for you and Vihaan 🙂
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I tried to enter this area of Multitasking after my marriage when I saw my MIL juggling perfectly with every household work. But I failed and I think 1 thing at a time suits me well. It helps me not to muddle up. Even in Blogging, I prefer performing each role at a time- reading, writing, sharing. You used Diversity in such a diverse way. My motto for years to come will be Minimalism.
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I too am a minimalist and it has been a very relaxing experience to continually work on minimising the clutter in my life. So glad to know you too avoid multi-tasking just like me.
Let’s hope 2017 is a mindful year for both of us 🙂
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