Keeping my balance has been my challenge this past week. I laughed through most of it but there was no lack of downers. For Life, though, it was all in a day’s work. And a good thing too, because when I get my mojo back, it is nice to see that everything is as it should be. I tend to bounce back quickly because that’s the way I roll. I believe that Life is too short to be anything but happy. (I also believe I just found the title for my next post – what do ‘you think?
Simply noticing what is around me in minute detail is a big mood-changer for me, keeping my balance. I think some people call it “distraction’, but a rose is a rose is a rose, so as long as it works, it is all good.
Other staples that help me stay calm are my music, going out and capturing scenes with my camera, looking at photo albums, writing – and of course the wonderful cheer-upper with benefits, which is housework! And then, living in the moment.
Mission: Keeping my balance
On Friday, I decided to surprise my son with pizzas when he returned from school, and found I didn’t have the ingredients. But determined to have the pizzas, I walked across to the bakery opposite our condo and while waiting for my order, noticed a woman walk in with her 18 year old special needs son. While she placed her order, her son, who had a bag kept nudging her constantly. Instead of getting annoyed at him, she quickly asked the bakery guy for a pack of buns and handed it to her son, who put it in the bag and happily went and sat in one of the chairs.
Two minutes later, he was back. By this time, the bakery guy had packed a couple of items for her and she picked one one of them and gave it to her son. She kept doing this with four more packs and then settled her bill. Then her phone rang. Her son rushed over to her and gently took her helmet off her head so she could talk. She hugged him with one arm as she finished her call. Then they both got on her scooter and sped away. I was touched by her patience and kindness.
I regularly see a couple of other families with special needs children in our area while we are out walking and always feel upset at how irritated they get with their child, as if it is all the child’s fault. Sury once almost picked a fight with one kid’s Dad for his behavior. Sigh. When I saw this Mom and son at the bakery, it warmed my heart. And I felt grateful for all that I had.
On a rather hilarious note, while on my way somewhere, I had the most comic experience while waiting at the bus stop. I tend to pace up and down in the little space, sometimes with my hands in my pockets (yeah, imagine that and be amused!). Now on this particular day two women who wait for the same bus with their kids every day kept looking at me and whispering to each other. Then one of them approached me and sheepishly asked if I was the same actress who appeared in some regional TV shows. I was tempted to go along but told them I wasn’t her. They got quite friendly after that and we moved on.
You’d think that was it, eh? No.
After I returned home, I found the Internet was down. It turned out that my modem had died. So I called the service guy to replace it. While he worked on the system, I was telling my folks about how I was mistaken for a celebrity actor. We all had a good laugh and by this time, the Internet guy finished up. He got his service report signed. Then he told me that the first time he visited our place years ago, he too had thought I was that small screen celebrity. Apparently he looked for actor memorabilia and didn’t find any and so, decided for himself that I wasn’t her. Who knew?
Here are some pictures I clicked last week that helped in keeping my balance. Enjoy!
First up is this amazing anthill. If you’ve been around my blog for a while, you would have seen this photo of this ant hill in my post in March 2012
See how tall that little hill has grown! And so have the trees around it. I imagined it asking me ” So you think you are the only one who’s busy? How do ya like me now?!” Majestic eh? Intimidating, too!
I can’t imagine what this building will be transformed to, in a few months. But I think it looks stunning right now. I can imagine so many stories there. A work in progress. Like me.
So I am into revisiting today. See this pond. I’ve posted a photo of this earlier. It is so beautiful now. The green cools my eyes and my senses can feel the texture of the leaves and the flower’s petals without touching them. Lovingly maintained by its gardener.
I love this doorway. This is part of a partition in a space and has been creatively decorated with Warli Art instead of the usual plain colors. Don’t you love it? The entire partition is filled with this art and looks bright and cheerful.
I would like to highlight a comment on my post Happiness Is Celebrating with You by Mona of RichMiracleFiles (please do visit her wonderful blog – she writes beautifully). Here’s what she says:
Well here is what I feel about happiness,something that I call the PHI (Personal Happiness Index). No one else is responsible for your state of mind other than you yourself.
What goes on in your mind dictates how you will interpret the reality around you.Your internal “hum” is important for your emotional effectiveness and your own happiness and confidence .Your PHI .And your PHI is a direct outcome of your confidence,your self liking and your emotional balance in all circumstances.
What do you have to do? You simply have to remain at the highest level of your PHI ,no matter what. Realize the fact that you are the only one responsible for manufacturing your happiness,for creating your peak PHI.
That’s the truth, people. When I was 15 years old and a little annoyed about something that did not happen the way I expected, my Aunt wrote me a letter saying that nobody owes us anything. Even our parents. They do things for us out of their love, without expecting any returns. And as I read her letter, I resolved to take responsibility for the way I feel. I’ve succeeded mostly and have been rewarded with better mental and emotional health. You know the quote that goes:
“Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else’s.” Billy Wilder
I am linking up with Unknown Mami, who hosts Sundays In My City, my favorite meme. From her blog, we can travel the world. No tickets required.
Just one more thing:
I wondered if you had a chance to check out Farnoosh Brock’s FastTrack Promotion early bird offer that ends Monday 26th eastern time? You can grab the free strategies for getting ahead and getting closer to that promotion at work. More details here.
Now, question for you about keeping your balance
How do you do it? Please share in the comments!
♥
Lovely reads this week:
How to Find More Time to Do What You Love by Using the “Big Three”
23 comments
Loved the Warli art piece. its unusual as its colourful. Usually Warli art brick red background with white colour drawings.
Loved the way the mom handled the special son. Brought a smile on my face.
You’re right, Kalpana. But this painting was done by kids and they freaked out on it 😀
Thank you for your comment. I had a nice warm moment thinking of the Mother and her son, too!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Dishing Out Happiness
How do I keep my balance? Music, walking in nature, meditation, photography, playing with my kids, visiting the farmer’s market etc. btw I love the pond.
Suzy recently posted…Smoke in the air
🙂 Here you are, Suzy! Your “strategies” for keeping the balance are similar to mine!
That pond is very pretty. This one is at my son’s school and there is another one at the police station near our place. Those flowers look gorgeous and change colors from brilliant blue to a gentle pastel shade in their lifetime.
Thank you!
Vidya Sury recently posted…When the going gets tough
It was heartwarming to read about the mother-son at the bakery. It is surprising that the parents of the other special child behaved irritably with him/her. Usually, such parents practice extreme patience and kindness with their special kids!
Loved the then and now pic of the ant hill… yes everything grows and progresses with time…
Shilpa Garg recently posted…The Lonely Road…
We were surprised about those people at first. But usually it is the caretaker who takes the child around. The parents do it occasionally, and when they do, they’re always on the phone. It upsets the ‘eck out of me! Ideally, one expects extra care with these children of God, but in reality, it is not so, Shilpa. The constant worry and pressure probably makes them give in and vent it out on the one person they shouldn’t.
Yes, everything grows, or diminishes as it is meant to be 😀
I was thinking of an appropriate phrase when I wrote about the “distraction” and your blog’s name came to mind and I was smiling as I added it.
Thank you, Shilpa!
Vidya Sury recently posted…When the going gets tough
Oh Vidya, I am right there with you in the bakery once again, but this time I see that there is a lesson there that I can apply to my own life. That bakery is tricky! More than meets the eye 🙂
That anthill just scares me…whoa!! We are fighting ants in our garage and kitchen and if it looks like THAT under my house, I am bowing out and handing the house over to them.
I am sorry you were off balance, I can hear your tone, you are amazing that no matter what you find the light. xo
Julie Barrett recently posted…What Spiritual Level Are You On? Speaking With Your Spirit Guides
Vidya –
What a delicious stew of happenings ~ each one that you’ve turned into a positive experience.
SO…what celebrity is it that you look like??
What helps me keep my balance? Prayer, music, gardening, family, sitting quietly, breathing, and doing ‘grateful’ mantras. xxoo-Fran
Fran Sorin recently posted…Igniting Your Creativity So That You Can Silently Forgive – 7 Tips
You have the prettiest pictures! Your inspiraton keeps me in balance. Or loving my out of balance-ness!
Jodi @ Heal Now recently posted…Dancing Through Cancer Viral Video
How do I keep my balance? Well on those days when my balance to do something about it wins over my imbalance I plunge myself into household work, meditate, watch some comedy that always made me roll about with laughter or do something that would keep my brain hushed up like Sudoku or a crossword 🙂
jaishvats recently posted…Wish (Flash 55 Fiction)
Great post Vidya once again. I keep my blance with music, writing and yes i love hearing a river run down the mountain side.
In nature we can find wonderful memories and relaxing moments. All we have to do is be silent and listen.
thankyou for sharing and pictures are always wonderful. You are great with that camera.
Debbie
Debbie recently posted…Top 15 Reasons For Having Kids
Loved your pix, Vidya.
Colorful and emit peace….loved it!
How do I keep my balance: Being a Reiki Practitioner, I rely on my chakras and meditate which helps me keep my sanity while providing me peace esp when surrounded by havoc and deadlines.
Hope your ankle doing better?
ruchira recently posted…Man’s Independence
Love the anthill Vidya, thanks for sharing your city
Re balance- there was a time where I would have lost it if the internet etc was down, now I take deep breaths- go to my happy place the beach, paint or draw m daily mediation helps maintain daily balance to
Namaste
Suzie xx
Suzie Cheel recently posted…Color Prescription 4: Green and The Heart Chakra
Another great smorgasbord of delights Vidya. Beautiful story in the bakery.
Keeping balance…it’s all about nature for me. Nature is always moving into balance so just being in nature works a treat.
Elle recently posted…Unexpected Acts Of Creativity That Change Your Life
As always, wonderful pictures that I look forward to seeing every week!!
Thanks Vidya!
xoxo
Betsy
Betsy/Zen Mama recently posted…Become The Hero Of Your Own Story
The shots are amazing! I struggle with balance constantly so thank you for the reminder.
Have a great week!
🙂
Traci
I was touched indeed by the interaction between the mother and the special needs child. Yes where I am almost every day I have parents ,children, family adolescents who come to me & when I have to tell them the condition they have is genetic and as on today they have to live with it as there is no cure Yes I do talk at length with them ,but at the end of it I tell my coworkers /juniors who fuss about their lunch think of that child who is allergic to gluten and cant have so many things,of the thalesemic child who needs a transfusion every 15days and knows at the age of 5 that he/she will not live beyond 15yrs that too if all goes wellbut to see them cheer with the little dolls we give or comics etc.Though in prayer coming from my school I ahave always said grace before my meal and thanked God for what is in my share in life ,the first time I really felt it whole & soul was when I was In N.Y alone & away from home & working in a pediatric ward when I saw children all playfull today & my next trip the following morning the child was strggling between life & death or some of them had gone & my kiss to them the earlier day was the last one that is when it all came flooding to my mind how blessed I am and I am here at Manhattan ( most would love to be at !!)I am here on my own choice , to rise in my career so what am I crying for that I am away from home.Thats when I really realized how for most of us the going is so good yet we crib and cry .Even today I do have moments when I am down but then I quickly cheerup thinking of all the nice things I have.
Also thanks Vidya for giving me this platform to put my thoughts left to mysely I would not have done this though I know we all need to share
thanks for sharing and making me be with you as those who would smile & pass the smile along the most important things to wear as soon as you wake is your smile and tell your self here I am awakening into a fresh morning full of promise .So long
gita
Dear Gita,
First, thank you so much for your comment. This is exactly what we tell ourselves in our family. You know, I’ve actually seen my son say a prayer when we see someone not as fortunate as us to have the things we have. It is extremely humbling to visit the children’s ward – I have visited “homes” where they care for challenged children and the memory of it is all it takes for me to stay grounded.
Not that I am a cribber, but sometimes, we do tend to complain. Incidents such as the one at the bakery are great reminders to appreciate the lives we have. And then there are those that have everything and more, and behave in a bad tempered way with their kids and everyone they interact with.
Remember the saying, “I complained I had no shoes, until I met a man with no feet”? I cried when I first read it, when I was a little girl. Every moment we have is a precious gift. I try my best to treat it as such.
Thank you so much for connecting with me, sharing yourself with me and your wonderful phone call. I treasure it.By the way, if you are on facebook, email me your profile link. And see what Pattu says in her comment on my post Not Exactly As Planned
Blessed is how I feel now!
Thanks, again!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Not Exactly As Planned
I love how you marked the growth and change via your pictures, Vidya. The incident of the special child is something I’ll be thinking of for a long time. Thanks for sharing.
Darling Vidya,
This post and all in it just warmed my heart and soul. You have the best eye …love the pics and the touching experience with the special needs child and his mother.
Lots of love,
Z~
Zeenat(Positive Provocations) recently posted…Simplify and Forgive Yourself for True Emotional Healing
First time here.. loved it!
I am so touched by the incident of the lady with a special needs child. They indeed have the right amount of patience and kindness. The artwork is splendid.
REKHA recently posted…Edupreneur – Tanuja Chandra
Wow! I’m gonna invite those ants to my house, maybe they can help build our deck:)Finding balance…always tricky and something I need to improve on.You’ll always be a writing celebrity, Vidya:)
Sam recently posted…Heartache