I want to sleep but cannot sleep. I want my dreams to be pleasant but they are not. I want to plan a lot of things but unable to do. I want to write but my words are curling up. I am confused but do not know the exact reason(s). I want to order stuff online but do not get any delivery window open.
As I write these lines I am simultaneously surfing through the websites as to who can deliver my groceries. I do not want to go shopping but don't know how long can I manage without stepping out. I am not sure what these feelings mean but it always feels good to toss the words and dish out to complete strangers.
The weather has been deceitful too. It looks sunny outside but out there its windy and cold. The sunny day still stops me from stepping outside even I though all I want is to take a simple stroll.
It's so easy to complain as I did now but the frontline workers at this moment do not even have time to sit think and complain perhaps. They are working and perhaps overworking and do not get adequate time with their families either. How selfish of me to think of my problems when they are thinking about the masses!
I try to keep my mind at peace by constantly thinking that its's also a phase and we have to sail through. We have to engage our minds which gets challenging at times. So many thoughts keep creeping up time and again and keeping them at bay is a protest in itself.
This morning I tried to meditate. Please trust me when I say it really helps. The thoughts of the welfare of my loved ones who are so far from me disturbs a lot. Meditation didn't answer my fears but calmed my senses to an extent. The day seemed a bit productive too. I chatted with some old friends, cleaned some of the mess which the kids make and I was ignoring from the last few days.
So I am hoping that going forward I will try to meditate everyday for sometime. It will be 'me' time which will lull my thoughts to an extent and answer the unanswered. Try it if you haven't so far. They will be the best moments when you are home and can dedicate time guilt free.
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Friday, April 17, 2020
Tiffin Tales 111
Hola,
Okay, so this is the second time that it snowed this week and we are a bit upset about that. Even though we cannot complain because we all have to be indoors yet we said a small prayer for everyone who have to go outside given their nature of jobs.
As most of us are all inside our homes we are spending a major part on the internet precisely in front of any kinds of screen. These screens are our windows to the world. A part of us like to watch news and keep a tab on everything going around. I am assuming a percentage of people like me do keep a track but find it stressful to hear about the virus all throughout the day. As for me, I watch once in the morning and once during dinner time. I follow closely but rest of the time its more online grocery shopping hunt and some binge watching.
This afternoon I read about a story which compelled me to think from some many corners. A lady was travelling by bus when the bus stopped at a stop. The bus was occupied and there was just one spot by the lady seated next to the window. When the bus stopped another old lady got into the bus with lots of shopping bags. The bus driver helped to get in and she took the vacant spot. The old lady was well built and with all her bags it was almost getting difficult for two ladies to share the seats. The other lady could barely move. Seeing the discomfort of the situation an old man stood up and offered his seat to the old lady because he felt that way all three would be able to sit comfortably. The lady by the window seat with a smile politely refused. She said, "Its a small journey, let's all accommodate." The old man understood and smiled. He understood the profundity of the words and went back to his seat. A few stops later the lady by the window got down. Throughout her travel she didn't express any inconvenience towards the old lady thus leaving some memories with the people around her.
Now as I sip my tea and write these lines I try to think about so many things. We cannot accept so many situations in our lives. SO many of us are struggling to sit at our homes. People who are used to race with the clocks are now coping with the new set of environment. There are lots of uncertainties over the present and future and I guess its all a part of our journey. This part of our journey is just to sit back because we have no control over what is going around us. Let us all be considerate and generous which can help us in this journey. We all can do our part and we know the best way to do them. Our ways of helping may be different but the goal is to be of help to someone. If there is no way we can help some, think again. We can help others simply by staying home and reduce the chances of spreading.
Okay, time to finish my tea and plan for my dinner. Its very important part of the day because planning the groceries is highly strategic. If you are working, take rest on the weekends. Most importantly stay safe.
Okay, so this is the second time that it snowed this week and we are a bit upset about that. Even though we cannot complain because we all have to be indoors yet we said a small prayer for everyone who have to go outside given their nature of jobs.
As most of us are all inside our homes we are spending a major part on the internet precisely in front of any kinds of screen. These screens are our windows to the world. A part of us like to watch news and keep a tab on everything going around. I am assuming a percentage of people like me do keep a track but find it stressful to hear about the virus all throughout the day. As for me, I watch once in the morning and once during dinner time. I follow closely but rest of the time its more online grocery shopping hunt and some binge watching.
This afternoon I read about a story which compelled me to think from some many corners. A lady was travelling by bus when the bus stopped at a stop. The bus was occupied and there was just one spot by the lady seated next to the window. When the bus stopped another old lady got into the bus with lots of shopping bags. The bus driver helped to get in and she took the vacant spot. The old lady was well built and with all her bags it was almost getting difficult for two ladies to share the seats. The other lady could barely move. Seeing the discomfort of the situation an old man stood up and offered his seat to the old lady because he felt that way all three would be able to sit comfortably. The lady by the window seat with a smile politely refused. She said, "Its a small journey, let's all accommodate." The old man understood and smiled. He understood the profundity of the words and went back to his seat. A few stops later the lady by the window got down. Throughout her travel she didn't express any inconvenience towards the old lady thus leaving some memories with the people around her.
Now as I sip my tea and write these lines I try to think about so many things. We cannot accept so many situations in our lives. SO many of us are struggling to sit at our homes. People who are used to race with the clocks are now coping with the new set of environment. There are lots of uncertainties over the present and future and I guess its all a part of our journey. This part of our journey is just to sit back because we have no control over what is going around us. Let us all be considerate and generous which can help us in this journey. We all can do our part and we know the best way to do them. Our ways of helping may be different but the goal is to be of help to someone. If there is no way we can help some, think again. We can help others simply by staying home and reduce the chances of spreading.
Okay, time to finish my tea and plan for my dinner. Its very important part of the day because planning the groceries is highly strategic. If you are working, take rest on the weekends. Most importantly stay safe.
Monday, April 13, 2020
Tiffin Tales 110
Hola...
It's almost a month that we are at home now with everyone getting restless. We all are trying to lift each other's spirit from time and again to escape the flatness of the situation. Reading, baking, watching umpteen cartoons, movies, documentaries and not to forget the news we are trying our best to make our stay at home more colorful. The kids try doing crafts and living area is strewn with papers but I am not complaining because its the result of their productive time...
The world is so mysterious now. The busiest roads and airports of the world are all wearing deserted look. We all are indoors scared, confused and praying hard for these dark days to end soon. The busiest of the restaurants are all wearing forlorn looks. There are no table reservations, no looking forward to the weekend special items. On the contrary most people like me are wearing their heads down to manage with limited options and prepare nutritious meals. With everyone at people it's an added challenge to prepare soulful food with a toned down pantry.
Today is last day of Bengali calendar. This month of Chaitra is supposedly to have vegetarian food. Bengali's do not include onions and garlic in their vegetarian section. Previously people used to consume vegetarian food all throughout this month and on the first day feast with non vegetarian items. Well, we have all crossed those centuries long back and the only day that travelled with us is perhaps the last day of Chaitra. Now people just have strict vegetarian food on the last day and look for benediction. The next day which is the first calendar day is for gorging on sumptuous food items. I remember on the vegetarian day (that's how I say) my mother used to specially make an item with raw jackfruit. I miss it so badly. The memories are still so fresh just like the spring outside now.
Now when the world is such in a disruptive state I miss my parents all the more. I am all the time anxious for their health. I long to go to my home and I do not see that happening soon. I understand there are millions of people all around who right now need many basic amenities like food and medical help. Many people are already without job and money. We all are trying and praying. We are trying to help someone in need in whatever we can. We are praying not just for us but as an entire world. We need prayers and compassion to walk through this crisis.
Tomorrow is the first day of Bengali calendar. We are not preparing anything special. Instead we will be calling people to convey our wishes and pray a little longer. If all goes well, we will collectively celebrate this day with laughter and good food. Till then let's keep praying and sharing whatever little we can. Yes, stay indoors and stay safe.
It's almost a month that we are at home now with everyone getting restless. We all are trying to lift each other's spirit from time and again to escape the flatness of the situation. Reading, baking, watching umpteen cartoons, movies, documentaries and not to forget the news we are trying our best to make our stay at home more colorful. The kids try doing crafts and living area is strewn with papers but I am not complaining because its the result of their productive time...
The world is so mysterious now. The busiest roads and airports of the world are all wearing deserted look. We all are indoors scared, confused and praying hard for these dark days to end soon. The busiest of the restaurants are all wearing forlorn looks. There are no table reservations, no looking forward to the weekend special items. On the contrary most people like me are wearing their heads down to manage with limited options and prepare nutritious meals. With everyone at people it's an added challenge to prepare soulful food with a toned down pantry.
Today is last day of Bengali calendar. This month of Chaitra is supposedly to have vegetarian food. Bengali's do not include onions and garlic in their vegetarian section. Previously people used to consume vegetarian food all throughout this month and on the first day feast with non vegetarian items. Well, we have all crossed those centuries long back and the only day that travelled with us is perhaps the last day of Chaitra. Now people just have strict vegetarian food on the last day and look for benediction. The next day which is the first calendar day is for gorging on sumptuous food items. I remember on the vegetarian day (that's how I say) my mother used to specially make an item with raw jackfruit. I miss it so badly. The memories are still so fresh just like the spring outside now.
Now when the world is such in a disruptive state I miss my parents all the more. I am all the time anxious for their health. I long to go to my home and I do not see that happening soon. I understand there are millions of people all around who right now need many basic amenities like food and medical help. Many people are already without job and money. We all are trying and praying. We are trying to help someone in need in whatever we can. We are praying not just for us but as an entire world. We need prayers and compassion to walk through this crisis.
Tomorrow is the first day of Bengali calendar. We are not preparing anything special. Instead we will be calling people to convey our wishes and pray a little longer. If all goes well, we will collectively celebrate this day with laughter and good food. Till then let's keep praying and sharing whatever little we can. Yes, stay indoors and stay safe.
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Tiffin Tales 109
Hola,
Hope this blog finds you in the best of health. We all are anxious now with what is going around and we all are affected in some way or the other. We can express through our words but through the web world mostly.
A lot has changed around us in the past few weeks. People who run to catch the trains are sitting at home to work from their home stations to people losing their jobs in this economic turmoil. People are queuing at the grocery stories at the earliest possible time. We all are apprehensive, stressed and choked with emotions. The market is flooded with information and directives and we are just trying to sail through all of them.
Children at home are confused while the elderly people look blankly outside the windows. We all are restless and scared. The fear has gripped our minds and souls and perhaps taught some valuable pieces of human nature.
Let me share something that I felt this week. Every year my daughter goes to my neighbors house on the eighth or ninth day of Navratri for "kanjak" celebrations. On this day young girls are worshipped in the form of Goddess Durga. They are given something as an offering to the Goddess and a small token of gift. My daughter is too young to finish her plate but we enjoy her plate whole heartedly. This year due to the pandemic I was a bit upset that we wont be able to get the offerings. On the ninth day there was a knock on my door. I was extremely surprised as I wasn't expecting any deliveries or anyone during this time. I was a bit skeptical but by the time i reached for the door my phone rang. My neighbor called to inform me that she kept a plate of the offerings for my daughter. I opened the door and so touched to see that. She had neatly packed it and kept it there and to maintain the distance she left and called me to inform.
I cannot express how I felt. The universe must have heard my babbles that how I missed this. I was so happy and just said a heartfelt prayer. With the situation around us, I considered it to be a sign that all will be fine soon. It's gloomy outside and inside our hearts but let's have the positivity in our hearts that the dark nights will end.
With this thought I am trying to hold my mind and keep my children cheerful. We all can try a bit and help each other walk through this dark times.
Catch you all soon.. Take care
Hope this blog finds you in the best of health. We all are anxious now with what is going around and we all are affected in some way or the other. We can express through our words but through the web world mostly.
A lot has changed around us in the past few weeks. People who run to catch the trains are sitting at home to work from their home stations to people losing their jobs in this economic turmoil. People are queuing at the grocery stories at the earliest possible time. We all are apprehensive, stressed and choked with emotions. The market is flooded with information and directives and we are just trying to sail through all of them.
Children at home are confused while the elderly people look blankly outside the windows. We all are restless and scared. The fear has gripped our minds and souls and perhaps taught some valuable pieces of human nature.
Let me share something that I felt this week. Every year my daughter goes to my neighbors house on the eighth or ninth day of Navratri for "kanjak" celebrations. On this day young girls are worshipped in the form of Goddess Durga. They are given something as an offering to the Goddess and a small token of gift. My daughter is too young to finish her plate but we enjoy her plate whole heartedly. This year due to the pandemic I was a bit upset that we wont be able to get the offerings. On the ninth day there was a knock on my door. I was extremely surprised as I wasn't expecting any deliveries or anyone during this time. I was a bit skeptical but by the time i reached for the door my phone rang. My neighbor called to inform me that she kept a plate of the offerings for my daughter. I opened the door and so touched to see that. She had neatly packed it and kept it there and to maintain the distance she left and called me to inform.
I cannot express how I felt. The universe must have heard my babbles that how I missed this. I was so happy and just said a heartfelt prayer. With the situation around us, I considered it to be a sign that all will be fine soon. It's gloomy outside and inside our hearts but let's have the positivity in our hearts that the dark nights will end.
With this thought I am trying to hold my mind and keep my children cheerful. We all can try a bit and help each other walk through this dark times.
Catch you all soon.. Take care
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
Tiffin Tales 108
Hola...
I hope you are staying safe indoors and trying to help the universe in the best possible way. People who have to step out for serving the country and the mankind in this demanding time have all our respect and gratitude.
It's a new month but with almost with the same set of situation. The world is crippling with virus, debilitated economy, medical emergencies and presenter of gobs of problems. Each new day is challenging our patience, understanding and our compassion.
A major part of the world is in a lockdown mode. The daily wage workers are the hardest to be affected by this lockdown. Their earnings have suddenly halted, their rooftops seems to have vanished and managing for basic food seems to be a herculean task for them. They have suddenly been pushed in darkness without any answers on how to survive. There are people who are affected by this pandemic and waiting to get treatment. At present it's a huge challenge for any government of any country to provide all the amenities to the affected people in such large numbers. No wonder the lockdown is a just step to flatten the steep curve that is rising everyday. New makeshift hospitals are introduced every other day. An army of doctors, nurses and many health care officials are working overtime to help each and every affected person. There are lot of people who are working in the frontline to keep the daily lives of people working smoothly. In my memory they are doctors, nurses, all people in medical fields, people working in sectors like police, fire departments, grocery store workers, mailing departments, transport departments, home delivery people. Please pardon me if I am missing out anyone and don't forget to drop in at the comment section. The services of each and everyone at this critical juncture of crisis is perhaps helping all of us to sail through all the constraints
We all want to rise from this pandemic, enter a new day in our lives free from virus. At home meal planning is akin to annual budget planning. Most of us scared to run to the grocery stores fearing to bump into the virus. Each visit is well planned and the cleaning process following the visit is immense. Hence, all the meals have to be meticulously planned which includes nutrition and saving for the future days too.
I can go on and on about my series but not at this moment. This lockdown has taught us in more than one ways. My kids have started to be more responsive towards food and expressing gratitude. I am grateful for that too.
Let's all just join hands together, to fight this, to emerge winner and enjoy this beautiful planet. Together we can, we have to win and in this journey spread love, compassion for others to heal and pray for all. Much love to all
I hope you are staying safe indoors and trying to help the universe in the best possible way. People who have to step out for serving the country and the mankind in this demanding time have all our respect and gratitude.
It's a new month but with almost with the same set of situation. The world is crippling with virus, debilitated economy, medical emergencies and presenter of gobs of problems. Each new day is challenging our patience, understanding and our compassion.
A major part of the world is in a lockdown mode. The daily wage workers are the hardest to be affected by this lockdown. Their earnings have suddenly halted, their rooftops seems to have vanished and managing for basic food seems to be a herculean task for them. They have suddenly been pushed in darkness without any answers on how to survive. There are people who are affected by this pandemic and waiting to get treatment. At present it's a huge challenge for any government of any country to provide all the amenities to the affected people in such large numbers. No wonder the lockdown is a just step to flatten the steep curve that is rising everyday. New makeshift hospitals are introduced every other day. An army of doctors, nurses and many health care officials are working overtime to help each and every affected person. There are lot of people who are working in the frontline to keep the daily lives of people working smoothly. In my memory they are doctors, nurses, all people in medical fields, people working in sectors like police, fire departments, grocery store workers, mailing departments, transport departments, home delivery people. Please pardon me if I am missing out anyone and don't forget to drop in at the comment section. The services of each and everyone at this critical juncture of crisis is perhaps helping all of us to sail through all the constraints
We all want to rise from this pandemic, enter a new day in our lives free from virus. At home meal planning is akin to annual budget planning. Most of us scared to run to the grocery stores fearing to bump into the virus. Each visit is well planned and the cleaning process following the visit is immense. Hence, all the meals have to be meticulously planned which includes nutrition and saving for the future days too.
I can go on and on about my series but not at this moment. This lockdown has taught us in more than one ways. My kids have started to be more responsive towards food and expressing gratitude. I am grateful for that too.
Let's all just join hands together, to fight this, to emerge winner and enjoy this beautiful planet. Together we can, we have to win and in this journey spread love, compassion for others to heal and pray for all. Much love to all
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Tiffin Tales 107
Hola….
Hurray, for us because these days we are awakened by the chirping of the birds. The days are getting longer and the migratory birds are flying back to us. The high winds do bother us yet we celebrate the fact that the temperatures are slightly higher where we do not shiver.
We all are currently gripped by fear, fear of a virus and the world has named it ‘corona virus’. The virus is rapidly spreading and has shaken the entire world from its core. Everyday, every minute this pandemic is constantly reminding how strong our nature is. We are home confined, we are maintaining social distances and taking every possible precautionary step to ward this virus away.
As we slowly crawl into our third week of social isolation, a lot of things cut across my mind. How a small virus has entirely disrupted our entire lives, stopped many industries, paralyzed a lot of daily activities and to an extent has frozen our thoughts too.
We human beings have thought and considered ourselves to be the finest creation of nature and now nature teaches us back to ponder over this again and again. The gamut of nature is so strong and authoritative and makes us feel so minuscule in this hour of global crisis.
All of a sudden we all have become global citizens and can somewhat feel the pain of fellow human beings. We are taking this pandemic to be a universal problem and trying to deal. Our thoughts and perceptions slowly move towards gloom and despair. We have no idea what the future holds. The clouds of tension is getting thicker and we are waiting for the sun to shine brightly.
Change is such a concept. It always sticks true to its nature. Now nature is the brilliant master and together their compositions have to be followed by all the living beings. With time the change for better situation will be here. Till then we have to build mental strength, lean on to our loved ones, understand and respect the laws of nature and hold on to the faith that ‘every cloud has a silver lining.’
Please follow your local government directives, stay calm and stay indoors. Let’s silently stay by each other’s side by doing our bit and unanimously we will triumph over it.
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Tiffin Tales 106
Hola…
Hope the weather and your life is treating you fair enough. If by any chance you follow my blog you would know I mostly write about random things of life. There are many phases of life and a person like me with minimalistic guidance learns every single day. Not everything can be found on internet but life’s lessons has taught me manifold which I am not diving into.
Today I am not going discuss about my life or my challenges or my perspective about life. It’s been quite some time that I have been living offshore and in these years I have come across many people with reams of emotions and personalities. Almost everyone has had left some impression on my mind which I browse through periodically. This time I am going to discuss about a lady who in my mind is an ‘iron lady’.
Okay, so it goes like this…..When we moved to this new place and I was a complete out-of-stater, things were onerous. I thought so, perhaps. I was a bit skeptical because my child was going to start full day school and sending by bus was a new concept for me too. Previously I was at his service. Now all the school buses are yellow and it was mystifying for me to an extent. Just like my child my apprehensions settled down too within a week. Now there was yellow bus which used to stop next to my building and only child used to get down and before I could see properly she would enter the building with ‘help’ from her mother. This continued for weeks rolling into months. Gradually I got familiar with other families and realized that she was a specially abled child who was ‘extremely sensitive’ to her surroundings. She is so sensitive that her room has no toys, very dim lights, rarely any visitors and her anger frustration all over the place.
With time I became more curious to talk to her mother. I wanted to talk not to lend any sympathy but my simple curiosity made me approach her. I could sense that the mother was avoiding me. She overlooked my smile or simply refused to make any eye contact even though there wouldn’t be anyone else on the road. I tried a bit more and on one fine sunny day we exchanged smiles followed by small talks and discussing random things like weather and ticket prices. Hey eyes would show signs of stress and pain. I took time and didn’t want to dive into discussing about her daughter. She surprised me when she said that she was expecting a second child. My mind could not process a lot of questions and emotions together at the same time. I congratulated her and left. A few days followed and I kept enquiring about her health and one fine day she broke down. I tried to pacify her thinking these could have been just hormones playing games. I offered her to come to my home and surprisingly she obliged. I was extra cautious to avoid talking about her daughter but she completely broke down. She confessed her fears. Her daughter who seemed different within a few days of birth. The anxious parents sensed and tried all possible medical help within their limitations. The doctors declared that her growth would be really slow and very different. She would have different pattern of eating, sleeping, socializing (there isn’t any yet) and most of her life she would have assisted living. Even though I had heard about her daughter but coming from a mom who is expecting another almost swept me off my feet. This mother didn’t care for anything else and she lived every moment for her daughter. Her only aim was to make her daughter independent where she is in a position to take care of herself. Her daughter speaks a few words and her mother works tirelessly on her vocabulary building as well. The exhausted pregnant mother never requested her husband to make any delicacy or bring any food from outside. She feared if her daughter demanded and if that food worsened her health. The neighbors have been admissibly good enough to share food and offer help. Her in laws have maintained distance when they discovered the situation. The lady has lost her parents too. I almost went numb….Her daughter used to go to special school and when she reached third trimester she slowed down her school too. We couldn’t go to her home fearing not to disturb her daughter. Soon she gave birth to another daughter. The anxious parents ran a series of tests to ease their minds. It was indeed a test of their perseverance and after a few moths the baby was declared fine. I can add more lines to this story but I am keeping it short.
I have seen this lady all these years. She took care of a special child, still happily doing, swimmed through her pregnancy, gave birth and now raising both of them now. They cannot travel far, go for movies. Parks are the only indulgences for them. This lady has almost forgotten how to put on make up, attend social functions, visit her relatives or go for shopping. She begs for extra time from the universe. Her tears have dried up long time back and she bravely holds on to her smile. Her husband has been her back bone all throughout. Her husband salutes her almost every other day and considers her to be a blessing in his life.
Not just this women’s day but every day I look up to her and consider to be women’s day. My everyday problems fall flat in front of her challenges. With folded hands I pray for her and me. Strength for her and patience for me :)
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