Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Train Journeys & Time Travel

The rhythmic movement of the train, the constant hum of conversations, the occasional cries of babies, fill the compartment. A father walks up and down the aisle, gently rocking his crying child, trying to calm him. It all feels familiar, yet different.

Sitting in the Rajdhani Express to Goa with my parents, I find myself lost in a stream of memories.
There’s something special about train journeys. They aren’t just about getting from one place to another; they carry stories, emotions, and nostalgia. As I glance at the kids in the nearby berths—laughing, climbing up and down, fighting over the window seat—I can’t help but be reminded of my own childhood travels. The excitement of summer vacations, the thrill of hopping from one berth to another, the joy of watching the scenery shift from city to hills and plains.

As I watch the changing landscape outside, another journey from long ago comes rushing back to me.

The last time I traveled to Goa by train to my maternal uncle's home, I must have been around ten years old. The rain was relentless—pouring down, drenching everything in sight. I remember the train getting delayed, the tracks submerged in water, and the journey being abruptly halted a few stations away from our destination. I had no idea what was going on with Mom and Dad or how they were managing our luggage in all that chaos. All I and my sis cared about was the magical world outside—lush greenery, overflowing waterfalls coming down the hills. The weather was perfect, and for us, it was nothing short of an adventure.

We had to switch to a bus from the point where the train stopped. The bus was packed to the brim, barely any room to breathe. But somehow, my sister and I managed to get seats near the driver’s cabin, while Mom and Dad stood the entire way. I remember a lady standing close to us, carrying a basket that smelled strongly of fish. But what I remember most about her was her warm, kind smile and she was saying something in Konkani which I didnt understand.

Back then, I lived completely in the moment—soaking in the beauty of the journey, blissfully unaware of the struggles my parents faced. 

Today, as I sit in this train, I see the same journey through a different lens. I’m no longer the carefree child who only cares about the scenery. Now, I find myself keeping an eye on my dad, making sure he doesn’t indulge too much in sugary tea and sweets. I glance at my mom, noticing her anxiousness, reassuring her with a simple nods.

As I sit in this train, lost in nostalgia, another journey from a different phase of life comes to mind—one from my youthful spinster years, when I traveled with my  friend. It was a special trip, not just because of the destination but because of where I was in life. I was about to get married in a couple of months, stepping into a new chapter, leaving behind the carefree days of singlehood.

That night, we didn’t sleep. We talked endlessly—laughing, reminiscing, soaking in the moment as if we could somehow make time pause. We knew that life was about to change, that things wouldn’t be quite the same again. We wanted the train to halt just a little longer, to let us hold onto that fleeting phase of life. There was excitement, but also a quiet ache, an unspoken understanding that this moment was special because it would never come back.

It’s interesting how train journeys seem to mark these transitions in life. As a child, they were pure adventure. As a young adult, they were filled with deep conversations and emotions. And now, they are moments of reflection, of watching over the very people who once watched over us. We start noticing the little things—their silent worries, their unspoken exhaustion, their need for reassurance.

This train ride made me realize that the scenery outside keeps changing, just like life itself. But some things—memories, emotions, and the love we carry—stay with us, no matter where the journey takes us next.

Monday, February 3, 2025

The Underrated Virtue of Gratitude

I have written about gratitude in some of my earlier posts as well. I write about it again today, because I feel its extremely underrated tool towards betterment. I feel that people nowadays tend to complain a lot, and sometimes they have valid reasons to do so.  I agree with their concerns but I wonder if they are looking at the bigger picture.

I am not immune to complaining and cribbing either.. I am no saint and things do affect me.  But, I learnt early in my life that appreciating the little things in life helps us be not dissappointed and we tend to get pleasantly surprised often with the gifts that life brings to us. By keeping our hearts open we discover that the world gives us back more than we expect. 

Gratitude is a calming balm for our mind and heart, reminding us that even in uncertain times, there is always something to be thankful for. 

Some of my previous posts around the same theme :

Gratitude is a muscle that can be developed with practice. Start small. Start it today. 
Taking just a few minutes regularly to write down what you’re grateful for can truly transform your mindset. 

Here’s how it helps: 
Shifts Your Perspective: Focusing on the positive aspects of your life helps you see the silver linings, even on tough days. 
Reduces Anxiety & Depression: Research shows that expressing gratitude can lead to lower levels of anxiety and depression, promoting a more optimistic outlook. 
Enhances Well-Being: This simple practice brings feelings of contentment and joy, helping you appreciate the little things. 
Encourages Reflection: Taking time to reflect on your blessings cultivates mindfulness and a deeper connection to your life. 

In today's world, where uncertainty can be overwhelming, cultivating gratitude can be a powerful anchor. It helps us stay grounded, focused on the present, and be appreciative of what we have, rather than getting caught up in worries about the future or regrets about the past.

I would end this post with a poem written by Kalidasa: 

SALUTATION TO THE DAWN 

Look to this day! 
For it is life, the very life of life. 
In its brief course 
Lie all the verities and realities of your existence: 
The bliss of growth 
The glory of action 
The splendour of achievement. 
For yesterday is but a dream 
And tomorrow is only a vision, 
But today well lived makes yesterday a dream of happiness 
And every tomorrow a vision of hope. 
Look well, therefore, to this day! 
Such is the salutation to the dawn.


Sunday, January 5, 2025

Consume or Dismiss a thought

Best thing I did in 2024 was to read the book "Atomic habits" and it sparked a chain reaction of reading many other books, some self-help books, some one-time read novels and some audio books; And, somehow I was able to make time for many things which I genuinely am interested in. Reading more also enabled me to write more. 

Like every year, 2024 taught me some valuable lessons. 
Here I will share 2 of the significant takeaways which I wanted to document. 

1. Embracing humility - Be Humble, but ensure that it is not misinterpreted as lack of confidence, assertiveness or strength. Embodying humility does not mean that we agree with everything that others say, and avoid confrontation at any cost. It does not mean we are always trying to please others and appease them. It does not mean that we believe everything we hear. It does not mean that we allow ourselves to be intimidated, taken advantage of, and manipulated. 
It means that we recognize our limitations and are open to growth; we are here to learn from one another and we are here to help and be helped.

2. Mindful consumption of thoughts:
“When you drink water from a cup, it becomes part of you. When water falls on you like rain, it evaporates a few minutes later.
Is this thought nourishing? Is this feeling something you should drink? Or is it more like getting caught in the rain?
You’ll always feel the rain, but you don’t have to drink the rain. You can let the thought pass and in a few moments the sun will return. You don’t have to claim everything you feel.”
 This analogy by James Clear resonated with me deeply. It highlights the power of choice in managing ones thoughts and feelings. By recognizing that we dont have to internalize every feeling, we can learn to navigate challenging situations. It is up to us on consuming or dismissing a thought.

Negativity is inevitable. Practice to observe the negativity, learn from it and let it go. Remember, you get better at what you practice, 

What do you plan to practice this year?? Whatever your goals are, remember that small consistent steps can lead to profound transformation. 

Train Journeys & Time Travel

The rhythmic movement of the train, the constant hum of conversations, the occasional cries of babies, fill the compartment. A father walks ...