More Than Enough

I turned 50 on Sept 27. As I sat back figuratively (and literally) I took stock. First of all, just the thought that I was now 50 was amazing. It doesn’t feel like it. I had the same feeling with seven times seven. As I based in the hundreds of birthday wishes on Facebook, the phone calls all day long, the emails, the text messages, I felt completely loved. My husband wrote me a poem, as usual and I laughed and cried my head off. As usual, we organized lunch at our local welfare home and initiated education sponsorships for children at the School for the Blind.

For the past week, my son and husband were hounding me to tell them what I want. I said, I have…

…More than enough

It is true. I just could not think of anything I wanted or even needed. Still, they took me out shopping, insisting I needed a new laptop. We browsed some stores and I told them I’d like to wait until the stores overflowed with deals next week. (Cheap, I know. But hey, Navratri is around the corner and I don’t want to feel stupid about spending a few thousands more just because I couldn’t wait. I can wait). So finally we returned home with a bean arm chair. Yes, I’ve been hankering for a bean bag for a while now – but when we saw the range, and sat on several, the chair seemed a better idea. Ever since we got it home, I haven’t had the time to sit in it. All in good time!

In fact, I have so much more than enough, that I am in the process of simplifying life, giving away all that we don’t need. Better that someone else uses the stuff than storing it in our shelves. With that in mind, I’ve been de-cluttering for months now. However, what took years to accumulate is not easy to scale down overnight, or even in a month and I am taking my time. I am glad the urge to purge is strong.

I am slowing down consciously. Sometimes, life becomes such a hectic rush that we end up filling our time with the routine eating-sleeping-waking-rushing plus work. When we stop to think if much of this will really matter even a month from now, it is shocking how much of what we do is meaningless. Yes, I am loving my sense of philosophy now. Here’s what I plan to do with my time over the next few months:

• Get through the stack of books I am looking forward to reading
• Blog, of course
• Write that book, edit the one that’s almost ready
• Focus on my hobbies – painting, embroidery, quilting, sewing, sketching
• Above all, live mindfully
• Participate in NaNoWriMo
• Spend more time outdoors
• Plan a few trips to explore Karnataka – our state

I am only telling you that much! Turning fifty has rejuvenated me and strengthened my resolve to choose happiness above all else, every day.

Look who made my day on my birthday! No wonder my heart is full!

My soul sister Vanita Cyril’s daughter

I love children and enjoy watching them. Here are some random photos… click to see original size with captions

♥

I also discovered a fun way to order food this week. Thing is, whenever we think of ordering in, we break our heads over the choices and finally decide to cook at home. When we do order, it is always pizza because my folks tend to compare the options with what we cook at home, and I am gratified they find my offering superior.

So imagine my delight when by default I received an email from Food Panda. It was one of those let-me-see-the-promo-emails lazy days and this email from Food Panda suggested I have a pizza party. Ha, I thought. But when I opened the email, it turned out to be our favorite Pizza Hut with a buy one get one free thingy.

Ordering was easy. I curiously clicked on the link in the email, and went to the Food Panda page. It asked me for my location. Next, I had to choose a restaurant and my choice of food. It gave me the option to pay online, or pay the delivery guy. Zero delivery fees, by the way.

Once I got to the page, of course I got distracted by the choice of restaurants available. I was thrilled to see all our favorite places listed and turning traitor to Pizza Hut, decided to try out a restaurant called Mast Kalandar instead – as I had heard some friends speak highly of it. What better time than now – and so I ordered.

The food arrived, beautifully packed, I might add. We indulged, quite happily. Yay for Food Panda! The website features all types of cuisines and lots of options and special deals besides the full menus. Who knew I could sit at home and order from a restaurant down the road!

♥

By the way, I was moved to tears reading this post from my very dear friend Terri Sonoda – It’s the little things  Terri is one of the most amazing people I know. She is a beautiful soul and beyond kind, besides having a fantastic sense of humor. You’ll love her latest book “Dark Pretense” – I got it and read it in one sitting and I think the book begs to be made into a movie. Please check it out – you can buy it on Amazon!  Her earlier book “Sara’s Sleep” is also fabulous.

♥

My friend Zeenat of Positive Provocations also celebrated her birthday on Sunday – and wrote a lovely post where 25+ bloggers share how they practice gratitude. I am honored she included me in it.

And that’s it for now.

No wait – just one more thing!  My dear friend Joy of Facets of Joy’s highly energetic I Believe in Magic: 30-day photo exploration course is coming up – the next session of class will run from October 6, 2013 – November 4, 2013. Pre-registration (with a 20% discount) is open through September 29th, 2013. It is great fun – more details here.

That really is it for now.

♥

I am linking up with UnknownMami for Sundays in my City, my favorite meme. She means the world to me.

Question for you:

How do you like to celebrate your birthday?