There’s nothing like taking a walk around the area to rejuvenate and refresh. Simple pleasures – a direct route to mindful living. And mindful living is a sure shot way to enjoy life.
Yo, what’s mindful living?
I see it as being conscious of my actions, however trivial they may be.
It helps me focus on the things I do.
It makes everything I do enjoyable – I am conscious of what my senses receive. I notice the textures, the colors, the fragrances. In the process, it wakes up my sixth sense.
And for the things that get on my nerves, mindful living helps me see the silver lining, the brighter side.
Then of course, there is the lighter side that brings laughter and squeezes out the stress int the situation. When you see the funny side, things don’t look so bad. You know what they say – a smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
And so, I go through my day smiling most of the time. I stroll through life savoring each moment as much as I can. Here are some scenes I added to my memories this week.
Mindful living – my way
While out for dinner, I was fascinated with this guy making masala dosas. Watching open air cooking is always an amazing experience. The air was fragrant with the food and the dextrous way in which the mass cooking was done was a beautiful sight. They worked effortlessly – turning out plate after plate of uniformly delicious dosas.
After dinner we walked around the garden in the dark. There’s a special charm, seeing foliage in darkness with just parts of it highlighted by the shadows cast by the moon and the light from the lamps.
Yesterday, I was walking past our legendary market and, as always, was enchanted by the flower ladies working tirelessly to ensure the flowers are fresh and the garlands displayed just so…it is festival time over the next two days.
As I walked on, I found the fruit sellers working at a steady pace to prepare these fruit baskets.
How could I resist taking a photo of the artists putting these fruit bouquets together?
Another sight that always makes me smile is this display. You’ll find a lot of these in our area. They are pretty good quality dress material. Hey, pretty and good quality. It is the tailoring charges that are prohibitive.
I managed to shake my head at an inviting fruit stall – these vendors are very persuasive and make it very hard to say no.
The sun was high and my tummy rumbled. So I set off home via this colorful lane.
But not before I spent a few minutes, watching the world go by with my dear friend, Ronald McDonald.
Mindful living…and the living is easy. Do more of what you love. Be happy!
Linking up with Unknown Mami for Sundays In My City. My weekly ticket to world travel
Vidya,
Your definition of mindful living is perfect. I’ve tried to be very mindful over the last few years. I think it changes your life! I just love seeing your pictures, too.
Thanks for sharing!!
xoxo
It is true, Betsy, living mindfully changes life for the better! Thanks for dropping by,hugs!
What a colorful place– And your flowers and fresh fruit, Ahhh. I can almost smell them.
My mindfulness this week was on my long walk where I stopped and actually smelled the flowers and appreciated their beauty. Does that count?
Happy SIMC, jj
Certainly it does, Joanna! In fact that is my favorite way. It is amazing what we can find when we decide to look! Glad you’re here today! 🙂
I love the colours of the material. I think I would be very tempted to buy some
mollyxxx
🙂 Oh, I have, Molly! They are pretty good! 😀 Thanks for dropping by!
The market is such a beautiful array of colors and textures. I love seeing it through your eyes.
Thank you, Tara! It is lovely to walk and watch these people! And get some pretty good bargains too! Have a happy week!
Reminds me of our neighborhood walks which I miss because it has been too cold.
We’re lucky, Judy – about a decade ago, the roads would be empty during winter, it used to be so cold. Not any more, thanks to construction everywhere. Thank you for visiting!
That fruit…oh my! I don’t think I could have walked by without buying some…or a lot!!
😀 They were good enough to photograph Dorothy! but very very expensive. We window shop in this particular area and actually shop at the supermarket!
Thanks for commenting!
NIce one, Vidya. The things mentioned here are a sight for so many of us. How many people do really pay as much heed. Here’s to mindful living!
Cheers to mindful living, Kajal! So much pleasure! Thank you!
Vidya this was such a delightful post…we definitely should follow mindful living. If we were to just open our eyes and look around us, we will notice we are surrounded by beauty. Lovely pics. Hope you have a happy week. Happy Pongal!!
Thank you, Aditi!
What a wonderful way to capture the essence of everyday living. And perhaps create space for gratitude too. But what made me smile was the point about tailors charging us exorbitant prices. A tren everywhere it seems 😀
Richa, one of my strategies for clearing my head is go for a walk with my camera!
Oh those tailors. I buy ready-to-wear! 😀
Lovely pictures and lovely post. The colours there themselves brighten up ones life.Looking forward to more such wonderful pictures and posts.
Thank you Geeta! I too look forward to my Sunday posts – because they are photo posts. Glad you came by!
P always says, you should look at the funnier side of everything and you will be at peace 🙂
Is that the Malleswaram (8th/13th cross) market? Incidentally that is where I was this weekend too! With Vaikuntha Ekadashi on Sat and Sankranti round the corner, the market was colourful and full of buzz 🙂
Yeah, that’s the Mvm market. We probably bumped into each other without knowing it! 😀
The simplest things are the most complicated when tried
PhenoMenon
Indeed, Pheno! 🙂 Then they become easy with practice!
Little thing bring great joy. Loved the wall – how unique.
Yes, Suzy, it is a beautiful lane! With a temple on the left. Thank you for visiting!
Awesome.. I agree 100% on what you said about mindful living. I find meaning in simple pleasures of life, and that is my way of mindful living.
Like, I had a hard time reaching the bus stand Friday night, and got stranded at the bus stand for 3 hours. Yet, it was all worth it.
Like they say, you either complain or give yourself up to the currents and enjoy the ride. Guess which one I chose?
🙂
Yepppp.. you are right.
Happyyyy Festive Season to you, Vidya.
Good girl! Hugs! 🙂
Lovely pics full of vibrant colors, especially the one with Ronald McDonald. 🙂
I love that guy, Rekha! So patient, always has time for everyone 😀
Thank you!
I dono if its mindful living but once I hv began blogging my mind ununcouosuly captures the smallest detail as I walk b … who knows wat will make a good post! The photographer of a husband is just icing on the cake 😛
Beautiful pictures and colorful life. Loved the way you could see happiness in every single thing! 🙂
Your photos are fabulous Vidya. I can almost smell the flowers and taste the fruit. Mindful living brings so much joy, it’s a surprise to me that we don’t practice it all the time. Thanks for the reminder of the beauty it brings.
Beautiful pics, Vidya. Those fruits are really hard to say no to!
It is funny hearing you say Yo! Your photos are so beautiful!
Mindful living: the only way to live 🙂 And how vibrant and wonderful the colours! Cheers! Kaarina
Oh my gosh, those fruit baskets!!! I don’t think I’d be able to resist.
I do love your take on mindfulness Vidya. You make it easy to see how to incorporate it more into daily life, and that’s a very good thing.
beautiful
You capture the vibrancy and light of your world Vidya and it looks so inviting. A beautiful bright page to cheer up the dull grey day here in Ireland!
Your simple pleasures are wonderful!
Everything is so colorful where you are from and your pictures are beautiful. I enjoyed seeing them. I think focusing on things as you have done and taking in the details is mindful living. This was lovely. I felt as if I had visited and left happy! ♥
Hello Vidya,
It’s so wonderful to see your vivid pictures! You know I love them! I also enjoy your definition of mindfulness. It’s so appropriate, and said in a way that anyone can understand! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and pictures!
Brilliantly captured Vidya 🙂 8th cross ?
I love the way you make it a point to include photos of ‘ordinary’ people in your posts. I think that’s the most ‘mindful’ of all!
I attended a function this week, which started with prayers (of a religion other than the one I was born into) being sung by everybody in a language I don’t understand. It was a joy to see the enthusiasm of all the people and the look of devotion on their faces!
My day was made when I met a young man who told me that, after he started reading my blog, he has started finding meanings in most incidents in his daily life!
The colors are brilliant as are you to capture them and share them with us! My favorite is the last one – with your typical expression contrasted with Ronnie’s idiotic grin! 😉
And I agree with Pro – about the mindfulness of your practice!
I love the pictures! Mindful living is an exceptional way to go through the day. You always promote the positive, Vidya, and my spirits are uplifted with every visit to your blog. Thanks for sharing your awesomeness with us! Hugggsss!
Wow… that fruit basket took my heart away..How can one just pass by and not buy them..I loved the colourful walk .. and it is so true..mindful living is what makes things around us more beautiful..last week I was at a Turkish resto and I just loved looking at their handicraft..
I love such posts of yours. I never feel jealous of anything else in this world as I do of people who manage to present such a photographic journey. I love doing this. And I love people who do this too. 🙂
Very good post. It is always important to remain mindful of your day, life goes by too quickly as it is, but even quicker if you are not paying attention.
Just yesterday, a friend was talking about Mindful Living. She explained that even if you are keeping your car keys on the table after entering home, do it consciously and dont do it just out of habit! And like wise all activities… that way we will enjoy things better. Amazingly colourful pics. Are the assorted fruits sold like that?? That’s a new one and makes so much sense too! 🙂
I love this! Mindfulness is something that I’m working on. With small kids, I do, often, just live on auto-pilot, which is not good.
Lovely post, Vidya that reminds of the joys of simple pleasures in life! Missed reading a lot of posts as I was away:(
I really like the way you think Vidya.
Very lovely post, Vidya. Those fruit baskets are so inviting.. 😀 And love your picture with Ronnie.. 😀
hi Vidya, the one thing that I did last week that was mindful was one meal of minduful eating. No noise, no friends, no tv, no restaurants. Just me, my food, and I. When I finished eating, I realized it was one of those rare meals where all I did was focus on what i ate. It was probably one of the most delicious meals I’ve eaten!
Thanks for the colorful and vibrant photos. All the food photos make me hungry!!
I’d love to wear one of those dresses. So colorful!
Thanks for sharing Vidya! Lots of great info to contemplate.