Those of us who know UL, know how passionate, sincere and present she is. The year that Ram was born was a turning point in her yoga journey as well. In that we share a special connection. Ever since UL started teaching yoga, I have wanted to learn under her guidance. The pandemic and the reimagination required as a result of that, lifted the distance barrier and gave an opportunity to learn. That hour and 15 mins was my restful place on Sunday mornings during the summer. My mind kept calm. My thanks from the bottom of my heart to UL for the experience.
Anandana Narthana Ganapathi
Our second dance session for thsi term completed this week. Every session is a blessing to be cherished, one not to be taken for granted. This session, we learnt an item that brought out the playful and dancing side of our chubby elephant-faced darling Ganapathi.
Deep gratitude to our teacher for giving us considerable leeway in terms of designing the classes, for a choreography that inspires, and for being gracious with our imperfections.
Deep gratitude for the opportunity to be part of a dance group that is committed and nurturing. We are all in different life stages and circumstances. We come together for the love of art. We know our strengths and weaknesses. The goal is always to do our personal best. I am lucky to be part of this group and proud of our collective journey.
Gratitude to my Jjing Bang Gang for being my cheer leaders and allowing me to take over the living room filling it with my stomping sounds. Thankful for all the tools and technology (zoom, dual monitor, stable internet connection, a nice hard wood floor, the physical space) that have made dancing not just possible but fulfilling during the pandemic.
Little Moments
Gratitude for the little moments this week brought
- I too can make Kaju Katli! Indian sweets teach you life lessons like no other – do not wing it, trust the process, enjoy the sights and smells, be patient, practice, practice and practice! The Katli was kids-certified – “it tastes just like store bought ma”
- Swapping of Deepavali bakshanam with friends. After years of execution failures, this year the stars aligned.
- Nalangu, yennai and new clothes. What if the nalangu was diluted, and the yennai was thawed Parachute coconut oil. It was the moment that counted!
- Homemade naan. The things you can make with maida and yeast!
- Ram’s excitement about starting his guitar lesson on Stars and Stripes. The child has been waiting to learn this forever.
- Ram got his very first karate uniform with yellow belt. Yay Ram!
What little moments did the week bring for you?
Growth Mindset
Ayoo kadavule, I muttered to myself with exasperation as I saw a recording of my dance practice. Just so many imperfections – in form, in movements, and in gestures. In addition, the practice sari gave away all the pounds that I have accumulated over the pandemic. I was upset and disappointed with myself.
Thankfully, even as I was self-critical, there was a voice of reason from within that gently asked me to be patient with myself. Change happens incrementally, not overnight. Instead of brooding and ruminating over it, I should perhaps channel this energy in getting my act together. Look at the recording with a fine eye and see what small changes I can make and work on it.
I practiced a few times this evening and did the final recording. It’s not close to being good enough yet but it is better than yesterday. Tackling one imperfection at a time.
I offer my gratitude to Carol Dweck whose concept of Growth Mindset has influenced my thinking greatly.
Extra Activities
While the kids’ regular school has taken a beating with the pandemic, Ram’s guitar class, karate class, extra-math class, and Sunday classes have not missed a beat.The learning experience may not be as rich as in person classes. But they have been providing continuity in learning and a certain predictability to Ram’s routine. Much gratitude for that!
Working Remotely
During the initial outbreak of the pandemic, days before it was recognized as a pandemic, my company was preparing for disaster readiness. Little did we know then that it was going to be pandemic readiness. We prepared thinking that having to work from home on a regular basis was one of those rare case scenarios that we should prepare for but is unlikely to happen. In a matter of days, the situation turned topsy-turvy. 100% of the company was working remotely in a day’s notice. Fast forward 8 months, recognizing how much the productivity has gone up, my company is actually closing offices on a permanent basis and embracing flex space and working remotely. I will be a remote worker starting the end of this year.
At this stage in my life, with two growing kids, who need an adult presence at home but are self-sufficient in other ways, this development has been a blessing in disguise that I am grateful for.
Bakshanam
Happy Deepavali. May your lives be filled with love and light. This wish comes a day late but the sentiment remains.
I had taken the day off on Friday to do some bakshanam. It was quite the non-stop adventure. As I rolled the dough into balls for the gulab jamuns, I couldn’t but help think of my pattis and amma. As a child, I remember bakshanams were not reserved for special occasions. It was something that was made at home more often because eating store bought snacks was a taboo nor was it cheap. As I made the bakshanam, I wondered if I ever thanked them enough for their labor of love. Thank you to my pattis and amma for not only feeding me good stuff but showing first hand that they can be made!
People of Science
Covid cases are surging again in different parts of the country including my state. We are seeing uptick in cases in my town too. Not alarming yet but is trending upwards nevertheless. It does look like the situation is going to get worse before it can get better. On the flip side, we have some positive developments on the vaccine front. There are still a lot of unknowns – how long will a vaccine be effective? What are the long term side effects? When will it be available for the masses? So on and so forth. There is some solace in knowing that we are heading in the direction of getting a final product .
Deep deep gratitude to people of science and medicine who are working day and night, giving it their all to help combat this virus that is wreaking havoc on humanity.
Little Moments
Extending gratitude for little moments for this week:
- The gift of summer days in Fall
- The tiny leaf sprouting out of the money plant that was languishing over the summer
- Four day work week this week
- Ram reading aloud Ruskin Bond’s short stories. Stories of the mountains and trees read with voice modulation, gotta love it!
Dental Visits
After practicing 6-feet social distance for the past six months, I felt a sense of unease as my dentist inched closer to examine my gums and teeth. For an instant, I was overcome with doubts. Did I do the right thing by coming for my cleaning appointment? Am I risking my family’s health with this exposure?
I don’t have the best of dental health. To make matters worse, I have been indulging my sweet tooth with abandon for the past several months. I know if I don’t take care of my routine dental work, it will come back to bite me. I look around me, I recall the temperature check at the entrance, and I spy the sanitizers in every corner. I feel safe. I unclench my fists, relax my jaws and let the dentist do her job.
She is wearing a surgical mask and a face shield. It must be suffocating. She does this for 8 hours, 5 days a week. Let alone the masks, having to work at such proximity and being in contact must be nerve wracking. Yet. she takes her chances.
I owe a debt of gratitude to her and others like her for uninterrupted rendering of essential services. Where would we be without them? God bless them and their families!
Thoughts Unlimited 