What My Spouse's Passion Towards Sports Has Taught Me?

 2014. New Delhi. Most often we get stuck with our 9 to 5 job, there are people out there who are extremely passionate about their hobbies. When I was working in Delhi, I used to commute through Delhi metro-one of the most convenient option to travel across Delhi, and there I met a lot of readers. Yes, the ones who read-fiction, nonfiction, self help, mythology, etc. One can see many people reading a book in metro and I am sure that you would feel inspired.

2016. Siliguri, West Bengal. I got married and moved with my husband to an amazing place, Siliguri. I figured out that how passionate he has been (till now) towards sports, especially cricket. After working for almost 8-9 hours, he used to get up in the morning at 5 to play cricket.I mean–this is ‘passion’ which comes from inside and you need internal locus of control with internal motivation. This results from going to an extra mile for his passion.

Award Trophies Received -Runners Up, Man of the Match, Best Bowler

2020. Kolkata, West Bengal. Almost every morning at 6, I hear the main door of my house getting locked in stealth mode, because there is a toddler and baby who are already in a deep sleep. He has found his new passion too- FOOTBALL. This is what his team has received. I get delighted when I get to see awards/trophies in his hand. That makes him happy enough to feel what ‘happiness looks like’. 

Football Tournament in Urban Sabujayan (2020)

Meanwhile, I have also learnt how to find happiness in small things around us.

The Power of Morning Ritual

Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash

There is a power in the morning ritual. Yes, true that! We are talking about a morning routine which makes your day positive. The way you start your day and spend your morning decides your whole day. Your creative neurons start getting active from the day itself. Morning is the most powerful time of your day. You can make it or break it.

When you wake up in the morning, from a subconscious stage, you start moving towards the conscious stage. It is a transition from sleeping to waking up. It is subtle which can be felt. That is why people start their day with tea or a coffee as it freshens them up. Our elders always ask to study in the morning as our mind gets fresh after sleep and we are ready to welcome the newness of knowledge and perspectives.  We are ready to soak absorb the new knowledge. Our creativity is at its peak and we can be innovative. Remember, people, saying that the best ideas come in washrooms in the morning. How you spend the first one hour determines the rest of your day.       

         

 Welcome the presence of today with the vibrations of energy. Do what you love to do. Spend time with your hobbies. Some people play in the morning because they love to play a certain game and it fills them with energy. Why people go to temple early in the morning because it is their daily ritual. They cannot imagine their day without the morning ritual of worshipping or going to the temple. I have closely observed people who follow a certain pattern of activities in the morning. 

Photo by Tim Foster on Unsplash

They seem to be more oriented and organized in their lives. A friend used to make a to-do list every morning before leaving for college. Unbelievably, she managed her college and job very well, scoring 9.2 CGPA in the whole batch. Once I was going through an interview of a renowned writer and he told in the interview that he starts his day by writing. He gives the first 1 hour of the morning to write articles. Isn’t the feeling too wonderful that you start your day with passion and full of energy?

People who start their day early seem to more organized with the tunes of the whole day. They keep a track of what is next rather than playing absurdly. Eventually, they are able to see at the end of the day that what were their accomplishments and achievements in a day. Were they able to make some difference from yesterday or not? Were they able to achieve the goals they had set in the morning or not? What they are supposed to do tomorrow? Play guitar or your favourite music, gardening, writing, spending some time with nature etc., surely you will find solace in it. All this thought process makes your mind healthy and organized. Your creativity gets more space in your mind as your thoughts are structured by a defined morning routine.

Really? Am I That Old Fashioned?

Putting clothes to dry, cooking, or cleaning the stuff, why does it feel that it’s an age-old fashioned work? Why the newer generation does not want to do their errands on their own? Why there is a feeling of 'outsourcing' everything if it can be done in-house? At a lot of places in my neighborhood, I see lot of kids and children shrugging their shoulders when they are asked to clean their utensils or clothes. They do not even want to dust their own room. It is apathy to see that.

                                            source: selfsufficientkids.com

I asked one of the kids in the neighborhood, "Why did you yell at your mom when she asked you to water the plants?" He said, "Come On, who does that in today's times.” To me, his response was a surprise mixed with shock because in my childhood times I had always enjoyed gardening and related activities. The mornings were busier with completing chores before leaving for school.  The first thing in the morning, I remember,  was to make the bed. It is an acclaimed habit for me now. I cannot keep my bed clumsy in the morning. I do not say that I was always involved with the household chores day and night during my childhood, but working at home never felt like suppressing my dreams. I never felt ashamed doing that because I always considered that it was just ‘work’ and something which is ‘work’ cannot be treated in a different way. I mean, it is something you are supposed to do- you have made the mess at the dining table, then why you cannot clean it? You have made your clothes dirtier, aren’t you supposed to take care of that. A toddler and a kid cannot take care of all this, but someone in his late teen can start doing that.

There are people who feel grounded by going household stuff. I remember an officer, who was an ‘A’ grade government officer and he used to clean his room every day on his own, no maid and no other staff.  Isn’t it being humble? Isn’t it being grounded? I really feel that sorting and organizing things on your own imbibes positivity in your head.  Ideally, you should never feel ashamed, and never make your kid feel so. Keeping your own things sorted makes you feel sane.

Outsourcing is a very good idea when you do not have an option. It is the only option when you are not left with any kind of choice. The idea is not to abstain ourselves from these errands because kids learn from us. When they see that we are not interested in doing particular stuff, they will always feel that there is something wrong with that activity. We make society. We make the future. So let us make a good society and a good future!

The Red Rose

After all, the life decided to unveil itself telling that it is not at all the coziness of blanket filled with roses. Rather, it has not only thorns, the roses have leaves, stem and of course thorns with it. So holistically, it is complete.

 An idea of being GREY-and that it what we do not want to see. The portrait of our life comprises just good and bad at the initial years of life and till adolescence, we live in that portrait embossed. Gradually the greyishness starts, which demands us to get swayed away by the situation, selfishly asking to adjust with it. Not the least, the situations ask us to do what they want to do.

Why? No reason! The roses tell us that I am a fake part of your portrait- a fabrication, which is just visible to you in thoughts and dreams. Someday I would come to you for a moment and vanish in a small sight, but my parts-leaves, stems, and thorns will stay with you to remind of roses, in the hope that one day you will see a blooming rose.

Summer Skincare Hacks For A Working Mom

Yes mom, you are an icon to me and even if I become 50 % of what are you today, I will be more than glad. You are the role model to me. ‘A confident leader’ is what people say about you, and you know that you can also look fabulous by applying few tricks on your skin.  I know that your beauty routine always takes a backseat.  This applies to all the working moms around us. Moms-do not forget your skin, especially when summer is approaching. Your skin is a part of your personality and it needs your extra attention.  Take out time to apply these skincare hacks which will be very useful for you in summers.

Never forget to apply sunscreen. It is must for your skin when you are stepping outside of your house.  You should apply it 30 minutes prior to exposure. It is a clinically proven fact that if you are applying sunscreen at least 30 minutes prior to exposure, it works well on your skin because the cream gets absorbed in your skin and your skin is not vulnerable then. It is not just your face which gets exposed to sun rays, also your toes, feet, arms and back. Put sunscreen over there also. Remember, sunscreen should be the topmost layer on your skin. If you have to apply moisturizer or foundation, apply it first and then put sunscreen. This way you will get the full benefits of your sun protection cream.

Cleanse, tone and moisturize your face properly. Inculcate this habit in your daily routine and make it a religious practice. These 3 steps are a key to an amazing skin in all kind of weathers. During summers, it is more crucial because your face is also getting exposed to lot of dust during summer. After cleansing with a right cleanser for you, apply toner. If you get sufficient time, take steam on your face before applying toner, which will unclog your pores and would take out all the dirt.  Choose your toner wisely.  It should not contain alcohol; otherwise it will leave your skin dry.  Summers does not mean that you have to avoid moisturizers. Choose a moisturizer which is not too oily. Moisturize your face well. Your moisturizer should contain natural ingredients and oils which improve your skin texture and make your skin firmer.

Lips are very important features of your skin. They get dried up in summer due to lot of heat. Using your favorite lipsticks will beautify your lips for few hours. Make them healthy from inside. We know that after a super busy schedule you just want to hit the bed, but if you just take out 5 minutes to apply a lip cream, your lips will be smoother and softer; you will find your lips with a beautiful difference in the morning! And yes, never forget to carry a good lip balm in your bag. Drink lot of fresh juices. It does wonders for your skin.

Take care of your skin tan. We all know sun tan is almost unavoidable during summers. So let us cure it. Nothing is better than home remedies for sun tan. You can also take de-tanning services for your face from salons, but do try this homemade pack. Take equal quantity of lemon juice and honey, mix it well. Apply it on your face, neck, arms, hands and feet. Leave this for 20 minutes and then wash it. It will bring radiance and glow to your face. 

Do not overlook your feet. Take out time for pedicure at least once in a month because most of us wear open footwear during summer and so our feet gets exposed to sun rays and dust.  If your feet is dry, it means that your body is not hydrated enough and you should atleast have 3-4 litres in a day. Before you sleep, wash your feet and apply foot cream.  It will keep your feet healthy, soft and good looking.

Moms! While you are taking care of your skin and body, keep a check on what you are eating in summers. A good diet is important to make your skin glow. The fruit shops are overloaded with varieties of fruits in summer season, so do not consume too much of salty food, include fruits and salads in your diet which has high content of water. It will keep your skin hydrated. Whenever you feel hungry, you can have coconut water, aam panna, green salad etc. Include cherries and watermelon in your diet. Watemelon has Lycopene which helps to retain moisture of your skin.

We know that maintaining a lifestyle which involves raising a family along with full-time job is no cakewalk.  Along with this, do not forget yourself and your skin. Try these simple skincare hacks and find a difference in your skin.

HOLI-The Festivity with Rejunevation

And someone just rang my door bell! It was our society’s security guard with Holi Pamphlet, he handed me a small pamphlet with details of Holi celebration in our society. The pamphlet reminded me of best holis celebration which I always celebrated in a full festive mood. This festival always brought out the most ‘happening girl’ (just for a day). I could never ascertain what it was-the beauty of the colors which always poured magnetism on me or the fascination of colors which allured me?

I have vivid experiences of holi. Whether I was a kid, teenager, an undergraduate, and then a postgraduate-none of the stages of my life stopped me from enjoying this colorful festivity. It reminds me of the splash of colors-red, green, yellow and many. After playing holi, during afternoon 1 or 2, I used to see myself in the mirror and loved the way colors painted my face! Although I could only see my eyes after that. I celebrated most of my Holi at home; they were the only ones where I played in decent enough way. Moreover, we have a tradition of eating Malpuaas (small pancake made with Khoya and All purpose flour) along with ‘Kathal (Jackfruit) ki sabji. My mom makes delicious Kathal ki sabji. The fun filled Holi are dated back to 2008-11, when I was an undergraduate at Bansathali University. Being into an women's  college, we did not leave any pranks to be done in Holi. They were most fun filled days Holi of my life.

Holi @ Banasthali University Source: Bansthali University social media page

    

Malpua

Source: Maps of India

 If I talk about this festival of colors, I should not forget to mention about Vrindavan Holi. In Vrindavan, people play holi with organic colors. They mix water, gulal, flowers and kesar (saffron). One of the broken traditions make Vrindavan Holi more special, popular and contemporary is that as a part of Indian traditions, widows cannot play holi. Few years ago, widows at Vrindavan broke this tradition and started celebrating this festival.

Holi @Vrindavan          Source: http://www.sid-thewanderer.com

If you are Indian, you will surely find connect with this festival, like I always relate to it. Happy and Safe Holi this year.

Writing Is A Meditation

Writing is such a meditation.  It relieves you! It makes you express your unsolicited thoughts. It makes you feel stronger. Do you know why? Because it helps you to confront your own thoughts which are going in your bewildered head. There could be many thoughts in your head which are underlying subconsciously, but you never thought to give it a shape. When you write, you give your thoughts a vivid expression-you paint your thought, quite literally! Remember- a thought can be as good as a constructive idea which is a seed of innovation. Constructive ideas have always made a remarkable history.

Photo by Yannick Pulver on Unsplash

I was 14 when I wrote my first piece and I could feel that I expressed myself so well. Well, I was not serious enough to keep that piece of writing till today. Now I literally feel that I could have safely stored my piece of writings so that I could still feel that moments (To what extent my mind would wander in those years of a ‘just-started-teenage'). I always felt relieved when I wrote, whether I just a self-created report for submission which and of course it included my own ideas. I always felt my passion for writing. I never left writing and writing never left me. Whenever due to my busy schedule, I could not write, it has always made me feel worse.

Photo by Eugene Chystiakov on Unsplash

Somewhere down the line I strongly feel that if writing is your hobby, please do not stop writing. Not everyone possesses this skill. If it is your passion, make a career out of it. Take out time to write. It will heal you! Your hobby will complete you like it does to me. HAPPY WRITING!